Simple Calls to Prayer

"Each day, upon my daily round,
I find myself on holy ground -
The morning-glories on my fence
Inspire quiet reverence.
Just one small, tender seedling grew,
And now, this miracle in blue.
A robin in the apple tree
Sings out his glad doxology.
I hear the pure, unsullied joy
Of laughter from a little boy;
I bow before the firm belief
And faith of one who lives with grief;
I watch a jet plane skim the skies
And marvel at man's enterprise;
I look upon a field of wheat
And thank God for the bread we eat;
I watch the benedictive rain
On low-bowed heads of flower and grain.
A friend drops in, a neighbor calls,
The lamps are lit, night gently falls;
Contentment settles with the sun
In labors of the day well done.
So many little altars there,
So many simple calls to prayer,
So many reasons for thanksgiving -
The sacraments of daily living."

-Helen Lowrie Marshall

Spring is Here!!!

Gerbera daisies were on sale at the grocery store today, so I picked up a set of them. They are so sunny and happy! They are also a wonderful reminder of spring that's actually happening here in Southern California. For some reason, the rain has continued on and off throughout February, March, and April. We normally have summer weather by now, but it's really nice to have more temperate weather and occasional showers.

Another sign of spring is that my outdoor plants are coming back to life! After my miniature rose dying down to just sticks and my dwarf mandarin orange tree getting quite a few yellow leaves on it, they are both producing new growth!!! The orange tree actually has lots of flowers on it - which smell heavenly - and some of the older flowers have already given way to very tiny little oranges! It is fascinating to see the entire process up close.

This picture shows some remaining yellow leaves amongst the new green leaves and flowers. It is quite an illustration of how we are as believers. We have lingering sin, remnants of our old man, but we are being renewed daily as we submit to God's plan of change for our lives. We are new creations in Christ Jesus, and as we obey Him, our lives produce fruit that honors Him. The more mature and healthy we become, the more "yellow leaves" of sin will die completely and fall away from us, the more we become like Christ.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
II Corinthians 5:17

Little Things

My aunt forwarded this to me. I thought it was appropriately thought provoking because I know I get all too quickly frustrated at all the little things that "slow me down" during the day. I need to instead thank my sovereign Heavenly Father for planning my every step.

"As you might know, the head of a company survived 9/11 because his son started kindergarten.
Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.
One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.
One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.
One of them missed his bus.
One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.
One's car wouldn't start.
One went back to answer the telephone.
One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.
One couldn't get a taxi.
The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone - all the little things that annoy me - I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.

Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; God is at work watching over you.

May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things and may you remember their possible purpose."

Happy Easter!

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29

I am always in awe when I am mentioned in the Bible. This is one of the verses that refers to me and all post-ascension believers. It helps to confirm that God knew about me before the creation of the world. Jesus' time on this earth, his death, resurrection and ascension was done to save me from my sins and my natural fate of eternal death. Thank you, Father, for loving me so much that my future is secure with you in eternal life. Thank you for giving me the faith to place my trust in your perfect Son's sacrifice. To God be the glory, great things He has done!

This morning at church, we attempted family pictures in everyone's Easter finery. This is one with all the kids. Gary is in it because he has to hold the newest member of the family. :)

Sweet Trust

"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word,
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, 'Thus saith the Lord.'

I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
-Louisa M.R. Stead

I also never posted about our outing Friday night. Nathan's brother, Matt, got free tickets in a box for a Clippers game! He was able to invite whoever he wanted, so we got to go as well as his wife and 4 other friends. There were 8 of is there in the box, as well as a handful of other people (it was a gift from a Verizon representative that was doing stuff at Matt's work, so two reps were there along with friends and kids of theirs).

It was the first time any of us had been to a professional basketball game, except Nathan's friend Brian, who had been to a Clippers game with a very similar deal several years back. It was fun being there in person, and we were still close enough to be able to see the players. The game seemed to go faster than it does when you watch it on TV - probably because they have all sorts of filler when America is watching commercials - contests, dance routines, etc. Sometimes little kids will come out and do stuff - those were really cute. Anyway, it was a fun night spent with Nathan and friends.

Rainbow of Faithfulness

I just came home from shopping with Joanna, and there were some little kids playing out on the grass in front of our building. I heard them shout, "Rainbow!" so I turn to see what they're doing. (the sky is pure blue today - no clouds) They had discovered the fascinating occurance of rainbows in the water of sprinklers, which were watering the grass. They were clearly enjoying this little phenomenon.

I reminded me of the reason behind the rainbow and God's faithfulness to Noah and the rest of humanity. The rainbow is a sign of His covenant to never flood the earth again - and He is a faithful, promise-keeping God. I know that all the things He has promised in the Bible for me are true and I can hold those things close to my heart. He will never leave me or forsake me and He is my strong tower, to name a couple. I am thankful for our wonderful God who gives us such abundant treasures and promises, as well as the little delights and reminders of rainbows in the midst of sprinklers! :)

"And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.'" Genesis 9:12-15

Don't Be A Fool

This was a thought-provoking little devotion today from Ruth Bell Graham:

"'The fool says in his heart, "There is no God,"' (Psalm 14:1) This designation goes for those who doubt God's sovereignty as well as those who deny Him. Either He is sovereign, or He is not God. Therefore, when we become so preoccupied with and dismayed by circumstances and certain people that we doubt God's ability to handle things in His own way, and in His own time, then we, too, are fools."

Owen Scott

I have a nephew!!! Owen Scott Duncan was born at 2pm today to Nathan's sister, Jessica and her husband, Gary. He joins his older sisters, Hannah and Lauren, who seemed very excited about their new baby brother! He was 9 pounds, 2 ounces and 19 inches long (although I question the length measurement - his daddy is 6'5" or something and both girls were closer to 21" long - anyway, we'll see).

It's bedtime now, so I'll be signing off. I am excited that my blog is back! Something made it white-out on me. Not sure why, but here I am again. It feels great to be back. :)