"...open places to see through the mess..."

GW

We love you.

We miss Mom so much ❤️

We do not know the pain you must go through each holiday. 

We are so grateful to have so many reminders of her in her home and so many pictures of our times together.

I was thinking this morning I have had some loss in my life as well and some struggles I grapple with God and I ask why? 

In some cases I wanted to rewrite the story- but then The God above speaks so softly like the falling snow ❄️ and then I realize God knows All and that is when holes are poked into the canvas of my life and some glimpses of light come through to light the path ahead.

I’m reading a book “One thousand gifts- A dare to live fully right where you are”

This has been your life motto and I know it will continue to give you strength.

The picture is a collage of some of “those holes” where I seek to see the light of God and the enduring story.

“I only tremble, wonder. With memories of gravestones, I wonder too ...if the rent in the canvas of our life backdrop, the losses that puncture our world, our own emptiness, might actually become places to see. To see through to God. That that which tears open our souls, those holes that splatter our site, may actually become the thin, open places to see through the mess of this place to the heart – aching beauty beyond. 

To Him. 

To the God whom we endlessly crave. Maybe so. 

But how ? 

How do we choose to allow the holes to become seeing-through – to-God places?

...How do I give up resentment for gratitude, gnawing anger for spilling joy? Self focus for God – communion.

To fully live – to live full of grace and joy and all that is beauty eternal.

It is possible..”-Ann Voskamp,

#onethousandgifts

" ...a better country..."

"Cause me to live in a more practical sense of the shortness and uncertainty of all human things. May I be enabled to live by faith above the world looking for a better country with my heart supremely set on it."

- Wilberforce

"...the vast size of the mountains...."

8750ft

“I look up at the vast size of the mountains— from where will my help come in ...”

Psalm 121:1

#vision 

#endurance 

#guadelupepeak

"Greater things have yet to come"

"He’s not just reviving

Not simply restoring

Greater things have yet to come

Greater things have yet to come

He is my Father

I do not wonder

If His plans for me are good

If He’ll come through like He should

‘Cause He is provision

And enough wisdom

To usher in my brightest days

To turn my mourning into praise"

I Am No Victim

written by Kristene DiMarco, Seth Mosley, Tony Brown

"..painted with a great love..."

“..Already”...not “If only...”

“It is not a plan B..”

“Because every moment in what some might consider a small life

 was a moment painted with great love.”

#anxiousfornothing 

#hopehealsbook 

#churchofthesmallthings 

#glimpsenewday

#glimpseofcragsandclay

#jphtree

"...moved with compassion.."

Today I was reading about compassion 

and recalled a picture from 2008

 on Park Avenue , New York City.

The pace...people scattered.. busy

Ann Voskamp writes speaking of compassion

 in 'The Broken Way'

 "...it's key to humanity's survival. Compassion heals

 what condemnation never could. 

Why is condemnation so quick in our veins and compassion so sluggishly slow?

People don't have to be good

 to deserve our compassion;

 it's our compassion that serves good to all people."

Charles Spurgeon said, "If you could sum up the whole character of Christ in reference to ourselves,

 it might be gathered into this one sentence, 

' He was moved with compassion.' "

"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd."

 Matthew 9:36 (NKJV)

"..steadying strength.."

“Sometimes you don’t know how wounded 

you are until you step out of your familiar ruts.

Until you’ve slowed down,

 until you press your back up against

 the steadying strength of an oak tree ... 

out in some far-flung place and you look up into those tree limbs and realize

 half that tree is underground,

 and you can only see the half rooted in the light. 

That’s when you can feel the wounded parts of you, the underground parts of you,

 how they’ll do whatever it takes

 to keep reaching for the light.”

 -Ann Voskamp 

#thebrokenway

"Life is short.."

"Life is so short ...

Life is so brief 

that no man can afford to lose a day." 

(CHS Evening 9/20)

"..Grace.."

"When you find a spark of grace in the heart,

 kneel down and blow it into a flame."

(CHS Evening 9/17)

#glimpsenewday

"Every moment- a gift"

"This is all I know now about living:

 Every moment is a gift with each other – 

and every moment we get to be a gift to each other. 

