Summer's Peace

 

I have photographed the chapel in the field behind us many times, and I love how the trees framed it this summer. This is a close-up, as the chapel is a bit further away then this photo shows, but I wanted to get another shot to remember our view of it. The field behind us will be getting developed in the months to come, and eventually new houses will block our view of the field and the chapel. Time often brings changes, and this is one change I am not looking forward to, yet I understand it and will adjust. We knew when we moved here it would happen one day; we just hoped it would be several more years before we lost the view.

 

Hopefully, there will be several more moments to photograph the field and the chapel before they fade out of our sight.

 

 

Many times, we have left from a visit with our extended family members in the Midwest with our memories and photographs to keep us until we see them again. I cherish these photographs, for they help to keep my memory of this time together clearer.

 

I have found many if the words of our Savior a comfort when change happens in my life. I share these words in John 14:27 as a reminder that He alone brings us peace. In this world of change, He is our one and only constant.

 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled

and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

 

Broken Clay Pots

Yesterday was very hot and very windy.

Our patio is exposed to the west, and the wind usually comes from the northwest.

We get a lot of wind in our yard, since there is an open field right behind our house.

I love the open field and I recognize that wind is going to be a part of that openness.

 

Twice now this summer, the wind has toppled over two clay pots,

breaking them into pieces and making them useless for the plants that are in them.

Here is the one I found yesterday when I arrived home:

 

 

 

It held a lavender plant that didn't fit in the ground space

I have other lavender planted in, so I potted it.

 

 

Large and small pieces of terra cotta were broken away...

 

but these pieces will not go to waste.

 

I added them to the little box that held the broken pottery pieces from the other pot that broke when the wind caught it. I will save them to use in the bottom of pots as I plant new flowers or herbs someday.

 

The lavender will thrive in a new pot, for although its outer shell, the pot, was broken, the plant itself is healthy and growing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respecting Our Elders

When I met Mary, she'd moved in with our neighbors after leaving the farm she and her husband had raised their family on.  

With her husband now gone and family long grown up, she was welcomed by the church family she loved and that loved her.

 

She was probably in her 80s then, and full of spirit, both Holy and energetic.

 

To say Mary love the Lord was almost an understatement;

Mary LOVED the Lord.

She sang for the Lord.

She prayed to the Lord.

She talked about the Lord.

She acted on behalf the Lord.

 

 

Mary was also a simple woman.

She worked the land with her hands,

recycled long before it was vogue,

and probably never stayed in a fancy hotel or traveled very far.

Mary was the real deal,

nothing put on, fake or done-up.

 

And did I say, Mary LOVED Jesus?

 

The peony bush pictured above came from Mary's farm. She blessed me and the friend she was living with by allowing us to go to her farm and dig up whatever we wanted. We each got peonies and transplanted them in our yards, where we were reminded of our dear friend Mary after she left for a nursing home and after she left this world for her heavenly home.

 

When we sold our home and built this one 2 1/2 years ago, a new house in a new neighborhood where the trees are young and the landscaping is put in by the builders, we planted this peony bush, along with other plants we'd had at our former home, replacing most of the cookie-cutter landscaping and making this new place seem more like home.

And this peony bush has thrived.

It has more blossoms this year than it ever has,

and the scent sends me to the moon.

 

Did I tell you that this peony bush is well over 100 years old?

 

How fitting that this beautiful bush is as old as it is beautiful.

Just like Mary.

Mary was old and she had a beautiful heart.

We respected her as our elder as well as our friend and Sister in Christ.

Every time this bush shares its beautiful blossoms and their scent, I am reminded of Mary.

 

Stand up in the presence of the aged,

show respect for the elderly and revere your God.

I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:32

 

Look Up

The Hope of Easter

I've had this little guy with his "hope" balloon for several years,

given to me by 0ne daughter after she and her family moved back to Montana

and before our other daughter and her family moved back.

