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Archive for the ‘Nature’ Category

Forever Footsteps

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, Nature, tagged , , , , , , on March 28, 2014| 1 Comment »

Perhaps you recall my blog post in February about the footprints leading up to the church doors where I work. https://wheredidyoufindgodtoday.com/2014/02/01/funny-footsteps/

IMG_20140128_090244_264They are still there. Weather has not erased them. We have had snow, ice,  a few drops of rain, and 80 degree heat pound the concrete. Yet they remain. Five footsteps with a super-human stride that lead up to the main doors. And if you look closely, it appears the man was barefoot and there is a hole in the ball of his foot.  If you are ever in Fort Worth, TX, why not come by 3900 Longvue Avenue and see for yourself?

Yesterday, it rained off and on throughout  the morning – a blessed answer to prayer for this drought-stricken part of Texas where walking on water over the area lakes is no longer a IMG_20140129_132132_544miracle because you can see the rocks as the water barely laps at your ankles.

So when I walked up to the steps today, I held my breath. Would the footsteps still be there after being soaked for hours? Would they have washed away in the drenching rain we so desperately needed and prayed earnestly to receive? I stepped a little slower, my eyes peeled to the ground, yet not wanting to see.

Behold!  There they were, just as prominent as before. A broad smile stretched across my face. The reminder that Jesus is Emanuel – God with us –  was still present. Then, the words Jesus uttered in the last verses in the Gospel of Matthew flashed into my brain. “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” (28:20)

I shouldn’t need a reminder that Jesus is with me. I believe that with all my heart, mind and soul.  I stand on His promise. Yet, it is comforting to see these bizarre prints each day as I climb the stairs to unlock the door, turn off the alarm, and start my day. And, when I leave to lock up, I know He walks with me back to my car and stays with me all the way home. Even as my eyelids close off the sight of my pillow at night as I drift into dreams, He is there.

I continue to see God in five footprints for as long as He deems them to last. But if and when they do fade, I know God will show me other ways to remind me He is here…always, even unto the end of the age.

Where will you see Him today?

 

 

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Hardened Hearts

Posted in Nature on February 5, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Shelly found a message from God (for us all) in a frozen stream !

Shelly's avatarDeeply Rooted in Him

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Just as this stream froze as the temperatures dropped, our hearts can be slowly hardened as we refuse to listen and follow the way of the Lord.

Exodus 8:19

 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

Pharaoh refused to listen the his magicians who were pointing out to Him the activity of God in his midst. Pharaoh missed it because his heart was hardened. How often do we miss the activity of God because our hearts are hardened?

God is always actively involved in the lives of His people but when we chose to go our own way and do what we want to do rather than what He would have us do, our hearts, like the stream, begin to harden. If we turn away from the Lord and the wisdom…

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Form the V

Posted in Nature, tagged , , , , , , on January 17, 2014| 1 Comment »

ID-10029292I looked up as I drove down the highway and saw geese in a V formation. I thought, “Wow. Odd time of year to see them. It’s the middle of January. They migrate in the autumn, right?”

A chill, like a million microscopic, icy-footed ants, jumped from my heart and dashed down to my hands as they gripped the steering wheel. What I saw was an answer to prayer. I found God today in the V formation of the geese.

Geese fly in a V to conserve energy for the long trip. Their leader is at the point of the V. But, after a while, that leader tires of fighting the wind currents. It drops back and another takes over. The other geese support the tired one. The V formation continues, and so does their journey.

So should be the same for us Christians, no matter our ministry. I will admit it. I am tired – emotionally, physically and a bit spiritually. I’ve been flapping my wings like mad as the leader in several organizations. It shows in the darkening circles under my eyes. 

Through these geese, God revealed to me it is time for me to drop back and let someone else take over. “But Lord,” I asked. “My terms as president is not over for 5 months in one organization, and a year in another. There is still a long journey ahead.”

Suddenly, one of the geese flew to the front of the V. I watched as the leader dropped back a pace or two, but not to the end of the line. It positioned itself near the front, just behind a place or two. I had my answer.

Oh, yeah, My Lord is the one who should take over at the tip of the V. He’s the one who never tires, controls the wind, and always knows the direction we are going. Somewhere along the way, I’d lost sight of that fact. I’d been flapping so hard,my head was downcast against the winds–my eyes squeezed tight in determination, my teeth clamped together as I trudged on. No wonder I’ve been so tense… and exhausted. God made me realize (again) that I am not flying this journey alone. He didn’t say,. “Here – it’s yours. See you later.” He’s been flying there with me the whole time.

