The Little Tree

How I love the little tree, that everyday brings shade to me; and covers me from the sun's hot rays, to bring me shelter day by day. 

How I love this little tree. The birds perch high, and sing to me; from branches, bark, and leafy bloom; sing sacred songs in my sweet room. 

How I love this little tree. Where I meet God and He meets me... and where I write a thousand words; as I listen to the sound of birds. 

How I love this little tree. It gently sways, and brings some breeze. As if a fan upon  branches sway; to cool me from the heat of day. 

How I love this little tree. It's beauty is revealed to me, and comfort brings me here below; as I commune with God; I know...        I love this little tree!

RES (6/16/26 12:00 p.m.)

To Abba

Abba,

The best of my ability to worship you is not sufficient; for we are all frail human beings. The best I have to offer you is flawed, but I choose to give you the best I can today. 

One day you'll receive perfect praise. One day we will be like you and have the necessary spiritual ability bestowed upon, and within us to glorify you with our entire being. 

I am thankful for, "that day"...A day I look forward to with great anticipation... but until then I offer this... the sacrifice of an imperfect love; that was bought by your perfect love, washed clean and made holy. I will lift up these worn and feeble hands, this wrinkled, blotchy face and this heart of love to you alone. The God who so loves. I will love you with my best. Right here and right now and I purpose to love you eternally. 

Abba, hold me. (like my dear husband said yesterday) but show up today. Show up, show out and inhabit the praise of your weak, and wounded child. Amen.

Res

4/12/26

Abba's Loving Arms

How precious!... 

The scene of a loving father, Jake... as he carried his daughter, Reya carefully in his arms, on his way to his truck. 

Reya's little braids, bouncing up and down; as she was held in her father's strong arms. 

How like our Heavenly Father to paint such a living picture of His wondrous, divine love!

Jesus purchased the way in which we too, can call Him, Abba. 

"Our Father"... 

Just like Jake and Reya, we have a Heavenly Father who carries us in His strong and mighty arms; where we are sheltered and lifted high above all harm. 

We, like Reya... can smile, and enjoy the ride. 

Abba,

Let us realize that we are carried by you today, while underneath us are your "Everlasting Arms" of Love.

"The Potter & Me"

                     

Today,  I am breaking the vessel you have become. I know you have already been broken, but not by me. I must re-break you and set you upon my Potter's Wheel in order to make you a more worthy vessel. My own creation. My own vessel. 

The process won't be easy. Remember the hardness of the clay? When you were a young girl during art class?  You held the clay within your own hands while sitting at the Potter's Wheel.

First, you had to pound it into pliablity. By pounding and slamming the clay upon the wheel, it yielded under the pressure. Then came the small water droplets from your fingertips. The washing, refreshing, softening... while you carefully watched and felt the hardened clay become obedient in your hands. 

I promote a yieldedness to the Potter's Hands. A submitting of creature to Creator. 

You are not too old. There is no vessel that I cannot make over again. You are who I create you to be. 

The wheel begins to spin, and I hold you steady; firmly. Slowly at first, and then as the wheel picks up speed, it spins faster and faster. If you don't remain grounded and obedient, you could be injured or even fly completely of the wheel. Then I would have to start the grueling process all over again, because you gave way to the wheel. 

If you submit completely into my hands; trusting, clinging, relying totally upon me alone,... I will begin to cut things away until there is no longer any spot or blemish. I will reach deep within; removing all the impurities. 

It's a deep, deep work, but there will always be the refreshing "water of life" applied in order to comfort and refresh you. 

I will speak my word over you, and I may even begin to sing over you as I perfect you. And when I am ready, I will beautify you. A cutting artistry, a molding image that will make you Divinely unique. A one of a kind vessel that pleases me. Next, I will gently cut you from the wheel; turning you over and inscribing my own mark into you. 

I must leave you for awhile. I have to put you in a sprays place. It will be dark and warm there. I have to allow time for drying. 

