Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good
conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

Honesty is a wide topic and as I thought on this
I remembered a time when I was in grade school.
I was in the band and played the clarinet.  Our band
teacher was, of course, avid about us spending time
at home to practice.  
It was the day of one of our first performance for our parents
and fellow students at school.  My dad was a school
teacher so he was there to listen to his daughter play
with the band on this exciting day.
After our performance the band teacher surprised several
of us in the band by randomly picking a student to share
how much they practice.  Suddenly, my name rang in my ears when our band teacher asked me to stand and share.  My heart throbbed,
I felt dizzy, and in just a few split seconds I debated on
telling the truth or making some awesome tale of how I
practiced every day. It's amazing how many thoughts can go
through your mind so quickly.  So I made my choice. 
No matter how embarrassed I was I had to be honest.
I blurted out, "Well, sometimes I don't practice at all!"
The auditorium was filled with laughter as I concluded,
"but when I do practice I practice a couple times a week."
After the program my dad came to me and let me know I
embarrassed him, and the band teacher said, "and that's why
you're in last chair."  What I never did have the chance to say
is, "I play by ear; and although I can read music to a point 
I rely on my ears to learn, and my memory to play. 
As years went by I was never my band teachers favorite; yet I can say that although honesty doesn't always bring you popularity - you can fly with the angels when your conscience is clear.

Photo by: Jeri Burt

Proverbs 15:14
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh
knowledge; but the mouth of fools feedeth on
foolishness. 

When I woke up this morning the following
words came to me:
"knowledge, understanding, and love can
heal nations."
As I reflect on these words I recall misunderstandings
and false judgments that have been fed on gossip or hear say;
and how it not only affects personal lives
but nations.  If knowledge, understanding, and love
can heal nations just think what it could do in our daily
lives as we interact with others.  In 1 Corinthians 
chapter 13, the love chapter, we learn that love takes 
no offense, love is patient, love is kind, love is long 
suffering, love endures, and so on.  The magic of love 
comes alive when we seek understanding and knowledge 
with a loving heart. Then, the magical words sung by
Louis Armstrong, "What a Wonderful world," becomes  
reality.

Photo by: Jeri Burt  Heart in the Rock

Isaaiah 58:6-8
Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free and that ye break every yoke?  7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. 

As I prepared for the songs I had chosen to lead in Sacrament meeting, I read this scripture that went with the opening song, "In Fasting we Approach thee."  My heart was filled and my testimony grew in the importance of fasting; and my mind took me back to the example my daughter, Danelle, had set for me.  After her accident she demonstrated an amazing physical strength as she conquered the challenges of re learning, overcoming and being healed in such a miraculous way.  Not only did she demonstrate strength physically, she was a spiritual giant.  She took the law of fasting beyond and fasted faithfully once a week for 24 hours.  One Saturday, as she was getting upset easily and a little shaky, I suggested she go ahead and eat; her body was trying to heal and eating was important.  Although it had been 23 hours since she had eaten, her 24 hours was not up, so she waited.  I did not understand at that time her determination was Faith. Her faith was in God to sustain and heal her.  I learned a lot from her that day - and every  week when I knew it was her fast day I was always filled with awe.  Now, in my older age, I finally understand.  
The hymn we sang today was reminding us of the blessings that come as we fast.  My daughter understood that. Fasting is an act of humility.  We learn from the song that fasting will cleanse our hearts and drive away fear as our trust in our Heavenly Father increases. Our spiritual growth comes as we fast and pray.

photo by: Jeri Burt  tree growing in the rock

Psalms 95: 1-2
O come, let us sing unto the Lord:
Let us make a joyful noise to the rock
of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with
thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise
unto him with psalms. 

The Hymn, For the Beauty of the Earth,
reminds us of these verses in Psalms. The
hymn is a song of Thanksgiving as we attune
ourselves to the simple beauties in nature,
our families, and our friends. We sing about
the joy of human love, the beauty of each hour,
and we sing about the natural beauties of the 
earth such as the trees, flowers, the sky, the sun, 
the moon and the stars. 
These are sources of joy, which
in turn can give us new found hope each day.
In the last line of the song we lift our voices
with a joyful noise to God, as we sing,
 "Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of 
Grateful praise."
Note: Hymn scholars believe that the scriptural
inspiration for this hymn is found in James 1:17


 Photo by: Jeri Burt

Stitches

Colossians 2:2
"That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father and of Christ."

