I Have Power. Acts 1:8

  "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." NKJV
  "But you will receive power when the Holy Sprit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. JCB

  It sends shivers up my spine to think that little ole me, sitting in the kitchen surrounded by items rescued from the flood, is fulfilling this prophecy, this command of Jesus. Not on my own by any means. Well, and I smile, maybe sometimes I try and swing it alone but the Holy Spirit is quick to redirect me as the words come spilling out.
  Power. I have to take apart my thoughts about what it means. Power has been used for evil. It has been used to enable terrible acts of genocide. Power has been used to crush human rights. It has been used and is still used to trap people into slavery. Power is about instilling fear.
  The quest for power is destroying forests and wildlife because wealth is power.
  Human kind has been seduced by the need for power into making weapons sufficient enough to destroy God's world many times over.
  These are grim thoughts.

  Within North American culture, the stories of good vanquishing evil pervade literature, TV, and the movies because we all love to see the bad guy take a fall. Which isn't a Christian idea at all. Christians should be more pleased if the bad guy was redeemed. Maybe that's why the animated movie Despicable Me has achieved such success. The main character, bent on world domination, ends up a doting and caring father.
  The story of Jesus is even better than that!

  When Jesus says His followers will receive power it makes me realize that until the events at Pentecost following Jesus' death, the disciples were trying to obey His commands without being infused with the heart, the Spirit, the love of God.
  The power Christ is talking about is found through the laying down of arms and hurts and the need for vengeance. It is surrendering our will, the independent streak...our sinful nature into the hands of God. It is acknowledging our brokenness. It is the admission that we are unable to go it alone.
  Which is why God sent His Spirit to us as Guide and Helper. The eternal presence of God is with us each and every moment of every day. In every breath, He is there. In every heartbeat, He is there. In every quest for knowledge and understanding, He is there. In every daydream, hope or need, He is there.
  Through God's Spirit I have power. It is the limitless, unfathomable power of love.
 
 
 

Phillipians 3:21

  I have the power of God behind me.
  "(the Lord Jesus Christ) who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." NKJV
  "He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control." JCB

  What strikes me most is to realize the great conforming power isn't force.
  Changes don't happen because of a punitive discipline that lashes out when with each  failure to "measure up". I don't toe-the-line because of fear. I am not subjugated by a harsh and punishing God who has given me a list of "how to live-s" then leaves me to get on with it, to sink or swim on my own.
  Even when God gave His Ten Commandments to the people of Israel, He sent teachers and prophets to guide His people. His master plan, knowing humanity wouldn't be able to uphold the commandments, was sending His Son to earth to fulfill the law and the prophets.
  My recent disaster has opened my eyes to where the power of God rises above all else. He imbues the good things of life with His Spirit. Guidance, community, relationships, scriptures, faith...all of it is enriched by His love, His Spirit and His Son.
  To be brought under His control isn't forced. It's only through choice, through electing to place Him at the head of my life that the force of our Great Good God can reign. Even then, He lets me choose how much or how little I want to get involved although it must grieve His heart when I turn my back on His generosity. It happens frequently but that's a whole other topic!
  To say I have the power of God behind me feels limiting, too, because while He is behind me, He is also in front of me, beside me and within me through His Spirit. Life with God is reaching, stretching to become a model of human perfection.
  We are given God's heart in the form of Jesus to follow, to emulate, to open our eyes to the limitless goodness within all people.
  I am awfully thankful that He wraps this quest in forgiveness and grace because I've a long way to go! To end with a cliché, "Life is a journey, not a destination."
  
