Reflection of Providence

It’s found in a four-year old boy telling you that you are beautiful enough to marry a King. It is found in holding a new and precious life in your hands. It is found in snow sparkling against the sun’s sacred touch. It is found in a sister telling you that you are made for something more. It is found in a Mom and Dad driving you to and from work. It is found in a stranger’s smile or a child’s laughter. A lullaby sung sweetly, a prayer prayed quietly, a journey well lived… …There are miracles that abound each and every day in our lives. I will stop to smell the roses. I will stand still enough to let Him move. I will praise and serve while I wait. The adventure is coming. I’m dusting off my fear caked clothes and setting my eyes toward the horizon. Look and see the sun is coming up. It is a new day…let all of us rejoice in His miracles. 15-17Yet the rescuing gift is not exactly parallel to the death-dealing sin. If one man's sin put crowds of people at the dead-end abyss of separat...

38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10: 38-42 Have you ever loved a piece of scripture for many years and sort of accepted the meaning of it from what others told you and what you yourself believed only to find that God wanted to reveal more…this is such a verse. I have known and do know many Martha’s. I can be a Martha. I so often get consumed in duty out of fear and belief that this is what is ...

I just finished watching two lovely movies. One, the Last Sin Eater, is a movie directed by Michael Landon Jr., and based on the novel by Francine Rivers. It is truly a work of subtle art that infuses the human spirit and Christ’s undying forgiveness into it. The second was M. Night’s “The Village”. What a sumptuous and delicious feast for the heart, eye, and mind. Ever since “6th Sense” M. Night has far been my favorite writer, director, and producer. His originality and subtle brilliance at storytelling leaves me with feelings I almost cannot capture. Visually stimulating and poignant, every word, every image, every facet of his work has a purpose. A true genius to behold. It is this visual imagery and this connection to the human spirit…the good and bad…that draws me so deeply to his work. He also can do a fairly good job about freaking you out, which I also happen to enjoy. Bryce Howard (Ron Howard’s daughter) gives a powerful performance as Ivy Walker in this piece. In watching th...

I remember curling up close next to the boom box when I was much younger, pressing play, and hearing the first sweet, intoxicating, and heart pounding cords of the Overture in the Phantom of the Opera. I would lay curled up on my side, close my eyes and, from what my Mother told me and the rich cords coming from the small speakers, envision what was unfolding. It was a great playground for my vivid imagination. As I’m typing this I’m listening to the very CD that I would play while lying on the carpet curled by the small stereo. As I grew I left the Phantom behind me, and the winsome fancy and childlike wonder I held for the project. The movie brought the same magic back to the tiny girl inside. I was moved beyond expression, and my big girl mind was able to reap a whole other level of depth from the piece that my young mind never could. The depth of sorrow of what it is like never to have the caress of real love upon your life, while brilliant, cruel, cold, harsh, and with many animal...

I was reminded today what a great man looks like. I was reminded today that there are men in this world that do live for Christ and seek His face every morning. I was reminded that they are the spiritual leaders of our home. How was I reminded, I saw one today. I saw a man who knows how to have fun, laugh, and live. I saw a man who loves his wife completely. I saw a man who loves the Lord and in turn loves others with that rich love of Christ. I saw a man who seeks truth, and truly cares about someone's walk with Christ. I heard a man of God's heart pour out before Him, not just for his family and his wife, but for a woman that he barely knows. A woman who is his wife's friend, and I heard a prayer that was so rich and deep and true and powerful, because he sought to know my heart and then to pray effectively. Oh how the throneroom of God trembled. My prayer is to have a man with this type of warrior's heart, or just to see more of them. Thank you W for your spirit, you...

What a glorious New Year it has already been! I have just spent New Year’s Eve with my church family. There is no better way to celebrate the hope and promise of a New Year! Oh, the things that we as a family agreed upon. I pray the same for each and every one of you, that we all my fall into true obedience with the Lord and seek His truth and gracious love each and every day in our lives. May we become the spirit of worship so others can worship Him. May we die to ourselves so that He can be manifest. The Christian walk is not painless, but it is the most joyful journey anyone will take. Let us not be scared to dive in deep with Him. I love you all. I pray for health, joy, peace, and a great big heaping of blessings on your life this year. Know that I hold each of you close to my heart and my prayer is that God will reveal the destiny He has for you and you will heed it with little fear and no hesitation. Grasp hold of Him! I promise to write more… Melissa Gracious Lord fill our cups ...

I’m thankful for… 1. I have been given an abundant life. 2. God whispers to me through the beauty of nature. 3. I have Godly parents who sought to take me to church and raise me in a Christian home. 4. I have more abundance than I could ask or imagine, and truly I don’t deserve. 5. I have my health. 6. God has provided a joyful place for me to work. 7. My family loves me. 8. The church that God has provided for me fills me to overflowing. 9. I have friends that love me, care for me, support me, and make me laugh…(lets keep changing the world, at least in our minds) 10. I have the privilege of living in the United States; this is a very fortunate and puzzling gift. 11. The Lord had His hand on me from the beginning. 12. Oh that He would save a wretch like me. 13. I’m thankful that he is Sovereign over all things, and that He has cared and carried me all the days of my life and brought me to this place. 14. He speaks to me. 15. He restores me. 16. He has only my good in mind. 17. His gra...