A Display of His Splendor

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3

As I look back on my writings I have had a several thoughts about trees. I told the story of a little tree that was scarred by fire but because of it’s deep roots continued to lift it’s branches to the sky. I told also of how my Weeping Pine tree, that hung over my porch, was spared because of a surprising beauty that emerged after the crowd of trees around her was cut down. The picture that I displayed is of a beautiful walnut tree with it's fruit still hanging from it's almost leafless branches. I write about trees because I love trees, they are beautiful to me as they bud in the spring but also as they stand leafless through the fall and winter. Graceful branches against the backdrop of the winter skyline truly displays His splendor.

Many places in the bible, as in Isaiah, compares believers to trees planted by God. I know that if someone compared me to a tree I wouldn’t be too happy. If you think of it a tree is thick, rough and usually old. I remember a shirt that my mom wore on her sixtieth birthday that voices this it said “60 isn’t old….for a tree!”. If you look farther into the structure of a tree you realize that the tree has roots that reach far into the earth. I have read that a tree’s roots are usually as deep as the tree is tall. Those deep roots are able to take in nutrients and water that makes the tree strong enough to weather many storms and bad weather. If you cut a branch off of a tree you can actually see what has happened in the life of the tree. If the tree had a good year you can see that the tree branch grew that year but if the year was bad there was less growth which is indicated by rings that were closer together. There is not much that can topple a tree, though it is battered by weather, disease or pests so no wonder God plants us as the display of His splendor.

Sometimes we listen to satan’s lies that tells us we are damaged goods! God could never look on us as a mighty oak let alone a display of his splendor. But if you read Isaiah 61:1-3 you learn that our Sovereign Lord came to bind up the brokenhearted, give freedom to captives, comfort those who mourn and give them the spirit of praise rather than the spirit of despair and then we will be called “oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. That gives me hope as I look at how life can batter and scar each of us. Praise God I am still A Display of His Splendor!

Ghosts and Gobblins in the Dark!!

This time of the year reminds me of Halloween time years ago. Our oldest girls, the twins and Christa who were probably six and eight wanted to go to the Haunted House in our town. They begged and begged until we decided to take them. While my younger girls and I sat in the car Larry took the girls to the spooky haunted house. He told them over and over that it wasn’t real, that it was just there to scare people and that it was all just for fun. Brave, determined and anxious they waited for there turn to go through the darkness to see whatever awaited them. Everything went fine until the first scary creature jumped out at them and then the screaming began. They grabbed their Dad by the legs, hands or anything they could grab. He was laughing so hard he could hardly pull them through and at each assault of another ghost or gobblin they begged even harder to go back. Larry still laughs at how they clung to him in the dark to the point he could hardly move.

As I thought about this I thought about how I often feel I am groping in the dark trying to find my way. Life jumps out at me when I least expect it and scares me to death. You probably have had those same things happen to you also. The boss says I can’t afford to keep you during the uncertain times, that much dreaded diagnosis of cancer suddenly becomes your reality or a relationship that you had counted on comes to an end. You take baby steps because you cannot see what is up ahead as the darkness engulfs you. Like the haunted house it seems that when one scary monster jumps out in our life he is followed by another and another. I don’t know how that happens but it does seem to come in bunches.

I love the scripture I read in Isaiah today it described how God is our Light.

Who among you who fear the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. Isaiah 50:10

I like what “The Message” says “you who are groping in the dark” Trust God and Lean on God!

The next verse in that same chapter is very interesting as well! It describes how often we try to light our own torch to see where to go instead of leaning on God or trusting God. I am guilty of having just enough light to cause myself great worry! What if this happens or that happens what will I do. Instead of grabbing hold of the one who actually knows what’s on my dark path I struggle on my own and strain to see with the dim light of my own understanding.

I am glad that I have a heavenly Father who knows my path and gives me just enough light to let me take one more step so that I can trust him to take me to the end of my darkness and into His light!

Save me for I am yours. Psalm 119:94

You are Mine!

