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.
I love this thought. We always have choices. We can react to difficult circumstances with anger and bitterness, or we can choose to turn to God and to rejoice in our circumstances. We can rejoice because can give us wisdom to help us through the difficulties and to assist others through similar troubles.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Thank you Lord, for your love and wisdom in all circumstances. Help us to see the positive and not dwell on the difficulties. Teach us how to help others through their hard times.
Autumn is my favorite season. The glory of the changing leaves amazes me. The bright red, yellow, orange, pink, and rust of the changing leaves is a glory to see.
Walking along nature’s paths, I hear the soft crunching of the leaves beneath my feet. Each step cushioned from the hardened earth.
After a hot, humid summer, the crisp air refreshes both my lungs and my soul.
Of course, I know that the leaves will fall, and the world around me will seem dreary in contrast. I know that bitter cold weather is just around the corner.
I relish in the autumn beauty and enjoy it while I can. Pictures will help me remember the stunning beauty long after the leaves have fluttered from the trees to the ground.
Observing all this beauty and breathing deeply of the cool, fresh air, I commune with my Savior, the creator of all things. I remember that my life, too, must go through seasons. I rejoice in the reminder, knowing that my God is beside me when life is beautiful, colorful and light. And He walks beside me when the leaves have fallen, in the dark and dreary times of life.
When you walk through those difficult times, remember that you have been created by a magnificent, loving God and He will help you through those hard times.
Rejoice in the times of beauty and cling to Him when your life feels dark and bare, for He is the creator of all things.
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or power or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” Colossians 1: 15-16
Father God, thank you for surrounding us with your created beauty. Thank you for walking with us on life’s paths, in good times and in bad.
This is a most interesting verse, don’t you think? For Paul, I suppose this may have referred to the ways he was treated in order to preach the word of God. He was beaten repeatedly and imprisoned for his beliefs.
Most of us don’t have to worry about that type of “living and holy sacrifice.” But there are ways to present our bodies to our Savior as our sacrifice. Even without physical pain, like Paul’s sacrifice. In Romans 12:2, Paul continues: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
So I’m curious: what is one way you offer your body as a “living and holy sacrifice” to God?
The path opens to a clearing larger than a football field. Waist high brome grasses sway slightly in a gentle waltz with the faint breeze. Nearby branches merely watch, too heavily laden with yellow-green hedge apples to dance.
On the far side of the field lies a painter’s palette of trees showing their colors—green, yellow, orange, brown, and rust, accented by splashes of bright red sumac and dark tree trunks.
Wildflowers once covered this field. Three and four-foot high dried stalks now fill the meadow, their seed heads white and full, ready to release millions of umbrella ribs to flower another field.
I risk a quick crossing of the muddy path to stand on the bridge and watch the swollen stream. My right foot sinks three inches into the soft black ooze, but I make it safely across.
The recent rain has forced the creek out of its bed. Noisily it rushes through unfamiliar territory, over its former banks and around tree trunks, its strength rippling the mud-brown water, carrying foamy bubbles downstream.
The rushing water rocks the dying trees, tipping them on their sides from the water’s force, but their roots hold firm against its assault. One tree reaches toward the flood, its green and yellow leaves bending toward the water like a girl bending over to wash her hair.
The rushing water lulls me into to a peaceful reverie. The surface ripples, like a cat flexing the muscles on its back. Every day responsibilities beckon me home. Reluctantly, I amble across the bridge, promising myself to return soon.
The peace, beauty, and serenity of God’s handiwork are just outside my front door to enjoy whenever I choose. How seldom I choose!
It is the same way with God’s peace, love, wisdom, and power. It is there for me, whenever I choose to enjoy it. All I have to do is walk the path.
Lord, forgive me for those many times that my nearsighted eyes fail to see your grandeur. Open my eyes to behold your glory.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of too many things more everlasting than a rock. How wonderful that our rock, our Savior, is everlasting. We can lean on him and rely on his strength now and for eternity.
Father, thank you for being so dependable and reliable. Thank you for providing strength for your weak children. Thank you for providing a way for us to spend eternity with you. Thank you for the amazing grace provided by the sacrifice of your son, Jesus, the Christ.
“My brokenness has made me into the man of God I have become.” Paul Mitchell
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters. whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1: 2-3
Thank you, Father, for the hard times, the times we are broken. Thank you for helping us to learn perseverance through these difficulties, so that we may become mature and complete and may help build your kingdom and draw others to it.
On this chilly afternoon, I am so thankful for a cup of hot tea (tangerine orange, yum!) some warm chocolate chip cookies, a soft, fuzzy blanket, and a good book to read.
Lord, sometimes life is hard. Today, I thank you for the simple pleasures that make life enjoyable.
On this beautiful November day, (the 8th) I am thankful for books. I’m amazed at how versatile books are. They can transport me to another time or place, teach me new things, make me laugh and cry, and reveal the heart of God.
Pictured are some of the wonderful books I have recently read.
Thank you, Lord, for so many wonderful gifts you have given me. In addition to your amazing spiritual gifts, I am so grateful for the gift of books. You know what joy it gives me to read them, and how I enjoy getting to know you better through your holy Word.
On this Friday, November 7, I am thankful for friends. People you can have fun with, who will cry with you in your grief, and support you in hard times. I’m thankful for friends who will pray with you and for you.
Thank you, Lord, for sending us friends who keep us focused on you.
Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you have a wonderful day and a blessed weekend.
The mountains are so majestic. They make me think of the amazing power of God.
Psalm 34: 8-9 “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.”
Lord, you are more amazing and more majestic than the mighty peaks of the Rockies. Thank you for your willingness to provide for all my needs and for your amazing grace.
Growing Our Faith Together 