Lighthouses

I love lighthouses!  Anyone who has been to my house in the last 15 years knows this to be true.  I have always loved the image of Christ as a lighthouse.  We can always find Him, even on our darkest days.  His light is there for our every need.  It lights our path (Ps 119:105), His light and truth will lead us (Ps 43:3), He is the light of the world (Matt 5:14, John 8:12).

Those of us who are blessed to be Christians, to have accepted by faith Christ as our Saviour, must never forget that Christ's sacrifice on the cross was for OUR personal sins.  Every day I am reminded as I look at the photograph of a lighthouse that hangs on my living room wall, that my purpose for living is to simply be a reflection of Him.  To shine His light into the dark night of sin that is all around me. 

Oh, that every true Christian would remember that they are set as a lighthouse in the midst of a dark world, and would labor so to live that every part of them may reflect light, and no side be dim.

J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)

I read this quote for the first time this week.  I have been asking the Lord to show me what side of me is dim, or worse dark.  I answers aren't always (well to be honest almost never) easy or what I want to hear.  But I know they are what I need.

How's your light?  Any dim or dark sides?

Transform or Conform

Those who would be transfigured with Jesus, must not be disfigured by conformity to the world." ~Charles Spurgeon

About a month ago a dear friend posted this quote on Facebook.  Those that know me are aware of my love for quotes.  I read this one, and it has been in the back of my mind for weeks!

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

I have had this verse memorized for years, so many I can't remember when I first memorized it.  But even though I know each and every word in the verse, I am not sure I paid attention to every word.

 and be not entangled AGAIN with the yoke of bondage. (Caps are mine)

We are reminded that we have the choice of being transformed with Christ or conforming to the world.  This is my daily battle!

The Holy alphabet

A lthough things are not perfect
B ecause of trial or pain
C ontinue in thanksgiving
...D o not begin to blame
E ven when the times are hard
F ierce winds are bound to blow
G od is forever able
H old on to what you know
I magine life without His love
J oy would cease to be
K eep thanking Him for all the things
L ove imparts to thee
M ove out of 'Camp Complaining'
N o weapon that is known
O n earth can yield the power
P raise can do alone
Q uit looking at the future
R edeem the time at hand
S tart every day with worship
To 'thank' is a command
U ntil we see Him coming
V ictorious in the sky
W e'll run the race with gratitude
X alting God most high
Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

New Zealand Country Side

Beauty is everywhere.  Some places you have to look a little harder than others, but its there.  One thing about traveling even the little bit of New Zealand that we did, is you see beauty everywhere!

Our Trip to Auckland New Zealand

A week ago myself, my husband Rich and our sweet friend Sue traveled 20 hours to arrive in Chicago after being gone for 12 days.  We were blessed to represent our church, visiting missionaries Bob and Polly McLain in New Zealand.  It was the trip of a lifetime in 9 days (in the country).  Of course for Rich and I it was our third trip, but who's counting?  :-)

These sheep live just over the fence from the McLain's garden.  They were so funny!

Auckland is a wonderful city, easy to navigate -- as long as you can remember to drive on the left side of the road!  I was grateful we had Bro. McLain for our trip as a driver.

We were so blessed to spend time in several churches while we were there.  They all encouraged us so much!  It's a blessing to know that our Saviour is the same on both sides of the world!

Sue and I enjoyed singing for two of the churches.  We aren't professionals, but we do love serving! Rich enjoyed the chance to preach for both churches.  His voice did great throughout the week!

If you have never had the joy (according to both Rich and Drew) of having an L&P then you will know what an exciting stop this was for Rich!  Sue and I just loved the quilt shop we found in town!  :-)

I loved seeing the late summer flowers, even a few roses were still blooming.  It's alwasy almost shocking to go from winter to summer in one day!  But we certainly enjoyed it!

There is so much more, but now it's time for bed!  :-)

Time for Something New

Time for something new!  I keep saying I am going to do this, so here goes! :-)