Here's To You Dad!

 

Another Father’s Day has come.  People are honoring their fathers and it is really great.  I would like to add my voice.  The other day I was reflecting that God made me to be my dad’s son.  He made me to enter Dad’s life making him a dad.  He fashioned us to cause each of us to grow.  I am so thankful to my dad who understands me.  He has loved me from the start.  He has taught me about God’s love by showing me in practice.  He has given discipline to help me be righteous.  He has accepted my limitations, but never settles for less than I can do.  He expects me to try hard and never stop growing.  I love my dad so much.  I am so glad God chose him for me!

Brilliant Green

 

On a walk with my mom last week, we had a great display of God’s beauty.  The sky was clear, cloudless blue.  Stretching up into that glorious blue were scores of trees adorned in their brilliant green gowns, ready for the day.  Remembering just a couple months ago, only the stately evergreens were dressed up, as all the other trees stood bare in anticipation of spring’s arrival with the new gowns of the season.  The shades of green were endless.  They shimmered in a very light breeze.  Looking up snatches of blue sky peeked here and there among the canopy of green.  Looking down we saw a scattering of pink azalea blooms as fine accents.  Oh, what peace and beauty there was in the park.  I was able to praise God for allowing me to view this splendor as I began my day.  It set the tone for my day, reminding me how the Creator God blends all His creation into a marvelous exhibition, new every day.  Each with its own beauty. Created without mistakes.  All creation created without mistakes—even me!

Adoptions

 

I am grateful for friends who are like family.  They show love and encouragement. Sometimes they are so special, you adopt them.  I have several friends who have become adopted sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles.  Just recently I adopted a grandma.  Mine are both already with Jesus, so with grandmas is such short supply, it seemed good to adopt.  The lady I chose knew my          
Grandma Rice, and has known my family for ages.  She is a most marvelous lady.  She loves Jesus and is one of the best encouragers I know. She is an example of how to finish well.  She lives far away from me, but we can communicate through the internet.  God put her in my life and I thank Him for her every day!  I love you Grandma Weaver!  I am proud to call you grandma!

Mother' Day

 

Here we are again at Mother’s Day.  I have been blessed with the exactly best mom for me.  Some moms are really soft hearted, and find it hard to discipline their children.  Some moms are harsh or even abusive.  Some moms are too busy with other things to spend much time with their children.  My mom is none of those things.  She loves me so much; she is willing to discipline me when I need it.  She is kind and gentle.  She is super busy, but she makes time for me.  I really think she is super-mom!  She just refuses to give up on me.  She pushes me to grow. She prays with me.  She runs to my side during the night when I have bad dreams.  She tells me she is there, and loves me, and prays with me, brining me back to reality.  She is just amazing- tailor made for me by God.  She adopted me as a baby, and has been tenacious in her love for me since then.  I want to honor her this Mother’s Day.  In my heart I think every day should be Mother’s Day at our house.  I love you, Mom!

What you see is not always what you get.  A couple weeks ago when I went horse riding my regular horse had a leg injury.  The backup horse also had an injured leg.  I was assigned a horse I did not know.  It made me nervous!  I went with my mom and trainer to meet the horse.  He looked old and skinny and not very inviting.  The trainer kept telling us he was a famous horse.  He did not look famous!  He was friendly, and welcoming.  We got to the riding corral and I mounted him.  He was responsive and I easily adjusted to him.  After a bit the trainer said it was time to run.  She bent down to get her prod, but I kicked him and he took off.  He really ran.  He did not run far but he ran fast.  Underneath the old, skinny façade was a race horse.  When we got home Mom looked him on the internet.  He was famous, and had won several races. 

The Bible talks about this.   Man looks on the outside, but God sees what is inside.  I saw an old broken-down horse, but inside was a race horse, a winner even!  On the outside I look a mess, but inside I am a son of the living God, made in His image.
 

Cherry Blossoms

 

This is the time of year we see cherry blossoms in Japan.  Japan is famous for its cherry blossoms.  People like to eat a meal under the cherry blossoms.  This spring has been very rainy.  The rain seemed to come as soon as the cherry blossoms started.  Rain and cold weather make it uncomfortable to sit under the blossoms and do anything.  The other day, Mom and I went for our morning walk at our local park.  We were the only ones there. As we walked, we saw cherry trees in full bloom.  Delicate light pink blooms covered the trees.  Then we came upon a patch of beautiful daffodils all in full yellow radiance.  We circled the park four times for our own personal, private viewing of God’s splendor.  It was so uplifting.  I am reminded of Creator God who fashioned His creation with precision, and skill, and detail.  Why did He do that?  To declare His glory.  He also made me to declare His glory.  Lord, help me show forth Your glory so my world can know You!

Easter

 

This year on Easter Sunday we had a glorious celebration.  As a special treat the Gospel Hula team at our church did two beautiful numbers.  How glorious to see them portray the gospel message in visual form.  Then the gospel was preached in all its glory.  The final joy was to witness the baptism of two believers.  One man was about 80 years old.  He had several friends there who were also Christians to witness this.  The other man was young.  He is about 11 years old.  He grew up in the church and had his family there to witness this big event.  Each man gave his testimony of salvation, clearly spoken.  What rejoicing we had at church to see God at work in lives of all ages.  Thank you, Lord, for our redemption and the victory over death we celebrate at Easter.