Old Oak Tree

"Great oaks from little acorns grow" - Well, that might take some patience! Oak trees don't produce acorns until they are 20, 30 or more years old - but if you walk under an oak that is seventy or eighty, you might need to open your umbrella to keep them from bouncing on your head. The trees can produce thousands of acorns.

The sight of big old oak trees encourages me because God said His people will bear fruit even in old age - ESPECIALLY in old age.

The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and understand the message. They produce as much as a hundred or sixty or thirty times what was planted.
Matthew 13:23

God's Gift of Grace

God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:4-9

19 years ago

My  son died in January, 19 years ago, from severe heart problems. He was three years old, but never able to walk or crawl.

I dreamed recently that I saw Caleb in Heaven. Those of you who have loved ones with special needs will understand how special this dream was to me.

I saw him (as he was at age 3 years) sitting in the floor playing with his ball. Then Jesus said to him, "Show Mommy what you can do!" He gave me a big grin and hopped to his feet and began to run and play.

My son Cameron (now 28)  recently said to me, "In Heaven the Bible says we will be given a new name. I believe God has created a unique song from the name He will give us that He will sing over us the first time we see Him face to face."

We will see Him face to face
And tell the story "saved by grace"!

Fanny Crosby

Facing Forward

Jesus called the unbelieving leaders of his day "stiffnecked". Maybe they got a crick in their neck from looking backwards. "We've never done it this way before!" 

All the time, Jesus Messiah, who is the first and the last, the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, was standing right in front of them.

I confess that I often look back and wish things had worked out differently in my life. There were mistakes, disappointments and setbacks I wish had been avoided. I cannot fix the past, but God can redeem the past and use me for His glory even now....especially now!

Psalm 25:5
Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day

Paths of Wisdom

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    He has reserved priceless wisdom
 for decent people.
    He is a shield for those who walk in integrity
        in order to guard those on paths of justice
            and to watch over the way of his godly ones.
       
Proverbs 2:7-8

Father, I pray for Godly pastors and leaders in our nation, who stand up for what is right in Your eyes.