 

Affirmation 209, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

  I am a possessor of all things.
  "Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apolos or Cephas, or the world of life or death, or things present or things to come--all are yours. And you are Christ's and Christ is God's."
  "So don't boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you--whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

  The flood waters receded quickly once the ice dam was broken up. It only took half a day for the pumps to clear out the water from downstairs.
  The basement is now only damp as fans have worked overtime to dry it up. Several people from my church family came over Saturday morning to help. In an hour they managed to clear the basement floor of soggy bits of wood and cardboard. The floor was swabbed down with Lysol. The shed door was popped open and the contents set outside to dry. All that was left for me to do was tear up the small area of water saturated laminate flooring by the back door to give the entry a chance to dry.
  The upstairs is still in disarray with camping gear and power tools scattered around the kitchen, living room and laundry area. Until the floor is completely dry I don't want to start putting things back. It might take a few days yet so there will be plenty of time to think about what type of storage is best for below grade basements. :) I'm thinking raised skids as shelves a few feet off the floor. It will also give me a chance to think about improving the workshop work area, too.
  I am thankful the furnace, water heater and water pump sustained no damage. I am thankful the two sump pumps earned their keep by keeping the water level to around eighteen inches deep at the peak of the flood. It could have easily been three time that depth especially if the water outside had reached the basement windows. Whew! It didn't.
  The car only had an inch of water on the floor that was easily vacuumed out otherwise it was undamaged. There was no need for a rental after all.
  There is no need for an insurance claim because loss was at a minimum. A few Christmas ornaments and photos didn't survive. It did cause a laugh because my fake Christmas tree was in a water-tight tote while the stuff that could get damaged wasn't! My paper mache nativity scene was turned to mush and my Christmas bears all had a bath. It gave me a chance to purge the ornament box with ruthless decision making and there's plenty of time to make another nativity scene for next year.
  Remember the plaque I bought in Florida that said, "She is clothed with strength & dignity & laughs without fear of the future" from Proverbs? It has helped sustain me throughout all the upheaval. It leaves me deeply humbled that the Lord knew I would need it. I am thankful as well that I listened to Him this time and bought it! I don't always. :)
  I am a possessor of all things...things that are far greater than stuff because I belong to God's family.
  
 

Crisis (Not an affirmation!!)

  The word "Crisis" in Mandarin is depicted by two characters. One represents danger, the other opportunity.
  Soooo, last night's 1:20 AM rude awakening to the sound of running water inside the house has created a whole whack of opportunity.
  I had thought a pipe had burst but when I opened the back door, still half asleep, the water poured in until I got it closed. It was still pouring in so in a fit of brilliance, I tried packing some rags in the gap at the bottom. It may not have slowed the flow but it made me feel better to do something, anything!
  An ice dam had formed because of the thaw and torrential rain in the area that lifted sheets of ice up and wedged them tight at the bridge up the road. The water had nowhere to go but over land. It was strong enough to lift a trailer home off its foundation. Strong enough to float a huge log from my neighbour's woodpile down the road. It was high enough that I was evacuated to the local fire station for a few hours until the ice dam was cleared.
  There's still a lot of water to go but it is receding quickly. It is no longer pouring in the back door although I think there is some still coming in through the foundation. Sounds like it anyways but the sump pumps seem to be slowly winning the battle. The water outside started receding just before it reached my basement windows otherwise I'd have five feet of water downstairs instead of only a couple.
  I still have electricity. No heat. No running water.
  I was able to get most of the camping gear upstairs and my power tools. The fire department guys who rescued this damsel in distress carried my big table saw up to the kitchen before we left around 3 AM.
  Where is the opportunity in all this? The basement will get cleaned out. I'm glad I used Styrofoam insulation down there. It can simply be dried off and re-installed. I may end up needing a new furnace, water heater and water pump. I am so thankful to have insurance that covers floods!
  Meanwhile, I haven't been able to get to the car to see if it was inundated with water or to see if it will run but I've arranged for a car rental until that gets sorted out.
  There is much work ahead over the next few days. I may or may not blog. We'll see.
  I will lift everyone who has been impacted by the many flooded areas around here. I wasn't alone at the fire hall. I pray that they will have the resources to restore or rebuild their lives. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Titus 2:14

  I am God's own possession.
  "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." NKJV
  "He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds." JCB

