Why do I love living in Tassie's North West?

Last week at Providence Meadows, Mel posted something very similar to this. I've taken a few photos recently and also wanted to try and explain why I love living here. Apart from the amazing community we've found, the following hopefully gives a pictorial glimpse into my thoughts...

Sentries: some of the Plymouth Rocks

Frost on our yellow pastoral animal!

Sunrises...

Sunlight through morning fog and pines

Sunsets

Frost!

Front yard

Frozen birdbath

Rain streaks

Moon rise

Gorgeous place.

The heavens declare the glory of God

God used bright colours to paint yesterday's sunset!

As is usually the case with this kind of thing, a mobile phone camera just doesn't do it justice...

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language

where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

- Psalm 19:1-4

Red Sky in the Morning?

What does it mean when there's a red sky in the morning?

Shepherd's warning? Sailor's warning?

Whatever it means for the possibilities of the weather, which changes almost daily, there is one thing that I do know: the sun is there. It rises faithfully each morning according to the pattern set for it. It will set again each evening. It drives our climate and so, whatever the day-to-day weather, there is a reassurance of stability.

How is the weather in your life? Is your circumstance sunny or stormy? Whatever your situation, there is one thing I know: the Son is there. He has risen and is faithful. Even more reliable than climate, he is unchanging. He brings joy and peace. He is our reassurance of stability. Why not ask him to drive your life's climate?

Leather Jackets, Sunlight and Prayer: Distractions and Reminders

My leather motorbike jacket smelled so good this morning!
And the sun was so bright!
And I need to constantly and consistently start my day with God.

What ties all the above together?
This morning I was running right on the knife edge of punctuality and lateness. I don't know about you, but things can get a little hectic for me when that happens. (Actually, more often that not it's my fault, so there is no blame in this for anyone but myself...)

Pulling on my motorbike jacket, the smell of leather was an instant reminder of the joy of being on the bike.

I smiled.

Pulling out of the driveway, the sun was directly in my eyes, a vivid orange, glowing intensely through the misty curtain of rain between us.

I love sunrises. I squinted.

Then I smiled.

It arrested me this morning that, pulling myself out of bed, I need to actively decide to spend time with God.

First thing.

Recalling the Son rise that has happened. For my sake.

Remembering that He has clothed me, not with leather as protection, but Himself. It's His fragrance on me, not the smell of cow. Or me.

I squinted: I don't do this anywhere near regularly enough. I allow busy-ness to distract me. Not good.

Then I smiled: He has graciously reminded me. I enjoy time with my maker.

What distracts you from quality time with God?

What do you need to do about those distractions?

Winter Wonderings

Recently I submitted this photo to a website, reflecting on the Winter Solstice.

Some leaves have fallen, exposing arboreal skeletons. Other leaves are primed. Some staunch hangers-on remain green even on this shortest day, reminding us of the promise of spring on the day the solar tide turns from its ebb.


During the past few days I've been thinking about why I like winter. This morning it was the ice in the birdbath outside, the still air and the frost. For a month or so now I've noticed the sunrise, and some have been spectacular. Our woodheater is in near-constant use at the moment, and I love it!


What does winter mean to you?

Fog or Son: where are you looking?

This morning, patches of fog presented themselves as I rode to work. Travelling toward the sun as I rode, it was quite glary at times, and difficult to see through. I noticed that my visor, jacket and jeans collected moisture, remaining on me as evidence of the fog through which I'd travelled.

As I looked at the fog, my destination blurred. Once I recognised this and set my sights back on the destination, my journey became clearer.

It occurred to me that, often in life, I get distracted by the fog around me. Too often I turn my gaze toward the fog: my schedule, tasks, relationships, various roles I fulfill, temptations. More than I like to admit, I actually pursue the things within the fog. In addition, I carry some evidence on me that I've been through fog.

Things become much clearer when I return my gaze to the Son in my life. The fog is still around, but my direction is clear.

Are you looking at the fog or the Son?

A promise of things to come

Riding east this morning, piles of dark cumulus were gilt. The intense brightness would soon flood my view. For now, though, the golden tops of the clouds were the deposit afforded by the sun, my promise of things to come.


In my life, dark as my heart can be, I live with a gilt edge (not an edge of guilt!). It is the deposit of God's Holy Spirit in me, afforded through the obedient life of Christ. My guarantee is that one day Jesus will return for me. It is my promise of things to come.


"[God] set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Cor 1:22