I Saw Beauty First Through Her Eyes

I saw beauty first through her eyes.
How do you know if someone loves butter?
“With this buttercup.”
How do you know God is an artist?
“This rainbow is made with watercolors.”
How did you know what I would look like before I was born?
“You whispered a song to my heart
And it made me smile.”

I saw beauty first through her eyes.
Standing in her closet, wearing her highest of heels.
I had already borrowed her teeny Copper Penny lipstick
Telling myself, “This must be mine: see how small it is.”
Practicing to be pretty
In a cloud of her Chantilly Lace and Shalimar.

I saw beauty first through her eyes.
My hands touch the silks held gently on the hangers
In ROY G. BIV order; tops mixed with bottoms.
Golds with browns, green with blues.
These match and THESE do not.
Practicing to be pretty
In a blue rayon dress, a string of pearls and a feather hat.

I saw beauty first through her eyes.
How does a lady act?
“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nuttin’ at all.”
How does a lady walk in these high heels?
“Always on your toes looking ahead, never down.”
Will I be pretty?
“You have always been beautiful,
inside and out.”

I saw beauty first through her eyes.

Now I see beauty through my own.
The chords on the piano linger, in familiar fanfare
And we stand and turn to see her,
The bride, waiting at the end of the aisle.
Anticipating. Eager. Lingering. Patient. Nervous.
Her blue dress accents the deep blue of her eyes.
The hope-filled eyes of this bride – my mom.

I see beauty.

jsi

What matters is not your outward appearance - the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes - but your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. The holy women of old were beautiful before God that way, and were good loyal wives to their husbands. 1 Peter 3:3-5 The Message

So don't lose a minute in building on what you have been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your in your experience of our Master Jesus. 2 Peter 1:6-9 The Message

From Whom All Blessings Flow

The winter has been long, and spring is here:

Two days old.

Freezing snow has been standing in line with warming sun,

A weather conversation of politeness-

"You go." "No really, you go." "No, please you first." "Oh, no, I couldn't."

Thaw. Freeze. Melting warm followed by an arctic blast.

It shows in the river near my home.

With saturated ground, new rain joins the brook which is raging in its pace.

Flooded beyond the banks.

The month has been long, and Easter is here-

Resurrection Day tomorrow.

Harsh burdens and brokenness standing in the presence of God,

A heart conversation of desperation-

"I need you." "You were created to need Me." "Clean my heart." "I have grace for you."

Embrace. Salvation. Love. Forgiveness.

It shows as a light in the darkness of his home.

With saturated ground, this new love joins the life which has been raging at its pace.

Flooded beyond the banks.

Nothing compares to sharing Jesus

With a heart who is searching for His love.

My heart is full and overflowing its riverbanks

Acknowledging the blessings of God.

Our God redeems and saves.

Our God takes crooked roads and makes them straight.

Our God takes broken lives and makes them beautiful.

Life is full of joy and I praise God

From whom ALL blessings flow.

jsi

Celebrate and embrace the amazing love story of God's love in the Resurrection of Christ Jesus. Grasp and know the humbling mystery of God - Christ in you, the hope of glory!

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance - now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:14-15 (NIV)

At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of Him, giving Him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving Himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in His presence. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. Colossians 1:21-23; 27. (The Message)

A Book Recommendation

I have always enjoyed reading and find that I choose a variety of different titles and categories to keep in my bag, different friends to spend time with. I always have a book in hand, a reading in progress, or find myself in conversation with someone about what they are reading and why. Sometimes these books are for leisure, sometimes from recommendation and frequently from this Master's of Divinity degree, some are assigned. The book listed, The Lost Letters of Pergamum by Bruce W. Longenecker and Ben Witherington happens to fulfill all three, and turned out to be an inspirational, educational, moving page turner.

Do yourself a big favor and stop by the bookstore, or the library or check online and download this volume. It is a fictional novel, written within the format of an exchange of letters, but is filled will specific facts and history which help share an well-rounded representation of the early Christian church.

Such as letters written in the contemporary history of the gospels of Mark, Luke and Matthew have the person who wrote the letter listed first, describing their placement in relation to the recipient, or social status or other power affiliations. For most letters, the first line was akin to a resume - short, sweet and to the point.

