The winter snow is almost gone.
It didn’t hang around very long.
It glazed like icing on a cake,
Over trees, cars, and the giant lake.
Adults sighed, but children smiled,
They wanted to play outside for a while.
To toss snowflakes into the air,
And build snowmen with hats to wear.
Footprints trailed across the ground,
That showed where children ran around.
New clouds move in with warmer weather,
The snowmen melted to the size of a feather.
Puddles formed upon the street,
Where snowflakes melted beneath our feet.
Songbirds cheered and flocked to trees,
Chasing each other in the breeze.
Fog rolled in and raindrops drizzled,
While the snow around us continued to fizzle.
And tomorrow starts a brand new day.
Let’s awaken with a smile and take time to play.
May the joy of Jesus, the blessing of
each new day, and the warmer weather brighten up your way.
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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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Over a trillion tiny snowflakes dance through the air, on a dark winter night. The falling snow clings to the trees and blankets the earth, in a covering of gentle whiteness, that awaits the rising sun. What a joy to look out the window in the early morning light, and see the world encased in white!
What a joy to know that I am encased in the brightness of God's love — that my sins are covered by the purity and holiness of Jesus Christ and the complete work He did on the cross. What a joy to know that Jesus is making me whiter than snow as I trust in Him, and celebrate the risen "Son" who sits at the right hand of God the Father. What a joy to know that Christ extends this blessing to everyone who is willing to accept it.
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Are you looking for a great book to read during Lent, listen to a 2-minute reading from Awaken Me! 40 Day Challenge. Click here.
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Somewhere beneath the surface of the gloomy winter, growth is taking place. Seeds of new ideas are beginning to take root. Rays of sunshine are seeping through the cracks, bringing light to the dark areas of our hearts. Faith is increasing. Hope is growing stronger. God is strengthening His people.
The Lord is calling us to rise up and step into the richness of His grace. That which is not yet seen will become visible. And the beauty that is hidden will spring forth. Resist looking at the gloominess around you. Grab hold of your faith in Jesus Christ and gaze into the brightness of His mighty love. For in the light of His love, all things are possible.
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If you haven't yet found an uplifting devotional book to read during Lent, check out Awaken Me! 40 Day Challenge. To see and hear a 2-minute reading from this book, click here.
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The snow is falling. It started out as large, fluffy flakes, then turned to smaller ones. Now the brown earth is covered in white again. Silence fills the air, and a softness enters my heart. Peace is singing its song of stillness. It's calling me to come and rest in the arms of Jesus Christ. For just as the snow blankets the earth, the Lord wants to blanket me in the softness of His love.
May you also find rest in the arms of Jesus. If you haven't yet found a good, uplifting devotional book to read during Lent, check out Awaken Me! 40 Day Challenge. To see and hear a 2-minute reading from this book, click here.
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The wooden fence stands in pensive silence on a windless, winter day. The snow has melted, the temperature has risen above freezing, and even the sun has decided to show its face. Yet, signs of life seems far away in this photograph that reflects light and shadows in shades of brown and gray.
Sometimes the bleakness of winter makes us feel like this wooden fence — gray, knotty, and unproductive. Yet inside, there is life, color and vibrancy waiting to burst into our lives and break through the passive bubble of dark seclusion that blocks out the light of God. We were meant to live a life of joy, excitement and wholeness in Jesus Christ. And through the cracks in our lives, His light is breaking through.
But there is more — much, much more. The brightness that keeps us going in our winter moments is increasing. And the joy of Jesus is making us stronger. The Lord is calling us to draw closer to His Heart and see what He is doing. The old is gone; the new has already started. Look not at the grayness of winter or the grayness of the economy. Look at Jesus Christ, and you will find hope and a future and be able to shine.
May you be blessed by this blog. If you haven't yet found a good, uplifting devotional book to read during Lent, check out Awaken Me! 40 Day Challenge. To see and hear a 2-minute reading from this book, click here.
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Like a movie stopped in the middle of an action scene, this droplet of melting snow froze as the temperature dropped. The action it tried to complete must wait for a warmer day. Meanwhile, we are privileged to see the beauty of the intricate parts within the droplet. Air bubbles, perfectly formed spheres, and cylinder shaped objects float in a miniature world. Reflected shadows and streaming light create an environment of soft curves. Even the stick adds a bit of mystery to this tiny world.
