Living Brightly

Exercising is a new thing for me. My body is still in shock over it and has yet to forgive me for the mile and a half I sweated out last night on the treadmill. It’s set up on the back patio and each evening I wait until the sun sinks low behind the trees. I head out there, plug in my music, pick up my 3lb. weights and get the blood moving. It feels great and I’m a happier me now that I’ve introduced a brisk walk to my daily routine.

Last night I noticed a bright yellow oriole darting between branches against the backdrop of deep green. He was gorgeous, and I, a captive audience.

photo © 2011 Srihari Kulkarni | more info (via: Wylio)

It takes one brave enough to live brightly if they’re to stand against the darkness of the world - without becoming part of it, I thought.

I think we can be easily attracted to the darkness of the world without even realizing it; whether it's taking part in coarse joking, judging others, giving in to critical thinking or even allowing our human nature to lead us into thinking the darkness somehow offers us something more than the blessing of the Lord's favor.

But to remain bright, people who reflect God in our lives, takes courage and strong faith in who we are as Christians. Like the bird whose color will remain just as vivid among the shadows, so are we to be a contrast; to shine against the darkness.

You've been graced with the gift of today - may you have the courage to live it brightly!

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..."

(1 Peter 3:15)

photo © 2007 Linda Tanner | more info (via: Wylio)

One Rose Bud at a Time

photo © 2008 Barbara | more info (via: Wylio)

There’s a rose bud in a vase here on my desk; deep red, perfectly formed and surrounding me with the most heavenly fragrance. It’s here to remind me of the sweetness of life, even here – even now, as dishes sit in the sink, the floors still show evidence of a busy, I’ll-get-to-that-later weekend. Here, in the hum of it all while the washing machine spins, the groceries wait to find their homes on shelves. Yet, the breeze caresses my spirit and I rise from within to Chopin and all the wonderful scenes of spring outside my window. Yes, there’s strife in each day. We don’t have to look very far for struggles and disappointments, but my gentle, precious God grants blessings in the simplest, purist forms and I savor them…one rose bud at a time.

God bless you!

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

(Phil. 4:19) NIV

Living on Purpose

photo © 1979 Florida Memory | more info (via: Wylio)

There it is again; that voice, that finger wagging telling me I “can’t” do this, no matter how hard I try. Who am I to carry out such a task? Who do I think I am for dreaming so big – reaching for the highest star? Living my faith out loud? Negativity pushes hard sometimes, yells strong and wins me over all too often. I miss out on the blessings and sink in guilt instead. When God sets my feet on the track of His purpose, who am I to think He’ll make me walk it alone? Who am I to ever think I work towards anything… alone?

It is He…who plants the dream.

It is He…who strengthens me to accomplish it.

It is He…who gives me purpose.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

(Ephesians 4:11-13) NIV

The Flutist

She and the conductor emerged from a velvet drape and he led her to her chair. The flute she carried caught the stage lights and held them like diamonds against the black of her dress. She, a frail wisp of an angel sitting straight-backed and poised, and me, only wishing I possessed as much grace and determination.

photo © 2005 Ken FUNAKOSHI | more info (via: Wylio)

photo © 2005 Angela Thomas | more info (via: Wylio)

photo © 2008 Jon Bragg | more info (via: Wylio)
In an auditorium filled with attentive parents, she sat in a darkened world alone living life by ear and intuition - and grace of a loving God.

Though she possessed a gift very much her own, her voice, her dedication, her heart this night would be shared on the stage using a borrowed flute, as her beloved instruments had been recently stolen when her home was broken into. Thieves may have taken the tools by which to give voice to the song of her heart, but they failed to steal the true gift given of the Lord; a dedication to share a piece of herself, a bit of her world with the rest of it.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

(John 10:10) NIV

A woman, 75 years old and living several miles away, received news of the young girl and headed to the High School. She spoke with the principal there and informed him of God’s perfect timing; how she’d recently come across her own beloved flute given to her by her mother in 1949, and how she’d be honored if the sweet girl would take it, use it to once again share her voice, her dedication, her heart with others.

