Month: April 2021

The Son of God Discloses

/ pastorpete51 / 9 Comments

I don’t know why but I am just totally addicted to snapping photos while I walk. I know this probably kills the cardio workout concept, but every new blossom seems to call out for my attention. This morning as I was reading the first chapter of Romans I was remind that God shows himself in all of creation.

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 ESV

Though He remains the invisible God it is almost as if He plays at peek-a-boo from behind every flower. Though the petals fall, the beauty that lies behind the blossom remains an eternal memory of our infinite God. So here are.my glimpses of our Savior’s beauty hidden in my rose photos taken this week. Like the line from the hymns says “And the voice I hear falling on my ear – the Son of God discloses…..and He walks with me an He talks with me!”

Seeds of Hope

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments

So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. Acts 27:25 ESV

This past week I have been cleaning up the flower beds and planting seeds at my sister in law’s. While she is in hospice care at home my wife is cooking and helping with personal care while I weed, water and trim. Those seeds I plant give Diane hope because every one put in the ground says, “Come back in six weeks and I’ll show you my blooms!” Those seeds reminded me of the story of Saint Paul in the storm.

When Paul was going through that storm the easiest thing to do would have been to complain and blame everyone else. Yet though we can be sure that Paul prayed plenty the text seems to say that God just sent an angel with a message of hope while he was sleeping. Get the picture? Everyone was desperately fighting the storm, but Paul said his prayers, trusted God and lay down to rest! Then when Paul woke up he passed that hope on to everyone else who was in the same boat with him.

When we plant seeds, our garden doesn’t do anything. Its job is simply to receive. We as the gardeners do all the work and the garden gets to give joy to anyone who sees the flowers when they bloom. If we are believers in Jesus Christ then we each are a part of God’s big garden. God plants some seeds of hope in all of us especially when we are facing storms. Maybe we should ask, “What seeds of hope has he given me that I might show to others as they face their storm today?

Resting in the Arms of God

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26 ESV

“Everything is going to be alright. God’s got this.” and, “He works everything for good.” Are all great sounding Christian ideas but in times of grief and discouragement the words often feel hollow and empty.

Some years ago we used to trade babysitting duties with another young couple so we could each have a kid-free night out. Their smallest was Debbie. From the first night she came Debbie decided that the only way she would go to sleep was if I held her in my arms and walked back and forth in our apartment for at least 20 minutes. Though my arms ached by the time she fell fast asleep I grew to have a special attachment to her.

That is what prayer is supposed to be between us and God. He invites us to bring Him our inconsolable griefs and welcomes us to be carried in His arms. Often I need Him to walk me back and forth across the throne room of heaven for much longer than I needed to carry Debbie. But the comfort and assurance I find there alone helps me embrace the truth that He is working all things together for good. Yes He is a good God – but only prayer keeps me close enough to His heart so that I can learn to rest in Him. Are you resting in the arms of God today?