The Stinky Weed

2 Timothy 1:8-10
So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (Letter written to Timothy from Apostle Paul)

As Tim and I walked the dogs near a meadow, I noticed pretty purple blooms. I grabbed my camera and clicked. As I focused the lens, I realized I was snapping pictures of ironweed. Yes -- a weed, not a flower. God creates beauty in unexpected places.

The Apostle Paul's life, before he met Jesus, was ugly. He killed Christians. But when he traveled on the road to Damascus and fell before God and declared Jesus as his Savior, he lost his ugliness. Through grace and forgiveness, love and faith God transformed Paul into a beautiful weed. No one expected Paul to have a change of heart. He'd been persecuting Christians for a long time. Yet God's love changed him. 

God's grace can change any sinful, stinky weed of a human into a beautiful bloom. While sin resembles the stinging nettle weed; crowding out good plants, irritating, burning, annoying, and harmful. Grace is more like chicory, the pretty blue weed that blooms along the roadside and brings joy. God can change any heart if the person is willing. Praise God for his grace and forgiveness.

Be Kind

Contagious Joy!

Psalm 100:1-5
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (KJV)

Years ago, Bill Gaither and his wife Gloria produced a record titled I Am a Promise. My daughters often listened to the upbeat praise songs written for kids and to the children who recited Psalm 100:1-5. There was something pure about the sweet voices speaking David's words.

This week my daughter shared a short video of my youngest granddaughter (14 months old) standing in junior church dancing and clapping to a praise song. Talk about precious,  her joy was contagious. She moved with enthusiasm and freedom (and she was so adorable!)

Children don't hesitate to sing out or shout about Jesus' love. They aren't afraid. As I watched Ella Cate dance, I found myself thanking God that my grandchildren still have the freedom to worship. I pray the freedom we have is never taken away. And I don't want to take it for granted. My challenge this week--dance like no one is watching, sing like no one but God is listening, make worship totally about Him, and say prayers of thanksgiving every day. " For the Lord is good and his love endures forever..." 

The Plans I Have for You by Amy Parker, Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

I wish I'd had a book like The Plans I Made for You when my daughters were young. Amy Parker's story reminds children they are each different and have a special purpose in life. She reflects on the verse Jeremiah 29:11 to show how they can be God's hands and feet and an important person in the kingdom.

As I raised my girls I encouraged them to be themselves and find out what talents and interests fit them. I knew God had a plan for each of them and hoped I could help guide them. This book is perfect for parents to share God's intentions for their lives. Children will enjoy Vanessa Brantley-Newton's vibrant illustrations. I love the page "I've left you instructions-- right here in my book!" with words like love, grace and patience floating around bright-faced children. On the zoo page she's created adorable animals, each labeled appropriately. Children age three to seven years old will enjoy this book.

BookLook Bloggers provided me a free copy of The Plans I Have for You in exchange for a fair review.

Celebrity Jesus

Mark 1:40-45
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

Children's author & illustrator Kevin Henkes and me

When I think of the word celebrity, movie stars, authors, and athletes come to mind. I've stood in line for an hour or more to get an autographed book from a prominent author. My husband and I have attended Reds Fest and moved through crowds to gather names and photos with players. And oh the craziness that surrounds television and movie celebs. Why do we do it? My honest response--I'm not sure. I love children's books and meeting the authors who write and illustrate them. I can say I've met them and maybe that gives me a bit more authority on the subject. I enjoy baseball and meeting the players, it's fun.

I don't know if paparazzi followed him, but in Jesus day he was a celebrity. We read where he was hated by the Pharisees and many others in authority. Yet when he was among the people, he was chased down by the crowds. In Mark when Jesus healed the leper he gave him specific instructions: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone... ” Did the leper listen? Nope. He went and told everyone he saw about Jesus. Why did they chase Jesus? Because he healed. He loved. He taught. Jesus offered new life. They had excellent reasons for seeking out the Savior. As a follower of Jesus, I strive to chase him every day. He's my hope. He heals. He loves. He's the "star" I follow. The one I celebrate! 

