Fading Christmas

Christmas has come and gone again so fast that it is a blurred memory. It makes me contemplate, how many of us can say that in all the hustle and bustle we found the perfect gift for someone. Or, likewise how many of us received the perfect gift? How many of us have a gnawing feeling of discontent that goes much deeper than looming credit card bills and long return lines.

I believe that none of us gave or received a gift of that caliber. You may ask, How can that be?

It is possible because there is only one perfect gift that is possible for someone to give. As a matter of fact, it doesn't have to be given at Christmas. And it is free! It is the gift of unconditional love.

How many of us have truly ever given that!? How many of us can say that we have shown love and kindness to that co-worker who constantly lies and stirs the pot? How about the neighbor whose dog leaves you a present every day? Or that family member who constantly criticizes and belittles you?  How many of us would dive in front of a speeding bullet to save them? How many of us can say that we have received that kind of love?

Unconditional love is kind of close to the love we received when as newborn babes (before growing old enough to be annoying) our mothers beheld us. However, whether we realize it or not, there is only one instance when we have all been loved unconditionally. 

I believe that when Jesus died on the cross, it was the only time love has been expressed completely and unconditionally. That is why when confronted with a trying moment with anyone else, I am reminded of the unimaginable amount of love that God must have for me in order for Jesus to have suffered so much because of me.

This past Christmas, I became very much aware that it is not the gifts we give or receive that matter. It is the love in which we give them. A love that is carefully packaged with beautiful paper that covers a multitude of sins and a happy bow made from a hug from loving arms.

It is my prayer that in the new year, you will experience the deepest most meaningful love that life has to offer and then, in turn, share that love with everyone around you.

The Gift of Solace

My preoccupation with this place has become quite dialectic.
Snow, snow, snow... winter seems so long especially when a major snowstorm drops another foot of snow in the end of February. This makes me dream of longer, warmer days.... which makes me think of this place.

Then, I feel guilty for looking forward to going there because of a recent tragedy... it troubles my thoughts ... my heart goes out to those involved.

BUT, this bridge is a gateway to one of my favorite spots in the world... a place characterized by: the soothing sounds of the babbling creek, the welcoming splashes of colorful wildflowers, and the beckoning call of a rugged trail of soil, roots, and rocks.... this place of solace... somewhere to go to feel closer to God.

So, I reason that God knows the pain and struggles that every person endures.... He understands when no one else can because He loves us dearly... so much that He gave His one and only Son.

The point I make is that God is kind and loving. He knows and understands the struggles we face. He allows people and situations in our lives so that we can learn. So just like Paul encouraged the Galatians, I will pray that God may enable me to fulfill every good deed prompted by faith.

And... from now on, whenever I go to my favorite place, I will feel encouraged... I will say a prayer for that family and for any others that I know who need encouragement as well.

Til Death Do Us Part

This colorful silhouette emanates the love of this newlywed couple. Whenever I see a couple made for each other like these two, it makes me so thankful that we have a loving God who knew exactly what He was doing when He created man and woman. It also causes me to ponder the meaning of life and love. Jesus actually says quite a lot about the subject in Matthew 19:3-12 where He talks about marriage, sexuality, and divorce.
I became familiar with this passage years ago when I was wrestling with the guilt of a failed first marriage. God knew long before I even got married that my marriage wouldn't last. This is one of the reasons why Jesus suffered on my account. Many years later, God has blessed me with a longstanding marriage to a man I definitely do not deserve. Am I grateful? You bet! Do I have guilty feelings over the past? Nope, not anymore because I know that God has forgiven me for all of my mistakes. As God promises in Romans 8, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Archenemy?

