Beauty and Heaven

    A carpet of pink cherry blossoms spread across my daughter Sara's deck and transformed it into a magically beautiful scene that brings a smile to my face each time I see it!  Only God could scatter the blossoms from that tree in such a delightful pattern.  Two days before Sara took that picture, I'd been visiting her and found a small area of pink blossoms on the deck.  I thought they were so pretty, I took a picture of my feet on that spot:

     Even though I was so happy to find this little area of fallen blossoms, it was quite small in comparison to the amazing show God created two days later.  

     This reminds me of the glimpses of beauty God offers to us on this sinful earth.  While evil prevails on so much of the earth, there are still bright spots of beauty and goodness.  There are still spots where we can stand on dainty pink cherry blossoms and delight in their beauty.  We can gaze up at an amazing deep blue spread out above our heads on some days and then see gigantic banks of clouds on other days.  We can watch brilliant colors of sunsets and marvel that there are never two that God paints the same.  We can be amazed at the delicate beauty of so many colorful flowers in the garden.

     And it's not only the beauties of the earth around us, but glimpses of God working in our lives, and in hearts and lives around us that bring delight and amazement.  It's as if God is giving us appetizers of what is in store for us in Heaven some day.  He is whetting our appetite for our future life by giving us glimpses of beauty and wonder that are so marvelous we can hardly contain the joy they bring.

       God is so good and loving -- praise ye the Lord!

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

nor have entered into the heart of man

the things which God has prepared for those

who love Him," 1 Corinthians 2:9

Jesus said, "In My Father's house are many

mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and

prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive

you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also,"

John 14;2-3

Games, Rules and Life

    My 13-year old grandson Declan and I enjoy playing a game called Qwixx together.  The game involves throwing four colored dice and two white dice and requires skill in choosing which number combinations to use during your turn.  Whoever has the highest points when the game ends - wins.

     A few weeks ago, I was excited to get my highest score and win the game.  I must confess, however, that Declan was helpful to me as we played.  His mind is so quick and sharp that when I roll dice for my play, he tells me what my play options are before I've even had time to register the numbers on the die.  It's quite impressive!  I'm also pleased that he has such a kind spirit that he likes to be helpful.  Although he enjoys winning, kindness and helpfulness to others overrides competiveness in him -- and that thrills me!  Note: I do still make my own decisions as to which numbers to use and where (:

     There are rules to the game of Qwixx -- as there are in every game.  The creator of those games make the rules and expect players to follow those rules.  Indeed, if you're ever in a tournament for a game, the rules must be strictly followed.  However, when you play the game with friends, and if the players choose to change or tweek a rule or two, what's the harm?  

      There is a rule in Qwixx that requires the loss of five points if you're unable to use any of the numbers on your dice during your turn.  Declan and I don't like that rule, so we disregard it and enjoy the game more that way.

       And yes, I have a spiritual point to this little story.  If we looked at life as a game, then the Creator of that game would be the One to make the rules and the players must follow the rules to play the game properly.  

        God created life and every living thing.  He also made the rules for how this life should be lived to the fullest and in the right way.  If we consider life as a game, we need to know that the stakes are life and death high and the rules must be followed to win.

        The thing is, we cannot win this game without help -- it's beyond our capabilities.  No one is that good -- we all fall short.  The good news is that there is One who will make us a winner if we choose Him as our Champion.

         In fact, choosing Him is the only way to win.  We're told in the important book that tells us all about life and the rules for right living, the Holy Bible:  "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me," John 14:6. 

         People change and tweak the rules of life constantly, but there is one rule that is unchangeable -- there is only one way to win in life and that is through the One who gave His own life for you and me.  He paid the price for our shortfall (our sin) and He is the supreme Winner Who offers life eternal for everyone who will accept His offer. 

         I'd say that is an offer too good to refuse!  And the amazing thing is that this gift is totally free!  Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."   

         Don't risk losing it all by refusinig to accept this gift!  It's a win-win.  Not only do you have a guaranteed spot in Heaven some day, but you also have a much better life while you're still on the earth.  Accepting Jesus as Savior means you have access to peace and joy that you never imagined; power through the indwelling Holy Spirit, and hope that makes every day brighter.  

           Choose to win!

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory

 through our Lord Jesus Christ," 

1 Corinthians 15:57

          

        

 

The Odor of Mendacity

 

THE ODOR OF MENDACITY

    The judge in a recent court trial wrote a decision which included the phrase, "the odor of mendacity," referring to the apparent lies told by the defendant in the trial.  The definition of mendacity is "untruthfulness; lying."

    I believe the judge in the case in question was trying to dress up his pronouncement of lies by using big words to cover the stink of the word "liar."  Some lies stink to high Heaven, while others have been doused by the cheap perfume of partial truths and fancy words until we're not quite sure why the statement has an off-smell to it.  It's the lies that are packaged in pretty paper that confuse and even convince people that they are truth.  How many times in life have we fallen for a well-spoken lie, mistaking it for truth?

    In the picture above, I'm playing out a part and here's what it's saying:  I've just become aware that I'm being followed by a big scary monster with sharp teeth and a vicious bite.  This horrible creature with glowing eyes wants to devour me and if I'm not careful, he might succeed.  But, notice, although I'm rightfully wary of this creature - and he does give me the shivers -- I'm not panicking.  I've seen this ugly mug before; he's been chasing after me since my earliest memories.  He's not usually so blatant in his attacks, preferring to approach me in softer disguises  -- sometimes even appearing as an angel of light, if you can believe it!

     So, what was it about this particular day that caught my attention and when I turned quickly I caught him in his true form?  Hmmm....I think it was a particularly nasty smell - oh, I know -- it was the odor of mendacity that wafted toward me.  I remember Jesus speaking about the devil in John 8:44, saying, "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."

       Knowledge is power and since I know that I've a demon at my heels waiting to pounce and I know the One Who can handle him, I say the "magic" words, "Jesus, help me!" and the creature disappears.  "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world," 1 John 4:4.  Knowing that the Spirit of Almighty God dwells within me and that He's greater and more powerful than all the demons and their wicked master, I can walk through this world without fear because "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind," 2 Timothy 1:7.

     

      "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name...And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen," Matthew 6:9 & 13.

Note two Bible verses:  "For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if hs ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works," 2 Corinthians 11:14-15.

    "So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world: he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him," Revelation 12:9.

The Joy of Reading

 

THE JOY OF READING

 

I'm calling this "Throw-back Thursday," because this is a post from Thursday, August 30, 2018.  I was re-reading some of my posts and couldn't resist re-posting this sweet ode to Reading with my darling grandkids - and encouragement to get out there and "READ!"

 I have loved to read ever since the summer I was 12 years old and discovered the mobile library that visited once a week down the street from our house.  A whole new world of adventure opened up to me and I've never stopped reveling in the wonder of the written word.

And so, I'm thrilled when I see my grandchildren into books.  Marisa and Landon avidly read their library books while they enjoy a nice cuppa tea.  Noelle peeks over the shoulder of her sturdy friends to see what they are reading, as she repeats her stock photo word, "Cheese!"

 

 

This photo with my dearly-departed mother and grandson Storm when he was just a little guy is very precious to me.  She was reading him a book about an Angel and he was leaning in, not wanting to miss a word of the story.  It reminds me how wonderful it is when generations pass on the love of reading to the generations to follow.

 One famous author wrote: “To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.” ―W. Somerset Maugham, Books and You.

 I've always said, you will never get bored in life if you enjoy reading. So - I hope you are caught up in a lovely adventure on the pages of a wonderful book for at least an hour each day (: