Thursday, February 21, 2008

Ahhh, The Wonder of Nature


I have always loved nature, how she can be so consistent, seasons changing dependably, flowers blooming every spring, leaves turning shades of amber and orange each Fall, beautiful thunder storms cropping up in the heat of midsummer. But every now and then, she gives us something special. Sometimes those special things are frightening, like tornadoes or hurricanes. Other times those special events are wonderous, mysterious, like the summer the Halle Bopp comet hung out each evening for weeks over the lake. We spent many a summer night down on our dock just staring into the sky. Sometimes we were silent, other times we talked about how the comet was moving, changing as the days went along. I think our telescope found a semi permanent spot on the deck that summer. Last evening was another special gift, of a Lunar Eclipse. Luckily we had a gorgeous view from our house. The night was cold, and mostly clear. Every now and then the clouds blew over but it never really blocked our view of the earth casting her shadow across the bright moon. From start to finish, the entire eclipse took just a little over an hour. I ran in and out of the house to gaze upwards to the heavens, and back inside when I got too cold. It was fascinating. I've always been a star gazer, as far back as I can remember, lying in the large yard of my childhood home, sometimes until late in the evening when my daddy would call me inside to get ready for bed. I love the night sky, especially when it is full with stars, and they appear to hang low in the sky. I still find myself lying in the yard some nights, gazing upwards. So I was excited, happily anticipating all day long yesterday for the evening's big event. And, I was not disappointed. My favorite part was when the moon was fully eclipsed. It wasn't blacked out as one might expect, but instead it had a pinkish orange glow about it. And as the earth's shadow began to move away, the glow, only for a brief time, intensified. It was amazing. I love it when God sends us little wonders such as this. Its like He says, "Let me show you something really cool." Just when you think there's always order in the universe, we get a nice little surprise.


Monday, February 18, 2008

Deep Dish


One of my favorite authors is Mary Kay Andrews. I've read all her books and they are delightful, just a hoot! So I am so excited that she is finally coming out with her newest book, Deep Dish. It comes out Feb 25, I think. But I will be at my local bookstore waiting for it. A bookstore in Decatur is hosting a Book Launch Party on Feb 25, and I would love to go, but I'm not sure I want to tackle Atlanta rush hour traffic on a Monday evening to drive down there. http://www.wordsmithsbooks.com/deepdish.html

So, I'll probably wait and grab it at my local bookstore. I sure would love to go to one of Mary Kay's book signing appearances, and meet her. I've always wondered if she is anything like her books....sassy, funny, outrageous.

http://www.marykayandrews.com/ I feel some good, fun reading coming on!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day!



I love this sonnet by Elizabeth Barrett Browning...

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, - I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, with all my life! - And, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

And, of course, this favorite truth:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, 13


Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Peace

I spent last week with my sister, Judy. It was a tough week. We learned at her doctor's appointment on Tuesday that her cancer is more serious than we thought initially. Her chemo treatment sounds very aggressive, and will be hard on her. Throughout the week, in the face of fear and disappointment, it was amazing how God made Himself known to me. Consistently in the midst of panic and fright, God would somehow, supernaturally, drop a blanket of peace and reassurance on me. And one day, while thumbing through Judy's bible, He gave me two verses that I am sure he wanted Judy and I to remember.

John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 16:33: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Fear was such a powerful emotion last week, and I'm still bothered with it even now. Funny, how God knows exactly how to zero in on that. I hope He will continue to work on me, and on Judy, in the face of our fear, and remind us that he is Jehovah Shiloam, and Jehovah Rophe. His will be done.

I am thankful for a wonderful circle of friends, and the dear "belles" a wonderful group of online friends who have prayed for Judy, and encouraged me. And, especially thankful for Tammy, Roycea, Cynthia, and Chris, my sister Judy's circle of close girlfriends and prayer warriors. These ladies circled around Judy last week and prayed with us, for us, and lifted Judy up out of a dark place. I thank God that he surrounded Judy with these girlfriends. God bless you for your goodness.