I have to laugh because, as this photo collage shows, my pets are so cute. I am convinced that when God gave us charge over the animals (see Genesis 1:26), He knew how much joy we would get when we took some as pets.
My cat and dog are best buds. They eat food together, wrestle each other, and cuddle up together. If you ask around, this is quite common among these historic archenemies. So why is the notion so prevalent?
One reason could be that the media is a system that pumps such fallacies into society via television, music, and movies. One famous line about dogs and cats was made by Bill Murray in a Ghostbusters movie. In this scene, Murray equates "dogs and cats living together" with the "mass hysteria" of the end of the world. HaHaHa .... well, it makes for good box office sales.

The point is that the media spoon feeds us and we gobble up whatever is dished out without questioning validity. The bible sheds light on a lot of popular truths. I began questioning these truths the day I read what the bible has to say about Jesus' return. There are so many instances where my eyes have been opened. As Jesus promised in Matthew 7 "Seek and you will find".

So for now, I will enjoy the pleasant company of my pets while I look forward to the peaceful heaven that the prophet Isaiah spoke of in chapter 65:25:

The wolf and the lamb will feed together,

   and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
   and dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
   on all my holy mountain,”
says the LORD.

Someday, the real archenemy, Satan will be defeated and the Prince of Peace will reign in heaven.

Danger!

A recent trip through Munising, MI afforded me a new perspective on life.  The trip helped me to realize the great sacrifices my husband makes so that our family can be stable. It makes me admire him more than words could say! 

Through our marriage, the road we have been on has been rocky to say the least. On this particular day, the bitter, cold wind unsuccessfully tried to pry the camera from my hands making this image from the Lake Superior shore even more representative of our life.
On our journey together, it has not always been clear which path is the best or which situation is dangerous. In this scene, it is pretty evident that these waters are treacherous. But what would it be like on a calm day? The water might be deceivingly inviting. And even though the sign warns of a wicked undercurrent, that may not suffice to avoid trouble. Sometimes we have heeded the warning. Other times we have ignored it. Yet other times we have completely missed the sign. 

Life is not easy nor does each day come with a set of instructions. But there is a guide that can help to make each day navigable. God's Word provides all the guidance a person could need to navigate the calm and stormy waters of life. Just like the Psalmist proclaimed "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." My prayer is that each day, my husband and I will seek God's will in our lives.

Silent Strength

Earlier this week, I was drawn to the silent strength of this group of white birch trees. Though the sky loomed with scowling clouds, the trees stood firm as they have for so many years.

It made me think of how God is always with me and how He can give me a kind of silent strength not so much unlike the birch trees. Like the Psalmist sang in Psalm 112: 6-8 , it's the kind of strength that enables me to endure the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

God is so good and so merciful. He is so willing to take care of my needs. I need to follow the Psalmist's advice in the beginning of the chapter. "Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in His commands."

On the Edge

^{From the edge, I take in the majestic warmth of color, shapes, textures, and sounds} 

                                                       ^{and I realize that God has brought me here to spread my wings}

                                                                                                  ^and 

                      ^FLY          

                                                                                     

  Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
 Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
 but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint. 

Calm Before the Storm

Be still my heart, heavy, leaden air before the storm.

Heart pounding, smothered breath, fight or flight.

 Terror, loneliness startle me as if early morn.

Till I look to my Comforter and Father and Son.

  
Heart takes a metronome beat.
He comforts me so calmly.
Whatever will be, will be.
Worry relents. Peace for me
No more fear will defeat me.

Regardless of the situation, I have learned to look to God for my comfort and strength. When every thing around me seems so wrong, I am comforted by the promises found in God's word. As the Psalmist proclaims, God knew the types of woes his people would face

Control

I'm back after a short hiatus.... sometimes, you just have to take a break. This beautiful scene helped realign me to a good frame of mynd.

As you probably know, I love waterfalls. This particular fall about a half hour from home is the perfect place to get an attitude adjustment. It reminds me that I have NO CONTROL over what is going on around me.... yet through all the chaos, misery, adversity, and pain there is one constant force that is comfortably predictable.

By predictable I mean it is a force I can put my trust in. Our triune God is the only omnipotent power in the universe. He is in control even when things seem impossible or unbearable. Job summarizes in Job 21 "Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?"

