His Comfort For Our Comfort

We are all sharing in the heartache and grief of the families and friends of the 26 victims in the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. No words can describe the thoughts and emotions regarding this unspeakably senseless act.  Having been committed at this time of the year when those thoughts and emotions are (or should be) centered on the beautiful Christmas story...seems even more tragic and senseless.

To the people of Newtown...

We cry tears, hot tears, for your pain.
We give you warm mental hugs in our effort to comfort you.
We pray fervent prayers that you will somehow find peace and comfort in these hours when such things seem way beyond your capacity to find.
And we offer to you the following verses from the One who knows best how to be by your side through it all...
 

Trust Brings Peace

 

There is unwavering peace today…

when an uncertain tomorrow…

is trusted to an unchanging God.

                            -Ann Voscamp

 

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in

part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

(I Corinthians 13:12)

 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:

 because he trusteth in Thee.

(Isaiah 26:3)

"And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward."
(II Corinthians 3:4)

 

Transformations

I'm enjoying watching many transformations happen before my eyes these weeks. These pairs of photos show some of them, from bare trees with no buds to those of blooming beauty.

From buds (and Mrs.Cardinal)...

...to blossoms...

                                                  

...to baby cherries!

From bare branches...

...to flowered ones.



From lovely blossoms...

...to promising pears!



From dreary winter...

...to cheery Spring!

God's power to change and transform are a wonder to behold, not only in plants but also in people. We are thankful for that power, we have seen it SO many times, in so many places during our lives!

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (II Corinthians 5:17)

Pink Roses For Ana

Our hearts grieve with the family of our friend and former missionary colleague as they have laid her to rest. But we also rejoice as we know she is with her Saviour the Lord Jesus!

Lois was known here in Brazil as "Dona Ana". Although we hadn't had too much contact over the past nine years, we are blessed to have many wonderful memories of her and her sweet, gentle and cheerful ways. Isn't it interesting how memories come pouring in when the person is gone? That is a blessing from the Lord to help minimize the pain of their leaving.

 

I think it is fitting here that I post some pink roses in memory of "Ana"...

This rose with the drops of rainwater reminds me of our tears, and especially those of her family, as we feel this sadness of our loss.


And this perfectly beautiful and flawless rose makes me think of how she is

now enjoying perfection in every way. No more pain or suffering but heavenly

joy in His presence!

   Here is one more...just because. Who wouldn't be comforted

looking at such beauty?!



"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body,

and to be present with the Lord." (II Corinthians 5:8)

"...to be with Christ, which is far better." (Philippians 1:23)

New Life!

Life is a gift from God. When our seventh grandchild was born a few days ago, I marveled at God's loving and divine hands to create this little one. Doesn't she just look like a little rosebud? She's perfect, with "ten fingers, ten toes, one mouth and one nose...". She is new and the parents have the wonderful privilege to teach her God's Word and His Way, help her form her beliefs, mold her personality and show her their examples. I love new life, new days, new things! Each one has the potential of many blessings and possibilities. Do you delight in getting something like a new notebook, to write things on that clean, never-before-used paper that are helpful to yourself or others? Help us, Lord, to take advantage of the "clean sheets of paper" you give us, to write on them beautiful and godly things...whatsoever is pure and true and lovely. God, also, delights in new things! "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation..." (II Cor. 5:17). He delights to teach me new things, to mold me into the person He wants me to be, to make my life a blessing to others.

An Indescribable Gift!

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift" (II Corinthians 9:15). What IS this gift that's such that we cannot describe it? You mean, it's beyond beautiful and precious and wonderful? Can it be that it is beyond even...PERFECT?? More wonderful yet, is that it is a gift! A gift is something that is freely given. No payment, no strings attached, you don't even have to deserve it. You just accept it and it's yours. This gift is Jesus Christ. And all wrapped up in Him is His love and salvation for us-the most beautiful and perfect gift ever. Oh wait, that doesn't fully describe it...it's unspeakable and indescribable! What a beautiful gift for us to receive this Christmas! So, how do I receive it? By faith. By believing on Him. By trusting Him, that what He says is true, that what He promises will come to pass. He said believe in Him and He will save us (Acts 16:31). Forever. It's as simple as that. What a...gift!