God, the Gardener of Life

In simple humility, 

let our gardener, God, 

landscape you with the Word, 

making a salvation-garden 

of your life. 

James 1:19-21 MSG

There is a path through the church's garden, through the trees and shrubs, where new spring growth has taken hold here and there. Wildflowers lift their purple and yellow blooms sunward. Light green, early growth foliage hangs low over the walk. Stones line the path intermittently yet continuous enough to mark the way. 

In preparation for the morning I’ve selected scriptures, identified intentions for prayer, and chosen to greet Him as Abba, and otherwise determined to be a listener as each step is taken. 

Breezes move gently through the canopy of limbs and against my face. Scripture images of Bible text scroll across my mind: the comfort of the Psalms, the teachings of Philippians, the promises in the Book of John... In the walking, hymns rise in a hum; Abba’s gift, not my plan. 

As I make my way, these stones remind me of the Biblical markings of God’s way and God’s voice. These wildflowers, they remind me of thanksgiving for even the unplanned, the unsightly circumstances of living for that too is redeemed as beauty. That scent, the invisible yet present. These buds near to bursting forth, so like the promises of our faith, the renewal of life. And that wind, always the image of the life giving breath of God. 

At the journey’s end I circle back retracing my steps, lingering slow to whisper a well of gratitude. The dappled shade playing across my heaven tilted face.

The Bounty of the Lord: Gratitude

“Come, though font of every blessing,

tune my heart to sing thy grace;

streams of mercy, never ceasing,

call for songs of loudest praise.”

Nettleton

~

Quiet, deep attention these recent days. 

Quiet attention to God's streaming grace 

across the decades. 

Quiet attention as I walk, 

as I remember, as I bow.

Blessings past and present, 

so abundant every year. 

These, lifted in humble praise 

on the eve of the 60th birthday:

Tears in remembrance of God’s moments of powerful presence

Husbands joy as oncologists reports good health, hands held in shared prayer

Daughter’s shared gaze over the heads of beautiful grandsons

Toddler grandson’s volunteered hugs

Husband’s constant goodness

Father’s aging voice still placing long distance calls

Gratitude for those sent by the Lord to inspire and encourage my faith

Parents, family; the legacy

Health granted across these many decades

Amen, amen.

Lisa

Son of God

From noon until three in the afternoon

 darkness came over all the land.

 Matthew 27:45

When the centurion and those with him 

who were guarding Jesus 

saw the earthquake and all that had happened, 

they were terrified, and exclaimed, 

“Surely he was the Son of God!” 

Matthew 27:54 

Being Made New

"... be made new in the attitude of your mind; and put on the new self... " Ephesians 4:24

Quiet all distraction. 

“We blossom just as trees blossom, but we cooperate so much less. While trees lean into the approaching seasons and submit themselves to the will of nature, we fight the richness being made of ourselves ... Too many ... events crowd our consciousness for our own ripening to occur. We are distracted from the matter at hand: another soul being brought to maturity.”  Julia Cameron The Sound of Paper

Lean into being made new.

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received... so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ... to be made new in the attitude of your mind; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4: 1,12-13, 23-24

Become worthy of the call to new life.

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
~

Linking with these faith seeking communities 
hosted by Sandra, Ann, Kent,Kent Janis, and Deidra.

God's Word: Alive and Active

Women seated circular around the room, 

gathering together for weeks, 

to draw fingers across thin pages of scripture 

seeking the Lord’s teaching 

for the collected Body and each seeking heart. 

Women’s heads bowed above the ancient text 

pouring over inked words 

that transform to inner Holy Spirit whispers 

and wash searching souls with Holy presence.

~

I travel to these sites each week to link up and to partake in the beauty 

that is shared  within each community. 

Click a button to sample the beauty.

  

He Has Given the Seasons

The Bounty of the Lord

They will come and shout for joy...

they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord.

Jeremiah 31:12

There are more lovely photos and  praises to be enjoyed here:

SUNDAY , Food on Fridays, here & here ...

 

I Will Tell of All Your Wonders

I will praise you,  
 O Lord, 

with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonders.

Psalm 9:1

There are more lovely photo praises to be enjoyed here:

SUNDAY , & here...

Stop and be refreshed!

Divine Nature

For since the creation of the world 

God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and 

divine nature 

- have been clearly seen.

Romans 1:20

These words spoke deeply of the experience I encountered  several years ago as I began to nurtured an interest in photography. Images framed by my lens continuously placed me in companionship with God. The reflection of the world in the medium of digital photography illuminated the magnitude of God’s presence on earth and in the creation of ALL things therein.

Take Heart! He has overcome the world!

Walking in the spring of upstate New York, along a fence line my eye following it’s undulating rise and fall . This cross section caught my eye. It’s rough hewn, hole pierced post wrapped with cold steel wire.  Austerity and beauty wrapped in one meeting of limbs. A concentric hole at the outer edge, revealing a scence at a distance beond. So much here symbolically suggested the journey and the sorrowful events of our Lord’s Easter story. 

