love

What inspires you? How about the Code of the West? How about Art?

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I visited the museum and firehouse in Franktown, Colorado, with my daughter and her children.  The first thing that caught my eye was the Code of the West hanging in the entry just inside the front door.  I thought it worth passing on.

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The firemen at the station became the glue to transform a motto into a real hero.  These guys totally threw themselves into sharing their tools and adventures with our little band.

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I can’t help but think the Code of the West tugs at each of our hearts.  It sets the bar high for honor and faithfulness and endurance and giving promises and commitments that require personal sacrifice and a hero’s heart.  Don’t we want to be all that?  Don’t we want to see the ones we love most to have the heart of a lion that will risk heaven and hell for our safety?  That’s what Jesus did for us.  And that is the bar my grandfather aspired to when he fell in love with my grandmother.  Here I share with you his heart in a precious letter he wrote to his beloved O so many years ago.  Enjoy and be inspired!

art's love letter to esther

Shalom Sharon: I grieve your loss

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When I heard from our neighbor that A. had died I thought of Sharon, A.’s wife and I wept. Sharon is a fiesty gal that has been working in the health care industry for practically all her life. She was in her late 30s when she met A., a cantankerous surgeon and was blind-sided by love. Last week 95 year old A. lost his battle with kidney failure. They had been married 37 years. Now Sharon is alone. She counts but 3 neighbors as her friend and I and my husband are honored to be among the three. Sharon is not a religious Jew but she wanted to host a Shi’va in her home to help her grieve. Today, Sunday, according to Sharon, will be crowded with relatives but we are invited to come one of the next two days. Her next door neighbor, who conveyed her invite to us, said flowers were not the usual gift. Rather food or a desert. We will bring home made brownies and the following is the letter I wrote her.

Shalom Sharon: Grieving your loss
“Call unto Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things.” Jeremiah 33:3
“The Lord bless you and keep you, Sharon. The Lord make His face shine upon you And be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Shalom Sharon!
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I know the plans I have for you, Sharon, declares the Lord, plans for your welfare and not calamity. To give you a future and hope.
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My people shall dwell
in quiet resting places.
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We are like the flower of the field that today is glorious and tomorrow is cast into the fire.
If God cares so much for the flower that is here today and gone
tomorrow won’t He care so much more for you, the one He has laid His life down for?
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Who is a God like Thee Who pardons iniquity?
Passing over the rebellious acts of the remnant of His
possession He will not retain His anger forever because
He delights in unfailing love.
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And so we look upon our lives
In awe and wonder. How is it we find ourselves here? The
Mirror shows a waning moon, the faded glory of a rose once bloomed and all the hopes of journeying with my love have come to an end.
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In truth I thought God was in by back pocket but, in retrospect, I have always, thankfully, been in His.
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He has filled my days with good things. He has renewed my strength like the eagles. I have soared and run and known true love and now He holds me still.
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God is not watching from From a distance. He is closer than my breath, bleeding with my heart, bearing all my sorrows. He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother.

These are a few of my favorite things

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On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman is such a precious and delightful celebration.  It speaks volumes to the reader of love and tenderness and precious longings that, to me, clearly express the heart of Jesus.  When I first read Nancy’s 3 books I quickly bought more to give away for gifts to friends and relatives.  The words are so dear and the art so engaging, fun and gorgeous.  Who wouldn’t be captivated by these treasures?!

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KING BIDGOOD’S IN THE BATHTUB by Audrey and Don Wood is a hilarous and visually delicious story.  Don’s illustrations bring the silliness to life and makes you long for more. 

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All rated G for GREAT fun for all ages!

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The gift: blessing!

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Words are powerful.    In the Bible the book of James says the tongue can pour forth both blessings and curses.  The person that can control the tongue is perfect.  My heart’s greatest longing is to use my words to bless and build up others.  I know I have hit the jackpot (Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!) when my gift causes the recipient to burst out in tears and exclaimations. 🙂

The picture above is a photo I took and downloaded to PowerPoint then added text using each letter of my friend’s name to describe a virtue or character trait I admired about her.  The next thing I did was find an interesting rock from my garden and painted the word “Precious” and the Bible reference Jeremiah 31:3 on it.  My purpose was to let her know just how precious she is to God for He says “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”.   I will give my friend and co-worker these gifts tomorrow night for her going away party.  Do you think I will hit the jackpot?  Would you like to receive such a humble gift of love?

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