"spring is here..."

"For the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers are springing up and the time of the singing of birds has come. Yes, spring is here."
Song of Solomon 2:11-12 (TLB)

"..drops of dew.."

"Who makes it rain even in desert places
where no one lives?
The rain gives that dry empty land all the water it needs,
and grass begins to grow.
Does the rain have a father?
Who produces the drops of dew?"
Job 38:26-28(ERV)

"..becoming family.."

"Family gets made when you decide to hold hands and sit shoulder to shoulder when it seems like the sky is falling"

-Shauna Niequist

"Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,

    extol him who rides on the clouds;

    rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,

    is God in his holy dwelling.

God sets the lonely in families," 

Psalm 68:4-6 (NIV)

"and you have only to be silent.”

"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Exodus 14:14(ESV)

".. do not become sluggish.."

"And we desire that each one of you

 show the same diligence

 to the full assurance of hope until the end,

 that you do not become sluggish, 

but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." 

Hebrews 6:11-12 (NKJV)

"..A Call to Persevere..

I was on a path in the woods

 before church this morning. 

I have walked this path many times before

 and had the thought –‘this is a common path’.

 The interesting thing it was a beautiful scene with the snow, sky, and trees,

 and the path was winding toward the end.

 So in many respects- it was extraordinary!

So let’s “BUILD ONE ANOTHER UP” 

and look for the extraordinary in this common life.

"Be merciful to those who doubt"

"...Suddenly, there was calm..."

"Peace

came as suddenly today

as the storm came

a day ago.

My soul was drenched

in wind and rain

frozen in fear

that fell like snow.

Then all was still.

Had someone prayed?

I do not know."

(Taken from "Clouds are the Dust of His Feet" 

by Ruth Bell Graham)

“... let us go up to the mountain..."

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

    to the house of the God of Jacob,

that he may teach us his ways

    and that we may walk in his paths.”

Isaiah 2:3 (ESV)

"Why did you doubt?”

"Jesus didn’t hesitate. 

He reached down and grabbed his hand. 

Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”

Matthew 14:31 (MSG)

"Why did Simon Peter doubt? He doubted for two reasons. First, because he looked too much to second causes and secondly, because be looked too little at the first cause. The answer will suit you also, my trembling brother. This is the reason why you doubt, because you are looking too much to the things that are seen, and too little to your unseen Friend who is behind your troubles and who shall come forth for your deliverance."

Mr. Fearing Comforted- CHS sermon #246

"..ways of pleasantness...paths of peace.."

"Her ways are pleasant ways,

    and all her paths are peace."

Proverbs 3:17 (NIV)