Blog 47 The summer of uncertainty - Psalm 23:2

Summertime has finally come to this beautiful state of Colorado. The snow seems to have taken a long time to melt and now I have really enjoyed the summer of beauty this state has to offer. 

A couple of our grandchildren from Phoenix came and enjoyed a few days with us. We went hiking 🥾 and just had a great time telling stories and playing the Claycamp favorite game - croquet. What a blessing indeed as we got to see the cousins reunite once again!

Although the virus has caused us to stay home more, the beauty has come to me in many shapes and forms living here in the prairie lands. With the intense sun to the cool thunderous evenings, the flowers which come in many shapes and sizes, along with the many birds which seemed to congregate in my trees—I am enjoying it all.

There are specifically two favorite robins that seem to come by daily to refresh themselves In my birdbath. Not having a worry at all but only having their focus on being refreshed and renewed in the waters. Through watching them, I am reminded of Psalm 23:2 which states, “He lets me rest in green meadows, He leads me besides peaceful streams, He renews my strength.” (NLT) Though the world we live in today is anything but peaceful, God reminded me as I keep my focus on Him, I too can bathe in his beauty continually, finding rest and peace to my soul, basking in the water of His word, all the more finding renewed strength to carry on each and everyday.

Corrie Ten Boom has been quoted as saying, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know Who holds the future”. God is certainly in control and He is calling us to seek Him diligently, trusting Him, and knowing that “greater is He that is in you than he that that is in the World”-1 John 4:4

Through this loooong and chaotic time we are living in right now, may we remember to rest in Jesus, to reflect on His goodness in our lives, to renew our commitment to Him daily, and to rejoice always. “And now dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.” 1 John 2:28 (NLT)

In His Love,

Jeanne❤️🥰🐾

Blog 46 - A Season of Uncertainty...But a Time of Having an Eternal Perspective - Ps 27:13-14

Dear friends,

As I look out my windows this morning, a sense of peace and calmness floods my soul. With this virus, the world has literally stopped from their day in and day out processes of their lives. As Christians we know that God is in absolute control, and our hope is in Him. I have no idea what the future holds, but I do know Who holds the future. 

For the next couple of weeks both Bob and I have put ourselves on lockdown from most human contact. We are sort of confined to our home. With our age, and our underlying health issues, we felt we needed to do this. I thank God we have internet that we still can connect with our loved ones and with the church.

David writes in 1 Samuel 30:7 “but David strengthened himself in the Lord.” As there was much turbulence in the land at that time, David was in a kind of isolation, no support and no encouraging word. Times were tough, but David knew God was there, and he therefore turned to His Lord for that moment by moment encouragement he needed to be sustained. For us, praise God, we have internet, the church family that can call on us and the online church services to help us. But we must not forsake those one-on-one times of encouragement from the Lord to sustain us completely. In this intimate encouragement God promises us joy, contentment and even through a word given to us daily reminding us He is there. These are things the world certainly cannot offer.

The word tells us many promises of His love and protection for us. My favorite has been in Psalm 57:1. This was a prayer of safety from the enemy, and may it be ours too. It says, “Be merciful to me O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my place of safety until this disasters passes.” Friends, under His wings lies our comfort, security, protection, peace and rest from all harm that we so need. 

Love this photo of the mama bird taking care of her young, so our Lord desires us to be right there under His wings. May we come, rest and see our Gods love, not loosing heart, as we wait in hope day by day for this disaster to pass. Remember, it’s only a season, let’s use this time wisely to draw close to Him and taste and see the Lord is good. For He truly wants to show His glory in this land, using us as a vessel for His glory.

In his love,

Jeanne❤️🥰🐾

Blog 45- A Season of Remembering...But Yet Reaching Forward

As the year 2019 comes to a close, I can’t help but stop and reflect that this year has been one of gratefulness through the many changes we have gone through. 

Our time in England of almost 7 years was coming to an end. Although a chapter was ending with our time overseas, a new chapter was opening up as we now would be moving back to the states. As I was packing, I was reminded of that scripture found in Psalm 111:6 "He has shown His people the power of His works, giving them the lands of other nations." Truly God did a powerful work through that time, seeing people draw closer to Christ, new churches being planted and dear friends we met along the way. It brought such comfort and joy to my soul as we served.

After moving back to the States (Aurora, Colorado) in late September. getting settled in a new routine with the transition being somewhat harder than I thought, the Lord has been faithful each and everyday to encourage me. This Scripture keeps coming to my mind...

[2Ti 1:12 NLT]  ... for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

With His words echoing in my heart, “be still and know that I am God,” that is what I’ve done --to rest and come away. God has allowed me to take a “holy pause” for a few months, in which I am so thankful.

A holy pause for me was the opportunity to step out for a time from the madness, the demands, and the hecticness of life, and come into His presence to rest. It was the decision to shut myself away from the endless noise and commotion and quietly engage my heart with His.  It was the chance to trade His stillness for my rushing, His peace for my panic, and His joy for my irritability, in which I had all three. 

At first this was so hard for me as I am a 'doer' and love to serve, but it was so needful. To take that time for Him to fill me, giving me a renewed hope once again for what He wants to do in the future in and through my life.

Life doesn’t stand still, but we can. God desires for us to honor Him by being engaged in the difficulty of resting and being still. The oh-so rewarding discipline of quieting our minds, bowing our hearts, and pausing before Him. It’s then that we can begin to experience the beauty of His awesome, all-sufficient presence. 

We are to look forward to all God has for us in 2020. May He come and allow you to take that “holy pause” for his glory. You will be pleasantly blessed!

Psalm 126:2-3 “Then were our mouths filled with laughter and our tongues with singing. Then they said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.' The Lord has done great things for us. And we are glad.”

In His love,

Jeanne😊🐾♥️