Heart Inspirations
Scripture art….to glorify God…and inspire the heart with His truth!
Psalm 63:3-4
The water glittered and sparkled with a thousand diamonds as the sun played on its reflection.
It was beautiful…just beautiful!
We stood and took in the scene, my husband and I, our hearts hungry for the beauty of springtime….birdsong filling the air….vibrant yellow forsythia branches gracefully dipping toward the water.
We’d strolled through a park to the edge of the water….enjoying it all….and never guessing that in just a few short weeks, in only a handful of days….our world would change….life itself would hold its breath….and wait in a precarious balance….
Life or death.
Truly, none of us knows the number of our days here on earth. That’s why each day, every one, needs to count!!
Because God’s lovingkindness—His awesome mercy, and gracious goodness—His tender, generous, attentive care—and His sacrificial provision to redeem our souls, if we obey Him—is actually better…than…life….itself!!
His lovingkindness to us far outshines anything we may long for….or acheive of our own making….it surpasses anything we could dream of….or hope to create for ourselves!!
Truthfully spoken in the book of Psalms thousands of years ago, “His loving kindness is better than life”!!
Because of that—how can we not praise Him–PRAISE HIM!!!!—for as long as we have life in ourselves!!? And using the days we have, bless, or make Him happy, in response to His incredible goodness to us!!!!?
He deserves all of our hearts!!! We truly owe Him our lives!!!
Thinking of you, with hugs!
Lisa
p.s. As I searched through photos looking for the “right one” to share with you here, I took a journey along memory lane: and saw pics of my husband just last spring, strong and capable, effortlessly strolling along in the park. Things like that are just so easy to take for granted!
By God’s mercy, my husband lived! And although he is weak, he is walking again! Though it’s painful and tiring…if a warm spring day comes along when he has the strength, I think we need to stroll that park again, where we can revisit the forsythia-rimmed waters…and take in some of God’s beauty, complete with diamond reflections and birdsong—and praise His lovingkindness!!!!
You too? I know God has filled your life with a myriad of blessings as well–just waiting to be discovered and appreciated!! In praise of His lovingkindness!!!
Psalm 90:17
Beauty.
Whether we even realize it or not, beauty strongly affects our hearts.
Truly, our hearts are touched…strongly….positively…by the presence of beauy…it actually nourishes and enriches us!
And why wouldn’t that be so?
It’s understandable, because the great Master Creator and Artist of everything is the very One Who invented the beauty that surrounds us…and our spirits…to drink it in!
We then want to participate in that beauty—from observing, appreciating and magnifying God’s own beauty—to treasuring the beauty of His creation–to allowing God to hone and craft our spirits through His truth in order to become more beautiful in our hearts, as well!
In fact, we long for Him to establish the works of our very own hands–longing for our work to really matter–to be of value–of worth–of beauty–and ultimately, for His glory!
Hope your day will be filled with that true kind of beauty!
Hugs!
Lisa
p.s. Please feel free to copy this photo (for personal, not commercial use) and print it to make a set of special gift cards for someone….sharing the beauty of God’s word and a glimpse at His creation!
Rejoice in the LORD
A knock at the door….
…a sweet friend waiting there….
…with a warm, loving smile…..
….and a tulip bouquet!!!
Ohhh….how very special….especially on a gray and cloudy late winter day…to have a breath of spring delivered to our door by a loving heart!
Such a treat!
And as you can see, these beauties basking in the sun early the next mornings, brought that sunshine inside, in great measure!
They seemed to shout, “Rejoice in the LORD always!”
Even on gray and dreary late winter days…when we’ve had enough of the dark and the cold…when happenings in our lives are heavy with concern…when cares threaten to weigh us down….then….especially then….we need to rejoice in the LORD….always…looking for the good and thank-worthy blessings…like unexpected beauty…hope…kindnesses…and dear ones….because the blessings really are there…just waiting for us to look for them…and to find them!
Praying for you, as you look for your own thank-worthy blessings!
Sending hugs!
Lisa
p.s. When was the last time you brightened someone’s day with the gift of unexpected flowers?!
God is Our Refuge and Strength
Psalm 46:1-11
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
Selah
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
~~~~~~~
Recently, my husband and I enjoyed a very special outing…because he’d grown strong enough after his cancer surgery and subsequent stroke that I could
actually take him for a much-anticipated drive!
It was wonderful!
We wound along a favourite parkway…under towering trees….taking in the views
….and savoured a lovely picnic together!
It was the outing we’d been looking forward to from the time
he was first hospitalized back in July.
Sweetness!
And on our little adventure we passed this charming scene…
…the remnants of an old wall, the vestiges of a building from hundreds of years ago, which has witnessed much history.
At one time, this wall would have been an integral part of a building that provided shelter or refuge from many storms and winds, and very real battles and dangers!
But today?
It cannot provide much by way of refuge now…its strength is almost gone…
…only its charm remains.
