When Oceans Rise

     Love the way this song ministers to my soul.  It can be purchased here (affiliate link).

Brave Grace

     God uses people to accomplish His purposes.  Plain, old,  ordinary people.  Like you and me.  Isn't that amazingly scary?
     The idea of being used by God was so astounding to Moses that he suggested that God use someone else.  Moses thought that his story was one of failure and shame.  He hesitated to let God use him.  Of course, Pharaoh was reluctant to listen to Moses to let the Israelites go.  And now that the Israelites were free, Moses was leading them into even more peril.  What did God expect?  Moses had killed an Egyptian and then spent forty years on the back side of the desert.  God could have picked someone else.
     Moses knew that rescuing the people of God was an undertaking fraught with difficulty.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’  And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this.  ~Exodus 14:1-4

     God deliberately placed the Israelites between the sea and the Egyptian army.  Through Moses, God gave them specific, step-by-step instructions.  Instructions that were leading them down a path to apparent ruin. Turn  around and camp. Camp there. On that particular spot of sand. Right there, before the entrapping sea. Yes, right there in that impossible place.

     The Lord occasionally does the same with us, leading us into hardship, bringing us to a particular point or allowing us to be in a circumstance not of our choosing. Our initial reaction may be panic and alarm.  (When I was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago, I lay on the couch for three days.)  God gently reveals the depth of our faith to us.  He teaches us wisdom and shows us His ways.  And then we learn to lean into Him.  To rest securely on the only One who could ever save us anyway.  The One who holds us gently in His arms.
     Moses and the Israelites learned that the same God who led them in, would lead them out.  The problem was not left to Moses.  It was God’s dilemma to solve which He chose to do through Moses inadequate hands.  Moses stretched out his arm over the sea.  The waters parted and the Israelites were brought through to safety.
     Sometimes, like Moses, we think that our story is one of shame, failure, and inadequacy.  But you know, it doesn’t have to be.  Our story can be a story of grace.
     It is a brave grace that saves.  A grace that fixes broken lives.  A grace that heals broken hearts and restores sinners.  It is a brave grace that looks beyond what we have done and sees what we can be.  God does not count our sin against us.
     God exhibits grace and mercy so that we might experience forgiveness and healing.  So that, like Moses, we can see that we are capable of being used to further His glory.   Thank God for His brave grace.
     This post is part of a series on Exodus.  I have been joining the Good Morning Girls at Women Living Well.  My other Exodus posts may be found here.
Exodus 1-5  The Burning Bush
Exodus 6-10  Great Lengths
     This weeks assignment Exodus, chapters 16-20.

Safe in the Storm

Unknown: See note below.

     About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water.  When the disciples saw him they screamed in terror, thinking He was a ghost.  But Jesus spoke to them at once.  “It’s all right,” He said, “I am here!  Don’t be afraid.”  Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water,”
     “All right, come,” He said.  So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink.
     “Save me, Lord!” He shouted.  Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him.  “You don’t have much faith, “Jesus said.  “Why did you doubt me?”  And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.  ~Matthew 14:25-32

     When most of the disciples first glimpsed Jesus walking to them on the water, they cried out in terror believing Him to be a ghost, a phantom, something frightening and insubstantial.  A ghost was not capable of dealing with a storm in the real world.  The waves were high. The boat was filling with water and their lives were in danger.  The disciples didn’t want a ghost, they wanted a savior.
     But then Peter boldly called out to Jesus to let him come to Him.  Peter climbed out of the boat onto the raging water.  Peter wanted to be where Jesus was, even if that meant stepping out of the comparative safety of the boat and into the violent storm.  Peter faltered when he saw the waves crashing, and felt the strength of the wind whipping through his hair and clothes.  Bedraggled and wet, Peter started to sink deep into the depths.  But his Saviors hand took a firm grasp on his. Stumbling and clinging, Peter was led back to the boat.  Peter held tight to Jesus. Jesus did not feel like a ghost.  Jesus felt like a rock.  Peter found safety in his Savior’s arms.
     We can falter in our walks, too.  When we focus on our circumstances and take our eyes off the Lord and His promises, we sink into hopelessness and fear.   Peter was clearly afraid, but he knew enough to cry out to Jesus, the only source of help.  Jesus reached out, grabbed hold of Peter’s hand, and walked with him back to the boat.  The swirling winds ceased.
     The secret of facing any kind of storm is not to watch the thunderous waves.  The way through is to focus on the God who is in complete control.  God knows when to watch us walk on the water and when to pull us up from the bottom of the sea.  He will calm the fierce and seemingly relentless wind.  He will calm the storm raging in our life.  Trust Him with all of your heart.  We may get wet, but He will not allow us to drown.
     One of my most popular posts shows the time that my children walked on water.   I think that you will enjoy it.

PS:  A few weeks ago I came across the incredible painting at the top of this post.  I have been unable to find out who the artist is.  If you know, or should this painting be yours, please tell me.  I would love to give credit.

