Makeover

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A melange of objects, photographed just to have a base from which to “play” creatively with my graphics program.  The photo failed.  Blurry.  No matter – there’s just as much chance for an arty makeover.

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I come to God bringing my melange of various traits and habits.  I feel a bit like a blurred photo.  But no matter!  God is in the process of giving me a makeover.  I can be full of bright colors and amazing patterns.  I am unique, and stunning, in His sight.  I’m a work in progress.  But one day, I hope to become who He is shaping and coloring me to be.

This post is shared with Laura Boggess

Stirring, Sterling

 
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STIRRING, STERLING

Is a spoon just a handy kitchen tool,

A stirring stick,
Or a utensil to eat with?

Well, yes, but ah, much more.
It can stir up great concoctions
With delightful tastes
To tantalize the tongue.
Its appearance can seem bit like sterling silver
(even if only forged of stainless steel).

 A clean spoon left after a meal
Might just look like part of the clutter
Left behind on a table. 
But oh, if the light is just right,
If this sometimes mundane object is glimpsed by an artist –
Maybe made part of some re-arrangement --
 Then textures, patterns, designs emerge,
Gloriously pleasing to the eye.

May I be a stirring stick in God’s hands.
Not mundane, but beauty directed by him.
May I feed others his bounty-feast.

My patterns and textures and designs shine out
When the Lord takes this spoon in hand.
Oh, what is he stirring with me,
To beautify his world,
To comfort, cheer, or show others who he is?
God values me!  He says he sees the Christ in me!
May the durable but ordinary steel in me
Be as precious as sterling silver –
Not because of anything I do, but because
He has already given his complete self to me.

(c) 2013 by Marilee Miller

This post is shared with "The Wellspring" Playdates with God

"God's Favorite Place on Earth"

GOD’S FAVORITE PLACE ON EARTH

When Jesus was on earth, many rejected him.  Some of the synagogues, some of the towns, didn’t want him around shaking up their status quo.  But one place Jesus was welcomed, was in the little town of Bethany, not far from Jerusalem, at the home of Mary and Martha and Lazarus. 

Well known inspirational author Frank Viola’s new book, “God’s Favorite Place on Earth”, just released on May 1, 2013.  The next day, May 2, it was ranked as #14 out of all 7 million books on Amazon.com. 

SPECIAL BONUSES:

As a special promotion, those who purchase the book by May 7 are offered 25 free bonuses – mostly
e-books (written by over 15 Christian authors), but also some mp3 audio or music files.  The offer goes away forever, on May 8.  A word to the wise: Don’t wait till the very last hour to purchase the book, as the bonuses must be individually downloaded.

The author weaves a story, from Lazarus’ viewpoint, of Jesus interacting with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (the one whom Jesus raised from the dead).  Viola claims the message he uncovered while writing this book, changed his life – and that “the story of Jesus in Bethany is so critical for Christians today.”

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Below are some statements about the thoughts which may be generated by this book.

“God builds us to break us and beautify us.” @FrankViola http://bit.ly/13H63du

“In our suffering, we want an explanation but Jesus wants to give us a revelation… of HIMSELF.” F. Viola
http://bit.1y/13H63du

“All great Christians have been wounded souls.” A. W. Tozer from http://bit.ly/13H63du

“As high as God is going to elevate you is as deep as He digs to lay the foundation.” @FrankViola http://bit.ly/13H63du

“Sometimes the brightest light comes from the darkest places.” From http://bit.ly/13H63du

“What doesn’t destroy you ends up defining you in some significant way.”  From http://bit.1y/13H63du

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Click
http://frankviola.org/godsfavoriteplace/

for ordering information and easy instructions on how to get your 25 free books.

Half-tones

HALF-TONES.

     The images below are half-tones, a type of printing used in newspapers and magazines.  To the eye, an area printed as a half-tone may appear to be covered solidly with ink.   But it's really made up of thousands of tiny dots and/or patterns.  When a half-tone image is magnified, the dots show up.  What appeared to be a single colored surface actually may contain a number of colors, and perhaps many sizes of dots.  A half-tone print saves money on ink because there are white spaces (unprinted areas) in between pattern elements.

     This particular image suffered water damage.  But in mysterious ways, the markings only added to the overall design.

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HALF-TONES

     Life, too, has its dots and speckles.  It is full of hidden-in-plain-sight designs and colors.  God sees each place -- in fact, he made each place within us.  He is the one that binds all our parts together.  He made everything in creation for his good pleasure.

     The fellowship of many believers, sharing with one another, also adds to the incredible dots that our Creator oversees.  He sees us all, and "gifts" us all, and uses our bits and pieces -- if we will let him -- for his glory, to help bring about the goodness in his kingdom here on earth.

     Sometimes the world around us seems like a chaotic place of jumbles, tangles, and jangles.  Then our woes and problems seem strange and magnified.  But the Lord of All is still at work. He knows how to connect the dots.  My hope is that one day we will finally all become whole beings.  Then there will be no ultimate dissonance -- but only his intricate pattern of beautiful colors to make an inspiring overall design of patience and peace.


This post is shared with Laura Boggess, "Playdates with God.

Promises Bring Hope

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Promises Bring Hope

Sometimes life seems dusty, even bleak,
And hope just dribbles away,
Making it hard to face the future,
Yes, and even hard to pray.

A wounding word may disquiet,
Or great plans go all astray,
A health diagnosis is hard to take,
Or obstacles litter life’s way.

But then may come a child’s smile,
Or a kitty’s plea for “play”;
Or someone promises a gift –
Its thought worth more than its pay.

The gift may not yet be received,
But the promise brightens today.
And suddenly, there’s new relief,
And hope chases away the gray.

Sometimes God’s gifts may be delayed,
But his promise is to say,
“I keep my word, and you are loved,
And help is on the way!”

Though trouble has not yet gone away,
I can sing again of hopeful future day.

(c) 2013 by Marilee Miller

This post is shared with Laura Boggess

The Brightness of God

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 Oh, bright primrose,
You speak to me of the brightness of God –
I worship the Lord for his fiery splendor;
He sent his Only Son, who arose
From the grave’s cold, rocky sod
To be our Savior and our Defender.

Oh, bright primrose,
Just glimpsing your glory is reason to laud!
I praise the Lord who created bright candor!
I believe that Father-Son-Spirit Power flows
To enable my life to reach its full blood.
Bless you, God, for all that I ponder!

Oh, bright primrose,
Your cheer heartens me: I no longer plod,
But lift high my head, doubts driven asunder.
God, because of your brightness, I propose
To keep walking your Way, so broad!
Thank you for gifting my sense of wonder.

(c) 2013 by Marilee Miller

This post is shared with "Playdates with God"

Patches

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images and text (c) 2013 by Marilee Miller;  all rights reserved
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PATCHES

All the little events, yes, even the moods,
That make up the whole of our daily life,
Are like colorful patches:
Incidents, coincidences, God-incidences.
They join together to make a quilt-like design.
(Many designs, viewed through the lenses
Of hope, joy, peace, sorrow, crisis, contentment.)
The little pieces seem separate, and yet,
The whole of the patterns, actually matches,
Giving us a glimpse of the evidence
Of a thoughtful God who planned our lives,
And binds together our batches.
We are made in his image.
He carefully stitches our swatches
Until we reflect his transforming glory.
Incidents, coincidences, God-incidences.


This post is shared with Laura Boggess "Playdates with God"