Celebrating Our Lord

 

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given;

and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name

shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God,

the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace,"

Isaiah 9:6

"...when the fullness of the time was come, 

God sent forth His Son..." Galatians 4:4

Praise God from who all blessings flow and praise our precious Savior.  We celebrate Your birth, Your love, and Your amazing sacrifice!  Thank You for saving me and for keeping me!

Italy and Turkey Ports

 

A QUICK GLIMPSE OF Italy and Turkey Ports

           On October 13, my sister Ava and I left for a two-week trip around the Mediterranean.  After leaving NYC in the evening, flying across the Atlantic and riding an hour to Civitavecchia, Italy, here we are enjoying our first meal in the land of pizza.  It was yummy!  Here is a brief glimpse of our stops in Naples, Ephesus and Bodrum Turkey.

       The next day, we boarded the Odyssey of the Sea for a 12-night cruise (with 8 ports) and sailed to our first port -- Naples, Italy.  We were up early the next morning and walked to Piazza del Plebiscito where we went inside the Basilica Reale Pontificia San Francesco seen in the photo.  It was pouring rain when we came out and walked across the piazza to the Royal Palace.

      We spent two hours in this beautiful, grand palace.  The staircase itself is a work of art and led into a set of many ornate royal rooms which we enjoyed walking through.  This was my favorite site to see.

      This tiled cloister garden in the Church of Santa Chiara Napoli was another beautiful and unique place that I visited in Naples (Ava went back to the ship after the palace).  The garden was intersected by these tile paths that were lined with ornate columns and lovely seats.  Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed to sit on these tiled seats as they are reserved for the nuns and monks.  

     Our next port was Kudasi, Turkey, and we enjoyed a tour of the ancient site of Ephesus.  This was our second visit to this wonderful site and, even though it felt like a whirlwind visit, it was good to see it again.  Just imagining the apostles Paul and John walking around in this city was meaningful for me.  In the background is the famous Library of Celsus, completed in 117 AD.  While we're looking at ruins, Paul and John would have been looking at a sparkling new building!

      I love taking photos of doorways -- and wondering where they lead.  This is one of my favorite photos in Ephesus.  It's quite amazing how well-preserved these ruins are.  And - who is that guy in the green shirt??

        This is a section of the Terrace Houses.  They are under a giant cover to preserve them and allow continuing archaelogical work on them.  This is a vast "neighborhood" of apartment houses built on a hillside.  You can see rooms and separate apartments throughout this large section of Ephesus that is on a hill to the left just before you get to the library.  It's interesting to see the ornate mosaic floors and the paintings on the walls of these homes where people lived around two thousand years ago and imagine their lives there.  Paul and John may have visited or lived in one of these homes.  I did a lot of climbing to see this amazing layout of ancient homes.

     I was excited to walk in the footsteps of Paul and John, who would have walked on these same marble slabs which make up one of the roads through the city (they are also slippery when wet).  Most Ephesians worshipped the goddess Artemis (AKA Diana).  You may remember that Acts 19:21-41 gives an interesting story about a riot in that city.  A silversmith named Demetrius said to other tradesmen in the city, "Not only in Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.  So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the gread goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed..." Acts 19:26-27.

      This verbal attack on Paul and his teaching about the Lord Jesus almost turned into a physical attack.  Here's what happened:  See photo below.

      The great ampitheater of Ephesus rises up the hillside in the distance.  After Demetrius riled up the tradesmen and more of the city, they all rushed into the theater in the photo above.  They had seized two of Paul's traveling companions and for two hours screamed, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"  Paul wanted to go into the theater and talk to the people, but the disciples would not allow him to go into that dangerous situation.  And so, the riot ended peaceably and Paul left the city to go to Macedonia.  

      It was very special to be in those places that we read about in scripture and to walk in the literal footsteps of men who God used to write the Holy Bible that we read today.

