Monday, March 14, 2011

red sky in the morning...

"red sky in the morning, sailors take warning" 


...or so the little rhyme goes...


This morning's sky was brilliant!  Shades of reds, pinks, oranges, yellows painted across the horizon canvas.  Absolutely breath taking.   And, as the light of day peeked over my eastern property line, my eyes skimmed reports of the devastation in Japan and my heart took warning.


You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.
 Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 
There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  
All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Matthew 24:6-8 (NIV)

... and yet, my Savior, Himself, said "see to it that you are not alarmed."  He has warned me that there will be an end to this earth and that there will be earthquakes, famines, wars all in preparation for His kingdom to come.  It won't be pretty... it won't be fun... but it is part of His plan for redemption.

He which testifieth these things saith, 
Surely I come quickly. Amen. 
Even so, come, Lord Jesus
Revelation 22:20 (NIV)

As I count 1000 Gifts for Multitude Monday, my heart overflows with gifts of His grace.  I pray for my loved ones in Japan and I pray for my loved ones here... I pray that we would recognize that all is grace and all is a gift from Him.


... the sound of giggles and laughter as we play together
... The Christian Lover sent to me from Tricia... with chocolate of course!
... a two hour Sunday afternoon nap


... recognizing my own depravity
... being led out of my comfort zone
... worship on my knees


... coming to the end of boiling sap
... 3/4 of a gallon of syrup finished!
... my friend, Liann, who continues to teach me all things maple syrupy


... the announcement of a new niece or nephew coming in the fall
... sunshine on my face
... knowing that those this earth give way, His kingdom is eternal!





5 comments:

  1. I just came over from Anne’s.

    And you know what – the red sky thing – in all my many hundreds of years of living – has never once failed to be accurate.

    And though I loved the whole list – this one is my favorite: ... knowing that those this earth give way, His kingdom is eternal! (it is the greatest peace in life – knowing we are now, already, living eternally – and thinking of the many we will never permanently lose) {smile} This was awesome. Thank you.

    God Bless and keep you and all of yours.

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  2. Being led out of your comfort zone -- A great gratitude!!!! And how soon that place becomes comfortable and we see that we have grown just a little more. I love the familiar, the comfortable, and I'm not easily pushed. But I'm feeling some nudges lately, and I may have to move a little, too. I'm with Craig, too, on your statement about His Kingdom being eternal. Such a rock and a sure foundation to set our feet upon! Thank you for being such a blessing today!

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  3. I've never seen sap being made . . . it should go on my to do list sometime! :) Thank you for sharing!

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  4. What a joy - to read your gifts! I loved Anne's book and have purchased a journal to start writing mine...but have yet to start. So many things to be grateful for...

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  5. Another baby coming your way? Wonderful! We, too, are thinking much of those in Japan and praying for them as well as remembering the greatness of God and His mercy and grace and justice and on and on. I'm thanking God for "normal" much more these days.

    A two hour Sunday nap...I love those! :)

    Love and hugs!

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Thank you for your kind words!