Though fictional in format, the authors took several opportunities to include details of city government, honor codes between men and women/slaves and masters, the building and function of the gladiatorial games, the different class levels of slavery and ancient hospitality. Authentic history is dressed up in a business casual outfit - you can't help but learn something new each chapter.

One cool subject encountered (okay, it was cool to me!) is the matter of how communities developed a library. Wealthy individuals would be in search of certain authors and works, like Homer's Iliad, and an owner would lend it understanding that there would be scribe slaves and artisans drawn together to copy it to create a new copy, frequently adding new illustrations, improved bindings and covers. There were no levels of copyright protection for ideas or works of literature; there were no publishing houses or guilds which protected the product of a book or song or artwork. Once a copy had been made, the original would be returned from whom it was borrowed.

It was within this library development circumstance that the Gospel of Luke is acquired as a copy to produce a copy for a wealthy citizen's collection. The letters which follow this initial encounter develop the scheme of the book. The reader is given the privilege to watch a friendship develop, a faith in Christ shared and an inspirational encouragement to the progress of evangelism.

The central theme of this book is the profound impact friendship and faith have upon each other. Evangelism is not a "tag, you're it!" experience, exalted by the hundreds of touches you can have with bustin' some souls for the name of statistics or notches within a spiritual belt. Instead, the author focuses in the profound placement authentic friendship includes to a full, transformational relationship with the living Savior, Christ Jesus. The authors accentuate the growth of friendship and the length of time one contact in the journey of evangelism actually lasted. It was not merely reading the gospel of Luke that brought about faith, but shared meals, overnight hospitality, numerous letters and communications, visiting a few churches

Friendship is important - it is not trivial or superficial. Friendship which is not reliant upon second and third layer agendas, but from a love which grows out of the desire to seek the best for another person. God honors friendship, it is a gift from Him and a relationship which He sanctifies.

Open yourself up to the friends who are around you, share who you are, share yourself and your faith. Share your faith through a mutual love, and stay encouraged for the long road that journey of evangelism may be. Someone's salvation may be waiting in the wings, simply needing the action of your friendship.

"Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: 'God authorized and commanded me to comission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, ,arking them with baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day, right up to the end of the age.'" Matthew 28:18-20 The Message

Crosses

Summer sunset Camp Allegheny Cross photo taken by Annie Buckles xanga.com/anniebuck

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the King of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

Autumn Glory Camp Allegheny Cross photo taken by Annie Buckles xanga.com/anniebuck

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.


St. Stephen United Church of Christ, Sandusky, OH Lent 2007

See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

St. Stephen's United Church of Christ, Sandusky OH Lent 2007

His dying crimson, like a robe, spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe, and all the globe is dead to me.

photo taken by Major Steve Howard xanga.com/smhski

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts

Sandusky Community Church of the Nazarene, Sandusky OH Lent 2007

But now a righteousness apart from God, apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement. Romans 3:21-25
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
What then, shall we say in response to this? If God be for us, who can be against us? he who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will he not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? In all things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neighter death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-32; 37-39

Holy Snowglobe, Batman!

I left for class this morning at 5:50 a.m., with not a single flake on the ground. There was no ice remaining from the ice storms, the roads were dry and the sky was clear. I made my 100 mile trip in awesome time. It has been a class tradition to have to face severe winter storms every single stinking Friday. The extra layer of trickiness has been when T.A.N.K. have their school cancelled - oy vey! So this morning, it felt like a treat, a breeze, a piece of cake and I even had enough time to stop at StarBucks for a "Venti Earl Grey Tea Misto, nonfat, no water, extra foam, sugar-free vanilla, leave the bag in please." We don't have a StarBucks in town, so its nice to get my fix of a London Fog when I can.

Yet within 10 minutes of arriving to Ashland Theological Seminary campus the flurries start flying and the alert for the severe winter storm is broadcast. Four hours later as we emerge from our New Testament class, the accumalation is phenomenal.

Instead of a 1 hour 25 minute drive, I just got home from a 3 hour 15 minute drive, in white out conditions, unable to drive any faster than 28 mph.

