"Bless the Lord, all my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.  {Psalm 103:1}

What is it with this generation? So many of them want to take their own picture. I know it is wrapped up in all the lies that social media tells kids, and wanting to measure up to what "others" say about them, but what are our young people saying to themselves? What are you saying to yourself?

What we say on the inside may be different than what comes out of our mouths. When we have peace within, we say good things to ourselves, regardless of what anyone else might say . What if your self talk isn't good? What if all you do on the inside is belittle who you are and what you do?

Most of us, at one time or another have experienced self-doubt, fear, anger or other emotions that rob us of what God says about us. We get lost in the mess of what our old self says, and we don't hear clearly what the new-woman on the inside says.Our soul is caught up in turmoil instead of blessing the Lord. This can cause damage to our self-image, and pull us into despair and depression.

I have good new! Jesus is in the business of changing what we say to ourselves! How do I know? He has changed me, on the inside, so that my self-talk displays who He says I am and not what I learned in a mixed up household. My family had so many things working against it, but by God's grace He lifted me out of a negative self-image, and made me ALIVE!  When I learned what God said about me, my life changed, and it is still changing today, 40 years later! This was a process, and may take time, but it will be the best use of your time ever!

He calls you and I "His beloved" in the Song Of Solomon. He gathers us under His wing as a mother hen does with her chicks. Matthew 23:37 He calls us "His daughters." He gives us a crown, but in our awe of His splendor we cast them at His feet. He promises to "never leave us or forsake us," even when we forsake him. He forgives us when we ask him to, not 7x7 but 70 x 7, which really means forever. He takes us back if we have wandered, and He doesn't hold a grudge. His love for us is never waning, not half hearted, but always passionate, and all-encompassing. When we meditate on what the Word of God has to say, our lives go from black and white to technic-color. Praise His Name!

"My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge"
{Psalm 144:2}

This is a crazy time of year! Children are getting acclimated to school, the weather is changing, we are saying goodbye to the summer weather, and embracing the coolness of Autumn. I enjoy all the seasons, however I felt this summer went too quickly. Part of it was because I had 4 different trips to North Carolina during the month of July! Graduations, summer vacation, conferences and visits with family, all of which I enjoyed greatly.

I'm not complaining, because God has been so good. In our verse for today, David writes of the goodness of God, while he is in dangerous circumstances. He is the King, and a battle is going on. To say the least, he is in a hard place! What he does determines the life of his people, and most importantly his army. He calls on the Lord to give Him guidance and direction, but he also reminds himself and us at the same time, that God is the one he hides in. God is his fortress, or fort as we would know it. Israel was never well equipped for battle as their enemies were. They didn't have a fort, but from early on they learned  that God was the only one who could equip them.[Unger's Bible Dictionary: fortress}

Isn't it true, that when we are the most ill-equipped to win in any situation we have the most faith? Why is this? We rely on God and all of a sudden all the verses that we learned years earlier come back to us, and we see that He was the only answer all along! He puts us in precarious situations to grow us, to cause us to look up! He never wants a people who are clones of him, he wants people who want to follow Him. We need His help to get us in the right direction.

It was good for David to rely on God, and not have a physical fort to hide behind. If he had a fort where would he learn to trust God for the victory? Do you sometimes feel as if you are out on a limb, by yourself, with no help? Make yourself declare the promises of God, His goodness toward you, and soon your feelings will follow your words! All who are strong in God had a circumstance where they had to rely on God's word to be true, before their heart and mind followed. After thousands of years, God still honors those who put their trust in Him, and take Him at HIs word.

When we are following Jesus, a great adventure can be around the corner, or maybe you are involved in one right now! Our God loves to take us on trips, adventures that seemly come out of nowhere, but He has planned them for us from the beginning of time. How incredible to think of what takes us by surprise was in God's plan all along! Help me Lord, to glean all the good that I can out of these wild rides.

