Tuesday, October 30, 2012

On This Day ...

On this day of your life, we believe God wants you to know ... that you will feel better if you notice the sweetness of life.
 
Notice the smiles of children, the songs of the birds, the caress of the sun's warmth. This sweetness is for you. Allow it to soothe your soul and bring a smile to your face.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Happy Halloween!

 
This is a photo from our vacation about 2 years ago.  We had our faces painted at one of the little booths lined up along the outskirts of Universal Studios in Florida during Halloween Horror Nights. 


Monday, October 22, 2012


"Like a gold ring in a pig's snout 
is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion."  
~Proverbs 11:22

Thursday, October 4, 2012


"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." ~ Proverbs 29:25

Monday, August 6, 2012

The Good Ol' Days

I saw this on Pinterest and had to add it to my collection of inspirational photos.  Reminds me of one of my favorite childhood fishing spots in Central Wisconsin.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

A Tiny Seed, A Tiny Deed

Do not despise...small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.  ~Zechariah 4:10
Against a towering giant, a brook pebble seems futile.  But God used it to topple Goliath.  Compared to the tithes of the wealthy, a widow's coins seem puny.  But Jesus used them to inspire us...


Moses had a staff.


David had a sling. 


Samson had a jawbone. 


Rahab had a string. 


Mary had some ointment. 


Dorcas had a needle. 


All were used by God.


What do you have?


God inhabits the tiny seed, empowers the tiny deed....Don't discount the smallness of your deeds. 


~Cure For The Common Life, Max Lucado

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Pearl Harbor: 70 Years Ago Today a Sleeping Giant Was Awakened

At 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time, a Japanese dive bomber bearing the red symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan on its wings appears out of the clouds above the island of Oahu. A swarm of 360 Japanese warplanes followed, descending on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in a ferocious assault. The surprise attack struck a critical blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United States irrevocably into World War II.
With diplomatic negotiations with Japan breaking down, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his advisers knew that an imminent Japanese attack was probable, but nothing had been done to increase security at the important naval base at Pearl Harbor. It was Sunday morning, and many military personnel had been given passes to attend religious services off base. 
At 7:02 a.m., two radar operators spotted large groups of aircraft in flight toward the island from the north, but, with a flight of B-17s expected from the United States at the time, they were told to sound no alarm. Thus, the Japanese air assault came as a devastating surprise to the naval base.
Much of the Pacific fleet was rendered useless: Five of eight battleships, three destroyers, and seven other ships were sunk or severely damaged, and more than 200 aircraft were destroyed. A total of 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,200 were wounded, many while valiantly attempting to repulse the attack. Japan's losses were some 30 planes, five midget submarines, and fewer than 100 men. Fortunately for the United States, all three Pacific fleet carriers were out at sea on training maneuvers. These giant aircraft carriers would have their revenge against Japan six months later at the Battle of Midway, reversing the tide against the previously invincible Japanese navy in a spectacular victory.
The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, President Roosevelt appeared before a joint session of Congress and declared, "Yesterday, December 7, 1941--a date which will live in infamy--the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." After a brief and forceful speech, he asked Congress to approve a resolution recognizing the state of war between the United States and Japan. The Senate voted for war against Japan by 82 to 0, and the House of Representatives approved the resolution by a vote of 388 to 1. The sole dissenter was Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana, a devout pacifist who had also cast a dissenting vote against the U.S. entrance into World War I. Three days later, Germany and Italy declared war against the United States, and the U.S. government responded in kind.
The American contribution to the successful Allied war effort spanned four long years and cost more than 400,000 American lives.
Source courtesy of http://www.history.com.

Monday, December 5, 2011


"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury; and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasion, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony." 

~William Ellery Channing

This Is Your LIFE.

Happy Monday! Don't Forget To...

Thursday, February 17, 2011

"God Is! God Is!"

"If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there."  ~  Psalm 139:8 NIV
It is the normality not the uniqueness of God's miracles that causes them to be so staggering.  Rather than shocking the globe with an occasional demonstration of deity, God has opted to display his power daily.  Proverbially.  Pounding waves.  Prism-cast colors.  Birth, death, life.  We are surrounded by miracles.  God is throwing testimonies at us like fireworks, each one exploding, "God is! God is!" 

The psalmist marveled at such holy handiwork.  "Where can I go from your Spirit?" he questioned with delight.  "Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there" (Psalm 139:7-8 NIV). 

We wonder, with so many miraculous testimonies around us, how we could escape God.  But somehow we do.  We live in an art gallery of divine creativity and yet are content to gaze only at the carpet.

God Came Near, Max Lucado

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Sowing Seeds of Peace

Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge.  ~  Hosea 10:12

Want to see a miracle?  Plant a word of love heartdeep in a person's life.  Nurture it with a smile and a prayer, and watch what happens.

An employee gets a compliment.  A wife receives a bouquet of flowers.  A cake is baked and carried next door.  A widow is hugged.  A gas station attendant is honored.  A preacher is praised.

Sowing seeds of peace is like sowing beans.  You don't know why it works; you just know it does.  Seeds are planted, and topsoils of hurt are shoved away.

Don't forget the principle.  Never underestimate the power of a seed.

Max Lucado, excerpt from The Applause of Heaven

Monday, December 13, 2010

Claire Crossed the Rainbow Bridge Today

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent. Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.


Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

~Unknown Author

Thursday, November 11, 2010

God, Our Defender

Here is a big question.  What is God doing when you are in a bind?  When the lifeboat springs a leak?  When the rip cord snaps?  When the last penny is gone before the last bill is paid?...

I know what we are doing.  Nibbling on nails like corn on the cob.  Pacing floors.  Taking pills...

But what does God do?...

He fights for us.  He steps into the ring and points us to our corner and takes over.  "Remain calm; the Lord will fight for you" (Exodus 14:14).

His job is to fight.  Our job is to trust.

Just trust.  Not direct.  Or question...Our job is to pray and wait. 

Max Lucado, When God Whispers Your Name



He is my defender; I will not be defeated.  ~  Psalm 62:6

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Got It All Figured Out

We understand how storms are created.  We map solar systems and transplant hearts.  We measure the depths of the oceans and send signals to distant planets.  We...have studied the system and are learning how it works.
And, for some, the loss of mystery has led to the loss of majesty.  The more we know, the less we believe.  Strange, don't you think?  Knowledge of the workings shouldn't negate wonder.  Knowledge should stir wonder.  Who has more reason to worship than the astronomer who has seen the stars?...

Ironically, the more we know, the less we worship.  We are more impressed with our discovery of the light switch than with the one who invented electricity...Rather than worship the Creator, we worship the creation (see Romans 1:25).

No wonder there is no wonder.  We've figured it all out.
Max Lucado


I look at your heavens, which you made with your fingers...But why are people important to you?  ~  Psalm 8:3-4

Monday, November 8, 2010

The Shepherd Leads

In the second verse of the Twenty-third Psalm, David the poet becomes David the artist. His quill becomes a brush, his parchment a canvas, his words paint a picture. A flock of sheep on folded legs, encircling a shepherd. Bellies nestled deep in the long shoots of grass. A still pond on one side, the watching shepherd on the other. "He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters."

Note the two pronouns preceeding the two verbs. He makes me...He leads me..."

Who is the active one? Who is in charge? The shepherd. The shepherd selects the trail and prepares the pasture. The sheep's job--our job--is to watch the Shepherd.
~ Max Lucado, Traveling Light


He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. ~ Psalm 23:2