    This is a treasure I found while in Sanibel. There's a shop, celebrating it's thirtieth year of business, where the moment you enter through the door, there is a peace, a welcoming Presence. The words of the Lord are everywhere. Etched in bracelets, on plates, on just about anything imaginable. This was hanging on the wall.
  The quotation leapt into my soul.
  Normally, I'd file it under "something I could do/build myself" but this time I finally realized that the follow-up rarely happens. So it came home with me, carefully protected in my backpack.
  I had wondered how it was going to tie in to the blog because it is a quote from the section of Proverbs under the heading "A Wife of Noble Character." It was something I wanted to explore once the affirmations were done but that's still a long way off.
  Thank You, Lord, for providing the opportunity to explore the idea of being Your bride, a noble possession whose Husband is well known at the city gates.

There is a lot in this chapter that flies in the face of the suppression of women in the church through misunderstandings of Scriptures and context. It's wonderful to realize that here we have, in celebration, a literate woman who earns money, buys her own land and vineyards, who is profitable in business. I guess prudence is part of that success. She is a wise and kind advisor who has dealings with merchants. It celebrates capabilities and virtues like dedication to family. It also speaks of the caring heart, the mother heart, who tends both children and strangers as her own.
  I often baulk at the thought of good works because of a faulty understanding about the whole thing. This is slowly being rectified because in exploring this chapter, I realize good works aren't things we do solely with our hands or time.
  Good works aren't the sole domain of missions trips to foreign countries. Good works are thinking the right things about other people. Good works are speaking life into others. Good works are serving others which might be something as simple as holding open a door or letting a car into a line of traffic.
  There's a part where she is described as dressing in fine linen and purple gowns (v.22) which has given me much to think about. Actually, it challenges me because I am not one for fashion yet, for some reason it doesn't seem to be about vanity but rather a celebration of femininity, of the vessel God ordained to contain her soul and spirit. Maybe I need to think about the clothes I wear that hide my own gender attributes. (Yes, I have long realized it is a self-protection thing, a safety thing.) Although, on a cold, damp, February day, a hoodie is awfully comfortable!
  And maybe that's part of good works as well: the pursuit of God's Truth.
  I think I'll close off here with the next to last part of this chapter because there is an awful lot to think about.
  "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will greatly be praised." v.30
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 

I am Pleasing to God. Psalm 149:4

  "For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation." NKJV
  "For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory." JCB

  Hmmm, I never thought of it that way...salvation is victory.

  And I am left reflecting on just how much has been overcome personally through the love and grace of Jesus...my heart swells with infinite gratitude.

  I am left reflecting on being witness to the changes seen in others the fateful, delightful, wonderful, awesome moment they decide to set aside doubts and fears to embrace Jesus as Lord.
  I've been blessed to see a face marked by sorrow, worry and time becoming clothed in softness and peace. The years, the toll and toil of hardship, are washed away leaving nothing but beauty behind.
  I've been honoured to see others come to the realization that they are not alone after all.
  To see the truth of Love Incalculable infuse a broken spirit with the joy of belonging is a gift.

  Belonging longing. To know we are accepted and acceptable drives us, fills us with the urgent need to prove ourselves.
  I was one of those but the funny thing, no matter what I did, no matter the sacrifices, it was never enough. Before knowing Jesus, I was trapped by trying to fill God's place in another's soul; to meet all their needs. It exacted a terrible cost because it was something I could never do. I thought I could.

  I thought I was supposed to.

  Gee, I'd never looked at it that way before. Pride is a terrible task master.
  Thank You, Lord, that You have brought me into a place of humility. Forgive me when pride creeps back in, when these old ways, these old ideas rise up.
  A rueful grin erupts because this happens with more frequency than I care to admit!

  I am left with a lot to think about regarding the relationships in my own life because we are wired for community. We are wired for relationship.
  We have within our DNA the God gene. Science has proven it. God designed us to seek Him, to fulfill our role in His family. In Him is the completion of personhood, of identity in Jesus Christ.
  I know it can be hard to believe. I know the enemy of our souls works really hard to convince us we are not worthy. I know he will use an arsenal of weapons to keep us down, keep us apart. It's a long list of ugly.