Knitting in scripture is a metaphor to describe Gods creative relationship with us. I love to crochet which is similar to knitting.  I think about this scripture often when I am crocheting afghans, scarves, slippers, and toys for those who seem to need a little comfort; the creative language to share the love of God.  I am reminded how each stitch brings us closer to God and in turn to each other, and how connected we all really are to the one, "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:3


Bear Crocheted by:  Jeri Burt

Doctrine and Covenants 88: 63
 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me, ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you. 

The Hymn, Nearer My God to Thee, is one of my favorites.  This hymn is consistent with longing.  When I sing this song I feel it within my being how I long to be near to our Father in Heaven.  In verse two we sing, "though like the wanderer the sun goes down,/ darkness be over me, My rest a stone,"  compares us to Jacob in the old Testament story, Jacobs Ladder.  There is a promise in the song taken from this story in verse 4.  "Bethel I'll raise."  We consecrate our lives, even our trials and griefs to the Lord, then like Jacob, we take our stones of suffering, trials, pain, we use for a pillow and build an alter pouring out an offering of oil unto the Lord.
Im reminded of a song I used to sing during my years of ministering in the jail called, Lost and found.  "Jesus don't you keep me from that storm, I want to walk on sacred ground, for you are master of it all, and I am but a lost and found."  
We can offer up our lives to God and there we draw nearer to Him.


 Photo By: Jeri Burt

Matthew 4:28

Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Psalm 4:8

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, maketh me dwell in safety. 

I shared two scriptures on this today.  The verse in Matthew is one we all know.  I also love the verse in Psalms as well.  I can almost hear it being sung. 

Resting from our labors and our cares is an important part of our journey in life.  Find that spot to rest in the presence of our Papa God.  While my husband and I were visiting my daughter, Debbie, in Houston Texas, she had some friends show up at her door one Sunday morning saying, "Happy Sabbath."  I had never heard anyone say that before and as I watched how my daughter and her friends families observe the Sabbath I was so impressed. It was a special day for them. We as Christians are blessed as we value and appreciate this special day, the Sabbath.

Matthew 6:20-21
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

One day as my memory took me away to my childhood, I began to day dream about the days when our family spent a lot of time at Hi-low in the Mountains near Beaver where my Grandparents owned quite a bit of land and three cabins.  My cousin and I spent much time looking for the bear that went over the mountain; the memories I have could fill enough pages to write a novel.  A sadness fell over me that most of that land has been sold and my siblings and I may inherit very little land on the mountain side.  I was sad that most of the inheritance is gone. Later that day as I was driving in my car the words came to me, "Store up your treasures in Heaven."  Peace filled my soul as I pondered on those words. Our true inheritance is our Heavenly home, with our Father in Heaven.



Photo By: Jeri Burt

"Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence."
Doctrine and Covenants 107:99

I love the Hymn, Put your shoulder to the wheel.  The tune and the words are full of energy and encouragement to work and not quit.
When I was a young girl, if I complained about my chores or lacked in energy to do them and do them well, my father would sing, "Put your shoulder to the wheel push along.  Do your duty with a heart full of song. We all have work, let no one shirk, put your shoulder to the wheel.  As I led this song in Sacrament Meeting the memory of my dad singing this to me played in my mind, making it hard for me not to smile. Keep climbing, keep pushing.

                           

Luke 9: 23
And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, 
let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

The Hymn, Come, All Ye Saints Who Dwell on Earth,  is a hymn of praise and rejoicing. It reminds us of the, "Straight and narrow way we've found." We are reminded in this hymn of the importance of the atonement of Christ; and in the 2nd verse we focus on being grateful, "Shall we ungrateful be?" the third verse is sung with joy and encouragement filling our souls "then let us travel on."  The last verse refers to the worship in song.  "We sing his praise above."
Singing the hymns is such a blessing as we worship our Savior with songs. Let us not sing the hymns half-hearted but with rejoicing. 
Let us travel on, one step at a time, in the footsteps of Christ.

