Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Forsythia Gladness

The yellow flowers of the forsythia stretch out their elongated petals in glorious praise. The brightness of these tiny flowers reflect the brightness of God's love. Everywhere I look, the blossoms of the Lord's love burst forth from trees, bushes, and bulbs sprouting from the ground. The sweetness of all this new life remind me of the new life we have in Jesus Christ.

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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Sprouting Roots in God's Love Through Art

Spring is such a wonderful time to see nature burst into bloom. Creating art can also help us burst into bloom by allowing the creative talents in is to come out. You don't need to be good at art to enjoy the benefits from it. Spring is a great time to sit in the sun with a sketch pad or watercolor paper and add some lines or paint to the paper. It doesn't have to be realistic. Dabbling colors on wet paper and watching them blend together can be fun in itself.

Or if you prefer to create art in a relaxing atmosphere with other people, try attending a workshop or an art class. If you are interested in discovering how your talents can take root in God's love through a piece of art that you create, consider coming to a workshop that I'll be doing on Saturday, March 24 from 3:00 - 5:30 pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Geneva, IL. All supplies will be included in the $20 cost. We have fun doing art together, especially when our ears are turned towards receiving the love of Jesus Christ.

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Monday, March 19, 2012

Spectacular Spring Buds

Tiny, strange-looking buds break through the rough bark. Odd shapes and brilliant colors dazzle our eyes as we wonder what type of flower or leaf this tree will produce? Sometimes it's hard to imagine how something so peculiar-looking can turn into a beautiful tree that will shade our yard from the hot, summer sun.

As we step out in faith, we may feel peculiar, awkward or even unsure. Others might even think we act odd. But that should never stop us. For outward appearances are not an indication of inward beauty. And beginnings never look like the end. They are only a starting place. So when the Lord calls us to step out of our comfort zone, we need to see it as a pathway that leads to bearing fruit. And when we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we begin to understand that He is pulling out of us what Jesus Christ has planted in us.

May the new creation that you are in Jesus Christ come forth in splendid and spectacular ways that reflects the majesty of the King and delights God the Father, who rejoices over you with singing. For it's not how others see you, but how God sees you that makes the ultimate difference.

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Monday, March 12, 2012

The Shadow

In the early morning light, a shadow rests beneath the paper that my pen is writing on. As the paper curls from the pen's pressure, the shadow lengthens. What mystery lurks behind the shadow? Will it bring hope or fear?

Shadows can create fear in our hearts when a dark silhouette races towards us, and we don't recognize the person or thing casting the shadow. Shadows can be good things when used to make paintings look more realistic or as a tool for direction. If the shadow is on the left side of our leg as we walk in the morning, we know we are headed north. Shadows can also help us tell time, like the sundials used in ancient times.

But did you know that shadows can bring comfort, relief and joy? Scripture tells us that we can "take refuge in the shadow of God's wings" (Psalm 36:7), and find rest, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1). Shadows can be a happy place, "Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings" (Psalm 63:7), and also be used to help describe our future as we trust in the Lord, "Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land." (Isaiah 32:2)

Whatever shadows are or have been for you, let them become reminders of God's grace and His promise to cover you, shelter you, refresh you, and draw you closer to Jesus Christ.


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Monday, March 5, 2012

Unruffled

As gentle, while flakes descend from the sky, a little bird rests on a snow-covered branch. It waits patiently, quietly and contently. The snow is covering the food it needs to gather, yet the bird seems unconcerned.

If someone took a picture of us while the storms of life are upon us, or when our dependable resources disappear under layers of unemployment or unpredictability, would we appear as unruffled as this little bird? Probably not. Yet we are called to be patient and calm during hardships, difficulties, or when chaos rises up around us. For we have a shelter in the storm, a hiding place from the wind and hail, and a refuge when we feel lost and weary. We have Jesus Christ who enables us to receive His amazing peace, His soothing calmness, and His delightful joy in the middle of our troubles, as we practice giving our burdens to Him.

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