Not Even Solomon

Matthew 6:28-29
And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the flowers of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Currently, I am missing my neighborhood walks.  Why?  My IT Band on my right leg is acting up something fierce!  If you have ever experienced this problem, you know precisely what I'm talking about.  Yes, I'm doing exercises that seem to help, applying an ice pack to the affected area, and Danny is kind enough to buff my leg out with this:

Ahh!  I'm so glad he decided to invest in this baby a while back!

The walks I have been able to take, though, have made me ever so grateful that the lock down has happened in the spring, when everything is blooming, and there is color bursting all around.  So, I thought I'd share these cheerful photos of God's glorious creation with you.

Beautiful!  Not even Solomon in all his splendor was arrayed as these.  So, in the uncertain times in which we find ourselves, let us take comfort in knowing that our Father, who created the world and everything in it, is eternally in control.

And may we take time to admire and give thanks to Him for His handiwork and His infinite blessings.

Amen!

Try and Try Again

John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.

I try and try again

Yet, nothing happens

To convince him

That words of love sincere

Make a difference

Change a heart, a mind

Beg utmost for highest

Ignored, unheeded

The will, dangerous

Since the temptation

In the Garden, serpent

Lurks here and now

May light be sought

Tables eventually turned

In favor of the way

The truth and the life

Forever and forever

Again and again, amen!

Deployed!

Luke 24:4-6
While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee.

Are you missing being able to attend church, especially during this sacred Holy Week?  Yes?  Me, too!  Throngs of Christians are mourning the fact we can no longer meet in close proximity, to celebrate and worship God together in fellowship, and garner strength, comfort and wisdom from friends, who inspire us to face the week that lies ahead with renewed conviction.

But as we approach Easter, with today being Good Friday, when Jesus chose the agony of the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, let us rethink our current inability to be physically together in community.  Is it, all in all, a bad thing?  When we stop and consider Jesus' command to love our neighbors as ourselves, isn't that what we are doing when we self-isolate or practice social distancing during this pandemic?  It's a new opportunity to acknowledge the value of all God's children.

Then we hear the countless stories of Christians doing remarkable things in their towns and communities for those out of work and for those, like the elderly, who are cautioned to stay in place.  I hope you will share the ones you have heard, or perhaps, been a part of, in the comments!

Encouraging one another, and lifting each other up, doesn't have to stop.  We can reach out by phone calls, texts, social media, and cards.  When was the last time you sent someone a note via snail mail?  Just the other day, before this madness descended, I received an unexpected, but so welcome, post card from a blogging friend.  Her words lifted my spirits that day, and continue to do so as I keep her card front and center on my computer desk.

And of course, we can pray without ceasing, for all those on the front lines of this disease, for those who are ill and hurting, for the families in economic peril, for all who are working in essential jobs to keep this country going.  Yes, we can pray, too, for all those who hoarded toilet paper.  Didn't Jesus tell us to love our enemies?  That's a start!

Might it be that because we can no longer meet together in a physical church building, we are actually doing more for the Lord and His kingdom than ever before?

Because when we attend Sunday service, yet fail to carry the message we receive into the world, the church becomes a tomb.  One that stays sealed, devoid of the resurrection promise.

So, let's not view the empty church as a negative thing, but as the gloriously empty tomb the women discovered on that first Easter morning so long ago.

May we take joy in being deployed into this dark and hurting world to share the Good News of Christ Jesus like never before.

Isn't that what being a Christian is really all about?

May your Easter be blessed!

Amen!

Easter Eggstravaganza!

Proverbs 17:6
Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

Holidays bring back memories of precious times spent with family, and Easter is no exception.  I find myself recalling all the Easter egg hunts that my husband, Danny, and I host for our granddaughters.  I locate photos from the last several Easters, though for some odd reason, there are none for 2014.  Go figure!  Please allow me to share some of these special moments with you.

Virginia's first Easter

What a special occasion that was!