Never Alone

When I saw this beached rowboat, I was drawn to it. Initially, it appeared painfully empty, abandoned and alone on the shore. Then I realized that this is just a season in this boat's life. At times, it surely weathered rough waves and rejoiced in the catch of the day. Bouncing along the waves, whether it had passengers did not matter. What mattered was that it was never alone as the lighthouse always watched over it. This makes me think of my life. Youth is fresh like the smell of the newly cut wood that was fashioned into this boat. Maturity clothes a person like the paint that covered the boat. Self-confidence is gained along the way just like the boat gained worthiness with each trip. Stress and troubles leave a mark on a person's soul just as this boat shows the wear of its travels. Life may lead one from shore to shore but two things remain constant. The essence of the boat does not change with locale. Just as the lighthouse watches over this and other boats, God is always there. As the Psalmist said, God's word is an every ready beacon that shows the way.

Wild Thimbleberries

Someone very dear to me questioned me about my last post. It made me realize how much I appreciate her and made me think how much God must value us. This photo of wild thimbleberries illustrates this for me. We are all exquisite creatures created by God. Each one of us is at a different point of maturity. The stage we are in varies from being just the right ripeness to leave a smile on someone's face to unripe and basically unapproachable and full of bitterness. It makes me think of the guidance and encouragement Paul gave to the Galatians to explain Christian character and justification by faith. 

Never Meant To Belong

After a long week like this one, I feel so melancholy and really question whether I belong here. It makes me think of this wildflower that I have spotted near many waterfalls. Just like all wildflowers, God provides the right environment for them to flourish.

At times it seems like I am suffocating; like I need to be next to a waterfall. It is as if my very existence is what it would be like if a cymbal were clashing during a lovely violin solo  

I will just have to trust what the bible says...God knows what's best... He knows the struggles and worries that trouble me...  He is in control.

Monday Madness or Meditation?

Another Monday of madness! But, instead of letting it stress me out and bring me down, I choose to meditate on the positive things in my life.... like the enjoyable things I did over the weekend.

This peaceful, serene waterfall is a short hike from home .... it's a huge blessing it to be able to "getaway" briefly from the stress of life.
Moments like these remind me that it is my choice to think good thoughts and not let the bad things get to me.

It must be what the disciple Paul meant when he encouraged the church members in Philippi to focus on good and positive things. 

Freedom is ......

Watching my son do stunts like this skateboard jump makes me think about what it means to be free.... the freedom felt from a couple of airborne seconds is liberating but not as much as the freedom that comes from the peace of mind in knowing that Jesus has overcome the sting of death for those who believe. 
Hebrews 2:14-15

Tossed about by the waves...

Tossed about by the waves, this log has been beaten by many waves. Each one wearing off the tough outer bark to reveal a smooth and beautifully unique creation.
This makes me think of my life and the many trials that I have endured, especially during the past year. God allowed the trials and He gave me the strength to endure them. Do I fully understand this? Nope. but I do understand how much God loves me. Like the Psalmist said "For you, God, tested us;  you refined us like silver."

Never-ending Monday...

Whenever it seems like it's a never-ending Monday, I need to kick back and relax and stop worrying. Watching my puppy thoroughly enjoy wind surfing out of my car window reminds me of this. Worry less and enjoy life. God allows hectic and bad days like these to help us appreciate the good things in life and to help us realize how much we need Him. 

So if you're feeling overwhelmed and worrisome, remember, you don't have to carry the burden of anxiety. Take time to "feel the wind in your hair".

Think you see the whole picture?

Just when you think you see the whole picture of a situation, think again. What reminds me of this is this image of a wildflower that I came across the other day.
When I opened it in Photoshop, the tiny details of a plant visitor became apparent. What an awesome reminder that even if I think that I see the whole picture, there is always a tiny detail hidden from my perspective.

Finally found the right frame

From now on, I will be posting images from my perspective and relating how they impact my life.