The Gerber Daisy

    My Gerber Daisy is beautiful this summer. Right now it has three lovely blooms in the foliage is dark green plentiful and healthy. It hasn’t always been that way. 

    I had this plant last summer as well. It was nothing extraordinary.  There weren’t many blossoms but it was still alive.  When wintertime came, I brought my daisy inside and even though it looked pretty bedraggled, I nourished it with water and sunshine from the window.

    When spring arrived, my plants that had wintered inside were excitedly brought outside to enjoy the warm rays of the sun.  In our area, frosts can be frequent up until early summer, so I kept an eye on the forecast, dutifully bringing my plants inside  when it looked like frost was possible.  

    And then it happened.  For whatever reason, I didn’t get all of my plants inside and the frost came one night.  The Gerber Daisy was one that was left outside.  In the morning, it’s broad leaves turned dark green and wilted, I knew it had frosted.  I was saddened that one of my favorite plants had apparently succumbed to the cold temps.  

    Instead of throwing it away, however, I removed the dead foliage and continued to give it water and sunshine, just in case there was life left in those roots.  Time passed, and sure enough, leaves began to sprout, and before I knew it, the plant was MUCH healthier than it had ever been!  Now there are blossoms, amid the green leaves, which are abundant and healthy green. 

The plant has never been so beautiful.  Just a couple of months ago, I thought it had probably died, yet, here we are today, flourishing and beautiful.  I didn't expect this plant to become so beautiful!  Think what would have been missed had I not continued to nourish it, despite it's seemingly bleak future.

    Isn’t it this way as well in our own lives?  We become lost, our spirits are all but dead.  What good could even come from that?  No joy, no tangible contribution to others.  What hope is there?

    There is ALWAYS hope.  We have a loving God who created us from His great LOVE.  He is our Hope.  In Him alone will we find Life.  We are already good enough!  We are already loved!  Given the chance each one of us can be whole, healthy, and blossom like the daisy.  Look to God - not the chaos, the hurt, the ugliness of this world.  

    We are REDEEMED!  God's grace and bountiful life is a free gift - we only need to reach out and accept it.

Isaiah 43:18-19

“Remember not the former things,

    nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;

    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

    and rivers in the desert.

Ephesians 1:7

In Him we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. 

 

 

Five Minute Friday: EAT

Joining in on "Five Minute Friday" this morning....a community of bloggers joining together to write for 5 minutes each Friday on a one-word prompt given Thursday evening.  Here I go!

Eat.  

Two things come to mind....my daily eating habits as well as how I spiritually feed my soul.  Eating is necessary to live a healthy life.  In the past few weeks I've been concentrating on changing some of my eating habits.  Much less sugar, gluten and dairy.  The results have been good.  I've lost weight and I'm feeling good.  Attention and diligence are paying off for me.  I do not give in as much as I used to when I'm confronted with options that are not good for my body.  Not to say that I don't enjoy a piece of birthday cake on a special occasion, but now I'm more mindful of what I'm eating, and make conscious choices, not mindless choices.

Spiritually, when I think of the word eat, Eucharist comes to mind.  The pure joy and total satisfaction when receiving the Eucharist never lessens.  The oneness with Christ, the coming together of a community of Christians for worship, it is at once new each time, yet also a comforting experience that I know I can always count on.  The conscious decision to partake in this sacrament nourishes my spiritual self as well, providing graces to rely upon throughout my days.

Now The Green Blade Riseth

Now the green blade riseth, from the buried grain,

Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain;

Love lives again, that with the dead has been:

Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love who had been slain,

Thinking that He never would awake again,

Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:

Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain,

Jesus who for three days in the grave had lain;

Quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,

Jesus' touch can call us back to live again,

Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:

