“There are many people who can do big things, but there are very few people who will do the small things.” — Mother Teresa
Category: Life is Good (mind)
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He wraps himself in light
photography by Steve Lasher “Praise the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters, He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.” (Psalm 104:1–3)
As I gaze upon the shores of the Pacific ocean, it is easy to see that my God is very great indeed! Who, other than God himself, could create such beauty? Just like the hairs on my head are numbered, each grain of sand is numbered and every creature counted. I see the division between where the water ends and the sky begins. The dry land is separated from rolling waves — just like he promised in the book of Genesis.
My finite mind cannot comprehend such power and majesty, but I can appreciate its beauty and splendor as far as the eye can see. God didn’t meet with an architect or confer in numerous panel discussions. He just spoke and it was so.
Looking at such magnificence gives me great joy. Knowing I can place my trust and whole being in a God who created an entire universe for humankind. It’s easy to worship this God of all creation.
Thank you, God, for thinking so highly of us that you would speak creation into existence in six days. My response can be nothing short of awe and appreciation.
Is there somewhere you can go to witness God’s creation — his gift to you? Can you go there and sit and meditate on this wonder? Ask him to fill you with his love and take away those worries that fill your mind.
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The Lord is my Light
“Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light” – Micah 7:8b.
Life everywhere is full of distractions that block out God. He is still there–always the same, unchanging, steadfast. Lord…Keep lighting our days with your truth. – Cynthia Culp Allen
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Jump on in!
“The fact is, that to do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can.”
(Sydney Smith, June 3, 1771–February 22, 1845—English writer and Anglican cleric)
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Are you ready for Christmas?
Only two more days before Christmas. Just two more sleeps before the big day. Reality check time again. Am I calmer — more rested? Am I ready to properly celebrate the birth of the Christ-child? His birth is a big deal and worth preparing my mind, body, and soul. His death manifests the ultimate sacrifice. How can I offer any less to God than to prepare myself in readiness for Christmas Day? He gave his all for me and any who believe in him.
Back to the verse in Colossians 4:2 — “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
1. I must “continue to pray” for family members and friends as I become aware of their needs such as: broken relationships, freedom from addiction, a vehicle to drive, housing, employment, zest and yearning for God’s approval vs. man’s approval.
2. “Be watchful.” Ever present and aware of people and needs around me. Take the time to pause, smile at a harried clerk and wish them a Merry Christmas before I depart on my way. Many retail personnel work extended hours away from their families this time of year often dealing with short-tempered, frazzled and frustrated customers.
3. “Be thankful.” I am thankful for a warm home to come back to, a faithful husband, loving family, delightful grandchildren and caring friendships — just to name a few. I truly am blessed and have much to be thankful for this Christmas season!
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
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Devoted to Prayer
Just five days before Christmas and I need to do an emotional and physical check. To be perfectly honest, I’d have to say not so good. My emotions are all over the place between elated and depressed. I’m totally elated and eager to see my son and family with three young grandchildren; yet sad that I won’t be seeing other family members. Other relationships are still not what I’d hoped for given the past history.
Last night I met a friend for our Christmas gift exchange. She remarked how she could barely contain herself with glee on the drive over. Really? Seriously? She wasn’t kidding. I found myself envious that I wasn’t able to muster up such feelings of joy.
Just what was the matter with me that I wasn’t feeling glowing and happy all over? Immediately I began to question my circumstances and lot in life. Why weren’t those same positive feelings invading my heart and life? After all, it is Christmas — the season to be happy and jolly. So why wasn’t I feeling happy or jolly? What am I investing my time doing? Running here and there, or investing in eternity where present and future rewards emerge.
In sheer desperation, I opened my Bible. Colossians 4:2 jumped out at me and I captured three valid pointers:
* “Devoting yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” In all honesty, I certainly was not “devoting myself to prayer.” A quick SOS here and there (in between searching for a parking spot) probably did not qualify as devotion. But I’d grown weary of praying for the same individual year after year with no evident change. No matter. God honors persistence. My job is to continue to pray believing change is possible because with God nothing is impossible.
* “Being watchful” — searching the store shelves and making countless phone calls for the hot ornament of the year is not what God intended by that phrase.
* “Being thankful” — naming my list of complaints does not equal a positive spirit. It would serve me well to remember the words to the old hymn by Johnson Oatman Jr., (1897) , Count Your Blessings …
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.***
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Do not be afraid
Moses and the tablets of Law (Wikipedia) “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” — Joshua 1:5.
We need not be afraid because God tells us he will never leave or forsake us. When bills mount, the car breaks down, and our body doesn’t work like it used to, God still cares. God won’t abandon us when times are tough.
Some suggestions for times of crisis found in Joshua 1:
- Be strong and courageous
- Obey the law and do not turn away from God’s word (the Bible)
- Meditate on God’s word day and night
- Do not be discouraged
These are not easy things to do especially when the going get rough. But this is exactly what I need to do during the bleak hours and days. No one else will come through for me like my God. I need to trust and obey — for there’s no other way.
Have you told the God of the universe your troubles today? Isn’t it time you confide in the One who cares the most about you?
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Longing for the basics of life
My five-year old granddaughter, Liberty, called me the other day to report that she had just watched a TV show that came out when I was only five years old (just like her!)
“Did you watch that show, Nana? There’s a little boy named Opie who goes fishing with his Daddy.” Just like her and her Daddy.
“Oh, I loved that program, Liberty. It was one of my favorites!”
“Nana, you were five years old too when you watched the program … but it only comes in black and white. There’s no color on the TV.” The show: The Andy Griffith Show.
Out of the mouths of babes! I love hearing wonder and excitement come from young children’s mouths and minds. So innocent and sweet. I want to record and remember her every insightful spontaneous saying and observation.
After doing some detective work, I discovered that the popular sitcom first televised in 1960 and ran for eight seasons. Apparently her Mother already had done the homework.
Do you ever long for the good ole days? Sometimes I catch myself daydreaming about them.
- A time when doors were never locked.
2. All the neighbors knew your kids and if they were doing something they shouldn’t, they called them on it.
3. Very little objectionable material on television or the radio. Media was informational, but not immoral.
4. Anyone could walk the neighborhood streets after dark without fear of harm.
5. Recreation meant bicycle riding, skateboarding, downhill sliding on a sled, building a snow fort and throwing snowballs, or playing dolls and a game of Sorry.
I don’t want to repeat my childhood or my teen years, but there is a part of me that longs for simplicity and a return to the basics of life. How about you?
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