Water!

I already wrote specifically about the rain but I'd like to mention water in general. We all know the benefits of water...or should know. We cannot live without it, it's as simple as that. Who ever dreamed that this (usually) colorless and tasteless thing could be such a maintainer of life?! I'm amazed when some people say that they never drink water. Hellooo...? NEVER drink water? How can you be so cruel to your own body? Sooner or later, you will have negative results from such a habit. OK, so I'm not a doctor. But I have proven to myself the benefits of water to my own body.

Water, in its natural form, is free. That's because it's one of those perfect gifts, as are all of God's gifts. So is water's counterpart, salvation. Jesus said He can give us living water. He can give us salvation. We don't have to buy it, we don't have to work for it, all we have to do is accept it. When we believe in Him, we are accepting His free gift of salvation-that living water that is necessary for our spiritual life. The benefits are not only here and now, they are eternal!

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him  shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)

Beauty

In watching some of the winter Olympics these days, the word "beauty" comes to my mind quite often. The breath-taking outdoor scenry, the graceful movements of the skaters, the slow-motion filming of the amazing abilities of the human body, the smiles of victory...these have come to grace our lives for a few days. They say that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", which may be true to a certain degree. But true beauty is in the eye of the Creator. We don't have to go far to see beauty, for all of His creation is full of it! He alone is the Author of it. Even beauty which is "made" by man is only possible because of the beauty of wisdom and skill which God gave to him. How can we set our own standards for knowing what is beautiful? The simple verse of Philippians 4:8 says it very clearly, that whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, virtuous and praise-worthy, these are the beautiful things. If any of these qualities are missing...you can mark it down as not being a thing of beauty. Whatever is beautiful, "think on these things". Take time to notice the details of beauty around you today and be blessed! (photo: seevancouversnow.com)

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,   whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)