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.

A Consuming Fire

Hebrews 12:29........for our "God is a consuming fire."



Oh LORD, may my heart burn fiery hot with Your passion and love. Full of grace, mercy and humbleness of You. May it warm the hurting and comfort the sick and lonely. May you continue to purify the flesh of self and heal the wounds of life.



May Your light of love penetrate darkness of soul and radiate love, compassion. As the day fades and night surely comes, may I follow You in the light and walk securely on Your path, the unknown way to a weary traveler. You never fail. You know the way. Warm the laborer of life with nourishing words of rest. Consume me...........

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

Spice Of Life

It's that time of year.......I can feel Fall preparing her grand entrance. I am thankful. I love the smell of these chocolate chip pumpkin muffins baking in the oven. It's delicious scent drifts up the stairs and tickles noses of sleeping boys. I smile knowing that I will soon hear sleepy shuffling feet, hug strengthening muscles of emerging men and see boyish grins of expectancy. Oh, how I love these boys!

Days seem to have a good feel about them. There's a better pattern to life with school in session. I anticipate fall every year. I love it. Pumpkin spice nurtures the soul in our home whether baked in warm oven, candle lit on hearth, or seeing a welcoming, plump friend on my porch. My heart is happy. I, in turn, want to nurture the hearts of the loved ones in my midst.

My face turned upward in gratitude to the One who created pumpkins, pumpkin spice, and a heart full of thankfulness because He did.......


......I love fall. I love Him.

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.

Necessary Food

It fills my lungs with nourishing refreshment.

It heals my wounded heart.

It shows me I'm not alone.

I cry out and here's where You answer in loving, soothing tones.

When heart is full of joy, You dance me through Your words.

When sinfulness exposed, You slather on the balm.

You comfort and keep me close in these essential words of old.

My life is led to rest and my heart You lovingly mold.

Tender Lord, Your words alone give life and strength for the trials that grip this little one needing desperately to curl up into the lap of the Creator of all things......and cry~Jules

Weathered Purpose

The trees stand strong in the storms. They face the rain, the driving wind, the drying sun almost unemotional. Appearing dead, they unexpectedly blossom with joy in spring and become shade to the weary traveler. Life hidden beneath earth covered in native grasses and rocks. Roots going deep in the droughts of time, unseen. Waiting for water, nourishment. Completely in the Maker's hand. Each cell performing it's life's work, unnoticed. Each slow change in girth, unmeasured. Branches reach toward heaven and birds make nest in it's crown. Providing shelter, a place to hatch new life, a home.

Psalm 84:3 (New International Version)

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.

Rings of growth unknown until it's cut to it's death to give life to a fire place and warmth to a family, another one's home. It's quietness seen, appreciated on walks taken by nature lovers, identifying type......realizing it's name. The tree. Has a name. Has a purpose. Has a life.

Isaiah 55:12 (New International Version)

¹² You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

The wonder of creation in the old, knotted tree. An unappreciated life. Yet, full, beautiful and lovely as it's purpose is valuable, essential, perfect.

Thank you Creator God for the wonders of your earth so perfectly created~Jules