Psalms 69:30

I will praise the name of God with song, 

and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

The hymn, "Raise your voices to the Lord," is a shout of thanksgiving. This hymn is sung at the end of the sacrament meeting in the hopes of encouraging the spirit to be joyful through out the week.  "Until here we meet again/ to renew the glad refrain."

Ether 2:12

Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven if they will but serve the god of the land who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.

America the Beautiful:
Text:  Katherine Lee Bates
Music: Samuel A. Ward
Tune Name: MATERNA
In the song, America the Beautiful, we sing of the beauty and blessings, our heritage and the authors gratitude, and landscape of history of our Great Nation. In lines three and four of the song is a prayer which seems to be almost a warning.  God promises to protect our land as long as we serve Him.  The tunes name written by Samuel A. Ward, MATERNA, in 1920,  began with the words, "O mother dear, Jerusalem."

Photo By: Jeri Burt

Gen. 37:25

And they sat down to eat bread; and they lifted up their eyes, and looked, and behold a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.  

In the Hymn, Did you think to pray, in the last verse it says, "Balm of Gilead did you borrow."  Balm of Gilead is symbolic for the power to soothe and heal.  
There is a balm of Gilead 
to make the wounded whole.
There is a balm of Gilead
to heal the sin sick soul.

Don't forget to pray!


 

Job 37:6
For he saith to the snow, be thou on the Earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.

It is mid May and temperatures have dropped to freezing and the dainty snow flakes are accumulating - laying a blanket of snow upon the ground. The trees are frosted white and the birds have taken cover.  What an amazing reminder of the purity and divinity of God.  White is the presence of all light. Jesus is pure light and pure righteousness. When we go to him in faith he washes us clean.  Springtime snow is a renewal and reminder of Gods blessings.




                                                                           

Matthew 4:19-20
And He saith unto them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 And they straightway left their nets and followed Him.

"Rule with the Heart of a Servant. Serve with the heart of a King."
-Bill Johnson-

                                                            Drawing by: Jeri Burt

Psalm 86:12
I will praise thee, o Lord my God, with all my heart; and I will glorify thy name for ever more.

When I was a little girl I used to sit on a rock wall near our apartment in Salt Lake.  I would sing songs to Jesus and as the birds chirped on the branches of the trees above me, my heart would feel so full of love for my Savior.  Jesus is the love song I will sing forever.

                                                            Photo by: Jeri Burt

Psalm 98:4
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth; and sing praise .

Music is an expression of the soul possessing a dimension of its own. It is an expression of love and reverence to the Lord.

 




                                                                                      

Hebrews 10:35
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

I went to the Museum to see the different talents of Native American Art.  This cute Mom makes baskets out of yucca and her eight year old Son takes the cut off pieces of yucca and makes Dragonfly's.  He was so proud and confident of his talent , and his mom was so proud; it was just too cute so I had to take a picture of them. We need to walk in boldness and confidence in the talents God has given us that we may further His Kingdom and bring joy to the Earth.

                                              Photos By:  Jeri Burt

Proverbs 30:28
A lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings'
palaces.  (NIV)

The Lizard in Proverbs slips by the guards and boldly finds his way to the Kings Palace.  I think about God's wondrous grace toward us whereby we may attain access to the Lord's throne of mercy through our Savior Jesus Christ who is the way the truth and the life.  Like the lowly lizard, We may have a place in the Kings palace.


Photo by: Rose Low

                                                                    

 

 

 

 

This next section of Hope has Wings was requested by my daughter several months ago; to share scriptures along with my photos and art.

                                                        drawing by: Jeri Burt


Exodus 15:20-21
And Mariam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand: and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.21 And Mariam answered them,  "sing ye to the Lord for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea."

Mariam led the Israelites in their first worship service as free people.   

Day 20
Hope is Faith

Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen."

