Seeing Past

As you first looked at this picture, were your eyes drawn to the clouds or to the light??? God reminded me this morning as I was waiting to drop kids off and I was looking into the sky at this scene of how many times I focus on the clouds and can't see past them to see the brilliance of the sun behind them.

In the world we're living in right now, it's easy to get caught up focusing on the dark clouds of our circumstances. Maybe you're out of work, money is tight, you have marriage problems, sickness in your life or the life of one dear to you...all of these and more could be object of your focus like the clouds,instead of seeing the Light behind the clouds who is always Jesus.

God has something to teach us in every circumstance that we find ourselves in, and we have a choice every day to see past the clouds to the Light. Jesus is the Light.

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

New Life

It's Not Time

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

It's only February and the redbuds are trying to bloom! It's not their time! A few days of warmer weather and all of creation begins to ready itself for Spring. God reminded me of how often I try to bloom a lot of times before His timing. God has a purpose and a plan for all seasons, and in order for things to bloom and be fruitful, they have to go according to His timetable. Chances are these beautiful blooms will be zapped by frost, but fear not, God can bring beauty out of all circumstances.

Obstructed View

Sometimes the trees get in the way...other times it's clouds, but whatever the obstruction, I always know that the sun is behind it all. Some days there is nothing to get in the way of the sun's brillance, other days the clouds are so thick that although you know the sun is resting behind them, I am missing it's warmth.

Jesus is like that. He says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness." (John 8:12) Life may obstruct our view and problems may get in our way, but we can always rest in the eternal hope that the "Son" is always resting behind them.

Forever More

Wanna live my life with You
Wanna give all that I do
Wanna have each day so close to You
And love you more and more
Wanna spend more time with you
Wanna hide confide in You
Wanna laugh and sing and cry with you
And love you more and more

So I will run until I find You
Where Your arms are open wide
It's only when I'm near You
I'm safe and whole inside
You're the only One I treasure
You're the One that I adore
To be with You forever
And Love you more and more

(words by The Parachute Band)

Faithful

"Faithful" by Brooke Fraser

There's distance in the air and I cannot make it leave

I wave my arms' round about me and blow with all my might

I cannot sense you close, though I know you're always here

But the comfort of you near is what I long for

[CHORUS]

When I can't feel you,

I have learned to reach out just the same

When I can't hear you, I know you still hear everyword I pray

And I want you more than I want to live another day

And as I wait for you maybe I'm made more faithful

All the folly of the past, though I know it is undone

I still feel the guilty one, still trying to make it right

So I whisper soft your name, let it roll around my tongue,

knowing you're the only one who knows me

You know me

[BRIDGE]

Show me how I should live this

Show me where I should walk

I count this world as loss to me

You are all I want

You are all I want

The Desert Song

This is my prayer in the desert,

When all that's within me feels dry,

This is my prayer in my hunger and need,

My God is the God who provides,

And this is my prayer in the fire,

In weakness, or trial, or pain,

There is a faith proved more worth than gold,

So refine me Lord through the flame,

I will bring praise,

I will bring praise,

No weapon formed against me shall remain,

I will rejoice,

I will declare,

God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the battle,

When triumph is still on its way,

I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ,

So firm on his promise I'll stand,

All of my life,

in every season,

You are still God,

I have a reason to sing,

I have a reason to worship,

And this is my prayer in the harvest,

When favor and providence flow,

I know I'm filled to be emptied again,

The seed I receive I will sow