This morning during my quiet time I was reading in John about Nicodemus questioning Jesus about salvation and being "born again". It was interesting to me because Nicodemus, a Jewish rabbi, knew that Jesus was sent by God but he was puzzled by how to come to salvation. However, this passage really stood out to me as I was reading:
18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” (New Living Translation)
My mind started to process this scripture and I had to ask myself a question..."Am I afraid of the dark?" The answer for me is NO! Actually I like the dark and I am quite comfortable there. I sleep best when it is dark. When the days get shorter and there is less light, I stay home more and go to bed earlier. I am very comfortable in the dark.
On the other hand, do I like the light? Yes, I love it. However, sometimes I would prefer dark (or dimly light). Darkness sometimes hides my flaws to others ... say, a blemish on the face or gray roots under my highlights (yes, it is true--I am not a natural blonde though should have been!)
So today I am asking myself and anyone else in blog-land reading this... are you afraid of the dark or are you comfortable there? Is sin keeping you in the dark? I think that often as Believers we find ourselves in a dark place but it is comfortable. To come to the light would be exposing our faults and our weaknesses. However, God is there in the warm light waiting to embrace and forgive us and ready to make His Light Shine through us... if we will just step out of the dark. Think about that!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Summer, Summer
I thought I would share some pictures from our quick beach trip. We had not planned on taking a vacation this year, but Kaitlyn talked her Dad into it! This was actually her b-day present. She told him "17" is a milestone, it worked! For a few days we all got to enjoy her present... and her presence!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Queen Ant
Our nephew Carson, who is four, came down to play the other day.
Our conversation went something like this,
Our conversation went something like this,
"Aunt Gina, there was a Queen Ant on my porch today!"
"Really, you had a Queen Ant on your porch?"
"Yeah, it had on an itty bitty crown", as he lifted his arms to head to illustrate.
The picture is of Carson's "REAL QUEEN AUNT"... me on my 40th b-day.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Inspired
Call it copy cat, whatever, but after seeing my friend Regina's blog, she has inspired me to post something after the long absence. You can find her blog "Regina's Flowers" under the blogs that I follow. I am sure that upon viewing, you will have the same peaceful, relaxing feeling that I have when I view it.
Anyway, I have decided to share some flowers from my garden and have committed to post more often--some of my favorite things and happenings in my life.
The pic above is my clematus. I love it...have had it for about 5 years... It is actually a deeper purple than the picture but it still gorgeous!
To the right is a Dahlia that I "won" at church one Mother's Day when Kaitlyn was probably four. It has been faithful to come out every year and blooms all summer long...
I am unsure of this flower's real name but I call it "Mrs Ruth" after the lady who gave it to me. She called it the "balloon flower" because the buds look similar to a hot air balloon before opening. I always think of Mrs. Ruth when I see this flower... she passed away a few years ago.
I enjoy the flowers in my garden. I overheard a lady today talking about roses and she said, "Aren't God's creations beautiful?" And yes, they are!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
God's Promise
This has been a tough week at SDMS. One of my son's teacher's passed away this week, as did another teacher's husband. Two tragedies so close together. Luke has been somewhat distraught, as this is the first death so close for him since he was much too young to understand. Today I spoke with another one of his teacher's and 6th grade principal. I could hear the pain in their voices and they both sounded so tired. The teacher said to me that it felt as though a "big dark cloud" had been looming over their school. This makes 4 tragic deaths in a little over a year. I felt his words deep in my soul as he said them, and I could hear the sadness in his voice.
Well, I left work 30 minutes earlier than my normal today. A very fast moving, but strong storm came through while I was still at work. Although I have not heard it was a tornado, it certainly seemed like one with 70 mph winds, The hospital where I work even called a Code Gray, which is tornado. No one is allowed to leave during a Code Gray. Fortunately, it was lifted just in time for me to leave at 5:00 when the skies were clear.
When I got close to home, I spotted a rainbow in the sky. Of course, I was just thinking how nice it would be to see a rainbow today after such a strong storm. I love rainbows! God's promise!!!! As I continued to drive, I realized the rainbow was really close to my home. As I started to turn on the crossroad before I got home (the same one that also leads to the middle school) I spotted something else! Yes, not one very big, very bright rainbow, but TWO! I literally stopped my car--the very end of those two rainbows went back behind the middle school. There it was, God's promise. Not a big dark cloud over the school, but two rainbows!
Yes, South Doyle Middle has been through a storm lately, but thank you God for your promise. What a nice touch --two rainbows...the same number of losses the school experienced this week. I love you, Jesus. Praise you my dear Savior and Lord!