BUT, I will return in the morning;  take you into my hands again. Then I must place you within the kiln to fire you. It's the first of two heating processes. Fear not, for I will be with you. This will serve to make you stronger. 

Again, you will be separated from me for a night. When I return, you will have cooled down enough, then I can begin one of the most important steps in the process. I will again hold you within my hands and apply a special glaze to your vessel and I will place you into the fire once again. This time, you will process a bit longer. During this time a glorious transformation takes place. It's marvelous and miraculous. Colors will begin to so within you. A radiance which is drawn from deep within the clay; designed to express partnership of the clay and the glaze. When you completely cool from this, I will come again to you and lift you up and out and examine the work of my hands. BEHOLD! MY GLORIOUS VESSEL!

I have saved you, redeemed you and now you are fit for use. I will bring you out on special occasions and display my handiwork. My Masterpiece to the world! 

I will take of the wine of my blood covenant, and pour into you, and then pour out of you, and into others. They will drink from the cup I have made. 

I will use you, cleanse you, and lastly, display you within my own personal showcase; where I keep all the other Heavenly vessels.

 You will bring much glory to me. For I have inscribed you with my own signature and you will glorify me forever. 

Res/                                                                11/2025

 

STORIES

Stories within a story, of how one life is spun. Inter-weaving of each souls' chapter, until our race is run. 

Oh, the stories within the stories! Only Heaven will tell... How each one wove the weaving, and lived their lives so well. 

Each story will tell His Story, woven dark threads through time. These will later shine the brightest, during Heavenly Story Time.

Res 10/01/25 5pm

"LONGING"

There's a deep longing inside of me to be with the Lord. Even the Apostle Paul desired this before he passed, and John the Beloved said, "Even so, come..." I dare say, most all who are saints of the living God, feel or have felt the same. 

There's a deep longing and a growing unsettledness inside this world... a groaning for redemption. Such a longing that it has set the natural order of the earth reeling to and fro... Waves roar, thunder rolls, the earth quakes and fire pours from beneath sending smoke billowing into the atmosphere.

Oh God, How long? Oh Father, How much longer?

There is a groaning of souls rising up, reaching forth, looking. Searching for hope; for answers which are unanswerable in the earthly realm in which we live. 

There's a sound of weeping... and yet, a sound of children's laughter; awakening the realization that there is still hope in this life. And you, Lord... are that hope!

So, come Lord! Come and bring answers to our questions, bring joy to the sorrow, healing to the wounded, hope for the weary and strength to those who are cast down unto the ground. 

Bring light into the darkness that will shine upon the way we are to take... For the road that many have been walking, is not even close to the path they were meant to take. 

Calm the storms, silence all other voices except yours,...because we need to hear your voice alone.

Save us, rescue us, and heal this land.

res 7/26/25 11 a.m.                         

