Browsing Archive: February, 2014
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not us.
~ 2 Cor. 4:7
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.
~ 1 Cor. 2:9
Hidden Treasure
I sit and think about the things I treasure ~ family, friends, and so much more.
God whispers, “And I treasure you.”
I pause. In the silence, I hear it again. “I treasure you.”
I think about that for awhile. Here in my quiet space at the kitchen... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
Not good enough.
Ever heard that tape playing in your mind? At times I've actually awakened to the sound of myself moaning as those words played over and over.
What feeds that?
Probably a combination of life experiences and circumstances.
Big life traumas and unavoidable barbs sent from the pit via people encountered along life's path.
Something as simple as what happened to me yesterday.
So I was driving down our street when a man backed out of his driveway. (Actually, I didn't see the driver, bu... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul; And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
~ Psalm 103:1-5
As I read these words, Strength lifts me out of the pit. Joy and Peace flank me on either side. And Ho... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1
So, yesterday a small group of women assembled in our home to begin a five-week Bible study of sorts. We will be taking a journey with Ann Voskamp ~ the journey toward living a more grateful life, as we capture and count God’s gifts moment by moment.
After grabbing some coffee and chatting for a few minutes, the seven of us sat down together as a group for the first time.
Some of us know each other, so... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
~ Jesus
Recently I posted a warning review about August: Osage County on my personal Facebook page.
Here is what I said:
They say, 'Don't judge a book by its cover." Tonight I add, "Don't select a movie by its actresses." Wish we would have walked out the first five minutes of August: Osage. I just kept thinking that Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts were too good to do a trashy movie with no redeeming element to the story. WRONG! Do not wa... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ~ Isaiah 43:18-19
I’ve been driving long enough to know that it’s not a good idea to fix my focus on the rearview mirror when I’m going forward. And I know the mirrors in my car sometimes deceive me. In fact, the side mirror has a warning imprinted on it that reads, “Object... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
~ Hebrews 11:1
Things hoped for.
There are some I share openly. Some I hold in secret places in my heart.
I’ve learned a few things about hopes. They open the door to vulnerability. Sometimes they lead to disappointment and even discouragement. Other times they bring a desired result.
Hopes can motivate action, and God can use hope to move me further along His planned path. But at times, I charge ahead on my own, ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
~ Isaiah 40:31
Ok, so I’m a bit of a bird freak. In various places around my home, you’ll find realistic decorative birds perched amid birdhouses, plants, and baskets. Outside the window near the table where I do my writing, I’ve hung a hummingbird feeder to invite my tiny neighbors over for a snack.
What is it about birds that attra...
Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you. ~ John 15:15
What a mind-boggling concept that Jesus calls me friend. Me. Someone with nothing to offer Him in return. He doesn’t say I’m His friend because I’m always there for Him, help Him when He’s in need, offer Him companionship, or even stand up for Him.
He calls me friend because of what He’s done. Not what I’ve done. Because He’s entrusted to me everything He’s learned fro... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13
So I went to “boot camp” with a friend. The trainer listened carefully as I shared all my special issues — 3 bulging discs in the lower back, degenerative discs in the neck, and some shoulder/arm pain which may or may not be a pinched nerve.
Then we went to work. I mean work. We challenged muscles I didn’t even know I had. All the while, she watched me, correcting my posture and modifying my moves. She could see t... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
Reading the Daily Light devotional this morning, coffee cup in hand, my focus lands on my life verse.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~Jeremiah 29:11
This is my life verse because it literally kept me alive during a very dark time after my father ended his own life. Every morning before I could even lift my head off the pillow, I’d stretch my arm toward the nightstand, fumble fo... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. ~ Philippians 3:13-14
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. ~ Jesus
(Matthe... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
January 3, 2014
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. ~ Isaiah 46:4
Today is my mom’s 90th birthday. As I look at her in this picture ~ taken only two months ago with my son and with our granddaughter ~ it’s hard to believe she’s seen 90 years of life! Still looking so much younger than her years, it’s possible she’ll pass the century mark like her mother, who lived to ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
~Philippians 2:4
January 1st ~ Look up.
January 2nd ~ Look out.
Such a simple approach to life and one that Jesus modeled. The key? To remember that God has me fixed in His sight. The fulfillment of my needs, flow limitless from His throne.
How many times I’ve found myself in a frenzy trying to do it all. A frenzy rooted in the simple lack of trust that the Creator of the universe, the very One who g... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Saturday, February 22, 2014,
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ~ Colossians 3:1
As a child, I remember stretching out on the ground, the fragrant smell of earth and grass around me, and watching the clouds drift by, forming imaginary creatures on God’s limitless canvas. A butterfly would be come a dragon and then a mouse before my watchful eye. Anything was possible.
There was a peace in the stillness of that child. A connecti... Continue reading ...
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Friday, February 21, 2014,
Posted by Rosemary Hines on Tuesday, February 11, 2014,