Well, I left work 30 minutes earlier than my normal today. A very fast moving, but strong storm came through while I was still at work. Although I have not heard it was a tornado, it certainly seemed like one with 70 mph winds, The hospital where I work even called a Code Gray, which is tornado. No one is allowed to leave during a Code Gray. Fortunately, it was lifted just in time for me to leave at 5:00 when the skies were clear.
When I got close to home, I spotted a rainbow in the sky. Of course, I was just thinking how nice it would be to see a rainbow today after such a strong storm. I love rainbows! God's promise!!!! As I continued to drive, I realized the rainbow was really close to my home. As I started to turn on the crossroad before I got home (the same one that also leads to the middle school) I spotted something else! Yes, not one very big, very bright rainbow, but TWO! I literally stopped my car--the very end of those two rainbows went back behind the middle school. There it was, God's promise. Not a big dark cloud over the school, but two rainbows!
Yes, South Doyle Middle has been through a storm lately, but thank you God for your promise. What a nice touch --two rainbows...the same number of losses the school experienced this week. I love you, Jesus. Praise you my dear Savior and Lord!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Provision of God
God just blows my mind. The saying is "The Devil is in the Details" but I have to say that lately God has been showing me just how much he is in the details at work...
Example one...my friend (whose husband has recently lost his job) was praying for God to provide a way for her to continue Weight Watchers. Through a lot of small details God did just that! First, he placed it on a friend's heart to bring her a bag of goodies (all healthy...low weight watcher points) the very morning she prayed for His provision. Then, He provided a way for her to continue the weekly meetings.
My friend later told me, "I can't mess this up. I asked God to provide and He has. I have to do this now." Wow! How profound! How often do I pray for things, God answers the prayers, then I take the provision for granted?
Example two...a client came into our office today. He had a small balance, one in which I have the authority to write off. However, I chose not to do this because of his difficult personality. I happened to see the client had an appointment and I advised the front office staff to collect the payment. I really did not think this person would pay, but wanted to make him aware face-to-face since he has ignored the monthly statements. (Okay...I am not perfect here, just forgiven.) God blew my mind once again!
The receptionist came to my desk and asked for change. She was visibly shaken. She proceeded to tell me that the client said he could not pay his bill. Then the lady standing behind him (who did not have an appointment but happened to be in the area and dropped by because she had a question) said, "I will pay his bill. How much is it?"
Wow! What do you do? It was not the money but the principal in asking for his payment...or was it more? She turned to our client and said God is our provision. He blesses me so that I can bless You. When the receptionist gave her the change, she said, "Praise God! I even have money for gas!" Our client was dumbfounded. He thanked her.
I know she planted a seed in him today. Normally, I would have written off his balance, but did not because of his attitude. God used that. He is so in the details...He is so real! He is making Himself so real to me and the staff in the office. Praise God for using my attitude (maybe not the right one) and using it for His Glory!!! Thank God for Your Provision in all of our lives!"
2 Corinthians 9:8 (New International Version)
8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Example one...my friend (whose husband has recently lost his job) was praying for God to provide a way for her to continue Weight Watchers. Through a lot of small details God did just that! First, he placed it on a friend's heart to bring her a bag of goodies (all healthy...low weight watcher points) the very morning she prayed for His provision. Then, He provided a way for her to continue the weekly meetings.
My friend later told me, "I can't mess this up. I asked God to provide and He has. I have to do this now." Wow! How profound! How often do I pray for things, God answers the prayers, then I take the provision for granted?
Example two...a client came into our office today. He had a small balance, one in which I have the authority to write off. However, I chose not to do this because of his difficult personality. I happened to see the client had an appointment and I advised the front office staff to collect the payment. I really did not think this person would pay, but wanted to make him aware face-to-face since he has ignored the monthly statements. (Okay...I am not perfect here, just forgiven.) God blew my mind once again!
The receptionist came to my desk and asked for change. She was visibly shaken. She proceeded to tell me that the client said he could not pay his bill. Then the lady standing behind him (who did not have an appointment but happened to be in the area and dropped by because she had a question) said, "I will pay his bill. How much is it?"
Wow! What do you do? It was not the money but the principal in asking for his payment...or was it more? She turned to our client and said God is our provision. He blesses me so that I can bless You. When the receptionist gave her the change, she said, "Praise God! I even have money for gas!" Our client was dumbfounded. He thanked her.
I know she planted a seed in him today. Normally, I would have written off his balance, but did not because of his attitude. God used that. He is so in the details...He is so real! He is making Himself so real to me and the staff in the office. Praise God for using my attitude (maybe not the right one) and using it for His Glory!!! Thank God for Your Provision in all of our lives!"
2 Corinthians 9:8 (New International Version)
8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
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