My Treasure

A few miles farther down the road from our cabin near Crested Butte the path turned into this lovely meadow. The field was literally strewn with grasses of such jeweled tones that we could hardly believe our eyes. This little road that called to us ended in such a treasure chest of joy! We absorbed the beautiful tones of lavender, crimson, gold and silver, evergreen, and oranges into a beautiful bouquet to hide in our hearts.

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Jesus is my treasure...he gives the best gift...himself and eternal life.

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Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Matthew 13:44

A way in the desert

Dry parched land, red rocks, then finally they appear: streams in the desert.

Sometimes it is hard to keep trying after woundings, but this has been such a prophetic word from scripture for so many:

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!...I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Is. 43:18-19

What a wonderful God we have...who so wonderfully strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.
11Cor. 1:3-4

Looks like...

I think most of us have spent time watching a sky full of clouds and making out shapes as they float by. In the same creative perception, people have seen shapes and given names to some rock formations in the Sedona area. From the top:

l. Cathedral
2. Lucy (small head profile in the center top)
3. Coffee Pot (old campfire metal kind, shape at the end right)
4. Snoopy (lying on his back)
5. Indian brave (profile facing left)

Isn't it wonderful to know that God has put in us the ability to imagine, dream, create, write, sing, teach, preach, encourage, paint, design, build, comfort, give, organize: the list goes on and on. God has given each specific gifts to express His infinite love and glory.

All creation is a gift from God, as is the passionate creativity He put in each one. Go where you can use it!
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Neglect not the gift that is in thee...
1 Timothy 4:14a
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The desire to fulfill the purpose for which we were created is a gift from God.
A.W. Tozer

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For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

Cathedrals

A kind gentleman on main street in Sedona told us early morning where to be at sunset to see the light change on the rocks. They are no less than cathedrals, don't you think?

The rocks will cry out and praise Him if we don"t!

Straight to the Heart

In my investigations of sites to visit in Arizona, one of the places not to be missed was Sedona. The Sedona sites mentioned a place often visited by people of all beliefs. The Chapel of the Holy Cross totally exceeded the proclamations of being a beautiful and peaceful place. As we drove up the hill to the Chapel grounds, the red rock formations were stunning. At each turn was another aspect of the shapes and shadows. But the incorporation of the Chapel into the rocks was not something I was prepared for, as the love and peace of the place pierced my heart. It has been said to do so to visitors of many or no faiths.

As we entered the sanctuary, the sculpture of Christ stood out in front of the windows looking over the beautiful natural rock sculptures surrounding the building. We spent some quiet time inside, lit a candle for my Uncle Bill, and went downstairs to the gift shop. The lesson of going straight to the heart was not finished.

I saw the huge sculpture of "Calvary", Christ carrying his cross. Knees buckled and tears flowed. I went to the sisters in the other room in charge of the gift shop and asked if I could have permission to take a picture of it. They told me that they must protect the artist, and the work there could not be photographed to copy or sell. I expressed to them how much it had touched me, and that I could not afford to buy it ( an Armani nearly $3400 dollars) but so much appreciated its beauty. They looked at each other, being of one mind in seeing my heart, and let me know that they would go back in the other room, and if I happened to take a picture of it, I was under grace to do so. Wasn't that incredible!!! They did not yell rules at me, but ministered God's heart to mine.
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I read recently in a work by Madame Jeanne Guyon:

Laying down rules and trying to change the outward behavior will not produce a work that will endure in the life of a Christian.

Then what is the answer? Give the new convert the key to his spirit, to the inward parts of his being! Give this secret to him first and you will discover that his outward life will be changed naturally and easily....simply teach him TO SEEK GOD WITHIN HIS OWN HEART. Show the new Christian that he can set his mind on Jesus Christ and return to Him whenever he has wandered away.

Furthermore, show him he should do all and suffer all with a single eye to please his God...he will discover that the Lord Jesus is the source of ALL GRACE; and he will see that in Him is everything needed for life and godliness.
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,,,God knows your hearts.
Luke 16:15

...circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
Romans 2:29