When traveling to a small mountain village in northern New Mexico, the topography of barren rolling hills suddenly changed with one curve to a magnificent array of colors and vegetation. The countryside provided the background for splashes of the Master’s strokes. The people and animals provided the foreground of the Master’s canvas. The day was spent blending colors and subjects uniquely designed by the Lord for that special day.

…brilliant wild flowers with brown faces nestled in a sea of green meadow grasses…

…purple thistle adding a soft blue glow to surrounding walls of grass on which horses, cattle, and woolly sheep grazed lazily…

…tall graceful oak and cedar trees…a gift from decades past…still reaching heavenward…

…pecan groves and apple orchards standing in stately rows…

…a bubbling stream pouring out refreshment from it’s banks to God’s thirsty creatures…

…a lamb gently crossing river rocks as the cool water refreshes weary feet…

…a farmer carefully preparing precious valley soil for planting. The neat perfectly straight rows causing the red dust to drift in a silent red silk-like screen towards the clouds…

The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed in gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain. They shout for joy and sing. Psalm 65: 12-13

…a town of friendly merchants eager to share their treasures…

…a horse-drawn trolley circling the town square filled with people and a stately black Labrador retriever as it’s front seat sentinel…

…homeward bound, the setting sun framed by the haze of closing day allowing a glimpse of fading glory…

It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever flowing rivers The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.
Psalm 74: 15-17

In his earliest days the Psalmist while keeping his father’s flocks, devoted himself to the study of God’s two greatest books-scripture and nature. (C.H. Spurgeon)

We caught only a glimpse of the Psalmist’s study, but realized the excellence of the author through the visual experiences the day provided.

Thanks again, Lord. Your world is awesome. I stand amazed at the beauty you painted on your canvas today.

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love. Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. Psalm 36: 5-10

On my way to work each day, I pass the location that was Price’s Creamery where my dad invested his life as owner of his Home Delivery Milk business. The building was torn down last year to make a way for a housing project. No one would ever know now that thirty years of sacrifice and job experience occurred there for my dad. There is no evidence that Price’s Creamery ever existed. All that remains of my dad’s legacy is what he did for people! What is remembered is what he did in the name of Jesus for others. No building, no signs, no billboards, no physical evidence that he was ever there. Only what he left in the hearts and minds of others bears witness to his life’s accomplishments. The picture of my father is quite different than the world’s picture of a successful man. Thank you, Lord, for that picture.

“Sacred Delight” is a blessing given by God that no one can take away. Oftentimes, it is beyond our wildest expectations or dreams. The rhinestone “cross” ring sparkled in the light against the dirty skin of the little girl as she held the spoon and shoveled the cereal into her mouth. She ate her “free” breakfast before school as if it would be her last. My heart ached because I knew what home life she endured. Thanks you Jesus, for helping me realize your cross is the light that covers all our “dirt” whether physical or spiritual. Your words echo in my mind as I try to make a difference in this child’s life. “When you do unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:45 Thanks for reminding me you love the dirtiest, ugliest, vilest, most ungrateful of us. I must remember that only through You does this child stand a chance. Help me pass on your Light.

Lord, let me be a mirror of your mercy and a picture of your grace. May I act like and be confident that I belong to you. Help me remember that Worship is for you…to honor and glorify you, not myself. The true importance of a real leader is not in what they do; but the people they empower. If you know Jesus Christ, you are successful. If you do not, you are a failure. When I beat myself up about my past, I remember Rahab. Joshua 2

Breathe in the “Sonshine” this day. Let the Spirit fill you with strength, power, and security. God is faithful and true. Life is hard…God is good!

Forget the worries of this life and let the “Sonshine!”

“May extraordinary things flow through this ordinary heart of simplicity. “ Rich Mullins

I trimmed the scraggly rose bush that was in the corner of my yard when I bought the house. I trimmed and pruned. The more I trimmed, the worse it looked. Finally I gave up and left it alone. Weeks later while looking out my kitchen window, much to my surprise, the rose bush was blooming with the most beautiful pink blossom in the very tip top. What I would have cut down came back to be something beautiful! God takes the ugly old branches of our lives, prunes and cuts, and turns it into something beautiful! Thank you Lord, for not turning your back on me when I am “ugly.”

The early morning fog shrouded the land making it impossible to distinguish even the closest of objects. The ravens sat immobilized on fence posts adding to the eerie landscape. I could only see a few feet in front of me and drove at a snail’s pace. Because this was my normal way to work, I knew what was ahead. Like our faith walk we hold on to the hand of the One who knows what is ahead of us and sees clearly. We must hold tightly and follow his light.