But unlike a physical wall which crumbles and decays…even one crafted from rock….God alone is the One true refuge—the very One that we may run to in any storm, any battle–for safety and protection…for comfort and compassion…
…for help and hope…
when it seems life is just too hard…too heavy…too dangerous…or too uncertain!
God is very present–meaning He is close by–we just need to chose to reach out for Him!
And He says, “Be still, and know that I am God”!
I guess the question for us is…do we want His refuge?
How, how could we not?!
Thinking of you in your life-struggles…
…and praying for you!
Hugs!
Lisa
In Everything Give Thanks!
In everything?
In everything give thanks? Really?
That may be something we wonder when we feel that it’s hard to be thankful. Do you ever feel like that?
And yet…there is tremendous power in gratitude….in the giving of thanks…to the One Who truly is the giver of every good and perfect gift!!!
Why?
Maybe, in part, because giving thanks changes our perspective as we actually look for, and search out, those lovely gems…buried in troubled times….that are so special and thank-worthy! Being thankful changes and improves our outlook…our point-of-view….when we are focusing on positive things that we are so grateful for!
Philippians 4:4-6 teaches us that when a child of God comes to Him in prayer, with thanksgiving, that that is the time the peace of God, that passes all understanding, can guard our hearts and minds….but only after we are truly thankful!! I love that! What a fantastic—and achievable—prescription for real peace—and we all long for that peace!!! Peace through genuine thanksgiving!
Philippians 4:4-8
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Wishing for you a thankful day, on a thankful journey!!
Hugs!
Lisa
My Heart Trusted in Him and I Am Helped
Psalm 28:6-7
“Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.”
~~
I love this passage!
~~
Have you ever pondered what it really means to trust in the LORD?
~~
If we look at the word trust in this text, from the original language, it means:
—to hide for refuge (or safety)
–to be confident
We all need a genuinely safe place! A hiding place!
~~
Are we really trusting………no matter what?
Our hearts can safely trust, hide for refuge, or be confident in—-the LORD!!
HE alone is the real strength and shield–at the very times when we’re in need–He’s the One Who is worthy of trusting!! HE can keep us safe!!
That’s precisely why our hearts can greatly rejoice….with our songs we can praise Him….and HE is so worthy!!!
~~
What a great God HE is!!
Hugs!
Lisa
p.s. Please remember that you are welcome to any of the artwork on this site, to use personally, for any project you like, or even to print and frame—please help yourself—so that God may be glorified as His word is shared!!
The Joy of the LORD is Your Strength
In June, we took two of our visiting grand children to an antique carousel ride for some fun….and it was sure good medicine for us to have them visit….just shortly after getting the lung cancer and brain tumor diagnoses!
And of course, we enjoyed the children enjoying the carousel–immensesly!
There’s just something about the carousel atmosphere–the special, colourfully hand-painted animals…the wonderful carousel music…the excited children…the whirl of the wind through your hair as the ride goes around…the glimpses of loved ones waving from the sidelines…and of course. for we older ones, the fun of trying not to be sick from the motion of it all, either! And, just maybe…..it brings the kid out in us too!
Times like this are special memory gems to be tucked away and treasured!
But when things are not as rosy as a carousel ride with those that you treasure…then what?
The Lord encourages us in His word, the Bible, to remember that,
“The joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10.
But what does that really mean?!
A closer look at the words in the Hebrew reveal more insight.
“JOY” comes from the word: rejoicing, gladness; and
“STRENGTH” means a fortified place; a defence.
We can understand those words: when we are “rejoicing” in the LORD, we will find ourselves defended, or in a “fortified, strengthened” place. That’s amazing!!!!
We may imagine a massive castle grounded on a hill; with a mote surrounding it; towering walls made of rock; and armed guards diligently watching……a fortified, strengthened place…a defence! A great place to be inside, during times of difficulty or doubt or danger.
And that’s just what rejoicing in the LORD provides for us–a fortified place, a defence—a very, very safe place!!! And I love that!
And it’s a choice!
I cherish what is taught in Philippians 4:6,
“Rejoice in the LORD always.
Again I will say, rejoice!”
What a great, safe place that rejoicing in the LORD provides for us!!
Hugs,
Lisa
I WIll Never Leave You Nor Forsake You
Heart Inspirations has been quiet for almost four weeks…..
……some of you may have wondered why, and so, I’ll share with you….
……others already know why …..and have been sending many prayers heaven-ward, for which we can never sufficiently thank you!! That means so, so much to us!!
You see, as I’m writing this, I’m sitting beside my husband’s hospital bed…my husband whom I love so deeply…the one I have been gifted to share life with….while oxygen hisses and IV’s are draining into his veins.
About three and a half weeks ago, we came to this place–and he actually walked in himself–for a serious cancer surgery. One never considers undergoing something like that without feeling its seriousness. And yet at the same time, his trust in God’s care, which would hold him whether he lived or died, was unshakeable….and his trust lives even more vibrantly today!
We were all so relieved that the surgery was a great success…
……but then, something went horribly wrong!
And he suffered a massive stroke that almost ripped him away…
……..we then spent days, weeks, just waiting and praying….hoping he would survive, while he was fighting for his life, from the stroke and many other complications! And we praise the God of Heaven, because he is still with us!!!!