This is all there is." 

– The Broken Way, Ann Voscamp

"..sift you as wheat.. but i have prayed.."

"Then the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, listen!

 Satan has demanded to have you

 to sift you as wheat.

 But I have prayed for you 

that your faith may not fail.

 And when you have repented,

 strengthen your brothers.” 

Luke 22:31-32 (MEV)

"the hope ...ends of the earth.. farthest seas"

"You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior,

 the hope of all the ends of the earth

 and of the farthest seas,"

(Psalm 65:5 NIV)

"...she smiles at the future..."

Arlia Rose- pcemilyann

"Clothed in strength and dignity,

 with nothing to fear,

    she smiles when she thinks

 about the future."

Proverbs 31:25 (VOICE)

" ..fountain of life..."

"...fountain of life

that quenches our thirst

...light has opened our eyes...

"..grace.."

"...grace..🌼"

in hindsight...

In the middle..

In the future...

Favor, kindness-refreshing like rain..."

"No one gives grace better 

and more willingly than a person

 who has admitted that he

 desperately needs it himself."

- Parenting, Paul David Tripp

"... harvest beyond his wildest dream..."

pc: rachelarlia

 “The seed cast on good earth 

is the person who hears and takes in the News,

 and then produces a harvest 

beyond his wildest dreams.”

Matthew 13:23 (MSG)

"..moon rises in the night sky..."

[May the people fear You]

for as long as the sun shines,

    as long as the moon rises in the night sky,
 throughout the generations.

Psalm 72:5 (VOICE)

".. the beautiful gate.."

"And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful,
in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. 
But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!”
 And he began to give them his attention,
 expecting to receive something from them. 

But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you:
 In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”

Acts: 3:2-6 (VOICE)

"I can see for miles and generations..."

Guadalupe Peak, TX

"I can see for miles and generations!"

"Look on distant rocks and wonder at their oldness, for from their summits 
a thousand ages look down upon us.
 When this gigantic city was as yet unfounded they were grey with age; 

    "My rock!" What a history
 the rock might give you of the storms
 to which it has been exposed;
 of the tempests which have raged in the ocean 
at its base, and of the thunders which have disturbed the skies above its head; while it, itself, has stood ..

    The rock is immutable, nought hath been worn from it. Yon old granite peak hath gleamed in the sun, or worn the white veil of winter snow..."

-Charles Spurgeon God Alone the Salvation of his People

"Yes, he alone is my Rock, my rescuer, defense and fortress. Why then should I be tense with fear when troubles come? ....My protection and success come from God alone. He is my refuge,

 a Rock 

where no enemy can reach me."

Psalm 62:2,7 (TLB)

"He’s solid rock

 under my feet breathing room for my soul,My help and glory are in God 

—granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—

 So trust him absolutely, people;

 lay your lives on the line for him.

 God is a safe place to be.

Psalm 62:2,7-8 (Message)

"I won't let the Rocks cry out for me."

 You delight to show mercy!

Mercy triumphs over all!

 Baughman Rock Overlook in Ohiopyle State Park:
 Youghiogheny River Gorge.

" I will keep watch expectantly..you hear me.."

Port of Olympia - pccynthia

"But as for me, I will look expectantly for the Lord 

and with confidence in Him I will keep watch;

I will wait [with confident expectation]

 for the God of my salvation.

My God will hear me.

Micah 7:7 (AMP)

Port of Olympia - pccynthia

"O Lord, in the morning You will hear my voice;

in the morning I will direct my prayer to You, 

and I will watch expectantly." 

Psalm 5:3 (MEV)

"cherish it...that so rare a flower is common.”

“No poet has yet sung the full beauty of our poppy. No painter has successfully portrayed the satiny sheen of its lustrous petals. 

In its abundance, this colorful plant

 should not be slighted:

 cherish it and be ever thankful

 that so rare a flower is common.” 

-John Thomas Howell

"And the common people heard Him gladly."

 Mark 12:37 (NKJV)

"...consider how stunning..."

"Nor should you worry about clothes.

 Consider the lilies of the field and how they grow. 

They do not work or weave or sew,

 and yet their garments are stunning."