     Our second stop in Turkey was in what is considered an upscale port in Bodrum.  This was unexpected as it was one of three substitutes for our missed two-day port in Israel.  Due to the October 7 War, of course, all tourist visits were cancelled.  Our ship was docked in the picturesque Bodrum harbor with this view of St. Peter's Castle directly across the bay from our ship.

      I enjoyed my solitary 40-minute walk around the curved harbor to get to the castle.  It was early morning and shopkeepers were just opening their shops.  It was pleasant and uncrowded, which changed later in the day to hot and crowded on the way back to the ship.  

      The "castle" was more like a fort with thick stone walls and many coats of arms displayed from various grand masters and commanders from the 1400s and 1500s.  There are a lot of stone steps and uneven walkways which require careful climbing.  The photo shows parts of ancient columns along with a female peacock.

      One of the highlights of our visit to Bodrum was the Air Show we watched over the harbor.  This just happened to be the day they were celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of the modern republic of Turkey.  We had been "warned" there would be jets flying overhead at 2pm so no one would be alarmed and wondering if we were being attacked (after all, a war was being fought not far from Turkey in Israel).  So, Ava and I sat on our balcony and watched as two jets that looked like raptor birds zoomed and dove and climbed through the sky for about 20 minutes.  It was exciting!

       I end this post with a picture of an anchor which was on display in St. Peter's Castle, Bodrum.  I am always reminded of the fact that as a Believer of the Way (as it was called in Paul's day), Jesus Christ is my anchor in stormy seas as well as placid waters.  Paul writes in Hebrews, saying, "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast..." 6:19.  He is, of course, speaking of the hope and  assurance of our safety in Christ.  Even a giant ship like the Odyssey of the Sea needs anchors.  No one is beyond the need of an anchor for their soul.  Jesus Christ is the Only Anchor we can depend on!  "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus," Philippians 4:19.

The Rapture - New Book Release

 

NEW BOOK RELEASE -- THE RAPTURE

     I just finished my latest book and released it today.  I'm excited about the topic and the short stories I've written for the book.  The sub-title is "Imagining the Day that Changes the World Forever."  

     The ten short stories in the book each have different scenarios featuring people going about their everyday lives when boom!  The Rapture happens and their world is turned upside down.  In a few of the stories, the characters are Christian believers and we see them caught up to Jesus and their amazing first-hand experiences of Heaven.  In other cases, the unbelievers that are left behind go through a variety of frightening, confusing experiences on the day that millions of people disappear.  One reader wrote, "It was impossible to start reading a story and not finish it."  Another reader said she cried through every story -- which is a real compliment to an author!  That same person said, "You knocked it out of the park with this one!"  

     Along with the fiction short stories, there are chapters of fact-based information about the times surrounding the upcoming Rapture.  One chapter tells about the War of Gog and Magog written about in Ezekiel 38-39.  Another chapter is entitled, "What's the Deal with UFOs?"  There are seven fact-based chapters.

     The ebook version of the book is only 99 cents for the first month of its release.  I won't have print copies available for another month, although they will be available for purchase on Amazon by Sunday.

     Thank you to each person who reads this book!  I hope you will be blessed as you read  about an exciting upcoming event in the history of the world -- an event that changes the world forever!            Link to book:  Amazon - The Rapture

Blessing/Miracle Box

BLESSING / MIRACLE BOX

      Four years ago, I heard a speaker talk about having a Blessing box.  When God sent her a special blessing, she wrote about it on a slip of paper and put it into her Blessing box.  Occasionally, she pulled out a slip and it reminded her of blessings she'd forgotten about.  This can be especially helpful if you're experiencing a down-day and need a reminder of God's love.

      I liked that idea and decided to add the idea of "miracle," which is often what a blessing is anyway.  So, I found this lovely box sprinkled with stars (I love stars!) and I've been adding stories of miracles and blessings since then (when I remember to do so).  I just added a new one today.

