God’s Promise

Rainbows grab my attention because they are so magnificent and so rare. This past week we were fortunate to witness an expansive rainbow on the Florida coastline. As the rain lifted the sun shone through the clouds. A prism of vivid colors splashed the surface of the water. I could scarcely keep my eyes from staring at the glorious sight. Each time I tried to focus on another aspect around me, my eyes were drawn back to the rainbow. It reminded me of God’s promise after the flood—how the bow in the sky was a sign to the people that this promise will be kept for the rest of time. It was as if God’s arms reached down from the heavens and arched to caress the earth. Read more

Worship Defined

While attending a sacred music conference in San Antonio I contemplated the definition of worship. We heard every style of music available for the Christian today, from entertainment to worship. It included Southern gospel, black gospel, octavos, and praise and worship—we sampled it all! We especially enjoyed a singing group named “This Hope.” They sing a unique blend of a cappella and accompanied music. Their tight harmonies gave a fresh new take on old favorites. Because they were energetic and uplifting, we left feeling physically lighter, as if there was less gravity keeping us in touch with the earth—something only music can do. Read more

Creation Screams, “God!”

There’s nothing like springtime in North Texas. Flowers and trees come into bloom with wave after wave of color. Early on, it’s the gentle lavender of the redbud trees. Then come the pears, clouds of white blossoms against a still-barren landscape. Next are the dogwoods, more white blossoms, this time sprinkled in darkly-wooded areas as if by an artist with an airbrush. About the same time, the bluebonnets come into bloom, casting blue patches with white highlights along highways for miles and miles along the Texas landscape. The spring wildflower season finally ends with the yellow-orange glow of black-eyed susans. Read more

Living on the Edge of Eternity

I remember hearing someone tell the story about a man who calculated the number of days he had left, assuming he were to live to be eighty years old. He then put that number on his desk, and ticked off each day as a reminder of how short his time was. Read more

Darkness Helps Us See Light

For many years, painting and drawing been my way to escape the pressures of life. When I sit down at the table, pull out my watercolors and begin to work on a picture, it feels like time freezes. I can easily spend hours painting and feel like only minutes have passed. Because I paint and draw to relax, I’ve never been overly concerned about doing things the “right” way. In other words, I didn’t worry much about whether my work would pass the scrutiny of a genuine artist. That wasn’t my purpose. Read more

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