What's in a Word?

How powerful can just a 5-letter word be? If it is PEACE or GRACE it can be powerful, indeed. Just making these banners for my church last week strengthened me to get through this past week. I meditated often on how Jesus told his disciples that he was leaving HIS PEACE with them when he left, and would send a comforter to remind them of everything He said to them. They would not be alone.

Because of his intercession for us and his death on the cross, we are under Grace. I have been able to extend that grace in some very difficult circumstances only because of the power in me given spiritually by the Holy Ghost. I make lots of mistakes, but I know perfection is not attainable. It is running the race set before me knowing I am not alone, even when everything in me is screaming that I am alone, that counts at the end of the day. The extension of peace and grace is the calling we have to be salt and light. I fall short, but nonetheless, I have a heart for God and I know He has one for me.

So much legalism is mingled with grace in most churches that the meaning of the cross is lost. I will never be able to attain perfection in the law. But I know I am blessed because grace is freely given. I am free indeed, because the Son set me free. I put myself back in jail, and return to slavery when I don't believe that I am a cherished child of God. That is a very cherished residence when you have come from a background of unsafe or abusive relationships. I don't know about you, but I still find myself in situations and relationships where I know I am not safe. Being able to call out "Abba, Father" and know that PAPA means you no harm but instead has a future and a hope, is the light that shines in the darkness. Abba, Peace, Grace, Hope....what's in words like those??? Life and light from Our Heavenly Father. A safe place where peace and grace abound. Under his wings, being the apple of his eye. I need to encourage myself with those truths and let the Holy Spirit be heard in ministry of remembrance of what Jesus told his disciples. He is an ever present comforter in the midst of any circumstance. It doesn't mean we won't have trouble, but that we will not be alone.

I love the final greetings and beginning greetings of 2 Corinthians and Galatians...

,,,the God of love and peace will be with you...
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all...

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Splendor in the Sky

We took a long drive in the country yesterday to spend the afternoon with some good friends down at Brownwood Lake. We shared a simply wonderful meal and finished off the visit with a boat ride out to see the sunset on the water. It was a stunner!

Then shortly after departing for the drive home we saw the other orange globe rise on the horizon. It was not quite a full moon yet, but amazing to see the sun and moon in their fulness so close together in one evening. Somehow, when looking at those huge bodies in the sky, my troubles fall away and nothing remains but awe and praise for the One who put them in place! What Glory!!!

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from Psalm 148

Praise the Lord from the heavens,
praise him in the heights above.

Praise him, you highest heavens...
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
He set them in place...

His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

Praise the Lord!

SON/SUN

Friend Gwen called me on her drive to work and gave me a 'heads up' about the sun this morning. The sunrise doesn't have to have clouds to be a stunner! I grabbed my camera, still in my robe, and hopped in the car to go the the open spot to get a shot from the car.

On the way back to the house I noticed the church cross positioned with the sun. One of the lessons from the lens is that when you think you got the picture you came to get, don't dismiss your attention. The best 'one' may still be coming when you turn around to go home and see what is behind you.


I didn't notice the sunspots or the bird flying until I uploaded the photos to the computer. God puts awesome surprises in my photographs sometimes. There are things visible that I did not see at the time I took the pic.

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Praise the Son who made the Sun!

The day is yours, and yours also the night;
you established the sun and the moon.
Ps. 74:16

I wonder...

I got to spend some time with my daughter and grand daughter this evening. Riley is now three weeks old and is staying awake more. I walked her around the house and she took in the objects I pointed out. We talked about colors and how we both had on lavender, the color of her nursery walls. We got her momma to take our picture.

It is wonderful to see her recognize voices, words, and objects. She has on her shirt of 'Favorite Things' a checked box beside daddy, hugs, and kisses. If she is anything like the rest of the women in her family, 'chocolate' will be discovered and added to the list. I thought a cute caption for the top picture would be:

"HMMM...I WONDER WHAT CHOCOLATE TASTES LIKE?"

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MORE THAN CHOCOLATE
2007 copyright
of blog hostess

Jesus, I love you more than chocolate;
Jesus, you mean the world to me!
Jesus, I love you more than chocolate;
Oh, Lord, without you where would I be?

You give me life everlasting
and daily walks with theee;
the Holy Spirit indwelling
to guide and comfort me!

You are a mighty Savior;
yet, you call me friend.
You give me peace in every circumstance;
your love will never end!

Jesus, I love you more than chocolate;
Jesus, you mean the world to me!
Jesus, I love you more than chocolate;
Oh, Lord, without you where would I be?

Symphony of Light

I heard the rain on the skylight and could see the young tree dancing in the wind from the front door. I anticipated that the following edge of the storm would bring some incredible light shows, so changed lenses on my camera.

I drove to an open space and began to see lightning. I have gotten a few shot of lightning before, but tonight lent itself to numerous successes. Thank goodness for digital cameras. I probably deleted 20 shots to get three keepers. Then the sunset through the thunder clouds followed. Reflection of the pinks on the rain soaked roads in front of a sunset through the trees was simply a symphony of light!

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...the Lord shall be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory and your beauty.
Isaiah 60:19