In His Hands

Sometimes the woes of life bring situations that cause, "The Grass is Greener on the Other Side" Syndrom. However, I am convinced that we the people see greener grass, but fail to see the manure. Life has outward blessings, but even in the midst of those blessings there are underlying trials that are at work to shape us. I am thankful for that shaping. He is the Potter and we are the clay. The curve and speed of our shaping is up to Him. If I was the potter of life trying to shape my own clay, I can imagine myself spinning the wheel too fast to get through the hard part, but then the outcome being pretty lopsided. Thankfully, He decides the speed of that delicate shaping, and one thing we can count on is that one day that shaping will be complete for eternal enjoyment!

City Lights: a Note to Self

Dim lights aren't too much different than darkness, you still have to wrinkle your forehead as you squint your eyes to see. Live life shining brightly and be strikingly different than darkness. It is a dark world out there and God has given you the opportunity to take His light with love to searching and hurting people. He is watching. When He looks down and you look up, don't you want Him to see His reflection? No blending or bluring of dim lights, or darkness, but stark light that is distinctly different. What a joy to present such bright light with your life to the one who breathed it into you. Presenting to Him a dim light is not first prize worthy, and you, well you should run for the prize. What are you living for?

Gnarly!

Psalm 65:6-8

You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,

who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,

who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.

Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy.

The Land of Masala, Chai Tea, & Silk

Remembering the places and people where life is happening on the other side of the world:

Busy day at the Taj Mahal--one of the 'World Wonders'

Mother and Daughter that I met while walking through a Delhi slum

Bicycles are a blessing for tired feet

and the Laundry looks like it is just about dry

India is so diverse

Mother and daughter who came to the medical clinic

A woman being interviewed to see how the NGO can best meet

the needs of the women in this Delhi slum.

She clings to her mom in silk

Boys will be Boys, of course!

Beautiful girl

whose eye needs some loving

Mid day power outages are common in Delhi,

but the English students kept working on their assignment by candlelight.

Wisdom from Amy Carmichael, a woman who spent fifty five years living with and loving the people of India:

"Give me the Love that leads the way
The Faith that nothing can dismay
The Hope no disappointments tire
The Passion that'll burn like fire
Let me not sink to be a clod
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God"
— Amy Carmichael

" One can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving"
— Amy Carmichael

The Strings on Flamenco

There is a flower
There is a vase
This vase houses water and soil
The flower is dependent upon being immersed in this water
Without water

There would be no sound to ignite this flower

to send its roots to embed in the richness of soil

bringing graceful movement

that reaches full bloom
Last Tuesday marked the day of my very first Flamenco dance lesson
Flamenco is composed of two parts:

The guitarist & the graceful dancer with heels
The percussion in Flamenco

To accompany his strings

Is the very beat of her feet
With twirling hands

She adds beauty to both sight and sound
She is the flower
The guitarist the water

The soil their stage
Our eyes and ears the vase
Without the sound of strings

there would be silence
No cue for her to stomp her feet

No cue to move with grace

No cue to twirl her hands
Without the water
There is no guitar
There is no dancer
There is nothing to hear
Nothing to see
A Vase with much potential

with soil, although dry

a stage where life can be seen
Yet, lacking that which gives and sustains life...
…Water…
…The Living Water…

All to say the least, my Heart says, “Tuesday evening was Flamenco dance Lesson number one… of many!” Time for some new shoes and a Skirt!

Coconut Milk

My trip to Sri Lanka last year was filled with Sweet smells, Slight Breeze, Smiles, and Simplicity. A Land with beauty that has been blurred by the frowns of civil war for the past three decades. Freedom is their new adventure. Will they overcome? Will they recover? Will Truth be made known and Love experienced? I hope so. Their hospitality is part of who they are. Here is a cup of Tea; look inside and see the reflections of the Island Country, Sri Lanka:

Hikkaduwa Beach

Daughter and Mother walk and reminise

Eating lunch at the Beach in Colombo

Leaf found in the Rainforest Rainforest Waterfall

All-Boys School visit

Sri Lankan Hymn Books and Bibles

Turquose Tri-shaw

...To the Ends of the Earth...

Thumb Over Two Collage

"This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good, and falsehood with truth, and hatred with Love." ~Peace Pilgrim

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him;if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:2-22; The Bible

These Eyes of Mine and Pearl's Shine

When I look to Jesus I know I can do nothing without Him. Seeing my dependence upon Him puts Him in the proper place of being revered. Looking to Him I am humbly comforted, because I know that He endured much suffering to have this relationship with me. Satisfying is my relationship with Jesus. When I am abiding I know that I have the greatest power that can set me free, and God gives me hope. He truly is a Mystery, a Treasure, and the Pearl of Great Prize!

Look to me, all the ends of the earth, and be saved!
—Isaiah 45:22

My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
-Psalm 25:15

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross.
—Hebrews 12:2

For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.
—2 Chronicles 20:12

The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.
—Ezra 8:22b