God of the Heavens

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 57:5

Every day brings a new present from the Lord. Sometimes you have to look for it and sometimes He hands it to you.

Photo Credit: Sharon on Flickr

Power Behind the Door

 We didn't know what we were going to do with the breaker box on the focal wall of our bedroom-to-be.  Obviously, the builder had no sense of...well, anything when he built this house.  I was resigning myself to having to look at this eyesore everyday I stepped into my bedroom.  What should I do?  

We started with the deep cleaning, then the drywall where ancient paneling had been, then cleaning, painting and replacing the old trim and doors.  I wound up painting the electrical box's door the same color as the wall and that helped but I still was wondering what to do to disguise the box.

Here is result...

We had brought this door with us, the old back door of our last house.  I had to plead my case for it and it had been our headboard in the last house so I decided it needed a place here, too.  Now, to get access to the box you do have to move the door but even I can do that.  Voila!

Moral of the story...

If you are having trouble finding solutions to your problems, if you are lonely, if you need a friend, if you don't have the strength to carry on...just look behind the door.  

You'll have all the power you need.

Ask and it will be given to you; 

seek and you will find; 

knock and the door

 will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7

Sharing

And do not forget to do good 

and to share with others,

 for with such sacrifices 

God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16

It was a joy to be able to share our home with my sister and brother-in-law the past few days.  We don't get to see each other enough because of the distance and our job schedules.  We remembered the past and told life stories over coffee and food, watched the blue birds, and visited a couple of antique stores.  Basically, it was a laid-back time for all of us...a vacation time for the four of us.  Since my daughter lives near, her family joined us many times which increased our enjoyment.  I have a wonderful family who loves to share with each other.  It was a  pleasure and certainly not a sacrifice.

Photo Credit: chichacha on flickr

Don't Get Tired of Helping

 Let us not become weary in doing good,
 for at the proper time
 we will reap a harvest
 if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9

Nuff said.

Photo Credit: Leticia Bertin on Flickr

Praise in Song

I will praise God’s name in song
    and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

I'm not playing the organ today; I'm singing in the choir.

And

I'm expecting to see my sister today. Yay!

I'm thankful.

Photo Credit: Son McCollough on Flickr

Shadow

Whoever dwells

 in the shelter of the Most High

 will rest

 in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

The photographer who took this photo didn't notice that the clouds were making letters.  What do you see?

I hope you have a restful day.

Photo Credit: Nicholas A. Tonelli on flickr

Gates

Enter through the narrow gate. 

For wide is the gate and broad is the road

 that leads to destruction, 

and many enter through it. 

But small is the gate

 and narrow the road 

that leads to LIFE,

 and only a few 

find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

Photo Credit: Pete Birkinshaw on Flickr

Calm

Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.

Psalm 62:1

Another translation states, "I calmly wait for him."  Calm is something that is rarely grasped by most because our world is so chaotic with drama at every turn. 

 I seek the rest and calm found only by God and I receive it as I read His word.  I'm so grateful He still speaks to His beloved.  It's only because He has saved me that I can find true rest.

Photo Credit: See-Ming Lee on Flickr

Riding on the Clouds

Sing to God, 

sing in praise of his name, 

extol him who rides on the clouds;

 rejoice before him—

his name is the Lord....

 [He] is God in his holy dwelling.

Psalm 68:4-5

I feel like I've joined the Lord as He rides on the clouds.  I got to visit with 10 of my 14 grandchildren this week.  That makes me happy.  Thank you, Lord, for allowing me such a privilege.

Photo Credit: Mike King on Flickr

The Heavens Declare

The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they reveal knowledge.

Psalm 19:1-2

Have a glorious day.

Revel in the works of His hands.

Photo Credit: Mario on Flickr

Ahhh, Quiet

He says, 

“Be still, and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

When the world around me is clamoring, 

 I find quiet with God.