I was stunned when my daughter Stephanie was ready to be delivered, and I got to the hospital, got checked in , and every sign of labor stopped. I thought , oh well it will begin again, one hour, two hours nothing. I was sent home. That had never happened to be before, and she was our forth child. Something new and different, was happening! When you think you have everything into a nice neat package, and you have figured out how God works in your life, he will through you a curve ball. Why? We are not supposed to try to figure Him out!

God is wildly unpredictable, and He likes it that way. He doesn't want us to be shaken up, He want us to trust. He wants our faith to grow, and grow, and grow, and if you are anything like me, you sometimes takes three steps forward, and then two steps back. He is forever faithful no matter what I do. Back to Stephanie, I go into labor again, about a week before my due date, now I'm sure this baby will be born. No, she was playing games with us. On the way home this time I was discouraged.

Another week goes by, and it is October 31, our church has a Harvest Festival and a friend takes our children to it for me. I rest, and I know this is not the day, because it's her due date, and babies are never born on their due date. Ha! My water breaks, and I call my husband. He is on his way home. He calls a neighbor to come and sit with me. My husband is so nervous because I tend to deliver fast.

My husband stumbles in the door, runs upstairs to get my suitcase, drops it and everything falls out. I had carefully placed each item into the case, but we don't have time for that now.  We go to the Doctor's office, and he examines me, and now the water is out all over the place. My doctor tells us we could go to the hospital or we could go home, and wait for labor. My husband knows my history and he very confidently, but not calmly says, "We are going to the hospital!"

He doesn't have time to check in, before Stephie appears, and we are overjoyed! The doctor didn't make it but that didn't matter to me. She came at the exact time that God had planned. Everything  was fine, but God's grace! This is the verse that I meditated on while waiting for a child. "My times are in your hands;"as the psalmist said to God , so I said to God, and He was faithful!

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?"    {Mark 8:36}


I took this picture one day out on a walk with my husband. It spoke to me of our American heritage,  and the flag is part of it, but the house reminds me of a common American style. I love the flag pole, because when I was a child, my Father had a flagpole put into our backyard. He was a World War Two Veteran, and had a great love for our country. He also taught History, and so the two collided to make a loyal citizen. I am a happy recipient of this heritage.

We all realize that this country is not perfect, as no country ever can be, because it is filled with imperfect people. Just because we have made mistakes doesn't mean that we should forgo every other part that has been good. When a christian makes a mistake, we need to get up, brush off our knees, and walk on. Don't look back, but move ahead to what God has for you. The more time we spend wallowing in our mistake, the less time we have to press in to what God has for us. The same is true for our nation.

Divisiveness, hatred, and separation have broken us more than ever, and only Jesus, and His tender touch can lift us from this grievous place. Those of us who have been here a while know what we had in the past, in way of a more controlled society. "Move Lord, because without you we have nothing!" Certainly this is God's desire to mend and make whole. Our young people can be taught to loving disagree with someone who has a contrary opinion.

Who will pay the cost? Who will lay down their life for their friends? Jesus, yes, and He paid the price for all of us. What about us? Will we be transparent before the lost, and live a life that pleases God? This seems to be harder than ever to do, but it is worth it. Pleasing God is the only thing that is worth anything in my opinion, and I know I'm being very opinionated today. I feel it needs to be said. Any life that is worth living is one that is gaining victories for the kingdom. I am saying this for me more than anyone, and I feel I need to pray. Will you pray with me?

Father God, we are a needy people, and our need for you is evident. I know that anyone who asks in faith will have what they ask for, when we ask according to your will. I believe it is your will to make us more like you. Help us to listen to your written word, and allow it to change us, however you want. In Jesus name, Amen.

"Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! There is nothing too difficult or too wonderful for you. "  {Jeremiah 32:17}  AMP

There are times when many of us wish we could just give up, or go someplace where no one will find we or know me. At this point I usually need a breathe of fresh air, a little girl time with one of my friends or a little shopping to change my focus. Notice I said, "a little shopping,"because I'm not out of control, only a bit out of gear. Any of these will push my gears back into the right place.

