Life in the Midst

          Autumn is a time of reflection.  As I watch the leaves turn brilliant gold and start to fall,  it reminds me that the "leaves" of my life are starting to fall also.  It all happens in the midst of life where one is so busy doing so many "important" things.  And then, all of a sudden, you are old!  This lovely ornamental cherry tree looks especially nice in spring when it blossoms gorgeous,  pink draping petals.  Then in the fall right before the branches are bare,  it shines gloriously!  We haven't had a frost yet which make the trees even more brilliant and striking.  Frosts seem cold and harsh, yet the frost is what makes for a beautiful tree.  This is just as it is in our lives -  struggles and trials forge strength and depth as well as compassion and love in our souls.

          The "important" things that we are so busy with -  changing diapers, doing dishes, vacuuming, solving disputes between siblings, reading storybooks, wiping noses, doing endless loads of laundry, making millions of meals,  baking birthday cakes, calming fears, playing games, growing a garden together and snapping green beans, freezing corn, rocking fussy babies, serving others together, loving Jesus together, and on and on - these are "important" things that fill our lives and have filled my life.  Little things, endless things.  We tend to wonder when we are going to do really "important work".  But after all these years, I am convinced that although most of our world scorns these things, indeed,  these are the most important things of life!  Life is not made up of big, monumental things, but it is made up of hundreds and millions of little things.  Giving my all to be faithful in the little things each day adds up to a brilliant glow at the end of my life.  The battle to believe this is huge in the heart, and not easily conquered.  It takes a visionary soul and takes an understanding trust in Jesus that goes beyond comprehension.  We will be rewarded for giving a cup of cold water in Jesus' name. And if Jesus rewards us for one cup, what will His reward be for millions of cups!

          Take heart, with joy and gratefulness do the "important" things in life.  Shine ever brighter as you age and know that Jesus is watching you with tender love.  Not only is He watching, He is applauding!  So few desire to be faithful in the little things.  So many desire to do the big things.  Jesus wonders if you will humble yourself to do the little thing.  He was the servant and demonstrated how to do the little thing.  Will you do the "work" that counts for eternity?                
                 
                                                                                                                                                        K.C.

Covered by Grace

          The screech of a hawk is eerie and creates panic among the songbirds of the yard.  This one was causing concern for a few days because he seemed bent upon having a good dinner at the expense of someone else.  When the enemy prowls around, it causes us to run for cover, just as this hawk causes the songbirds to hideout.  Don't we see the enemy of our souls roaring throughout the world now seeking whom he may devour!  On every side, there is cause for fear, completely worldwide down to individual families.  

          This week we have started a new study on the book of Psalms.  Amazing book! Amazing, awesome God who wrote it!  It is going to be a great study this year, and I want to saturate my soul in it.  Psalm 107:1 - 2 this morning combats our fear as well as our enemy.  "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!   For His mercy (lovingkindness) endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy."  No way do we have the ability to combat the enemy in ourselves.  Scripture teaches us to stand in Christ and in His completed work at the cross.  His lovingkindness has bought us back from the power of sin within us and has delivered us from the hand of the enemy.  Praise our Lord Jesus Christ!  David wrote about half the Psalms and his experience with God is revealed all through the Psalms.  The enemy tried to destroy David, but he constantly clung to God and took cover under His wing even through his failings.  We also take "cover" under the wings of our God and Savior, just as the songbirds take cover.  May we forever be grateful!

          There is a newer song that has been playing through my soul, "Covered". What an encouragement to take cover in the grace offered us through the cross of Christ!  Listen and take great joy in our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has defeated our enemy.             K.C.

         (Note - this is a lively version. :)

                   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK_O3y5L428

Hidden Treasures

                                                                 

           

                                         

          Watering several plants today revealed some hidden treasures peaking out from leaves covering them.  None of these did I realize were in my garden!  Foliage covered each lovely blossom.  Just happening to catch a glimpse of bright color made me stop to cut away leaves and unbury these lovelies.  It is like this in our hearts, too.  So much busyness, so many cares, so many demands take over and cover up what God is speaking to our hearts or working on in us.  We don't spend enough time with Him in His Word or quiet our souls to hear His voice.  So the treasures stay hidden for quite a while.  Not until we stop, take stock, and cut out some encroaching brush, do we see these gifts from God.  What is thought provoking to me is that the leaves I cleared out were other lovely plants that had spread,  not unwanted weeds.  Each of us have responsibilities and tasks that are necessary and good, but the one good thing, the one best thing is time with Jesus Christ.   He is my life, my true treasure, and His beauty thrills my soul.  May it be so with you, too.                                           K.C.

God's Garden of Renown

Oh, what a garden our Lord God Almighty has made!  His garden is so massive and breathtaking that we can hardly take it in to our souls!  Nothing like my piddly acre in my minute corner of the earth.  God's garden takes in the whole world!  This summer we took a long road trip through God's garden in four states and four provinces. What glorious sights and scenes that set us in our place - humbled at God's feet!  The Rockies and Glacier were awesome gardens that around every corner and every bend a new sight met our eyes.  Only more awesome is our Maker who designed and spoke His Word to create such majesty!

