Tag: #christianblog

THE ARMOR OF GOD

The day I was at a park when it was about 38 degrees out, I started putting on layer after layer of coats and sweatshirts to keep warm while I was sitting out in nature enjoying God’s presence.  It made me think of the Armor of God that we, as Christians, need to put on daily to withstand the enemy that likes to sidetrack us.

 

 

We need to remember to keep our eyes on the cross, where victory has been achieved through Jesus’ death and resurrection.  A phrase from the song “Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns resonated with me, especially today.  Think about the truth of this:

If your eyes are on the storm
You’ll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You’ll know I always have and I always will.

What a powerful reminder to remember Jesus’ great love for us as we keep our eyes and thoughts on the cross! Continue reading “THE ARMOR OF GOD”

THE BARREN DESERT

Looking at the bare trees in late fall, one can sense the winter months are quickly approaching here in the northeast.  I was a little saddened looking at this scene, as I do not prefer the winter months as much.  It is more difficult being inside most of the time because of the colder weather; how I enjoy being out in nature, especially since this pandemic started.

 

 

This view was at least comforting with having the sun beating down though it was still very chilly.  In fact, I had five layers of sweaters and coats on!

 

Have you ever felt like those barren trees? Continue reading “THE BARREN DESERT”

RESILIENT

As I sat in solitude at a picnic table, with this view of a lake before me, God used some geese to capture my attention.

 

 

~At first, I observed the geese in the water floating around controlled by the buoyancy of the water.

 

 

~These same geese, a few minutes later, came to the shore and waddled onto dry ground, looking for some food to feast on.  I was watching them for a long time, taking many pictures as they were wandering around.

 

 

 

~After getting their fill, they took to the air flying with two other geese in different formations high in the sky and talking with each other. Continue reading “RESILIENT”

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Life on this earth is a journey. Our journey can take many different paths.  Here are some verses that encourage us to keep striving to keep on the path, the course that God provides for our lives.

For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside.  –Job 23:11  (NLT) 

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  —Psalm 16:11  (ESV)

Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.  Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.  –Proverbs 4:26-27  (NLT)

What joy there is living in God’s presence, following the path He sets before us. We need to continually keep following God, not getting sidetracked, or pulled toward the evil one.

Continue reading “OFF THE BEATEN PATH”

GOD IN OUR MIDST

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.  –Zephaniah 3:17  (ESV)

 

Whenever I hear or see this verse, it brings a smile to my face and encourages my faith journey.

The book of Zephaniah, part of the Old Testament, consists of only three chapters. It is about the coming of the Lord, the judgment against Judah and Jerusalem who are rebelling, and the importance of seeking God.

This particular verse shares the hope that was extended to the remnant of Judah when they returned to the Lord.  It provides that same encouragement for us in our lives, reminding us the Lord is in our midst and sharing God’s response to us. Continue reading “GOD IN OUR MIDST”

ORCHESTRATION OF OUR STEPS

 

Another sunny Sunday was forecast, so that meant another perfect day for a road trip to a park.  A Sunday earlier on our travels, we saw a sign for a new to us park.  We added it to our possible park list.  When Saturday night rolled around, we were thinking of going in a different direction but finally decided to go to the new park. Continue reading “ORCHESTRATION OF OUR STEPS”

SEEK HIM

Seek Him~~Seek Him with all your heart, and you will find Him.

He can be found everywhere and in everyone.  Be still and soak in His presence in the beauty that is all around.  When we seek Him and find Him, we have found the greatest treasure this world holds.  These Bible verses summarize those thoughts so perfectly:

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  –Jeremiah 29:13  (NIV)

Your heart will always be where your treasure is.  –Matthew 6:21  (CEV)

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Spending Sundays going to some sort of park helps me take quiet time to seek Him and find His presence in nature, in the silence, or even in the sounds around me. Continue reading “SEEK HIM”

CASCADING LOVE

My birthday this year was quite different from most years, which I guess goes along with the theme of 2020!

The presence of friends and family graced my birthday last year as we gathered for a “celebrate Christine” event. People shared how my life has affected them, making me feel very special knowing that the God in me is shining through. I felt so much love, which made it my most special birthday to date.  This year, I had the pleasure of rereading all the cards and notes that people shared with me that day. I am hoping to reinstate the tradition next year.

 

The “celebrate Christine” crew from last year. Great memories except for the broken elbow!

 

This year was a somewhat quiet day for me as I, at the last moment, went to deliver paperwork and say farewell to a car that my two sons drove through the years.  It was a full day of traveling for six hours round trip, but God’s presence in the aloneness was with me.  After all, especially on my birthday, as I pondered the meaning of my life and how God is working in and through me, what better place than to be alone with Him? Continue reading “CASCADING LOVE”

MINISTRY REFLECTIONS

Ministry in our lives can take many forms.  For some, it might be something formal in a church setting such as parish council, an elder in the church, funeral committee, or usher/greeter.  I believe ministry encompasses much more than the traditional roles in the church.

I found this definition for the word ministry in a Google search, which I think is perfect:

 

 

What if the “something is accomplished” is sharing the Jesus in you with others?

Sharing Him through the way you live,

the activities you are busy with,

and through your words. Continue reading “MINISTRY REFLECTIONS”

TODAY

 

 

I receive daily emails from a coworker who gives me work to process.  These emails end with a few encouraging words, something like “keep safe, enjoy the afternoon, or keep smiling.”

A recent closing of an email said,

“Please be safe and enjoy Today, it’s another gift from God.”

 

Think about that again,

 

 

That thought spoke volumes to me, a great reminder of how we should be living and looking at each day of our lives!  Continue reading “TODAY”