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5 Truths-God’s Light overcomes Darkness

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God’s Light Overcomes Darkness

Christian Spencer has captured sunlight filtering through the wings and tail of a black and white Jacobin hummingbird. I believe there are many life-lessons in these photos.

We live in troubled times.

Our friends and our families daily face obstacles we never imagined a few years back. Therefore, we can easily give in to despair, seeing only the dark side of a situation.

#1 Life can often be overwhelming.

The world around us can seem futile and hopeless with no end in sight. Certainly, family issues, broken friendships, illnesses and unexplained tragedies can cloud our view and pull us down.

Think about this: without the light in the photo illuminating the feathers, the hummingbird wings appear solid black or gray. Because the photographer added a bright light behind the bird, we see an entirely different picture.

So it is with our circumstances, no matter how dark and gloomy they may appear, there is hope. We must allow the Light to shine on our situations in order to see clearly.

Jesus said: “I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

#2 Our vision is poor.

Our loving Father sees and knows all. He knows our past, He knows our future.

God loved us enough to send His only Son, Jesus, that we might be with Him in eternity. We can trust Him with the dark things in our lives; only He can shine light through them. Trust His vision.

“… we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face-to-face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now.” I Corinthians 13:12

#3 God is worthy of our trust.

God sees and knows our deepest, untold needs. His love is more than we can comprehend. He alone can be trusted with our heaviest burdens. He alone brings real peace.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

#4 He is waiting to comfort and guide us.

All we need to do is call upon Him. He will always answer. He wants to calm our doubts and direct our paths.

“Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

#5 A bright future awaits us.

The photo one tiny hummingbird’s wings in breathtaking. Have you thought of what awaits God’s family when we finally get Home?

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” I Corinthians 2:9

My prayer for you is that you know for sure Heaven is your eternal home. That you are prepared to meet Jesus. And, I prayed today for you and your family and your circumstances. My God be more real today than ever before. May you be able to turn all your cares over to Him.

As always, I look forward to your notes. How can I pray for you today?

Hugs,

For more fun facts about hummingbirds, click here.

Patches Books get Reviews, Praises, Comments

Everlee enjoying Patches Biblical Coloring and Activity Book 2

Praises for Overwhelming Reviews and Comments

I’m humbled by all the reviews, photos and notes I’m receiving for Patches’ Biblical Coloring and Activity Books. Truly God is at work as Patches the Turtle shares Jesus with young and old.

When her grandmother’s Christmas gift included Patches’ Farmland Adventures, 4 year old Everlee was ready to color! Beautiful job! Thank you, Grandmother, for sharing this picture with us.

The National Writing for Children Center review.

I was overwhelmed recently to receive this exciting video review from The National Writing for Children Center. Wow! If you want a good look at some of the pages, follow this link.

Patches’ books are not Just for Children.

A woman in St. Louis writes: “I was given Patches’ Farmland Adventures and coloring pencils by a friend. She knew I needed some activity while being homebound all winter. In fact the added Scriptures were just what the doctor ordered!”

Some time ago, I mailed a copy to an elderly friend who was losing a long battle to lung cancer. Her hobbies of crocheting, reading, working in her church were now impossible tasks. I learned just today from her daughter how much the book had meant. The large print and short stories encouraged her to read more. Since she could hold colored pencils easily, working on the pictures was great therapy.

Nursing Homes and Extended Care Facilities

One person bought ten books to give to residents in a local nursing home. What joy to hear from some of them and to see their work. Many residents, men and women, are lonely and need something to occupy their minds.

Please, please pray with me.

As books go out to individuals, children’s Bible classes and groups, and to families across our land, I pray God will use each of them to touch hearts and change lives.

Lost and unchurched families and individuals can meet Jesus.

Only God can put together the words that touch hearts. On every page, Patches shares Scripture and encourages the reader/artist to think about God’s perfect design for them. Click here to see all of my books.

Thank you for allowing me to share my praises with you today.

Hugs,

Let me hear from you. Who do you know that could use some encouragement?

Making My Resolutions with 2020 Vision

Making my resolutions with 2020 vision!

Does making my resolutions with 2020 vision mean that I know what the year 2020 holds?

Absolutely not! However, this one truth I’m absolutely sure of:

“For I know the thoughts that

I think toward you, says the Lord,

thoughts of peace and not of evil,

to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

With that beautiful promise in mind, here are my resolutions for 2020.

#1 I am resolved to focus more on others and less on self.

First of all, to keep me on target, I set aside 1/2 day each week for the entire year. As a result, I will be prepared to call, visit, or write those who need encouragement. Do I really have extra time for this? No, I do not!

My husband has a favorite saying which I’ve found to be true: “We find the time to do the things we want to do each day. The things that mean less to us, we leave out.” God has put people in our paths to love on, and with His help, we will do just that.

#2 I am resolved to pray more faithfully for each member of our family!

For this, I made a centerpiece on my kitchen table. Each person (young, old, close, distant) has their name written on a pebble. Candles and ivy surround Jesus’ open hands holding the pebbles (my loved ones). I often pat Jesus’ hands as I go in and out of the kitchen; thanking Him that He has them in His care.

This January, a friend and I began a journey of praying for each other’s children/grand children daily as we pray for our own. Throughout the year, we will do lunch and share concerns and praises. I hope and pray you have such a trusted friend in your life.

One of my favorite hymns is “I am Resolved”. Follow this link for the words and story. “I am resolved” is my Life Vision for 2020. Therefore, here are my 3rd and 4th resolutions for 2020.

#3 I am resolved to focus more outward than inward.

You should have caught this one by now. Each year, we naturally want to accomplish more, eat healthier, lose or gain pounds, etc.

Do you do that? How’s it working for you? I’m not saying I don’t have goals … and a program to reach them. However, these goals are not as important as my resolutions. I know that as I keep the resolutions faithfully, the goals will take care of themselves.

#4 I am resolved to seek Jesus and His plan for my life more diligently.

This actually is the most important of all my resolutions, and the secret to accomplishing the rest of them.

I have set aside a definite “meeting time” five days a week. I hope for more, but I know I will keep these as they are on my new calendar! For me, I go into the kitchen before the world wakes up and draws me away. For some of you, another time will work best. I need to hear God’s voice early – and often!

Well, I would like to hear from you. How is your year going? Can I pray with you about something?

Hugs,

Let my hear about your resolutions or your hopes and dreams for the new year. You’ll never know what your note means to me.