Ask

Tonight we had a DVD narrated by Ray VanderLaan. He is my favorite. I never wanted to go to the Holy Land, but would love to go on one of his tours.

He shared from the Sea of Galilee. In Mark we know that Jesus and the disciples were on the sea. He sent them on across and went into the mountains, to pray. At the 4th watch, He realized that it was windy on the sea and the disciples were struggling. He walked out onto the sea and they saw him and were frightened. Finally, they realized who He was and asked for help. Christ heard.

Then there is the story of Peter. Passionate Peter. How I love hearing about him! Out of all the disciples, he was the only one who did not count the cost, but got out of the boat. As he realized he was sinking, he called out. Christ heard.

Life is so full of struggles. So full of storms. Christ hears. A woman awaiting an adoption and facing the winds of bureaucracy. A family struggling with job loss in a sinking economy. Health struggles. Family issues. Waves of pain. In each case, Christ hears those cries, those pleas. He awaits our cries for help. He doesn't always answer in the way we hoped, but sometimes allows those storms to toss us about for a while. Although He allows the winds to blow, He will never allow us to sink.

He Has Risen

The cantata on Friday helped me focus on Easter. The meaning: What it meant for Christ. What it means to me. We had a wonderful service this morning. As Aaron portrayed Christ on the cross, it was hard to hold my emotions in check. The nails. The spear. The darkness. It is a blessed day to celebrate with fellow Believers.

HE's Alive and I'M Forgiven

On the way home from running an errand, I heard the old Don Fransisco song, 'He's Alive!' I began to joyfully sing along and all of a sudden, I became aware of the words:

He's Alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's Alive! He's Alive!

I'm forgiven. Forgiven from being such a miserable sinner. Forgiven from all those sins that I commit each and every day. No sins are larger than another. I'm forgiven. He's alive! I began to weep. Such simple words. Words that have changed eternity for this lost sinner. I'm forgiven.

Spring Promise

Indiana is not known for predictable weather. I normally tell everyone that I never believe the weatherman - what happens will happen. This week snow. Last week sun.

One of the men at work has flower gardens at his home. This week he brought me in a couple of hyacinths. I guess I never was aware of them before. They have an amazing fragrance. These were purple but the underbellies were an incredible shade of blue. I always said that God must love color because He has been so generous with it in the world He has created.

The seasons change. We move from Winter to Spring and then sometimes back to Winter. There are different colors for each season - from pure, sparkly white to deep purple. There is a beauty to each season. There is also an ugliness sometimes. So it is true in our lives. The changing seasons never fail to remind me Who created them - both the beautiful and the not so beautiful. I am thankful there are lessons to be learned from each.....

Cabin Fever Time

It is the time of the year when Cabin Fever strikes. Because I have those genes that necessitates that I spend time alone, and because being alone to me means holed up with a diet coke and a good book. the cabin is where I usually head to. It gives me time to ponder, to process, to evaluate my relationship with God. It gives me time to de-brief, set goals, walk, be outside and feel the sun on my face. It gives me time to take a few moments out of a busy life and be still. The neighbors probably think I am the laziest person on earth, but I simply need to be still.