This post was featured at Create With Joy.

Paint By Number Masterpiece

     Last week, I told you about a treasure that I did not buy.  This week, I am going to show you the one that I did.
     Patty and I were out when I spied this wonderful original painting of a clipper ship in full sail.  Isn’t it wonderful?
     Some of you art connoisseurs may have noticed that my treasure is a Paint by Number.  Paint by Number kits included a cardboard canvas with blue sketched areas appropriately numbered so that when you applied the coordinating paint to the segmented spaces, you would, eventually, end up with a masterpiece.

Source

     I loved these kits as a child.  I painted kittens, horses, ballerina’s, and landscapes.  Paint by number kits made me, ME, an artist.  Even the box proclaimed, “Every man a Rembrandt.”
     I still remember the scent that emanated from the little pots of oil paint as I carefully opened and stirred them.  And oh, the challenge of cleaning those little paint brushes so that the next color would be true and the brush supple enough to paint within those blue squiggly lines.
     The beauty of Paint by Numbers is that even though a kit may start out exactly the same as a million other kits, the end result was determined by the artists hand.  Some artists left sure deft strokes of paint, and others little blobs and smudges.  Some were signed with pride when completed and others left unfinished and hidden in the attic.
     Vintage Paint by Number paintings are becoming quite collectible.  An unpainted Clipper Ship is currently offered on ebay for $184.00.  There is even a Paint By Number Museum.  And look what I found on-line.  The same Clipper Ship painted as a mural in a nursery.

Source

     The Book of Genesis says, “in the beginning God created.”  Stop and think on that, God created.  God made art with His actions.  And when God made us in His image, He shared the gift of art with us.  We are artists.
     Now some of you are disagreeing.  I’m not an artist.  I’m a principal.  A construction worker. An accountant.  Because chances are, most of us haven’t gone to art school or been commissioned to sculpt marble, or paint murals.
     But could it be that our very actions of service are the art that we are to create?  That the daily responsibilities and obligations, that we just want to get through so that we can get on to the bigger and better things, are the art arena’s of our lives.  Could it be that we are artists when we serve our spouse’s, care for our children, and be faithful in our work?  Could it be that the very place of service where our feet stand is exactly where God is calling us to create our masterpieces?
Let’s allow our lives to be guided by the True Artist.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” – Ephesians 2:10

     You are an amazing work of art.  A masterpiece created and purposed in love.

Koi at the Bronx Zoo

     Excuse me, I mustache you a question.

          According to Chinese legend, a carp which courageously climbed up waterfalls was turned into a dragon.  This is why carp, or koi, are a Chinese symbol for success and bravery.  These beautiful fish sure do look like small dragons.

     The koi in these photos were in a pond in the Butterfly Exhibit at the Bronx Zoo.  They were so graceful and beautiful.

     They danced as they moved through the water.

     I love the mustaches!

Great Blue Heron

     There is a tiny pond not far from where we live.  When I drove by,  I was very excited to catch a glimpse of a blue heron.  I rushed home to grab my camera.  All of my previous attempts to capture them on film have gone awry.  See Exhibit A.

Exhibit A

     But this heron stayed absolutely still.  He never moved.  I have a million pictures of him just - like -this. 

   He stood like a great gray sentinel while the mallards splashed around him.  There was even a woodchuck swimming near him.

      How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?  I hadn't realized that woodchucks were such good swimmers.  This little fellow was enjoying the sunshine and the water.

      The pond is right below a huge parking lot.  The water is surprisingly clean.  I took an environmental class a few years ago and tested the water here for oils.  The water was clear and the ph,  neutral.  The wildlife sure do seem to appreciate it.  We have seen turtles and frogs on the banks, but none were visible this day.

      Mrs. Mallard standing on the ice.  Look at those orange feet.

      Mr. and Mrs. Mallard off for a swim.

      Bottoms up!

     He is so beautiful.  I hope that he stays for awhile so we can get used to each other.

A Good Land

 

     Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills;  a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey;  ~Deuteronomy  8:6-8

Ice on the Hudson River

     On Saturday, Pat and I took a walk on the Poughkeepsie Riverfront.  The Hudson River was covered with huge chunks of ice.

Looking south toward the Mid Hudson Bridge.

     The Hudson was called the "river that flows two ways" by the Native Americans who lived in this area.

     The Hudson River is a tidal estuary.  The tidal current in the river was so strong that the ice moved up river from south to north, although the river flows north to south.

          "Out of the south comes the storm,
          And out of the north the cold.

My dashing husband.      

From the breath of God ice is made,And the expanse of the waters is frozen."   ~Job 37:9-10

      This view is looking to the north at the Walkway Over the Hudson.  The seagulls didn't seem to be bothered by the ice.

     Just looking at all of that ice makes me feel cold.  What is the weather like where you live?  Do you have lots of ice and snow or are you enjoying palm trees and umbrella drinks?

