Lord

The Sign (and Power) of the Cross

/ Bill Jones / 6 Comments
The Cross

The Cross (Photo credit: Pix from the Field)

I saw the small cross on the side of the road ahead and my heart sank as I thought “oh no, not someone else”. It looked like one of those crosses that families and friends place in memory of someone who died in a car accident. I seem to notice them more as I get older. I don’t know if there are actually more crosses or just more knowledge that comes with age. And, we have had several such accidents in our community and wider church family lately.

As I neared the cross, I could see it had writing on it. I figured it was the person’s name, and reading that would take my heart a little lower. In the area I was riding, I probably wouldn’t know who they were, but putting an actual name in mind would make it more real.

I drew close enough to see the writing and considered turning my eyes to miss the name. But, something drew me to look directly at it, and I read the words: “HE IS RISEN!” Rather than a reminder of death, it was an Easter sign proclaiming life! Tears came to my eyes, my heart soared and I spoke aloud that “Yes, He is, thank you Lord!”

I was amazed— a moment before, I was sinking at the thought of the effects of sin in this world. The grief and pain it causes. Then, those three words turned it all around. Christ did die, but it was no accident. He gave His life for us.

Christ turned it all around. Our grief is now for a moment, but we will be with Him forever. As the lyrics of “The Power of the Cross”* proclaim—”death is crushed to death”. Yes, it is, for HE IS RISEN!

“And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.” Mark 16:5-6 ESV

*Stewart Townend, Keith Getty

God’s Faithfulness – Springtime is Here!

/ Bill Jones / 4 Comments
Dogwood, Cardinal and Springtime

Dogwood, Cardinal and Springtime

Some of our Winter days were more like Spring than the days since Spring began last week – it’s been wet and a bit cool (though,nowhere near as cold as some of you were). But, there are definitely signs of the change  in seasons – with trees and azaleas blooming everywhere. God’s faithfulness continues (Great is Thy Faithfulness!).

Sharon pointed this shot out to me – the dogwood blooms, bird feeder, fence and pump house.  “And wouldn’t it be great to get a cardinal in it!”.  So, when I went outside to take the shot,  the cardinal and the Lord blessed it.

It made me think of how the Lord blesses us even when we’re not expecting it. All the little (and big) surprises He gives us  if we just pay attention. What a wonderful God we have!

“O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalms 117 KJV

Bible Study – Cherish the Knowns, Work on the Unknowns

/ Bill Jones / 7 Comments
Three unknowns

Three unknowns

Since I’ve started a bit of “birding” in the backyard, I’m discovering just how many unknowns I have. Here are three unknowns that decided to get a bite to eat at the same time. I thought I was fairly knowledgeable from my Boy Scout days (which I admit was quite a while ago), but, I’ve gone beyond my knowledge level of the cardinals, mockingbirds, and bluebirds – and realized my ignorance.

When I say “gone beyond”, though, I don’t mean I’ve forgotten them. I have learned that we have the Northern Cardinals, Northern Mockingbirds, and Eastern Bluebirds. But, whether I knew the more specific name or not, the bright red of the male cardinals will always make them a favorite of mine. The songs of the mockingbirds are beautiful, and the blue of the bluebirds is amazing.

It reminded me of Bible Study. As we’ve heard and read the Bible through the years, we’ve probably had more exposure to the well known, and appropriately well loved, verses and passages – “For God so loved the world..”, “The Lord is my Shepherd…”, the Christmas and Easter stories, etc. But, it’s also probable that even though they are familiar, the Holy Spirit has given us additional insight, understanding, and application of these passages at different times. By continuing to study and listen, we learn more about what we thought we knew completely.

And, if we expand what we read and hear to include the whole Bible, we learn more about our glorious God. Things we may have had in the back of our mind become clearer because there is wisdom throughout the entire Bible.

Thanks to help from some of you, I’ve learned of the Pine Siskin and the Chipping Sparrow, and now can enjoy my knowledge of them also. But, the red of the male cardinal will always be a favorite and the blue of the bluebird will always be amazing. As we search the Scriptures, we will discover more verses that will become cherished – but we will always rejoice and be comforted and amazed that “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16 NKJV

Blessings from God – 100 Followers (Plus 3?)

/ Bill Jones / 6 Comments
They seem to be watching for something.

They seem to be watching for something.

I thank the Lord and all of you out there who follow this blog. We reached a milestone of 100 followers last week. It is humbling to think there are that many people who went through the time and effort to sign up – and many who regularly read the posts, view the photos, and “like” or comment.

I’ve been extra busy with work these days so I haven’t posted much. I am trying to take some photos for future use, and it will soon be time to start the gardening stuff. Perhaps the Lord will bless it like He did last year.

Like several of you, I hope to self publish a book in the next few months. Most of it will be stories I’ve written over the last 5 or 6 years. I’ve posted some on the blog, but most haven’t been on here.

Like the sparrows above, it seems we’re all watching for something. I pray that whatever we see, it will be to the glory of God.