"For loves sake"...a garden was in Eden, a man was created and the breath of the Holy Spirit brought life. A woman was made from Adam's rib, and God gave dominion to rule that place with one request... in which man failed...but, "for loves sake"God sought the offender, he provided a covering of blood and he made them suffer the consequences of their choices. The serpent was cursed also. The pride he once bore while flying high in worship above the very throne of God, had led to a lower position of standing; posturing in Eden, but now, he would slither and eat the dust of the ground until God deems fit to cast him in the Lake of Fire. "For loves sake," God drove the offenders out of his presence, and the paradise of Eden, into the dark abandon of uncertainty. And yet, "for loves sake," he led them to hope, to multiply... Adam to suffer the cursed ground and Eve to suffer the cursed ground of the womb. Children born, sin and death came, but.. "for loves sake," God had a greater plan. Generations passed, the sins were more than God could bare, so he called Noah to build an ark, "for loves sake," he allows over one hundred years for Noah to preach the need to get into the ark of safety, yet Noah and his family were the only ones spared.  "For loves sake", a child is born, a mother prepared and trusts him to God while placing the babe into a smaller version of the ark of safety; amongst the reeds and crocodiles in the Nile. A sister guards and a mother prays. "For loves sake", God intervenes. A princess hears and receives the child as her own, and a deliverer for God's people is raised, instructed and groomed for his role in the plan. A cruel murder is witnessed, Moses repays the evil... then runs from that choice into the wilderness where he will at meet God. "For loves sake," God places Moses on holy ground, where he entrusted his covenant to him. At last, Moses descends to find the sin of the people even more heinous than before. the sacred tablets are broken by God's man, and yet for loves sake, God had another plan.  Man broke God's word, that one request in the garden, and man broke the sacred stone covenant of God upon the mountain. Time passed, and "for loves sake," God still called shepherds, prophets priests, kings and champions of the faith: who honored and loved God and his law..., but it wasn't enough.. So then... God decided that the only redemption would have to come from out of his own being... He would give his only begotten son, Jesus, and he would come in a way least expected by mortal intellect and reasoning. Time passes again; a godly young woman is chosen to bear the seed-gift of God through the Holy Ghost. A young Joseph obeys Gods call to not put Mary away but to believe his word, follow his lead, and be the watchful protector, step father of God's only dear son. This couple was entrusted with the very essence of God, (God with us, revealed in us). The first couple was entrusted with a garden, the second family, an ark to withstand a great flood, the third, a babe in a handwoven ark of bulrushes to become Israel's deliverer, but now... the very Son of God, born a Savior!

All..."for the sake of love."  But it doesn't stop here... Angels heralded his birth, shepherds beheld his glory and wiseman worshipped; provided gifts for the journey ahead. And a king moved by far and hatred, pursued any child, two years old and younger, slaughtering any who could possibly dethrone him. The serpent kept whispering lies and deceit, all the while eating the cursed dust. And God His the Father instructed his only son with his own words, so that even at age twelve, he is found teaching the wisest scholars at Jerusalem as they marveled. "For loves sake," Christ obeys Father God's plan. He For loves sake, he arose a Conqueror of death, hell and the grave. He appeared 40 days and then left with a promise to send the necessary helper, the Holy Ghost and a promise he'd return to take us to be where he is forever.  All this was done for loves sake.This is the gospel the Lord Jesus Christ. This Resurrection Day, let's rejoice as we remember Jesus and the great mercy and grace the Father has bestowed upon us... all for loves sake. 

Let's continue to go into all the world and reach as many others as we can.,  disciples, and teaches about the Kingdom of God; while having great compassion to save  deliver and heal those in need... He follows God's plan to the very end, yielding up a final surrendered will, in none other place than a garden... Where once the first man yielded up to disobedience and sin to satisfy his carnal flesh, but "for loves sake," Jesus yields his earthly body in complete surrender for the eternal redemption of "whosoever will"... The scenes unfold, Gethsemane, Pilates Hall, (the Via Delorosa...the way of suffering) and his final surrender on Golgotha... "for loves sake," He paid with every drop of his blood. Every act was born out of love..."For God so loved"

Res 

4/17/25

"That's How God Feels"

While sitting at my kitchen table this morning, drinking coffee, I thought that I heard my grandchildren coming from their upstairs apartment. Without hesitation I hurried to unlock the door so they could easily walk in. At the same time, I kept looking out the window, just in case they hurried by on the way to their car. I was excited to catch a glimpse of them. All of a sudden, as I was still enroute to the door, I heard the Spirit of God speak to me saying, "You know how quickly you just responded to the voice of your grandchildren? That's how I feel about my children. How I feel about you. I run to you! Immediately, I wept so hard that I could barely breathe. I cried out, "Abba, run to us!

