HE IS RISEN

"THE LORD IS RISEN, INDEED!"
~Luke 24:34~



"Then He said to them, 'Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations...And you are witnsses of these things.
"Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you...until you are endued with power from on high'."
~Luke 24:46-49~

I Did IT !!!!!

"Man who catch fly with chopsticks can accomplish anything" ~Miyagi~ "Karate Kid"

"Good" Friday

This is my most meaningful day...I arose and headed for the lake. The birdsong enveloped me as the full moon set in the early dawn light. Long before the moon had lowered below the tree line it's orb was within their reflection.

The lake was as still as I have ever seen it...a great time to watch for the beavers' last frolics before he heads home to sleep. The new hawk flew across and landed in his preening tree. I heard a familiar chatter and the kingfisher alit in a tree just across the landing. I saw the beavers' wake, and those of the fish that scattered before him. The kingfisher went for his aim, and hit right in front of the beaver and I. It was seemingly obscured by the tiny ends of a draping maple tree piercing the surface. It was only when I put my head near water-level that I could see how still the surface truly was.

A familiar call and I saw the 2 Canadians fly overhead, on their way to the lesser lake. I heard the blue heron in his glide along the far shoreline. The sky was clear while I wrote out my abundance of blessings. The sun rose behind me, turning the small wisps of clouds into a rich and lustrous pink above me. A family of swallows chased away a crow. A blue jay squawked as he flashed in front of me and landed in a branch. It was glorious, but it was time to head back. I had been out for over 2 hours.

With fresh coffee, I perched on a rock higher up and read the different accounts of Jesus' betrayal and arrest. I have a book called, "On a Friday Noon" that is a collection of writings and art of Jesus' sacrifice. I meditate with it annually on this day. I was lost in my Lord's sacrifice when a roll of thunder called my attention. As I had perched on my rock, pondering Golgotha, the sky had darkened and it was beginning to rain. Thunder rolled and lightening was beginnning to strike. It truly gave more meaning to the biblical account of this day, so long ago. I pray that this will be a meaningful day and season for you as we honor a day to praise Him for His sacrifice.

Night Lights

Yesterday, I awoke to what appeared to be a beacon shining into my room...it was, of course, the nearly full moon. I arose and went outside to watch her set. The pre-dawn hours were unusually quiet as a frigid night had silenced even the peeps.
The moon shone as a luminous pearl and slowly transformed into a fiery ball. The very moment the moon's actual rays disappeared into but a rosy glow, the darkness erupted in a chorus of morning song. The birds had awakened to welcome the new day.
It was still a long while until sunup and I came up with a delightful way to start my day: I started a fire in our new pit. I cannot remember the last time I was warmed by a fire that was just for me. What a treat!! I literally spent hours breaking tinder and stoking the flames. I am planning to paint images of fire and so I lost myself in the lens attemting to capture the elusive, ever-moving flame and smoke. They look much alike when caught still. It is amazing the shapes, forms and even visions to be seen in still flame. (Watch for some amazing images in the future.)
As the darkness gave way to early morning light, I moved from one end of the deck to the other. I watched as the morning star faded and God alit the sky with roses and mauves, fading into the full light of blue sky and sunshine. He is so amazing!!

Bend or Break?

We go along on our path in life, seemingly oblivious to the blessings we have. Little things like socks on the floor and dishes in the sink nag at us….We fail to be grateful that we have people in our lives to leave them around…until we get side-swiped by tragedy:
a job is lost~
a car overturns and a loved one dies~
hospice is called in for a parent~
the house is foreclosed on~
a child has cancer~
someone makes a horribly irrevocable choice and families crumble….
Suddenly, we sit on the side of life’s road, numbed by a loss of that which we once took for granted. Life has become surreal and we long to wake up from what surely must be a “never-ending” nightmare…an episode of “The Twilight Zone”. We long for the socks and dishes to call out once again, but they have been silenced….
And finally the tears come, welling up from our soul in a wordless agony. It is at times like these that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, translating the “moanings and groanings” of our suffering.
When doors that have always been open suddenly slam shut and we are faced with forever-changed lives, we must choose between despair and searching for an open window…some other way out of the nightmare and back into our real life…It is then, we find ourselves at the foot of the cross. Do we bend or do we break? We must choose between despair and looking up~ to Him…a God and Savior who knows our deepest pains and our every need. He will guide us through the next doorway, and onto new paths.
My family and I are fine. We are cherishing our time together and counting our blessings. For my cherished friends, I do what I know to do: I am on my knees with the other Prayer Warriors, doing what I can to uplift and sustain you in your time of tragedy. To everyone:
Skip the dishes~
Hug your babies~
Pamper your pet~
Gaze in wonder at your loved ones asleep~
Tell them how much they mean to you…Take nothing for granted and look to the cross. He died for ALL of us. He died for YOU!