       

      This morning, I was once again blown away by God's attention to detail and to me and my tiny life in the midst of this vast universe!  I was trying to read my morning devotional in Jesus Calling, which said, “There is a mighty battle going on for control of your mind.  Heaven and earth intersect in your mind; the tugs of both spheres influence your thinking…”  As I read and reread the opening, I was unable to focus. Myriads of thoughts were zipping through my mind, the sound of the dishwasher was churning, and the noise of a large-scale tree-cutting project around the corner was drowning out everything.  It reminded me of the verse, “Be still and know that I am God."

      Immediately, another thought popped into my mind.  Hmmm…yesterday I saw a truck with a Jesus Saves decal and a license plate border with the words: Psalm 46:10.  I remember thinking that I was going to look up that verse and see what it said.  So, at the very time I had the Jesus Calling book and the Bible in my hand, seeking a quieter place to meditate, I felt the need to look up that verse.  Oh - the precious hand of God!  It was a pure miracle of my sweet Father.  That verse says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”  Recognizing the hand of God in that whole thing, I began to weep.  When I feel God's direct Hand in my life, I am overwhelmed by His grace and it always brings tears!

Such amazing moments when God reaches down and works what might appear to some to be a small miracle (I think it's huge!), Heaven and earth do indeed intersect and we can feel the loving Hand of God reminding us that He is here with us all the time - every moment of every day.  There is nothing too large, or too small for God to work through for our good.  God says, "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you," Jeremiah 31:3.  What a blessing!

 

License Plates Again

 

LICENSE PLATES -- AGAIN!

     I like to picture some form of transportation when I feature license plates and this is the best I could do.  This Gypsy wagon sits in the forest at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. Put a couple of horses in front of it and I'm sure it would be good to go.

    Here are my latest entries into the world of cute and clever license plates:

--Some plates that are food related can make you quote this plate:  I HANGRY

 EAT RICE    C8KELDY     00FUDGE     MAI TAIS    

--Other plates will tell us how they feel - 

 JST DUKY      CRZY4EW      LV FLWZ     N2 WILD     ANML SVR     DRMA-LMA

---These are just cute and clever

GOT2WK     STA SHRP     4RPAPA     BR3THE   GAS GUZLA (on a big blue pickup truck) 

          MCYMS            H20LVR       R3NGAD3         O1DCRO   

--The two who designed these plates should get together

 LALAAAA    GGRRRR

--a couple of my favorites:   STRMTRPR       FLT ERTH

--Then we have the plates that always warm my heart and make me feel like a brother or sister in Christ is in that vehicle

1 GRTGOD    2BLESS    LIV4HM    LOK2GD    YES JESU    HS SRVT    XAULT HM

Praise God for the testimonies that turn our eyes toward God that we sometimes see on  license plates.  I'm reminded of the verse in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that tells us, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" -- and that can include license plates too!

Beautiful Butterflies

 Beautiful Butterflies

         This little beauty sat on a leaf in the Butterfly House at the Life & Science Museum in Durham, North Carolina.  I use past tense because butterflies have such a short life span that this little guy is no longer around.  The thing is -- this butterfly was created by God for a specific purpose, it fulfilled it's purpose and then left us.

         Some years ago, I wrote a piece about the brief life of the butterfly in my book, Joy in the Journey - a Traveler's Tale with a Twist.  I'm going to share excerpts in this post:

          “The butterfly counts not months but moments and has time enough” is from the short poem, “Time,” by Rabindranath Tagore.  This fragile little creature has a life span that varies according to species from three days to six months.  The average lifespan for an adult butterfly is 20 to 40 days.  So, when we say, “The butterfly counts not months but moments…” that’s no exaggeration.  A butterfly that lives for three days has slightly over 4,000 minutes to perform its entire life purpose – yet – the last part of that quotation reads, “…and has time enough.”

Although its life is short to our viewpoint, the butterfly does not frantically rush about trying to accomplish as much as possible.  No, rather this dainty creature gently flutters its wings, flitting from flower to flower, unhurried -- quietly doing its job.  Along the way, the butterfly not only pollinates flowers and vegetables as God ordained, but also provides bright spots of delicate beauty for those who see it.

