Early morning dawn arrives
Missing nature’s boldest light
Covering heavens and earth
Thickest fog masks sun’s headlight
Ghostly, ominous shadows
Cloaking trees by hidden creek
Slithering mist moves unchecked
Nature fills with blind mystique
Stillness surrounds paradise
Witnessing morning on hold
Waiting patiently for change
Nature removes her blindfold
Suddenly, haze disappears
Hailing sun’s brilliant return
Switching on morning’s magic
Thankfully, fog now adjourns
Christ came from God and a woman. Man had nothing to do with Him.
I feel safe even in the midst of my enemies; for the truth is powerful and will prevail.
From Galatians 5:1: “For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Burdened by life’s BIG problem
All of man living in sin
Selfishness fueling mistakes
Where should we turn to begin?
Come forward to accept Him
Forgiveness granted from God
Washing away timeless guilt
Can’t forgive self, living flawed
Struggle with self-forgiveness
Guilt’s shadow never pulls back
God’s grace-filled pardon waiting
Feeling unloved, sin attacks
Filling ourselves with sadness
Self-imposed standards now crash
Rely on works over faith
Sin making us feel like trash
Kneeling at Calvary’s cross
Jesus’ blood setting us free
No longer chained to darkness
Forgiving ourselves, guilt flees
From Psalm 51:10-12: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.”
Christian brotherhood is not an ideal which we must realize; it is rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate.
From Psalm 133:1: “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!”
Craving nightly snack
Lover of potato chips—
Ready to “Pringle”
Montana? Where’s that?
Easy to find, just look up—
Under the Big Sky
Shortest baseball game
First batter up, downpour starts—
Hit it and quit it!
Mount Rushmore National Monument is located in South Dakota’s Black Hills. The sculptured figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln stand watch.
Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light.
Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.
Traveling back to Montana, Phil and Phyllis arrive from back East. They’ve brought their teenage grandson along to fish the Gallatin River.
Staying at the Rainbow Ranch, they plan to fly fish right along the river, which runs adjacent to the property. The Ranch employs a fishing guide during the summer months. Bert knows all of the best spots to fish on the Gallatin, and he is always bragging about his fishing prowess. As he always reminds people, “experience counts.”
Complaining under his breath, Bert takes the trio of fishing pilgrims to the river. He always frowns upon city folks who come out to the Gallatin to fish. Mumbling under his breath, “All novices . . . they have no clue about fishing a river.”
Bert sets up Phil and his grandson, and they begin making tentative casts on to the river. Each has fished very little, and their inexperience offers a bit of amusement for Bert.
Meanwhile, Phyllis moves down the river a few paces from Bert. She shouts out to Bert, “I wonder who will catch the first fish?”
Bert replies, “A piece of ‘rainbow trout’ cake my dear!”
Bert begins to cast several times with little luck, not even a bite. He glances down the river bank at Phyllis, and reminds himself he has plenty of time to catch the “first” fish.
Phyllis spies a perfect hole in front of two rocks. She casts her first line perfectly into her chosen spot. Hmm, Bert didn’t even see her awesome cast because he is too busy with his own fishing.
Strike!
Phyllis’ line goes taut. She has a “granddaddy” rainbow trout hooked on her line.
Bert looks over at her with dismay. Phyllis laughs and continues reeling in her prize catch. Calling over to Bert, she shouts, “Experience counts, you know.”
As she lands a hefty, beautiful rainbow trout in the tall grass along the river bank, she tells Bert more of her story, “I fished these same waters years ago as a little girl. My daddy taught me well. I practically grew up on this river.”
Bert realizes he has been had. If he does catch a trout today, it will likely taste more like crow.
When we have something to share, we naturally want undivided attention. Guess what–God is the same way. He speaks with a purpose and expects our complete focus and attention.
From 1 Samuel 3:8-10: “The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.'”
From John 14:15-16: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.”
Bringing light to follow
Christ’s promise comes with grace
Overcoming life’s doubts
Holy Spirit in place
Responding to life’s needs
Hope filling empty hearts
Interceding for Christ
Holy Spirit imparts
Pouring into others
Love shared across man’s world
Swelling as inner strength
Holy Spirit unfurled
Healing our brokenness
Steadfast love guiding lives
Gathering righteous faith
Holy Spirit’s “high-fives”
Trusting in Christ-filled light
God’s Word proclaims, our Rock
Wandering no longer
Holy Spirit unlocks
From John 14:26-27: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
American Christian singer and songwriter, Francesca Battistelli, sings “Holy Spirit.” While I have heard this song several times in Sunday worship, its lyrics always reach and out touch me. I hope they will speak to you as well.
Some people give time, some give money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life’s blood. But everyone has something to give.
From Matthew 23:11-12: “The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