I saved Faith for last because faith brings all that I have written on about hope together into one neatly wrapped package.  With out faith we can not experience the peace, joy, and the blessings from God. Endurance is tougher; life is tougher; hope is lost with out faith. Faith moves us to do things for the Lord and to love and serve one another.  Faith can bring about miracles, or it can also keep our eyes on our Heavenly Father when things don't go as we had prayed for.   We understand that God sees the whole picture and even though we may not understand - we trust that God has us in the Palm of His hand and that all will be well.
Faith in our Savior Jesus Christ is the first principle of the Gospel.
I love this scripture from 2nd Nephi 31:19, "...I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come this far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him. Relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save." 
I love the Gospel, and I love our Savior Jesus Christ; I hold Him dear in the depths of my heart.  I am thankful for the journey.

 

                                                Drawing by:  Jeri Burt

Day 19
Hope is a Prayer

Romans 12:12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing
instant in prayer.

"I always have very tender feelings about prayers and the
power and blessings of prayer."
President Spencer W. Kimball

I have a strong testimony in the power of prayer.  I too have tender feelings about prayer.  Prayer has blessed all of our lives revealing to us how amazing God is.
The miracles, healings, blessings, peace, joy, answers to questions,
and the list goes on, as we realize what a gift prayer is.  We contemplate in prayer, we listen for the Holy Spirit as we have very deep and meaningful conversations with Him. 
I talk to my Heavenly Father all day long;  I begin in the morning  as I look out my window and see the beauty of the colors in the Sunrise saying, "Good morning Papa God, thank you for the beautiful morning."   All through the day I have so much to say to Him as I face trials, or simply feel so grateful for the blessings he has for us each day.   Some days I pray before my feet hit the floor for I long to have my Father in Heaven with me every hour.  Prayer is a blessed source of hope.

                                                  Drawing by: Jeri Burt

 

                                           

Day 18

Hope is Teamwork

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"Two are better than one because
they have a good return for their
labor.  For if either of them falls, the
one will lift up his companion.  But
woe to the one who falls when
their is not another to lift him up."

As I was watching my Granddaughter,
Melany play volley ball on a team her
mother, my daughter Nichole, was
coaching, I was reminded of how
important team work is in the quest
for winning - not just a game but in
building the Kingdom of God, and
caring for and loving one another as
God loves us.

I'm also reminded of the story of the
geese.  I was blessed one day, while
living out at the Needles District of
the Canyonlands, to witness for
myself how they work together.

There was a sudden swish in the bushes
revealing river geese who flew up into
the sky.  They made a V formation and
flew some distance when, suddenly,
we heard a loud caw sound as the bushes
rustled loudly. It was a straggler awkwardly
flapping its wings, flying into the air, trying
to catch up with the other geese.
I watched as the others turned back flying toward
this little straggler to get him.  After he took
his place with them, they all made a round
about circle, in formation, heading back again
toward the river.

Watching the volley ball team work together
setting up the ball so the other could hit it
over the net, and people routing for each
other, it gave me hope that as we all work
together in the love of Christ, we will, like
the geese, reach our destination together.

                                             Photo By: Jeri Burt

Day 17

Hope is the Gospel of Christ

2 Nephi 32:3

"Angels speak by the power of the Holy
Ghost; wherefore they speak the words of
Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast
upon the words of Christ; for behold, the
words of Christ will tell you all things what
ye should do."

While taking a walk one Sunday evening,
I passed by the old Church on Main Street.
My mind was flooded with memories of
my childhood, serving on an Indian
Mission and going from Branch to Branch
and on the reservation to give talks
or sing a hymn for a special number,
 and share the Gospel.
The Gospel of Christ is such a blessing, it is
a strength of hope in knowing that we are in
His hands, and that through the atonement
of Christ we shall have eternal life.

Mormon 5:23

"Know ye not that ye are in the hands of
God? Know ye not that he hath all power,
and at his great command the earth shall
be rolled together as a scroll?"

 

 

Photo By Jeri Burt

Day 16

Hope is an Alabaster Jar

Matt. 26:7

"There came unto him a woman having
an alabaster box of very precious ointment,
and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat."

Mary took an Alabaster flask of costly oils of
spikenard and anointed the head of our Savior,
Jesus Christ.  She set an example of love and
service.

It is a very blessed calling to anoint someone's
head with your gifts.  You could anoint
someone's head with the gift of finances for
someone who is in need.  You can give the
gift of time to the elderly, or sick or afflicted.
You can be creative in the ways that the Holy
Spirit calls you, to pour your alabaster jar of
gifts. 