The butterfly brings glory to God, its Creator, during its short life journey because it faithfully performs the duties for which it was created.  It reflects the beauty and creativity of God by its mere existence.

Certainly, we all have responsibilities and there is no easy, one-fits-all-answer to the accelerated age in which we live.  “Time” tends to be an enemy far too often.  A poem came across the Internet recently that started out:  “I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do.  I had to hurry and get to work for bills would soon be due…”  This poem states a major problem in the Christian’s life – being too busy to pray.

Jesus knew the vital importance of prayer.  His journey on this earth lasted only 33 years.  Most of us would say he died young or before his time.  In fact, He lived the perfect amount of time for the purpose God had for Him.  In John 17:4, Jesus said, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”  He finished the work He was brought on earth to do, and it was time to move up and out.  Although He lived what we might consider a short life, He “….had time enough.”

God is not bound by time and neither is His purpose for your life.  How can we be sure that we too will be able to say with Jesus – “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do”?

           How?  By using this time He has given us to do what He created us to do.  Jesus knew how to use His time wisely and He spent much of it communing with His heavenly Father.  In spite of all the preaching, healing, and traveling, He never became too busy to pray.

We are told to, “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10.

That’s the key to “having time enough” -- spending part of it in God’s presence.  When we meditate, praise and bask in His presence, we are lifted above time and the world.  Ask God what purpose He has for your life journey.  “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” Matthew 6:33.  If you sincerely seek the answer, He will show it to you in His time.

If you cannot yet verbalize what you believe your purpose is, don’t despair.  God has said, “Seek and ye shall find” – in His time, not yours.  Learn the lesson of the butterfly and you can rest in the Lord.

Like the butterfly, we are beautiful creations with a purpose.  Let’s live that purpose for Him and we too will have time enough.

 “…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6

 

An Unexpected Hike

 

AN UNEXPECTED HIKE - to Stone Mountain

      The end of June, we stopped by Stone Mountain State Park in Roaring Gap, North Carolina, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Our intention was to walk along an easy one-quarter mile trail to a scenic view of the stone mountain.  At least, that is what I thought I read in the brochure.  However, it appears that I must have imagined such a trail, because it doesn't seem to exist.

       These words by Alexander Graham Bell had special meaning when we ended up taking an unexpected two-mile hike in the woods:  "Don't keep forever on the public road, going only where others have gone and following after the other like a flock of sheep.  Leave the beaten track occasionally and dive into the woods.  Every time you do so you will be certain to find something that you have never seen before." 

 

     Well, we did "dive into the woods," and in spite of everything it turned out to be a nice adventure with a lot of good exercise - up and down and all-around on what seemed at the time to be a never-ending trail.  We were able to maneuver over tangles of roots, fallen trees, numerous wide steps, and a sad lack of signage to finally arrive at our destination -- a stunning stone mountain, complete with a furnished homestead and outbuildings from an extended family who lived there for over a century, beginning in 1855 when they built the house. 

    I'm reminded of the many wonderful Bible verses that speak of mountains, here are just a few:

--"For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands," Isaiah 55:12.

--I will lift up my eyes to the hills -- from whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth," Psalm 121:1-2.

--"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God," Psalm 90:2.

--"He puts His hand on the flint; He overturns the mountains at the roots," Job 28:9.

--"For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you," Isaiah 54:10.

Pulaski, Virginia

PULASKI, VIRGINIA

 

       The end of June, we spent an evening in Pulaski, Virginia - located near the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The photo is their park which sits beside an active railroad track.  The hotel we stayed in is the brick building at the end of the street.  The town of Pulaski was incorporated in 1886 and named for Count Casimir Pulaski, a Revolutionary War hero and nobleman from Poland.

       We stayed at the Jackson Park Inn which is a lovingly converted 1920's grocery warehouse.  An outer wall of original brick, exposed post and beam timbers and wide plank wood floors offer a wonderful glimpse of early craftsmanship.  The three floors are beautifully decorated and we very much enjoyed staying there (my second time).

