Celebrate-Lent 2019

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/mat.28.6.niv

He is risen. My life has meaning! CELEBRATE!

Wait- Lent 2019

Hmmmm and yummmm!

I posted this photo months ago so the friends helping pack for our move would see my appreciation. I served them lunch while served us.

Today’s word is wait. We often think of patience. Yet the Bible dictionary I consulted this morning showed the first definition as a verb as “to serve or minister”.  So, in addition to being patient while waiting for the Lord, I should be busy serving!

Understand-Lent 2019

“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/heb.11.3.niv

When humans create, we use committees, instruction manuals, focus groups, mission statements, feasibility studies, evaluations and timelines. God created with a word, a command. Understand the simpler Life.

Doubt-Lent 2019

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/jas.1.6.niv

I don’t collect photos of rough seas, just the calm. No need to collect more doubts.  Life in general gives plenty of opportunity.

Unknown-Lent 2019

I followed an unknown man and got into trouble! My folks were hosting the Fam on a lake vacation.  This day was Jet Ski day. My son and I were paired. I was given the operating instructions which included my mother’s admonition that there was a one hour time limit on the rental. Happily we ventured off into the lake. I kept the shore in view but not close enough to see the folks. After what seemed to be an hour I noticed a fellow jet skier who I thought was my brother. “Good”, I thought “I’ll follow him in.

Unfortunately he was not my brother. I failed to get close enough. Well past the hour, the rental employee appeared close by and gave me the nod. Needless to say mother was frustrated.  The rest of the family smiled. For once I was in trouble. Usually I’m the one insuring we all follow  the rules.  Guess that’s what happens when you don’t stay close enough.

Perhaps we venture too far from God’s “shore” and follow the world’s imitation of God. Fortunately He sends us a nod to get close again. He smiles when we arrive too.

Refuge-Lent 2019

“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”
‭‭John‬ ‭10:29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://www.bible.com/111/jhn.10.29.niv

Apparently Mickey thinks this curtain will protect. The world offers us flimsy forms of refuge. God offers The Refuge.

Amazement-Lent 2019

This a Love Tree. A palm tree growing out of a oak tree. Years ago a young man planted them to demonstrate his commitment to his beloved. Quite romantic! We made a point to get a close look and photos.

We celebrate The Love Tree later this week. Jesus died on a cross for His beloved.  Embrace the Amazement.

Celebrate-Lent 2019

 Yesterday we talked about colors. I spent time in an art gallery with some artists. I recall my private celebration of Spring’s arrival when I see what I call baby grass green. It’s the color of the very newest shoots. I first noticed it in the Flint Hills a few days after the control burn. The new grass pushes through the black burnt debris to announce new life. It encourages me to a fresh start and the dependibility of God. Just when  it appears finished He gives a new beginning. That’s something to celebrate!

Pray -Lent 2019

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/eph.1.18.niv

I opened my eyes just in time. Turtle sighting at the beach. I’m glad I didn’t miss it. 

Too often I pray for stuff I want rather than the ability to see the riches I have, what God has lavished on me.

Deny - Lent 2019

“But we HAD to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:32‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/luk.15.32.niv (capitalization added)

I could not deny her. We’d picked out the “fast” shoes I’d promised her. When she showed me these I had to buy them for her also.

Just as the father explained to the complaining son when he fussed that the wayward son received a huge party upon his return.  My favorite word in the verse is “had”.  He could not deny the blessing and joy.   Glad today that God won’t deny me His joy.

Distressed-Lent 2019

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/eph.3.17.e

I had hope for these daffodils. They were right by the back door. The dogs “watered” them. I planned to  photograph them in full bloom to symbolize celebration. Alas, a heavy frost ended their season and my plans. I’m not distressed as I’m confident these daffodils have a lengthy history of roots and a future for next season. So when my plans don’t materialize I’m confident in my roots in Jesus who really knows the plan for my future.

Prepare-Lent 2019

“O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/psa.5.3.esv

This morning I’m preparing to celebrate. I measure all the ingredients. It saves the interruption of a missing ingredient. It also allows me a chance to double check my ingredients. I’ve made mistakes due to distractions. 

Today I am reminded to prepare for my celebration of Easter, to clear away distractions and assemble my praises.

Anointed-Lent 2019

“But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:9-10‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/1pe.2.9-10.msg

We spent the morning dancing in the waves, awaiting the appearance of the illusive beach glass.  I wasn’t sure what I’d do with my treasures. It took me three years and a four year old to see my treasures’ calling and purpose.  The beach findings have been anointed into art projects. They have purpose and hang in my bathroom as a reminder of a great day.

We are anointed to remind others of a great day- His Resurrection! Live life as His anointed and remind others of God’s love and forgiveness.

Costly-Lent 2019

Christmas in our house is a costly holiday. We love each other and it seems none of us can adhere to the budget. Easter reminds me that Jesus loves me, and you, more. Fortunately He spared no expense. To redeem me, and you, from a life of doom.

Celebrate-Lent 2019

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:24‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/psa.118.24.esv

“I’m Just glad to be here.” I have a habit which celebrates my existence one more day. A chocolate syrup heart atop the whipped cream in my coffees. It’s a good reminder that God has given me a new gift- today!

Celebrate the small stuff today.

Darkness-Lent 2019

“for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/eph.5.8.esv

We gathered on the deck to be amazed st the brightness of this moon. It had such a reflection on the water. Hopefully the Light God brings to my life will shine in this dark world.

Walk -2019

“so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/col.1.10.esv

The dogs daily walk is really a sniffing expedition. It’s quite leisurely. Each one sniffs a spot but soon the other two join in the same sniff spot. I think of the walk as the dogs reading the newspaper or watching the morning news. They savor, learn and commi to memory.

Hmmm... would I describe my daily walk with Jesus with the same adjectives, verbs and adverbs? Leisurely. Savor. Learn. Commit.

Troubled - Lent 2019

It's throwback Thursday!  Here I am at the Garden of Gethsemane many, many years ago. I choose the photo as it was taken at the place where Jesus was troubled.

“And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:37‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/mat.26.37.esv

My smile is a dilemma.  Why did I smile at this spot where Jesus prayed, prayed and prayed for the coming events?  He was sorrow filled.  Am I sorrowed filled because of my sin?  Yes and No.  Yes because I have regret and consequence.  No, because Jesus paid the price for me.  Jesus is my bridge over troubled.....

Serves - 2019

“Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/psa.100.2.esv

The server presented dessert and the cameras came out! I can’t remember if I enjoyed the art or the pie the most! What an impression! The kitchen artist even made sure each plate at our table had a different design.

When I serve the Lord do I make a happy, unique presentation? God doesn’t need a camera to preserve the memory. He chose me  He knows me. He loves me.  That’s the motivation for serving Him.

See-Lent 2019

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭34:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/psa.34.8.niv

“How far can you see?” The question was discussed as the group pondered this view. We all made a guess. Mine was 150 miles! Someone searched the internet and we learned it is actually only a handful of miles, something about the curvature of the earth and a man six foot tall.

This discussion and today’s word alerted me to my failure in perspective. Too often I’m trying to control 150 miles into my future. I miss the beauty of the current 3 miles. God has control for the 150 miles in the future as well as all the miles in between. Perhaps I should savor and utilize the current mile in my life.

Worship - Lent 2019

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16:29‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/1ch.16.29.niv

Worship should focus my life on its True purpose and Destination.