Rays of Light

Rays of light bursting through the clouds, pushing it's way solid through the air. These are the only straight lines in the natural world, I'm told. I believe it. Light. Strong. Directional.



Weather vane in the fading light. I couldn't help but smile. Although this was decoration....well, I don't know, maybe it works......it's function is to show direction of wind. Directional, again.

One leads....one reacts. Both reveal........hmm.....



My boys. Definitely light in my days. Direction for my life, giving me a whole new purpose. Love poured out so genuinely that I am drenched with it. Life full of sweetness and the tough. Grateful for how different they are, but both the same in spirit, more man than boy. Warriors for a new generation and bringing strength of heart to the weary. My heart so grateful that they love.......they love Him and are growing in His ways.

Whiter than snow

Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7



"Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD,
"Though your sins are as scarlet,
they will be as white as snow;" Isaiah 1:18



And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. Matt 28:3

Pondering color and learning about light, as of late. Snow falls white from a gray sky landing and brightening up the world. A blanket of quiet. Snow's quiet, a needed pause to rest. Bustling lives zoom down roads headed to the next appointment or task....except when the snow beckons them to rest. The hurried grumble and my soul finds an excuse to stop, settle, stay.....see.

Storm has passed and light of the next day dances on the white six inch layer. "Wow, that snow is so bright, shining, sparkling...." I hear that quiet still voice, sweet......

"Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be........as white as snow....." My sins? Like that? The ugliness of this heart big with unforgiveness, hurt, sorrow? Held tight reasons to justify my holding these hurts, dealing with them, myself.

Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

Purified.....delicate snow.....falling pure from heaven. Each flake handcrafted by My Master. White. I shall be clean. I have been washed in the scarlet blood of the Giver of life. Abundant life. Whiter than snow........

From the depths of my soul, I thank you, LORD.......

Through the glass

You shine through the colored pieces of life.......



Lighting life with warm, comforting strength.

In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. John 1:4

The colors of light, bringing life, coloring life.....being life.

Hope in Seasons of Life

This season has been cold. My heart cold. The gray of the sky, darkened cool light reflects the mood as of late. Many I speak with struggle with this time of the year. My heart aches with theirs. Sharing their grief, their pain. The heaviness of life seems to paralyze at times........but there is hope. Hope has a name......it's Jesus.



.....and He came. Yes, as a precious baby to a cold world, full of winter. Cold hearts. Full of pain. Not only did He come, he engaged those in pain, felt it Himself, and brought Hope. Hope. To the dying. To the lame. To the blind. To the weak. I am all those things. I feel all those things. I give those things. Now, that He has come.....I have Hope. I am now walking with Hope. I feel Hope. I can give Hope. I have Hope! Oh, my little heart bursts with the fullness of this very thought! Lord, You are too good to us!



You care for this unknown sparrow and give food......soul food. To nurish in those long days of winter when my heart remembers how cold it was and acts like it hasn't been changed. I am more valuable......how can that be? More grace. I have Hope.



Celebrating the Oplatek.....a Polish Christmas Tradition.....breaking the Christmas bread, speaking blessing, swallowing it's deep meaning......Your blessing, Your baby body, broken for us......to bring Hope.....

When the storms come.....

The unexpected storms of life are raging, furiously. Angry, lashing winds of condemnation screaming. Flesh is a powerful force. It's sneaky and when wrapped in the encouragement of itself, dangerous. How quickly our life can change because our fingers are used as a tool to create chaos.....

The wind howls. The boat rocks. I'm in this boat, not because I caused the storm, but because I journey closely with one who crafted the temptest.

My expectation of this holiday season becomes tainted because of the messiness of life. How little I really understand! Why desire the perfection? Planning carefully, for months.....looking forward to new things. The old things...the age old flesh comes in and ruins hours labored for awaiting His coming.

Or does it?

The boat seems to be tipping and I can imagine how the slicing, cold waters will engulf, draw me down to the depths. I gasp. Choke. I'm drowning. And it happened so very quickly. "Lord, save us!"

I'm caught up in the storm.....not resting quietly. I'm so tired. Hurt. Angry. "Where are You?!!!"

I will never leave you, nor forsake you.....

Comfort, briefly. I feel the lashing rain on my face....or is it just the hot tears of loss of control......."WHERE are You?!!!"

I am here. I will never leave you, nor forsake you.....

Listening for the still, calm voice while waves crash and the cries of my loved ones increase seems impossible.

I am here.

Immanuel? Is that You?

Comfort. Peace. Deep love.

Save me!

More peace.

Wind still furious. I am drenched with the ugliness of this flesh storm. I sigh. Choosing peace.