We sang this song tonight at Mass. Several things touched my heart as we sang.....
"Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain:"......When I married my farmer husband almost 20 years ago, I didn't even know that there was winter wheat as well as spring wheat! The winter wheat is planted in the fall, sprouts, and then is dormant until the sunshine and rains in the spring. I've always marveled at the dying and rising of the wheat seed. The faith of the farmer is not to be downplayed in this scenario. Seed, fertilizer, time, are all poured into this labor of planting a seed which will soon die, with no sign of life for many months after. Early spring comes, the ground starts to thaw, and then miraculously, the green rows start to appear in the field! And it is wheat! Of course, this is only another beginning for this leap of faith for the farmer. Rainfall, storms, diseases, are all part of the story yet to come. Yet, hope is found in the spring, when that green blade is seen! And so it is with our Jesus..."laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen." But a marked difference as well. With Jesus' Resurrection, there is no doubt that Jesus is alive, and remains so to this day...no storm or drought can change that fact!
"When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,"....Our area of the state is expecting snow late tonight and tomorrow! Yes, TOMORROW, Mother's Day, May 11!! Our hearts yearning for springtime will once again be wintry! There are many who are also grieving the loss of ones they love. I know many are in physical or emotional pain. The promise we have as Christians, however, is that these times of desolation, sorrow, or pain, are the EXACT times that Jesus calls to us.LIVE again! The fields of our heart are made lush with joy, freedom, love, and peace! Jesus, the Shepherd whose voice we KNOW, brings us to the fullness of life that he has waiting for us. All we need do is listen.

Indescribable!

How would you describe God?  Amazing! Unstoppable!  All-powerful!  Unchangeable!  Uncontainable!  Holy! All-Knowing!  Forgiving!  Life-Giving!  There's not a single word to proclaim the total awesomeness of our God!  

As I contemplate the gift of the Resurrection, it is both humbling and amazing to me the Love that God has for all of us, that He sent his Son to redeem us!  As I think about the apostles when Jesus appeared to them after His Resurrection...wow, their hearts must have been so totally overwhelmed with thanksgiving, love, praise!  The total joy they  must have felt!

This song by Chris Tomlin, "Indescribable", is a beautiful song of praise to our God...who is my Everything!

It's a Slow Fade...

...when black and white turn to grey
...when you give yourself away
...when thoughts invade, choices made
...when you give yourself away
...when flatter leads to compromise
...when empty words and promises lead broken hearts away
...a price will be paid.

Written by Mark Hall and performed by Casting Crowns, Slow Fade makes the point that people, families do not "crumble in a day."  It's erosion over time of our core values that makes our foundation crumble.  Those "little" things that we do that "don't really matter." They matter.
Choices.  We all have choices...every hour of every day.  It DOES matter what we put into our minds.  Whether it's the television we watch, the music we listen to, or the sites we visit on the internet - it matters.

"The journey from your mind to your hands

Is shorter than you're thinking

Be careful if you think you stand

You just might be sinking."

Just as we make choices, so Jesus, too, made choices throughout His life.  He ultimately chose death on a cross.  HE CHOSE.  Each event of His life was a choice.  Even His birth into this world was a choice by His Mother Mary!
Little choices, big choices...they all matter.  They all form who we are.  What choices have I made today? this week?  this year?  Do they reflect who I want to be? Who God wants me to be?  Are they shaping me into the person I want my children and grandchildren to remember after I am gone from this earth?  Do my choices make me a better partner in marriage?  Do my choices allow me to contribute to the well being of the community around me?
As we go through the day let's be aware of the choices before us...big or small.  What are they the wisest choices for your life?

You Are The Only One

Is Jesus your compass in life?  I believe that each person wants to be happy.  No one likes to be miserable, lost, rejected.  What/who guides your life?  Does your life show the fruits that come from a relationship with Jesus?  

 Jesus is truly the only one we can count on to be there for us ALWAYS!   He is everything to us!  You Are The Only One was written by Casting Crowns.  It's part of their new album THRIVE, released the end of January, 2014. Here's their own description of the album:

  THRIVE, the brand new studio record from Casting Crowns, is packed with the band's signature style of songs about real life that redefine our identity in Christ, pointing us to our purpose from Him so that we may carry it out through Him. It's time for us to more than survive. We were made to THRIVE!.  

