Goodness and Mercy

It is through the Son, at the cost of his own blood, that we are redeemed, freely forgiven through that full and generous grace which has overflowed into our lives and opened our eyes to the truth. For God had allowed us to know the secret of his plan, and it is this: he purposes in his sovereign will that all human history shall be consummated in Christ, that everything that exists in Heaven or earth shall find its perfection and fulfillment in him. And here is the staggering thing—that in all which will one day belong to him we have been promised a share... Ephesians 1:7-11a 

A dear friend since my college days passed away yesterday. He was a Vietnam veteran, a wonderful Bible teacher, husband and father. I will always remember his teaching on Ephesians 1, that impacted my life as a young college student at GSU.

He had suffered from dementia for the last two years. I remember that one of his favorite songs was "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, and I will feast at the table set for me."

Rock of Ages Cave

Granddaughter Kaedyn visited Squire Boone Caverns recently with her first grade class. This is a photo of Rock of Ages Cave. Squire Boone was the brother of Daniel Boone. She was fascinated by stalagmites and stalactites. but most interested in the grist mill, and the candle and soap making.

Over Memorial Day weekend, her family moved to a town twenty miles away. I felt sad that she would not be near enough to drop in and visit me often, but I had to be happy for her when I saw how much she is enjoying her new back yard!

Indiana

Indiana has had four different plants as the state flower in its history, including the Carnation, the Tulip Tree Flower and the Zinnia. The state’s most recent choice, adopted in 1957, the Peony, thrives here in southern Indiana.

Even though I have been in Indiana for 27 years now, I live very close to Kentucky, across the Ohio River from Louisville.

View of Louisville KY from Indiana

Memorial Day

I heard a former prisoner of war in Viet Nam tell how he spent lonely years in captivity praying and remembering Bible verses and songs he learned as a small child.

Thank You, Lord Jesus for Your promise that: "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26 

I pray for those whose loved one died in the service of our country, and also those who are serving today and for their family members who await their safe return. 

Christ's Love

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Romans 8:35,38 NLT

Being Stretched

I think it harder, Lord,

to cast the cares of those

I love on You, than to cast mine.

We, growing older,

learn at last

that You are merciful and kind.

Not one time

have You failed me.

Lord, why fear that you'll fail mine?

Ruth Bell Graham

When my oldest child left home, I couldn't stop crying. As I sat in my porch rocker, I watched a mother robin working feverishly to feed her baby who was as big as she was. It wasn't long before he left the nest. The Lord spoke to me, "It's a good thing for Carl to grow and stretch his wings, too!"

Now my oldest grandchild is graduating and going to college. I trust that the Lord will guide and guard her steps.

His Spirit within us is actually praying for us in those agonizing longings which never find words. And God who knows the heart’s secrets understands, of course, the Spirit’s intention as he prays for those who love God.

Romans 8:27 Phillips NT

Beautiful Reflections

When scattered clouds are resting on the bosoms of hills,

it seems as if one might climb into the heavenly region,

earth being so intermixed with sky,

and gradually transformed into it.

Nathaniel Hawthorne

My first plane trip was in 1969 from Atlanta to Detroit. It was a thrill to look down at the rivers and farms beneath me. I spent ten weeks in different towns in Michigan, helping with Vacation Bible Schools, many times in backyards or camping areas. I have great memories of the kids we met that summer.

Our last week was in Munising with a view of Lake Superior. Such unforgettable sunsets there. But the most amazing sight was when we boarded a small plane and flew over Lake Michigan just as the sun was rising. The lake reflected the sky so perfectly that I couldn't tell where one ended and the other began.

Heaven Came Down

You didn't want Heaven without us,

So Jesus, You brought Heaven down.

What a Beautiful Name (Kari Jobe)

In the beginning was the Word, 
and the Word was with God, 
and the Word was God. 
He was in the beginning with God. 
All things were made through Him, 
and without Him nothing was made that was made. 
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John 1:1-4

Prayer for Our Leaders

1. Pray that they would realize their personal sinfulness and their daily need for cleansing of their sin by Jesus Christ.


2. Pray that they would recognize their personal inadequacy to fulfill their tasks and they would depend upon God for knowledge, wisdom, and the courage to do what is right.


3. Pray that they would reject all counsel that violates spiritual principles, trusting God to prove them right.


4. Pray that they would resist those who would pressure them to violate their conscience.


5. Pray that they would reverse the trends of socialism and humanism in this nation, both of which deify man rather than God.


6. Pray that they would be ready to sacrifice their personal ambitions and political careers for the sake of this nation, if yielding them would be in the best interest of their country.


7. Pray that they would rely upon prayer and the Word of God as the source of their daily strength, wisdom, and courage.


8. Pray that they would restore dignity, honor, trustworthiness and righteousness to the office they hold.


9. Pray that they would remember to be good examples in their conduct to the fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters of this nation.


10. Pray that they would be reminded daily that they are accountable to Almighty God for the decisions they make.  (Written by Pastor Charles Stanley, Atlanta, GA)

Greater Is He

Peace does not come from being indifferent to what is going on in the world, or being so selfish that I don't care about the hurting people around us.. Peace comes from being confident that God loves me, and clinging to the truth that, "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). 

Amazing Love

“An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others.” A.W. Tozer

Fragrance Favorites

 Yardley Soap Ad:

"The soap that’s kept women in hot water for 200 years—

and they’ve loved every minute."

Now that my granddaughters are teens, I was thinking about the fragrances I loved when I was their age. I usually got perfumed soaps, lotions, and dusting powder for presents from my grandmothers.

I also loved White Shoulders, Blue Grass by Elizabeth Arden, and Nina Ricci L'Air du Temps.

Do you have a favorite fragrance?

God's Sunrise

Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
God's Sunrise will break in upon us,
shining on those in the darkness,
those sitting in the shadow of death,
then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
down the path of peace.

Luke 1:78-79 Message

While We Pray

God's angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.
Open your mouth and taste,
open your eyes and see— how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.

Psalm 34:7-8

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.

The Brook

The brook after all the rain this week.

This is how it usually looks!

It seemed like a good day to re-post my poem that was inspired by this little brook.

I stand on the footbridge 

Listening to the gurgling brook

Rippling over rocks, then

Disappearing around the bend.

Not knowing where it began 

Or where it ends

Or all the gaps

It fills along its way

Sometimes a trickle

Sometimes overflowing.

People see our hearts,

God's grace flowing through us

In dry times and storms

When we get it right

And even when we mess everything up, 
Amazing!
How our Father turns things for good.

We'll never know all the lives we'll touch

Because of His river of life.

Karen Rice

Still, Still With Thee

Still, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh,

When the bird waketh, and the shadows flee;
Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight,
Dawns the sweet consciousness, I am with Thee.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

An author, crusader against slavery, and mother of six, 

Harriet Stowe woke at 4:30 each morning to 

"see the coming of the dawn, hear the singing of the birds,

and to enjoy the overshadowing presence of God."

She was inspired to write the hymn

Still, Still With Thee

while reading Psalm 139

How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God...

When I awake, I am still with Thee!