Month: March 2020

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The Value of Wisdom In These Times

God’s Word

A virus has been born and it threatens our lives and our ways

The whole earth has been shaken, and a wave has spread out across our planet. Like a Tsunami, it sweeps across the lands causing panic, and dread, destruction, and loss

These are times of unprecedented fear. Suddenly, our bright future has become darkened, and what is to come is unknown and foreboding.

It is a good time to honor and respect good wisdom. We should always try our best to make the right choices. Don’t let fear overwhelm you and lead you away from the truth

Protect yourself. Look to what is true, and right, and good. Don’t put your hope into what are lies, or be mislead by those who wish to protect themselves first,  at a cost to others

Defend life, protect your families and your communities. Believe in those who have the best information for all. Who make wise recommendations for the health of you and your neighbors.

Beware of trusting first in money, for it is fleeting. Instead, value life, and strive to save as many people as possible. Money will return to those who act wisely and in good faith towards others. It will be given back, in adequate measure, to those who are faithful and true

Trust in those who speak with wisdom and love. Believe in those who tell the truth. Act and decide upon what is best for your families. Don’t betray others, but try to help as you can, for we are all in this together

Justice and life will prevail in the end

Carefully examine the facts. Judge them by the character of whom has presented them.

Know that God is all in all. His will and His love will prevail in the end

We are up against an unseen enemy that has no mind or conscience. How and why it came to be we will never know for sure. Its only function is to propagate and grow

We have but one choice against it. To reduce its spread, manage it, and then, try to stop it cold.

It will surely test us, but we must act according to our good character. We must choose wisely and use every bit of wisdom that we can muster

Be strong, honest, and good. Pray. Increase your faith and trust in God

Don’t give in to the fear that surrounds us, but use your energy and your wisdom to act out in love

Always go with God, for he will continually walk beside you through it all

3/26/2020

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Our Hope In Troubled Times

A righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers them from them all. Psalm 34:19

Our Lord is faithful in all things. He is not blind to our condition, nor is He ignorant of our situation or troubles

His feet tread next to ours, and His eyes are continually upon us

Jesus will always uphold us, and keep us safe, though we may feel otherwise

Be strong, don’t flee in panic, or retreat from your position. Stand upon His steadfast promises and rely upon His wisdom when things appear unclear

Avoid making earthly judgements on present conditions, even though everything seems to be falling down around you

For God’s eyes see through to the truth of the matter. They see past the smoke and the flames, and reserve safe harbors, just on the other side

Trials and troubles are sure to come into the life of every believer, and we are  made stronger in our faith as we endure them. Don’t fall back upon your old ways when the pressure comes, but be steadfast and obedient to Christ, who saves us unto eternal life

Know that these times are making you more complete in Him; so that your life will shine forth His life more brilliantly

Our Lord is faithful and true to all His promises

Continue on. Be thankful in the face of every trial and agony. Never cease praising Him, who has given you every spiritual blessing; who has made a provision for us that will never run out

Persevere each day by offering prayers to Him, so that He may always remain near to bless and strengthen you

Feed upon God’s words of truth. Study them, so you will have ready answers in tumultuous times

Rely on your patience, instead of your emotions. Wait upon the Lord. For He will act to work things out in their perfect time, and in a manner that will be best for all who believe in Him

Be patient. Do not fret and worry when there is nothing you can do anyway. Proceed upon God’s will, but wait, when He must do the heavy lifting

Release your tensions as you praise and worship Him. Find ways to spend time with fellow believers. Share your burdens with them, for Christ will work through each of you and create solutions far beyond what you hoped possible

Every saint must carry the weight of their own cross. Trials and troubles will certainly beset us. But, if we remain steadfast in our way, refusing to turn back, we will be made stronger in faith, and be filled with His love and Spirit

We can overcome all obstacles through Christ. For our God is always faithful and steadfast in His love for His children.   1/31/2006

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Manzanita Lanterns

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

Late each winter, I enjoy seeing the appearance of the manzanita bloom in nearby gardens and on local hillsides. Few plants blossom at this time of year, but this sturdy shrub braves the cold and rain and sends forth a profusion of tiny flowers. Shaped like a tiny creme pink Japanese  lantern, each is a miniature work of fine art and craftsmanship . On a calm sunny morning, their spicy honey fragrance fills the air, attracting Bumble Bees and other pollinators. Many of these insects time their emergence to when the Manzanita begins to flower. These blooms are one of the first signs of Spring, reminding me that warmer and more pleasant days will soon arrive.

Manzanita Blossoms

In all gardens throughout the world, there are those messenger plants, that signal a change of season or the coming of more pleasant days. Some brave snow and ice, wind and rains, even heat and drought. Yet they spring forth in spite of these hardships and bring us great joy and hope. I think of the Crocus that push up through winter snows with a flash of their brilliant golden blooms. They are like little splashes of sunshine set on earth to melt winter’s snow. In other places there are the Forsythia, Daffodil, Daphne, Magnolias, and the Bleeding Heart. What plant is a messenger in your part of the world? I thank God for these wonderful plants that bring hope, and joy to our lives.

Have you ever thought of yourself as a messenger of hope? A light that shines in the darkness, bringing good news and the beauty of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ? When we receive His gift of salvation, we are changed and made new. His Spirit fills our life and we begin to shine God’s light out to world around us. Every believer, has the light of Christ shining from within them. This is not an ordinary light. It is the kind of light that draws attention like a flower blooming right through a patch of snow and ice. It is concentrated and brilliant like an attractive blossom which draws life towards it and nourishes those who draw from its nectar. It is life giving and life sustaining.

Don’t hide His light or save it to shine another day, because it will likely lose its brilliance. Jesus once said, “Don’t hide your light under a bowl, but put it on a stand for all to see. Let your light shine before all people, that they might see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”. Matthew 5:15-16

Take note of those early flowers that brighten those grey days of late winter. Let them remind you of how Christ wishes us to shine His light to all the world.