Unplanned times.

Often God brings to us times that become very good and refreshing, and even times that transform us. I love a walk on a trail in the woods. Many great memories of times outdoors with friends. 

Each morning I wake early and put on a pot of coffee. After I put in a piece of toast in the toaster, I sit down to prepare for doing my devotions. Keeping God's word fresh in my mind is so important in my daily walk. God's word keeps kindness, peace, joy, and love fresh in my mind creating a protection from evil influences that are all around. 

When I read God's word I love to pause and meditate on things that I read. In this way God's word grows deep roots in my heart. I have a number of times paused to imagine moments that Jesus spent with His disciples and followers. Often, they journeyed far to visit a city or place. Going on walks with others it helps me to try and imagine what those times walking with Jesus might have been like. Talks about life struggles, maybe a joke, a success in someone's life, or a new relationship, quite times, and listening to a person with some wise words. 

God's word is powerful and transforming. The words Jesus spoke to the crowds that followed him I suspect were often direct words for persons with needs and hurts. Jesus knows our needs. The bible helps us draw closer to Him, where there is healing, direction, and encouragement. Let God work in you by drawing near to Him. Have a wonderful day!

Full Bloom

I came across Isaiah 62 a couple of days ago. The first couple of verses have been on my mind in part because of a splendid looking tree in our large front yard at the children's home. The tree is called a "Jacaranda" and this time of year it fills with purple flowers. The tree is in full bloom and stands out from everything else around it.

These verses of Isaiah talk about praying for Jerusalem fervently until she comes into full bloom and becomes a blessing to all around her. 

Our lives as followers of Jesus should have this characteristic of full bloom. We should (I should) be light and hope for those around us. 

Philippians 1:9 says, "that your love will overflow more and more," and talks about our spiritual growth. This is what our lives are all about. The Jacaranda tree looses flowers continuously while it is in bloom covering the street or place below with a purple covering. Let your life be a blessing that overflows touching those that are around, under, and near you. Where ever you are let your life bloom and overflow! Blessings and have a wonderful April!

Acts of kindness

I look at kindness as a seed. When we plant a seed something grows out of that tiny unnoticeable piece of whatever it is. Totally amazing what comes from that tiny seed.  Just one of God's incredible designs! What I really want to say though is about a different kind of a seed. A seed of kindness is a seed in that when planted in a life can grow. Just as a seed requires soil and water to grow so a seed of kindness needs a life where it can grow. When we are kind we will often think nothing of it because it wasn't anything big or special. Just being kind that's all it was. Kindness though is not forgotten. Remember that kindness is a seed, and seeds grow. I like to remember this because in our children's home we get opportunities to care for children for short periods of time. I have wondered what good we can do in a life that has been so damaged over a span of sometimes several years. With a few days or weeks what can we do. A waste of time I have thought, but no it is not time wasted. I can plant seeds in these lives that will grow. Even if I do not see that growth I can have the assurance that kindness grows. God works through and with the seeds that are planted in a life. Keep planting. Be faithful. Don't loose heart but rather give much love and kindness. Have and be a wonderful day. There is always someone that is watching that could be touched by your radiance. 

Wanted: Family

I saw this picture on social media and it caused me to reflect on my work in Tepic. At our children's home live or have lived many children separated from their parents. The reasons for the separation are distinct, but the fact is they all long for a mom and dad. I had my parents my whole childhood and teen years so I cannot relate to not having a mom and dad, or having but not being present, in these important years. What affect does this have on the life of a child? You probably have seen a tree that just grew around something. The tree just continued growing as children do. Character and behavior of the child are affected. Love and support are needed in a child's life to help them in their development. Where that attention comes from is crucial. 

Words of encouragement along with attention can go a long way in the life of any child. This is where you or I can have a positive affect of the life of a child. Working with children as a church worker, or coach are opportunities to provide needed attention. Time given to a child will have a present and eternal reward. We cannot know when a crucial time of need arises in a life. There may never be a thank you as we give time but you can know that you have done little of more value than give time and encouragement. Be a blessing to those around you and have a wonderful day!

Wonderful life!

I know we all have challenging times, some more than others, but still we all experience dry times in our lives. I live in the central part of Mexico where we have a dry season which last for approximately 7 months. It is rare to have rain during this time so needless to say it becomes quite dry in our natural surroundings. This tree pictured here is common to our area, and their are many flowering trees common to us here. The incredible thing is that they flower mostly in the dry season. Even though it is very dry where we live it is the most beautiful time. I truly soak in the beauty of this tree every time I come to work, and when the tree is in bloom.

Now getting back to dryness of soul. Often in our challenging times we so easily focus on our lack of energy or motivation. Beauty, joy, peace, etc. are always present, not always in plain view, but not hard to find. We can drag on our sorrow and depression by choosing to not see the beauty around us and even within us. These trees contain the flower which is released. We all have inner joy and peace which will be released. You are a beautiful person, I am a beautiful person at all times because I know that God is so good, and will give abundance beautiful joy.