The imagery that quickly followed in my mind was of how God, in his great love and mercy made access to himself through the sacrifice of his own son, Jesus on Calvary. JESUS, "the Door"...by which we have been given access to enter into the very presence of God. What joy came! What blessed assurance! What a beautiful picture of the love of our Heavenly Father! More than we desire those visits from our children, God desires fellowship with us. And even though we may be outside the door, occupied by our own lives; possibly in too big of a hurry to stop in, He still hears our voice, anticipates the time he can welcome us inside. And even when rush by; he watches over us from the windows of Heaven. I hope you know and experience the joy of our Heavenly Father. How excited he is when you walk through that door! He anxiously awaits us, so that he can draw us closly into his embrace. Make no mistake, until then our Heavenly Father will run to us! (There is coming a day!) 

I pray that you will find comfort in these words. 

3/6/25  11:00 am  (res) 

Family Table Reminiscing

Believe me, one day you'll sit around the table and reminesce. And oh, the laughter and the sighs from all those years...the memories you hold so dear. You'll sit around the table and reminesce through tears. Happy tears for the most, they'll be. Of times with friends and family. There will be good ones, yet some will bring pain. Some will feel like sunshine, others like rain. There'll be your grandma or maybe grandpa, there'll be your daddy or your precious ma, there'll be a brother, a sister or friend, an Aunt or an Uncle, the list never ends...of times spent with loved ones and scenes through the years, of special places shared and vacations so dear. You'll talk of many things that you recall to mind, around those family tables, God had been kind! We sat around reminiscing at our family table today, and my how the hours seemed to slip away. And those special stories brought laughter and cheers, and maybe once it twice someone wiped away tears. But how precious those memories seemed to unfold, faded scenes became focused, they came  alive as they were told. It was hard to leave our table today, never knowing whose face we'll be missing the next holiday. Listen! I tell you the truth, hear what I say, you'll sit around the table and reminesce one day.

The Law of Love

I know in part how Moses must have felt when he came down from the mountain carrying God's word on those stone tablets. It wasn't just anger, but the deepest sorrow he could have experienced. While he was obeying God's call and sacrificing his time on that mountain in order to receive God's holy instructions (the 10 Commandments)...those that he loved were wasting no time choosing to sin and commit idolatry, all the while walking over the very laws God's had just given. Moses must have felt betrayal. He must have felt that his efforts, his very life was meaningless to those that he loved and served. 

Today, in one instance of excruciating brokenness, I too wanted to throw down a precious item, shattering it to pieces. It was at that moment that I thought about Moses and how he reacted when he saw the people, some of which were his very own family; partaking in horrible, blasphemous acts against the God who just wrote those words while Moses stood on holy ground. It felt no different to me.  The cruelty of Satan's laughter...the father of liars whispered to me how my own walk with God, my own carrying of His precious Word; holds no more influence.

Oh, how Moses must have felt in that moment!  

Now, imagine God's heartache at all of this. First, with those who broke his heart by worshipping that golden calf, while committing  heinous acts...

Now, fast-forward to Calvary...the mocking of the Lord himself, the very Son of God, who had written words in the sand just a few days before... is hanging there on that cross, nailed there by the very ones he was crying out for his Father to forgive.

Imagine that!

That after all he would suffer, he still chose to invest his love in the likes of you and I. 

HEAR His cry, this Law of Love...                          "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do". 

A Prayer

Lord Jesus, 

You're my dearest love!

Help me pray rightly, serve more devotedly, more purely and wholly for thy kingdom.  Save, deliver and heal all those sick and afflicted. Bind up their wounds and give hope, where there seems to be none.  Many are in the heat of trials at this time.  So many need complete deliverance. Be there for them and take them by the hand and pull them out of the fiery adversity that seeks to destroy them. Keep us near the price of your cross. Hold our heads up so that we behold your face alone and walk us out of this dark valley of death and despair. Help us receive strength and hope for the journey ahead. Lead and guide us, fill and free us...                              You are our only hope.                                            Amen

"TEARS IN A BOTTLE"

