Encouraging Deep Roots

I Corinthians 13:1-3 ~ "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is such a key thing in our lives, isn't it? We can be the most gifted person and can look so good on the outside to others. If you look at some of these gifts that are mentioned here, they are mostly external. Speaking in tongues, prophecy, faith that reveals itself in an outward action all are visible signs to those around us. But even with all those wonderful gifts, we can be doing them without love. We can be doing them for show or for affirmation or pride. The thing that truly makes the difference is whether we are motivated by love. This can be true in our own ...

Do you hear that buzzing?  That would be me! Things have been hopping here lately and there are days I feel like my head is spinning.  But I love it!  It's certainly better than sitting around feeling depressed because it's snowing and gray and everything and everyone is new.  I love being a stay at home wife and mother.  And I know so many people have the stereotype that it means I sit around and watch soap operas all day.  Now that my children are growing up I've heard a couple of comments from well-meaning family members, "So now you are going to go back to work, right?" But the reality is I love being home.  I love being able to help my husband in ministry.  I love being at the "home-base" to put out fires and be available for whatever comes up.  I'm loving having my own business and seeing that start to do well and yet, getting to stay home. So when people ask me that question the thought goes through my head, "When did I ever ...

Hebrews 4:12-13 ~ "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." I hate housekeeping! I might as well be honest about it. It has never been my strong point and it is not something that I find enjoyable. Yet I've learned over the years how to make the house presentable. To anyone coming in for a visit things look pretty good. The clutter is picked up, the living room is dusted, and vacuumed and things seem fairly clean. However, if you look behind the closed bedroom door you may find a few piles of papers that were removed from the living room or kitchen before guests arrive. The closets are stuffed to the gills and things aren't as good as they appear on the outside. ...

Ann Voskamp gets to the heart of things so much better than anyone I know anyway.  Visit her at A Holy Experience for some inspiration today.

How about some eye candy on this very beautiful, warm, spring day?  I'm sooooo happy that it's 60 degrees out today.  Finally.  Some glorious weather. I thought I'd bestow some beauty on you. Caught that bee in mid-flight.  Love it! Flowers from Dan & Emily. They may open in time for Easter. Full-cheeks. :-) I hope you are all out and enjoying this beautiful day.

Ephesians 5:11-17 (NIRV) Have nothing to do with the acts of darkness. They don’t produce anything good. Show what they are really like.    It is shameful even to talk about what people who don’t obey do in secret. But everything the light shines on can be seen.   Light makes everything clear. That is why it is said,   “Wake up, sleeper.      Rise from the dead. Then Christ will shine on you.”   So be very careful how you live. Do not live like people who aren’t wise. Live like people who are wise.   Make the most of every opportunity. The days are evil.   So don’t be foolish. Instead, understand what the Lord wants. The sun is out today and though it wants to go back behind the haze, it pops out from time to time.  As I sat in the sun room having coffee this morning and looking at the sun shining brightly through the windows, I realized how dirty my windows are.  It's definitely time to bring out the Winde...

Living in Central New York, especially next to one of the great lakes is a study in contrast.  Sunday dawned warm and sunny.  The snow has melted.  Crocuses were blooming.  Birds were singing and it was beautiful.     We were invited to a friend's house for dinner the same day.  Her home is right on the lake and this is the site from her back deck.  Ice as far as you could see.    Today it is raining, cold and dreary.  One thing is for sure living here.  We never know what to expect and things go from one extreme to the next very quickly. Our lives are a bit like that too, aren't they? We desire to do the right thing.  We want to grow closer to the Lord.  We want to be in tune to the Holy Spirit.  Yet, on the flip side, we are human, frail and weak.  We mess up.  We fail.  We blunder and make mistakes. Romans 7:21-24 (MSG) ~ It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. ...

I've gotten to the point where I'm afraid to open up my social media.  A sad phenomena is happening today among those who proclaim to follow Christ.  They are shooting themselves in the foot. So many Christians shout that they are being persecuted.  They state that believers are getting creamed in the media.  That it's all unfair!  In many ways, I would agree.  However I also believe that we have done it to ourselves.  We are left holding a smoking gun and wondering why our foot hurts. We focus on a pet issue and make that the focal point.  We rant and rave and rail against so many things.  Yet, I very rarely hear of believers weeping over the thought of people dying without knowing Christ.  It seems to be all about the sin and not much about Christ's love for the sinner.  And to be honest, if I sense this, what does it look like to those who don't know the Lord? Since when did our Christian walk become about...

  On this first day of April, I love looking for the beauty around me.  It's warmer but the lake is still covered with ice.  Lake Ontario doesn't generally freeze up but this has been a crazy winter.    Dan & I went for a walk along the lake yesterday and this truly is a beautiful place to live. The Canadian geese have been flying north and are almost home.  That is a wonderful sign that warm weather is coming. There is something about being outside, even though it's cold, that makes me feel peaceful.  I'm loving the fact that my husband has a day off now and we can spend it together.  Well, with a small interruption here or there.  lol I am looking forward to the days when we can walk without being bundled up. And I definitely can't wait for summer days on the lake!