Matthew 6:28 (VOICE)

"forget-me-not about our heart.."

"Let us charge ourselves to bind 

a heavenly forget-me-not about our hearts

 for Jesus our Beloved, and, 

whatever else we let slip,

 let us hold fast to Him." (CHS)

Morning April 26

"... forget me not..."

"Let us charge ourselves to bind 

a heavenly forget-me-not about our hearts

 for Jesus our Beloved, and, 

whatever else we let slip,

 let us hold fast to Him." (CHS)

Morning April 26

" kept by God.."

Photo by Cynthia Holuta

"Now I bring you the message

 that in prosperity as in adversity,

 in the sunshine as in a dark, 

your God is ready to keep you 

all the time." 

Andrew Murray Absolute Surrender

"..who are KEPT by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 

1 Peter 1:5

God oversees all and sees in great detail 

and does not overlook our needs 

 "Know I am with you,

 and I will watch over you

 no matter where you go."

 Genesis 28:15

" Rivers in high places.."

"I will open rivers in high places,

 and fountains in the midst of the valleys:

 I will make the wilderness a pool of water,

 and the dry land springs of water."

Isaiah 41:18 

"In the tragedy, You grieve with me

Your comfort is my song

In my wandering, You're still rescuing

You will never, never give up

You are on my side

You go before me

You stand behind

You tell my fear to run

Always and forever"

"On my Side" -Kim Walker-Smith

"Come, and let us go up to the mountain.."

"Come, and let us go up to the mountain

 of the Lord."—Isaiah 2:3.

"It is exceedingly beneficial to our souls to mount above this present evil world to something nobler and better. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches are apt to choke everything good within us, and we grow fretful, desponding,....

....up yonder, on the mountain, 

you find a hardy race, who breathe the clear fresh air as it blows from the virgin snows

 of the Alpine summits.

 It would be well if the dwellers in the valley could frequently leave their abodes among the marshes and the fever mists, and inhale the bracing element upon the hills.

 It is to such an exploit of climbing that I invite you... May the Spirit of God assist us to leave the mists of fear and the fevers of anxiety, 

and all the ills which gather in this valley of earth, and to ascend the mountains of anticipated joy and blessedness. .. May God now grant us grace,...."

(Excerpt Evening April 4th Charles Spurgeon)

EVENING APRIL 4TH - Charles Spurgeon

" forget what lies behind..putting everything on the line..."

"Brothers and sisters, as I said, 
I know I have not arrived;
 but there’s one thing I am doing:
 I’m leaving my old life behind,
 putting everything on the line for this mission.
 I am sprinting toward the only goal that counts:
 to cross the line, to win the prize,
 and to hear God’s call to resurrection life
 found exclusively in Jesus the Anointed.
Philippians 3:13-14 (VOICE)

"...let us settle the matter.."

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” 

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet, 

they shall be as white as snow; 

though they are red as crimson, 

they shall be like wool. 

Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

"The boundary lines 

have fallen for me in pleasant places;

    surely I have a delightful inheritance."

Psalm 16:6 (NIV)

"...brothers and sons..."

One of my favorite memories

And love this picture

Says so much about you both:

1.      Personality

2.      Vision you have for life

3.      Friendship in the challenging times

4.      Encouraging one another on

5.      Seeing it all from a distance

6.      Vastness,breadth, of all ahead of you 

7.      Future grace

Shepherd of my soul

Lord of the mountains and sea
You are treading a path set for me
God of the seasons and sky
You have always been holding my life

And Lord, You are the shepherd of my soul
So I lay down my plans, I give up my rights
And let You take control of this surrendered life

So I put my trust in the one
Who created the stars and the sun
You are eternally kind
Always faithful and endlessly wise

You comfort, You sustain
In shaking You remain
Unmoved and unafraid
Forever and always
You lead me by still waters
Lead me through the valleys
Lead me in Your wisdom
Shepherd of my soul

Through valleys of shadow and death I am not afraid
By my Father’s breath every star in the sky was made
And who can I fear when You’re standing right here by my side?
Always leading, protecting and guarding my left and my right

Father You make all things new
Great God of creation
Father You will always be my rock and salvation
- Rivers & Robots 2014

"7th Heaven"

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

 so great is his steadfast love 

toward those who fear him; 

as far as the east is from the west,

 so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 

As a father shows compassion to his children,

 so the LORD shows compassion

 to those who fear him.

