A ruler that obeys God and does right is like the sunrise on a cloudless day, or like the rain that sparkles on the grass. 2 Samuel 23:4

Wouldn’t that be lovely.

Blessings Belinda

The first Calle lily is beginning to bloom. I had to cut down the plant that provided them shade, so now they struggle. It is delightful to see them blooming, before full sun reaches the north side of the house, and the heat chases them away.

Today I am ever so thankful for the opportunity sit outside in the cooler temperatures of winter and enjoy the warmth of the sun on my back. Its hug soothes my soul and softens the hard corners of life.

While I sat and enjoyed the butterflies and the bees looking for flowers (mostly dandelions), my granddaughter folded herself up and slowly drifted off to sleep in my lap with the sunshine kissing the sweet tender nape of her neck. Such heaven.

California poppies….sigh of contentment here.

May the God of all creation bless your life today and give you the treasures of His heart.

Belinda

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

It has begun.

I have been working my way through a four-volume commentary on Matthew for the last several years. I am slow, but I like to stop reading each day when a wow that’s neat moment happens. And with this commentary that can happen several times a page.

My only criticism of it would be that for all its passion (which is good), and all its intellectual depth ( which is very good), I am finding the closer I get to the end, I am much more aware of a shallow compassion for sinners. Something which one can easily be caught up by and drawn into.

Today the Holy Spirit was so kind, and directed my thoughts in a different direction, towards compassion and humility. Perhaps because I am simultaneously working on a study of Acts and a Scripture writing plan on the abundant mercy of God, and today’s copying was in 1 Timothy. How can one not be filled with compassion and humility when one encounters Paul.

Back to the commentary. I am enthralled that I am reaching this point as a lead into Easter.

The Illegal and Unjust Condemnation of Jesus
Then the high priest tore his robes saying, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He is deserving of death!” Mathew 26:65-66

My knee jerk reaction is as condemning of them as they are of Jesus, because the are reviling my God! Let them burn in hell for eternity. Let them die the painful death of forever.

Then my brain is paused, and I consider that this is what they think of Jesus, for reviling their God.

They should have understood and known that Jesus was who He said He was, for only God could have done all the things He had done. Scripture was fulfilled , but they had closed their minds to the truth.

They repel me, but I hear the refrain in my head, “Their sins they are many, His mercy is more”.

And “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they are doing.” Luke 23:34a

I can but do no more than to press into the Holy Spirit and feel His love fill my soul with the compassion He has for me. For I know all the sin I hide within my heart, and I know how very much I need His compassion.

So, I will not condemn them in my heart. I will leave it to God to judge as He says He will.

“Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see me The Son of Man Sitting at the Right Hand of Power, and Coming on the Clouds of Heaven.” Matthew 26:64

To save or not. His will be done.

For God’s abundant mercy is far greater than I can ever comprehend. and maybe just perhaps, not all that were gathered together, some of them hopefully might have mistakenly believed that they were doing right and later regretted their heinous sin, repented and believed. I for one cannot throw the first stone.

It is so easy in passion to jump in and condemn and forget about the compassionate abundant mercy of God, of Jesus’s compassion to die for all unworthy sinners. When instead I should be the visible for the invisible, living out the Scriptures with the same passion that can be garnered for condemnation.

To be a light in the darkness, to burn bright and hot for Christ, which means one must be present in the darkness, offering abundant mercy in the name of Jesus. Lover of my soul.

Blessings, Belinda

“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:15-17

I spend quite a bit of time in this room looking out these windows. The room also has windows looking west, out upon the rose garden. The light can be fabulous so my grandson has taken over the area for drawing and such. And yes, there is a new little one asleep in the cradle…sigh.

However that’s not what I was thinking of today when I opened this post. No, I was thinking of Jesus. Not that He isn’t present in the light and the art and the baby. Rather, I was thinking of the irises I planted last winter to bloom at Easter. All my purple irises bloom at Easter so I thought why not plant a picture, a reminder of why Easter is the high point of my year.

So I bought some irises. What! Bought more when I have more than I want and I cannot seem to give them away so I end up throwing them away, sadness. But the ones I have are all purple, from the same one bulb that was in the ground struggling in the shade when we moved in. Now they are out of control and trying to take over the world. This is one of many, multiple, excessive, amounts of creeping irises. Which are really difficult to dig up by the way. But beautiful they are, so they’re allowed to be annoying.

Back to the buying. I wanted a grouping that would be a visual reminder of the passion week, and to perhaps be a start of a conversation while we are egg hunting. So I purchased a white for my Risen Glorified Lord, a yellow for my new life I have been given in Him, and a deep deep red for His sacrifice. If there was a black iris I would have wanted that too, well perhaps, but not really. I wouldn’t want death and sin in my garden. I prefer to imagine I am back in the original garden walking in the cool of the evening with my Lord.

So, did they bloom at Easter, not at all. And they have gone from three bulbs (technically they are not bulbs, but whatever, it’s easier than rhizomes), to a lovely mound.

They yellow one bloomed in January, which was nice. It was gorgeous. It’s beauty lightened a difficult time. So basically it bloomed when it needed to bloom, and that’s sweet. I’ll take that over blooming to my schedule anytime. The red one hasn’t bloomed at all, maybe next Good Friday! Wouldn’t that be a treat.

But really the best part is this one.

The one that brings to mind Jesus…

It has been blooming almost none stop now all spring and summer, and now today another one.

Life has been rough for the last year and this summer in particular for many and a sundry reasons.

But God is so very good. Every morning I get up and open the blinds to let the sun into my eyes, and there is the white iris I planted to represent Jesus. I see hope, I see promises kept, I see forever and always, I see a steady stream of I love you and I have your back, so don’t worry, be happy.

In that moment it doesn’t matter that my world is in flux and chaos without an end yet in sight.

It just doesn’t matter that I have no one to share that calmness with but with the one who supplies it.

And surprise surprise, that is enough.

For God is so very very good. He did not give me what I wanted, a one time blast, but what I needed.

Too see Him every morning and every evening when I get home from work.

Oh what joy I am getting from such a simple pleasure.

Thank You Lord of all creation, Amen.