echoes

This conversation that I happened to hear tonight is a complete echo of what has been on mine and the mister's hearts.  We are deeply desiring to have more of Jesus and to do so much more of His work.

The audio clip below is a Focus on the Family interview with Francis Chan.  [For those who might not have read "Crazy Love,"  I highly recommend it.]

it is a good day

God the designer of the stars and galaxies loves me
He wants to be in relationship with me
He gave it all so that I could live and live abundantly
He died in love... but rose in power
Giving me hope for eternity

We remember His death today.  Really, we are remembering His great, great love for us. and we wait expectantly for resurrection day.  Because on that day, He was powerfully raised from the dead and the Bible says we can experience that same power raising us from death into life.  I'm not just talking about judgment day, I'm talking about those situations in our life that seem "dead."  There is hope.  God can breathe life and resurrection power into those situations or areas of our life.  It's not just about reaching heaven one day but experiencing heaven on earth today.  Sunday's coming, friends. 



I am determined to know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:10-11



brrr...

Perhaps you've heard that we are experiencing a deep freeze out here in MN.  It sure feels that way to me.  We've been snow covered since before Christmas, and I have to say that I'm snow and cold weary.  Don't get me wrong, I do love snow, but well it is possible to have "too much of a good thing."

six yr old attains new heights at driveway entrance; mom wonders how much higher she can go

When you get to a certain point, there is just no where to put the snow.  I suppose this is why I see this sort of thing:


If you look carefully (2nd truck on left) , you will see that they are collecting the snow off the roads and blowing it into dumptrucks.  Once the dumptrucks are full of snow, they are driven off to some mysterious location with their load of white stuff.  I remember when I saw this for the first time last year, I laughed so hard that we ended up in a place where dump trucks carry snow not mud. 

When we lived in PA, we used to say that Buffalo, NY is where all the snow goes to die.  I say differently now.

So, what do we do with all this snow?  Make the most of it, I guess...  Children do that so well.  I'm sure there's a life lesson there.

In addition to the buckets of snow, we have also had some really low temperatures -- like where we hope to hit zero. 

I thought this was so bad, I took a picture.

Until the next morning.

This has all left me wondering how it was possible for pioneers of old (think Ingalls family) to have survived a MN winter in a log cabin with far fewer clothes, I'm sure, and no blown heat.

And yet, if you look close there is beauty all around.  And the knowledge that winter can't last forever.  Spring, color and life are around the corner... even though the corner may be a bit farther away than I would like. 

vibrant color:  amaryllis

I didn't mean to, but as I'm writing, I can't help but apply that to our lives.  It brings me to the verse (Ps. 30:5), "...Even though weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning."  Think on it, friends.  God's at work even though we may not see it.  Hope always.  Dawn will break.

signs of life:  burning bush

the wonders of what HE did on the cross

This beautiful hymn has been playing in my mind these past couple days and I thought I would share it with you.  It reminds me of His incredible love towards me and causes me out of love to offer him my life and my all.

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were an off'ring far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Hearing Ears

Oh Lord, let my ears hear your whisper and respond.

I love this Scripture from 1 Kings 19 of when Elijah waits to hear God's voice, His quiet, holy whisper not the powerful wind, or the earthquake, or even the fire.

"11 The LORD said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.'
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave."

2010

I’m getting ready for a new thing!

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:19