Night will be long for this storm to run it's course......being dragged through it. But He's in the boat. Not stopping the winds, waves.....they are still obeying Him. We must ride out this faith increasing storm. Did I just pray, "Lord, increase our faith?" Yes......and He is. He is using the dirt of this life and breaking up hard, dry soil.....preparing the field.

Shaking with flood of emotion, hurt, my own flesh reactions, will I choose this course? His way? This One who is working, not aparently sleeping in the boat? Will I rest in Him and allow Him to bring us safely to the other side? Will I choose Him as my peace?

God with us.....in the barn, the manger....in the healing of the leper, my flesh disease......in the everyday, working with hands, carving out a life.....in the storm, calming me while storm increases......and He increases my faith, deepening relationship.

Weekend Ambling

Staying home is one of the best places to amble, rest,......just be. Holiday weekends provide such rest, when we choose it. We could choose it this year.......and rest we did.



Work a picture......piece by piece. Perspective....a puzzle ecourages new view.



A little town, prepared for the season at a dear friend's house. My heart desires to prepare for His coming......this season of anticipation.....He is coming! In quietness and rest shall be your strength....not rush, worry, fret......but quietness.

For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel,"In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." But you were unwilling.....
Isaiah 30:15 (English Standard Version)

Oh, may I be willing, Lord, to embrace You in this returning, in coming to You......

Matt 8:7 And He said to him, "I will come and heal him."

Yes, Lord, come.....heal.......

Grateful for Tender Care

Luke 12:6-7

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.




Psalm 84

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!

2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.

3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

Each day, I am seeing new things. After my hubbie lovingly created a bird feeder for my kitchen window, I have been delighted by little birds. I have been delighted by growing young men and their deepening love for His creation. The giggles and awe of watching flying creatures, with personalities, sustain themselves.... a daily grace. Sparrows are precious. Little. Ordinary. I can relate. No bright showy red to catch the eye. No size to admire greatness. No food for a meal. Just a bird. A plain 'ole bird. I like them.

"The sparrow has found a home." Home. That's what holidays stir in these days. The beckoning of coming home. Planning for it. Dreaming of it. Yearning for it. A beautifully set table, steaming bowls of love ready for the consuming, happy chatter with loved ones. I think of earthly home. I want to dream, plan, yearn for the home that never fades away.....heaven. Home with beloved saints of old and those treading this dirt today. Oh how lovely to be home! What peace! Oh the comfort!

This little sparrow, so lovingly held in my son's boy/man hands and cared for gently for a time, went home. It's nest close to the altar. The picture, a reminder of His tender care, love for His created ones, and that we share His attention. He knows when the sparrow will fall to the ground and where........and He let this sweet, little one touch us, showing great and mighty things we know not, in new ways.......His tender care.

Heart Condition

John 12:24
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.



OH LORD.....is my heart like this? Soften the hard places. Make my heart fertile soil for your seeds of love. May there be a harvest of peace and grace....



Matthew 7:14
"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."




Thank you so much, LORD, for your provision. The leper door for those of us who are painfully sick with flesh disease and are still allowed to commune with you.....you always provide a way.....



Psalm 34:8 (Contemporary English Version)

Discover for yourself

that the LORD is kind.

Come to him for protection,

and you will be glad.


~Thank you LORD, you are so sweet. You make your children happy. I'm so thankful....



~all photos by julieroberson

Nearer My God to Thee

I went to draw near. Alone. Walking unknown streets. Face toward the cross rising above trees and old homes. Busy streets, people alone, walking. I’m a stranger here. I don’t want to be seen. I hide behind taking photos and, somehow, I begin to see. Nothing is comparing in beauty to where my heart wants to go. I want to draw near.



I walk up stone stairs to ancient structure doors. I won’t reach out and pull. I’m scared. I hear music bellow from deep within. “Draw near,” my heart whispers. Doors open and I creep in. Muffled voices, chanting grow louder. I ask if I may sit on the back row. “Please do,” the answer with inviting hand outstretched. I slide in as mahogany pew groans. I am a stranger here. Colored glass dances in morning sunlight. I’m lost in the music orchestrating this moment. I am afraid to look and soak in this place. The place my heart wants to draw near. Syncopated words carry on as my heart looks for a place to take rest. Quiet sobs drift from front row. I realize my heart is groaning with those who grieve the loss of a dear one. I am a stranger here. Service ends and the grieving file out. Silence fills into the emptiness. I still sit, a stranger here. Peace envelopes this sanctuary. Candles flicker. My heart is drawing near. It can’t help itself. Long rays of light fill arched windows depicting beloved stories of old. Sheep. Ordinary men. Heavenly messengers. My Saviour. Eyes begin to see the enormous structure of this place. I feel small. Comforted. My heart has drawn near.