Put on the garments of praise. They look so good on you!
Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
(Psalm 33:1)
Tag: flowers
Clothed with Humility
Be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
(1 Peter 5:5)
Share this:
Benefits
O my soul, bless God.
From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God,
don’t forget a single blessing!
He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.
God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he’s rich in love.
He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,
nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,
nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
keeps in mind that we’re made of mud.
Men and women don’t live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways
and remember to do whatever he said.
God has set his throne in heaven;
he rules over us all. He’s the King!
So bless God, you angels,
ready and able to fly at his bidding,
quick to hear and do what he says.
Bless God, all you armies of angels,
alert to respond to whatever he wills.
Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—
everything and everyone made by God.
And you, O my soul, bless God!
(Psalm 103 The Message paraphrase)
Share this:
Shelter
My little granddaughter and I were watching the snowstorm out the big front window yesterday when I noticed how the bright colours of the flowers a friend sent mommy contrasted with the harshness of the weather outside. Inside the house is a warmth that shelters the delicate blooms sent from some place where the sun shines kindly.
The storms may rage, but close to the heart of God, in His shelter, tender hearts are safe.
I run continually to the shelter of Psalm 91, and there I find delight in the precious colours of Love.
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”
Share this:
Enduring
Hope: Vision-led endurance
What endurance these orchids demonstrate. They were a gift that arrived this past summer and here they are still blooming in the last short days of December.
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5, 6)
Share this:
Yellow Roses
Next Witness
Daisies
“Not worlds on worlds, in phalanx deep, Need we to prove a God is here; The daisy, fresh from nature’s sleep, Tells of His hand in lines as clear.”
Edward Wilson
Share this:
Tending His Phlox
Phlox
May the God of endurance and encouragement
grant you to live in such harmony with one another,
in accord with Christ Jesus,
that together you may with one voice glorify
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you,
for the glory of God.
(Romans 15:5-7)
Share this:
Token
Photo: Bouquet
Someone asked me if I really thought that God speaks through nature.
“Are you sure these are not just ideas of reference, or that you are not merely assigning a designation of “beauty” to something that is simply an evolutionary adaptation?”
Put it this way. If you are handed a bouquet of flowers from someone whose character you have come to know and trust you can accept it as a collection of specimens of dying plant sex organs or as token of affection from your lover.
Your choice.
Charis: Subject to Change 