Real Water

(Sipping hot tea on the deck as the rain clouds rolled in earlier today.)

The rain is coming down steady tonight, lulling to sleep children all bundled up warm beneath layers of blankets. I've turned off the little space heater here by my side just to listen for a while. It is so very soothing.

We have needed the rain. The earth will soak it up and within a few days tiny green shoots will start to sprout. Soon the hillsides will begin to take on hues of greens beneath the brown and grey.

I thanked God for the rain as I prayed with Michael tonight. I asked God to help us see that just as rain brings forth the greenery, so will the Word of God bring forth what He has purposed. And I asked that each one of us would turn to Him while there is yet time. I asked that we would hear His words even now. Someday every knee will bow, but it will be too late for many who only then recognize the lordship of Christ. May we recognize it now.

"Seek the LORD wile he may be found;

call upon him while he is near...

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

and do not return there but water the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout, 

giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 

so shall my word be that goes from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the things for which I sent it."

Is. 55: 6, 10-11

I'm going to read this chapter to my kids tomorrow morning...

>>:<<

Yesterday, before the rains came, I took my kids out for an afternoon hike. Actually, knowing that we would be confined to the indoors for a couple days, my aching back which needed movement and exercise to limber me up pushed us to take a hike. It was more of a to-do list item when I set out, like something to be done out of necessity, but it turned out to be a rather lovely chore. My back pain was greatly reduced because of it.

I sometimes still feel like a tourist here...

Hard-to-spot Jacob in the shot above. He was the hardest to keep up with, always ahead by a couple bends in the path on our way out. 

We spotted a whale from the cliff as we were descending to the beach. We saw it blow out a large spray of water, then the gentle curve of its mighty back curl up over the surface.

All the little details just waiting to be noticed...

Jacob found a washed up lobster trap.

Those eyes! Mischievous and sweet.

Whistling in the brothers. Time to start the ascent.

Resting. Waiting for the boys to catch up-- the story of her life!

Tired kiddos taking a break from the climb.

~>>>:<<<~

Rain. Water. Life!

LIFE IN CHRIST!

"Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'""  John 7: 37-38

"Come, everyone who thirsts,

come to  the waters;

and he who has no money,

Come, buy wine and milk 

without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,

and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,

and delight yourselves in rich food.

Incline your ear to me, and come to me;

hear, that your soul may live..."   Is. 55: 1-3

"The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price."   Rev. 22: 17

"Turn to me and be saved,

all the ends of the earth!

For I am God, and there is no other."   Is. 46: 22

"Surely I am coming soon."   Rev. 22: 20

~Katherine