Consider taking the THRIVE CHALLENGE by Casting Crowns!  Each month, 1 songs will be featured from the THRIVE album.  Mark Hall speaks in 3 accompanying videos, teaching the meaning behind the song, scripture references, lyrics and thoughts from the band.  This is a great way to re-focus your life to dig in and reach out.  Go HERE to begin!
You can find the THRIVE album on Spotify and iTunes!

"Wash me, make me pure within!"

3Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love;

in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.

4Thoroughly wash away my guilt;

and from my sin cleanse me.

5For I know my transgressions;

my sin is always before me. -----Psalm 51: 3-5

"God Be Merciful To Me" by Jars of Clay, a Christian Rock Band from Nashville.  You can find them on Facebook and MANY of their albums are on Spotify as well.

What To Give Up For Lent??

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.--Micah 6:8

This is one of my favorite verses.  If I am in doubt as to how to respond to a situation, I can plug into this verse to evaluate the choices ahead of me.  As you contemplate something to "give up" for Lent this year, consider the graphic below. Often we focus exclusively on physical things during Lent (no dessert, exercise etc.) and forget that it's our Emotional and Spiritual Self is just as much a part of us as our physical bodies.

Lord, We Praise You!

It's been a sad week for us at school.  Earlier in the week, a beloved retired educator, Georgienne, passed away.  Then on Friday morning, a colleague of ours, Marlene, also passed away.  Our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the loss of these two women.  Our staff is a caring community. There will be a hole in our hearts as we mourn the loss of these souls that we were privileged to call friends.
Even though sadness prevails at times like this, as Christians we also know there is an incredible amount of joy.  When we pass from this world we are not really gone...we are transformed into new life!  No more pain, no more struggle.  We can rejoice that Georgienne and Marlene are celebrating their new life!
God truly is our Rock, our Salvation.  Things of this world are temporary, at best.  Only God is there for us always, forever.
So, even in our sorrow, we WILL praise you Lord!  We will praise You for being our Rock, our Salvation! As I listen and immerse myself in prayer while listening to the two videos below, I truly do praise God for everything...even the hard, sad times.
These two videos are original songs performed by Francesca LaRosa.  She has a voice of praise and thanksgiving!  I also very much enjoy the piano focus of the video! There is another video on the YouTube channel linked above that is an interview with her from four years ago.
She has another YouTube channel where I found the 2nd video, "Let It Shine."

YOU are my SHIELD Lord!

Greg Peterson (yes, of the Peterson Farm Bros) has written and performed quite a few solo (and quartet) selections on his YouTube Channel.  Here's one of his original songs, "Shield"  Enjoy and check out his other recordings!

I Will Follow

"He Leads, I Follow"  

Life isn't certain.  The future is full of surprises for each of us.  Some good, some not so good.  Where is my focus throughout the days of my life...are my eyes on Jesus, on His footsteps?  I will be following Him...not just when the journey is joyful and exciting, but also when the way is hard, sorrowful, heart-breaking.

Chris Tomlin...

 

As you reflect about how you (and I) are salt and light to the world around us, listen to this selection by Jami Smith.  Salt and Light was released in 2002.  Her latest album, Verse, features songs derived entirely from Scripture.   Jami grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, and has been called to travel the country, serving as worship leader.  Her passion is to use her gift of music to help people connect with the Lord.

Salt and Light by Jami Smith

You make me want to be like You

Your holiness I will pursue 

I want the heart of Jesus 

Show me the meaning of Your grace 

I want to give the world a taste 

Of the love of Jesus 

Make me salt 

Make me light 

Let Your holy fire ignite 

Reveal Your glory in my life 

I am not ashamed 

To lift up Your holy name 

Make me salt 

Make me light 

Set me as a city on a hill 

A lamp on a stand 

Mold me in Your image 

The work of Your hand 

The Presentation of Jesus

Luke 2:22-29   The Presentation in the Temple.22 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,23just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,”24and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him.26It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.27He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,28he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:29“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word.