  "Child, know this, I am well pleased with all My creations. They are good. Come home to where you belong. My door is open. My yoke is easy. I am waiting just for you."
  If you don't know Jesus, I invite you welcome Him into your heart and life. Then we can have the best homecoming party ever!
  Even the angels will dance!
 
 
 

I am Being Perfected 1 Peter 5:10

  "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." NKJV
  "In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation." JCB

  Suffering is like labour pains, the agony of bringing a new life into this world. I think of Saul and how he persecuted believers before God struck him blind on the road to Damascus. God gave him a new name, Paul, and restored his sight. How he must have suffered while his blindness lasted. What did he see in the inky blackness? The faces of those he persecuted and murdered? Did his choices haunt him until that fateful miracle moment when his vision was restored? Did he wrestle with the evil he had done?
  Paul's sight was more than physically restored. The spiritual blindness that had driven him to hunt down believers was lifted away the moment Paul knew Jesus was the promised Messiah.
  There he found peace and a purpose cemented in the foundation of God's love.
 
  I had always read this particular scripture with fear but today I see the promise it contains. The eyes of my heart have been opened.
  I don't intend to speak about the journey of all believers, but I've often heard how making a leap of faith by believing in Christ is met with a veil of tears. They fall freely as His Sprit infuses the fabric of our souls. Shame and guilt for past behaviour swoops in when the grace of God fills a heart and mind that was once made of stone.
  But it doesn't hang around very long. Guilt and shame have no place here.
  Yet, this internal suffering is an opportunity to seek forgiveness and be healed by the balm of forgiveness freely given. These revelations allow believers the opportunity to lay shortcomings and errors at the foot of the Cross. Acknowledging our flaws and weaknesses eradicates pride and self-sufficiency because, by doing this, we are running full tilt into the arms of Christ.
  This suffering helps us realize how much we need Him in our lives.
  This suffering for a little while is the labour pain of new life: a rite of passage into grace and glory.
 

1 Peter 2:9

  I am one of the people of God.
  "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." NKJV
  "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." JCB

  The Jewish people were a people apart, chosen by God to be the family line through which Christ would come. The Old Testament is, well, a testimony to God's involvement in their lives time and again. It's a written record of miracles, of a tumultuous history, of wars and enslavement and freedom. It's stories of the great and the humbled, the victorious and the lost, the proud and the meek. It's stories of human foibles and weaknesses that are overcome through faith.
  The Old Testament serves one purpose: to point to the coming of the Messiah and the New Covenant His life and death made available for all who would believe.
  God's final choice of who His people are is everyone. It was always going to be everyone. His final choice was made before Adam and Eve walked the earth.
  I only need to look at the world map, my small vanity, where countries who have visited this blog are highlighted. It makes the world a small place. I am honoured to be part of a family that surpasses the oceans, the mountains, the rivers and seas. Language, religion, and politics have been set aside in our common pursuit of Jesus' heart, His ways and His truth.
  This next bit may have been shared in one form or another but it is one of my favorite ideas so I'll share it again!
  Imagine flying at night, the plane cruising at 35,000 feet. Within the velvety darkness far below are lights. Sometimes they dot the side of an invisible road. You know it's there because the single line of lights marks its path. Other times, they clearly map out the streets and bi-ways of towns and cities and football fields. Sometimes a cluster appears in the middle of nowhere.
  I like to imagine these countless lights as being the spark of believers in Christ illuminating the darkness.
  God's chosen...we who are connected to one another in ways we can't even begin to imagine; who carry the Light of the World everywhere we go.
  How amazing is that!