 For he knows our frame;

 he remembers that we are dust."

Psalm 103:11-14 (NIV)

The Immeasurable Love of God

Different perspect

 above the clouds-

 for those of us weak, worried, or weary:) ⛅️☀️

“Do you know about the layers of thick clouds

 and how they are balanced and poised

 in the heavens, 

The wonderful works of Him

 who is perfect in knowledge, "

 -Job 37:16 

How Does My Story End?

"But my story seems to diverge from Joseph’s. Suddenly and miraculously, Joseph was completely delivered. He was freed from prison, his brothers were humbled and repentant, and he was awarded unprecedented power. He could say to his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). While he went through great pain and disappointment, in the end

 Joseph’s story is tied with a bow — a beautiful, inspiring, faith-building bow.

But will all our disappointments

 get tied up with a bow? 

Does God mean everything for my good?

 Some of my losses cannot or will not be reversed in this life, and I have seen faithful friends die without being rescued. How do I reconcile that?

Every one of Joseph’s disappointments was essential in bringing about God’s magnificent plan — a plan for Joseph’s good, the good of his people, and for the glory of God.

Each of my disappointments has been necessary.

 If they were not, God would not have brought them. From Joseph, I have learned to trust 

that every time I suffer loss,

 God is preparing me for something greater."
- Vaneetha Rendall Risner-

  Where is God When Things Keep Getting Worse 

"..after the rain.."

"It is refreshing to walk in the country

 after a heavy rainstorm has passed over;

 to smell the freshness of the herbs

 after the rain has passed away,

 and to note the drops while they glisten

 like purest diamonds in the sunlight. 

That is the position of a Christian.

 We are going through a land where the storm has spent itself upon the Savior's head,

 and if there are a few drops of sorrow falling,

 they drop from clouds of mercy 

and Jesus cheers us by the assurance that

 they are not for our destruction." 

(Morning 2/25 CHS)

"we shall feel the bottom...it is good"

"..where the billows are most tempestuous, 

and the water is the most chilly,

 we shall feel the bottom,

 and know that it is good:

 our feet shall stand

 upon the Rock of Ages

 when time is passing away."

(Evening 2/17 

Charles Spurgeon)

" incomprehensible compassion...good Spirit"

"In Your incomprehensible compassion,

 You did not abandon them in the wilderness....

In Your generosity,

 You gave them Your good Spirit...."

-Nehemiah 9:19-20 (VOICE)

'open the shutters.."

"Open the shutters,

 clean a pane of glass,

 let a little light in...

stand astonished...

approach with steady steps

....grace:)

 (CHS)

"..High on the mountain.. lifting my voice.."

"I've seen your grace from the mountain.

I've felt you there in the valley below.

I see your love and your mercy,....

I know You're in every season,

I feel your hand

 bringing peace and control...."

-Mountain by Bryan & Katie Torwalt

"Seasons change

Though the music changes

 And the songs we sing

We still lift our praises

To our loving God..."

(Seasons Change- United Pursuit)

‘Call to me and I will answer you

 and tell you great and unsearchable things 

you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3

"Consider this: God has given us access

 to the inaccessible.

 What an incomprehensible promise!

 It is out of the reach of our skills, 

character, or qualifications.

 We lack all that is necessary

 to be able to apprehend what exists in the realm called the goodness of God. 

But he gave us something that makes this impossibility possible.

 He gave us the key to the inaccessible.

 He himself is that key. 

Through His name we have access to that

 which is beyond our reach on our best day.

 The invitation came from His goodness.

 He invites us to call upon him, 

giving Him the open door 

to answer in a way that is above 

our expectations and imagination."

- Bill Johnson from God is Good,pg 91)

Photo by Alan McGaughran

"...the solitary place.."

"The wilderness and the solitary place 

shall be glad for them;

and the desert shall rejoice,

 and blossom as the rose."

Isaiah 35:1 (AKJV)