everything's amazing and nobody's happy...

Today is Saturday... a day for chores... or... a day for play and fun!

I'm sure most of you have probably seen this little video, but it is worth posting for those who have not. I have loved it each time I've watched it! Enjoy!

...let US never cease to be AMAZED or stop being grateful for the blessings in our lives...

birds of paradise...

One rainy day recently, when there was a break in the rain, I went outside and captured the beautiful colors and textures of some birds of paradise...

I love the way God uses the amazing contrast of complementary colors...

...and light... ...and shape...

...drenched in rainy-day beauty...

Thank You, God, for such loveliness in our every day...

anxiety

Anxiety is not only a pain which we must ask God to assuage

but also a weakness we must ask Him to pardon;

for He's told us to take no care for the morrow.

~ C. S. Lewis

I must ask God for pardon today, for I have been most anxious. It's a funny thing, anxiety. Well, not so funny really. Not when it makes your heart race until it feels like it's going to burst out of your chest...or makes you feel like jumping out of your skin... or makes you nauseated or light-headed or faint. When an anxiety attack looms on your horizon, threatening to take control, it's not so funny. Then it is a very real "pain which we must ask God to assuage..."

For anyone who may experience anxiety issues, the physical symptoms are very real. And, interestingly, once they begin, it's usually not something one can talk one's self out of. The physical symptoms are the result of emotions, not thought, and most times, they refuse to respond to logical discussion. (that is, trying to reason one's self out of the physical response)

It is not the racing heart, or the nausea, or the thoughts of flight which really are the problem. The real issue, the weakness for which I must ask pardon, is that I lose sight of God's care for me...

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. ~1 Peter 5:7

that I lose touch with His nearness...

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:5b-7

that I forget to seek His peace...

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ~John 14:27

and that I let fear rule my emotions and my body rather than letting the peace of God guard my heart and my mind.

Yet, there is no judgment from God in this. Only guidance.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." ~John 14:1

And comfort.

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. ~Psalm 94:19

And promise.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. ~1 Peter 5:7

In the midst of my weakness--my anxiety, my worry, my fear--I have a Father Who loves me, and cares for me, and promises His presence... that I would have no need "to take care for the morrow."

* * * * *
...An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. ~Proverbs 12:25

...and a thank you to those of you, my friends, whose kind words cheer me up and cheer me on...whether or not you are even aware!

please pray for Isabella...

This is Isabella. She is the daughter of friends of mine, and they have asked for your prayers. She is 7 1/2 months old, lives in Brazil, and is in extremely critical condition in the hospital. You can read about her at the blog her parents have set up - Isabella.

She was adopted in July of 2008 by my friends, and she has been in and out of the hospital many times during those months. She was born prematurely, and she suffers from problems relating to her lungs not being fully formed at birth.

She is once again in a battle for her little life, and we would greatly appreciate your prayers. As of last night, she was in an induced coma and on a ventilator to try to allow her lungs to rest and heal. She is not responding to treatment and is desperately in need of a touch from the Great Physician.

As we can only imagine, this has been a very difficult time for her parents and big brother as well... please pray for them and for Isabella... for healing, for peace, for rest... for the amazing presence of our loving Father right there with them in the hospital...and for a miracle.

** update 3/6/09 Fri a.m. --thank you for your prayers! Isabella is showing a bit of improvement, has been taking off the respirator, and is breathing on her own.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true,

whatever is honorable,

whatever is right,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is of good repute,

if there is any excellence and

if anything worthy of praise,

dwell on these things.

~Philippians 4:8

God is good.

All the time.

a matter of perspective...

Much of the time, I find that my view of my world and how I feel about it really is a matter of perspective.

Like today, for instance.

The weather was gloomy, darkish, overcast--my friend thought it was depressing and ominous whereas I thought it was wonderful in its moodiness and gloom.

I was tired of and frustrated by the project I was working on at work today, and then I was reminded of all the people who are currently out of work.

I was wishing the air conditioning was working in my car, and then I thought of all the people taking the city bus because they couldn't afford to have a car.

And... when I was walking into the post office, there on the sidewalk was what others would consider a dirt spot, a smear of grease...
...but it didn't look like a dirt spot to me... I see a man (tall and thin) holding a heart in his hand...(I'm not sure, though, if it's his or that of someone he loves)

How do you see things today?

(and, if you have any thoughts about my grease spot, feel free to tell me what it looks like to you!)

celebrate the Sabbath in song...

We sang this song at church last night, and it spoke so loudly to my heart... the heavens and the earth shout the glory of God... and the more we see and know Him, the more we love Him!

King of Wonders

by Matt Redman

We could try to count the stars,

You already know them each by name.

Every single galaxy was your design,

Your majesty displayed.

Your glory shines before our eyes,

The more we see, the more we love You

(Chorus)

King of wonders,

we stand amazed,

There’s no other, other than you.

King of wonders,

you know the way to our hearts and

The more we see the more we love you.

You reveal and we respond,

You have shown there’s no one like you God

Your love and mercy welcomes us

Into the beauty of this Holiness.

Your glory shines before our eyes,

The more we see, the more we love You

The more we see the more we love You, God.

~since I don't know how to link the audio to this post, if you want to hear the song, there is a YouTube video of it here...