This blog is designed to create community for believers and provide support for seekers. I encourage all readers to share their faith in an effort to lift and encourage one another.
Psalm 11: 4
“The Lord is in his holy temple;
The Lord is on his heavenly throne,
He observes everyone on earth’
His eyes examine them.”
What need we fear when the Almighty, the Creator is on his throne? He is the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Praise God!
Thank you, Lord God, that you are on your throne and you see all of us. You are the mighty judge and will reward and bless your children.
How reassuring is this?
Father, thank you for providing all we need (not want) to live godly lives.
I wrote this back in 1999 after a tornado destroyed our church.
Wind: odorless, colorless, tasteless, yet we know it exists. Even though we cannot hold it in our hands, we feel it. We feel its gentle breezes cooling us in the heat of summer; we feel its icy blast stinging us in the chill of winter. Even though it has no voice, we hear it. We hear it rustling in the cottonwood trees; we hear it roaring across the plains. Even though it has no form, we see its effects. We see the grasses gently swaying and mighty oaks bowing low. In the mightiest wind we see telephone poles snapped, homes destroyed, and a beautiful church reduced to a pile of rubble. Yes, we know the power of the wind!
Faith: odorless, colorless, tasteless, yet we know it exists. Even though we cannot hold it in our hands, we feel it. We feel it in the depths of our hearts, knowing God will meet our every need; we feel it in the quiet confidence that we will live in His presence for eternity. Even though it has no voice, we hear it. We hear it on Sunday mornings proclaimed from the pulpit; we hear it in the quiet voices of prayer and in the reading of God’s holy word. Even though it has no form, we see its effects. We see the eyes of a trusting child holding her father’s hand; we see the peaceful countenance of our brothers and sisters who lean on God in times of need. We see improved relationships, changed lives, and a beautiful new church built to honor God. Yes, we know faith; we know faith is mightier than the wind.
Lord of my life, sometimes my faith wavers. Keep my faith strong, even when the winds of fortune blow against me.
Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Here’s a little food for thought for your Tuesday. Have a great day!
Two conflicting forces cannot exist in one human heart. When doubt reigns, faith cannot abide. Where hatred rules, love is crowded out. Where selfishness rules, there love cannot dwell. When worry is present, trust cannot crowd its way in.
Billy Graham
Lord, In place of doubt, give us faith. Let your love crowd out our hatred and selfishness. Keep us always trusting in you.
Happy Monday, everyone. May God richly bless you with his good gifts.
Father, we thank you for generously giving those good gifts to your children.
Blood of Christ
Blood of Christ course through my heart,
That I may love like thee,
Blood of Christ course through my brain,
That I may think like thee.
Blood of Christ, nourish my tongue,
That it may speak for you,
Blood of Christ nourish my eyes,
Let them see as you do.
Blood of Christ flow to my hands,
That they may do your tasks.
Blood of Christ flow to my feet,
That they may walk your paths.
“Blood of Christ fill all my veins;”*
Then You will live in me.
“Blood of Christ fill all my veins;”
Your blood has made me free.
*from “The Anima Christi,” a poem written by an anonymous Medieval writer
Mark 14: 22-24 “While they were eating, Jesus took the bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, e gave it to them, and they all drank from it. ‘Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.'”
Even as Jesus’ eminent arrest and death neared, he took care of his disciples. He fed them. Physically, and spiritually. He made sure they were spiritually filled before he suffered and died. Before he returned.
God, I am amazed at the ways you take care of us, even when we are clueless. Thank you for your loving kindness and your sacrificial grace.
Good Wednesday morning, my friends, here’s a bit of springtime to inspire you. Enjoy~
I love springtime! Overnight the world changes from dull, dry, and dead to colorful, vibrant, and alive. The trees, which stretched their bare arms heavenward all winter, now dress in a pale green blush. Our Bradford pear tree nods its white, blooming head gently in the spring breezes. Yesterday, the grass was brittle and brown. Today it is soft and green. Even the dandelions (which Scott so diligently worked to exterminate last summer) look beautiful nestled in their greenery.
It’s exciting to examine new growth in the gardens. The phlox, low to the ground, carpets the yard with purple. The forsythia bushes glow a vivid yellow beside our gray house. Everywhere signs of new life abound. The greenery of snapdragons, daisies, hostas, bee balm, and yarrow promise future blooms. The clematis vines, recently just dead sticks, sprout new growth at every intersection. Dozens of purple cone flower plants already climb several inches high, assuring a future of beautiful flowers and nectar for bees and butterflies to enjoy. Spring is such an exciting time as the perennials burst forth with new life and a promise for beautiful, fragrant summertime blooms.
Do you feel that sense of new growth and springtime revival in your soul? Deep within our hearts we recognize a spirit of growth, its green tendrils growing ever closer to God, seeking His face. The palest green blush of revival is evident in us as we stretch our arms heavenward. While we work, pray, and seek God’s guidance, we can almost feel the buds of future flowers forming on the green plants of our spirits. We eagerly anticipate the new blooms, filling our lives with God’s beautiful purpose and the fragrance of His sweet spirit.
Oh God, our master gardener, nurture the garden of our souls. Eradicate the weeds of doubt, dissention, and fatigue. Enable our garden to bring forth lovely blooms infused with heavenly fragrance, and receive all the praise and glory for the sweet beauty of the heavenly garden of our souls.
John 1:1, 4 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener….Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
Here’s a quote for a thought-provoking Tuesday:
“Our Lord told His disciples that love and obedience were organically united. The final test of love is obedience.”― A.W. Tozer
This quote seems so appropriate for this week. For as Jesus walked his last days in Jerusalem, he obeyed and gave us the most perfect love, sacrificial love. What amazing grace.
Thank you, Jesus for obeying the Father and giving us your perfect love.
Good morning, friends. Here’s an uplifting verse to start your week well. Have a blessed week.
Growing Our Faith Together 