Photo Credit: Luis Argerich on Flickr

Slaves Set Free

 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word.

John 8:35-37

These are very strong words and I'm hoping most are not out to kill the prophets but reality says that still exists.  You may say, "This doesn't apply to me.  I love God."

Think with me.  Anytime one has accepted Christ as their Savior but turns their back on Him in any way, they are killing Him again.  Yes, I've been guilty of doing my thing regardless of His teachings.  I've set my mind on the things of the world, not spoken in His defense, purposely not read His word, thought evil of others, put rituals ahead of commitment...just to name a few.  

Guilty, as charged.  

But...

Christ loved me so much that He gave His life for me...ME...!  How could He do that?  I don't know enough about the sacrifice it took to suffer as He did but I do know the love He gives me daily, the good things of life that come in small packages, the security that He is there all the time for me when all I have to do is ask Him.  

What unfathomable joy! 

What freedom!

He lives in my heart!

Photo Credit: Dean Croshere on Flickr

No Matter What

...yet I will rejoice in the Lord
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights.

Habakkuk 3:18-19

No matter what, be joyful.

I live with an optimistic man and have just visited with his sister and brother-in-law--both of whom are like him.  Both my husband and his sister had cancer a couple of years ago--same year.  Both came through by the grace of God.  What a breath of fresh air knowing that it has not brought them down.  They are grateful that the Lord carried them through their shadows and set their feet firm on His Rock of Safety--more Power to them, Lord.
Again, I say, 
"No matter what, be joyful."

Photo Credit: Mike Dierken on Flickr

Mountain Majesty

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born 

or you brought forth the whole world, 

from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 

Psalm 90:1-2

I love the North Carolina mountains as seen here in a photo by J. Kelley.  We used to go to Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly there when I was a child and into my young adult years.  Then we took our children there.  The majestic views are awe-inspiring and always made us think of His Majesty of the Mountains.  One gets closer to heaven on a mountain top but we all have that privilege even on our knees in the valley.

"How majestic is thy name in all the earth."

Photo Credit: Soil Science @ NC State on Flickr

Broad Expanse

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

I'm always amazed at the vastness of the Grand Canyon as seen in the photo above by Michael Quinn on Flickr.  God has created artwork that my mind can't begin to understand and yet his love for me surpasses that.

Mind-boggling!

Road Signs

Show me 

the way I should go,

 for to you 

I entrust my life.

Psalm 143:8

Sometimes the signs in life are difficult to understand.  All are not just the decision between right and wrong but between better and best.  Some lead to the "toilet" and all, eventually, to the "cemetery."  One sign is definite for me...

[Heaven-->>>]

Photo Credit: Brenden Ashton on Flickr

Your Majesty

Yours, Lord,

is the greatness 

and the power 

and the glory

 and the majesty 

and the splendor,

 for everything 

in heaven and earth 

is yours. 

Yours, Lord, 

is the kingdom; 

you are exalted 

as head over all.

1 Chronicles 29:11

Forgive me, Lord, when I think I'm the head over all.  I am your servant.

Photo Credit: Luke Ma on Flickr

Gentle Answers

A gentle answer

 turns away wrath, 

but a harsh word 

stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

I've always struggled with controlling my anger.  I learned well how to use it from my dear Mother, whom I love dearly but I picked up her weakness instead of her strengths.  Instead of overcoming my inherited weakness with God's help, I allowed it to fester until it became uncontrollable--volcanic.  When I was younger I didn't utilize the power of the Holy Spirit in my life and suffered the consequences--poor relationships with spouse and children, discontent, pride, entitlement and more.  It's amazing how a five-letter word can dominate one's life.

Though I'm better, I will have to struggle for the rest of my life in order to control my tendencies.  Starting my day with the Lord has curbed many of my foibles and set right my path for the day.

Onward and upward!

Photo Credit: Sharon (Art - 4ThGlryOfGod) on Flickr