September '26

-

 

My mom picked this painting for the calendar.  She also picked the lyrics.  
I don't know about you, but for me it is incredibly timely.

The chaos of the flowers pairs well with the stillness of the words.

The world is full of chaos.  You don't even have to watch the news to know that - just open up a social media platform.  Sometimes the chaos isn't on the news, but in our own hearts or within our homes.

The chaos has hit close to home for me this past month.  It's still chaotic and honestly I'm just really tired.  Yet, we have the assurance of Jesus.  He is our reality.  The dictionary defines assurance this way: guaranteed, certain to happen, or showing self-confidence.

I love that this is the calendar right now, because no matter what happens - Jesus is our firm foundation.  In the midst of chaos, He is steady.  He never wavers.  He never falters.  Jesus never gets overwhelmed.  My relationship with Jesus feels "rocky" right now.  There is so much going on in our house and I'm overwhelmed.  I don't have any great encouragement or comforting words, because quite frankly I'm struggling with them myself.  But praise God for His word that is living and active!  I hope these verses and hymn are an encouragement to you.

Philippians 3:13-14 "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Matthew 14:25-27 “Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake... ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’”

Philippians 1:6 “...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 139:1-2 “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise...”

John 16:33 – “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Comments

Post a Comment

If you're comfortable, please leave your name with your comment :)

Popular posts from this blog

NOV 25

-
Image
  "Come to Me all who are weary and burdened & I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28 I must ask for grace this month as it is going to be really short.  I've had a lot going on recently and I'm not able to dedicate the time to this devotion that I would like.    I need this verse right now.  I need to know that Jesus can carry these heavy burdens.  They are not too much for Him. When I painted this, I was thinking of things that bring me comfort in the fall.  What is something that brings you comfort? Lately, these things have not brought their usual comfort- my brain and body are too overwhelmed by a heavy heart.  I'm too tired to paint or light a candle or even make a cup of tea.   I'm having to take extra steps to help my body get through the day- and it is exhausting.   If you find yourself exhausted this month- take some time to just breathe.  I have a bad habit of holding my breath when I get stressed.  Thos...
Read more

May 26

-
Image
You know that question people like to ask?  The one that goes something like, "If you could talk to anyone dead or alive who would it be?"  For our purposes, we are going to exclude people in the Bible. Who would be on your list? My mind easily flips through a number of people who have had world influence: Elizabeth Elliot, Saint Francis of Assisi, Martin Luther King Jr, William Wilberforce, Abraham Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt, C.S. Lewis, Martin Luther, John Calvin etc. However, there is one person who always takes first place above all the rest:  my grandad Startup. He may not have had the worldly fame of those listed above, but for those who knew him- he certainly changed their world.  To his family: Nana, Mom, Aunt Sandy, & Uncle Rob you might say he was their world.  He impacted their world in the way only a husband and daddy can.  His life, even though it was cut short, changed and impacted the world of those around him.  He was in his 30's wh...
Read more

OCTOBER '25

-
Image
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace." Her name was Helen Howarth Lemmel.  She was born in England in 1863.  She loved music and studied under the best vocal teachers of the time in both America and Germany.  She married rich, but in the middle of her life she lost her vision and her husband abandoned her.  She grew older and ended up living with government assistance in a single bedroom.  She initially didn't find the words of this beloved hymn to be a song, but the Holy Spirit worked to bring it to life.  This song was one of nearly 500 hymns that she wrote during her lifetime.  She died blind and in love with her Jesus just two weeks shy of her 98th birthday. (Morgan, 2011) When you hear the phrase, "turn your eyes upon Jesus." what comes to mind? When you think of Jesus, what do you see? I'd like to press you on that second question- don...
Read more