I Have Peace. Philippians 4:7

  "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds though Christ Jesus." NKJV
  "Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." JCB

  Long before I went on holiday, a restlessness had filled my soul. A yearning for something different. A friend pointed out to me yesterday that being bored and frustrated by the status quo is actually a sign I am thinking about what's going to come next...the future...What will I be when I grow up?
  A few years ago, I thought about becoming an art therapist. The Toronto based school accepted my age and experiences as sufficient to attend this post-graduate program. All that was needed were a couple of university level psychology courses to prove I could write a university level paper.
  It didn't go well. Five weeks into the course, my first test sent me into a storm of anxiety. I froze, forgetting all I'd learned. Trying to do research online to write my first paper utterly overwhelmed me. I ended up leaving.
  The dream died.
  But that was then. This is now.
  This friend also had a suggestion. While I am fuzzy on all the details, the essence of Opportunity came through loud and clear.
  It's an apprenticeship program that uses art to delve into matters of the heart. Based on Aboriginal values like community and supporting one another, I get the sense that it will combine all the creativity the Lord blessed me with as well as the knowledge and skills learned through being a peer support worker.
  It's not the first time this friend has spoken to me about this Aboriginal program for indigenous and non-indigenous people. Until yesterday, I didn't feel ready to embark on a new journey. Until yesterday, I was reluctant to take this step. Until yesterday, I hadn't really thought about it being a wonderful opportunity to meet people of like minds. Until yesterday, I hadn't realized it was an answer to the unfulfilled dream of years ago.
  One of my greatest passions is being able to provide the opportunity for others to unlock their creativity, their inner artist's voice. This apprenticeship program is the first step in being able to do just that outside of a mental health venue and the small creative workshops I run at the centre.
  After my friend shared of her own experiences, I gained further confidence that this is for me.
  The restless, lonely voice has been stilled as I embrace the peace, the unwavering belief that this is where I need to be. It's a peace born of the knowledge that what lay ahead is far greater than anything I could imagine.
  That, my friends, is a first.
 
 
 
 

I am Patient. James 5:8

  "You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." NKJV
  "You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near." JCB

  I can feel Jesus leaning over beside me watching me write. His arm rests on my shoulders as He whispers in my ear, "I Am patient."
  These are words I needed to hear this morning because, to be honest, I've been shaken up a bit. Several times during my time away, I spoke about my marriage, my ex who recently got remarried. Shocked and dismayed, I could hear the bitterness in my voice. Even after all this time, it's still there.
  "Lord, don't let me be bitter." One of the first prayers I said as a new Christian. Why? Because it's ugly. It's like biting tinfoil that leaves a harsh metallic taste in the mouth. It's like swallowing a poison over and over that works it's way into the mind and body. It kills off things like grace and forgiveness and joy. Contentment and peace and trust are swallowed up by the destructive toxin of bitterness.
  Oh, Lord, I don't want to end up as a bitter, lonely, old woman.
  Last night I wrote then deleted an email, a written prayer, exploring the roots of this bitterness. I had no idea there was so much resentment, jealousy, anger, and an incredibly deep desire for vengeance, for justice, in this ole heart of mine.
  Can You forgive me, Lord?
  Can I find in my heart the anti-venom, the gratitude that will wipe this away?

  Thank You, Lord, that my ex has found someone to share his life with. (What words say, the heart will follow...eventually. And I smile.)

  Thank You for all the gifts my time with him provided. Firstly, my children and grandchildren. My home. The skills and fearlessness when it comes to tackling home improvements. The re-discovery of art. The re-discovery of music. Reconnecting with my emotions and passion for creating. Thank You for the job gained through life experiences.
  It's a long list with many more things to be thankful for.
  But most of all, Thank You, that because of my marriage being what it was, I found You. Thank You for Your infinite patience and for leading me into truth and into doing what is right.  AMEN!

 

 
 
 
 
 

The Final Stretch by Susan L.

  I have passed from death to life. John 5:24
  "Most assuredly, I (Jesus) say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life." NKJV
  "I (Jesus) tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life." JCB

  What a way to start up again! I've visited a few websites to try and gain some clarification regarding the judgement of believers.
  It's as clear as mud right now.

