May 23 – John 15:2

John 15:2 Amp Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit — that stops bearing — He cuts away (trims off, takes away). And He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. Aren’t you glad! If there’s a part of us that is keeping us from producing for the kingdom, He’ll take care of it. Pride, fear, shame, jealousy. Whatever it is, as long as we’re in Christ,... Read More

Sun Flare

I’m using Lightroom for the first time this week! I’m starting by using presets by One Willow. It makes things so much easier in the beginning – and I’m sure I’ll keep using them even after I’ve learned my way around Lightroom. The presets are truly beautiful. For iheartfaces this week, I took some pictures of my daughter standing in front of our screen door. My entry post is here. I had the hardest time trying to pick which picture to submit.... Read More

iheartfaces Photo Challenge: Yellow

This week’s iheartfaces photo challenge is “yellow.” Spring sunshine makes this a great theme for this time of year! I’ve been seeing so many beautiful photos with sun flare lately, so I thought I’d give it a try. My two-year old daughter was a good sport about having her picture taken… as always! This photo was entered into the I Heart Faces photo challenge – http://iheartfaces.com This is a first for me in many ways: – first time... Read More

May 22 – John 15:1

John 15:1 NIV “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener.” Amp – “…is the Vinedresser.” We’ve looked at the Father as a shepherd. Now He’s a gardener. Again making sure we have food and water, but now also doing the pruning that makes sure we are fruitful. Annie, I think I could talk about the first few verses of this chapter till your next birthday! Today just concentrate on Father, shepherd, gardener. All caretakers. No... Read More

May 21 – John 15:1

John 15:1a NIV [Jesus speaking] I am the true vine… In just a few verses, He says, “I am the Vine, you are the branches.” This time the emphasis must be on “true.” What other things could we attach ourselves to? If we get our sustenance (reason for being, for working, for anything) anywhere but Jesus, we are attached to the wrong, a false, vine. In the end, there will be nothing. To catch up on previous days, click here. For the story behind... Read More

Making Use of Waiting Times

Yesterday I had to drive in to the hospital to sign some paperwork with my husband. (It was house stuff – we’re under contract now!) He was pulled in for a procedure right before I arrived. This happens, and it’s ok. Instead of wallowing in the crookedness of my front teeth for the next half hour, I picked up the camera and experimented with more manual exposure shots. If these are a little dull, I’ve succeeded in capturing the feeling of the moment. 😉 Here’s... Read More

May 20 – Jeremiah 6:16

Jeremiah 6:16 NIV, Amp NIV – This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Amp – Thus says the Lord, Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the eternal paths, where is the good, old way; then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. 1) Ask for guidance. 2) Keep on doing what He says. 3)Receive soul-rest. Easy! : ) P.S.... Read More

May 19 – John 14-1

John 14-16 Lots of “ask” verses I have a little story to tell you today. In the middle of all this rainlessness (I don’t know if it’s really a true drought yet.), I kept watching the weather predictions. Rain, but we got none. Even the weeds were drying up. Rain all around, but not here. Are You noticing, God? So yesterday I visited with Him. “You know, I trust You, Lord. But we really need rain. It’s pretty hard to keep up with the... Read More

May 18 – John 12:3

John 12:3 Amp Mary took a pound of ointment of pure liquid nard [a rare perfume] that was very expensive, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. May your whole house (and mine) be filled with the “fragrance” of our worship. Whatever we do “as unto the Lord;” whatever sacrifice we make; whatever the ministration, large or small, whispering a “thank You”... Read More

On the Heavy Side of Life: House Hunting and Adoption Issues

I had another post planned for today, but levity doesn’t seem to be the order of the day. My husband grew up as the oldest of five siblings. After he left for college, his parents adopted another sibling group of five, plus a sixth foster child who was living with them and who became available for adoption at the same time. Several years later, they added the seventh, a little girl. In 2003, the youngest of the older five kids (my husband and four others) died in an accident.... Read More