 My Savior whispered into my heart, ” Drop back and let me take over now. It’s not because you’ve failed, it is because you have succeeded.” In His quiet way, God told me It’s okay for me to rest my wings for a time- under the momentum of His mighty ones. I need to recuperate- to be carried by the current of His grace. In fact, isn’t that where I should have been all along? Humility washed over me as my eyes teared. I whispered back, “Thank you,Lord.”

 If I am to complete the journey of leadership in which He placed me, I need to let Him take over. First, because He needs to be in control, not me. Second, so I can replenish my strength and pace this journey by following His lead. That way, I will not only be more able to prepare others to lead when the time comes, but show them, by example, the benefits of letting Him lead.

V is for victory…and vacation. It is not for vainglory. We don’t need to be busy,busy, busy all the time to be good Christians. (Recall the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42?)  God gave us rest, patterned after Himself on the seventh day of creation. I need to rest in Him so I can prepare for:

  • the continuation of this journey,  
  • the next ministry He wants to train me up in as these leadership positions come to an end,
  • and, so I can support the new leaders He will raise up to flap ahead of me in the future. 

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5

He will keep the momentum going as long as He wants the journey to last. That is not my job. I just need to flap in sync with Him and encourage the others behind me to do the same.

Where in your life do you need to drop back and let God lead a while? Are you willing to let someone else be ahead of you?

 

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Who Controls Whom?

Posted in Life Experiences, Nature, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 15, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Today, I read a daily devotional from Power to Change. It is written by Shelaine Strom. She talks about how quickly, often without warning, the weather can change on the lake shore where her cabin rests. Even though she knows that place so well, she is still in awe of that phenomenon:

“And so it is in my relationship with the Lord. He is the mighty rushing wind that takes my breath away with His strength and power to heal and change lives. He is the gentle breeze that nudges me to speak or act, giving counsel and direction. He is the quiet voice whispering love and forever-presence in the still moments of an unhurried life. And He is more.”

see the whole devotional at http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2014/01/15/more-than-i-know/ 
 (I get one in my email box each morning for free- you can as well.) 
 

Our riverTucked in the Texas Hill Country my family has a summer cabin on a bluff overlooking the Guadalupe River. The river can be still and as smooth as glass, or it can dance with glistening ripples like a million microscopic Tinker Bells. Serene, peaceful, refreshing, heavenly… until a sudden roar can bring a wall of water, from a deluge upstream, crashing down on left-behind inner-tubes, kayaks, and lawn chairs.

Destructive? Yes. I have seen it bend mighty cypresses like sipping straws. But the land recovers, and often, the silt left behind replenishes the eroded soil and actually helps the grass to flourish and grow. Underbrush is pruned with one swish of the swirling undercurrent so saplings can stretch their limbs and roots.

In a few days, the flood is over. The milk-chocolate turmoil returns to its peaceful aqua-green, ripply state. The banks again contain the river’s flow. The quickly moving current slows once more to a lazy pace, waiting to be tickled by the breeze.

I cannot control that river. No one except God can, though some foolish folks who build along the banks think they are able to with makeshift dams and terracing. They try, in vain of course, to manipulate it’s path. But, the river has a power all its own. All you can do is respect it and let it do its thing.

I cannot control God. But one thing I have learned, I can cope with life better if I let Him control me instead of trying to manipulate Him to do things my way. Whatever happens in my life–in the quiet times and in the roaring, take-cover tempests–He is at work, eventually bringing it all into good purpose. Even when it seems my life is uncontrollably spilling over the banks, I know His mighty hands are cupping it and directing it’s flow.

May he rule from sea to sea
    and from the River to the ends of the earth.   Psalm 72:8

And my place? Sheltered where He wants me to be, on my knees, in patient awe. I am learning to be more of the spectator of His mighty power in my life, just I have learned to respect the river. Yes, our Lord wants us involved in the directions our lives are to go- we are not puppets on a string.  But to go against the flow of His holy current or the power of His mighty wind is futile, frustrating and foolhardy. Yet, how often do we try, just like the riverbank dwellers? We block His flow in our souls. We build walls to keep Him out. We terrace our payers with conditions and plea bargaining.