Isaiah 58:10 says, "If you pour yourself out for
the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness and
your gloom as the noonday sun."

Keep your jar of alabaster with you, being
watchful and ready to pour the gift of love
in serving our Father in Heaven.

                                                     Photo By: Jeri Burt

Day 15

Hope is Humility

Micah 6:8
"He has shown you, O mortal what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk
humbly with your God."

While I was contemplating humility I decided
to search it out a little.  In searching I found
a wonderful story told by President David O McKay.
It is a long story yet I wanted to share it.  I will do my
best to share a short account of the story.

There was an artist who had been laboring on a
painting depicting the life of Christ.  His painting was
near to being complete except for two figures.  He
needed a face for the child Jesus, and Judas Iscariot.
So he went out searching.  He found a humble young
boy who was perfect for the painting.  The young boy
modeled as the perfect image for the Christ Child.
Now the painter needed to find a model for Judas.
He searched for many years unsuccessful, until one
day he saw a man who was dirty, and drunk, lost in sin 
and pride.   His face was weary and sad - a perfect model.
The painter began painting the man and as they talked,
the man revealed to the painter that he was the child
the painter had used for the face of the Christ Child.

Like Judas, this man had lost hope.  It was his pride
that led him down the lost and hopeless path.  Judas
Iscariot did not betray Jesus with the kiss.  He lost hope,
and his pride led him to the Kiss of Betrayal against our
Savior.

Humility draws us into helpful and truthful things.

Humility is so important in our hopeful journey
that despite the length of this post I feel compelled
to share these words by President David O McKay.

"Only the complete surrender of our inner life may
we rise above the selfish, sorbid pull of nature.
What the spirit is to the body, God is to the spirit....
When we eliminate God from our lives, spirituality
languishes."

Day 14

Hope is Joy

James 1:2-3
"2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds. 3 because
you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance."

When I was ministering in the jail, I did a series of messages
on joy.  Happiness is based on emotions and good circumstances, pure Joy comes from Jesus.  We can find Joy in any circumstance when we are walking in the foot steps of Christ.  He created us to have joy.
There is a form of True Happiness and according to our Prophet Joseph Smith he said,  "Happiness is the object and design of our existence ad will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads us to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all of God's commandments."

Joy is a series of notes
playfully skillfully
gliding along in each measure.
The joy of Christ rings out
a church bell echoing
reaching the ears of his people.
Joy in the Lord is like wings of Eagles
flying high above the storms.
written by: Jeri Burt
  

 

                                       
                                                                photo by: Jeri Burt

Day 13

Hope is Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"4.Love is patient, love is kind. It does not
envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5. It does not dishonor others, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices
with the truth.
7. It always protects, always trusts, always
hopes, always perseveres. 

Love covers so many different things. 
The love of a child, the love of your spouse,
the love of God, the love of nature, the love
of music, loving our enemies, loving those who
hurt us.  The list goes on.
Forgiving unleashes the chains we
hold on those who have offended us.  Forgiving
ourselves is freeing.  There is so much I can say
about love so I will put it in a nut shell with
this poem I wrote taken from my Sunday Poetry.

Jesus nurtured his sheep
He told stories for you and me
of the love command to keep.
He asked Peter, "Do you love me?
Then feed my sheep."
Love is nurturing to set people free.
Loves conversion is to love
to tend to each others needs
Nurturing builds the Kingdom thereof.

We build Zion when we nurture with love.
Love is our hope.

                                                      Drawing by: Jeri Burt

Day 12

Hope is Being Still

Psalm 62:5
"My soul, wait thou only on God;
for my expectation is from Him."

A loss for words
is a resting place in my song
where notes once played
melodies moved with rhythm
different sounds
tones and tempos danced in harmony
the music taking me away
on unknown paths
So, I wait - resting
in my Saviors loving presence
His love is immeasurable
on the musical scale
of notes and timing
His song lifts all measures
so I rest - waiting for the cue
where I'll follow his guiding hand.
Then the notes I play will be
the sweetest notes taught to me
A lovely melody resumes.
Written By: Jeri Burt

God is the composer;
His will is at work, be still.