Yet, there is something about this frozen droplet that we can relate to. Sometimes our actions or our plans come to a halt. Sometimes we are placed on hold and must wait. And in our waiting, we can ask ourselves if we exhibit the beauty of Christ within us, so those around us can delight in what they see.
Lord Jesus, too often we become impatient when we have to wait. We get upset when our plans are put on hold. We get irritated when we can't finish what we started. Forgive us. Help us to become aware of the opportunities that "waiting" presents. Help us to use these moments to turn our thoughts to You and offer simple prayers, words of thanksgiving, or songs of praise.
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Curled up like a cocoon, the ice-covered leaf hangs from its branch like a piece of art. Various shades of brown fill the cells that are held together by a web of tiny, straight-lined veins. The dryness of the old leaf and its sharp lines contrast the smoothness and moisture of the ice that encompasses it. The icicle suspended at the bottom of the leaf reaches out like hungry tongue. This frozen droplet also contains many miniature water droplets, giving it a crystal-like appearance.
Why is this leaf so hungry-looking? Is there something that lies within? Is there unseen beauty waiting to emerge from its protective covering? Or is the leaf looking for more to life?
There is always more to life than what we see. There is also great beauty that lies within each of us that is hungering to come out. But too often, we only see the dryness of our own lives. We may think the best years have past us, or we wrap our hopes around the things that are close at hand. But the best is yet to come. For these are the days the Lord is speaking life to the dry bones. He is calling His people to rise up and come forth. Jesus Christ is bringing out the beauty from deep within. And all who want to be part of this adventure are welcome.
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Snow layers itself on the fence and tree branches. The softness of the white snow contrasts itself to the hardness of the dark wood. All the wondrous colors of spring, summer and fall have vanished. What remains is basically dark brown, black and white.
In the starkness of winter's darkness and light, the colors of love seem to be hidden, until a cardinal lands on one of the branches. This red bird reminds us that God's love is still with us. And when a blue jay lights upon the fence, we remember the color of Heaven, that is often reflected in a blue sky.
May the contrast of the winter landscape stir our hearts to more vividly see the brightness of God's love in our winter moments. When the colors of what we used to enjoy have past away, let us remember the choices for abundant become more clear. We can no longer remain on the fence of indecisiveness. We must choose which way to go in all the decisions we make. May we always choose Jesus Christ.
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A soft layer of snow fell gently upon the old shed, that was tucked away, in the corner of the backyard. The structure was often forgotten or ignored. Some paint was starting to peel off and part of the wood was beginning to rot. Year after year, attention was given to the rest of the yard where flowers grew, children played, and adults picked herbs.
But when the snow came, attention was drawn to the shed. Donned in its winter beauty of freshly fallen snow, the shed graced the landscape in a picturesque way. It was the first thing people's eyes turned to, when they stepped into the backyard. It became noticeable and gave people a reason to smile.
Sometimes we feel discarded, ignored or forgotten, like the old shed. But when we allow God's grace to cover us with His love, beauty starts to rise up from within. We begin to reflect His glory and His beauty. And people who are looking for God's light, take notice. They are drawn to us. They want what we have. They want Jesus Christ in their lives, too, so they can also shine in the winter moments of their lives.
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Brilliant shades of pink, violet and yellow appear on the winter horizon. As they increase in size and density, the leafless trees seem to perk up and watch. They stand tall and still, in an awesome silence, at the sky show unfolding before them. In the silhouette of dawn, the trees almost look like they have leaves.
I watch the fiery sky and take delight in its luminosity that invites my imagination to enter into a mystical, magical world of unknown possibilities. But as the sun rises higher, the colors fade and turn the heavens into pastel shades of gentle loveliness. Slowly, these muted colors disappear into a cloud covered sky. The outline of the bare trees becomes clearly visible, revealing gray bark and lifeless-looking branches.
Winter is still here. But for a few moments, I had a glimpse of the beauty of heaven and a renewal in the promises of Jesus Christ. For it is the Lord God, who paints a picture of glorious hope and radiant beauty for my life. It is HE who calls me to joyfully reflect the vibrant colors of His love and brilliance of His faithfulness, even in the winter moments of my life.
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