Ever since childhood, it always made me sad to see Christmas trees discarded after the holidays. I passed one tree lying on it’s side in the dirt beside the road. The cut trunk lay exposed to the sun and wind…no roots to hold it firmly in the ground and protect against the forces of nature. Without Jesus, we are like the cut tree. We have no roots, no foundation to keep us strong and protect against evil forces. With the love of Jesus, we are like the magnificent oak tree with roots planted firm and deep in the soil. We are covered with protection under His mighty arms. Psalm 91:4 We have a foundation for life, strength, and support that grounds and protects us.

Hebrews 12:1-2 …let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

The Lord has been faithful in so many ways. He deals in our lives in different but specific ways. We share the following story/experience with the hope and prayer that you will be encouraged and inspired by the works of the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

My prayer in 2000 through the purchase of my townhouse was that I might have the Lord’s “heartprint” to know his will. I learned that most often God does not write his will in big bold letters on the wall for me; but rather whispers gently with a peace of mind that requires action on my part. I must wait for His direction with the “heartprint” of his will known just for me. However, first and foremost, I must surrender my will to His before He will give me clear direction. I argued with the Lord that this townhouse was not where I wanted to be and gave countless reasons why I should not be there. The way was muddy and confused. After sleepless nights, I finally surrendered my will to His. At that point, he directed me one step at a time and only one step at a time. If I got ahead of him, the way became difficult. I realized God’s timing, not mine, is of critical importance. All of life’s pathways are a process we cannot and must not hurry. Thank you Father, for not allowing me to have my own way. You always know what is best for me. I would settle for less than your best if left to my own design.

God’s direction is stamped on our lives one step at a time. The “one step at a time” is His Footprint. The “stamp on our lives” is His Heartprint. Each footprint we choose to follow strengthens His Heartprint on our lives.

Thank you Lord that Our names are written in the nail-scared palms of Your Hands.

“I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

With each posting, our viewing list expands. It has been amazing to see the distance these posts cover. Our views have come from as far away as China and Israel with several other countries listed. The above scripture resonates through us as we see countries added continually. Though miles separate us from loved ones in these times, there is comfort in knowing God’s presence covers the distance. If you are not experiencing comfort and peace, perhaps the consoling and encouraging words of Psalm 139 will show you how completely God cares for you.

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:1-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The steadfast hand in the midst of a storm…. Years ago a military officer and his wife were aboard a ship caught in a raging ocean storm. Seeing the frantic look in her eyes, the man tried unsuccessfully to alieve her fears. Suddenly she grasped his sleeve and cried, “How can you be so calm?” He stepped back a few feet and drew his sword. Pointing it at her heart, he said, “Are you afraid of this?” Without hesitation she answered, “Of course not!” “Why not?” he inquired. “Because it’s in your hand and you love me too much to hurt me.” To this he replied, “I know the One who holds the winds and waters in the hollow of His hand and He will surely care for us.” The officer was not disturbed because his trust was in the Lord.

The steadfast love provides a safe haven ….. Almost home from my daily walk I noticed a turtle slowly meandering across the busiest intersection of our neighborhood. I watched as the cars and trucks whizzed by barely missing the tiny creature. As each vehicle passed, the turtle froze helplessly with his head tucked inside his shell. Not wanting to witness the demise of this little creature, I dashed into the street, reached down, placed my hand on the shell, gently picked up the turtle, and carried it safely home. The turtle secured a safe haven in my mother’s backyard with many other four-legged creatures.

Our mighty God reaches down to us and places His hand on our lives just as I did with the turtle. He secures, protects, and places us in His safe haven of love. He stems the tide and crosses roaring rivers with us and for us. Are you experiencing the safe haven of God’s gentle touch? Do you know the one who holds the winds and waters in the hollow of His hand? All we need to do is reach out. He is waiting. His word tells us:

“ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:9-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

hold on to the hand that will not let go

Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth, and the life… John 14:6

Train our eyes and our ears to be truth sensitive. Sensitive to the His light.

How would you define this word? Webster says…Truth is character, the body of real things, true statements being in accord, a fact, a reality, sincerity in action.

Jet Stream
The azure New Mexico sky made the white jet stream clearly visible. It stretched like a perfect white ruler against the early morning sky. As I walked further and watched, the stream became less and less defined as the wind spread the form. After only a few moments the jet stream had no definition of form at all; but had blended completely with the fluffy white clouds that appeared. So it is with the truth; it is clearly defined, straight, and visible, but with the world’s perspective. Satan’s lies, and our compromise causes the truth to become unrecognizable just like the jet stream buffeted by the wind. We must strive to see truth clearly through the Holy Spirit. We must stand on the word and focus on all God is – TRUTH!

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Do you ever struggle with Godly truth as you deal with daily circumstances, problems, and relationships?

