I have been been thinking about different things lately, the holidays, my family, God, marriage, etc. Still not sure which direction to go so I feel like I should share something that I truly enjoy, God's creation. I wish I had the writing skills of my daughter Alyssa, or some poet, but I don't so I will attempt to express my heart while on a journey recently and a walk I went on a little later. They both are similar in experiences so it would be best if I just combined them into an overall experience of refreshing.
My wife and I attended a memorial service for our sister in laws mother recently. The service was nice and it brought out some good memories of her life. The journey to the coast is what I want to share and the type of day it was. The day started out as any other day except we had more of a destination in mind. We had decided to stop at a local restaurant for breakfast, as we were seated and waited for our server we became aware of the time. Our server was rather slow getting to us to take our order, the coffee never came for quite some time. I finally got a cup of coffee, sipped on it slowly as usual until the cup was empty, I waited for a refill but none came. Finally the server came by to take our order, still no refill. Yes, I know, I could have flagged someone down or asked the server for a refill, but being me, I wanted to see what kind of service I would really get. Our breakfast finally arrived and I got a refill on the coffee. I commented to my wife about the service and hoped this is not an indication of how the day is going to go. We needed to be on the road by a certain time in order to make the two hour drive in time for the memorial service. Fortunately we got on the road in time and began our journey down the freeway headed for the cut off to the town of Drain. This is where the journey really began. There was nothing exciting about the journey, no mishaps other than a slow breakfast, no detours, no road rage on my part or anyone else. Just one of those really good trips.
As we cut off the freeway onto the Drain hwy. I began to notice just how nice the day was, the sun was shining, there were still a lot of fall colors left and they blended into the country side as if an artist had painted them on canvas. I couldn't help but think about how great and wonderful the world is when we take the time to look closely at it. As we continued our journey the mountains began to stand out more, along the road were stands of oak and maple trees. The light grey, green moss on the trees stood out against the darker greens of the douglas firs and the brown hillsides making a gentle blend of colors into the sloping hillsides of other shades of greens with a backdrop of beautiful blue sky making for a perfect picture. The Oak tress displayed their limbs in manners that only Oaks can do. The limbs of the Oaks grow in many different directions, twisted around and branching off with smaller limbs doing the same. These trees remind me the way life is, that no matter which path we take, no matter what decisions we make, if we stay rooted in our faith we will grow strong, the paths we take to get on in life may be hard, complicated and take us in many different directions, the twists and turns help us find the most light and nourishment for our journey, our roots get planted to hold us up, the strong trunk will support us as we display our leaves of accomplishments and proudly tell of our journey we have been on to reach our destination.
Further down the road a river comes into play, flowing gently towards its destination, the sea. Along its shores are fields of grass where cattle, deer, elk, water fowl, and many other forms of life have become dependent on its life giving nourishment that is held within its waters and along its shores. The calmness of the rivers flow created a peacefulness in me as if to say that all is good, stay the course, and know that you do not have to worry. The rivers flow brings life and sustenance to those that live along its shores with a continuing flow of replenishment. As we were closing in on our destination we were able to observe a herd of Elk lazily grazing in the fields on the refuge dedicated for the wildlife that lives in the surrounding area. The Elk seemed to not have a care in world and looked fully content as we passed them by.
As we entered into the small town where the memorial service was to be held, I couldn't help but realize that the day was ordered by the Creator. As the service was underway, there was a sense of sadness but yet a peacefulness knowing that the one who was being remembered was in a better place. She had lived her life the best she knew how and gave back to those the Lord brought across her path. Like the old Oak tree she had planted her roots, grew strong and took many different paths on her journey. Those who are left behind are a product of her strength and deep roots. Each has branched off into their own journey and will continue on until the days ordered have been completed.
Let me share now with you some scriptures that reflect the greatness of the Creator and exclaims His honor and majesty. When we see the Creator in where we go and what we see, our journey's will be one of calm, gentleness and peace.