      We enjoyed a walk around the quiet town.  There are many nice, old buildings that are empty, but there is evidence of revitalization taking place and hopefully, the town will soon be vibrant again.  There's a lot of potential there.  Here are a few photos from our walk:

               This picturesque Episcopal church sits right beside the river running through the town.

      This triple stone arch has quite a history.  It was built in 1907 for a display at the Jamestown Exposition of 1907 (right near us in Norfolk!).  After the event ended, they dismantled the arch and brought it back to Pulaski where it was erected as a permanent entrance for the stately granite courthouse below (ca 1896).  Our good friend Martha is from Pulaski and I would love to hear some of her stories of growing up in that town.

 I'll end with these beautiful pink hydrangeas growing along the 

black iron fence across the street from the courthouse.

We enjoyed our brief stay in the small town named after Count Pulaski of Poland!  It's always nice to explore a new place.  So thankful the Lord "will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore," Psalm 121:7-8

National D-Day Memorial

NATIONAL D-DAY MEMORIAL

       The end of June we visited the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, not far from the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The 50-acre monument reminds us of the sacrifice of more than 4,415 men who died on June 6, 1944, when allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy France.  D-Day was the largest amphibious assault in human history as well as one of the most pivotal battles of World War II.
 

   The most touching and dramatic scene represents a soldier wading through water as bullets whiz around him, another soldier lying in the sand, and life-size soldiers storming the beach.  The pops of water representing bullets is especially chilling.

A soldier bravely climbs toward the enemy bunkers

     This statue of a soldier is a special memorial to the Bedford Boys from that county.  On D-Day, that small, rural county lost more young men per capita than anywhere else in America.  There were 44 Bedford Boys in the battle that day -- 20 of them were killed.  Certainly a mighty sacrifice for this small tight-knit community.

     We are reminded of the courage and bravery of all those men that day -- and throughout the history of our country.  Some who gave their lives and others who fought long and hard in the trenches to bring freedom to those held in the clutches of evil.  We thank God for His blessing on our land.  

      "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.  From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth - He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do," Psalm 33:12-15.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

Flowers and Friends

FLOWERS AND FRIENDS

    On our way back from NC in June, we stopped in the charming historical town of Edenton.  This beautiful bouquet of hydrangeas sat in the hallway of the Barker House and I wanted to share their beauty with you.  In 1774, the home's owner, Penelope Barker, led 50 other women in an act of protest against the British government and the unfair Tea Tax forced upon the American colonies by King George.  It must have been a real act of patriotism by these ladies to forego their beloved cups of tea!  I'm not sure this "Barker" would have been able to toe the line -- I do like my morning cuppa!

     These lovely Mimosa blossoms grow in my son Nathan's yard in NC.  The delicate, silky flowers and elegant dark green leaves have such an exotic look to them -- I just love it!  They are originally from China and the Middle East, and have been called the Tree of Happiness by some people.  It always makes me happy to see them fluttering in the breeze.

    Yet another flower from NC, this time at the Asheboro Zoo.  This interesting flower is a Red Hot Poker in the lily family, native to Africa.  Guess that's why we saw it growing in the elephant enclosure at the zoo.  My mother loved these flowers and every time I see one, I immediately think of her and imagine how pleased she would be to see it.  I wouldn't be surprised if she's included a whole section of Red Hot Pokers in her heavenly garden in the sky.

    A dear friend of ours from church, C.H. Powers, wrote a poem about Flowers and Friends some years ago and he gave it to us.  C.H. is now up in heaven too -- enjoying the many things he missed out on when he was here on earth.  Here's what he wrote,

  For friends are flowers, of the Garden of Life,

  And some flowers grow, on a long narrow sod;

  There's red ones and yellow ones, and many other colors,

  But greatest of all, they were created by God.

  Now some flowers bloom, only in their own season,

  And true friends bloom, and stay in season all year long;

  Just as the flowers, we also need the Sunshine,

  And the Son shines in our hearts, and gives a glad song.

