The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse into God’s plans for his people. John’s vision has symbols and metaphors, but all point to God’s finished work. I am in my second year of study in Revelation. In the book of Hebrews, the author writes about the role of priests.…
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Joy and Thanksgiving in June
The crocuses and tulips and lilacs have bloomed. Now the irises, lily of the valley and peonies are blooming in my yard. The roses have buds. Springtime and summer teem with new plant life and flowers, created by God. I have brought some inside to enjoy. Wednesday evening, I listened to…
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The Promise of Spring
The snowdrops by the door lift upward, sweet and pure, their delicate bells; and soon in the calm blaze of noon, by lowly window-sills will laugh the daffodils! Celia Thaxter (1836 – 1894) The snowdrops and crocuses are blooming in my yard. The cherry tree is still barren but soon it…
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Finding Joy in Daily Life
The snow outside is bright white and glistening. The thermometer reads 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and yet I am able to take a hot shower in a warm house. It is a blessing! Everyday there are little and significant blessings in our lives when we pause to take notice. I am…
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Joy in the Garden
The cosmos flowers are in full bloom. The stems carry variants of color that bend and sway in the breeze. I agree with this quote by William Wilberforce: Lovely flowers are the smiles of God’s goodness. Perhaps the flowers will self-seed and come back next year (I hope). The seed…
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Bearing Fruit (or Flowers)
Occasionally weeds will grow in the crack in the patio cement. I was surprised one day to see the stem and leaves that I recognized as a zinnia growing in the crack. Would it flourish? A couple weeks later my husband came in from mowing the lawn and said, “There’s…
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Aware and Giving Thanks
God is so good. He created a wonderful world with flowers, fruit and vegetables. The first home for humans was a garden. And the Lord planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. Genesis 2:8 God designed the family. Therefore a…
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Family Time in Michigan
Almost every year, beginning in my childhood, I have spent time in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan—usually in summer or fall. It is a beautiful place! I have memories of fishing with my Dad and my brother. The fish were cleaned and served for dinner or sometimes breakfast. Over the…
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The Joy of New Life
Spring is unfolding wonders all around. The cherry tree has blossomed and promises abundant cherries. The lilacs and lily of the valley are in bloom. A robin has built a nest in our garden shed. While my husband and I recovered from covid, the garden shed was an undisturbed place…
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Seeking and Finding
When we pause to notice creation all around, us we become aware of provisions that demonstrate God’s love. Along the coast of Lake Superior, a bluebell flower emerges among the rocks. Along a path a trillium with petals sways in the breeze. The flowers appear on the earth, the time…