Uphill idealist

When swimming in a sea of turbulence the first reaction is to fight to strain and overcome. When I learned to swim my lifeguard said, "The water can be your enemy or your best friend." Funny but true how water can be more than two things, but it is. My first swimming lessons were with my Dad, teaching me how to float on my back. "Pretend there is a string attached to your breast bone pulling your chest towards the sky." "Relax your arms out wide." "Arch your back." "Let the sky pull that string." "Let the water be your friend." Be buoyant. Be calm. Breathe and... Float                 Float                 Float. By: Tara L. Eastman Copyright 2017

Last week I was on a stay-cation with my husband. While we wanted to take some day trips to some area parks. zoo, and other local stops that we don't have time for in our regular life, we also wanted to try a small "gardening" project too. We live on a corner lot with very steep hills that are six to eight feet deep and have mowed these hills for all the years we've lived here. These hills have claimed many hours of mowing time, two gas mowers and one people powered reel mower. This summer, it's our hope to try something new on these hills. We did the research on landscaping options, we consulted with a local nursery on what to plant, and we got our supplies in hand: Four flats of ivy Six bags of black mulch Two pair of gardening gloves A hand tiller Black weed blocking material - one roll Two days to try out our experiment Over the two days, we removed by hand the top sod layer, tilled the soil under by hand, removed the stones and weeds, laid the bl...

In life, it can be easy to succumb to the idea that we are better off left by ourselves. People can hurt or offend us. We can become tired of all the noise of being in community.We can long for peace and quiet that we find in solitary space. Even as a extrovert, there are times that living in the atmosphere of "WE" becomes too much. Taking a pause needed? Yes. Collecting our thoughts is important? Yes. But saying farewell to community forever because it's challenging, frustrating and stressful?  NO! In the account of the Kings coming to see the Christ Child, we see three people traveling to seek something - someone - that made living in community something good, life-changing and hope-giving. This Christ Child brought with him God's promise of love, forgiveness AND a call to be in community. To be "We" instead of "Me". God, help us in the midst of conflict, frustration, and anxiety. Holy Spirit, help us to live into the new life of commu...

Psalm 72, Joshua 1:1-9, Hebrews 11:23-31 Down through the ages God has taught us how to be just and righteous thru His example.  If we choose to live this way we will flourish and prosper.  We need to continue to have faith and follow God's example to the best of our ability.  Always remember no matter how many trials and tribulations we go through God is always with us. Judy Lind

By Linda Johnson 1st Kings 3:14. "If you walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life." Be merciful and loving and his promise of ever-lasting eternal life is ours.  This is the inseparable bond that our hearts crave. 💝 Love God with your everything!

12/25/16 – Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. When I think about my faith, not only at Christmastime, but all year long, I think about God’s mercy and grace.  There is no better gift on earth than His gift of mercy and grace!  I’m sure God wants us to be righteous people, help those in need, and be thankful for our blessings. But He also completely forgives us when we “wander”. And the hope of eternal life . . . how wonderful is that?  My mom is spending her first Christmas in heaven this year, and it gives me such peace that I know she had a strong faith, which she expressed and shared,  and truly ...

Luke 1: 46b-55;  2 Samuel 7: 18, 23-29;  Galatians 3: 6-14 First scripture reading from Luke 1: 46b-55 is the Magnificat, Mary’s Song of Praise.  Magnificat, a Latin word, is the first word in this passage and is praising God for what he is going to do through her, and that all would be well through her faith.  This song has been used through the centuries as a basis for many hymns and choral music.  God is portrayed in this passage as a savior of the hungry and downtrodden for the ages. The second scripture is from 2 Samuel 7: 18, 23-29.  This prayer in the Old Testament is from David to God thanking him for what He has done for him and his people, taking them out of Egypt.  David is then asking God to keep his promise to him and his descendants with His blessings so that they would help fulfill God’s greater purpose.   Then through them the world would be continued to be blessed. The third scripture is from the New Testament in Galatians 3...