Category: Summer

Savoring Summer #11: Wild Columbine

~ Beth ~ 2 Comments

IMG_5350 edit“If by the one man [Adam]’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17)

I have occasionally thought that it doesn’t seem quite “fair” that we all, without exception, have to suffer for Great-Grandfather Adam’s bite out of an apple. 

But is it “fair” that God had to send His only begotten Son to buy redemption for Adam and his entire family with His own life?  No, Adam had very “fair” warning (“you shall surely die”), but even after daily in-person face-to-face walks and talks with God (can you even imagine?!), he still chose to disbelieve his Creator. 

What probably would have been “fair” would have been for God to completely abandon Adam’s race to their deliberate and foolish choice and start again with an entirely new race on a different planet.  Why shouldn’t the Master Artist toss out a project that failed due to willfully flawed material and move on to other, better things?

But we all know that He didn’t, and that He chose an epic plan of love and redemption instead.  There’s nothing “fair” about that; it’s sheer mercy.  What wondrous love is this, O my soul?!

P.S. See this original post for info about this photo challenge and more about this reading plan I’m using this summer for the book of Romans (and I’d love to have you join in!)!

Savoring Summer #10: Evening Mists

~ Beth ~ Leave a comment

IMG_0935 edit“For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:10)

When we talk about God forgiving us, it’s helpful to remember that we’re not talking about him forgiving us for some “minor” offense.  It’s not just some condescending little, “Oh, fine, I guess I can let it slide that you didn’t make it to church last week.”

There is no one against whom we have committed greater sin than God.  Think about that for a minute.  Think about the nastiest, most evil person in all of history, the one who you would personally have the very hardest time forgiving—and that is YOU before God.  You were literally God’s ENEMY.

Perhaps you did not deliberately set out to be God’s enemy, but the fact is that you were His enemy by association, just as all soldiers in war fall on one side or another based on which leader they are taking orders from.

And this is precisely why God’s forgiveness is so mind-boggling.  Under the circumstances (which He could justly declare unforgivable), really the most we could hope for would be something like: “Because of my great mercy, I’ll let you get by without the death sentence, but you’ve offended me so much I’m still going to exile you to an island for the rest of your life.” 

But instead, it’s this magnificent: “You were my enemy; now become my heir!”

He offers reconciliation that is full, complete, without caveat.  He wipes our record clean, and calls us up to the place of honor reserved for beloved children.

I think that reconciliation must be one of the most beautiful words in all the English language.

P.S. See this original post for info about this photo challenge and more about this reading plan I’m using this summer for the book of Romans (and I’d love to have you join in!)!

Savoring Summer #9: Noma Lake

~ Beth ~ 3 Comments

IMG_1375 edit“[Abraham] did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise

but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,

because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, He was also able to do.” (Romans 4:20-21)

Are there any of God’s promises that you have a hard time being “fully convinced” that He is really able to do?

Maybe it’s that one where He told you that He will save you by His mercy instead of your good works or behavior?  Or maybe it’s the one where He promises to never leave you or forsake you?  Or that one about how He will provide for your needs?

Let’s face it:  We like to cling to the tangible—what makes sense and what we can DO.  He often asks us to cling to the intangible—the supernatural, that only HE can do.  There’s no way around the fact that this takes a whole lot of faith.

Abraham was asked to believe the promise of an heir when he was too old, and descendants like the sand of the seashore before he even had one son, and the Messiah to come through his line, the last two which he would never see fulfilled in his lifetime.  He literally had to die still believing in the unknown.

But he did—and “it was credited to him for righteousness.” (4:22)  The only thing more amazing than this verse is the next: “Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (4:23-24)

The next time you are tempted to doubt the promises of God, remember that when you choose to take God according to His Word, no matter how crazy it might seem, He esteems your faith so highly that He does the same amazing thing for you as He did for Abraham: credits it to you for righteousness.

Wow.

P.S. See this original post for info about this photo challenge and more about this reading plan I’m using this summer for the book of Romans (and I’d love to have you join in!)!

 

Savoring Summer #8: Blue-Eyed Grass

~ Beth ~ 2 Comments

IMG_1355 edit“The righteousness of God

is through faith in Jesus Christ,

to all who believe,

since there is no distinction.” (Romans 3:22)

The word that stood out to me was ALL, coupled with “no distinction”.  It reminded me of this verse:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galations 3:28)

(…and you fill in the blank with any number of “opposite” parties.)

There is no room for segregation in the family of God.  In the midst of a world that seems to thrive on sorting people out into many separate groups and categories with all sorts of labels, let us strive instead for God’s view of people, who freely robes in righteousness with only one condition: belief.

P.S. See this original post for info about this photo challenge and more about this reading plan I’m using this summer for the book of Romans (and I’d love to have you join in!)!

Savoring Summer #7: Spruce Tips

~ Beth ~ 5 Comments

IMG_1279 editMemory verse: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

I memorized the “Romans Road” as a child, but I’m looking forward to reviewing it this summer while teaching it to my kids!  If you are unfamiliar with the Romans Road, it’s merely the fancy name for a set of verses strictly from within this book of the Bible that clearly lays out the path to salvation.  It’s such a good group of verses to have memorized for that day when someone asks you how they can become a Christ-follower, and you don’t have a Bible in your hand.  If you have the Romans Road in your head and on the tip of your tongue, you have all the tools you need to confidently tell someone the simple and beautiful way to Jesus straight from the Bible.