This weekend the Church celebrates Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus to the Lord.  Tradition dictated that the mother bring a first-born son to be dedicated in the Temple about 40 days after a child's birth.  And here we are, about 40 days out from our Christmas celebration!  A sacrifice was usually offered at that time as well (the Gospel of Luke refers to a pair of turtle doves or pigeons).  Simeon was  a holy man, who had been waiting for this moment - the long-awaited Messiah for Israel.  Luke tells us that at long last, he was ready to enter into everlasting life, he had held the Messiah in his own arms!
By the 11th century a custom had developed in the West of blessing candles on this feast day.  A procession took place through the darkened church while the Canticle of Simeon was sung.  This was referred to as Candlemas.  This is still an important feast in many European countries.
When a person thinks of those who have committed their lives to God, often what comes to mind are priests, nuns, missionaries, theologians.  As Christians, aren't we ALL called to dedicate our life to God's service?  No matter what our profession in life - teacher, parent, mechanic, farmer, student - we can dedicate what we do to the Glory of God.  Think about where your day takes you...in what ways do you honor God - that makes your Christian faith evident?  I'm not talking about elaborate speeches or huge donations.  It could be as simple as a hug for a crying child, a smile to a co-worker who is feeling down, a compliment to a spouse.  Sometimes it's the little things that speak volumes when it comes to who we really are - or show what we really believe in our heart.

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) by Chris Tomlin

Martin Luther King Jr. and The Beatles!

Are you wondering, "What does Martin Luther King Jr. and The Beatles have in common?"  Did you know that Paul McCartney wrote the song "Blackbird" as a tribute to the 1963 march on Washington?  The song is credited to Lennon/McCartney.  While in Scotland in 1968, McCartney was inspired to write these lyrics.  The song was released Nov. 22, 1968.  As McCartney explained before his solo acoustic guitar set during the Driving USA Tour in 2002, the word "bird" is British slang for girl.  So, blackbird, becomes a synonym for "black girl."  

Enjoy listening to The Sessions Voices performance of "Blackbird."  The video incorporates Super 8mm footage and documentaries from the national archive. 

The Sessions Voices - Blackbird [official video] from Andrea Nevi on Vimeo.

I Will Go Lord If You Lead Me!

John the Baptist’s Testimony to Jesus. (from John, Chapter 1)29The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.30 He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’31I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.”32John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him.33I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.’34 Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” 

The  Gospel reading for this weekend again tells us of the Baptism of Jesus, but from John's point of view this time.  All of John's life was spent "preparing the way" for the One to come.  He lived his life on that belief - what great faith!  Can you imagine the moment when it was revealed to him that the man standing by him was indeed the Son of God?  To FINALLY see the fulfillment of his life's work. 
I wonder if John had any moments of doubt.  He had followers who supported him, but I bet there were also those who thought he was crazy!  
We all have people in our lives who are "John"...those who think differently than the mainstream...maybe they eat differently, dress differently, live differently as well. Some people are on the "fringes" of society..or at least they are viewed as such.
Are they prophets with a message as John was?  Not everyone accepts the status quo or sees things like "normal" people do.  Do they view this as a liability....or a gift?  How do WE see it?  Perhaps YOU are one like John!  
Whether we live on the fringes or in the midst of the what is viewed as our society, what is really important is our relationship with God.  Are we like John, giving our entire life to the mission that God has for us?  Can others see who you are living your life for?  
Dan Schutte wrote Here I Am Lord in 1981 (wow, that's a LONG time ago isn't it!).  It's been a staple of many Christian hymnals.  The song is based on Isaiah 6:8 and 1 Samuel 3.
As you listen to the verses of this song, put your voice to the lyrics.  Listen and meditate on where the Lord will lead you!

Epiphany - what is it anyway?

Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day and Twelfth Day, is celebrated on January 6.  This celebration occurs on the 12th day after Christmas.  The word Epiphany means "manifestation" or "revelation."  In the Western culture, Epiphany is associated with the visit of the Wise Men to see the child Jesus. Christ reveals himself to the gentiles through the Magi.  In Eastern Christianity, Epiphany emphasizes the baptism of Jesus by John, where Christ is revealed to the world as God's own Son.  Some denominations commemorate the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine, another manifestation of Christ's divinity.