    This is not usually considered a particularly beautiful flower, but I think the contrast of the prickly tough green leaf with the delicate yellow bloom is quite interesting -- and even a bit courageous.  I give the cactus flower points for its fluffy beauty atop an inhospitable base and usually found in the desert.  This plant resides along the edge of the baboon enclosure at the Asheboro Zoo.  "The desert shall rejoice and blossom...it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice," Isaiah 35:1-2.

   God "has made everything beautiful in its time.  Also He has put eternity in their hearts..." Ecclesiastes 3:11.

    Hope you enjoyed a bouquet of varied blossoms from God's amazing creation!

Book Review - Jesus Calling

Book Review -- Jesus Calling

 
I began using Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, as a morning devotional back in 2010.  I've continued to use it over and over again every year except for one.  The Christmas of 2017, my daughter Sara gave me the daily devotional, New Morning Mercies, by Paul David Tripp, which was a blessing as I read it throughout 2018.  But the next year, back to Jesus Calling, which has never grown stale for me.  

The writer, Sarah Young, is a seeker of God.  When she sought to hear from Him, He began speaking to her heart and she began writing down His messages.  She said, "God...guides our minds as we think things out in His presence."  In this book, Sarah shares God's Words as if they were written to each of us personally.  

One of the things I like in this particular edition is the space on the lower half of the page where I can write my own feelings about that particular message from Jesus.  It's interesting to see the difference in my attitude from year to year, or in some cases, how there has been little change.

Each day's entry answers a need, offers a challenge and/or gives encouragement.  Sometimes, we're shown something we never thought about in that light.  It's actually amazing how God seems to tailor each day's devotion to the needs of that day.

Here are a few of my favorite lines, to be read as if Jesus is speaking them to you:  

---"You are My beloved child, I chose you before the foundation of the world, to walk with Me along paths designed uniquely for you."

---"You need a buffer zone of silence around you in order to focus on things that are unseen...The curse of this age is overstimulation of the senses, which blocks out awareness of the unseen world."

---"I am all around you, like a cocoon of Light. My Presence with you is a promise, independent of your awareness of Me."

This book has been a great blessing to me and I highly recommend it to you!

Book Review -- Heaven

BOOK REVIEW - HEAVEN BOOKS, by Randy Alcorn

     My previous blog post on "Books" was a nice introduction for a series of book reviews I'm doing.  My first review features three books by Randy Alcorn.  Each of these books have been a huge blessing in my life and I encourage you to read them.  They will change your outlook on Heaven -- for the better!

     The book pictured above was given to my husband and I by a dear brother in Christ in our church (thank you, my friend!).  I had previously recommended to him another book by Randy Alcorn, entitled, "In Light of Eternity."  When he read it, he was deeply impressed by the amazing truths in that book and he promptly purchased this other book by that author and then shared it with us.  We've all been so blessed by these two books and I want to encourage you to read them as well.

---"50 Days of Heaven," contains 50 daily devotionals about Heaven that will introduce new ways of looking at Heaven -- all completely Biblical.  Here's a blurb from the book, "If you've always thought of Heaven as a realm of clouds, disembodied spirits, and eternal harp strumming, you're in for a wonderful surprise.  These thought-provoking meditations will forever change the way you think about the spectacular new universe that awaits us: new heavens and a New Earth, where Jesus will be the cosmic center, and joy will be the air we breathe."  

          Just this morning, I read Day 14 and was blown away by the wonder of Heaven.  Here's the note I wrote on the page, "I am overwhelmed by the beauty and truth in this chapter.  I weep as this truth resonates deep within my soul!"

---"In Light of Eternity."  You might think these books would be repetitious of one another, but they are very different in their thrust, even though Heaven is always seen in a similarly wonderful light.  This book focuses on how we should be living in the world today to be ready for our eternity in Heaven.  We've all read in scripture that God will be giving out rewards in Heaven and how we need to lay up "treasures in Heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt."  But, how seriously are we living in that light?  This book will explain, challenge and encourage you in your walk here on earth.  