1 Chronicles 29:11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
1 Chronicles 29:12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
(Psalm 86:8,10)
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
(Psalm 104:1-3)
O Lord, thou hast search me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my though afar off. Thou compasseth my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
(Psalm 139:1-4)
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well ... How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
(Psalm 139:14,17,18)
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
(Psalm 121:3,4)
Further down the road a river comes into play, flowing gently towards its destination, the sea. Along its shores are fields of grass where cattle, deer, elk, water fowl, and many other forms of life have become dependent on its life giving nourishment that is held within its waters and along its shores. The calmness of the rivers flow created a peacefulness in me as if to say that all is good, stay the course, and know that you do not have to worry. The rivers flow brings life and sustenance to those that live along its shores with a continuing flow of replenishment. As we were closing in on our destination we were able to observe a herd of Elk lazily grazing in the fields on the refuge dedicated for the wildlife that lives in the surrounding area. The Elk seemed to not have a care in world and looked fully content as we passed them by.
As we entered into the small town where the memorial service was to be held, I couldn't help but realize that the day was ordered by the Creator. As the service was underway, there was a sense of sadness but yet a peacefulness knowing that the one who was being remembered was in a better place. She had lived her life the best she knew how and gave back to those the Lord brought across her path. Like the old Oak tree she had planted her roots, grew strong and took many different paths on her journey. Those who are left behind are a product of her strength and deep roots. Each has branched off into their own journey and will continue on until the days ordered have been completed.
Let me share now with you some scriptures that reflect the greatness of the Creator and exclaims His honor and majesty. When we see the Creator in where we go and what we see, our journey's will be one of calm, gentleness and peace.
1 Chronicles 29:11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
1 Chronicles 29:12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
Psalm 91
(Tanakh)
(Tanakh)
O you who dwell in the shelter of the Most high
and abide in the protection of Shaddai-
I say of the Lord, my refuge and stronghold, my God in whom I trust,
that He will save you from the fowler's trap, from the destructive plague.
He will cover you with His pinions; you will find refuge under His wing;
His fidelity is an encircling shield.
You need not fear terror by night, or the arrow that flies by day,
the plague that stalks in the darkness, or the scourge that ravages at noon.
A thousand may fall at your left side, ten thousand at your right,
but it shall not reach you.
You will see it with your eyes, you will witness the punishment of the wicked.
Because you took the Lord - my refuge, the Most High - as your haven,
no harm will befall you, no disease touch your tent.
For He will order His angels to guard you wherever you go.
They will carry you in their hands lest you hurt your foot on a stone.
You will tread on cubs and vipers; you will trample lions and asps.
Because he is devoted to Me I will deliver him; I will keep him safe,
for he knows My name.
When he calls on Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in distress;
I will rescue him and make him honored;
I will let him live to a ripe old age, and show him My salvation.
and abide in the protection of Shaddai-
I say of the Lord, my refuge and stronghold, my God in whom I trust,
that He will save you from the fowler's trap, from the destructive plague.
He will cover you with His pinions; you will find refuge under His wing;
His fidelity is an encircling shield.
You need not fear terror by night, or the arrow that flies by day,
the plague that stalks in the darkness, or the scourge that ravages at noon.
A thousand may fall at your left side, ten thousand at your right,
but it shall not reach you.
You will see it with your eyes, you will witness the punishment of the wicked.
Because you took the Lord - my refuge, the Most High - as your haven,
no harm will befall you, no disease touch your tent.
For He will order His angels to guard you wherever you go.
They will carry you in their hands lest you hurt your foot on a stone.
You will tread on cubs and vipers; you will trample lions and asps.
Because he is devoted to Me I will deliver him; I will keep him safe,
for he knows My name.
When he calls on Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in distress;
I will rescue him and make him honored;
I will let him live to a ripe old age, and show him My salvation.
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens... When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained, What is man, that thou art mindful of him?...
(Psalm 8:1,3,4)
(Psalm 8:1,3,4)
Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.(Psalm 86:8,10)
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:(Psalm 104:1-3)
O Lord, thou hast search me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my though afar off. Thou compasseth my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. (Psalm 139:1-4)
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well ... How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. (Psalm 139:14,17,18)
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:3,4)
When we go through life without a map we get lost, the scenery is not noticed, only fear and discouragement await us. Until we can find our way back to our roots we will forever have an emptiness within us, a lostness that cannot be filled until we reattach ourselves to the trunk and become one of the vines on the branch, we will not find our way through this life without a constant turmoil and restlessness. Only God, our Creator can truly bring us through this journey set before us with peace and understanding. Let the calmness of God's Spirit dwell within you through His Son Jesus Christ. May God bless all and help each to find your way as we journey on this earth. Read the following scripture and know that in Him we have life, detach from the Vine and we do not have life.
The vine and the branches
'I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
'I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
'As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
'You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.' (John 15:1–11,16–17)