Joining with all those sharing faith inspired photos gathered over here:

SUNDAY  and Snapshot and Scripture.

Your Love Reaches to the Heavens

“Your love, oh Lord, reaches to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the skies.” 

Psalm 36:5

 I link here atSUNDAY  and Snapshot and Scripture;
joining faith filled others

 who look far and wide to photograph a visual representation 
of our Lord 's guiding hand. 

Seek Radiance

Become 

Radiant

in the

presence of 

God!

Moses was not aware that his face became radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. 

Exodus 34:29-35
~

Whether one's habit is to bend the knee, raise the palms, lower the head, lift the eyes heavenward, or keep them closed; 

Whether one's habit is to seek a dark enclosure or a sunlit landscape,

light wicks of flame or lift notes of music;

It matters less than the the habit of bringing yourself 

prayerfully to the Lord 

in anticipation of the the radiance that 

the He may place in your heart and on your face.

With much admiration, I link here with faith filled others with a photo and a story to share at SUNDAY , Snapshot and Scripture, and God-Incidences

Magnify Him with Thanksgiving



Magnify Him with Thanksgiving... Psalm 69:30 KJV



Vibrant fall colors
speak to the bounty of God’s gifts just as the vibrant musical talent of a very young Christian singing artist Rhema Marvanne speaks to the depth of faith. Read Rhema’s story and share in her joy as she uses her stagger musical gift to sing: I Thank God.

Recording God’s gifts with the treasure trove of beautiful women in the Gratitude Community. Today I'm sharing selected blessings that nurtured faith.

Magnify the Lord with thanksgiving [for]:

faith stories that affirm belief (79).

Sunday school teaching that brings peals of laughter (116),

hands making gifts of love for pilgrims on a spiritual retreat (120).

hymns sung with joy and reverence (121).

groups devoted to missions, study and prayer (223).

powerful teaching in Sunday’s sermon (249).

the Spirit within that seeks God (376).

Holy Communion followed by prayer at the kneeling rail (459).

an opportunity to teach women’s Bible study class (550)

Spirit lead scripture to compose prayer (575)

hearing a ‘quiet voice’ urging me to listen for the benefit of another (630).

traditional preparations for Advent (678)

Renewed by the Spirit's Work

He saved us through a second birth,
renewed us by the Spirit's work...
Titus 3:5


Scarlet leaves of autumn,
flags of waning life, nutrition withheld from leafed out growth. Yet, the evergreen limbs of this southern shrub, unfurls a glorious autumn offering of new growth in wine-hued spires at its tips.

New growth can arrive in the autumn of life.

Second chances, deeper thought, revisited experience, new lenses through which to see ~

Renewed by the Spirit’s work,
Salvation arrives from God’s persistent encouragement for faith.







God's gifts unfurl through the seasons of life. My gratitude matures with living and the offer of His holy mercies year after year. I'm writing down those mercies with the Gratitude Community, so the the heart can be strengthened yet again: mentioned here #656 - 660.

~ quiet evenings at home
~ a life season of peace filled days
~ gratitude for God's warnings, for His unshakable pursuit of our hearts
~ gratitude for time, more time to grow in faith
~ for opportunities to humbly, gently encourage others to deeper faith

A Year of Drought

Like satin,

petals perfectly formed,
gently unfold,
layer by layer

in fragrant display of

buttery splendor
just in time
for autumn's reign.

Our region carries the burden of harsh drought scourged summers. Unrelenting heat burdens daily life and crushes the green right out of our landscapes. Hope hungry inhabitants scan nightly weather reports for a bit of a drizzle that might fall their way. Any plant species lacking the 'grit' of deep, water efficient roots literally become dust.

Then...wait for it [believe me, we do], fall gently begins. 108 chills to 90 and eventually 70 something. Occasional overcast days promise rain, somewhere. And. it. comes. Foliage revives, roots swell, and buds form offering up a final fall burst of green and bloom.

The wait rewarded, thirst quenched.

Is it not so for the heart rooted in Christ?

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidence is in him.

He will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit. ~ Jeremiah 17:7-8

Gratitude fills page after page, fills life day by day, fills prayer hour by hour:

636. half moon gleaming in October sky
637. acorns, all varieties littering woodland's floor, offering food storage for winter meals
638. Cardinal stark red against shaded green
640. fall air crisp each morning
648. heavy ground drenching rain
652. Monarch butterflies stop a moment during their transcontinental migration
655. overcast cloud cover and humid air soothes sun scorched land

Amen

{This post is dedicated with much admiration to my friend @Higher Choices.}

Divine Nature ~ Scripture and a Snapshot

Paul’s words in Romans 1:20, expresses my soul’s response to what I see when I look attentively at the world all around me. Images of God's close up, minute beauty even in the Creator’s work that constitutes the burgeoning Holly tree beside our patio showered with rain glistening on the color and form of leaf and berry surfaces.  Fruit ripens red for winter adornment.  Nature’s seed preparing to carry on God’s replenishing plan for our natural world.