        Here's what Randy wrote, "The greatest weakness of the western church today is arguably our failure to think of the long tomorrow - to take seriously the reality that heaven is our home.  Out of this springs our love affair with this world and our failure to live now in light of eternity.  To derail us, all Satan needs to do is minimize our passion for two things - the person of God and the place of God."

       Randy writes, "Our lives on earth are a training course to get us ready for heaven.  It's not just that God is preparing a place for us.  It's that he's preparing us for that place."  After reading this book, I do see eternity in a different light and I realize how important our preparation here on earth is -- after all, I believe that's one of the reasons He leaves us here after we're saved.

----"Heaven" - a workbook:  This book was published in 2006 and I have done the study twice.  I believe this book is out of print, but I've been able to purchase several of them on thriftbooks.com.  I just checked and thriftbooks had 10 copies for $5.79 each -- a bargain.  This is a fantastic book that you can read without even filling in the few questions in each chapter.  Here's what Randy writes in the introduction, "In this book we'll see an exciting yet strangely neglected truth -- that God never gave up on His original plan for human beings to dwell on earth.  In fact, the climax of history will be the creation of New Heavens and a New Earth."  He goes on to write, "I want us to be so excited about Heaven that we will have maximum effectiveness in this present world."

      I cannot stress enough the great value this book will have on your life!  It's my very favorite book on Heaven!  Read it and find truth and hope that you never imagined.  It's that good!!

There are some great songs about Heaven.  A recent song by Big Daddy Weave is called, "Heaven Changes Everything," and indeed it truly does.  Here are a few lines from that song:

These tears would just be tears fallin' down my face

And this hurt would just be hurt with no healing on the way

Thank you, Jesus, Heaven changes everything.

A goodbye would be goodbye with no "I'll see you again,"

And when a life is over, that would simply be the end;

Thank you, Jesus, Heaven changes everything.

I can live for the day when my eyes will finally see

Every piece that was broken, restored and redeemed

Thank you, Jesus, Heaven changes everything.

Let's rejoice in the wonderful promise from God and His Son Jesus who has gone to prepare an amazing place for us to live with Him forever.  A place where those who have trusted Christ as Savior will live their fullest life in a beautiful world without end!

 

Books

BOOKS

Books!  Reading them and Writing them -- both rich activities.  The shelf of books pictured above was on display in the Colonial Williamsburg book bindery building when we visited last year.  These beautiful books are hand-bound in fine leather -- something few of us can afford.  All the books I own are either soft or hard-bound in paper and cardboard, or electronically stored on my Kindle.

I prefer reading fiction on my Kindle and non-fiction in print copy.  When I read non-fiction, I like to underline or put brackets around information that is most important to me, that way I can go back and easily spot something I've made note of.  What is your preferred way to read?  Do you prefer to read fiction or non-fiction, or like me, a bit of both?

As most of you know, I also like to write books.  People might wonder, why?  Well, it's a passion within me which leads me to believe that God must have put it there.  When I don't write for a few weeks, I feel restless.  I have a need to write.  The writer Leo Buscaglia said, "Your talent is God's gift to you.  What you do with it is your gift back to God," which goes along with the words of  author Valerie Fay, "The gift God has given you is not separate from His purpose for our life."  

Famous poet William Wordsworth wrote, "Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart..."  This is something I have done over and over again, hoping that what is in my heart will touch a chord in another heart and be meaningful and helpful in some way -- that it can be used by God for His good will.

We all need to fulfill the purpose God created us for.  Oliver Wendall Holmes, Sr., wrote, "Many people die with their music still in them.  Why is this so?  Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live.  Before they know it, time runs out."  That quote goes along with a poem by Rabindranath Tagore, that begins, "The song that I came to sing remains unsung to this day.  I have spent my days in stringing and in unstringing my instrument."  