Deep Water

     One day as Jesus was standing by the Sea of Galilee, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.  He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.  He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
      When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”  Luke 5:1-5

     The story continues that the men launch their boats out into the deep water and caught so many fish that the nets break.  And from then on Simon, James, and John follow Jesus.
     Can you picture the crowd at the water’s edge, pressing on Jesus so that He asks a fisherman to let Him stand in his boat? Can you smell the salty air and hear the cries of the birds soaring overhead, and the deep rumbling voice of our Savior speaking words of truth?  Then Jesus turns to Simon, who was to become Peter, and asks him to launch out into the deep water.  Jesus didn’t make an announcement to the crowd, or speak to the fishermen in general, no Jesus was in Simon’s boat.  A boat about the size of a row boat, small, intimate. Jesus leaned over and spoke to Simon directly, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets.”
    I don’t know about you, but, I like to play in the shallow waters myself.  It’s familiar in the shallows. There is something comfortable about knowing that the water isn’t too deep.  I like to stay where I can see the bottom.  There aren’t any unknowns in the shallow water.  There are fewer risks.
     Unlike me though, Simon was a fisherman, used to leaving sight of the shore.  But he was a tired, failed fisherman that morning.  He had been out all night and not caught anything.  He had given up on fishing for the day.  He was just starting to get comfortable.  Just about to take a much needed rest.  But Jesus asked him to try again and not just go out a little further, He told Simon to take his little boat and go into the deep water.  It wasn’t the time to get comfortable.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  ~Isaiah 40:31

     It was time to do something that Simon Peter had never done before.  To launch out into the deep in a leap of faith.  To not be satisfied to stay near the comfortable shore.  To sail on eagles wings.  To put out his nets where the waves had once rolled over him.   It was time to launch into the unknown, into his future with Christ.  To go, just because Jesus said to.  To let down his nets to an abundant harvest, to a miracle, to deeper things.
     Each year I chose a word to consider.  This year my word is Sail.  I want to catch the wind of the Spirit in my sail and launch out into deeper water, to leave the comfort of the shore, to experience a deeper walk with Jesus.

“Now Voyager, sail forth to seek and find.”  ~Walt Whitman

     Put out into deep water.

Advice From the Ocean

Be shore of yourself.

Sea life's beauty.

Come out of your shell.

Avoid pier pressure.

Don't get tide down.

Eat ice cream!Make a splash!

White Heron

     This gorgeous white heron, also known as the great white egret,  was wading in the brackish water in Assateague Island National Seashore.  He graciously allowed me to take this shot.

Nothing Runs Like A Deere

It is God who arms me with strength
 and keeps my way secure.           

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;                                                                                     He causes me to stand on the heights.  ~ 2 Samuel 22:33-35

     A few weeks ago, our family went to Virginia to visit my Mom and Dad.  One morning during our stay, Dad asked Anthony if he would mow the lawn.   Anthony does not mow our lawn because of a tricky hill, so this was not something that he had done before.  Anthony agreed reluctantly and looked a little apprehensive.  I have to admit that I was, too.   We might have a tricky hill, but Dad has a water canal in his backyard.  I had visions of Anthony driving the lawn mower over the sea wall and into the bay.

Mom and Dad

      I followed Anthony and Dad to the garage.  Dad rolled out the John Deere ride-on mower, with matching hat.  Anthony climbed aboard.  Dad explained the pedals and shifts.  I hoped that Anthony was paying attention, because I was totally confused.  Finally, Dad told Anthony to power it up.  Anthony turned the key, and nothing happened.  The three of us looked at each other.  “Try it again,”  Dad yelled encouragingly.  Anthony turned the key again.  The John Deere remained silent.
     “Did you break it already!”  Dad yelled jokingly.  He told Anthony to get off and slid himself into the driver’s seat.  Dad turned the key and the mower started up with a vroom.  Dad climbed off and it stuttered to a stop.  Anthony got back in the hot seat.  He turned the key again.  Nothing.
     Dad figured it out.  Slender Anthony did not weigh enough to meet the safety requirement that allowed the mower to start. I slid onto the seat.  Insultingly, the machine started right up for me.  Anthony slid onto the seat as I carefully shifted my behind off.  As advertised, the John Deere continued to run.

      Anthony faithfully mowed the lawn for his grandfather.  The John Deere hat flew off as he increased his speed.  To my great relief, Anthony did not drive into the water.

     John 6 tells us how Jesus fed five thousand people with a young boy's lunch of five small barley loaves and two small fish.    Do not underestimate yourself, no matter how small or slender you are. There are no lightweights with God.  Little becomes much when we place it faithfully in the hands of Jesus.

Look carefully, and see a double rainbow.

     Paul wrote to Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.  Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.  Do not neglect your gift,"  ~1 Timothy 4:12-14
You can read more about our past trips to Virginia.
     Fishing Isn't the Same As Catching
     Father's Day
     Return to Me

Update:  John Deere has in no way paid me to mention their product.   They do not even know who I am!