A Study of Lanterns and Light

Abundance

We have so much, and others so little.

I saw a woman digging through trashcans at a gas station the other day, very disheveled, street urchin-ish, she even drank water out of the dispensers for cleaning the windows of your car. Here is the saddest part. This woman had a car. I watched her go from person to person begging gas, and then take it back to her white jeep. She was not destitute. Yet she ate and drank at that gas station, over and over when people were watching, in order to get sympathy from people so she could continue her lifestyle. I drove away feeling sorry for her spiritual poverty more than the physical needs in her life. That she was so impoverished in spirit - desperately needing the bread of life, the abundance the Lord can give. And it humbled me. And made me grateful for the abundant mercies God has shown to me. How can I judge when I have been given so much?

Frogs, Life, Good Things.

Summer has gone by so quickly! Especially here in WA. I've been reminded lately to look for the little joys in life, the small things which make such big memories. Like catching frogs on my Great Grandmother's farm.

I'm searching out opportunities to praise the Lord for all of the small, often overlooked, ways He proves His faithfulness to me. I love Him so much for never leaving me on my own in life! For always being there despite my shortcomings, or my lack of interest in our relationship.

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints,

For those who fear Him have no lack.

The young lions suffer want and hunger;

But those who seek the Lord lack no good thing."

-Psalm 34:8-10

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Reflection

Love calls you to be silent when you want to speak, and to speak when would like to be silent. Love calls you to act when you would really like to wait and to wait when you would really like to act. Love calls you to stop when you really want to continue and it calls you to continue when you feel like stopping. Love requires you to lead when you really would like to follow and to follow when you really want to lead. Love again and again calls you away from your instincts and your comfort. Love always requires personal sacrifice. Love calls you to give up your life.
-Paul Tripp

Delightfulness

I'd rather have roses on my table
than diamonds 'round my neck.
-Emma Goldman

Enchanted Ground

Exhilaration is the Breeze

That lifts us from the Ground

And leaves us in another place

Whose statement is not found -

Returns us not, but after time

We soberly descend

A little newer for the term

Upon Enchanted Ground.
-Emily Dickinson

Beginnings

Introductions should be simple.