Last week I was reminded once again of how we belong to one another. As happens regularly, since our senior pastor’s name is Tim and my son-in-law Tim is youth pastor, people at church often distinguish between the two by saying “your Tim”. It happen again and at that moment my heart was warmed for “our Tim” and for who he is in my heart. Of course, there is also your mom, your daughter, or your husband meaning that in some way we are connected and belong together. I often refer to my daughters or grandkids as “my sweet girl” or my sweet Kelly with a heart that wants so much to relay words that indeed they belong to me, they are precious and I love them.


In Isaiah 43:1 the Lord says…
He who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you O Israel; “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name you are mine.

Later in vs. 4 he says:
You are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you.


Too many times we take for granted our connections with people as well as with God. Just think of it, He who created you, O Jacob as well as He who created you “O Jeanie” and He who created everything that there is, says “you are mine”. I’ll have to tell you, I don’t mind being a name dropper. Hey, anyone who will listen, I am God’s child. He knows me by name, he knows my every thought and I am precious and honored in his sight. Hallelujah I am His!

Rolled Up Pant Legs

As any parent can tell you, when your child has a high fever it is pretty scary especially when it will not come down. The last thing in the world any parent wants to do is put them in a cool bath to take their temperature down. I remember many times, running the bath, starting out with a lukewarm water and gradually adding cooler water and here a child who is already shivering is made even more uncomfortable sitting in cold water. One of the things that usually happened when my kids had to take this “polar plunge“, was their Dad would roll up his pant legs and sit on the edge of the tub with his legs in the cool water. He would comfort them and try to keep them in the much needed cool bath until the fever started to come down. It seemed that when they saw their dad in the water with them it wasn’t so bad. He would gently pour water on their hot little bodies from his cupped hand. Finally their temp would come down and this little body would cool and be ready to be put back into bed.

As God from heaven looked upon his children he could see that they were suffering from sin. So he sent Jesus to roll up his pant legs and step into our cold world. He suffered what we suffered and enjoyed what we enjoy. He grimaced with a belly ache but smiled over the newness of a puppy. He understood temptation, he knew what it was like to get angry. He celebrated weddings and grieved at funerals. He had a mom and earthly father, he had siblings and all that come with family life. I’m sure he had aunts that kissed him when he didn’t want them to and uncles who wrestled with him. He got splinters in his fingers from the carpenter shop and on occasion, I’m sure, he hit his finger with the hammer. He came to our world knowing that he would have to die for our sins but he did it because of his love for us. He became a mere man so that we could see the love of the father.

My kids have grown up now so Larry doesn’t need to sit knee deep in cold water but many times I know he and I wish that life could be as simple as it was then. As parents, we still want to climb into our kid’s world and cheer them on. As much as we would love to bring them comfort nothing could compare to seeing the Heavenly Father roll up his pant legs and sit down to comfort His children as only He can.

Have You Been to the Mountain?

Poor Moses! He was called by God to go up on Mount Sinai and get instructions about how life would be for the Israelites after leaving the slavery of Egypt. While he was gone, the impatient Israelites got tired of waiting for him and took matters into their own hands. When Moses came down the mountain, he found a bunch of heathens dancing and worshiping a golden calf. God had written his commandments with his own hand on two tablets but after being in the very presence of God, Moses lost his temper and threw the tablets down and they broke into pieces. How could this happen? He had worshiped, sang hymns, praised God in a way that few had ever done. Yet, when he left the mountain and returned to the same problems that he had left he became angry as most of us would have. He had to deal with the same difficult people, he was appalled once again with the sin of the people, and the hope and peace he felt while on the mountain was gone.

I know how he felt, I just left a most wonderful place myself! It was my time with God. I found love there and I found a peace that surrounded me. I was warmed by the hope written in His Word and was propelled to move forward in God‘s strength. I find him there every morning when I am enveloped by the safety of His presence. I love to read about being in the cleft and covered with His hand, that he is my refuge and my strength. I love to think of myself flying as an eagle and not getting tired. Boy could I use that promise! I would love to stay there. The only problem is, I have to come down from the mountain. When my stay on the mountain is over the house still needs cleaned, difficult people are still difficult and I still get discouraged and frustrated and want to run right back.

