Fall in love

With Jesus

Again today!

Speaking Shadows

II Samuel 1:18

Also he bade them teach the children...

the use of the bow...

© Angela Beatty 10/10

As I was walking this trail along Oil Creek, my shadow preceded me and I recalled a sermon I heard many years ago, "What kind of Shadow are you Casting?"  All of us leave a shadow in the lives of those close to us - sometimes even on those not so close to us.  Probably the shadows that will live the longest are those we cast on our children's lives. 

In the Scripture today, Samuel was telling the Israelites to teach the children the use of the bow.  In essence, he was commanding them to pass down the skills they had to their children.  It seems "apprenticeship" is a thing of the past.  No longer do we see generations of tradesmen who grew up under the tutorage of a father, grandfather, or uncle.  The sad thing is that along with skill, we teach character and build relationships when we invest that much time in helping someone develop a skill.

I wonder what skills I have that I've neglected to take the time to teach my own children.... When I'm gone, will the shadow I leave in their lives be short-lived?  Or will I leave my children with values and skills that will stay with them all their lives, values and skills that they in turn will pass on to their children? 

What Chilled the Warm Day?

Ecclesiastes 7:2

It is better to go to the house of mourning,

than to go to the house of feasting:

for that is the end of all men;

and the living will lay it to his heart.

© Angela Beatty 10/10

It was a bit goulish to come across the remains of an unfortunate creature on such a beautiful day.  An eye socket, a piece of jawbone and another bone I can only guess at were all that remained of a once vividly alive animal.  I hate the thoughts of death and destruction.  I wish I could close my eyes and will all of it away, but I can't.  It's a fact of life that someday we'll all be reduced to bone fragments and dust.  What then? 


I know, I know!  I don't like to think about it either!  But sometimes it puts things into perspective to stop and take a look at those things that leave us chilled and chafing inside. It made me stop and reprioritize!


I promise a more cheerful blog next time :0)

The Gospel Train

© Angela Beatty 10/10

All aboard! 

I pray this Sunday finds you

aboard the gospel train

bound for Glory.

My Zaccheus Moment

Psalm 30:1

I will extol thee, oh Lord;

For thou hast lifted me up...

© 10/10 Angela Beatty

 

Okay, it's a Black Willow tree not a Sycamore and I'm sure I'm not as nimble as Zaccheus, but I miraculously managed to get up into this tree.  It's amazing how different things look that far off the ground (note the amazing heights I climbed too! lol). 

 

There have been times in life when I've had to pull myself up by sheer willpower.  But the view after the climb was so much better!  When a cloud of despair is keeping us enclosed in the negative, the only answer is to climb above it and look for Jesus.  He'll always have time to stop by our house a visit a while.  It's amazing how life can change after spending time with the master!

Who's Hand?

Psalm 37:24

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

© 9/10 Angela Beatty

This little guy was not happy about being held, regardless of how gently it was. He kept jumping down and refused to pose for his picture. I really don't think he had a clue to what was going on, and that we meant him no harm.

I kind of act like this little creature when life doesn't make sense.... jumping around, heart pounding in my throat, madly trying to get back to my own little world of comfort and sameness. I forget that I'm in God's hand!

The Friendship Bridge

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loveth at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.

© 9/10 Angela Beatty

It had been a while since I walked this trail... much longer than I thought. I was totally surprised to find this dilapidated contraption standing among debris, dry rocks, and a slight trickle of water where a bubbling stream hand once meandered under a freshly painted and sturdy bridge. The shock literally stopped me in my tracks and confused me. I had to pause and try to figure out exactly when I had last been there. My best guess was eight years ago.

It's amazing that things can change so drastically in less than a decade. I tend to forget that time is eating away at everything and expect it to remain just as I last saw it. At least.... time wears away things that aren't kept in good repair. I can't imagine letting a bridge just waste away after all the hard work that went into building it! It seems like such a waste!!

But maybe I do that too. Like the stream, relationships dry up and the need for a bridge to connect two people just doesn't seem as important anymore. Does it? But when the spring rains come again, and the brook is bubbling, a broken bridge is useless in making a connection. All of the years spent together... all of the laughter.... the tears.... the learning about each other.... where does it all go? There's something heartrending about recognizing the shell of a once strong friendship and yet being helpless to span the gap that now separates you.

Whether it's a friend or family member, it's worth the time to make sure our bridges are still serviceable and can be crossed when the need arises.