Over the weekend, I was walking a plush-green-golf course on a great-weather-day. Hole after hole, while my husband and his friend battled together on the course, my friend and I visited and took in the wonderful scenery. One of the holes was set beside a large pond that had a lovely fountain in the middle of it.The Lord gave me this analogy years ago, but it was refreshing to see and speak of it again:THE POND represents God's vast and immeasurable love. Actually, God's love is way more than a pond; it's an ocean, and then some more oceans added to that one. I love how the apostle Paul prays for his church: that you being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:18-19). His love is indescribable and unending.THE WATER PUMP represents you and me. We are placed (rooted and grounded) in the center of His love. We cannot operate on our own. As a matter of fact, we get filled with mud and slime quite often. Thankfully, we are not left alone. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).THE WATER FOUNTAIN represents Jesus. When Christ rushes in with His living water He cleans us up and brings us life, not just for the day at hand but forever! He says it best, but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life (John 4:14). Take a moment to look at the picture above. It's so refreshing, so attractive, so freeing.Now for a few questions: What is the condition of your "water pump"? Do you know that you are sitting in the middle of God's vast incomprehensible, yet receivable love? Will you allow Jesus, your Savior, to beautifully push all the muck away and not only fill you with abundant life but also use you to be a beautiful out-flowing picture for many to behold? He longs to do this for you.Just ask Him, "Vast love, Come in. Flow out. Vast love, Come in. Flow out..."

Spring has sprung indeed! New life is everywhere we look, bursting with both beauty and good news. With that being said, Madelaine Singleton and I have our third seasonal wreath to share: the Spring Wreath of Grace. Each element bears a spiritual significance. Here are easy instructions to create a meaningful wreath for yourself:

1. Start with a grapevine wreath. In keeping with all our wreaths, the dry twisted grapevine represents the condition of our hearts. Scripture depicts this well in the valley of dry bones, Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off (Ezekiel 37:11). Without the Lord, we remain dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). However, grace enters in...
2. Add your choice sprigs of spring blossoms around the whole wreath. These blossoms represent the newness of life that Christ brings when He conquered our sin and our death (see Romans 6:4). We were once lost, but now we're found. We were once dead, but now we live! Scripture says, Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? (Isaiah 43:19). New life requires watering...
3. Add a soft green organza ribbon around the wreath. This green-see-through-ribbon represents growth as a result of reading and applying God's Word, the Living Water. So let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth (Hosea 6:3). We are not left to ourselves to obey His word...
4. Add a white organza ribbon and wrap it around the wreath. The white ribbon represents the beautifully-binding-presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. His power lives in us! He is our ongoing Comforter, Teacher, Helper, and Counselor. He is the Spirit of Truth. Jesus said, But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to remembrance all that I said to you (John 14:26).

God's grace abounds...from death to life to blossoming growth to His presence within us...forever. All of this is an undeserved gift from our loving Savior Jesus who paid the price for us. May your Spring Wreath of Grace be a blessing to you and all those who see it.

Here is a gentle reminder for the Easter and Wedding season.

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Thank you and be blessed.

I have to say, Spring is my favorite season! However, when October rolls around, you might find me saying the same thing about fall. It’s a beautiful toss-up between the two.

In the cold silence of the long winter, it seems as if nothing is happening underneath the ground, no life, no fruit; everything is bare and bleak. But now, as the days are getting longer, the sun is shining brighter, and faint shades of color are attempting to make their entrance from the bushes and the trees, a bud appears, and there’s hope! Something was happening underneath the grave silence after all! Once again, God uses His creation to speak words of truth to our hearts…let’s take hope in what God is doing in our lives “behind the scenes”.

Are you in a place of waiting right now? Do you feel like there is no progress in your ongoing quiet struggle? I encourage you to look at the buds on a tree limb or flower. Learn from their beauty. Study how intriguing this stage is: a vessel of expectancy, a compression of hope, a bowl of pending brilliance. The bud is not quite developed enough to make its grand entrance onto Spring’s stage. The finishing touches of growth need to take place in its protective capsule. Underdeveloped, forced blossoming would only rob the flower of its deserved performance. Learn from the bud of a flower. Rest, mature, be patient; your time is coming.