It is evident to me that God has put into our hearts the need for gardens.  Though some may not want to do the labor involved in keeping a garden, everyone loves to gaze upon a lovely garden.  From the Garden of Eden in the beginning to the garden of renown our Lord will create for His people in the Millennial Kingdom, we continually seek to live among gardens.  God designed us to live in His garden and shine for His glory, and we will not be content until that is fully accomplished.  In Ezekiel 34:25 - 31 the Lord gives a bit of the description of this Kingdom.  It will be peaceful and showers of blessing will flow, trees will yield fruit and the earth increase, safety and freedom, no more hunger or bondage, and God will raise up a garden of renown!  Then we will truly know the Lord our God is with us and that we belong to Him.  What a promise!

When we look upon God's beauty He has created let's remember and look forward to all He has promised.  Each small glimpse of beauty is meant to draw us to our Savior, Jesus Christ, and praise Him for rescuing us from ourselves.  He has a glorious plan for our future for all of eternity and in that plan we will live in His awesome garden.  Praise His name!                                                 K.C.

I'll Stand

          Came across Psalm 20:8 early this morning.  "They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright."  It reminded me of my old Bible where I had kept track in my reading of all the times "stand" was used.  Hundreds of times this word shed much light upon God's desire for us to rise and stand in His light in order to be light.  This calla lily this morning reminded me of God's design to beautify us when we stand for Him in a dark and messy world.  Just look at the elegant lines and  simple design of this lovely flower!  Soft green dissolves into pure white as this flower unfolds.  It is hard to really describe the beauty of this elegant flower.  

          One of the amazing thoughts this calla lily brings to mind is that it is just what God asks of us:  to quietly just stand before Him reflecting His beauty and light.   This lily stands right outside our window so I can admire it.  God admires His work in us, too.   Isn't Jesus gracious to give us this incredible privilege!! It is not anything of our own power or work.  We just reflect His work.  Psalm 30:7 says, "Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong...."   His power, His work, His clothes, His strength, His favor, His Spirit, His beauty......  that is what makes us stand.  And He tells us for protection to just stand.  I Peter 5:9 tells us to resist the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  In the original, to resist is to stand against.  Just stand, clothed in the humility of Jesus Christ.  Our Savior is awesome!  So stand for Him!                 K.C.

          

Spring Beauties

       

          

          Something about this time of year - new beginnings - freshness - anticipation - the beauty of God's marvelous works in creating such luxurious flowers - brings hope to my tired soul.  Knowing that God has such creative skill and such knowledge of great detail in creating flowers gives me strength in trusting Him for the needs of my life.    Jesus tells us that we are clothed with more beauty than the lilies of the field.  Now that is hard to believe!  He is at work in my life and yours making us more beautiful than these lovely flowers!  What God creates reflects His character.  Just as each of these flowers reflect His beauty and skill,  I reflect Him in a way no one else can.  Just as lilacs are a different beauty than forsythia, each of us are different beauties to the Lord.  My praise to God cannot take the place of yours.  My service to the Lord is not like yours.  It is not a competitive race we are in, but a relationship with Jesus to reflect Him and bring His glory to this world.    He desires us to grow in beauty and character the more we learn to know and study Him.  It is not that I decide to be a rose or a tulip and work at it.  Way more simple - it is focusing on Jesus and letting Him decide what He wants me to be.  He teaches me and molds me by sending different people, experiences, trials, and tests to my life in just the right way.  It sure brings a freedom to my tired soul to know that Jesus is at work for me, in me, and through me.  He refreshes and restores and remakes me in His own way.  He clothes me, it is His work, and His way is always perfect to form me into His beauty.   

             

                    "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;

                      for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered

                      me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with

                      ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.  For as the

                      earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown

                      in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise

                      to spring forth before all the nations."   Isaiah 61:10 - 11         

                                                                                                                                                      K.C.                 

A Little Understanding

          Studying this absolutely flawless orchid in the same week I am studying God's justice and mercy gives me a visual picture.  Our God is flawless and pure in all His character and in all His ways.  How can I understand Someone so holy and pure when I am not?  What use is there to even try to define God's justice or His mercy?  My definition is surely limited by my own  human weakness and failings.   God's perfect justice and His lovingkindness and mercy meet at the cross of Jesus Christ.  Only pure Jesus satisfied the Father's justice and holiness that demands payment for my sin and out of that flows His grace and mercy.  Now those are some things to meditate on!  Our God is awesome and beyond comprehension!

          How to apply even the little bit I do understand about God's justice and mercy is the question.  God is setting out to work His life through us.  We see pain and obvious stress everywhere we look.  We ask God, why don't You do something?  But God is asking us the same question.  Why don't you do something?  So just studying God's justice and mercy doesn't quite cut it.  When I truly start understanding that my God has spilled His blood to take care of justice for me,  then I start understanding that God is telling me to do something.  It is more than seeing God in His justice and mercy for me.  It is understanding that He is endeavoring to work that out in me also.  Rather than seeing the entire need of the world and throwing my hands up in despair,  God is telling me to see the need right in front of my eyes.  To get involved.  To share the load.  Of even one person to start with. To give a cup of cold water.  To demonstrate tangible mercy toward another person.    

          Out of a grateful heart for all that Jesus has done for me, my desire is to imitate Him.  He tells me in Ephesians 5:1 - 2, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."    I guess my life demonstrates what understanding I truly have of the endless kindness of God my Savior.  He can't be fooled and I don't want to fool myself.  Lord, have mercy on me.      K.C.