FAITH

"Jump," He said, "I will catch you."

My Daddy was so very strong,
But what if something should go wrong?
What if this time He should miss?
Could I take a chance like this?

"Jump," He said again, "Trust me."

I chose to take Him at His Word
Finding all my doubts absurd
So much better than I'd dreamed of
Caught in His strong arms...
                                                  With love.

His Amazing Grace!

The Package invited me to peek
But would it hold what I really seek
I shook the box and listened close
I hoped for what I wanted most

Other boxes had frilly bows
And shiny paper that seemed to glow
Each new gift I'd gladly try
Each disappointment made me cry

Finally deciding to take a look
I found inside God's Holy Book
Reading there the Gospel story
How Jesus came to earth from Glory

A gentle Shepherd seeking the sheep
Binding the broken, healing the weak
Always calling the names of the lost
Shedding His blood to pay sin's cost

I found this box was very deep
The Truth within it made me weep
Loving me at my very worst
Bearing, Himself, life's cruel hurts

No disappointments found inside
Only His grace and mercy wide
Calling on His Holy Name
My life will never be the same!

Living Water!

Tumbling downward

 Deeper yet Deeper

Washing and Refreshing

 Cooling and Satisfying

 Seeking the Lowest Point

Totally filling the Empty Places

 Given freely

 Accepted gratefully

 Poured into the Parched Ground

Swelling the seed

Growing the plant

Producing the fruit in season

 Sometimes a peaceful calm

Singing sweet Music

Sometimes a life-changing storm

Uncovering Hidden Treasure

 Always my soul's deepest need.

Holding me up

Dear Heavenly Father,

Immerse me in this Water.

May I become invisible

 In the bright reflection

 Of Your Son's Light.

Amen

John 4:14

Knowledge

     The very first temptation was to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil. It wasn't that Adam and Eve didn't have knowledge--God was their teacher. The temptation was to be independent of God's teaching and be in control of their own education. How very sadly mistaken they were! Instead of following a trustworthy guide, they had no trust left. This caused fear because, on their own, it was impossible to discern truth from lies.

     But God came calling after them,

     And they answered.

     Once again their Teacher patiently taught them truth.

     Today God is still teaching truth. Jesus  is  truth. Through the King James Bible, His ways are known. May His grace help me to answer His calling and follow His ways.

Behind Creation's Curtain

"I lift up mine eyes unto the hills"

Purple Stillness

Standing solemn in

Unchanging Character

 Omnipotence

" The wind bloweth where it listeth"

Life-giving breezes

Surrounding me with

 Sweet Perfume

 Omnipresence

"The light of the world"

Touching warmth

Illuminating my

Soul's Direction

Omniscience

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

and the firmament sheweth forth

 his handiwork."

Psalm 19:1

"Great is the LORD and greatly

to be praised;

and his greatness is

 unsearchable."

Psalm 145:3

Creation points to the Creator--they are not one. Creation is the "curtain"--an invitation to look beyond the "window" of the ordinary to see the True God of the Bible. It is an object lesson.

Trusting God

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.". Hebrews 11:6

A good definition of faith is dependence. When I sit in a chair, I depend on it to hold me up. It is the same with God. I stop trusting my own perspective and trust Christ--the way, the truth, and the life. So many religions teach that my spiritual success depends on something I do. God teaches me that He provided for this success in Christ's shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection. He took my sin punishment and all I need is to trust His promise.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the  Lord shall be saved." Ro. 10:13

God is teaching me that faith is a daily way of living also. It is so freeing to take all my thoughts and feelings to Him. He listens with infinite understanding and love. His Word shows me the truth of how I should feel. Faith is knowing that God is interested in my whole life and can use even hurtful things to make something beautiful. "O for grace to trust Him more".

Happy Resurrection Day!

It took three nails just to show how much you love me--

Your Rugged Cross
     Wounded Side and
            Crown of Thorns.

My sins were great but your grace has    proved much greater

Please take my heart and make
a Love-gift fit for you