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Showing posts from 2017

My Wish week 50

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REFLECTION “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”  (Ephesians 4:32, ESV). IMAGINE THIS The night was blustery and cold. Silently falling snowflakes, melting before reaching the ground, only added to the night’s ambiance. Such a pretty sight. In my office, the electric fire place was flickering in time to the candle on its mantel.  Swirling my coffee, I hummed along to the soft Christmas music flowing from my laptop. Resting at my feet, the dogs had finally embraced the peacefulness, too. All in all, it was quiet the peace-filled scene. And I remembered my wish. I had wished for this. And here it was. Some quiet me time. I needed this! But in all reality, it was sort of lonely. Especially when I pictured my husband’s silly grin. Or our grandkids baking Christmas cookies. I remembered the cookie sprinkles on the hardwood floor and could recall how they loudly proclaimed their cookie tasted best. I smiled when I rec

Dwell with Me week 49

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Beyond the Mirror - week 49 - ylcwv-17 REFLECTION “ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” (John 1:14, NIV). IMAGINE THIS “Father, I don’t want just a visit from You.” I asked God to dwell with me. That was my prayer. I didn’t want just the emotional tug at my heart from a song on the radio. I wanted more - I’d had more. I knew how it felt for Him to dwell with me; but those days seemed distant. Mere blissful memories. What I wanted - nay, what I needed - was for Him to come dwell with me once again; to take up residence within my soul and stay there. I blotted a tear and went on my way. Knowing that God was with me even if I wasn’t feeling Him. But truth be told, His short visits weren’t cutting it. For days I had walked around wishing He’d come back to me. Wanting, needing , to feel His presence in my life again. Walking to my office sanctua

BROKEN week 48

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“The  Lord  is near to  the brokenhearted      and saves  the crushed in spirit.”  (Psalm 34:18, ESV). REFLECTION John 14:27 Voice "My peace is the legacy I leave to you. I don't give gifts like those of this world. Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful." IMAGINE THIS Have you ever felt broken?  Like your soul, your heart , will not, indeed cannot, ever be the same? Lately, I’ve been feeling like that - a lot. It may have something to do with our oldest daughters divorce. It may have something to do with betrayal of family values by someone I don't feel I know anymore. It may have something to do with leaving a church family that we love. It may have something to do with a change in my routine.  It may be a combination of all the above. But whatever the reason or reasons, I feel broken. Yesterday afternoon, I was waiting in line at a pizza place and I felt tears well up. I wanted nothing more than to have a good cry...right there in Little Caesa

Packing Heat vs. Peace Be Still

Is it just me or has the whole world gone crazy?  For some reason lately, I’ve been waking up early - really early - like 2 or 4 AM early. This morning, Thanksgiving morning, my favorite morning ever - is no exception. But instead of the peace I normally feel on this day - I wake up thinking about guns and God. In our nucular family alone, each adult has something to “pack” and I don't understand it. I mean, I get that we are living in a time in history where evil seems more pronounced - but personally, I think social media ( no offense blogger ) has simply magnified its presence.  From the beginning of time, evil has been present and walking around just waiting for someone to embody.  This morning, laying on the couch at 0330, I started thinking about the division, anger, hurt, and deception that has invaded  my family. Then I started - for some reason - thinking about the guns that will come into this house today - and it occurred to me that the weapon I carry is God’s  W

God's Branches week 47

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"God's Branches" Beyond the Mirror Week 47 “You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.” (John 15:16, CEB). REFLECTION 1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 I

FILTERS week 46

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Beyond the Mirror week 46 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) REFLECTION I studied the angle of the daisy, Noting droplets that had pooled on its petals. Its rain washed color so vibrant, it almost looked fake. I steadied the phone and lined up a perfect shot. With a smile, I headed inside to edit and upload. Coffee and phone in hand, I sat oohing and awing over Instagram filters, Showing John first one then another. I smiled when we were in agreement: The natural, unfiltered, unaltered shot was our favorite. It was the one to share with my Facebook family. Who needs filters anyway? IMAGINE THIS Other than the Bible shot, this cover is a collage of the same photo. One shot, lots of filters. I took a brilliant orange daisy and made it appear white, ye