Drawing by: Jeri Burt

Day 11

Hope Looks Up

Psalm 123:1
"To you I lift my eyes, O You
who are enthroned in the heavens!"

In the poem, I went to heaven, written
by Emily Dickenson, she describes heaven,
" ...At the full dew,
Beautiful as pictures
No man drew..."

The Prophet Joseph Smith was quoted as
saying, "Could you gaze into heaven five minutes
you would know more then reading all that ever was
written on the subject. (TPJS,p.324; cf HC 6:50)

When I was in college I chose to draw this Chimp
because of his upward gaze.  I love this drawing
because it is a constant reminder for me to keep
looking up, keep the faith, keep the Hope.

Day 10

Hope has sails

1 Nephi 18:8

"Strong winds blew the ship toward
the promised land."

                                              Painting By: Jeri Burt

We know the story of Lehi and his family 
The Lord  told him to take his family onto the
ship  they had built.  They loaded their provisions
and began their journey to the promised land.

The strong winds blew rocking the ship.  Nephi's
brothers became wicked turning against him and
disobeying their parents who became very sick. 
Their trials were many. Eventually the story tells us
that Nephi steers the ship to the promised land.

The storm and the trials on the voyage did not
stop the family from arriving to their destination.
Why?  Because it was God's will that they reach
the promised land although they had much to endure
and learn.  

Trust God even in the days of great trial, when the winds
are fierce and the waves seem to rush over you. God turns
those times to glorify Him, and all He has planned for your
life.  Set your sails so that the winds take you to the promises
God has for your life.

Day 9

Hope is New Life

Colossians 3:10

"Put on your new nature and be renewed
as you learn to know your creator and become
like Him."

Photo By: Jeri Burt

Spring has blossomed with evidence of new life
all around us.  Flowers bloom and baby animals are born.
Birds return singing their songs, the leaves on the trees
bud, and blossoms on fruit trees fill the air with their
lovely fragrance.  It's a season of change.
Of course it isn't Spring all year, but we experience
new beginnings every day in the Lord. Each day can be
like Spring.

In Lamentations 3:22-23 we are reminded;
"The steadfast  love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies
never come to  an end; they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."

Renewing our minds in the light and love of our Savior,
the freshness of new life, is a blessing of  hope. Arise and shine
blossom with a fullness of life with joy in knowing that all is well.

 

Day 8

Hope is the Umbilical Cord to Heaven

Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, that ye may abound
in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.



Photo by: Jeri Burt

With Faith and hope we have a well spring of promises.
One of those promises is so amazing as we ponder on the
Hebrew word for hope, which means cord.  And further study
shows us that it means an umbilical cord to Heaven.  Hope
connects us to our Father in Heaven in such an awesome way
that we can stop worrying and picture it done.
Start expecting, Start believing, and start looking forward.

Day 7

Hope is One Act of kindness at a Time

                                            Photo taken by: Jeri Burt


Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, this women was abounding with deeds of kindness and Charity which she continually did.
Acts 9:36

I think of being out in the wilderness with beautiful scenery all around, and the weather like the comfort of a warm blanket with kindness all around your senses - that is what showing kindness is  like. When the winds blow, or rains fall from the sky we naturally take cover.  It is not quite that easy when people are unkind to each other. Finding refuge may seem a bit more difficult.   When we  follow the example of Tabitha, we are like the beauty found in the wilderness with the warmth of the sun, a peace and calm, in others lives spreading hope and peace.

Day 6

Hope is the power of Christ

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Christ
Which strengthens me."

                                           Photo by: Jeri Burt

I ponder on the power of having faith in Christ,
and the amazing strength  and hope it blesses
us with in our lives.  I can't imagine my life
in all its trials with out the amazing love -
and unrelenting love our Savior has for us.
I imagine His smile, that he will turn our
mourning into dancing.  We all need
support and we all need a loving smile,
 He is right there surrounding us.
One of my favorite songs, which I have many
favorites, is Rose of Sharon.
"I love Him, I love Him, I love Him,
He's the Rose of Sharon to me.
I love Him, I love Him, I love Him,
and someday His face I shall see."

With faith and hope and loving my Savior
 I can do all things,
I can do hard things,
I can endure all things,
because He is my strength.