By her second Easter, she's old enough to hunt outdoors.

Savannah joins in for the first time!

Alexandra is just taking in her first Easter.

Now, all three have at it!

And the last Easter together?  Virginia has discovered who the true Easter Bunny is, so she volunteers to hide the eggs for her sisters to find.  So grown up!

Virginia at our church Easter Egg Hunt last year.

Virginia wasn't too thrilled when I ask her to pose with her sisters!

Now that they are all living far away from us, and with the travel constraints imposed by the Covid-19, seeing them, or anyone else for that matter, on Easter is prohibitive.  Still, I'm hoping that my daughter, Sarah, and her husband, John, will be able to hold their own Easter Eggstravaganza for the girls.  Can't wait to add their photos to my collection!

Have a blessed Holy Week, my friends!

Fifteen and Counting!

Mark 10:6-8
"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.'  For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be unified to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.  So they are no longer two, but one flesh."

Yesterday, April 2nd, my husband, Danny, and I celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary.  Wow!  Can that much time really have flown by since we said, "I do?"

We have traditionally marked our anniversaries with glorious trips to mountain cabins.

Of course, in these unprecedented times, travel is out of the question.  Our state of Georgia is now in full lock-down for the remainder of the month, and Governor Kemp has cancelled the rest of the school year for K-12 students.  Absolutely surreal!

So, this anniversary, Danny and I will stay put, recalling the blessings and the joy these years have brought to both of us.  Has it always been an easy road?  Not by a long shot!  We've had our share of bumps and potholes along the way, but never anything that the two of us, with God's help, couldn't overcome.

And we will persevere together as the coming days unfold, thankful to the Lord who brought us together, and who keeps us together, strong in the faith.

Happy Anniversary, Danny!  I love you now more than ever!

Even if the only view we enjoy this year is our own back yard.

Amen!

Let's Go on an Adventure!

Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

In these unprecedented times of self-quarantine and social distancing, perhaps your spirit is feeling rather crushed right now.  You could use a healthy dose of cheerfulness in your life, something to brighten your world and distract you in an entertaining, uplifting way.

May I suggest reading The Glade Series and Adventures in The Glade?  Yes, I know I'm tooting my own horn here, but from the critiques of many, many folks, I can guarantee that you, too, will be enchanted by the adventures of Davy, Racer and the whole gang at The Glade.

Here's a brief overview:

Spending the summer at Grandpa Will's farm with his family is the last thing ten-year-old Davy wants.  How will he survive without his friends, the pool and his computer?  There isn't even a television at Grandpa's house!  Doesn't anyone see how miserable he will be?

In his frustration, Davy turns his anger on his mother, Kate, his sister, Anna, and especially his stepfather, Jim.  Davy is determined to make their summer as dismal and disappointing as he believes his will be.

But then, Davy has a most surprising and unexpected encounter . . . one which will change his heart, and his world, forever . . .

Okay, okay, I can hear you now.  "Hey, this is a kid's story!  Why would I like it?"

Oh, but you will!  As I've told people numerous times, these stories are for "children" ages nine to ninety-nine.  You'll enjoy every moment of discovery, mystery, suspense, and humor that these novels impart.

You've already read them?  Then why not order for friends or family members who are isolated right now?  How about sharing this blog post on Facebook or Twitter so that you can spread the news, reaching out to others not acquainted with either my blog or my books?  That would be such a blessing for me and to others in need of inspiration.

We may not be able to physically touch one another during these days, but we can share our love with a gift of memorable books to read.  It's medicine to cheer the heart, and comfort food for the soul.

Amen!

The Gardener

Matthew 13:21
But since they have no root, they last only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

It thrives here, now

In recesses of grainy

Soil collected over

Time by deck wanting

Pressure wash, cleansing

Sprout, hope's fountain,

Will not be deterred

In spite of mounting odds

Every day, new promise

Believing above all

That soil, rich, will hold

When the Gardener sows

Amen!