As an old woman who has wept through the years, was told of a story about "Bottled Up Tears"... She laughs at the thought! How can this be? For a river...no, ocean of tears have been shed just by me. "Oh, but it's true..." pleaded the man who just told her the tale. God's word says He has a bottle; near His throne, past the veil. And at certain times He remembers our tears and opens the jar... The smell is so fragrant; held by His hands with the scars. As He holds those tears close to his heart, Angels sing as the sweet fragrance departs and fills every corner of that Heavenly Room, saturating the place with the sweetest perfume: "Glory to God!" cry the Heavenly Host, "Sing Praise to the Father, the Son, Holy Ghost!" Heaven trembles with praise all 'round the throne, Thanks to God for answering all the prayers that were sown. "How glorious the thought!"...the old woman declares. "Are you sure that He's captured all of our prayers? Since a child I have cried, many tears fallen down... You say God remembers and keeps those tears around?" "OH YES,...It is written!... God bottles our tears. He's kept track of our sorrows and relieved every fear". A sweeter fragrance now fills the whole place at the thought of such love, such Amazing Grace! "He's recorded each tear in a book written there. A reminder to all that God still answers prayers". Then the man turned to smile at her when he walked toward the door; but he noticed one single tear slowly fall once more. She had left in her sleep, for death kissed her brow, Her head bowed in prayer, Christ's nail scared hands held her now. A more fragrant aroma now ascended the throne as the man heard the voice of her Master saying,"Child, Welcome Home!" ~~~ Res 8/25/24 10:40 pm

God Holds the Pen

God holds the pen because He holds my heart. 

The words that He writes are Master "Pieces of Art". 

He writes my story and as He writes along,.. 

God holds the pen and I sing along.

I sing of LOVE; created of old. 

Born in the heart of every soul. 

He writes forgiveness, He writes of grace, 

 In living colors, His love I can trace. 

With just a small word the heavens were born. 

One cold winters night: the angels adorned... 

A tiny babe with heralded song, 

"Sing Hallelujah!..The Savior is Born! 

He wrote our redemption on Calvary's brow. 

To those who receive it; who humbly bow. 

I can remember the day He wrote mine, 

 As I knelt at the altar, He changed my life. 

God holds the pen, because He holds my heart. 

For many years now, He has written my part. 

As I follow him daily; testifying that Jesus is Lord, 

God still writes the song as I obey His word. 

God holds the pen; one day our song will be sung. 

Our days will be over; our race will be run. 

He'll write the last chapter with love in His heart, 

And just beyond Jordan, our "new song" will start. 

Now friend are you needing redemption today? 

Just give Him your pen and his love will display. 

The colors of freedom from death, hell and the grave. 

You'll join in the singing with those who are saved.

12/3/23

8:00 pm

Res

"I Cried"

I reached to touch the hem of your garment; to find healing in your wings.

I cried aloud, "Son of David! Have mercy upon me." 

I waded through deep waters of torment in the night, scraping sores from my rotting body with no help in sight.

I went down into the river obeying your command. 

I walked through desert places: darkness was my closest friend. 

My blinded eyes begged open, "I need to see the Son!" 

My broken limbs would not carry me, to the Holy One. 

I cried out in the darkness, I cried out from the streets.

I cried out from the Temple, I cried for sweet release. 

I cried out from the multitude, my voice whispered in the wind. 

I cried out from the deep only to be broken once again. 

I cried, I cried, 

I cried out, I cried...

I cried and I cried but each time I woke I felt a little more of me had died. 

When at last, I lay there weeping upon my tear stained bed... 

Hopelessness surrounded me as pain tore at my head. 

A sweet fragrance gently filled the room and drove the war away.

A tender voice, a familiar song... as He began to say

Arise up my beloved ! Your cries have reached my throne. 

Take up your bed and walk on now, for I have made you whole.

The issues now are settled, the debt for sin was paid. 

No longer will you lay here; groaning life away.

I've walked through all these places that have tormented day and night. 

I walked up a rugged hill and gave for you my life. 

No more shall you be weary, from a life of pain and woe. 