Prayer is one of the most important ways to get me functioning at my best. I have to focus on the Lord and not give up, since my allergies are trying to take over my head. The ragweed has been giving me headaches, and a bit of dizziness too. He knows some days are hard, and He sees us through. Can you imagine an earthly father saying to his child, No, I'm sorry you are too sick, I'm not going to get you some water.? How much more our Heavenly Father will comfort and give us the aid we need.

I felt so far out of my comfort zone last night though, when I was trying to critique a story that a sister in the Lord had written for our writer's group. The idea of the group is to strengthen our writing by giving helpful hints to each other. I just didn't like saying something that might offend or hurt her, but it's called an Iron group and the point is to sharpen each other. I gave her disclaimers about how new I was at this, and that I really didn't know what to say. It hurts to grow, when we are so comfortable in our own space!

The problem with "our own space", is that it isolates us from those whom God has sent us here to touch. He is gently nudging us out to a wider space that incorporates even those who we have never met, like the writers in my group who are from all different parts of the United States. It took me months before I would say yes to this group, because I knew I would be vulnerable. Isn't vulnerability the place that we least like being in? I know it is for me, but how will I know Jesus better than to trust that He has my back, on new circumstances as well as the old? I'm glad that He say to take one day at a time, I can trust Him for that, and so can you!

"And they overcame by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." {Revelation 12:11}

Did you know that your story matters to God? It also matters to the many people that will read it and be touched. John Eldredge, in the book "The Sacred Romance" shares from scripture how God has us on a magnificent journey, and if we follow Him, there will be drama, the unexpected, and great love revealed. The problem comes with us not knowing which way the journey will take us. This is what G.K.Chesterton is quoted as writing in "The Sacred Romance:" "The thing which keeps life romantic and full of fiery possibilities is the existence of these great plain limitations which force all of us to meet the things we do not like or do not except."

None of us wake up each morning and say, Oh great! What fiery trial will beset me today! We want everything in life to go along smoothly, and without resistance, but then we wouldn't recognize our need for our Savior. God, in His divine wisdom knows what calamities will show us what this world is all about, so that we draw near to Him. He takes no pleasure in suffering, because as a Good Father He would never place hardship on us in this way. If it produces fruit in our lives by teaching us a valuable lesson or causing us to grow in patience God declares it sandpaper to knock off our rough edges. He is more interested in our spiritual growth than our comfort.

Our verse today is a well known one, but several versions  use different words to explain the beginning.

"Cast your cares on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. {Psalm 55:22}

Our verse today is rather well know. I tend to overlook the well-known because I know it.  I guess I'm overstating the obvious here, because what often occurs for me is the well-known slides off the plate of my understanding. It loses its effectiveness in my life because it becomes common to me.

I am glad for this verse from Psalm 55, and intend to allow it to bring fresh meaning to my heart. I can't even begin to tell you how many times it has brought peace and rest. I learned it from the King James Version, which reads, Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain thee, he shall never allow the righteous to be moved."  The word care in the Oxford English Dictionary means "A feeling or cause for anxiety." The word burden from the same dictionary means ,"something carried or an obligation causing hardship." These words are similar, but not the same. It may seem like grasping for straws, but looking at these words from different perspectives can help us with understanding.

 The word burden gives us a heavy feeling, when care seems to be lighter. What is important to see here is that God cares for our feelings and our burdens! He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end! No matter what your care, minute, or burden, huge it is under His banner of love. Song of Solomon 2:4 from the amplified Bible reads: "He brought me to His banqueting table and His banner over me is love {waving overhead to protect and comfort me."} I love the extra notes that the amplified gives us. Waving overhead, proclaiming victory and peace to us!

When I proclaim victory over my situation, especially when I don't feel it, my emotions follow victory. Some people may see this as being untruthful about my situation, when actually I am lining up with what God says about me. To think that The God over all creation cares about the smallest needs in my life! This is what I want to proclaim to a lost and dying world!