We don't want the song God put inside our hearts to remain unsung.  Find your voice and use it for your Holy Father -- in whatever form He has gifted you.  I like what Erma Bombeck wrote, "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say, 'I used everything You gave me.'"  

"Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.  Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.  For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised..." 1 Chronicles 16:23-24.

 

Psalm 23

PSALM 23

      This watercolor was painted by Debbie Cunningham.  I’m not sure what her vision for the painting was, but when I saw it, I immediately thought of the “valley of the shadow of death” from Psalm 23.  There is something about that stark, skeletal tree and solitary path that brought the thought to my mind.

        Debbie passed through the “valley of the shadow of death” in the spring of 2021 as she lived with brain cancer and faced her impending earthly death.  The shadow of her mortality and disease must have looked a bit like that lonely, dark tree.  But, I also know that Debbie had a positive spirit about her journey because her Shepherd Jesus walked beside her and “restored her soul.” 

      With the Psalmist, Debbie was able to say, “My cup runs over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”  Indeed, her cup did run over and she enjoyed a life well-lived and well-loved. 

      When Debbie’s time came to leave this life, I imagine her continuing down the path and slipping past the gate of death as she did on June 20, always with a view of green mountains in the distance, verdant with the hope of “something more.” 

       Psalm 23 ends with the promise of something much more: “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  What a beautiful ending to a life well-lived for God – a life that is truly just beginning!

 

 

Stacking Stones

 

STACKING STONES

God says, "Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me," Isaiah 46:9.

       The photo of stacked stones above was beside a river outside Skagway, Alaska.  A number of people had stacked stones in this very stony area.  Stacked stones can mean a number of things, but one of them is as a memorial for something.  That's what God meant when He had Joshua take 12 stones from the center of the Jordan River after God had miraculously pushed the waters back so that the Israelites could cross over to the other side.  Those 12 stones were set up in Gilgal as a memorial of remembrance to remind the people what God had done for them.

       God knows how quickly we humans tend to forget so many things.  Not only do we forget names and birthdays, but we forget more important things like how God rescued us from a dangerous situation or worked a miracle in our lives in the past.  It only took a month for the Israelites to forget what God had done for them when He brought them through the Red Sea and delivered them from slavery in Egypt.  They began to complain that things weren't running smoothly at the moment and they were ready to turn back.

      God had to remind them, "beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage," Deuteronomy 6:12.  Two chapters later, He said, "And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not," 8:2.

       The first time I ever saw stacked stones was on a trip to Utah way back in 2007.  There on a trail were several places where people had stacked stones.  You can see me adding a rock to the stack.

      In her Bible study workbook, "One Thousand Gifts," Ann Voskamp writes, "The people of Israel had a tradition of stacking stones as a memorial to remind them of something great that God had done.  Cross the Jordan ... stack some stones.  God delivers us from our enemies ... pile up some stones.  Then, when children and grandchildren saw a stack of stones and asked, "Mama, what does that stack of stones mean?"  She could tell the story of God's faithfulness again."

      Ann goes on to say, "When we get moving too fast, we no longer collect memories, stack stones, or write journals.  We don't have time to gather our thousand gifts and revel in God's goodness.  We no longer tell the stories of God."

     The latest stack of stones I came across was in Savannah, Georgia, in March.  This short stack was

atop a granite memorial with a plaque that read, "Original 1733 burial plot allotted to the Savannah Jewish Community, with the name James Edward Oglethorpe."  I wonder who put the stack and the surrounding rocks on top of the memorial?

     The Apostle Paul knew the importance of remembering and he applauded his Corinthian friends, saying, "Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you," 1 Corinthians 11:2.  These were Christians who walked the walk and followed the teachings of Paul - a man who followed the teachings of Jesus.

     "I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old.  I will also meditate on all your work...Who is so great a God as our God?"  Psalm 77:11-13

     Let's stack some stones in our heart this week and remember all the good things God has done in our lives -- beginning with His greatest gift of all -- His Son Jesus Christ.  Let's praise God from whom all blessings flow!