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Carl had a brain bleed that caused a stroke. He was gone from home from August to January. That time included hospital, skilled rehab and nursing home care. The right side of his body was paralyzed and he couldn’t swallow or speak. When this happened I leaned down and whispered in his ear, “I’m right here. I’m not leaving. I love you.” His teary eyes were evidence he heard me. With each visit before I went home I would kiss him and hold his hand with a tight grip to reassure him I would see him tomorrow. I share all this to say maybe today you too need to hear those words…”I’m right here. I’m not leaving. I love you.” Even in the midst of hardship and loss and even when you don’t see any supporting evidence of God’s presence…He’s there. God loves you and He’s not leaving. He said so.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt. 28:20

This is Luna. You can tell from the picture that Luna willingly let my granddaughter, Linley dress her in this scarf. The fact that Luna allowed all this shows how much she loves and trusts Linley. Luna even stood still for a glamour shot! Luna made me think of how submission is inspired by love to do whatever it takes. That’s love in action! Let’s not forget how Jesus willingly died on the cross for our sins. His willingness to do whatever it takes was inspired by His love for us with perfect submission to the will of the Father.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Eph. 5:21

This leaf looks like its gone through some hard times. It looks fragile, torn and broken. I have to say when I saw this leaf I thought how tough times can leave us fragile, torn and broken too. If you feel life has left you torn and broken please remember God is for you and not against you. Our hurts and scars are ideal opportunities for God to display His divine power. Cling to Jesus. He can take your torn heart and brokenness and put you back together again. You’re never too torn or too broken for God.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. Psalm 147:3, 5

When I saw this picture I said to my husband, “This frog looks like it’s smiling.” I then asked my husband what he thought about the frog in the picture. He said, “That frog is looking before it leaps.” I thought to myself that’s a good thing. That’s what I want. When I’m faced with a decision I want to look to God in prayer before I leap into a decision. I’ve heard that the word FROG is an acronym for “Fully Relying On God.” By depending on God and completely trusting Him, we can choose to live each new day with a smile knowing God’s got it.

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

We have two sons with birthdays less than two years apart. I remember when they were infants how at night I could actually hear them in the next room breathing. I could hear their teeniest whimpers and I could hear when they moved in their bed. Even when they grew older, if they cried in the middle of the night or called, “Mommy” I instantly heard them.

My hearing and attentiveness is inadequate when compared to God’s hearing and attentiveness. God never sleeps. He is awake and watchful. He hears you breathing, crying, speaking and moving. He knows your voice. He hears your prayers. Even when it feels like God’s not listening, He is. God is very attentive to you.

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry. Psalm 34:15

In our small home I have lots of night lights so I can see my way around if I need to get up during the dark night. God has given us Jesus as the Light of the World to help us see our way through the darkness of this world. Darkness has a way of hiding the truth. Jesus is the truth that sets us free from the darkness of sins, lies and fears. He willingly shines His grace and guidance in our lives. In the Light of the World we have victory! Let’s run in the freedom, and follow the Light!

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Here are a few of my favorite things. Sounds like I’m singing that song in the Sound of Music movie. But some of my favorite summertime things are: family visits in Florida, a sunset over the ocean, fireworks and the 4th of July, golf car rides, anniversary, birthdays, cook outs and lightning bugs, just to name a few. June 20th through September 22nd seems to fly by. It’s hard to say goodbye to summer, but…There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Eccl. 3:1

I cherish the description of Jesus as the Lion of Judah. He came into the world as the humble Lamb of God to pay the price for our sins. But He will return as the triumphant Lion of Judah to rescue us. Fear melts when I think of Jesus as the victorious, all-powerful Lion of Judah fighting for us. “See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.” Rev. 5:5 The battle is His and He’s the Winner; and believers are on His winning team! Thank goodness you don’t have to be good enough to be on His winning team. You don’t even have to have good teamwork skills. But you do have to be covered by God’s grace and make a deliberate choice to be on His team. He invites you to believe He died for your sins, turn from sin, believe He’s alive, and follow Him and Him alone. God lovingly offers eternal life through faith in Jesus, the Lion of Judah.

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:5

I was surprised to know we have a skunk in our neighborhood! If skunks get scared they can spray an oily liquid that stinks something awful. That oily spray is designed to irritate your eyes and nose and can make you sick on your stomach too. I read if you’re ever “skunked” you need to take fast action and take a quick shower with a deodorant soap. The quicker you act the better chance you have of eliminating that stinking odor. As I was reading about how important it is to quickly wash away the stink of the skunk I couldn’t help but think how important it is to come to Jesus and allow Him to wash away the stink of sin. When it comes to sin we’re all skunked. We all need Jesus who willingly went to the cross to wash away our stink of sin. The words to that old song “Nothing But the Blood” by Robert Lowry says it best.

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. O precious is the flow that makes me bright as snow; no other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Robert Lowry 1876)

Some time ago Carl had a brain bleed that caused a massive stroke that affected the right side of his body. His life changed in a matter of minutes. He used to be right handed but now he does everything using only his left hand, including “abstract acrylic pouring paintings.” He places a scripture verse on the back of each painting as a reminder of God’s love; and how Jesus can take the broken pieces of your life and make something good.

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. Psalm 9:1