Recognizing our sin is the first step on the road to finding a Savior.

P.S. See this original post for info about this photo challenge and more about this reading plan I’m using this summer for the book of Romans (and I’d love to have you join in!)!

About the photo:  Did you know you can eat spruce tips, the pale green new baby growths that pop out on the branches in late spring/early summer?  Here’s an informative article if you’d like to learn more about them!  I picked these after photographing them during an evening walk, and I’m in the process of making them into an infused oil for a special recipe or two.  It’s been a fun project, but edible or not, the verdict is still out on whether we actually like spruce tips.  I’ll let you know what we think after we try it!

Savoring Summer #6: An Unfriendly Neighbor

~ Beth ~ 4 Comments

IMG_0941 edit“For I am not ashamed

of the Gospel of Christ,

for it is the power of God,

unto salvation,

for everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)

In this Bible reading plan, they designate one day per week as a “grace day”, that is, a day to catch up if you’re behind on your reading for the week or to take time to reflect over what you’ve read previously.

This is my standout verse for the week, which, as you can see, is the kind of verse for which no explanation is needed.

If you’re joining me for this study, I’d love it if you’d share a verse in the comments that particularly stood out to you, or perhaps a thought or two about what the Lord has shown you while reading these passages!

P.S. See this original post for info about this photo challenge and more about this reading plan I’m using this summer for the book of Romans (and I’d love to have you join in!)!

About the photo: Just in case you were wondering:  no, this little guy did NOT spray me…but he did stamp his hind legs before he proved that he was only bluffing by scampering off into the woods!

Savoring Summer #5: Liquid Birdsong

~ Beth ~ 1 Comment

IMG_0919 edit“What then? If some were unfaithful, will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?  Absolutely not!  Let God be true, even though everyone is a liar…” (Romans 3:3-4)

Have you ever had someone use the excuse on you that they won’t become a Christian because they knew a Christian who was a hypocrite and it turned them off to Christianity?  God forbid that we who claim to follow Christ would turn people away from Him by our actions, and I believe we will be held accountable for it if we do—but the fact remains that Christians are human, and they do sin and fail sometimes.  So, keep this verse in your back pocket for the next time that excuse comes up.

Truth: the unfaithfulness of one of His followers does not disprove His faithfulness!

P.S. See this original post for info about this photo challenge and more about this reading plan I’m using this summer for the book of Romans (and I’d love to have you join in!)!  Also, if you’re reading along, feel free to share your own thoughts from today’s passage in the comments!

About the photo: Anyone else love the song of the red-winged blackbirds as much as I do?  It’s one of my top-favorite things to look forward to each spring!

Savoring Summer #4: Last Remnants of Spring

~ Beth ~ Leave a comment

IMG_0990 edit“A person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter [of the law].  That person’s praise is not from people but from God.” (Romans 2:29)

In other words—“the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

This is tremendously freeing, because I don’t have to worry about what people think of me, or fret over man-made lists of do’s and don’ts.

This is also tremendously sobering, because the all-seeing, all-knowing God is the judge of the state of my heart.  I can’t put on false pretenses or pretend to be something I’m not with Him like I can with people.  Nothing is hidden from Him.

That’s sobering, but it’s not fearsome—because He is a good and loving Father and I am His child!

P.S. See this original post for info about this photo challenge and more about this reading plan I’m using this summer for the book of Romans (and I’d love to have you join in!)!  Also, if you’re reading along, feel free to share your own thoughts from today’s passage in the comments!

Savoring Summer #3: Laying Eggs

~ Beth ~ 3 Comments

IMG_1274 edit“Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse.  For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.”  (Romans 2:1)

This call to humility versus hypocrisy was so good today.  Always examine your own heart before daring to condemn another’s.  YES!

BUT—don’t take it out of context!  Read the whole previous passage before you start quoting it to prove a point.  The word “therefore” is key here.  In the context, this is a verse about sin versus righteousness.

It’s not a verse to be applied to mere “disagreements”.  For instance, this is not a verse about wearing masks versus not wearing masks in a pandemic—but there are other verses for that topic coming later—so stay tuned!

P.S. See this original post for info about this photo challenge and more about this reading plan I’m using this summer for the book of Romans (and I’d love to have you join in!)!  Also, if you’re reading along, feel free to share your own thoughts from today’s passage in the comments!

About the photo: I’m a little disappointed that this mama painted turtle ultimately decided that my flower garden was NOT the best place to deposit her precious eggs—but she dug a pretty deep hole before she came to that conclusion!

 

Savoring Summer #2: Sweet Resting Place

~ Beth ~ Leave a comment

dragonfly on lilac“For [God’s] invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made.  As a result, people are without excuse. “ (Romans 1:20)

Every vein in those delicate wings,

every sweetly fragranced four petaled blossom clustered on that lilac,

every ray of that sunlight sparkling down on them,

bears the unmistakable signature of Creator God.

I love that all of mankind, the world over, can see Him this way, without anyone saying one word.

P.S. See this original post for info about this photo challenge and more about this reading plan I’m using this summer for the book of Romans (and I’d love to have you join in!)!  Also, if you’re reading along, feel free to share your own thoughts from today’s passage in the comments!