  I have to wonder if it is a human misunderstanding that has us think that our deeds and acts will be judged and rewarded in Heaven according to some listed hierarchy of what is good, better or best.
  If Jesus regards sin as sin...hmmm...are some sins classified as terrible or as minor infractions against God?
  If sin is carried into heaven, doesn't that fly in the face of what Jesus did on the Cross to wipe away all the sins of the world?
  I am not sure how this fits in to today's affirmation but I have witnessed hate filled indignation against the author Dan Brown for his book, The Davinci Code. This was many years ago and I am still haunted and deeply saddened by the boiling hatred that swept through a church congregational meeting. All that was missing were pitchforks and torches. It's a book, a work of fiction, that started me on my own quest for the Holy Grail, the cup of Christ. Reading it drew me one step closer to that fateful day when I had to make a choice to believe. I am thankful Dan wrote it and even more thankful God redeemed it to His glory.
  I can pray that Dan will come to know Christ.
  I can pray that believers who hate him will find compassion and wisdom about the whole matter.
 
  It's take two hours to get this far because I feel rather inadequate to the task of exploring this affirmation. And maybe that's how it should be because I want to rest in the simplicity and joy of this eternal promise:
  "They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Rev 7:16-17

 
 
 

Home Again

  I'll start back into the affirmations tomorrow.
   I had a wonderful time away for a much needed break of sand, surf and seashells. Every morning saw a long, lazy walk along the shore hunting for treasures. Only two of the mornings were chilly enough to need a jacket or long sleeved shirt. They happened right at the beginning of my holiday. After that, it was unseasonably warm.
  Sanibel Island, on the Gulf Coast of Florida, is famous for its shelling opportunities. I even found a couple treasures that hadn't been found on previous trips. There was one I couldn't find in any of the on-line shell identification sites. A quest of miniature proportions lay before me because I want to know its name!
  While enjoying a cup of coffee in the lanai, the screened in patio, I would wash the salt and sand off my finds and simply gaze with wonder at these little beauties, these tiny samples of God's handiwork. I've questions, too.  How do some shells lay out their colours or structure with mathematical precision? How do they know? How can one species have infinite colour or pattern variations ranging from pale pink to dark gray with everything in between while other are decidedly uniform?
  Scientifically, it's genetics. Can evolution explain why this happens? From a faith perspective it reflects the incredible creativity of my Maker. I am in awe of how meticulous He was in the details.
  The last morning, I forwent looking for shells. Instead, I picked up a few bits of garbage as a token of appreciation and gratitude for the privilege of being there.
  I am going to miss these morning walks.
  They also helped offset the feasting and wonderful dining on other creatures from the sea. I even lost weight which makes it even better having the added Christmas pounds vanish.
  The island, linked to the mainland by a causeway, is a haven for birds as well. Egrets, cranes, osprey, pelicans and a variety of songbirds make this either their winter home or their permanent one. Tiny lizards make fantastical leaps to sun themselves on the chairs surrounding the pool. There used to be an alligator living in the pond behind where I was staying but I think the encroaching mangroves have made the water too shallow. Safe enough, now, for tiny fish, ducks and coots to spend the night without fear of being eaten!
  It was a thrill to see dolphins as they fed just off shore with the turning of the tides.
  When the tide was low, there are shallow places protected by sandbars. If the water was calm enough, it was easy to see teeny footprints marking the epic journeys of hermit crabs (no larger than a blueberry) in search of love or food or roomier accommodations. I witnessed one practically pouncing on an empty shell that, unfortunately, wasn't big enough to make relocation possible. Real estate must be at a premium just like on land!
  This picture of the lighthouse is one of my favorites. A morning mist shrouded the shore before the sun got high enough to burn it away. I passed by it every morning walk around the point of the island, comforted by the knowledge that I have a Beacon whose Light never fails.

  
    "You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home." Psalm 139: 2-3 JCB