Winter Rains

He commands the snow to descend on earth and the winter rains, and the shower of his strength. Job 37:6 CPDV

Winter rains fell here. Plump, dense drops that don’t allow you to scitter quickly between them in a dash for the car. Folks were fussy about the cold, the messiness of wet, and being stranded behind doors. Myself, I relish breathing the scent of rain. I welcome rain’s cleansing and hydration of urban air. I marvel at reflective droplets suspended from winter berries. This drenching season of nature’s rest and replenishment [compared to its polar opposite come August] beckons attentive appreciation. The mind's wrestling is diminished by God's preference for appreciation. A faithful effort to see more clearly and savor more deeply brings rest.

With God's grace, may you too, sense rest through the practice of appreciation.
Lisa

A Dusted Grey Cross

In the turning and stepping 

away from my pastor, 

tears were springing to my eyes. 

A dusted grey cross 

marked my bowed forehead 

and a soul deep humility 

marked my heart. 

Return to the Lord, your God,  

for He is gracious and merciful. 

Joel 2: 13

The Spirit within pulsed, swelled, 

and joy erupted in warmth 

across my face. 

A candle lit sanctuary, 

hushed in the sacred of forgiving, 

veiled the emotion of communion 

between God’s spirit 

and this grateful heart.

Then God made you alive with Christ. 

He forgave all our sins. 

He canceled the record 

that contained the charges 

against us. 

He took it and destroyed it 

by nailing it to Christ's cross. 

 Colossians 2:13-14

Gaining composure 

through the measured, steady pace 

back to the rows of pews, 

I sensed the streaming pilgrimage 

of so many all around me. 

Moving in turn, to receive the same mark

 scrawled across a bowed head. 

Were tears welling up, 

and hearts swelling up, 

all along these aisles? 

Once seated, did hands like mine, 

reach for Bibles to scour for favorite 

Psalms of remorse and praising? 

Were ashes giving way to beauty?

This post was already written when the Inbox revealed Emily’s exquisite post. Visit her at Imperfect Prose. She has much to share about the work of ashes.  

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A Collection of Love

I went searching for this photo where the winter rains spilled over the last blooms of the rose hedge. Dripping wet shades of love, still valiant despite the advancing season. Rosy petals to illustrate our Lord's love. Then a further search for heart swelling, love spreading, holy words ... lead to more holy words, ... and more still.

A Collection of Love

We love him, because he first loved us. 1John 4:19

This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

1 Corinthians 13:4

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us. Ephesians 5:2

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6

 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 

1 Peter 4:8

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.1 John 4:18

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

You are precious in my eyes, you are honored, and I love you. Isaiah 43:4

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37 ESV

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9

Keep the commandment ...of the Lord: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Joshua 22:5

God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 

Thessalonians 3:5

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 14:23

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39
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Precious in God's Sight

God’s expansive love is chronicled across hundreds of pages of the sacred testaments. To search the scriptures for expressions of that love astounds and humbles the reader. One must bow before account after account of God’s unceasing passion for His people. 

Similarly, in the course of our own life their is merit in taking pause, considering the journey traveled thus far. To search the years. To record in the margins for memory’s emphasis the showering of God’s love on our own living, in all its varied appearances, whether whispered or announced, whether dimly noticed or tangibly extended. With this intent, to search what has been lived, is to uncover and trace the complex tapestry that is His artful weaving of love and divine works on our behalf. 

Unfold the cloth of your life. Search the fabric closely, thread by thread, through seasons, across decades. Where were the colors heightened or subdued due to the Creator’s keen eye? Where was torn cloth mended by His eternal love? Where was the pattern altered by the Master weaver’s plan? Where were the threads strengthened by God’s grace? 

Rejoice! Allow this evidence of God's loving intercession to strengthen you and deepen your faith.