Each time I gaze out over that river, or soak my toes in its cool, spring-fed current, its majestic power and grand beauty reminds my soul of the One who created it.  

He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river.   Ezekiel 47:6

 
Shelaine sees Him on the lake where she lives. 
Where do you find God today?  I’d love for you to comment and let me, and other readers, know. 

 

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Let It Rain

Posted in Life Experiences, Nature, tagged , , , , , , , on September 23, 2013| Leave a Comment »

We’ve been parched. Bubbling creeks had become sandy dry beds. Once green, grassy hills appeared straw-colored. The lake and river levels were dangerously low. A friend commented her back yard looked like the San Andreas fault in an earthquake movie – the cracks were huge, and growing.

dreamstimefree_127674For several days the skies taunted us with building clouds and overcast shadows. Then it came.  The sweet smell of moistened dirt. Soft, pelting rain pounded the landscape, filling the furrows and crevices…for hours and hours. 

People’s spirits lifted. The temperatures dropped from scorching nineties into  pleasant seventies.  Birds splashed in the puddles, fluffing their feathers and dipping their beaks.  Windshield wipers danced back and forth like concert attendees waving their hands in joy. Gutters drummed softly with the splatters from Heaven. Blessed relief. 

I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34:26

Have you experienced a drought? Not the physical kind Texas has been having, but the spiritual kind. Most likely you have. It may have been a time of depression, of doubts, a string of bad luck we call a “Job-like season”, or the agonizing limbo feeling after at tragedy. It felt as if God had stopped blessing you. You thirsted for His presence. Your life cracked open. Your brow was furrowed and your eyes downcast.  But, deep inside you clung to the hope He was there, just as Job did.

Then it came.  Your prayers were finally answered. Your heart was drenched in peace.  His mercies rained down and your doubts and shame were sloughed down the gutter. Your spirit was bathed in His grace. You lifted your hands in relief.

The Newsboys wrote a song over twenty years ago called Let it Rain, from their “Going Public” album. It is Peter’s final prayer before being crucified upside down.  An ancient legend says the Heavens burst open when this apostle, Jesus called the Rock, took his final breath.  In their song, Peter prays, “Lord we’re waiting for Your rain to fall- bringing back the wonder of it all. I can see Your face again when You let it rain.”

Listen to the lyrics. Pray for His blessings.  Let His spirit fall afresh on you today. Be refreshed in the Power of His love.

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River Rain

Posted in Nature, tagged , , , , , , , on September 5, 2013| 1 Comment »

Our riverI’m a river rat – born and raised. Last weekend I was blessed to have time off so I could head back to my river, the Guadalupe, which meanders through the Texas Hill Country like an emerald-green ribbon. Quiet ripples coax you along its path, splattered by occasional shallows and rapids which are tame by most standards, but great for novice kayakers like me. I’d never been in one until my sister persuaded me to give it a try.

What a peace. Immersed in beauty, I floated along, the kayak barely making a sound as it skimmed the waters.  There I was, home! with the sun on my back and with someone I dearly love right beside me, telling me what to do and encouraging me to keep trying.  It reminded me of what it must have been like for Eve and Adam to walk in the Garden with God – before the Fall.

Then, the sky opened up and peltered soft rain, popping the water with thousands of diamonds. Through the sun’s rays we could see the rain making a thin, veil-like waterfall as it cascaded down onto the shore.  What an image of God’s mercies – after the Fall. Because His Son, our Lord went to the Cross, we are washed anew in the outpouring of His love.

I always find God on the Guadalupe. Where do you find Him?

Will you share that in the comments?

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In a Dung Beetle

Posted in Life Experiences, Nature, tagged , , , , , on September 3, 2013| 3 Comments »

I had to laugh. There beneath my feet was a tiny black beetle rolling a piece of deer dropping. It was easily two times larger than he (or she – how do you tell?).  I thought, I’ve felt like that bug —

There have been times I have felt I had too much to bear, and wondered why.

There have been times I wanted to quit because I was tired of doing what I was doing and it wasn’t fun or fulfilling.

There have been times I felt like my life was full of…well you get the idea.

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Yet,  with diligent determination, the little bug used its legs and body to push, roll and move this piece of dung over pebbles, leaves, twigs and dirt. Nothing was going to deter that little creature of God from doing what he was doing.

