Here's the Church, Here's the Steeple

This old church, the stories it could tell. But what kind of stories? Rejoicing, babies born, funerals planned, sermons preached, friends made, prayers recited, confessions made. So many stories.

I'm intrigued by church buildings, especially those that have been abandoned. They once held the soul of the church, the people. Did the folks who attended get along or did they bicker. Did they serve or did they want to be served?

I've attended church in traditional buildings with a steeple, in a high school where assembly and tear down were part of worship, in a former bowling alley. I've worshiped outside and watched the sun rise over the mountain, and the water wave in the lake.

Yet, those old clapboard buildings intrigue me with their memories. My imagination goes to church picnics on the lawn, funerals where the casket is buried in the cemetery that sits on the same plot of land. Old hymns drift out windows so birds can join the melody. Hands held and heads bowed in prayer.

The church building I focus on today is an old, abandoned one. The outside looks worn out, weathered.

I'm sure cobwebs and thick layers of dust fill the pews. Like someone who has abandoned Jesus. Worn from the sin of the world, weary of life. A no trespassing sign graces the front door. No one is welcome. Sadness drapes over the building. Sorrow embraces the person who won't welcome hope.

What happened? Was the building condemned?

Did the person, whose soul weighs down with weariness of the world, give up?

The building may be a remnant of the past, but the person, the people still have a chance. Jesus waits with open arms calling the lost sheep home. He's never abandoned a soul. He waits.

This Old Church

From Caterpillar to Butterfly

2 Corinthians 3:16-18

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Blue Morpho butterflies, the size of my hand, darted around Krohn Conservatory. They flashed their iridescent blue wings in every corner of the tropical dome. My grandkids, Eli and Ella Cate, watched in awe at the many varieties of butterflies that dipped in and out of our path.

On the way to the conservatory, I read a book to the kids. It was all about a caterpillar who was learning to become a butterfly. The whole process tested his patience. Once he figured out that he had to spend time in his chrysalis in order to sprout colorful wings and fly, he embraced his quiet dwelling and waited.

Reflecting on the story of the impatient caterpillar reminds me that I'm in a chrysalis, a place to grow and change in Jesus. Once I chose to follow Jesus and claim him as my Savior, I started the transformation journey. Each day that I proclaim my faith, I change a little more. Being a Christ-follower is a process. I have the Holy Spirit in my life, who helps me transform. He gives me guidance and wisdom, comfort and hope while I live on earth. Like the blue morpho, one of these days I will burst from my shell, then I'll stand in heaven with God, as a new creation. One who is fully transformed, because of God's grace.

The caterpillar feet were gone, the wings unfolded.

One should never lose hope! - Tomas TranstrÖmer

Wings!

Fiction/Suspense Review: Living Lies by Natalie Walters

Description:

In the little town of Walton, Georgia, everybody knows your name--but no one knows your secret. At least that's what Lane Kent is counting on when she returns to her hometown with her five-year-old son. Dangerously depressed after the death of her husband, Lane is looking for hope. What she finds instead is a dead body.

Lane must work with Walton's newest deputy, Charlie Lynch, to uncover the truth behind the murder. But when that truth hits too close to home, she'll have to decide if saving the life of another is worth the cost of revealing her darkest secret.

Debut novelist Natalie Walters pulls you to the edge of your seat on the first page and keeps you there until the last in this riveting story that will have you believing no one is defined by their past.

My Review:
Living Lies is a page turning suspense. I love that the author addresses the story of a woman who suffers from depression. The topic needs to be talked about. Natalie Walters did a great job sharing the insight into Lane's life with depression. Woven into a thrilling mystery, Lane's story drew me in and kept me turning pages (I may have even lost a little sleep.) I liked Charlie Lynch's character. He's a kind man who balances Lane's struggles. As always, I like a well-written story set in a small town. If I hadn't been told, I'd never have known this was Walter's debut. Well done, Natalie! If you enjoy suspense with depth of character, you'll want to read Living Lies. Also, I see where this could be a good book for YA readers as well as adults. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Last Breath

"Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it."

Great is Your Reward

Matthew 5:11-12

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The sounds of May—teachers shouting with joy and students laughing and fist bumping the air. Schools out for the summer.

The week has been busy with end of school awards. Since retirement, I've been able to attend the activities of grandkids. At the middle school on Wednesday, I watched as my granddaughter Dylan was given certificates from the teachers who worked hard to instill a love of learning. On Thursday, I attended awards for Eli and Zeke, moving from third to fourth grade. Every child beamed when their name was called. They held up their certificates and medals, joyful about their accomplishments. What a way to end the year!

Many of the children received the Tiger award. A special acknowledgement of good behavior, kindness, and hard work. Those students treated their fellow students with respect and were rewarded.

When I accepted Jesus as my savior, I agreed to obey God. Frankly, at times I've failed. But the beautiful thing is—God gives grace. Yes, I obey in hopes of receiving the reward of heaven. More than that, I want to emulate Jesus. I strive to show love the way he has, to others.

Jesus reminds me, in the passage in Matthew, that following him may bring persecution. The devil loves to poke, prod and attack from every side. As certain as I am that it wasn't always easy for the students to show kindness to each other, I know how difficult the path is when following Jesus. Yet, I choose to follow the example Jesus set. To love God and people. For great is the reward of heaven.