healing water

Tommy and I took a chance
and drove over to our favorite beach..
Yea! the ice was out up there!! 
The bay by us is still frozen,
but the beach is not as sheltered, nearer open water...
there, the ice was out! 
I can't even put in words what it does to me
to see WATER after the long months of ice. 
Growing up by the ocean,
I learned to find healing and rest by the water
There is something about gazing at the far horizon
and hearing the rhythm of the waves
and feeling small - yet a part of...
When the winter cold freezes the lake
it suddenly feels confined
and rigid
and unforgiving
When the ice goes out
it is like an old friend has made it home
I think I breathe easier
I know I find peace.
Once again, I find a reason to rejoice in spring!
And thank God for His faithfulness.

With all creation, I sing, Praise to the King of Kings

Holy Holy Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come.
With all creation, I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everythiing
and I will adore You.

If you could see the day dawning outside of my window
The sun streaming over the trees
you would certainly see creation singing praises to the King of Kings.

All I want is to join in the song.

It is a perfectly beautiful day outside. 
Just a hint of green here and there - one small snow pile on the north side of the pine trees
The frosty start is giving way to a rising thermometer - should get into the 50's
Tom and I decided it has to be a day off.
The day is calling us outside.

There would be no less glory in spring without the winter -
but winter makes me appreciate it more...
so I am thankful for the cold forbidding days...
and now I Rejoice in SPRING!!!

It's all in the serve

Michael W. Smith has a song called "All in the Serve"
I like the song, but mostly I appreciate the truth there.
It IS all in the serve.
When I am given an opportunity by God to serve someone
I am overcome...overwhelmed with gratitude
and feel, then more than any other time,
that I am fulfilled -
I am doing what I was created to do.
I was given such an opportunity today,
and I have to admit,
it is such a blessing that it is hard to call it service.
What may have been a 'normal' day
is now an extraordinary day
Here is what really puts me in awe though -
Matthew 20:28 says

"...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served,

but to SERVE,

and to give His life a ransom for many."
Chris came to serve us.
How can that be?
The very creator of the world, 
came to serve those He created.
AND THEN
I think about how I feel when I serve someone
and dare to begin to imagine that Christ would feel the same 
toward serving ME...
That not only does He bend down to help and comfort and see me through
but it brings Him JOY.  
Once again, I am overwhelmed and broken by His grace.

Wow, another sunny day in March in Wisconsin!!
Go SUN!!!
It may even reach the 40's today.
I'll have to open the doors and air out the house :)
Tommy is outside in shorts, carving into the remains of the igloo and eating icicles.
It feels like spring is coming
...though I have lived here long enough
to know that that is not true...yet.
We may have a storm on Monday, but for today it is beautiful.
One thing so nice about this time of year,
is that when the sun IS out,
you can feel it.
In the dead of winter, it shines,
but doesn't really give us heat we can feel
If I am by the window today, the warmth is wonderful.
It is so good to know that even though winter is long -
Spring comes.
Every year.
God is faithful.

sanctuary

I read a line in a book today (An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell)
She said "Whether God provides (what we are praying for) or simply (provides) the strength to endure, we have a place to run and find rest in His sanctuary until the storm passes"
That brings so many images into my mind.
It makes me think of being caught in a sudden storm and running to shelter and how good it feels to be 'in'....
or of playing tag and reaching home base before you're tagged and feeling so relieved.
I think of when you are little and hurt or afraid and running to mom or dad and being wrapped in their arms and pulled onto their lap and suddenly knowing all is well - someone else is there to take over and be strong and find strength and comfort and love.
I think of being married and turning to face all the loved ones there and holding the hand of the one who will now see you through it all - the feeling of belonging and strength and resolve that now you can see whatever through.
All these are what God wants us to feel about being with Him and being in His presence.
He wants us to live there in His presence.....continually ....to find rest and peace and relief and safety and freedom from fear and strength and resolve to face whatever there is - under the shelter of His arms. His shadow - His covering over us.
When you were little and someone was chasing you and you ran to your dad and he stood ready to face and take on whomever. He pushed you behind him and stood strong between you and your pursuer. You weren't afraid anymore because daddy had you. He stood in the gap and nothing was going to get you.
(that whole 'my daddy is better than your daddy' thing...well, our 'daddy' is God for heaven sake - there is no comparison)
That is where we are with God.
We are in safety.
He has us.
Nothing is going to get us.
He is BIG
He is ABLE
He is WILLING
He is before us and around us.
Stay with Him - He has us covered.
"don't be afraid," He says
Listen to Him
Listen to Joshua 1:9...Really Listen
Take it in
Believe it.
Joshua 1:9
"Have I not told you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."