Hello Friends, hope you are having a good week, whatever that means. Our thoughts on what is good can be very objective. What one gal thinks is a good week may end being horrible to another! God has our good in mind all of the time. How many of us really believe this? I didn't feel like that when my Mom was in a coma, after falling in our house. She died three days after. How could this be good for me Lord? It didn't feel good, and some things in life just won't feel right.

What I couldn't see was the bitterness that was beginning to grab her heart. She was angry because we felt she shouldn't drive anymore for her safety. This is a typical conversation that siblings have when aging parents need changes. It is not one that the aging parent agrees with. Mom also needed a walker and she felt it wasn't necessary and with that, she let go of said walker, and hit her head on the floor. Mom was not the type of person who spoke about her feelings. It was a subject that was not discussed in the family setting, but when you live with a family member you can sense their anxiousness, or hostility.

My Mom's desire for life to go on as it always had is one that we can all relate to. Not many people look forward to being incompasitated later in life. Her quality of life would be greatly diminished in her estimation. When she fell, and died three days later, God was showing  both my Mom and I mercy for our relationship. We had a good time together, and when she was taken it was as if Jesus said, "You know Ann, let's allow you to remember Mom in a positive way." I understand this now, and I am grateful for His perfect timing. I didn't have to become the parent to my Mom, and tell her what to do. 

God's grace and mercy extend far into our lives when we need them. I am so glad that He doesn't do life the way I might think is right. In His mercy He doesn't allow me to go my own way. He sees what's ahead and wants to prepare us for greater blessings. I am so short sighted, selfish and impatient. His best is what I need to be healthy, well and prepared in every way. Petfection still evades me, but I am learning and so are you, I am sure!

When was the last time you were by the ocean? I have to say that I thought I would have more "ocean time" this year, but somehow it didn't happen. I had the pleasure of visiting the ocean in North Carolina with my sister, at Shell Island and at Topsail Island. These beaches are clean and the water is a light blue. They aren't crowded with people, or boardwalks, just natural sandy beach to walk and look at. Even in the hight of summer you can be alone and enjoy all that's around you. You have to get wet, because it is so hot!

Our New York beaches are not like this. The ocean is never warm, and the Sound is full of rocks. I don't mind the rocks when I wear beach shoes, but the rest of my family won't go with me. I think it's great to have a beach 10 minutes from my house. When I was in Elementary school my Father would take us to the local beach in the summer. He was a teacher so this was his time to get fit, so we were there 3-5 times a week. He used the summer beach experience to lose weight with swimming and my brother, sister and I had the best time ever. It was the happiest time of the year for our family.

When I am at the beach, looking up into the skies seems like the natural thing to do. I remember my husband's Aunt Connie saying when she moved out of New York City, that "the sky is so big out here!" Her sincerity made us laugh, and she was so cute! The sky didn't change, only her perspective did. She got to see more of the sky because nothing was blocking her view. Do you have something blocking your view? "The heavens declare the glory of God, because it goes on for ever. God, has no end and no beginning, and the skies tell us the same. One can only have this revelation at the beach, or on top of a mountain.

Whether you are at sea level, or high in the mountains, your comprehension of all the earth is one of awe and majesty. At these times, we see more of the reality heaven.Who is like our God, who can compare to His matchless grace and love? Do you know of any that can equal His divine wisdom and power? Can someone else create all out of nothing? You could spend all of your life looking, and all of your relatives after you for hundreds of years and come up with nothing. No one can match the one and only, sovereign, Holy, maker, creator, divine One.

"Regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic all purpose garment. Never be without it." Colossians 3:14  {MSG}

Suppose all that people saw of you were your spiritual gifts?  What if your outward appearance didn't show but only what was inside your heart? I would be so scared for others to see what is inside! I want to hide some anxious, bitter thoughts away because I may feel I deserve to hold on to them. Oh, I feel blah just writing about it!