 

We all have experienced the hope of

 ~ loved ones returning,

~ a diagnosis that is easy to treat,

~ a day without pain,

~ a sunny day for an outside wedding,

~ a meal when the cupboards are bare,

~ a hope fulfilled when all looks hopeless.

 

 

 

But there is a different kind of hope...

 

a

Living Hope

in Christ Jesus...

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 In His great mercy He has given us new birth

into a living hope through the

resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...

1 Peter 1:3

 

 

This is the hope of Easter.

A Promise

Sometimes something happens that stops you in your tracks

and changes your world forever.

 

Jesus is there for any who have experienced a broken heart,

and He keeps all of His promises.

 

Psalm 147:3

 

Eternity's Mirror

 

 

 

 

 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,

but on what is unseen,

since what is seen is temporary,

but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

 

The Promise of New Life

Spring is full of promise of the things to come.

Just as the lilacs are a promise to us that spring is here

and the flowers, vegetables, and lawn were coming to life,

our God promises us life.

 

Life in abundance.

 

 

 

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

                                                                                                                     John 10:10b KJV

(For more of the story of the lilacs, go to my other blog,  Nana's House .)

 

Where does My Help Come From?

 

We live 60 miles from Red Lodge, MT, billed as

"The Gateway to Yellowstone Park via the Beartooth Highway."

Indeed, it is a beautiful drive through this part of Montana up to the summit  into
Wyoming and over to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone Park.

 

To get up the Beartooths to the Summit, you are aided up the steep climb by the road of switchbacks,
and this photo shows what they look like...

 

 

When we are at the base of the mountain, the Beartooths seem to be overwhelmingly difficult to drive over without the help of switchbacks. The road climbs slowly and it turns one direction to the opposite direction, making the climb easier to do. This "switchbacking" makes the climb not only easier, but the views are fantastic,
with each turn a new, awe-inspiring view of the mountains.

 

If I were to walk the Beartooth Highway, it would be an arduous task,
and I am sure I would want to give up before reaching the peak.

 

Life seems like that sometimes.

 

The "mountains" we climb may not be the Beartooths,

but they may be overwhelming at times.

These mountains may be as mundane as

a week's laundry to do,

a test to study for,

or the pile of paperwork on a desk.

 

Or, these mountains may be so big

that we cannot see the peak because of the clouds,

the summit where we may claim victory seems out of reach

due to difficulties and hardships such as;

illness,

divorce,

the death of a loved one,

and overwhelming financial problems,

just to name a few.

 

But God, in His infinite wisdom, knows we cannot climb these mountains

without His help. He will lead us up these mountains as the switchbacks

lead travelers up the Beartooth Highway.

He will provide the way through His word.

 

 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
    He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, He who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    He will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:1-8

 

 

All Things Through Christ

She wanted to keep trying,

even though the sun was hot and her legs were unsteady.

Her daddy held the bicycle with his strong hands

and guided her along with his encouraging words.

 

 

Our Father in heaven is just like that.

Just ask Paul.

He was being held under house arrest as he wrote to the Philippians,

encouraging them, praying for them, and exhorting them to live godly lives.

At the end of his letter, Paul wrote of his contentment no matter his circumstances:

 

"...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I know what it is to have plenty.

I have learned the secret of being content

in any and every situation,

whether well fed or hungry,

whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do all things

through Christ 

who strengthens me."

Philippians 4:11-13

 

Paul knew the secret to contentment was finding his strength in Jesus,

trusting Him to hold him up and keep him going,

no matter the circumstances.

And so can we.

Fall On Your Knees ~ O Holy Night

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,

keeping watch over their flocks at night.  

An angel of the Lord appeared to them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them,

 and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news

that will cause great joy for all the people. 

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;

He is the Messiah, the Lord. 

This will be a sign to you:

You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,

 praising God and saying,

 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 

 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

 

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened,

 which the Lord has told us about.”

