yellow rose surrounded by green leaves Hebrews 13:5 GNT For God has said, I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.

A Rose from Mom

My Garden, OR Hebrews 13:5 GNT For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” Last night was an intensely painful, sleepless first night following a surgery. As a caregiver, it’s so hard to see the ones you love suffer. You know in a heartbeat that you would take their…

Psalm 118:24 NLT This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. bright orange and yellow sunrise with sun beams rises of the rocky Grand Canyon

Singing for Joy

Sunrise at Grand Canyon National Park, New Year’s Day Psalm 118:24 NLT This is the day the Lord has made.     We will rejoice and be glad in it. One of my favorite times as a teacher was singing, This Is the Day, with the kids first thing in the morning. With the singing and dancing,…

interior of lighthouse looking up the spiral staircase 1 John 5:11-12 MSG God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life.

Eternal Flame

Yaquina Head Lighthouse, OR 1 John 5:11-12 MSG God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life. In the immortal words of the sage theologians, The Bangles…. Say my name Sun shines through the rain A whole life so lonely And…

Philippians 4:8 NLT Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. small boy sitting on a playground excavator toy looking thoughtfully off into the distance surrounded by fall leaves

Rabbit Hole Thoughts

A boy & his digger Philippians 4:8 NLT Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. My husband built a shop. He is currently adding windows and siding. I am eager to help him, but my…

Willamette National Forest douglas fir trees covered in snow with a bright blue sky Revelation 3:15-16 CSB I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth.

Lukewarm Water

Willamette National Forest, OR Revelation 3:15-16 CSB I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth. I often hear people say, “Wait five minutes….the weather…

very still lake with pine tree covered mountain reflected in the water framed by the trunks of two pine trees 2 Thessalonians 1:2 New International Version Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace & Peace

Suttle Lake, OR 2 Thessalonians 1:2 NIV Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps you will think this is strange, but when I think of the Peace and Grace of God, I often think of Dobby. Yes, the house elf from Harry Potter. While he is owned by…

two large cranes lift a white cross to the steeple of a historic white church. Psalm 122:1 NLT Let us go to the house of the Lord.

Adding a Cross

Tumalo Community Church, Tumalo, OR Psalm 122:1 NLT “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Founded in 1904, the town of Tumalo, OR was first called Laidlaw by self-professed founder, A.W. Laidlaw. The industrious citizens began the first church in 1905 with a church building being dedicated in 1907. Unfortunately, Mr. Laidlaw was…

John 16:33 NIV I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. tall pine trees at an overlook to the three sisters mountain with deep blue sky and wispy white clouds

Sold Down River

Whychus Creek Overlook, Sisters, OR John 16:33 NIV I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. “Being sold down the river,” is a term coined during a dark time in American history, and literally…

Gray stone on green leaf background. The stone reads Build Up Don't tear down 1 Thessalonians 5:11 New International Version Therefore encourage one another and build each other up

Build Each Other Up!

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. Many years ago, when my son was in middle school, he had a rock painting art project. While it probably wasn’t exactly what the art teacher envisioned, I love it! He wrote, “Build Up! Don’t tear down.”  There is so much wisdom packed…