Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.” I live 30 minutes from D.C. and one of our family traditions is to go to the Cherry Blossom Festival every year. When the Cherry Blossoms hit their peak bloom, it is an official sign that Spring is here. The National Cherry Blossom Festival attracts more than 1.5 million people to the District of Columbia every year. At the heart of the festival is 3,000 cherry blossom trees blooming along the Tidal Basin. It’s amazing that blossoming trees can attract so many people from around…
“…I make all things new.” Revelation 21:5. This week in Maryland has been wonderful; there is a gentle zephyr that invites warm weather, buds are forming on the ends of barren branches, and green shoots are rising from the ground—all promising a change in seasons. We have shining yellow daffodils blooming in our front yard, giving hope for what is to come; Spring. My husband and I took our daughter and son on a walk a few days ago and it felt so good to have the warmth of the sun beam down on our faces. The wonderment in their…
“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3, NIV. Small Beginnings Spring is only a few days away; a time of rejuvenation and new growth. Even the smallest seeds will take root and become a beautiful plant or tree. I used to live in Michigan and I can still remember neighborhoods with tall and mighty oak trees. Their long limbs would shake off acorns during the strong winds that would sweep through during a thunderstorm. I would watch the neighborhood squirrels gather acorns and bury them with precision with…
Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me. Psalm 42:7 A few weeks ago at church prayer, there was a depth that our congregation experienced in the presence of God. I felt like Peter when he began to walk on the water. Peter didn’t step unto still waters, he stepped unto raging waters in the middle of a storm! Regardless of how we may judge Peter for getting distracted and looking at his surroundings, he is still the only man who has ever lived, other than Jesus, to have…
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13, ESV) Some things are just unmistakable, clear to anyone who sees it. The boldness of Peter and John was very evident to the people of Jerusalem. Empowered by the Holy Spirit operating in their lives, the disciples openly proclaimed the message of the risen Savior. They did not back down, regardless of the persecution it frequently brought. And that made the religious leaders angry, very angry. The number…
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6, NKJV) I have been blessed throughout my life to have sufficient food and to enjoy the food I have. I especially enjoy sharing a good meal with a group of friends gathered around the table. The food refreshes my body while the fellowship refreshes my spirit. Eating would not be nearly as enjoyable if we did not experience hunger. Hunger is the body’s alarm system, built in by God, to warn us that it’s time to eat. Without hunger we could literally starve to…