THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE

Photo taken by Bobbie Dale Cotton-Arkansas

Created by Sherry Long

Digging a Well Ministries

THE LORD WILL BE YOUR GUIDE

 

 

Photo by Bobbie Dale Cotton - Arkansas

Created by Sherry Long

THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE PRAISED

 

Photo by Amanda Randolf- Kermit, TX

Design by Sherry Long

Digging a Well Ministries

 

 

 

THE CHINESE LANTERN SHOWS US THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT'S INSIDE

     Have you ever seen a Chinese Lantern Flower?  I never realized it was actually a real plant.  I thought it was a plastic ornament used around for fall decorations.  This flower has to be one of the most unique flowers ever created.  It blooms a white delicate flower that eventually get enveloped by a hard green pod.  As the pod continues to grow it changes into a soft orange pod and eventually the orange pod begins to fade away, leaving a web looking encasement around an orange heart-shaped pod hanging inside. 

     As I begin to look at this wonderful plant I realized it was a beautiful picture of what the Lord does in our lives.  He created us in his image and we were pure and white.  Satan came along and engulfed our lives and built a hard shell around us to the point that all the beauty was gone.  Over time, change began to take place in our lives as we allowed the Lord to soften us. After the whole plant has died the orange heart shaped pod within is still alive.  It is the only part of the plant that is not poisonous.  This heart-shaped pod is full of seeds and can be used in various ways. 

     This plant cries out.  "It's not what is on the outside that counts, God looks on the heart."  When all of life has faded away, what will your heart look like?  Will it be filled with seeds that can be planted and lead others to Christ or will it be dried up and withered away like the rest of the Chinese Lantern. 

     I must say I stood in awe as I realized that the Lord created everything great and small to proclaim his deity and his story.  For him to take a plant and for it to grow with that much wonder and amazement shows there is a reason for everything in life.  We were not just placed here by chance.  If the flowers can tell the story of the creation, fall and redemption of man, then why do we struggle so much telling it.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

(Psalm 19:1-14)   

YOUR NAME PROCLAIMED

     Today I went for a walk at the park, down by the pond.  There was a bench there so I decided to sit and for awhile.  I began to look around me at all the beauty and then I began to wonder how that some people struggle with the fact that their is a God.

     As I was sitting there I began to see all the different trees growing in that one location.  There was the American Elm, Bur Oak, Red Oak, Cedar and Pecan trees and a spruce of some sort.  They were all mixed together with great vines growing and draping to the ground.  The rainfall here has been so wonderful this year that the grass is almost velvet.  As a child this was the perfect type grass for rolling and doing cartwheels or just lying on the ground watching the clouds pass by. 

     The wind was blowing briskly forcing ripples on the water to move westard along the pond, as the birds swooped down into the water for a drink.  The butterfies fluttering all around the pond, drinking up the nectar, from the dainty flowers that embrace the banks of the pond.

     As I listened closely I could hear the birds singing several different tunes yet in a melodious harmony.  The bullfrogs chummed in, filling in the base notes, as the crickets sang soprano when it came to their scale in the song.  The ducks somehow must have felt neglected or avoided because all of a sudden the air was filled in unison with several loud quacks.  Instantly a glorious sound of a Bobwhite began to resignate from the trees, as the crickets cherped along.  The pigeons softly cued as they strutted around on the grass.  All of this wonder caused me to stop in awe at what God had orchestrated. 

     All of nature was working together to perform the greatest musical of all times right there before my eyes.  My mind can't fathom that someone could doubt the existence of a God, someone who can orchestrate the whole universe to be filled with such majesty and wonder. 

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy,

is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
(Isaiah 6:3)

HOW EXCELLENT IS THY NAME

 

 

Photo provided by Machelle Fischer

 Kermit TX



THE EXPRESSION OF LOVE THROUGH THE EYES OF GOD

    
     Do you ever feel God isn't there?  Do you feel he doesn't love you or has pulled away from you for some reason?  Do you feel his existence is so far from you that you can't feel his presence any longer.  A quite walk in nature can give you a whole new prospective. 

     Today as I was walking in the park I actually had the thought pass through my mind, "Lord I long to feel your presence to know you are here and not so far away." 

     I really do know he is with me wherever I go and whatever I do but today I was just feeling a bit empty and down trodden.  I know I'm not the only one that feels this as I have talked with many who experience these emotions on a regular basis.

     As I walked along the pathway, the trees began to rustle and I gently heard the Lord say, "I am here, can you sense my presence?"  I walked further and the clouds began to take on different forms.  The Lord gently said, "I put those clouds in the sky today for you to see their movement and enjoy the different forms taking place."  The longer I walked the more I saw.  The birds were singing a glorious melody and the hawk was souring the sky with majestic beauty.  As the flowers waved and sent a fragrance or aroma through the air I sensed the Lord was saying, "I painted this canvas for you my child.  I filled it with aroma I knew you would love."  I filled the river with a calming ripple that would proclaim my glorious name.  Can you feel me?  Do you know how much I care?

     There was a squirrel running and jumping with joy and a butterfly fluttering from place to place, painting a beautiful picture of his majestic love.  The grass was so soft and luscious to soften the pathway.  It made me realize how very loved I must be. 

Did he take the time to paint this scene for me today?
 

Did he know that I would turn and walk this way?

Do you know just what I need? 

Oh Lord of all, "You are my King!" 

You are the Father and maker of life. 

The creator and redeemer of strife. 

You gave yourself to set me free. 

Oh you're my Savior, and you love me. 

You love me when I feel unloved. 

You clothe me in redemptive blood. 

You came to set my weary heart free.

Yes, You painted this canvas just for me.