Maybe you can remember a time when you were sure that you had conquered a certain fear, but it seems to have found its way back into your heart. I hate when that happens, but it may need just another nudge to leave you alone for good! God knows our hearts better than we do. Jeremiah 17:9-10 tells us that we don't know how wicked our own hearts can be, but God sees all and loves us anyway. God searches our hearts, and know our thoughts, and still He continues to work to get us free! He knows a little push here or there is what is necessary to release His unfailing mercies and truth in us.

How do we put on love as a garment? We choose love. We push away from anything else.We have a choice to walk in love or fear, or hatred. These emotions can be a stronghold on us, and may seem as if we cannot choose something else, but that is not the truth. "Whom the son sets free is free indeed." {John 8:36} Remember, it's not our strength but God's that we should rely on. How do rely on Him? We read His word, and if need be, take it as medicine. Our hearts are sick from sin, so he is the only remedy.

We are all tried by fire, to see what we are made of. At times we need to dig deep to find Jesus, because we have pushed Him away all too much. I for one can attest to this. Why don't I take Him at His word? I am learning, and so are you, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this. Fight for love to be the first thing to come out of your mouth!

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
{Proverbs 31:3} NIV

I wish I could say that I painted these flowers, but I didn't. I can't take the credit for it, but it shows exactly what I feel in my heart. Bright colors, flowing lines, and subtle shades. These are not real, but I could imagine that some flowers arrangements look similar, but then there are real flowers that look fake. No matter what, flowers display a beauty that is heavenly.

The beauty of heaven can be seen all around us, although it is a faded view, a distant image of the reality that is beyond. It reminds me of the beauty in our faces, which some may see as fading, but I say it gets better with age. The wrinkles may not be welcome, but the wisdom that comes from being older is a wonder to behold! Most of us who are older, {which includes everyone, because we are older than we were yesterday,} understand the seasons of life as just that. We can't stop one time from flying into the next.

Most of us feel that our beauty was in the past, never to be restored. God is not one of us and He says that a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised, not the one who stands out in the crowd, not the one who has the right words at the right time. The best thing in God's estimate of life, are those who know their God. Plain and simple. I'm glad for that because I was never known for anything when I was young. I didn't stand out, and I felt left out, picked over sort of. I wasn't great at anything, especially school.

I didn't have a subject that I could look forward to because I really knew it well. What brought about tremendous change in me, was when I gave my life to God. It was as if someone turned my life into technicolor! Life seemed entirely different. I felt God's love all over me, and I knew I would not be the same again!I left behind my insecurities , but truthfully it took a while to work this one out. Doubt and fear began to fade, as I saw Jesus walk into every area that I allowed him into.  It isn't easy but it is worth everything!

"Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." {Ephesians 6:10}

Do you want to live on this private island, by yourself? Sometimes I think it might be nice, but not most of the time. We are social beings, especially if you are a woman. It's the way God intended for us to be. Otherwise who would ask for directions, find out what the neighbors are doing or make sure everyone has used the potty before a long trip? It's our way of relating to the world around us, and keeping our families safe. We have to be "in the know."

I don't mean we have to know about everything in a gossipy way. No, we need to know how to care for our loved ones, as Jesus cared for those around Him. He made known to His disciples what would be necessary so that they could please God, which is at the core of every person's soul, whether the person knows it or not. All of life's journey is about filling the inner absence of God. Those who know Jesus as their personal Savior has the void filled, but still there is a process of letting go of the old ways, and grabbing hold of the new.

We become stronger as we hold on tighter. As we push aside the temporal, and lay hold of the eternal we grow, and we let God do the work, which by the way, He already accomplished on the cross. Why do I go around and around, like Moses and the Israelites when all I have to do is rest? I think Moses was never more than a day's journey from the promised land, but the people were not ready to go in and take it over.

Sounds like a waste of time, but possessing the land took the strength of God in their hearts, which wasn't something most of them had grasped. The song goes like this, "It's not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord of Hosts. It takes God's power to overcome the enemy. It takes God's power to change hearts. It takes God's power to bring us to the cross.

