Colors in the Yard

Well, it looks like all that rain is doing wonders in the yard. I have some wonderful colors scattered about, so I felt like sharing them. First is the clematis vine out front. Is that the right word? I hope so.

These blooms are huge, I tell you. They are gorgeous, and the vine itself is nearly covered with them. I took this next photo just for perspective on the size.

And then in the back yard, along the fence I have several bushes of these lovely gems. I think they are peonies??? Boy, this is bad. But the flowers are pretty.

Such a rich color!! So far, this is the only bush in bloom, but the other 4 are covered with buds, so I'm excited to see them swallowed up in lush beauty!
And I also have a few snapdragons in the front, along the sidewalk. I see the first bloom popping it's head up today.

And finally, and yes, somewhat least, I have some puny columbines along the house in the back. I dearly love columbines, as they belong to Colorado, but these look pitiful. The color is dull, and the blooms are small. I am sure it has something to do with too much sun, or not enough water. Nonetheless - they get posted, because they are in my yard.

Well, this is the best bloom on the bunch - and you really can't tell how small it is. Trust me, it's lacking. But I'm encouraging it to grow!!

It's fun to see such diversity in God's creation. He simply could have done everything in black and white, and we would never have known the difference. But He created colors so rich and true, and brushed them across the earth in magnificent fashion - just so we could enjoy them. Psalm 104:24 "How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all..."

I believe God delights in the beauty of His creation, and even more so when His children stop to admire His handiwork...and say "thank you".

Ponderings

As the rain continues to fall and graciously water my lawn, I'll drop a few thoughts here. The Living Proof Live conference was wonderful - as always. The praise and worship was great, and the teaching of the Word was timely. Beth taught from Psalm 66 - and how the Lord trains us. He brings us to a place of abundance, but "he trains us first". Points like He trains us to think bigger, and He trains us to praise louder, and He trains us to follow through better - are things I will not quickly forget.

The opening session made the biggest impact on me, even though the whole conference was God-inspired. Two questions she presented to us left a huge impression on me, and I still have them rolling around inside me. 1 - Are you willing to be trained? (because regardless of what God calls you to, training is required); and 2 - Who is it that you really want to be?

I may have a picture in my head of who I think I am - or even who I wish I was - but when it gets quiet at night, who do I really want to be? What do I want out of life? What do I want people to remember about me when I'm gone? Each person has to answer these things individually. There is no club for this...because what I want in life may be different from what you want. Rainy weather makes for good ponderings.

Even Romeo found a place to ponder things! He wasted no time in curling up in this paper bag - he hardly gave it time to hit the floor, and he darted into it.

God is still God

Howdy! This may be quick - I have lots to do before morning. Tomorrow evening starts the Living Proof Live conference with Beth Moore, in Laramie, WY - and yes, I'm driving up there. The woman is anointed!!

But I wanted to give a quick PRAISE GOD testimony. My friend Lorrie had been diagnosed with leukemia a couple of months ago. She came to my home group, and we prayed for her, and then felt a strong prompting from the Holy Spirit to really seek God on this. We continued to pray for her healing, and fasted (as a group), believing that God was going to heal her. I am thrilled to report that her recent blood test came back 100% normal - and her bone marrow biopsy report came back today - negative for leukemia!! No cancer!! Those are shoutin' words!!! Praise God He is so faithful and good. His power knows no equal, and He so totally reigns!! He healed the sick 2000 yrs ago, and He's still doing it today.

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." Amen!!

Discipline and Wisdom

My friend Becky is doing the challenge of reading a chapter of Proverbs each day for 31 days, and I've been trying to keep up with it. It's not dull reading, I tell you. It's rich with insight and good practical teaching for our lives. Proverbs 6 caught my attention - several things about it. Verses 16-19 tells us of the things the Lord hates. Yes, hates. This gives me reason to sit and meditate...and understand that I would do well to hate the same things that God hates, and love the things that He loves. It makes sense, doesn't it? Selah.

(You knew I would get more pictures in here somehow, didn't you?) (Well, this was one of my contemplating/meditating moments at the Grand Canyon. How can one absorb such majestic beauty, and not meditate for a minute?? )

Another thing in Proverbs 6 is verse 23 "...the corrections of discipline are the way to life." This intrigued me because of the previous day in Proverbs 5 - where it was verse 23 again that spoke of discipline. It says that the wicked man "will die for lack of discipline". Pretty strong words.

God takes this discipline thing quite seriously, and our society seems to give it little thought. Actually, it's the athlete who understands the principle of discipline, but spiritual discipline goes much farther than just an exercise routine. I believe it ties closely to Jesus' teaching of Matthew 16:24, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Denying self is not a popular teaching...but it is the way of the Kingdom.

I encourage you to spend some time in Proverbs this week. Yes, I know it takes discipline to mark out time each day to study God's Word. Hmmm, we may be on to something here. But just think of the opportunity you are giving God to impart His wisdom to you? Not a bad deal, eh? The wisdom of God...hmmm...let's have another photo as we meditate on His wisdom.

This was taken at Hopi Point, as the sun was beginning to set. The colors were radiant!

Only my God Jehovah could have such wisdom, power and creativity to make such a massive, yet beautiful canyon - simply so His kids could enjoy the beauty. Let us be disciplined enough to seek Him daily. The rewards are even bigger than the canyon.

He is Worthy

As we traveled through Colorado, Utah and Arizona, I was constantly reminded of the majesty of God. His creativity often blows my mind...and this first view of Canyonlands National Park left me with that feeling. Personally I think the mountains alone would overwhelm me, but when I combine them with the vast canyons and rock formations we saw, it's a bit much for the intellect to grasp. So - put the brain on the shelf, and just let the emotions soak in the bounty.

I have never wondered if there is a God. I have always known. And the ever-present display of nature's beauty is proof. Never could I think that this world just "happened". Who else would put such a beautiful flower on such a painfully prickly thing? God is just so cool.

As I see more of His works, and learn more of His ways, it stirs the desire in me to know Him more. And it feeds that part of my soul that longs to praise Him. He is worthy.

Psalm 63: 1-4 "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands."

Vacation Teaser

Well, first of all, Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there.

And second...I'm back from vacation. Wow - what a trip. Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, the Grand Canyon, Four Corners, Mesa Verde - and the beauty was endless.

I'll post more pictures in the days to come, but I'll stick one on here for now.

The weather was absolutely perfect the whole trip, and we saw more in 5 days than some folks see in a lifetime. Praise God for a safe and wonderful trip!

Vacation, Anyone?

Spring rolls around, and folks start thinking about vacations. Maybe I'm the exception. I've been thinking about vacation since December. Perhaps that's because I haven't had too many real vacations in the past few years...and by "real" vacations, I mean somewhere other than visiting family. Don't sneer at me - we all have our things. This is mine. I visit family every year, and will continue to do so, but sometimes a girl has just got to go somewhere else. If for nothing else, a change of scenery. And if it's scenery you want, I've picked the bomb! I'm headed to the Grand Canyon this week!! My friend Gwen and I are leaving Tuesday morning, taking the scenic route through eastern Utah to catch Arches and Canyonlands, and then heading on down to that great big hole in the ground.
When I come back, I intend to have more photos than you could possibly want to see. I'm thrilled to be taking this trip...it's something I've wanted to do for a long time. I'll see ya'll next week!!