reminder

Spring: a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be.
— Unknown

Photo by Aaron Lazar

mighty

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
Psalm 29:3

Photo by Jean Pike

peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

Photo by Aaron Lazar
http://aaronlazar.blogspot.com/

we trust

In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.
Psalm 33:21

Photo by John Brasley

no one

There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
1 Samuel 2:2 (NIV)

Photo by Jean Pike

kind

Kind hearts are the gardens.

Kind thoughts are the roots.

Kind words are the flowers.

Kind deeds are the fruits.

Take care of your garden

and keep out the weeds.

Fill it with sunshine

kind words and kind deeds.

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Photo: McCoy Family Album

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain:
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

A shade by day, defense by night,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes afright,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain

The raging storms may round us beat,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
We’ll never leave our safe Retreat,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain

O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our Helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain

Hymn: Vernon J. Charlesworth, ca.1880

Audio: Stephen Sollars
Photo: Marge McCoy

*The audio attachment includes 3 verses of the song but the lyrics to all 4 verses are posted here for inspiration and reflection.

summer night

Summer night– even the stars are whispering to each other.

Kobayashi Issa

Photo by Jean Pike

great things

…for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is His name.
Luke 1:49 (NIV)

Photo by Aaron Lazar
http://aaronlazar.blogspot.com/

the children’s hour

Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day’s occupations,
That is known as the Children’s Hour.

I hear in the chamber above me
The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
And voices soft and sweet.

A whisper, and then a silence:
Yet I know by their merry eyes
They are plotting and planning together
To take me by surprise.

A sudden rush from the stairway,
A sudden raid from the hall!
By three doors left unguarded
They enter my castle wall!

They climb up into my turret
O’er the arms and back of my chair;
If I try to escape, they surround me;
They seem to be everywhere.

They almost devour me with kisses,
Their arms about me entwine,
Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen
In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine!

Do you think, O blue-eyed banditti,
Because you have scaled the wall,
Such an old mustache as I am
Is not a match for you all!

I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away!

— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Photo by Jean Pike