An evening sunset over the ocean
The precious miracle of a newborn baby
The delicate art found in a dew kissed spider web

Ok fine – here are a few more vivid ones…

The crack of a bat hitting the ball out of the park
The glaring shine of freshly waxed metal
The sight, sound and smell of a steak being grilled to perfection

Which one of these is “it” for you – the “ultimate” – the goal?
Which one will satisfy you – if only for a little while?

Let’s shift our perspective….think BIG!!  Imagine the scene when Isaiah responds to his calling after hearing from the Lord.  Just think for a minute of the sight, the sound, the feel and yes, even the smell of winged creatures/angels/seraphim flying and praising God!  
What are you hearing from the Lord today?

“And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;

the whole earth is full of His glory.’

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”     And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:3-8

I’ll be the first to admit it.  Glitter makes me cringe.
The children’s-art-project-all-over-and-in-everywhere-for-weeks-kind-of-glitter.
But notttttt the concept of glitter:  I love a festive celebration!  🙂

There is nothing quite like glitter – a brilliant and dazzling display of light reflecting everywhere!

Have you ever met followers of Jesus like that?
Dazzling beacons of light?
Reflecting Jesus?
Leaving their mark on you after they’ve left?

Go ahead – sprinkle the light of Jesus wherever you go!  🙂

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16

I know you’ve wanted to do it!
But have you ever done it?
Have you ever thrown caution to the wind and nodded your head when they offer a second scoop of ice cream on your cone?

God has gifts like 2 scoops for you every day!
They might come through serving someone in need
Or taking a leap of faith in to a new job
Or following Him to a new routine, relationship or opportunity!

Don’t count the cost (or the calories!) God has a delicious and abundant plan for your life!  And it’s even sweeter than double chocolate caramel mocha fudge ice cream!

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10

Ready for fireworks?
Are you in a good place?
Is the timing right?
Snacks and beverages chilled/warmed?
Camera ready?

And then you wait…..and watch….and get ready to be amazed!

When was the last time you had such high expectations for things of God?
Are you in a good place?
Is the timing right?
Are you refreshed?
Are you ready to record His wonders?

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”  Micah 7:7

You receive a prayer request
Either on social media or a text
Time is suspended…..
Which do you do first?
Pray?
Or format your response?
Click Love…..or love your friend enough to speak to our Almighty God on their behalf?
Add praying hands emoji……or kneel before the throne of grace?

We all need the comfort of a response, but let’s not sacrifice the power of authentic prayer!

“God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.”  Psalm 66:19

That title sounds like a police command, but it’s actually a reflection of an emoji!  🙂 I often use the “Person Raising Both Hands in Celebration” emoji when I want to thank God for what He has done!  Just recently I discovered the very action of raising both hands in celebration requires empty hands.  It’s hard to lift up open hands if you are holding on to anger….or bitterness….or spite….or fear.

So drop the load you are holding on to, empty your hands and open them up in thanks and praise to God!

“Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.
I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your Name I will lift up my hands.”  Psalm 64:3,4

Longgggg ago there was a commercial that scolded:  “Don’t Squeeze the Charmin”. I guess the manufacturer made the toilet paper so irresistibly soft we needed an entire ad campaign on not-squeezing-which-encouraged-squeezing the toilet paper! 🙂

I feel like our world is squeezing us these days.  Squeezing us into a mold that isn’t who God created us to be.  Time, culture, fashion, traditions, fears and ignorance make us act like a little child squeezing a fresh roll of bubble wrap!

God has wonderfully created each one of us for HIS PURPOSE!  Each and every one of us…the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the healthy, the sick, the talented, the average, the tall, the not so tall and everyone in between!

Don’t squeeze anyone out!  And don’t let anyone squeeze YOU out!

Read Psalm 139 this week…you are God’s precious treasure!

“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  Psalm 139:14

What a phenomena we are experiencing this week!  The heavy smoke from wildfires in Canada has descended on our area clouding the skies with an ominous haze.  The sun is still shining but our vision is impaired.  Even the very air we breathe is compromised.

Sounds like life…..

Crazy times.
Cloudy perspectives.
Ominous gloom.
Impaired vision.
Polluted environment.
But yet…..The sun IS still shining!

Whether you are facing financial or health or relational or any other kind of stormy conditions, the Son IS still shining!  God’s perfect order is still working!  His Hand is still holding you!  He IS good and trustworthy!

Grab your SONglasses and see!

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does He withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You”. Psalm 84:11,12

God is soooooo good!  ALL THE TIME!

The past 2 weeks have been a whirlwind!
Our mom suffered a significant stroke.  We (meaning the immediate family of 20+ people) had 2 1/2 days to spend by her bedside before she passed away…..praying, praising, crying, laughing, talking, remembering, thinking and trusting God through it all.  We had AMAZING hospital staff who tolerated our questions AND our suggestions!  We had countless family members and friends praying for us, helping us and sharing in our sorrow.  

We had each other.  

Through it all, Romans 12:15 rang true. “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”  Yes, both mourning AND rejoicing!  We rejoice because Mom is no longer in pain or in fear.  We rejoice for God’s mercies and blessings.  And we mourn the loss of our matriarch.  Our faithful mother.  Our friend.

Thank you to the very many who have walked this road with us!

We thank God for the blessing you have been!

This has been the most beautiful spring season!  God has a perfect plan in place every year, but wow!  This spring weather has been amazing!  The flowers boldly declare God’s glory!

Crocuses start the season….with daffodils and tulips close behind….followed by the dandelions and pansies…with irises and blue bells ringing in next!  Then God sends the lilacs and lilies as the others fade away.  What a phenomenal parade timed to perfection!

Just imagine all the intricate details required for God to provide this colorful display every year!

And YET….His plan for YOU is SOOOOO MUCH more important!  And MUCH more intricate!  And He has a beautiful plan for you to grow and bloom and declare His glory too!

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Matthew 6:28-33