As you thoughtfully and prayerfully read the following analogies, perhaps you will realize a new sensitivity as you deal with truth.

These words from a faithful reader affirm the importance of being aware of what God is using to show us through our own analogies and applications. “I’m very impressed by your insight as your eyes behold all that goes on around you! It demonstrates how seriously you take the words “Open my eyes, Lord….I want to see you!” Love and Blessings, Mary Ann McKinney

The Sieve
Like powdered sugar through a sieve, “true thoughts” are sifted down with all other thoughts if we are not careful. Because the lumps of powdered sugar resist going though the sieve, I always press them down with my hand so they become like the rest of the sugar and fall through the wire. We also do this with the truth. We don’t allow it to fall where it may as the powdered sugar does – dusting our lives with precious values, credibility, and honor. As with the powdered sugar we press and conform truth to our own needs. When we are not sure what the truth is, we find lumps, pat them down and they become unrecognizable. No clear truth. Half-truths are mingled with the rest of the world’s lies. Is it any wonder the truth is no longer recognizable? Pressing all thoughts together, true and untrue, result in a mixture of confusion, frustration, and doubt. The truth must stand alone not conformed or blended like the powdered sugar.

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Son Seekers
There was an elm tree root underneath the metal steps at the high school track. Almost bent double, it had grown as tall as possible before being confined by the yellow metal steps. The tree was forced to grow “straight across” and “not up.” Shaded by the steps it could neither seek not see the sun. The tree was distorted and its’ growth stunted. Satan is to us like those yellow metal steps to the elm tree. He tries to keep us from seeing and seeking the “Son.” The truth becomes hidden form our view and so distorted we rarely recognize it. Our growth and walk become stagnant, and at best mediocre. In contrast, across the field from the poor elm tree are the wild flowers planted on rocky soil looking up to the sun and flourishing in the open space. Allowed to grow in the open spaces, their brilliant array of colors bathed in the “sun” produce normal growth and beauty. Are we like the wild flowers growing in rocky soil seeking the “Son?” Are we like the elm tree hidden under the metal steps, our growth stunted by Satan’s lies and worldly perspective? Lord, may we be wildflowers in your world, seeking, finding, and bathing in your glory and light. As the wildflowers seek the light, may we train our eyes to be “Light” sensitive.

Sunday Morning Revelation
Sitting on a park bench in the Sunday morning sunshine, I was watching and listening for God’s voice. He had seemed silent all week. A myriad of birds were dipping and diving onto the grass in front of me making beautiful patterns in the strong wind. Their colors glistened as the morning sun bounced off their wings. They talked as they flew not fighting the wind, but using it to soar. I watched and wondered, “How can they do that and how do they know what to do?” Then a gentle whisper came to me. “I gave them those instincts, those abilities, and the inner voice that governs their actions just as I have given you the Holy Spirit to govern, to guide, to reveal truth, to direct and to give a pattern to your life.” Thank you Lord. Thank you for your still, small voice that speaks as you did with Elijah in 1 Kings 19:12. As I strive to keep a pure heart, let me always be listening for and to your Holy Spirit. “But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13) “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10)

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Are you constantly pressing the truth through the sieve mixing it with all else? Perhaps you are looking out for from under metal steps unable to find the light. Hopefully you are using the wind to soar through your circumstances with a peace and perspective that only the Holy Spirit reveals. We must strive to see truth clearly through the Holy Spirit. We must stand on the word and focus on all God is – TRUTH!

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and confident trust is your strength.. Isaiah 30:15

Jesus modeled the behavior for us in Matthew 4:1-11. He was led by the spirit into the desert where he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. The devil came to Him and challenged him to turn the stones into bread. Next, the devil took Him to the highest point of the temple. He challenged Jesus to throw himself down if He was the son of God and let angels lift Him up. Last, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world. He again challenged Jesus by promising to give Him everything if he would bow down and worship Him. Satan wanted Jesus to “act” — “to do something.” Jesus took no action. He just spoke “It is written…” The devil left defeated. Jesus remained in the quiet as the angels attended him.

Jesus accomplished victory over Satan with quiet, powerful responses of strength… strength to win, strength for total victory, and strength for the most hard-fought battle.

In God’s Kingdom, strength lies in quiet.
Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46:1.

Success in today’s world is determined by what we do or the action we take. Our challenge should be to achieve a success measured as a result of work done in peace.

The quiet strength modeled by Jesus only comes from time spent alone with God. We must learn to do only what He would have us do today. Seek His priority and His agenda for your life. Remember, “…not by might nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6 Only with these words in mind can we accomplish anything of eternal significance.

Lord help us to be still.
Satan shouts. God whispers.
Lord, help us to be still voluntarily not out of necessity.
Dr. Dean Mathis