Winter Porches

 Have you ever thought of a porch during the winter months? 

I have!

What a beautiful place to find God.

No matter what season we find ourselves "sitting a spell"on the porch, he will speak!

Porches...Porches...Porches...My favorite spot to hear from God!

Challenges

 Challenges can be something we face, and don't believe we can ever overcome. Challenges may look and feel overwhelming, to a point where you want to throw in the towel!

Let me share a story about a person who was injured in an auto accident. The specialists report said they may never be the person they were before the accident. They were told, this is your new normal! 

The person was not willing to accept that report, they took on the challenge!! To regain what was lost. They learned to read again, and write academic papers for excellent grades. They never gave up, they worked hard and had a faith stronger than they realized.

    You see,

challenges can either cause you to stop, OR it can help you grow where you never thought possible. 

Proverbs 3: 5-6 tells us, "Trust in the Lord, with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your path straight." (NIV)

With all honesty, I know that God is always there in the midst of all our challenges!

The Colors, they are changing!

 Autumn brings a change in the colors of our environment. They change from the beauty of hues of green to those of red, orange, yellow, even brown. the change in color brings forth a new excitement as we see the sunshine on the leaves as they reflect the rays of the autumn warmth. 

Colors bring forth smiles and laughter as children run through piles of fallen leaves. Do you remember the smell of Autumn, the fresh crispness in the air, the light frost on the leaves in the morning, the crunching under your shoes as you walk/hike in your favorite spot? 

The changing of the colors is a great reminder in the church too, just because one group takes control of the colors of God's rainbow, does not mean that the meaning of the rainbow has changed...God's Promise... will remain the same throughout time!

Genesis 9:16 "When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."

Labor Day

     September is the month that we remember Labor Day. A day to recognize the accomplishments of the American worker.  

 

    I learned in Seminary that being a pastor was a calling, a vocation, not a job.  Many days, it truly feels like a job!  The Apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

 

   

 

 

     Labor Day should remind us that the work we accomplish every day needs to be a blessings to others, whether we labor physically in mines, sitting at tables, or preaching and teaching others in and outside the church, we are to do it well and pleasing to God!

                                                                                                                                                            

Find A Porch

                 Today, I began a new journey, one that has my heart full! 

     Some may think it is crazy, but I love porches. Every place I have lived, well almost every place, has had a porch. For me, a porch is a place of rest, comfort, tranquility and prayer. It is a place where I can go and find comfort for my heart and soul! I read, pray, take a nap, work on ministry. It is a place I find God! 

    So when we moved back to NY. I made my husband promise that I would have a porch. Well today, it came true, the porch is complete with windows and screens, furniture, and my treasures from friends. 

                                   Do you have a porch? 

     Do you have a place where you find peace and rest, a place to fill your soul after a long day, a place you can meet with God. 

                                  I hope so! 

     Jesus would either go out in a boat, go to the wilderness, or find a quiet place to talk to his heavenly father!

                                 Find a "porch" and spend some time with God!

Freedom

 Celebrate...Come on Celebrate!

This week we celebrate the birth of our nation...born July 4th, 1776! 

Remember the day you celebrate your birthday...!!!

Let us take time to remember the day freedom came to the world to give us a chance to be free!

Celebrate each day!!!

Father's Day

 Each year we celebrate Father's Day. A day that we honor and reflect on the role model we had as a child from the person who was or is our dad. Many of us have great memories, others do not!

BUT 

We can all experience the kind and compassionate role model that is given by God who is the Father of all persons!

 

This picture reminds me of the love and guidance our Heavenly Father has for each of us. Whether we walk with Him closely or not, God is always there to take our hand and guide us! He carries us when times are hard, He lifts us on his shoulders when we are tired of walking!

 

He joins us in the journey of life!

Pentecost

 

Pentecost is a time in our lives that the Holy Spirit will bring a freshness to our heart and soul. Pentecost is a time where we can engage with the Holy Spirit to release the things of our past that needs to be put behind us once and for all.

Pentecost is a time where we can call out to God for an infilling of the pockets in our hearts that are not filled with God's love and forgiveness.

Pentecost was the birth of the church, the followers of Jesus gathered together in the upper room, male and female waiting for the fullness of what God had for each as they were being sent into the world to spread the teachings of Jesus. 

Pentecost is a time when we open ourselves to what God has for us, to learn, love and grow in the love that only God can provide.

Pentecost, the day of release!