Category Archives: Christianity

The Waiting

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It is hard to wait. A little unnerving, a bit unsettling. When? How? What will happen?

I am currently waiting for Ian’s rain and wind bands to hit Virginia. I am watching the strange cloud formations in the sky, seeing them move in an unusual direction. I feel the oncoming rain in my bones. (And yes, I know that makes me sound 100 years old, but it’s true! 🙂 )

We are not expecting anything like the terrible storm that hit Floridians. I have been thinking and praying for all of them so much. We could get 2-6 inches of rain, depending on how it tracks. Tucked into the side of a mountain as our century old home is, it is a little concerning.

But these times, these waitings, these storms…. these are the tests of faith. Do I believe that God protects me? Do I trust that whatever happens is for the best? Can I rest in that, and not fret?

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” – Isaiah 30:18

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” – Psalm 27:14

“My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.” – Psalm 130:5

I tell you what I am waiting for the most. That glorious, amazing, transformational day when the Lord Jesus reappears to gather those of us who love Him, those He has saved by His great sacrifice. That day is worth all the waiting.

Read this slowly, out loud if you can. Rejoice and wait in the blessed hope:

“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sins, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” – Hebrews 9:27-28

Blessings, Lisa

Praying that all affected by Hurricane Ian will find a place of safety and aid.

The Lifting

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Outer Banks seagull, lifted and free

A bird soaring high above the earth, lifted by the winds.

A leaf fluttering and flying, lifted by the breeze.

A massive airplane defying its weight, lifted by the wind over and under its wings.

Our spirits, when God rushes through, with His Holy Spirit wind to lift us.

The feeling and miracle of flight, the relief and freedom of forgiveness in Christ

Be blessed today. Know the love and forgiveness of Christ in your heart. Let the lifting of your spirit commence. Love, Lisa

Look Up, Look Out, Breathe Deep

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Life is hitting us all hard these days. Everyone I know is going through some majorly stressful and difficult challenges. Call it escapism, call it avoidance, but I have found something that helps me like nothing else.

I look up. I focus on Christ, the author and perfector of my faith.

I look out. I see the trees, the sky, the animals, the things that He has made.

I breathe deeply, if I can. Sometimes the stress is too much, and I get a pitifully shallow breath, but I refocus on God’s things, and try again. Breathe, and breathe again.

Find the things you love. Clouds, birds, your pet, your best friend, your parents, a delicious cup of tea, a piece of homemade carrot cake. Relish it. Sit in the moment of enjoying it for as long as it takes.

Here is a photograph of a jet-lagged, pain-weary me arriving in Ireland a few years ago. It had been a hard journey, and my ankle was hurting. But my husband stopped the car by the ocean on the side of the road. I got out, and the unmistakable smell of Ireland overtook me. The clean strong wind cleansed all the gunk out. I could breathe. The look you see in those tired eyes is pure joy and relief. Look for your Ireland today, wherever it may be, whatever form it takes. God never leaves you, never forsakes you, ever.

Looking up, looking out, breathing deep.

Blessings, Lisa

Our Shepherd

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Trusting sheep in County Kerry, Ireland

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” – Isaiah 40:11

 “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” – Mark 6:34

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water. ’And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ “- Revelation 7:17

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” – Psalm 23:1

Praise God that He loves us and cares for us so well. No matter what comes, He is there to find us, to rescue us, to feed us, to lead us to a place of peace. Blessings, Lisa

The Turning

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The wind. The clouds. The change. The turning. How I love it.

I spent a glorious afternoon yesterday watching, feeling, praying, loving the wonder that is our God. The turning of the season was a thing of beauty. I tried to document it so that I would always remember.

Before the turning. Sunny, humid, 85 degrees fahrenheit, still.
The gathering clouds of the approaching cold front. Occasional breeze, humid air, 85 degrees F.
Approaching cold front, gusty winds, temperature drops to 75 degrees

This morning, breezy, beautiful, 50 degrees Fahrenheit

I pray that you know the height and depth, the strength, the force, the power of Christ’s love for you. He made this beautiful world, for you. He made beautiful plants and animals, for you. He made laughter and sunshine and wind, for you. He went to the cross and paid for every one of yours and my sins. He is waiting by the right hand of God, for you.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. The turning.

Praise be to God above, Lisa