That’s how my God works! He plants the seed of dedication, sets the heart aflame with unwavering ambition and walks with us hand in hand through the twists and turns of the path. The many obstacles and challenges we face on the journey don’t change His plan for us - they only make us reach out to Him.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (1 Cor. 9:24-25) NIV

Let Me Pray for You

photo © 2010 Hartwig HKD | more info (via: Wylio)
Heavenly Father, Creator of all and Giver of life,

I simply want to lift every reader of these words to you today. I pray for your precious child who woke up this morning still swimming in her desperate situation. I pray for those on their knees who’ve reached the end of their own strength who now pray to you as their first response…or as their last. I lift those who see no end in sight, no visible way of escaping the roof caving in on their hopes and dreams, crushing all they’ve worked and sacrificed for. I pray for those suffering unthinkable loss or hurt, enduring what seems an endless season of grief and pain.

I pray you’ll somehow reveal yourself, your love and your mercy to every hurting heart hungryphoto © 2008 Andy Gregorowicz | more info (via: Wylio)
for the comfort of your embrace. I pray for the momma fighting cold and sickness that she may find the healing she needs to be all you need her to be. Strengthen and encourage your children, I pray. Let each humble heart draw closer to you and may your precious love replace all feelings of doubt, emptiness, discouragement and sadness. And let us all find power in your precious name. Amen.

“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:23-25) NIV

No Limits!

He determines the number of the stars

And calls them each by name.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

His understanding has no limit.

The Lord sustains the humble

But casts the wicked to the ground.

(Psalm 147:4-6) NIV

The fire dances to the song of rain on the roof, and my soul settles. I welcome the peace and calm in knowing that “his understanding has no limit,” not just today – not just now, but forever.

photo © 2008 John Morgan | more info (via: Wylio)

The same One who numbered the stars and brings the rain knows all about what you’re going through. He knows the worry, the pain, the fear, even the contentment that fills your thoughts. He sees the road up ahead; all the sudden twists and turns, and he’s already figured out how to bless you. How to sustain you. How to be your comfort and strength.

He knows how your week is filling up one calendar square at a time, and He’s there ready to fill in the gaps, to stretch you and somehow make it all come together. Then, like all the other days, you’ll find rest. When your day of running against the clock and meeting demands and obligations comes to a close, He’s still there.

photo © 2008 Renee | more info (via: Wylio)
I try to remember that as I throw in one more load of laundry only to find yet another random sock hiding under the coffee table. There’s bread crumbs and smears of mustard on the counter, and a bathroom trash can heaping full, a couple hungry dogs and what’s that smell when I open the fridge? And there’s shoes blocking the stairway and I read the words “clean me” written across a dusty table…and I sigh...and smile. His understanding has no limit.

The Narrow Path

Sometimes, the simple things speak the loudest.

Like the brand new baby snail I noticed yesterday morning schushing along the narrow strip of pond ledge in the back yard. Just one false move, a little slip up in either direction would prove catastrophic, I thought.

photo © 2009 David Stewart | more info (via: Wylio)

Honestly, snails never last long once discovered anywhere near my plants, but I took pity on the poor thing and stood watching the huge life analogy playing out before me.

We’re all on that ledge, don’t you think? We could either tumble to uncertain terrain below and take the bumps and bruises. OR, plunge in over our heads to the lonely depths of sin and darkness.

It’s walking that narrow ledge that takes perfecting. The space between the obstacles that always leads us onward and safely home - the narrow path of righteousness

I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst

of the paths of judgment (Proverbs 8:20) KJV

Lord Jesus,

I pray and ask that you set my feet on the path of Your perfect will. Be in my decisions and choices that affect my life and the lives of those around me, that I may glorify You in all I strive to do. Thank you for simply providing the path between the obstacles and for the times You’ve saved me from the fall.

Amen.