No longer will you stand weeping, for I have made you whole. 

"You are whole!

"How Long O' Lord?"

 

With tear filled eyes I write this. How long O' Lord? How long? Before you come...

Have there not been enough signs of your return? Of earthquakes and famine of floods and pestilence and men's hearts waxing cold and compassionless; full of murderous greed and thirst for power? 

So much sorrow in the land! Weeping and mourning, wailing and crying out for help, for hope for comfort... to understand...

I bleed. I cry. I wake repeatedly to the pain-filled aches that no one but you alone can deliver from.

Economy has tanked and a day's wage is not able to sustain just one, much less a family. 

If it wasn't for the kindness of a few... If it wasn't for a measure of hope; a flickering, smoldering wick of hope...      Oh Lord you won't despise.    

But I weep this morning I weep for the redemption of the body and soul that you will not leave in hell. You paid it all so we might gain Eternal rest with you. 

As long as the world turns; seasons come and go,              and so too seasons of hardship, trials and tears; of loss and sufferings, of birth and death; of unanswered questions and prayers... 

A soul crying out why? How long Oh Lord will you tarry? How long? 

Your word says that "hope deferred maketh the heart sick but desire fulfilled is a tree of life"

 Oh, how I long for life the life that lies Beyond the Veil of this Earthly one.

I hear the cries of your people. They are despaired and I'm without any more words.            I just touch a hand or give a hug and weep along with them. They need a deliverer and I am silent... waiting, hoping and praying that the Comforter will soon come and hold them close and heal their brokenness.

Come close now, Oh Lord.    Heal mine also...                        for with these tear-filled eyes.    I write this.. 

9 /17/22

10 a.m.

You Are The Inspiration

 

You are the inspiration, Oh Lord. 

You are the music. You are the song. You are the melody and harmony. 

You are the symphony.

You are the breath. You are the wind that directs the course... 

the ins and outs of life... 

You set the sails. You steer the ship. You are the one.

You bring the tears. You bring the joys. You bring the memories. 

You bring the ideas. You bring the hope. You bring the new. 

You bring the comfort. You bring the strength. 

You hold us close. You let us go. You correct and you love. 

You are love,  

You are Love.

You write the stories; ...the testaments of lives, lived in you. You took the hand.. you warmed the heart. You held the broken. You laughed with joy. You... did! 

You were the inspiration. 

To live again...

To try once more...

To take up... and walk.

You!

There is no "good song" without your heartbeat in it_ and when the beat comes into the hearer's ears, "New Life" springs forth.

You steady us. 

You help us rise and take hold of Hope... 

and give us joy in the journey; expectation in the knowledge... 

that no matter the situation_ 

or circumstance You, can bring us a song.

No matter how dark the night of the soul, 

You will bring light. No matter...

For, there's nothing that can contain, confine or imprison such love!_ 

It trickles, then flows, then floods... 

And there is no place; no crack or crevice that will not be washed in the flow. 

Inspire us, Oh God_ 

For YOU  are the Inspiration!

 

7/26/22 

9:00 a.m. 

res

"THESE HANDS"

 

I beheld her hands as she lay there nearly lifeless. A dear and precious part of my life..as she breathes out what would be the last few hours of the breath of life that God, so many years ago, had breathed into her. 

My maternal grandmother, Ethel. Her frame... had now become so tiny it seemed,..  and these precious, tired, weathered old hands lay upon her, nearly lifeless body.

My mother stood there, gazing down upon her own dear mother's frame. The whole atmosphere in that Hospital room held that very moment of grief, of sorrow...and the process ticked by slow motion,... as that separation would soon come...and all, too soon. From where, had time so swiftly flown?

In that moment, I noticed my mother's hands. And I looked back and forth between hers and grandma's...and then I saw mine. Clearly, genetic markers were woven through DNA strands to weave out the resemblances of three generations of women whose lives were so different, yet similar.

