Galleries, Museums, And Other Valuable Treasures

As I walked thru the exhibits of one of the newest and finest galleries in Washington DC,

I was solemnly REMINDED, and warmly invited to REDISCOVER:

It's presence is all around us! 

It's truths are hidden in plain sight and even found in the most unexpected places! 

No other book in history has had a greater impact!

The most widely published book ever!

Read by people in thousands of languages all over the world!

IT.  IS.  THE.  BIBLE! 

Yes, the impact of the bible still resonates throughout American culture.  It's influence is deeply rooted in EVERY facet of our society as well as in the quiet habits of everyday life for many Americans.  How it has been written, preserved and translated thru the ages is powerfully sacred and awe-inspiring. 

stations of the cross

Equally fitting to this incredible experience:  https://www.museumofthebible.org/   is the fact I could share it with friends who have had incredible impact on my life and the life of my family. Their influence has deeply affected the habits of everyday life.  How our stories of friendship have been written, preserved and translated thru every distant mile and every changing season is a rare find, a precious jewel, but certainly no surprise... at the very center has been and still is, the sharing of God's Word Together! 

standing by the Sea Of Galilee

sitting under an olive tree

The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever;

The ordinances of the LORD are true, they are righteous altogether;

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

JPS Tanakh 1917

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 NASV

“A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” – Proverbs 27:9



Today, I pray that your life exhibits a gallery filled with Treasured Friends, walking together in the beauty, the grace and the redemption of God's Word.  There is nothing Greater!

Crystal 

The Value Of Today Is The Music In Tomorrow's Song

Although this season of my life is no longer defined by one school year ending or another school year beginning,  I wrote this in 2006, during a season when it was.

*****

As the carefree days of summer fade, I look ahead with anticipation to the more structured schedules of school days.  There are preparations and plans to be carried out. There are hopes and dreams to be fulfilled!  I cherish this moment of solitude to ponder the value in a day.   

Thru all of the summertime amenities we've enjoyed this year, it is the sweet simplicity of two days in particular, that I especially hold dear.      

Today we've taken a road trip, visiting friends of yesteryear, celebrating newborn babies and having lunch with "the aunts and grandma".  Driving down the road, my 13-year-old daughter and I exchange the quiet hum of the air-conditioned car and every hair in place for open windows, tousled hair, and loud music. Not many words exchanged, we occasionally chatted or laughed, but mostly we sang.  We enjoyed the music and were thankful in  "just being together".

With our favorite teams and high fives, my 10-year-old son and I spent the day at the ballpark, complete with highlights and statistics. Not many words exchanged, we occasionally chatted and laughed, but mostly we cheered as the fans roared.  A different kind of song, a different kind of music today, yet so much the same... enjoying the game and thankful in "just being together".

Sometimes the value in a day seems ordinary, even undefined for the moment.  It isn't always ushered in with grand pomp and circumstance. Oft times it is quite the contrary.   As I settle in for a good nights sleep, (after both of these days) I am deeply assured, the simplicity and the value in these days extend thru all of life, and rest quietly in the music of tomorrow's song.  

*****
In the blink of an eye 12 years have come and gone and 
 I am joyfully and with gratitude, living in the music of tomorrow's song (as far as a raising a young family goes anyway).  The time, the investment, the "just being together", teaching, admonishing, and that song in my heart is reaping dividends greater than I could've ever imagined. 
There is something for all of us in understanding the value of a day, everyday!  Maybe you aren't living tomorrow's song just yet, but be grateful for every moment! See the value in time spent together no matter how simple.  Even when the seasons look different or a day seems undefined, cherish it deeply.  

I love how Paul, the writer of Colossians admonishes us, 

 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. -- Colossians 3:16 

Make today count! Spend time together! Let the fragrance of thankful worship surround you.  There's always music waiting to be heard in tomorrows song.  

Crystal

WALKING IN FREEDOM

Getting up long before the heat of the day makes its presence known, I head out the door for an early morning walk.  It's a walk I've taken a hundred times before, but today...Today is different!  There is no agenda, there are no fitness goals to reach and no schedule to keep.  It is simply a morning devoted to stepping away from the routine and the noise of a busy life, quieting my heart and remembering to give thanks for the FREEDOMS I have, both as an American and as a Believer.      

For you were called to freedom, brothers.   Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.   Galatians 5:13 ESV 

At the foundation of our great nation, I see Galatians 5:13 lived out. The men who signed the Declaration of Independence served with love by pledging their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to one another.

I am especially grateful today, to all the men and women in uniform who continue devoting their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to keeping our nation free.  It is thru that freedom, I can make the choice....to shut off life's noise for this moment in time, to walk thru my neighborhood and see the goodness of humanity all around... free people, serving one another in love.

A young mother walking her sleeping baby, 

Two grown sons helping their ageing father with yard work,

A seasoned veteran, gently and without fear, sweeping his driveway,

An athletic dad jogging (in flag shorts) behind his toddler's stroller,  

Two brothers working together, tearing out and rebuilding a cement porch,

A stranger watering her yard and taking time to greet me with joy,

and, lots of beautiful flowers and flags and porches at every turn, that beg, "come and sit awhile", this is the land of the free.

Psalm 33:12 says Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen as His heritage.  

My heart is filled up this July 4, 2018.  May we as a free people 

 always remember

to give thanks...

and cling to the one who offers freedom, everlasting.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

John 8:36

WALKING IN FREEDOM