Oven Warmth

                                 
Winter times are the best for baking! The aroma that fills the house, the heat from the warm stove, and just being able to take the simple pleasure of biting into a nice warm...let's say, brownie! Maybe make up a hot cup of coffee, or tea. The modern day convenience of our stoves is something we often overlook, and most often take for granted. The ability we have to make up something warm on a cold day to feed our family, or just for something good to enjoy, is something we do everyday and never think twice about it. We often forget how blessed we are.

Give Thanks

One of my favorite pictures. My three year old son. Even love the gum he removed from his mouth!
It just represents true innocence, and a heart of humbleness. We are supposed to give thanks in everything. What a life lesson. Especially when we're going through the hard times, the times we wonder what God's plan is in everything. It's amazing how we can seem lost and afraid, and yet find true peace when we lay it all at the Saviour's feet. With Christ we can truly give thanks in all things.

Fine Weathered Friend

Looking back over the last couple of years of my life, I have asked myself "Am I a 'fine weathered friend' to Christ?"  It's so easy to praise God, bask in His goodness and thank Him for His faithfulness when life is good. When you have money to pay bills, the kids are being obedient, you're all healthy, and work is busy.  But then, when things are hard, its so easy to say "Where are You God? Don't You love me? Won't You take care of me?" It's hard to sing praise, thank Him, bask in His presence, and there is a feeling of forgotteness.  I have found that He is the same, no matter my circumstance! He is still there. He still cares. I can still sing His praise as He is in control. I can bask in His goodness when hard times engulf me, and thank Him for His faithfulness. May we praise Him Who never changes, Who was, is, and always will be. And may we find Him as He is,  a friend in every weather.

		Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.
		Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
		Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!
		Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life [fn]?
		Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
		"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
		If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
		And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.
		For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
		But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. (Luke 12:22-31)

White as Snow

                                                         Along the white picket fence

I woke up this morning to a wonderful, pure white world of snow. It clung to the branches of all the trees and created a magical world of beauty. My kids have been waiting, longing, for this change of weather so they can go sledding, make a snowman, and this year they want to attempt a snow fort. Our lives change as we don our winter gear, get out the shovels, and tend to keep the fire a bit warmer. When I see the beauty and pureness of the snow it always reminds me of the the verse, "Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (Isa 1:18a).

a berry clinging to a vine

The wood laden down with the fresh snow

the old wheelbarrow

From darkness into Light

This picture brings a smile to my face as I remember our walk through the woods toward Lake Michigan. It seemed dark in the woods, with the trees towering over our heads as we followed the winding path. As we got closer to the beach we could see light through the trees, the ground turned sandy, and we could hear the lapping of the waves. Then there was that last turn, that last hill, and before us broke the light of day streaming through the trees edge. All of us burst into a run seeking the suns rays of warmth, and the open vastness of fresh air off the water. What freedom!

It reminds me of the verse "...you are a chosen people...God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light."

May we run from darkness into Light, breathing in His freshness and being freed from the darkness.