Do you see this bumblebee on this zinnia? It stayed there for two days. I thought I had to move quickly to take this picture before it moved, but not this time.Do you see the white picket fence? My husband wanted it so our children would have it as a memory from their childhood. My husband felt this memory was important. I felt a release of tension today as I passed a white picket fence that a neighbor put up recently. If it doesn't help anyone else, it was for me! I could laugh out loud!


Our childhood memories are important in who we become. They can mold us and shape us, for good or ill. I remember my Mom telling me that when I was in kindergarten the teacher told her  I would never be a reader. I wish she hadn't told me this, but later on when I far exceeded that professional opinion I gave all the glory to God. My husband was told at the age of 16 by a teacher  that he should drop out of High School, and look for a job. After 40 years as an Attorney , he is very glad he didn't listen to that advice.

Discerning God's direction and hearing His voice clearly comes after years of careful consideration.  His advise trumps every one else. Anything that comes from God is safe, and good for us. If it lines up with His word it will be what is best, but it might not make sense to us. We don't see all of the picture that He sees. We don't know how all the pieces fit together.

Another safety measure I try to use is to have a trusted friend, who knows the Lord, to bounce my thoughts off of. The Apostle Paul said, " Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. {2 Corinthians 13:1}Although this verse refers to legal matters, it still is true to confirm God's direction in our lives. We need each other, and God wants us to trust another who has wisdom and care. Not one of us can be an island unto ourselves. Many times a person close to us has a better perspective and understanding of any given situation. Be careful to only share with those who have your best interest at heart. Love and grace to you today, my sweet readers!

"We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.  {Psalm 66:12}

You might be saying to yourself, I remember seeing this picture recently, and yes you would be right. I felt it bears repeating! I love the beauty of the reflection in the water that adds depth to the scene. I take a lot of pictures, hoping for a few that will be worthy of my blog. This one speaks to me, in a way that I can relate to. We all need to be reminded how much Jesus cares, and wants to bring us to a place of richness.

I am not writing today to tell you that if you trust in God, He will give you a million dollars. The richness that God wants to give moves beyond the money realm. Although He is a good provider in the natural, we have to do the physical labor 99.9% of the time. The abundance that God is talking about has to do with our souls, our spirits. We go through hard times, whether it is financial, relational, or physical. In the magazine "Voice of the Martyrs" a 90 year old man continues to serve God even though he knew he would probably be put in jail, again. Most of us have no idea what that kind of hardship is about. My Pastor has said many times, "If you  are willing to live for Jesus, you will die for Him.

And we see much destruction these days from water. Hurricanes in Texas and Louisiana, have left thousands without homes. We don't know yet about Florida, or what will occur after that. A earthquake in Mexico just happened today, and my daughter tells me that her friends are talking about Christ's return being around the corner. I don't know God's timetable, but I do know that we have never seen the level of disregard for God and His ways that we see today.

What should we do with a pending date of Jesus' return? Continue as we are. Serve God as best you can and however He leads you. Pray for wisdom, strength for yourselves and family. The Bible tells us there will be two in the field, and one will be left. There will be two grinding grain, and suddenly one will be left. Share God's love and desire to save those who are lost. Ask God to pour His love upon you so that you can shine as a light, as a lighthouse for Him, and don't act surprised when He does it! Blessings my dear readers.

"If you have faith as a grain of a mustard seed-"{ Matthew 17:20}

I'm planting tulips today because I want something pretty to look forward to in spring. Usually I have to wait until I plant flowers or for the hydrangea to bloom, which doesn't happen every year. I usually plant geraniums which you see in the picture. They are tried and true when it comes to plants. They are hardy, bloom all summer, and are vibrant colors. I wish I could be vibrant, bloom all season, and never wilt! Some days are not meant for vibrancy I have decided. I call these catch up days.