I am so glad to be home!

And since I took my laptop with me to class this morning instead of using my Palm T X and keyboard, I could access my Lotus Notes and find out, one after another, all of my obligations this weekend are cancelled, postponed, rearranged for another day. I went to class with 6 important, pressing responsibilities/privileges/concerts and came out with only worship on Sunday a.m. And right now, that has a question mark as to the condition on Sunday morning early. I have the phone numbers needed and the text and songs to tell everyone if necessary. Have you ever needed to cancel morning worship? I've only needed to do it once in 10 years, for conditions exactly what I am facing right now. Now, that being said, our family has been the only people who arrived for worship on some poor weather days, but we were there and we still had a condensed form of worship - though I will say, it kind of leaves me feeling very low when that happens.

I hate to get the schedule rescramble because of poor weather - we have had so much poor weather! Nothing seems more difficult than the cancel/postpone/reschedule - I've already promised all of that future time away. Yet, it means not having to conquer the Tundra tonight, tomorrow and driving hundreds of miles on Sunday.

Stay in, stay warm, stay dry, stay safe.

Blazing ice

The ice storm this week brought frigid temperatures but exquisite views. It hampered my schedule, programs, attendance, safe driving and daily expectations. My kids waited with bated breath in front of the television, expecting a snow day from school, and only to find out there would be school. The ice storms brought such extra weight on the power lines, pulling them down all over the rural area which encompasses our city. Our middle school had to close 25 minutes after all the kids got there. T. got a day off from school, yet A.N. and K. were at the elementary school, which is far removed from the Middle School. A.N. and K. stayed in school, and T. gloated for a day and 1/2.
Our corps driveway has a dramatic decline and incline, which turns dangerous in this type of weather. So, even though we plowed and salted, there were only 4-6 parking spots which were safe and being used. This week was planned for our League of Mercy Lenten visits for the city nursing homes. The gifts had already been sorted and counted, waiting to be delivered on Wednesday morning, which coincindentally followed the worst of the ice storms we received. My home phone was ringing madly, phone call after phone call found me crossing one name off the list after another, those who were unable or unwilling to travel out in the weather.
I found myself gazing at one name remaining, and I expected she would not be meeting me either, that she had just neglected to call to cancel. But my calendar did not have room for postponement and rescheduling. I don't intend to be inflexible or rigid, but the rest of my Lent has been promised out. As I drove to the corps, I knew there was a terrific chance I would be delivering these three nursing homes on my own. It would take a bit longer, adding at least three hours to the day, but this is what the day was planned for, right?!.
I waited at the corps until 9:45 a.m., the planned time, and walking into my lobby was the only volunteer who hadn't called me. She and her family had lost power 24 hours earlier, no phone, no furnace, no lights and her previous day had included many altered forms of regular life - men and grandsons splitting wood for the constant fire in the two fireplaces, cooking with dutch ovens and camp griddles over the fire, shoveling the cars out of the driveway, etc.
Yet, despite her added complications and difficulties, she knew there was only one place she would be at 10 a.m. on Wed. She didn't do it for me (but I sure appreciated her helping hands), she didn't do it for her family (they needed her at home), or even for the residents in the three homes we visited. She did is exclusively for God. The people that we saw that day have become familiar to me, having been to their rooms several times already. Some of our other gifts are sitting on their shelves or folded on their beds or hanging on their wheelchairs, showing that they have been used and needed.
"Thank you for the War Cry...I enjoy another article about God," shared one gentleman who, though has shown sign of physical improvement, will not be leaving this facility just yet. "You chose a shorter hair style: I love it!" I declare as I walk into M. room, her style amazingly with every hair in place.
"Please don't leave yet, I need you to pray..."
No matter how shorthanded we might have been, there always has to be time to pray.
Lord, thank you for being our supply of encouragement and stamina, preventing use from letting a few obstacles get in the way of Your work. Help me to always, ALWAYS see your activity.

God has made everything beautiful in its time.

He has also set eternity in the hearts of men;

yet man cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Blazing Ice

Home sweet winter home

Glistening diamonds

Blazing ice

Crystal touch