Back to School

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

The back-to-school sales are on, the smell of crayons and sharpened pencils fill the air. Teachers are prepping their classrooms and children are counting the days until they see their friends again. Tim and I had the privilege of helping a friend and her church set up to give out backpacks filled with school supplies. The folks shared an excitement for giving and worked to meet a need in their community. What a wonderful way to give a positive start to the school year.

We have a number of teachers in our family and they've already set up their rooms, attended trainings and meetings, and worked to make the start of school successful. At the college where I work, we're preparing for fall semester. Working to get the library in shape before the students come.

God encourages teachers to speak the truth and have a loving eye for students. Jesus, the best teacher, taught by example. Please join me as I pray for teachers, staff, administrators, and students starting back to school. I ask God to bless them with energy, watch over them as they watch out for the students, and fill their hearts with peace and joy. Praise God for the teachers who know him and show his love to their students.

National Lighthouse Day

Today is National Lighthouse Day~
It was on this day in 1789, that Congress approved an Act for the establishment and support of lighthouse, beacons, buoys and public piers. In Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the signing of the Act and the commissioning of the first Federal lighthouse, Congress passed a resolution which designated August 7, 1989 as National Lighthouse Day.
For me, lighthouses are a symbol of hope and remind me of the beacon of light I follow in Jesus.

Once in a Blue Moon

Magic Lilies

These beautiful pink flowers are in bloom. They sprout their green leaves in the spring. The leaves die, then months later a slender green stem shoots up overnight. rich pink blooms open into lovely pale pink blossoms. 
I caught them just after the rain. 

Children's Book Review: Noah's Voyage Illustrated by David Miles

At a time when the people God created were disobedient, God called upon the one good man he could find, Noah. God asked Noah to build an ark because he planned to send rain and flood the earth to destroy the bad and start over with people who loved him. He not only wanted to save Noah and his family, he wanted Noah to load animals onto the ark. Following God's perfect instructions, Noah and his sons built the giant boat to the Father's exact dimensions. When the rains came they climbed in.

The story of Noah's ark has been told time and time again. But instead of listening to a storyteller, now young readers, age 5-7, can pick up a copy and read this I Can Read! copy with a little help. David Miles has painted colorful and expressive pictures that will capture the reader's attention and add to their imagination. The animals are delightful and Noah and his family appear as loving individuals. I especially like the illustration of the inside of the ark. I'm sure most children are curious about how the animals may have lived on the three level ark. I recommend this version of Noah and the ark to be read with a child or to a class. You'll have much to talk about.

I received this book from Zonderkidz in exchange for a fair review. 

What Do Ants, Hyraxes, Locusts, and Lizards Have in Common?

Proverbs 30:24-38
Four things on earth are small,
    yet they are extremely wise:
Ants are creatures of little strength,
    yet they store up their food in the summer;
hyraxes are creatures of little power,
    yet they make their home in the crags;
locusts have no king,
    yet they advance together in ranks;
a lizard can be caught with the hand,
    yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

Summer-- a time for picnics. Grilled hot dogs and burgers, corn-on-the-cob, watermelon, baked beans, and chips laid out on a red-checkered table cloth. Sounds ideal. I enjoy delicious food at an outdoor event and so do ants. If left to their own accord, the little creatures, one by one, carry crumbs off to their hills and pack the goodies away for mealtime. They're smart.

I'd never heard of the hyrax until I read this verse. They're a chubby guinea pig like mammal with the ability to dig a home in the rocks they live near. Despite their short legs, they can hollow out a hole to live in. They know how to meet a challenge.

Locust organize themselves without a leader and lizards find a way to slink into royal palaces. They're determined.

All of the creatures mentioned in Proverbs 30 are considered wise. They use the gifts God's given them to survive day-to-day. Our Father has given each of us gifts. Not just artistic abilities, but life skills. If a little ant can feed an army and a hyrax can dig a cave in the rock, I can face each day with Jesus by my side and overcome difficulties and temptations and use the abilities God's given me to bless others. So often I sell myself short and forget I'm not in this alone. I'm in it with the creator of life. Praise God for his gifts and his beautiful creation.