Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Looking Up

While driving home a few weeks ago, I looked up and saw a small patch of blue sky poking through an otherwise gray Michigan skyline. (actual photo) The contrast between these two colors drew my eyes upward.  The beauty of that little patch of blue against the vast grayness amazed me.

I'm not a meteorologist, so I won't try and give any scientific explanation for what I say...yawn fest. I only know that on this day, one little piece of sky was a beautiful reminder that even when 99% of everything around me is gray--it won't be that way forever.

How do I know?  I looked up and got a little peak of what's on the other side.   


Psalm 5:3 says, My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.

You may be feeling like your personal problems seem dark and are closing in on you like the gray Michigan skyline, but don't give-up...don't go to the dark-side.

Here's a piece of great advice--look up!  Blue skies are coming! 

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Where is your junk?

The week following Christmas, the junk was piled up outside my back door.  Every time I enter the house through the garage, I had to look at that mess of junk; wrapping paper, cardboard boxes and bags of garbage spilling out of the trash can.

I'd tell my husband, "Close the garage door, I don't want anyone to see our junk."  Or, "Don't let people come in the house through the garage.  I'd be ashamed for them to walk by that garbage."

I would imagine there is no other person in the world with hidden junk--only me. I like to present myself as junk free!  But, I'm really not fooling anyone.

We all have hidden junk--don't we.  I even have a designated junk drawer in my kitchens because--after all--our junk needs a place to hide.  But just because it's out of sight doesn't' mean it's not there.


"Hey, don't open that drawer!"

Someone knows, Someone sees--He sees behind every closed door, drawer and yes--even under the bed.  We can't hide our junk from Him no matter how much we try.  Just because no one else can see it--doesn't mean it's not there.

Hebrews 4:13 in the Living Bible says it plain and simple.   

"He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him to whom we must explain all that we have done."

Wednesdays are garbage day at the Roberts' house--thank God that stuff is gone!  

Hey, wait a minute...I think dealing with this hidden junk is going to be an ongoing problem.  




Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Teacher's Pet



Do you remember that old saying "Teacher's Pet?"  I sure do.  How I wished it would have been me--even once!   

Most of us know that the "Teacher's Pet" did everything to the great satisfaction of the teacher.  The teacher would praise the pet with kind words and show the pet special favor.  The pet was first in line and called on to pass out papers.

Lucky pet!

I realize some people are more likeable than others.  Let's face it--some folks are just annoying.  Some have a way of getting under your skin.  They can be close talkers, invaders of personal space, interrupters.  They can laugh too loud and talk too much.  

These people probably have not known a day where they felt true favor--and I'm pretty sure they have never been the "Teacher's Pet" either.  

You may be wondering...oh my goodness...is she talking about ME?

No...I'm talking about us.

We were all without favor.  We were all begging to be seen, heard and loved.  We were all crying out for attention--and doing it ALL wrong.
A photo of Jesus and me!

Then God, in his great kindness showed us HIS FAVOR!
  
Psalm 84:11 “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

So what, if I wasn’t the "Teacher's Pet!"  I'll take the favor of the Lord over the favor of people--anytime!  

The Lord says that He will bestow favor and honor on those who walk uprightly.  

I guess that makes me, “the Lord’s pet.”  

Hey, I like the way that sounds.



Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Who's the Artist?


A beautiful work of art recently showed up on the closet door in our guest room/office.  As you can see, in the attached pictures, it's a masterful rendition in red ink.  I messaged a picture of the sketch to my daughter asking if she recognized the artist's handiwork.  

She shot me back a text with at least three of those Emoji's--you know the ones...crying from laughter.   She let me know that none of her three artist were laying claim to the masterpiece. The daughter went on to say that the only one whose style was close to this gallery worthy art, usually signed all her work.  Her bedroom walls prove this statement true.

My girl then suggested that maybe her father was the artist.  She suggested that it looked like an attempt at a self portrait...and there were some obvious similarities with the way my husband combs his hair.



The husband wouldn't claim the masterpiece either.

I just wish the artist would have done it on paper, because I would have framed it.  As it is, I can not wash it away or cover it with paint because I love it.  I sit at my computer daily and look to my right to see the beautiful picture.  It makes me smile.

This artwork reminds me of another artist.  This artist had no problem taking credit for his creation.  His work doesn't hang in museums, no awards were given to him for his skill or creativity.  No tour groups pass by in awe of his work, yet this artist is willing to take credit for all of it--each individual piece to him is beautiful.  The creator looks at the work of His hands and says, "It's good, and I have a purpose and a plan for you."

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) says this, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

The little "portrait in red ink" no one would take credit for--but God wants the world to know that he's willing to lay claim to His creation--He want's to sign each piece by writing His name on our hearts.   

I know this for a fact because...I'm an autographed copy of His handiwork.  And I know the artist--personally!

Book Release

    The Journals of Tori Drake Click on the book cover to order on Amazon. Book Review: I consumed this book in three days. Although it was ...