by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Last week’s family beach trip created many “favorite” moments and life-long memories. Piper’s first swim with grammy and pappa, late night set-back card games, boisterous boardgames, a-mazing seafood and seeing this sweet face first thing in the morning.
My favorite time with God occurred one early morning when I ventured out alone to the shore, plunked down into my low-to-the-ground beach chair, and soaked in the sights and sounds of my surroundings.
Jeremiah 31:35 ESV took center stage as I fixed my sight on the ocean, trying to drink in its vastness, while praying for friends and family facing sea-sized trials, “what-ifs?” and heartache. May they know—and rest in—the knowledge that the same God who fashioned the waves to roar is the very same One moving on behalf of His children.
Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light
by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night,
who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord of hosts is his name. Jeremiah 31:35 ESV
Psalm 139: 17,18 sifted through my spirit as I scooped up a handful of sand, full of wonder and gratitude to the One who chose gritty grains to describe how often He thinks of us. How are we to wrap our minds around such love and attention?
How
precious concerning me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of
them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.” Psalm 139: 17,18
As our time drew to a close, I clicked my iPod to Satisfied, a song my son co-wrote and sang on his first CD, Dialogue. With hands raised to the heavens and salty tears flowing, I couldn’t help but sing my favorite lyrics: “Lord, take my heart, my wants, and my desires. Lord, take all of me. Jesus alone satisfies.” It’s a moment I wanted to freeze in time.
When scripture and sand meet, blessings flow but thankfully sand isn’t a requirement to experience God in the daily doings of life.
What have you seen just today that reveals God’s power, love, or grace?
Praise. I can’t imagine a better way to begin the week.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
As we prepare to enter the final month of summer, here are five ways we can squeeze the last drop of summer from our calendars:
1. Eat summer foods. Fresh tomatoes, watermelon, and other fruits and veges will soon be gone. Enjoy them now and freeze some for the winter too.
2. Enjoy the lazy days of summer. Grab your favorite book and head for your favorite place of relaxation—or invite friends over for glass of lemonade on the front porch and make the most of your time together with humidity as your back-drop. (Can you tell I’m not much of a summer person? 🙂
3. Pour your favorite summer beverage like this one from Better Homes and Gardens. Sip slowly…for a new season is just around the corner.
4. Take a hike. It’s still officially summer but here in the south a light breeze begins to tease us, making us yearn for cooler days and kaleidoscopic leaves. It’s the perfect chance for a hike, a game of Frisbee golf, or a nice stroll through town.
5. Find the closest swimming hole and dive in! Many pools close in our area on Labor Day but lakes, mountain rivers (for wading), and other places invite you to one last swim for the season.
Now, for those of you who know me, you’re well aware that I won’t be doing some of the things I shared above but I love it for those who savor this season (like my hubby.) My favorite season is fall, so be prepared!
What’s your favorite season? Do you have another “fun in the sun” idea we could add to the above list?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Egrets
Egrets as inevitable
As turtles and rare
As turquoise snakes
Sang along currents
Of solitude
Sand solicitously
Entreating attentive
Reflection
Sinking through shadows
Penetrating waters
Pale as March
Like lead they fell
Splitting water
Like pine logs
’til motionless the water
Deep and sharp
Straight to the heart
Arising again death
Gripped spun up
Like a cockcrow
Breaking night.
– Karen Lucci, Beach Dogs, A Collection
– photo courtesy of www.lazyrivercruises.com
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
“Trust Me in the midst of a messy day. Your inner calm—your Peace in my Presence—need not be shaken by what is going on around you. Though you live in this temporal world, your innermost being is rooted and grounded in eternity. When you start to feel stressed, detach yourself from the disturbances around you. Instead of desperately striving to maintain order and control in your little world, relax and remember that circumstances cannot touch My Peace.
Seek My Face, and I will share My mind with you, opening your eyes to see things from My perspective. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid. The Peace I give is sufficient for you.”
John 16:33; Psalm 105:4; John 14:27
Jesus Calling, Sarah Young
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Snow wasn’t falling and bells were not ringing, but it sure felt like Christmas at the Baker house last Friday afternoon when a box of the above arrived on our doorstep.
I never expected my poetry to be published so you can imagine my delight and depth of gratitude to the One who made it possible.
The poem below is not mine, but one that’s also included in Enter the Gateway, by Torrid Publishing. (Congratulations, Jane!)
Re: Paul to Timothy
(2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Heeding truth is hard to do,
As the test of time makes clear;
Doctrine sounds, but very few
Listen to what they should hear.
Myth is so appealing to
Those who want to scratch an ear;
When desire does itch anew,
Fools seek fools from far and near.
Author: Jane Blanchard
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Guess it goes without saying that our granddaughter is rarely in the background, and for good reason!
On those rare occasions, however, when she realizes we’re not tuned in to her every word it doesn’t take long for her attention-antenna to intercept with two words that snap me back into full attention mode: Meeee-me! Meeee-me! (i.e. Grammy)
You would be hard-pressed to find words that so quickly melt this heart but I was reminded of another one during yesterday’s sermon on discipleship: repentance. Yes, it can be painful and heart wrenching but it is a powerful and magnificent gift made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
As children of God, our attention antenna need never rise because His Word assures us that we never escape His notice. When we call out to our Father, He leans in to hear His children and stands ready to forgive and cleanse those who desire to turn away from their sin. It’s not about getting our act together or becoming more religious, for both come up empty—but it is about becoming humble and real on an ongoing basis before a living, loving, active, and holy God who desires His best for His children.
“The mark of a true disciple is joyful and regular acceptance of
God’s gracious gift of repentance.” -Kyle Estepp
(The
purpose of this blog is to share snippets of life and truth along the
way. To listen to our sermon series on discipleship and this week’s
sermon on repentance, please visit Summit’s site. It should be posted by Wednesday.)
