PSALM 93

Daily, moment by moment . . . each time I see the glorious sunrise and spectacular sunset . . . I know that I am NOT alone and that I DO have the hope of eternity and God's promises. What freedom!!!

"The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord has clothed and girded Himself with strength; indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. They throne is established from of old; thou art from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their pounding waves.
More than the sounds of many waters, than the mighty breakers of the sea. The Lord on high is mighty.
Thy testimonies are fully confirmed; holiness befits Thy house O Lord, forevermore." Psalm 93

Thoughts on QUILTS

I was recently given the gift of the book "Quilts from Heaven" by Lucinda Secrest McDowell. It is a wonderful book on the "parables from the patchwork of life". This is an excerpt.

" Pieces of My Quilt"

If quilts could talk

I'd like to think I'd hear just what they'd say,

"I'll hold you close within my folds and wipe

your tears away. I'll keep you warm and give you strength to face another day,"

If quilts could talk . . .

If quilts would sing

I'd like to think I'd recognize each tune,

The lullaby or funeral dirge or wedding march in June.

Both sweet and haunting melodies I'd listen to them croon.

If quilts could sing . . .

If quilts could write

I'd like to think I'd read the words they'd pen

Of life and love and motherhood, of mystery without end.

And, oh, the drama they could share of everywhere they'd been.

If quilts could write . . .

If quilts could pray

I'd like to think I'd feel each heartfelt prayer

of thankfulness or grea concern for those within their care;

petitions to a loving God - the One who's always there.

If quilts could pray . . .

The quilt of my own life

Finds voice to talk, sing, write, and pray

As it weaves a hundred stories in its own eclectic way.

And with each stitch of grace and hope my legacy is built;

All fragments finally made a whole . . .

the pieces of my quilt."

The quilts in the picture are those that I now have, all gifts after our house fire in July 1994. Two of them came from the womens auxiliary units of two different local volunteer fire departments.

The others are from different rural community farmwives groups. I knew many of the ladies who hands had a part in making them . . . and they were work-worn, loving hands. I love these quilts and the ladies who made them!!!!!

SPRING in Colorado!!

We have a lot of chubby robins hopping around our yard these days. These little visitors were all fluffed up and hunkered down this past Thursday morning after one of our spring snows. There were more in that group that didn't get their sweet little faces in the picture.

With the coming of spring in Colorado, there is always a lot of uncertainty in the weather. We can have sunshine, snow, rain, sleet, wind . . and more all just a few hours. And, then it can repeat it all over again more than once in the day.

But, spring brings incredible reminders of hope and new life. We see the green grass starting to break through the soil. There are flowers poking their heads up towards the sun and sometimes through the latest little snowfall.

Driving through the farm country provides endless scenes of new lambs and calves frolicking around in the fields. And we are reminded that life goes on and it is precious!!!

I'm thankful for the reminders of new life and hope . . . and I'm thankful for the new life and hope that we have in our Lord Jesus Christ! The Easter season and Resurrection week celebrations are amazing reminders of the fact that we serve a RISEN and LIVING CHRIST!!!
HALLELUJAH!!!!

NEW HOPE in a NEW YEAR

It would seem that when January of a new year rolls around we tend to say we're going to do certain things, make changes in our lives, etc. We have good intentions and sometimes can carry it off for a while. Depending on what the "thing" is determines how well and/or how long we can carry it off.
I don't really make "resolutions" but I try to look at the new year with renewed hope and anticipation of things to come, of the things that God is going to do in my life, in my family and in the world around me. In 2009 I started, and completed, a year-long plan for reading through the entire Bible . . . what a rewarding and enriching experience. I started the plan all over again because there is SO MUCH in the Bible that I will NEVER "get" it all and I hope to grow even more by reading through it again. I do the same with the "My Utmost for His Highest" devotional collection written by Oswald Chambers. I have read that each year through and through for many years. I have dog-eared the pages that really impacted me the first time through . . . they still impact me. I still gain insights through those devotional writings.
I look forward to continued work on all the creative projects that I enjoy. I look forward to more time in our mountains this summer; to the commitment that I have with my daughter, Robin, to the breast cancer awareness events that we do every year; to time with my husband, Bill, as we continue to work on our creative projects, do Farmers Market, raise a garden, hang out toether and generally annoy each other as we have lovingly done for 41 years; to time with our son Jeremy and watching him embrace life and people around him as only he can.
I will continue to walk my long power walks . . . I call them "wogs" because they sometimes including some jogging. I will continue to play the piano, to sing, to enjoy my canine companion and friend, Bramble and the comfort of the cozy little house that the Lord has graciously provided us with. I will continue to mow the lawn and let the fragrance of cut grass envelope me; to plant a garden and enjoy the scent of good, ole garden dirt and derive pleasure of having dirt under my fingernails and on my bare feet as I work in my garden and flower beds . . . and then sit on our deck in the evening and relish the clean air, the cool Colorado climate and the gorgeous view of "our" mountains!!!
I will continue to love my Farmgirl Connection farmgirl friends and cherish those friendships . . . and pray for them. I will continue to care for my sister . . . and pray that the Lord will continue to give us the hope that only He can give.
I will continue to find myself on my knees before my Creator, my Shepherd, my Healer, my Comforter, my Provider . . . my Saviour, Lord and King . . . thanking Him!!! Praising Him!!! Loving Him!!!

WORDS OF PROMISE

Another writing from Max Lucado in "Grace For The Moment".

"Every Christmas I read this reminder that came in the mail several years ago:

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.

Christmas cards. Punctuated promises. Phrases filled with the reason we do it all anyway.

He became like us, so we could become like him.

Angels still sing and the star still beckons.

He loves each one of us like there was only one of us to love.

God has given a son to us . . . His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God . . .
Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Excerpted from"When God Whispers Your Name"

THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT!!! THANK FOR THE HOPE WE HAVE!!! THANK YOU FOR OUR FREEDOM!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!

Grace Upon Grace

Today's writing from Max Lucado's "Grace for the Moment" devotional book.

"Test this question: What if God's only gift to you were his grace to save you. Would you be content? You beg him to save the life of your child. You plead with him to keep your business afloat. You implore him to remove the cancer from your body. What if his answer is, "My grace is enough." Would you be content?
You see, from heaven's perspective, grace is enough. If God did nothing more than save us from hell, could anyone complain? . . . Having been given eternal life, dare we grumble at an aching body? Having been given heavenly riches, dare we bemoan earthly poverty? . . .
If you have eyes to read these words, hands to hold this book, the means to own this volume, he has already given you grace upon grace."

Philippians 4:11 "I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything
that happens".

This is also excerpted from his book "In The Grip of Grace".

WOW!!! Does this make you think!! It certainly hit home with me!! I pray that I can be content!!

I PRAY FOR YOU . . .

Comfort on difficult days,
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm your hearts
Gentle hugs when spirits sag,
Friendships to brighten your being,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Confidence for when you doubt,
Faith so that you can believe,
Courage to know yourself,
Patience to accept the truth,
and love to complete your life.
I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray, to guide you and protect you as you go along your way. His love is always with you, His promises are true, you know He will see us through, So when the road you're traveling on seems difficult at best . . . GOD WILL DO THE REST!!!