Sunday, January 31, 2010

Words of Strength

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, " The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for Him.

Lamentations 3:22-24

Things I Heard This Week...

Today at La Chua Trail:
"Hey, Amber, have you ever been shocked by an electric fence?"
"No, I haven't."
Without missing a beat and ready to tell her story, "You don't want to..."

At church this morning:
a child's voice saying "I'm too old for this" and chasing a two year old around the room

On the radio:
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord. We will wait upon the Lord... You are the everlasting God. You will not faint. You won't grow weary

A Dad with big muscles and tattoos all over his body at a birth:Man, I am so glad I'm not a woman! (among various other very funny comments)

Saturday, January 16, 2010

As We Wait

I lift up my eyes to You, to You whose throne is in heaven.
As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God, til He shows us His mercy.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us,
for we have endured much contempt.
we have endured much ridicule from the proud,
much contempt from the arrogant.
- Psalm 123

It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
Lamentations 3:26-27

Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
- Jude 21

Friday, January 8, 2010

Ch-ch-ch-chilly!

At the beginning of the week I saw the weather report that it was going to be a cold week with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s. Knowing it was my last few days before getting back to school, I wanted to enjoy the beauty of being outside even though it was cold. Except for today (slightly sleeting) it has been just gorgeous though. I did manage to make it out today just before the "rain" for a trip to the post office and library. It was liberating to get to walk down there even though it is "nasty" out. And would you know that I found an old hat to put on. Not too stylish, but warm. I enjoyed my walk very much.

But, I wanted to tell you about Kanapa. These are the gardens I took you to. I decided to make a trip out there on Monday. I bundled up except for hat. I walked through the gardens two times around. I thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the gardens on a beautiful, cold day. I needed a chance to reflect and receive from God. And since almost no one else was interested in the gardens on a cold day, I was able to talk out loud some. I kept my voice low, just in case. I wanted to tell Him about my dreams, my thoughts, some disappointment, some questions. I find it easier to do outside in the open and beauty. I thought I heard someone a few times, but think it was just animals. Oh, Anne. It was so beautiful. I kept telling Him, "this is so beautiful..." thinking of submission ..."You are worthy"... and..."You are so beautiful." I thought about how some people confuse Him as being the creation. But, even though they don't know Him or worship Him, He is still the Creator. Nothing changes that. I listened to the trees in the wind and the few birds chirping. I remembered that these are the sounds of all creation praising Him. They know what to do! And they do it. That is why I was so happy to chime in too, genuinely praising Him that it was all so beautiful. To take time to enjoy it. To let Him know that I do. To remember Him.

There is a new boardwalk over a pond. I was thrilled to find this new spot. There was a beautiful egret that flew away as I walked down. Sorry, bird. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my walk in the garden thinking of how this was how God meant for life to be. I walked, talked, sighed in very satisfied to enjoy such beauty, sat down on the gazebo, laid down on the steps, and finally walked back to the car. It was very refreshing. Very good. I know it is not going to be warm where you are either. I hope you will be able to enjoy some beauty of the snow!