Picture Praises - Wildflowers

One of the benefits of living in Upper Peninsula of Michigan are the forests surrounding us. In them we find wildlife and wildflowers. There's always something to find. Last Friday we were able to spend some time with some friends at a local lake. My friend had found several lady's slippers there at the campsite. I took the opportunity to photograph these beautiful and rare orchids.

Hospitality chart

Now, I can't see that I can make a table in this blogger document, but I found a chart on hospitality in my Women's Study Bible that I thought would be worth passing along. The comparison is between Hospitality and Entertainment. I will give you the lists and know that number one in the first list will compare with number 1 in the second list.

Christian Hospitality

1. Provides a safe place (Proverbs 31:21)
2. Seeks to serve others (1 Peter 4:8-10)
3. Puts people before things (Matthew 10:42)
4. Makes what is mine yours (Acts 2:44)
5. Takes no thought for whatever reward or compensation is in it for me (Matthew 6:1-4)
6. Frames itself according to God's Word (Matthew 5:43-48)
7. Offers freedom that liberates, enabling you to exercise your gifts and creativity to the fullest (Romans 8:2)

Worldly Entertaining

1. Opens a show place
2. Wants to impress others
3. Elevates things above people
4. Claims all as mine and admires it
5. Expects something in return (praise and reciprocation)
6. Models itself after the world (television, neighbors, magazines, etc.)
7. Becomes a taskmater that enslaves, requiring you to meet the expectations of others

What do you think?

Ladies' Retreat

Thank you for your prayers! Our retreat went well. We were a small, cozy group, and I really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know these ladies better. We enjoyed the condominium and resort amenities (thanks to my Mom, Gloria Richards, for making her timeshare available to us) and the local area as well. The picture on the left was taken on a side trip we took to a local lighthouse called the Cana Light.

The retreat was called, "Falling in Love All Over Again," and we focused on loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and loving our neighbor as ourselves. I know in studying and presenting I was greatly challenged, and I pray the retreat was profitable for the ladies attending as well. I am working on putting some of the material here on the blog. I will post material as I get it done. Once again, thank you for your prayers! The only lasting value of this retreat will be because the Lord has worked.

Spring!

"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." Genesis 8:22

Spring is finally springing up around here! The sledding hill in the backyard is completely melted, and the kids have found the first buds opening on the trees. I love Spring. I love the promise of new life that Spring brings. I feel renewed and refreshed just by having the ability to spend some time out of doors. I praise the Lord that He created and maintains the seasons.

Wow! Has it been this long since I've posted here? I'll have to get on the ball. Right now my ball is rolling me down a hill toward a small ladies' retreat with Manistique Bible Church. I will be speaking at this retreat in Door County, Wisconsin starting Sunday, May 10 through Wednesday, May 13. I will be doing eight sessions in all, and I am a bit overwhelmed getting it all done right now. Lord willing I will post some of the content here on my blog. Please be in prayer for me as I finish getting all the sessions ready. Thanks ladies!

Also, check out my sidebar for a link to a Mother's Day giveaway. A Toshiba laptop is the prize! You can enter until May 9. Have fun!

Picture Praises

We are back! It's good to be back in my own bed again after our trip South. Dave posted about the trip on his ministry blog. If you want to read more about it, you can here.

One thing I've been thinking about that I want to add to my blog is "picture praises." I am by no means a professional photographer. I have a small point and shoot Canon PowerShot Elph. There are many times though when I see something that just makes me smile. Some blessing that God has brought along that I'd like to share with you. So, we'll start!

Although we are still participating in winter weather around here, I am very thankful for the many good gifts that the Lord sees fit to bless us with. He has promised to meet our needs, and I am very thankful that He continues to do just that. I am also so thankful for the ways that He gives us more than what we need. Like that cup of hot chocolate covered with melting mini-marshmallows that you see there in the picture. Just this last week I saw the Lord answer a very specific prayer request that I had. He answered it, not because it was a life or death situation of absolute need. He answered seemingly because He is simply pleased as a Father to give good gifts. Matthew 7:7-11 tells of the generosity of our loving Father. Verse 11 states, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" I hope you praise the Lord with me today for all the good gifts that He gives us above and beyond our need.

What do we do about the end?

Have you ever seen a person in movie or in real life who is walking around carrying a placard? One placard that seems to be common in caricaturing is the crazy looking man in long robes carrying a placard reading, "The end is coming!" Sometimes I think of Jonah and his short sermon in Jonah 3:4 that had amazing results. In 1 Peter 4:7 I found that placard again: "But the end of all things is at hand." What follows is a list of things we ought to be doing because the return of the Lord is soon. I thought it worth sharing.

"The end of all things is at hand!"

Therefore

• be sober (literally in your right mind) (1 Peter 4:7)
  
• watchful in prayer (1 Peter 4:7)
• above all fervently love one another (1 Peter 4:8)
• practice hospitality without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9)
• as each of us have been gifted by the Holy Spirit, use those gifts to minister to one another (1 Peter 4:10)
• if any one speaks (a longer prolonged speech, like teaching or preaching) let him speak the oracles of God (the Word of God) (1 Peter 4:11)
• minister with the abilities God has given you (1 Peter 4:11)
• that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ
• to whom belong the glory and dominion forever
  

The last one particularly made me think of Philippians 4:3. We are to minister with our God given abilities for the glory of God. We are not (as Phil 4:3 states) to minister seeking our own vain glory. It is not our glory to receive. We are to have the mind of Christ. So, what is the purpose of man? What is your purpose? If you knew you only had one week left to live, what would you seek to accomplish? This list is an interesting perspective. "The end of all things is at hand." What are you going to do with it?