This moment,... this moment,... brought all of us together in one time and one place for this last moment. The last time the three of us would share on this side of the veil.

I took Mom's soft, trembling hand in mine; gently laying it beside Grandma's and then I placed mine beside. "Look Mom! (I said)...Our hands look all the same!" God designed it so throughout these generations.

That was a precious, a sacred moment that has remained with me throughout these now many years. Grandmother passed away the following day. 

While my brother and I returned to TN, Grandma yielded up her last breath in IL, to the One who had given it.

Her funeral brought testimony of her precious witness and all the lives she had touched while she had journeyed here. My mother bore witness,...so many years ago.

Nearly nine years ago, I too, had to walk that shaded valley. As I watched my mother slowly and agonizingly slip away from this life,...These hands stood out. A reminder of that previous moment in time, years before.

Not long after Mom left for Heaven, one of her nurses presented me with a gift. A picture of my mother's hands. One she had taken when caring for her; of them laying upon her lap. She placed a lace border around it; along with a poem, "A Mother's Hands." That gift was one of the most precious to me.

Today, I am more observant of the hands of my children, grands, and greats,...of siblings and extended family members. I can see other resemblances, I hardly noticed before. As if somehow, these hands; awakened me to sight...to markers of God's intelligent design.

I see "These Hands" in my daughter. Though hers are so tiny, yet they are fashioned the same...as mine, Mom's and Grandma's. I'm getting a bit old now. If you look at my hands you would see the crepe-ing, wrinkled, slightly spotted, aging coming to pass. "These Hands"... like leaves that will soon fall from the tree when Autumn winds harshly blow and cool rains plunder down...

"These Hands"...

I see Grandmother, and Mother there. I see the hand of God; who in his infinite wisdom, designed it so.

"These Hands"... Rocked cradles, diapers bottoms, wiped sweaty brows, mended wounds, held loved ones, worked fields, planted seeds, hoed gardens, carried loads, prepared foods, laundered clothes, sewed buttons, picked flowers and washed fruit, nursed sick, stoked fires and put out emotional ones, welcomed guests, stroked pets, opened and locked doors, steered horses, climbed trees, played ball, wrote letters, filled hungry mouths, molded cookies and baked bread, wiped tears and held loved ones hands at death. 

"These Hands"... 

These hands were clasped in prayer to the unseen hands of God; who designed,,,

"These Hands."

I am so thankful...for "These Hands!"

Thorns

He warned me, but I  went on anyway. I heard his wise words and weighed them out... but what lay beyond those thorns... drew me like no other. Ih never hesitated in my steps; buthurried on, further still. At last I reached the thicket and I found a way into my desired lust. My journey in didn't seem all that bad. A few knicks and scrapes, but nothing that I couldn't withstand for the pleasures that lay just within my grasp. Oh, the enticement! ... and the warning. The guilt became faint as I pressed on. I was blind to what was truly happening to me. As I went on further, the thorns embedded themselves; first within my clothing and later...I felt the pricks within my flesh. No real harm was done, I thought. My selfish need for self- gratification outweighed those pricks. My head, my hands, my sides, my feet... They all took minor cuttings. But, the enticement and desire for the forbidden lay just beyond...just a little deeper... The closer I got to it, the more insatiable my thirst. Until at last I embraced the object of my affection...I withdrew of the succulents of sinful fruit and believe me; I drank it to the full! All too quickly, the deed was over. I saw the truth of my estate. .. The further I had pushed toward the "thing"... the more entangled I had become... and after partaking of pleasures brief season; the object of affection had left...no...cruelly abandoned me! And I was left with the reality of my demise. I lay there entangled with thorns great and small. Thorns that had seductively covered and clung to me with a gently grasping and pulling; while piercing me from head to toe... through my garments, into my flesh...into the depths of my soul. And with the piercing came the searing heat, cause by the induced poison by which each thorn emitted. I was cut to the very heart. No! Deeper still...the soul. As I lay in the tangled web of my own weaving...As I lay covered in blood and writhing in pain. ..my tears began to flow at the fierce and swift memory of, "His Warning." I cried! I cried out to the mocking, lingering, jeering shadows. I lay spoiled by my own choices and I wept a bitter weeping. Full of despair...my mind raced with scene after scene, carried out by my own evil heart and the end thereof. Somewhere, in the midst of my distress...I heard him. I thought at first, it was only the torment, the memory of his voice... but, no.... He was calling out to me. My own dear Savior had come to my rescue! He had heard my cries and was not ashamed to enter into the mess I had created, and rescue me. He had come to set the "captive free." I never realized the cost...the pain. I struggled against his freeing me.  I would twist and turn to resist.  The thorns that had bound me,  would be the ones to pierce his flesh and wound him. I saw him bleed! "See! From his head, his hands, his feet"...I heard him whince. I watched as tears flowed down his face... and in this moment, I realized that the consequences of my choice. .. my sin... had torn him. My own sin had far more effect than I could have ever known... The thorns that held me bound, would require the Savior's blood. He sacrificed himself willingly for someone unworthy; someone he had warned... and that someone, was me. He stood before me; covered in blood.  He had become my sacrificial lamb. I had been caught in the thicket of my own sins and yet, he willingly, lovingly, bore the full penalty to free me. Suddenly, I realized the glories of that freedom! For wherever his blood was shed; wherever he  had touched my flesh; those wounds were healed! Each  stripe, each cut, had been covered by his blood, by his love. I was made whole at last!

