Jehovah was not in the wind. And after the wind, an earthquake: Jehovah was not in the earthquake.
And after the earthquake, a fire: Jehovah was not in the fire. And after the fire, a soft gentle voice. (1Kings 19:11-12)

Thursday, February 28, 2008

To Go Home


What I once took for granted I thoroughly enjoyed this past weekend. We were 'invited' to go back to my parents house for the weekend to enjoy some time and the outdoors with them.

I took these pictures while we were out enjoying the great outdoors. So much more inviting than our boxed in backyard!

As we walked along the pathway and out in the meadow . . .


we saw fresh tracks in the snow . . .


. . . beautiful winter scenes . . . some just walked, some rode on GT's or snowmoblies, some went cross country skiing . . .


. . . and then to nap or rest in front of the warmth of the woodstove . . . How I realized I miss this heat (but, I do not miss the mess of the wood or the cold mornings!)


We played games together, ate delicious meals together, had fun together, and came home tired from late nights.

After a weekend back home I am so thankful to the Lord for the family I was born into. Despite our own shortcomings (and I know we have many), I am so blessed.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Masterpiece


When I look at your heavens,
the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
(Psalms 8:3,4,9)


A quiet hush feel over the hundreds of children as the musicians tuned their instruments together. The anticipation rose as we waited for the concert to begin. The hall had just been a hive of buzzing children and now the conductor was to begin with the Flight of the Bumblebee by Rimsky-Korsakov.

It was not just a regular concert, but the orchestra performed especially for school children and we were there with our home school group. The conductor was so engaging and the whole hour was very educational and enrapturing. We were delighted as we watched and listened to the performance of And Furthermore They Bite!


As you sit and listen to an orchestra you can't miss the harmony and orderliness of the music. Symphony means literally 'sounding together'. When all the instruments come together in harmony such beauty is heard.




Less then twelve hours later we were enjoying harmony in the sky . . . the lunar eclipse. This can occur only when the sun, moon and earth are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the earth in the middle.

As husband and daughter arrived home from special meetings at the Chapel on the Tabernacle, we grabbed the binoculars to watch the eclipse. A fascinating sight in the black sky . . . God's orderliness.

God orchestrates all . . . and He too is at work in our lives. He is dwelling within us. There is beauty as the Holy Spirit works through us. It is not our work, but His masterpiece . . .

For we are his workmanship,
having been created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God has before prepared that we should walk in them.(Ephesians 2:10)


photo: the lunar eclipse viewed from our home

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Stillness


Words from
Streams in the Desert that reflect some of my recent thoughts . . . expressed more eloquently than my own words . . .


“Ye shall not go out with haste.”

(Isa. 52:12.)

I do not believe that we have begun to understand the marvelous power there is in stillness. We are in such a hurry-we must be doing-so that we are in danger of not giving God a chance to work. You may depend upon it, God never says to us, “Stand still,” or “Sit still,” or “Be still,” unless He is going to do something.

This is our trouble in regard to our Christian life; we want to do something to be Christians when we need to let Him work in us. Do you know how still you have to be when your likeness is being taken?

Now God has one eternal purpose concerning us, and that is that we should be like His Son; and in order that this may be so, we must be passive. We hear so much about activity, may be we need to know what it is to be quiet. --- Crumbs.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

Nor deem these days-these waiting days-as ill!

The One who loves thee best, who plans thy way,

Hath not forgotten thy great need today!

And, if He waits, ‘tis sure He waits to prove

To thee, His tender child, His heart’s deep love.


Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

Thou longest much to know thy dear Lord’s will!

While anxious thoughts would almost steal their way

Corrodingly within, because of His delay-

Persuade thyself in simple faith to rest

That He, who knows and loves, will do the best.


Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

Not move one step, not even one, until

His way hath opened. Then, ah then, how sweet!

How glad thy heart, and then how swift thy feet

Thy inner being then, ah then, how strong!

And waiting days not counted then too long.


Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

What higher service could’st thou for Him fill?

‘Tis hard! Ah yes! But choicest things must cost!

For lack of losing all how much is lost!

‘Tis hard, ‘tis true! But then-He giveth grace

To count the hardest spot the sweetest place.


--- J. Danson Smith.


photo: sunset in the stillness of the trees

Friday, February 15, 2008

Not Just February 14th!


Herein is love,
not that we loved God,
but that he loved us,
and sent his Son a propitiation for our sins.
(1 John 4:10)


I love how my husband surprised me with these roses the day before Valentines Day. . . expressing our love is not be limited to one day!



Thank you Lord, for the blessing of love and marriage.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Wisdom




Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)


These verses encouraged me this day. As Jon was reading with the kids this morning I was listening as he read a summery of the books of Proverbs. We have been going through a small survey of the Old Testament Books for our homeschool Bible "curriculum". This week we will be reviewing the book of Proverbs.

I was encouraged because just prior to thinking on these verses I was feeling discouraged about being distracted with thoughts of 'trying to figure it all out'. There is so much that is beyond my finite mind and my mind often feels so muddled as I contemplate the truths of God's Word.


For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

(Isaiah 55:9)


It is not up to my understanding. God bestows wisdom upon us as we ask Him:


If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,
who gives generously to all without reproach,
and it will be given him.

(James 1:5)


I don't just give up trying to understand, but I am reminded how much I need the Spirit of God, who is dwelling within me, to teach me and guide me. I need to acknowledge Him and He will direct!

Oh, how I need God's wisdom as I study His wonderful ways.

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