A catch up day usually occurs after a lot of busyness, or emotion. My husband will say to me at night, I can't stop thinking, I need to shut down my brain. In the middle of the night I can wake up and my brain kicks into action, when it isn't supposed to. This is when prayer works well. Rehearsing with God what ever we are feeling at the time can bring back rest. Trusting in His unfailing love brings peace.

Peace can be fleeting if you live in a household with teens. I might add that girl teens can be particularly emotional and flippant. Plans can change in a moment, they can be stable one minute, and crying the next. "What's wrong?" you say. "Oh nothing," they cry. O.K., then let's move on. "Don't you care about why I"m crying?"Men have a hard time understanding this. They are not the only ones. I know that my child will be fine. All girls come out of the "teen years", and move on to some concept of stability. I know this. I want it now!

I want my teen to understand everything, act like an adult, be courteous all the time, and not ask any questions about this. Nice for me, but she doesn't learn a thing. She needs to see Christ in me, so that she can be drawn to Him, even on those days when I don't feel like it. How do I do this. "I" get me out of the way. If I will lean on God, and take each step one at a time, He will come out. Our children start out smaller than a mustard seed, but with time, prayer and lots of coaching, caring , and love will glorify God beyond anything that we have ever been able to do.

" In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." {John 1:1-2}

How can you not love a lighthouse? They are beacons of light but also hope and peace. When a weary sailors saw this relic, they would be jumping up and down for joy to see that land was ahead. A sailor would rejoice to know  that safety was only a light beam away. They aren't as important today, since they will only warn of rocks, but that is necessary for small boats without radar.

God's word is a beacon for our souls. It reveals who God is in the person of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus saw His Father but we have only seen the son, but we are told that He is an exact representation of His Father in Hebrews 1:3."The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by his powerful word."What an awe-inspiring description of Our Savior! Who but Jesus in the trinity, could speak the world into existence?

When we think of light we don't see it as God sees it. He is everything that is good, and we only know good on a limited basis. When we get to heaven we will be free from our earthly shells to experience light and life in a realm that we can't imagine now. How can we think about something beyond our five senses? We can't , but we can be sure that once we are there we will know all things.

Jesus, known in heaven and on earth, is the one who was with the Father from the beginning of time.  This same Jesus answers us when we call. He lives in our hearts when we become born- again. He have infinite wisdom, beyond that of Solomon, because He is the "I am" and gave this earthly king his abilities. No one has ever seen or heard of one like Him. He is matchless, supreme, flawless and alive. No words can describe one so radiant. Call upon Him today!

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye. " {Psalm 32:8}
Two lone sailboats out in the sea. Do they care that no one is around? No, I don't think so.  They probably want it to be that way; why else would they be so far from land? We all need some alone time in our lives. In the still, quiet place, we can hear God calling us by the name He has given us: Daughter.
God is so good to us. He could have said I will guide you with my hand, or my arm, but He has said, "with my eye." This declaration means that He is personal and concerned. His thoughts toward us are for our good. He is fully engaged because His gaze is upon those that He loves.Who does God love, honor and pour His grace on? Those who fear His name.

This concept called the fear of God has been examined, torn apart and pulled in all directions, but according to old testament language it simply means what it says. We fear Him because without His grace, we would all be swept away by sin. We would be wretched, evil beings without a bit of love within us.  "Every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. {James 1:17}NKJV

This means everything that is good in our lives and in those outside of the faith. His passion for the lost reaches beyond those who love Him! Without this grace no one would be compelled to come to Him. The Bible so beautifully says that no one can come to God unless He first draws us, in our sin, our mess, our brokenness.  Who do you know that would love the drug addict, the drunkard, the hopeless like Jesus does? He is calling all that this world throws aside, plus everyone else.Do not delay in calling upon His name today.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that you have set the planets and stars in orbit. You have created all things for your pleasure. I don't think that I have bee pleasing to you recently. Please forgive me of my sin and regrets, and come dwell in me today by your Holy Spirit.
If you have prayed this prayer today, let me know and I would be happy to talk to you. E-mail me at annrmig@gmail.com Blessing and joy be yours today!