He place his right hand on my shoulder and kissed my brow. Then he laid one tiny thorn in my palm and said, 

"Enticements will surely come and strong though they may be, Remember this thorn, a gentle warning and submit yourself to me.

I paid full price, purchased by blood to set the captives free. This thorn is your reminder to obey and honor me."

The Fruit of Love

The first mentioned "Fruit of the Spirit" is LOVE.

If this fruit is not manifested and expressed in our lives, it will be impossible to proceed on to the next fruit, "JOY."

God wants joy for us!

Without genuine "LOVE"... there will be no "JOY"...

Only sorrow.

Therefore, we will experience a relationship of slavery and not sonship. 

"My little children, let us not love in word, but in deed and truth."                 1 John 3:18

               

Life: God's Great Adventure

Update:

Sometimes it feels as if life is predictable. There are times that we methodically go about our days with a sense of routine. In these times we settle into a mindset that things will never change...they will always be the same. It's just like God to show up in those moments and present you with a challenge that will shake the very foundations of your faith and place a path before you into the great unknown.  You know that He would never lead you into darkness or harm and you know that what He challenges you to do, He will provide the grace for the journey. This is our story: For just a little over a month ago, God confirmed that He is leading us into an area we have never gone before and at our age and situations... it seems totally foolish to even consider such a thought. But God...has clearly shown us again and again that he desires for us to. .."Follow!" After I realized that the thought of laying everything down and following the Lord in this was becoming a reality. ..I held onto my bed and cried out to God! "This is just a test!... Right? ... Surly you would not ask this of us at this season of life. You really don't want us to leave everyone we love behind?" We are five days from setting sail for; as my husband likes to refer to it: .."one more adventure. "

May 1, 2016...we followed. 

 

We moved to SC and helped in ministry there for one year. It was one of the best decisions we could have made,  especially for one of our children. This move was a pivitol change in his life and he had been blessed ever since.

I know the Lord helped us to bless others, even if just a short time. We have made lasting friendships and connections and left a piece of our hearts there with those we love. 

So, bringing you to the present day. 

We decided that due to Gary's reoccurring health issues, it was best to move home.  

Since returning, we have ministered in various places and have waited in God's "next adventure" for us. He has shown us some beautiful things and we have met some more of God's family along the way. 

I'm getting ready to start this blog over and try to be a greater blessing to those who read the words I believe that God would have me to share. 

So, here we go....