As you wait to “blossom”, hear the Lord speak His truth to you:

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me, you can do nothing. John 15:4-5

You are not alone in your maturing capsule, my friend. Your Creator is with you and knows exactly the right time for you to blossom.

Trust Him in the waiting, and then flourish in His most glorious appointed time.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.

Psalm 62:5

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I came across a very familiar story in the book of Mark and it caught my interest again, but in a new way.

The disciples were in a boat arguing with each other over which one of them forgot to pack the lunch for the trip; all they had with them in the boat was one loaf of bread…

…and Jesus.

Interestingly, Jesus, only hours before this boat-ride with his buddies, had miraculously fed 4,000 people with a mere seven loaves of bread. All the people ate and were satisfied. Jesus’ questions now to his hungry disciples were as follows,

Why are you talking about having no bread?
Do you still not see or understand?
Are your hearts hardened?
Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?
And don’t you remember? (Mark 8: 17-19).

I am convicted by these questions because so often I am like the disciples: grumbling, doubting, not understanding, and forgetting. I’m thankful for the Lord’s patience towards the disciples, and I’m thankful for His patience towards me. Through this true story, He is teaching me to simply “be in the same boat with Him.” Just rest. He’s the Know It All, I’m not.

As I have envisioned this picture, I have found myself worrying less about the problems that  I’m holding in my lap, and contemplating more on the One who is sailing along with me. This One happens to be the Creator of the sun and sky, and the Commander of the wind and the waves. And this One is sitting by my side? How Majestic and Merciful at the same time. With these thoughts, my heart softens, my eyes see more clearly, my ears hear more distinctly, and I begin to understand. Jesus is Lord of All!

As a result, the answers to His questions are met with my declarations:

*To even be in the same boat with Jesus is an honor. It is amazing grace.
*I must not forget who He is, nor forget the great things He has already done.
*I must keep my eyes fixed on Him, not on my problems at hand; because when the Captain of my boat has my heart’s devotion and my mind’s attention, He can then do impossible things through my simple loaf of bread.

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During the holiday season, Madelaine Singleton and I presented a wreath that bore spiritual significance with each of its elements. (See my post: Christmas Wreath of Hope). Now, we would like to share our Winter Wreath of Peace. Our hope is that you can easily construct one for yourself and be reminded every day of God's life-giving truths even in the midst of the cold and barren winter months.

1. Start with a GRAPEVINE WREATH. All our seasonal wreaths begin with the dry intermingled grapevine circle in order to represent the ongoing condition of our human heart. We live in a fallen world that bears thorns and thistles (Genesis 3:18). We are a messy people, inside and out. Three things that contribute to this truth are: our own sin, our sometimes dire circumstances, and the weariness in our service. But the GOOD NEWS is that we have a Savior, Jesus, that chose to literally enter into our mess! Now, this grapevine wreath bears new meaning: it represents the crown of thorns that Jesus wore to the cross. There, He took on each of our personal burdens.
2. Add LIGHT PINK RIBBON. The soft pink represents the PEACE that Christ brought with Him to earth to give to His people. The Prince of Peace forgives our sins, He holds us in our sadness, and He revives us in our service. The gentleness of Christ is found as He speaks kindly to us in the wilderness (Hosea 2:14), and as He lures us with His words: Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and You will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). The soft pink ribbon represents His gentle yoke that holds us by His strong side.
3. Add SPRIGS OF DIFFERING EUCALYPTUS. The soft sage eucalyptus is a plant that bears healing qualities. These branches symbolize our Healer who enters into our hearts, our relationships, and our daily lives. Christ Jesus brings beauty from the barren. Through God's word and powerful Spirit, we then become a display of His lovely work: Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, and instead of the nettle, the myrtle will come up, and it will be a memorial to the Lord, for an everlasting sign which will not be cut off (Isaiah 55:13).
4. Finally, add BABY'S BREATH. Interestingly, when researching this snowflake-looking-flower, it represents: "innocence, reconnecting in relationships, the Holy Spirit, and everlasting love". How appropriate to apply baby's breath to our winter wreath! Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid (John 14:27).

After assembling your wreath, hang it on your front door or over your mantle so you can be reminded of God's promises even when times seem both bleak and barren. Allow His gentle and kind Spirit to enter in both your heart and your home and be willing to share His good news with all those who admire your Winter Wreath of Peace. It is your very own memorial to the Lord. Savor the sight, and embrace its truths.