They Can't Hear You

Can't talk a plant into growing and producing fruit...have to give it TLC. 

Feed it grace.

Lord, show me how to love today. You do it.

How Mom Loves Me

In Christ, she lost her life and found it. I watched. And when I saw, then I knew that someday, somehow I would lose my life so that I would find it, too. I didn't know how it would happen or when, but I knew that it could because I saw it. It was real.

And I want to be like Mom.

The best thing she gives isn't something she plans or buys. It's not something she says or a way she makes me feel. It's not a hug or a kiss or a pat on the back. She does those things...but, no.

The way she loves me isn't the human way that has to do with emotions. It's God's way that has to do with God. It is a relationship that is transforming her. Always, transforming. It makes me want more of Jesus.

In her obedience, she loves God. And in loving God she loves me. Beautiful. Simple. God is the beginning and the end of my mother's love for me. It is a joy to be her daughter and sister, walking hand in hand toward eternity.


By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
(1 John 5:2 ESV)

Get Over Yourself

And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.  For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 1 Samuel 12:20-22


His purposes and plans are far greater and stronger than any human agenda or evil. Obsession with anything besides the living God, even my own shortcomings, is empty--an idol that can not profit or deliver. Sin has been dealt with, indeed it is finished. He will never forsake me, whom He has chosen. But the Lord did not choose me because of me. He chose me in spite of me. He loves me not primarily for my own sake, but for the sake of His great name. What Samuel was so graciously saying to these ignorant people and now to an equally ignorant me is this:


GET OVER YOURSELF AND SERVE GOD. 

April Flowers

I've always wanted to have a window box of flowers. Dreams really do come true! This one is right outside my kitchen sink window with a humming bird feeder hanging just above. Such a joy to look out that window! I just have to avoid looking down...into the sink full of dirty dishes. :)

We planted this "Show-off" rosebush last year and it did so well (AKA: it survived the chickens and the summer of  2011) that we planted another. Love them!

I've seen all the creative cutting and painting of tires to make planters. I guess this is the lazy version, but I still think it is pretty!

It's been fun planting things around the house. The extreme heat hasn't come yet, so we're still going outside to water. Maybe I will do better with tending all of this than in years past.

This is a sweet journal entry from Jonah:

Happy Easter!

When God Wants to Change History

There is much beauty to be seen and many things to be enjoyed in God's creation. But the filthy blanket of sin that covers it all can be suffocating at times. Sometimes when sin is rampantly on display in the world, I can feel a fire burning within me. That fire usually makes me want to fight. It makes me want to correct. It makes me want to yell and kick and scream until someone will listen to me. "This is the better way!"

Sometimes a fight is called for. Sometimes a stand must be taken. I do believe that. However, I fear that perhaps this fixation on the sin of "the world" can be a distraction to the calling God has placed on my life. I was stunned this morning by an observation made in Ray Stedman's commentary on the book of Exodus:

"When God wants to change history, he doesn't start with a battle. He starts with a baby."

Wow. The words stopped me dead in my tracks. In this instance, we were learning about Moses. Who was born under a death sentence, rescued by the providence of God and then used mightily to lead God's people. This is a beautiful picture of God's plan for the lives of each of his children, who are all born helpless babes.

These are my babes and today I was reminded that first and foremost, they are my cause.

Right here. My primary objective must be to teach these babies to hold dear the Gospel of Jesus. Who knows the plans in store for my little ones? Not me. All I know is that I have them right now. And time is of the essence.

Lord, may I never be too busy fighting, boycotting, laboring or standing firm, that I forget to walk with You. Because they need to see the walk more than they need to see the fight...They need to see YOU. I know they will see the sin-infested world, but will they see their sin-infested hearts? Will they know that they need you just as much as the nasty world needs you? Will they know how much I need you? Only if I tell them. Only if they see. Lord, open my mouth and open their eyes. Teach me to stay focused and engaged in the battle for their souls. Make me alert to satan's schemes to distract with the allure of doing "good things." You have made my charge crystal clear this morning, thank You. Amen.