You may say, “Okay. I get it. But, this is a bug. It’s working on instinct only. It can’t think. It doesn’t make decisions.”

True. But what if we accepted what God has given us at the moment and just plugged along anyway? Even if it seemed like something we’d rather not shove along at the moment, if we realize all has purpose in God’s kingdom, it would help us labor on by spiritual instinct — keep doing what God has given us to do until He says do something else, assured it is all in His plan.

Perhaps, we think too much. Perhaps we should just “do” and not over think it. That takes faith.

But, if we can realize that God put us here to go through the things in our lives for a purpose, that good can come out of bad, and that He is always right beside us through the process, we’ll be able to push through life with a better attitude.

…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

If I had the ear and bent close enough, I may have even heard that little beetle humming or whistling as it worked.

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PUDDLES OF JOY

Posted in Life Experiences, Nature, tagged , , , , on August 30, 2013| Leave a Comment »

A good read from DiAne Gates- PUDDLES OF JOY.

DiAne looks at the bird’s splashing in a puddle on a hot August day, and it reminds her of God’s blessings.

“Did you know God provides puddles of refreshment for His kids too? Puddles of encouragement. Puddles of invigoration. Puddles of comfort. These oasis moments appear like the spontaneity of a summer shower…”

Today – Where will you find your puddles of joy to splash in God’s grace?

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Lesson from a Bird Feeder

Posted in Life Experiences, Nature, tagged , , , , on August 28, 2013| 2 Comments »

dreamstimefree_97858I have a little bird feeder hanging on the tree outside of my balcony.  I fill it with a cup of seed each morning on the way to work. When I wake up in the morning, it is empty, ready for another cup.

Some of the birds perch on the feeder and eat. When they do, inevitably seeds scatter to the ground. The ground birds, doves, pigeons and the like, waddle in to eat the seeds that have fallen into the grass.  Everyone is happy.  Then it’s all used up.

The next morning, it seems as if they are lined up in the trees, waiting for me to come with my cup of seed. 

Can’t we relate this to God’s mercy and blessings which are new every morning? He presents us each day with a full cup. In fact, in Psalm 23 it says that cup runs over. How abundant are the blessings and mercies of the Lord.

It is up to us to receive those mercies and blessings as seeds of His love that can nourish us.  But do we, or do we flit by in search of what we think we are hungry for? What will fill us up – fame, promotions, accolades from our peers?

As we peck into our daily allotment of blessings and mercies, some will inevitably spread to others who need the love of Christ as well. That’s okay.  As followers of Jesus we are supposed to do that. There is more than enough for us, and whoever GOd brings to us during our day. Spread the love. Be merciful,  and bless others with your talents.

In the morning when you rise, anticipate (with humble thankfulness) God’s overflowing cup once again. It will be there.

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Through Bugs

Posted in Life Experiences, Nature, tagged , , , , , , on August 5, 2013| Leave a Comment »

IMG_20130628_143418_192The church where I work has a prayer garden with shady trees, lovely flowers and a trickling fountain. So, of course it attracts all sorts of God’s creatures. From my window, I can watch an never-ending drama of nature unfold as the seasons pass.  Take the bugs, for example.

In late April and early May, black beetles were everywhere, even inside. You had to watch where you stepped.  Then in late May when the temperature soared, the mud-daubers woke from their hibernation and began building cylinder mud cones everywhere.  June bugs next made an appearance as did an amazing ground hornet that looked like a bee on steroids but was quite benevolent and totally oblivious to humans. The scorching summer has now brought grasshoppers and the lulling hum of katydids.

How awesome our God is to orchestrate this bug cycle.  Though not all pretty and at times annoying, each has a time and a purpose unto heaven, as the verses in Ecclesiastes say.

It helps me to realize that there will be different times in my life. Something will appear, perhaps just for a season. It may be a person, a book, a song, or a tidbit of wisdom gleaned from a passage in the Bible I never noticed up to that point. It may not be something I like. But it all flows from the One who knows all and has perfect timing.

Lord, teach me to be in sync with Your plan for my life, and to  anticipate each new serendipity that comes, And when things that “bug” me come around, let me see them as lessons You can use to make me into the beautiful creature You know I can be,  just as You are daily recreating the garden at this church.   Amen.

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