Sung by “the people of (God’s) pasture” and “the sheep of his hand,” Psalm 95 overflows with thanksgiving and gratitude to the Almighty, Sovereign Creator and Redeemer who is worthy of worship because of His wonderful, protective salvation. Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us comeContinue reading “Singing Sheep”
Tag Archives: forgiveness
The Light that broke the darkness…
Sunrise, Sullivan Harbor, Maine What will come with the rising sun? Aggravation or happiness? Dispair or hope? Disaster or blessing? Or even a long desired but barely noted and unexpected miracle? Who could have known? When the sun rose that morning “the light of the world,” the “true light that lighteth everyone” was arriving toContinue reading “The Light that broke the darkness…”
Boundaries
There are hundreds of miles of old stone walls bordering farms and running through overgrown fields in New England. Glaciers buried field stones eons ago, only to have them resurface during deforestation and farming in Colonial days. As the fields were cleared for wood and farming, these frost-heaved stones were used to establish boundaries whichContinue reading “Boundaries”
Roaring Waters, Quiet Pools
Mariaville Falls, Mariaville, Maine (photo, Laura Mace Rand) Prior to and after these falls, peaceful streams flow into tranquil pools where heron fish and beavers build their houses. They are pleasant reminders of the 23rd Psalm’s assurances that God shepherds His people to green pastures and still waters where they are spiritualy safe, satisfied, andContinue reading “Roaring Waters, Quiet Pools”
Opportunity
 Raking Blueberries, Whitneyville, Maine Working late, taking advantage of seasonal blueberry harvesting, this fellow is laboring a “second job.” Whether to provide for his children’s school clothes, to have a financial cushion for the upcoming winter’s utility bills, or to buy something special he wants, he is “redeeming the time.” That is an oddContinue reading “Opportunity”
Coexistence in a Swampy World
Coexistence Although definitely not a Maine photo this one is shared because it generated some shareable thoughts. This swampy microcosm was spotted on a South Carolinian plantation while we were visiting family. Drawn to the smug almost gleeful countenance of the alligator and the naive inquisitiveness of the turtles, I immediately thought of Lewis Carroll’sContinue reading “Coexistence in a Swampy World”
The Wait…
There are moments and even seasons when we have no choice but to “wait it out.” Sometimes, we are powerless over our challenges. Solutions elude us, and we become overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed especially if the situation or change is irrevocable. Scripture speaks of waiting and then waiting some more for the Lord’s intervention inContinue reading “The Wait…”
Beauty or Burnout?
If we do not believe in God or do not perceive Him as Someone who is interested in our lives, we miss His voice speaking to us through creation’s beauty. Also, at times, our psychic and physical energies have been so overwhelmed and dissipated with the busyness and preoccupations of hectic days that we experienceContinue reading “Beauty or Burnout?”
Tied in knots?
Lying on this Stonington wharf, these colorful, braided ropes are reminders of things which hold us tightly. King Solomon used braided cords as a metaphor for strong relationships. The Message paraphrases his wisdom: “With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12Continue reading “Tied in knots?”
Safely Anchored?
Precariously perched on a piece of seaweed tenuously attached to a lobster buoy, this little sandpiper seemed a bit disconcerted as its world swirled madly around it. We know what it is like to be overwhelmed, to lose the meaningful context of our lives, to become disoriented by chaotic ideas and events rushing in uponContinue reading “Safely Anchored?”