Violets are Blue

My dear sister loved violets.  They were her favorite flower.  So it fills me with delight to see them spread across our meadow like a soft, warm blanket.

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever" (John 14:16).

Still Waters

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

 He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

   for His name’s sake" (Psalm 23:1-3).

The Silver Lining

Nobody said that life is easy.  We all face troubles and difficulties of one kind or another.  But there is always hope, and we can encourage each other to see the silver lining behind the dark clouds.

"Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and He brought them to their desired haven."

(Psalm 107:28-30)

In Case of Emergency

When we are seriously ill or wounded, we know where to go for immediate care and healing.  We waste no time seeking the help we desperately need.

"As for me, I said, 'O LORD be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!'" (Psalm 41:4).

Snapshots

Snapshots are bits of history, glimpses of our past. We love to look through our photo albums and recall the days of our youth.

"Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds" (Psalm 71:17).

Knit Together

As a tree develops, it grows from its trunk into an interwoven network of limbs, branches, twigs and leaves that sprout forth from new buds each spring.

"Christ is the head of the church, his Body, and is himself its Savior. . . .the whole Body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. . . . Now you are the Body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it" (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 2:19; 1 Corinthians 12:27). 

Trapped!

One day I found a small cat trapped inside the chicken pen.  I had unknowingly closed him in the night before.  The poor little thing was scared to death!  He should not have gone in there!  Sometimes don't we do things we know we aren't supposed to do and that aren't good for us?

"Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for You are my refuge" (Psalm 31:4). 

Bride and Bridegroom

As this man and woman are united in marriage, their hearts are filled with joy.  Exchanging rings and vows, they make a commitment to love one another. 

"As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you" (Isaiah 62:5).

Lift High the Cross

Redeemer Lutheran Church and School, Oakmont, PA

The two crosses on this church and school face the north and the south.  They are lifted high in the air as a witness to the world, proclaiming the message of salvation by the cross of Christ.

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18)