Well, that is just what Moses did, he went up the mountain again. God wrote on the tablets again and again Moses made that trip back down the mountain. This time when he came down he was glowing and all the people noticed and knew that he had been with God. The Bible says that after that, every time he talked with God he had that same glow.

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. Exodus 34:33

I don’t know, but I think Moses decided he was not going to descend the mountain again by himself, he was going to bring God down with him. He wanted to share the power of God, the love of the Father and to show everyone that he had been with Jehovah.

I don’t want to leave God on the mountain either, I want people to know that I have been with God. I don’t know that I want to glow as Moses did but I definitely want to share with everyone what God writes, not on tablets, but on my heart. I want others to know the love of God, the peace and joy that can surround us even in times of trouble. I want everyone to know that the cleft that he covers with His hand is made for all of us to take refuge in. Hallelujah the God of the mountain is still the God of the valley.

Forgiveness is Amazing!

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Forgiveness oh how sweet! I remember back when the kids were all little and at times I would be overwhelmed and get grouchy with them. It was that last argument, that last spilled drink, it was a bad attitude (besides mine) or a smart answer that put me over the edge. After the day was over and things settled down, I would always regret losing my temper or being impatient and would say before the kids went to sleep “Mommy’s sorry I was so grouchy today” and out of the bedrooms (Walton style) I would get my answer in unison “That’s okay Mommy, We love you”. My husbands apologies were much like mine but he would add “you are good girls” and again in unison “you’re a good Daddy” Wow, from the mouths of babes!

If only it could be that easy when we grow up. If only from the bedroom I could hear, it’s okay, I love you. Actually, I still do that, I say God forgive me for my bad attitude, for my quick tongue or even disobedience and the quick reply is I forgive you, I love you, my child and you are good. To that my reply would be… you are my good Heavenly Father! I praise your Holy Name! Thank you!

Colorful Cast of Characters

Sometimes I have a hard time writing! I think I have to be clever (try at least) and optimistic and I want to send the positive message of Christ and his love so there are days that I feel I cannot write on my blog because my feelings are far from optimistic, my heart is heavy and there is no dancing in my soul. At least that is what I thought until my daughter shared with me about her favorite singer. This singer, like me, has chronic depression. My daughter explained that she can feel her pain in her songs but even better she hears the hope in the Lord that she also possesses and relays through her music. I should know this since the Bible is a collage of people who is, at times, down trodden, discouraged, defeated and depressed. There are those who suffer, not only physical pain but mental pain also. If they would all end up in the office of some unlucky therapist, you would find a very colorful waiting room. This cast of characters would include of course King David also Jeremiah would be there using up all of the tissues with his weeping and for sure Paul would have to explain the problems he has with that pesky “thorn in his flesh”. How about poor Peter, who after promising Jesus his life, denied Him three times. I know Job would be there trying to figure out why he would curse the day he was born.

If you want to catch up with King David you could take a tour through the Psalms. Many times he tells God of his pain, his hurt, his regrets and the fear that was at times his constant companion. Yet, David in Psalm 42:11 says “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Jeremiah 8:18 says “God, you are my comfort when I am very sad and when I am afraid.” (this comes from the “cry baby” prophet!) Job lets his crazy friends know that no matter what he would always put his hope in God. I love to read in Job chapter 12 that Job told his friends to pipe down that they didn’t know everything. Peter was given hope when Jesus told him that when he returned he should help his brothers and Paul says in Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. I also like Isaiah’s take on things, he proclaimed in chapter 40 that those who have hope in the Lord will receive fresh strength, they spread their wings and soar like eagles. They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

So you see if you are afflicted in any way or downcast or are afraid or like me depressed we sit in good company with God’s faithful, his colorful cast of characters. Their words have brought hope to millions down through the ages. Not with their perfect life in a “perfect world” but with the same problems that you and I share and we too can have the hope that prevails all through scripture. Go ahead don’t be afraid to tell others of your afflictions, weep if you need to but always proclaim the hope we have in Jesus Christ! Don’t be afraid to be you even if you fit into this colorful group!