In these dark and painful times, we know with certainty that we can either lean on the LORD and cling to Him…being nurtured by His care and provision through the pain….or we can handle it all alone.
Completely alone!
God will let us choose!
But if we make Him our choice, it can be beautiful…and He guarantees some amazing promises!
Before my husband’s surgery, dear and precious friends reminded us of a life-anchoring passage, just one of the beautiful promises of God:
Hebrews 13:5-6 says,
For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
So we may boldly say:
“The LORD is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
Such an amazing promise—made by the LORD to His children!!!
Never will He leave nor forsake His children!!!
But what does that mean: that God will never leave nor forsake? It means that He is faithful!! That we never need to fear—that we’ll never be deserted by Him–that we’ll never be alone–never be left behind–as long as we are His–giving Him our lives and our hearts, in happy obedience!!
Some days ago, our daughter and I visited the hospital’s beautiful garden and sat in the gazebo together to share a meal. As we did, little birds came near, looking for crumbs. We were all too happy to oblige the tiny dinner guests, and as we tossed them crumbs, our daughter, being a professional photographer, snapped these pictures of them.
They didn’t trust us at first….but eagerly wanting the food, they were willing to stick around, to watch and discover that we were gentle and trust-worthy, just wanting to share our food with them without posing a risk or wanting anything in return…..but the joy of watching them feed and flit about!
As we observed the little creatures, we noticed that some were cautious or timid, others were bold, and some even greedy, but all of them were special in their own way.
Have you ever considered God’s observation of us? He doesn’t watch from afar, but is close at hand, and within reach, watching out for…caring and protecting those who are His….and He promises His own that they are special to Him!! We are most surely of more value than many sparrows!!
That doesn’t mean the difficult times won’t come to us…because they will….but what it means is that God is so mindful of each of us…and I love that! We are precious in His sight…never left alone…never forsaken!! We can trust Him…we may trust His goodness and His mercy!! And that’s a wonderful blessing…and a great reason to hope in God!!
Praise God!
Hugs to your heart!
Lisa
A Friend Loves at All Times!
Friends….
…are a blessing in our lives…
bringing us…
sunshine…
and encouragement…
love, support and prayers….
help…
and strength…
..and sometimes, even the truths that we need to hear at just the right time….
If you have friends like that, please thank GOD for them!!
~~~
Proverbs 17:17 says,
“A friend loveth at all times.”
I know that I have been richly blessed by dear friends–you know who you are!
And I’m so, so grateful!
~~~
The greatest and most significant Friend we can ever have is the LORD Jesus, Who knocks at the heart’s door–waiting to commune with us!
These poignant words of His are found in John 15:12-14:
” This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends .
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”
He’s laid down His life—for His friends!
His friends—are those who obey His commands!
Therefore, He’s laid down His life for those who obey Him!
This passage gives us a reason to pause and reflect…are we truly friends of Jesus? He wants to extend His friendship to us as well!
What a beautiful thing!
Hugs!
Lisa
Rejoice in the LORD Always
Philippians 4:4-8
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
Life isn’t always easy.
Sometimes there are disappointments, heavy concerns and fears…there may be insecurities or betrayals….job troubles or health issuess…life unfolds that way sometimes….
The LORD knew that—and I would guess that’s why He encourages us, giving us this special instruction to “rejoice always”.
Because there’s incredible power in “rejoicing always”! There really is!
But, some days—it’s just going to take a lot of determination to–“rejoice always”!
Because rejoicing always isn’t just an emotional response to a peachy life—it’s much deeper than that! Instead, it’s a strong resolve to look for those good things in every difficult situation—to look for the beauty where there seems to be none at first glance.
Oh—but—if we are willing to look—we’ll find the beauty—the noble—the good—the lovely—that which is worth rejoicing in!
Guaranteed!
And it will change our view-point, too!
As early summer begins, it is such a joy to watch the garden roses unfurl after surviving the harsh dangers of winter.
It is a joy to discover the first buds; to appreciate the delicate splendor of the sheer petals; and watch them open in the sun’s warmth, surrounded by glossy dark leaves.
What a treat it is to pick several blooms, and bringing them inside, let their fragrance fill the room!
But we’d never, never think of casting the roses aside, or digging up and burning the bushes—simply because of the presence of the thorns on the rose stems!
That would be absurd! We’d miss the delight of the very roses themselves!
Instead, we treasure the roses, and just try to be respectful and careful of the thorns.
But if we become obsessed with the thorns, then we certainly will miss the beauty of the roses themselves! What a waste..what a shame that would be!
Is our life any different than choosing to enjoy the beautiful and fragrant rose blooms that happen to live on the same stems as the cruel thorns?
We do get to choose!
I surely don’t want to miss the roses! How about you?!
And it’s in rejoicing always…and being thankful…that peace can come–only then! Please notice the following truths!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:4-8.
A truly beautiful way to live!
Hugs!
Lisa
Heart Inspirations 