The Gospel of Matthew is the only place that the Three Kings are mentioned in Scripture.  Matthew says that they came from "the east" and does not even give a specific number. Tradition assumes there were three Wise Men since three gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh are mentioned. Scholars speculate that these men came from the areas of Persia, Arabia, or perhaps India.

It's generally believed that the kings took at least over a year to reach Jesus, traveling thousands of miles to worship him, and acknowledge Him as Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  The Wise Men were warned in a dream to return home via another route, and not report back to Herod.

This was quite the journey that these three Wise Men made...thousands of miles, to a foreign land.  What inspired them to respond and persevere?  These men had a determination to find Jesus, and they did! 

He wasn't hiding from them, and He isn't hiding from us either!  He wants a relationship with us, we need only seek Him out.  Just as the wise men did not return home along the same route that they came, we also are forever changed when we encounter Jesus in our life.  We turn from old ways of doing things, to living through the eyes of Love, the eyes of Jesus.

As the new year begins, I challenge myself to travel through my life seeking Jesus, just as these men did.  I want to persevere in seeking Him, in seeking His will for my life.   "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7)....Those Three Kings had FAITH!  

The video below gives a glimpse of the celebration into a Latino celebration for Three Kings Day...complete with gifts!

Family....

Today is the feast of The Holy Family.   All families are holy, aren't they?  Holy, however, does not equal perfect.  In all families we have times of brokenness, hurt, anger.  How do you heal this brokenness?  Forgiveness.  Just as Jesus forgives us for our sins, we are called to forgive others as well.  Forgiveness is not easy. It's a decision. It's love. Forgiveness is acceptance of others...of their whole selves, not just the good parts.  Can I forgive myself as well?  Accept me as God accepts me - good, bad, AND the ugly?  

How Could It Be?

The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 

“Joseph, son of David, 
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

For it is through the Holy Spirit 
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, 
because he will save his people from their sins.”

It's the Fourth Sunday of Advent.  Christmas is almost upon us!  Today, I am considering Joseph.  He had all kinds of choices before him.  He could have abandoned Mary, sent her away, shamed her.  But, no, he held true to his commitment to her, he stood firm in his love for her, even in circumstances that probably seemed beyond belief to him.  
Joseph had to have great faith and trust in his God  as he ventured into this journey with Mary.  As parents we often feel inadequate to deal with all that life puts in front of us with our children - how much more would these feelings be magnified if we were raising the Son of God!  What an honor!  What a responsibility!  What a gift! 
Perhaps the song below, "Joseph's Song" by Michael Card, expresses some of the emotions that Joseph must have felt.

Silent Night!!

This is a beautiful rendition of Silent Night, sung by Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson, and Trisha Yearwood.

REJOICE!

The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally Rejoice Sunday!  We light the pink candle in the Advent Wreath!  One reading the weekend is from Isaiah 35....

1The wilderness and the parched land will exult;
the Arabah will rejoice and bloom;2Like the crocus it shall bloom abundantly,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
They will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.3Strengthen hands that are feeble,
make firm knees that are weak,4Say to the fearful of heart:
Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you.5Then the eyes of the blind shall see,
and the ears of the deaf be opened;6Then the lame shall leap like a stag,
and the mute tongue sing for joy.
For waters will burst forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the Arabah.7The burning sands will become pools,
and the thirsty ground, springs of water;
The abode where jackals crouch
will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus.8A highway will be there,
called the holy way;
No one unclean may pass over it,
but it will be for his people;
no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray on it.9No lion shall be there,
nor any beast of prey approach,
nor be found.
But there the redeemed shall walk,10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
They meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning flee away.

As I read these words, I'm reminded of the song "Blest Are They" by David Haas.  We have reason to be joyful.  Walking beside us, even sometimes carrying us, is Jesus through our joys and our sorrows.  What I may see as a hindrance or something that holds me back, God sees as a chance for redemption and freedom for my soul!  Life is not going to be entirely good or bad...it's a mixture of both.  We are human, we were created as imperfect individuals.  Can we live with the duality of the light and darkness found in our lives?  Do we know that Jesus' forgiveness and redemption can encompass it all?