Why It Is Called Spring

On Long Island we have had snow on the ground from

December 26th until a few days ago. It was the longest stretch I ever saw in all my 43 winters here. Then the rains came yesterday. Heavy rain and wind. The temperature went up to 50 degrees and the snow disappeared. While there are still piles here and there, green has emerged as the dominant color of the landscape once again.

Underneath that frozen blanket lay bulbs deep in the ground. They have been planted over the years. The deep freeze is needed for these amazing perennials. Crocuses, Daffodils and Tulips as well as the incredible Daylilies all have been sleeping through the dead of winter. They have rejuvenated.

This morning while filling the bird feeders something caught my eye. It was a crocus! Not yet in bloom but green and strong it pushed itself through the ground. I had to go back out and admire it again. While there I noticed several daffodils, then more- rows upon rows! All the planting I have done over the past few years is paying off in huge dividends! While it will be weeks before the daffodils bloom like the one in the picture from several years ago, there is a visible reminder spring is here in the northeast. Understanding we may get more snow before winter's end doesn't bother me. I have seen these amazing plants push right through the snow and bloom beautifully when temperatures are still cold!

For my friends futher north who still have the white winter blanket covering the outdoors- be of good cheer. It won't be long until the sun melts it and you too are seeing the earth's spring!

I love this time of the year. Most of what graces my gardens are perrenials. The rest is grass and water. A fish pond is out back as well. By next week the fish will be seen frequently. The red winged blackbirds are at the feeders regularly now. The buds are all over the trees. Spring has come like an old friend. Every year in the backyard it is more beautiful than the year before. Let's celebrate! The Creator of heaven and earth is throwing a party! You are invited to come and join in the wonderful festivities. See you there!

A Little Child Shall Lead Them

Two of my grandchildren, who attend our church's nursery school, were asked to lead in prayer today for the meal at a local restaurant. Tristan and Lili prayed, "God is good. God is great. And we thank Him for this food. By His Hand we all are fed. Thank You God for daily bread. Amen." People around could hear them. It was wonderful.

After lunch they favored us with a song from school, "If you're happy and you know it..." A few minutes later at a few tables over you could hear a little girl around their age singing it. I love the way this happened. Spread a little love and joy- it is contagious! Let the kids lead us! We will learn a lot from them!

Signs of Spring

I know. I know. There are still officially 4 more weeks of winter. But this news is official too:
1. I rode with the window down on the Bronco today.
2. The Red Winged Black birds are back. They were filling the trees this morning!
3. I saw more fish swimming in the pond today.
4. Birds are building nests in the bird houses in the backyard.
5. Easter candy has replaced Valentine's Day candy in Target.
6. There are only 80 days of school left until summer vacation.
7. I pulled my Day lily seeds out from the crosses I made last year.

A Great Quote

Nature to the saint is sacramental. If we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in Nature. In every wind that blows, in every night and day of the year, in every sign of the sky, in every blossoming and every withering of the earth.- Oswald Chambers

Let Your Light Shine

Exodus 27.20-21
From the beginning (Genesis 1 and John 1) the LORD has revealed Himself as Light. He is Light and in Him is no darkness at all. In Psalm 27.1 David declares the LORD is my Light and my Salvation and in Psalm 119.105 we read Thy Word is a Lamp for my feet and a Light for my path.

Revelation 1-2 we see Jesus walking among the seven lampstands. We are told in Revelation 1.20 the seven lampstands are the seven churches. In Revelation 4.5 seven lamps in front of the throne of God.

The lighting for houses in Biblical times were done according to these verses we read this morning. The lamp was placed on a high stand so it would light the entire room.

Each Christian Home is to be a light in its neighborhood. We ought to be people who bring light to those around us. We are to share the Lamb. Our lives (our behavior) ought to arrest the attention of those who do not know Christ.

The flower shaped cups, actually lilies, held the pure olive oil. The lampstand was made of gold and was one of the most ornate objects in the tabernacle. The gold and the oil symbolized purity. The pure in heart see God and reflect His glory. The flower shaped cups stand for the beauty and fragrance of a holy life.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." ( Matthew 5.14-16)

1. Oil, A Symbol of the Holy Spirit, Kept the Lamps Burning. -v.20
This oil -clear oil- was not from the olive press but rather from beaten olives to get a clear colorless, non smoking oil.

These seven cups on the golden lampstand had to be filled regularly.
Ephesians 4.18 Be filled with the Spirit (be filled and keep on being filled).
Just as these cups needed to be refilled regularly so that it would serve its purpose of giving light, you and I need to keep on being filled with God's Spirit so we will shine for the LORD.
We need that Quiet Time of prayer and His Word.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25.1-13) demonstrates this need.
In order for us to let our light shine we need God's Spirit to come upon us each day.

Let your light shine...
2. God's Promises (in the ark) and His Moral Code (The Law/The Ten Commandments) are Light. -v.21a

The ark contained the tablets of stone along with the manna and Aaron's Rod. That gold covered
chest was a testimony to God's Holiness, Faithfulness and Power among His people.
Jesus' words (Matthew 5.17-18) right after He had declared we are the light of the world.

The brightness of the light, the strength of the witness, is in the church loving God supremely ad in loving others as ourselves. Love shines brightly in the darkness.

3. The Lamps Shone Throughout the Whole Night. -v.21b

They were to burn from evening until morning. We are to shine in the darkness Philippians 2.12-18
Watch out for grumbling and complaining about the darkness. Let your light shine. Our job is not to assess the darkness but to shine forth in it!

A replenished lamp- replenished with oil- God's Spirit- will shine through the whole night until morning dawns.

A smoldering wick He will not snuff out. Isaiah 42.3, Matthew 12.20

If you are low on oil- His Spirit- if your light is flickering- you've come to the right place this morning! Jesus. come and fill Your lambs! It is not complicated. Ask the LORD to fill you today.

Snow, Sleet and Rain

Our mailman's name is Tony. He is a good guy and a hard worker. He is getting married next month.

Today with all the ice and snow and rain Tony will bring the mail to our home and hundreds of others on his route. Along with mailmen all over the country he will faithfully do his job. Be careful today guys. Watch out for the crazy people who think they don't to need use caution in this weather. And thanks carrying those pieces of US Mail to our door!