A Little Rose...

God picked a little rose...
...to grace His home in heaven.

We grieve with our missionary colleagues in the loss of their daughter, Lydia. We will miss this ray of sunshine that blessed many lives and warmed many hearts.

"In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:2,3)

A Salvation Story

Sadly she lay by the side of the road, near the gutter, thrown there by its previous owner who had no use for her anymore. She had not been sold, was beginning to lose some of her beauty, was not wanted, so she was rejected... But along came someone who noticed her, noticed that she still had life, that there was potential for revived beauty. With joy she picked her up and took her home. There she set her upright again, gave her water to drink and cut off the dead leaves and wilted flowers. It wasn't long before she had totally revived and her beauty was stunning. I set her on the coffee table admiring her beauty...

I took at least a dozen photos, just couldn't get enough of her beauty! From every angle she was beautiful...

I did not know her name so I researched and found out that it is Canterbury Bells. Isn't that a lovely name befitting this beauty queen? After a few days of being enjoyed at home, she was taken to the Bible college to bring beauty and joy to others, too.

Many times during these days of watching a thing of beauty come out of my efforts to save this flower, I have been reminded of God's work in human lives. I'll let you make the comparison.

"(The Lord our God) raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; that He may set him with princes, even with the princes of His people." (Psalm 113:7,8)

Angels' Joy!

                   Forty-four years ago today I was the cause for bringing joy to the angels.

And who can describe or even imagine HIS joy

when a sinner repents?!

I believed in God's Son....therefore I have life. Eternal life!

So simple, so true, so wonderful. No wonder this gives joy to the angels!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosover believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life"
(John 3:16)

PRAISE TO HIM

May every moment of your life and mine bring only praise and joy to Him, the one Who made, loved and saved us.

"Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee." (Psalm 63:3)

Seen On A Sunny Sunday Afternoon

Not many words needed, just showing some of the sights on my walk yesterday afternoon. I was taking advantage of the glorious weather!...although, by the time you read this, it may not be that way. I love the way the sun was shining through the trees as I walked down the hill... ...and around the park.

This isn't trash on the ground, but the white fluff from the pods of a certain tree. It would be easy to imagine it as being snow on the ground, what with the cold weather we've been going through!

The sun outlining our front yard cedar. I could take a thousand photos of the effects of the sunshine and not get tired of it!

"He has made everything beautiful in His time."-Ecclesiastes 3:11

Warmth

During these days of record-breaking cold here in our area of south Brazil I have been reminded many times to be thankful for having at least a house to live in, warm clothes to wear and a small fireplace in our living-room....things which the homeless or poor do not have. Although it seemed that we got a chill in our bones that would linger for a bit too long, I tried to maintain a spirit of thankfulness to the One who cares for His own. In addtion to these physical blessings there is also the warmth of His presence...

I remember in Nov '06 when I found out that I had cancer. The next morning I took my cup of coffee and sat down on the outside steps to contemplate His plan for my life...or death. Although the temperature was hovering around freezing, I did not notice the cold. His presence with me, His promises to me from His Word and thoughts with which He filled my mind and blessed my soul...well, they warmed me inside and out! I often remember those miraculous moments and give Him thanks.

"And He said, My presence shall go with thee..."-Exodus 34:1 "For the Lord God is a sun and shield...Psalm 84:11

Others

Most of us have heard or seen the formula for having true joy:

Jesus

Others

Yourself

Is this true? Yes.

When we put Jesus Christ in first place, others before ourselves and ourselves last, we will experience a joy that we can't get any other way.

This month has been full of "others" for us! We made 3 trips which totalled at least 3700 km (Thank You, Lord, for safety!). We were privileged to get to know other people, cities, churches-even another state. And being able to help and minister to others in each of these places was a very special blessing.

"It's all about me." NOT! It's about Jesus Christ and others. They make life worth living. And if He chooses to include me in that picture...then my joy is complete.

May your life be full of joy today as you minister to others for His sake.

"For you are our glory and joy."-I Thessalonians 2:20