He's more than Power and Might

Through the tears of despair, 

and of sorrow and care 

that were clouding my eyes and my heart,

through the haze of my pain, or when worry would reign,

a glimmer of hope seemed to start.

As I look around I see 

a towering mountain’s majesty, 

completely overwhelming me. 

               Until                        

  

 Tumbling clouds and breezes rise

to wipe my sad and tortured eyes.

And I listen. 

Then I hear

God’s thunder. 

the music is like clapping hands,

drumbeats at my Lord's command. 

Amidst the din 

a flash of fire,

a white-hot spear hurled from on high. 

Assurance that our master’s hand   

holds strength and power at His command.

God’s might and majesty I see,

they could undo or frighten me. 

But He had more to show this child, 

His tender care, love undefiled.

Upon a tree, amidst the storm I see in God’s design

a mother’s wings surround her chick. 

Protection – 

wall of downy love,

a picture of our God above.

And in this place of wind and rain

protection lives within the pain.

Protecting care for little things 

is what our God has planned.

For God is more than storms and power.

He’s “love” with outstretched hand.

Seeing now the world He formed 

with love and care, 

and strength and might, 

with beauty, and with awesome light,

there’s healing in my broken soul.

Creator’s voice has made it whole. 

Because these awesome pictures show 

what my heart should always know.

My God is in control!

Valentines Day

Cards, hearts, flowers, candy, and martyrdom.

I thought I'd write a lighthearted post on Valentine's day.  But when I started looking into the history of it, I found, not a beautiful, pleasant picture, but confused stories giving several accounts of a saint named Valentine.  

Some accounts tell us that St. Valentine was a Roman priest and a physician.  He is supposed to have been killed during the persecution of Christians by the emperor Claudius II in about the year 270.  There are other "Valentines" that people have named as the person to whom February 14 is connected.  At least one of those men was supposed to have been martyred as well.

For myself, I prefer not to dwell on the martyrdom, or to think of the "cards, hearts, flowers, and candy."  I prefer to dwell on the fact of love - not just romantic love as the holiday has evolved into, but the love of our God.  

The only reason there is real love in this world is that God himself IS love.  It is so cool that the creator of this world IS what His creation needs.  

God showed His love to me today

in fluffy clouds and new mown hay,

in mountain's towering peaks that rise

from gentle plains, to ice blue skies.

Flowers shouting loud and clear - 

their colors bright with dew drop's tear,

and tall green trees that wave, and sway

in summer breeze - they boldly say,

"God's showing love to you today."

Cold clear streams that leap and roar 

and soothe a throat that's dry and sore --

in all these things my heart can say

"God's showing love to me today."

In gentle hands that help and bear

and tears that come from hearts that care,

in family's love and loyalty

God shows his mighty Love to me.

In words that come from deep within

the loving heart of a dear friend,

a pat, a hug, a tender touch

that says, "I love you, oh so much."

We see in each amazing way 

God show HIS awesome love each day

"This is love: not that we loved God, 

but that he loved us 

and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

1 John 4:10 (NIV)

Mature?

In the garden God created a man and a woman.

In the garden He made them 

man and woman,

not boy and girl.

No baby steps here - fully grown - fully made - Yes!

Genesis 1:31 "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good."

It was very good indeed.

And yet, the woman and man fell for the lies of the devil.  They fell for the twisted words, the enticing fruit, they fell for the dream of being like God - knowing everything.   

They were grown, but being grown does not always equate to being wise, or mature.

In the Bible, 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul is writing to a young leader.  He uses the words, "Don't let anyone despise your youth..."  We can make much of this, saying that age has nothing to do with a person's ability to understand and teach the Word of God.

I agree.  Age does not, but for the most part, maturity does.  And as Paul continues the sentance, he says "set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love and in purity."  Those actions are cultivated over the years of one's life - hopefully.  

There is always a "but," because we also learn from those we want to learn from - children as well. 

Jesus specifically brought children to Himself.  He said that the Kingdom of God is like them - like those innocent and trusting children.

A flower begins as a seed, and then a bud, it becomes more and more beautiful as it ages, so a follower of Christ can become.  As a Christ Follower is warmed by the Son of God, fed by the Holy Spirit and watered by the Word, she will become beautiful and healthy.  That person will be a blessing to others.  She will give healthy food and a beautiful aroma to those she touches.

My prayer as I age is that I will "smell good" to those around me.

Love Diane