Friday, January 15, 2016

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THE ICY, GNARLY ELM
Copyright 2014
THE ICY GNARLY ELM  


Winter has arrived here in the woods. The woodland floor is covered with a blanket of snow and every tree limb and bough has snow resting on it. I think of God's grace when I look at the snow- of Christ's shed blood covering my sin.

The poem is about an old elm tree who has weathered a few winters. She stands alone, beyond the spruces. Her time is ending, as all times do here on earth- as all living cells do, plant or human. Death will come to the old elm tree. I, too, will have to face it someday.

Just as man is destined to die once,
and after that to face judgment.
Hebrews 9:27 

I heard a wonderful message from Pastor Fran. He said 'God inhabits eternity':

For thus saith the high and lofty One
that inhabiteth eternity,
whose name is Holy;
I dwell in the high and holy place,
with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Isaiah 57:15 (KJV)   

I looked up some definitions in the dictionary, the second most-used book in my home.
What is a contrite spirit? Contrite means "being thoroughly sorry or penitent."
Penitent means "feeling or showing sorrow for having sinned or done wrong."
Humble involves "the virtue of humility". And humility is "the quality of being without pride" or voluntary self-abasement. It's good to know what these words mean because this is who God will dwell with. And revive.

God has told us to put our trust in Him, as it says in Proverbs 3:5-6, the verses today's poem is based upon. Don't lean on your own understanding. Compared to eternity, we are but a small amount of time...a little section of string on a ball of everlasting string, tossed out into all known space, still unraveling. (This was a cool demonstration Pastor Fran did at a Sunday Night Alive! service!)

The exact center of the Bible is Psalm 118:8 and it talks about trusting God, too, which I think is neat:

It is better to trust in the LORD
than to put confidence in man.

Your trust in the God who inhabits eternity and your waiting on Him will go a long way:

So Christ was sacrificed once
to take away the sins of many people;
and he will appear a second time,
not to bear sin,
but to bring salvation to those who 
are waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:28

Enjoy winter days and the clean, crisp, white snow that covers much. 
I conclude today's blog with another reminder of prayer:
Pray persistently and earnestly to our Heavenly Father...the God of Love.  

Friday, January 1, 2016



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YES, ANOTHER YEAR!
Copyright 2016



HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!
 
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:


"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:16-21).


How cool is that? We weren't there but we get to read about it and are blessed for it. I trust you know we are blessed because of what God has made known to us!

With faith and prayer, I can face another year. I am very thankful for the past year and all that God has done for me in 2015. I look forward to what God will do in 2016. I was reading in 2 Corinthians 5:18, and surrounding verses, that we are given the ministry of reconciliation. May we make this a goal for 2016, and always.

Here are two other verses to consider for the brand new year:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17

And

Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;
what counts is a new creation.
Galatians 6:15

Can you think of other verses? Add them below, if you wish. I would be curious to see what you write.

As I write this first blog of the new year, I look out my window and see it's snowing. I'm glad, cause we have skis and snowshoes to sell in our shop. My husband and I run a bicycle and ski shop and we've been at it for 15 years now. With snow accumulating on the ground, people will be bringing in their skis and snowboards for sharpening and waxing and that's good for business. 

May you have a great year! Thank God for new beginnings, second chances and His everlasting love.