Luke 2:8-15

(image)

O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine!
O night when Christ was born
O night divine!
O night, O night divine!

Be Still...

 

This old bench has been in our yard for several years,

and this picture was taken at our old house in the winter.

 

It now has a new home under our pergola this winter,

providing a spot under the white Christmas lights,

reminding us to pause and remember why we celebrate Christmas.

 

We remember that...

 

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

He was with God in the beginning...

 

The Word became flesh

and made His dwelling among us.

We have seen His glory,

the glory of the One and Only,

who came from the Father,

full of grace and truth.

John 1:1-2, 14

 

The Everlasting Arms

 

 

A sweet baby boy gone to be with Jesus
Before he took his first breath,
Held briefly in the arms of his parents
Now held by the Lord of the heartbroken,
Forever loved,
Forever held in their hearts,
Tender words of love whispered in his ears,
Tears of sadness washing down their cheeks,
A grandmother’s heart breaks for her daughter
Her arms ache for this sweet little boy,
Jesus, the Lord of the heartbroken
Jesus, the One who holds him now.

~

For my dear friend, who trusts Jesus to hold her
sweet little grandson until she holds him again

 

"‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.

There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain,

for the old order of things has passed away.”


Revelation 21:4

 

Whom Shall I Fear

 

This morning, I was encouraged by a song a friend shared that lifted my spirit and reminded me of God's promises. It is by Chris Tomlin (with Ed Cash), and he has done what he does so well; he has given us the hope of God in His promises.

2 Kings 6:17

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my Lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked.

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet (Elisha) answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Whom Shall I Fear/God of Angels Army
By Chris Tomlin and Ed Cash

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear?

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though trouble linger still
Whom shall I fear?

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies is always by my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I'm holding on to Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Burdens or Rest?

 

This sweet kitty was napping on our porch this morning when I opened the blinds.

She belongs to one of our neighbors, and this is the first time I have seen her here.

She seemed a little fuzzy when I came out with the camera.

 

Then she stretched, meowed daintly, and went back to sleep.

 

A lovely catnap.

 

 

 

Sometimes we carry burdens that are to heavy for our backs,

too unthinkable for our minds, and too sorrowful for our hearts.

 

We carry

lies,

regrets,

shame,

unforgiveness,

a devastating diagnosis, 

the loss of a job,

the loss of a loved one...

 

we all carry burdens of some sort.

 

But we need not carry our burdens alone.

The weight of our burdens are too much for us to carry.

Jesus promises in Matthew 11:28-30 to help us with our burdens,

to be united (yoked) with Him so that we can weather the storms that

seem to drag us down into the depths of despair. 

All we need to do is to ask Him and He is there, lifting our hearts

as He lifts us from the heaviness of heart burdens bring.

No, the problems do not always just disappear, but our burdens can become lighter,

our minds relieved and our hearts renewed by the rest Jesus promises.

 

And with this renewed heart comes rest ~ physically, mentally and spiritually,

and we may find ourselves at rest like this little visitor I had this morning.

I just peeked, and she is still out there, napping peacefully.

 

 

 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

 and you will find rest for your souls. 

 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

A Beam of Light

 

I know this picture is dark, but my husband was vacuuming in the early morning.

Now, I am thankful when he vacuums anytime of day,

but I was curious as to why he was doing this in the dark.

He told me that the vacuum beam was all he needed to see where he was going.

 

 

Wow.

 

God's Word is like that.

It is always just what we need to go down life's path,

and without it, we would be trying to find our way in the dark,

stumbling and perhaps falling down.

But His Word gives us the light we need so that we may

stand upright and follow the path He has for us.

 

By Your words

I can see where I am going;

they throw a beam of light on

my dark path.

Psalm 119:105 (The Message)

 

The familiar King James version says it like this:

 

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,

and a light unto my path.

 

 

 

Amy Grant - Thy Word