Redemption Roses

Redemption Roses

Redemption Roses

There was a bouquet of roses thrown in the trash - wilted, near dead, heads bowed low. I lifted each head and looked into their "faces". Two of them still held the look of life and promise. Quickly I took them from the trash, put them in the sink with cold water and with a sharp knife, cut away much of their long stem and placed each one in a simple, paper cup.

Thank You, Father, for rescuing me from the "trash" and for lovingly and gently cutting away those parts that were sapping away my life…

When I arrived at work the next morning, the roses were vibrant and alive - glowing with new life. I took them home and placed them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and to preserve them.

Thank You for giving me new life and for sometimes putting me in cold, dark and lonely places to preserve me.

Sabbath morning, I put each one into a clear glass bowl of cold water and took them to church. There were lots of bumps and curves on the road, but the roses floated gently on top of the water.

Thank You for reminding me that You don't always make the road smooth and straight, but as long as I am in Your arms, I am safe.

One rose took its' place on the pulpit while the other graced the organ. These beautiful roses brought joy and blessing with their message of redemption.

Thank You for bringing me to Your altar, for redeeming me and using me - a rose from the trash - to bring joy and blessing to the hearts of others.

--S. Gail Sweet
August 19,2003


Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Provision

"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them.
Are you not much better than they?"
Matthew 6:26

Monday, July 7, 2008

Space Travel

One day
Not far distant
Earth's bounds
Will fail to hold me
And gravity forgotten,
I shall climb the skies of Heaven
Past spinning constellations,
Through the Milky Way--star studded,
Through the gateway in Orion
Nebula of brilliant glory,
Right into the gates, wide open,
Right before God's awesome Presence
Where in thankful adoration
With all earthly fears forgotten,
I shall wing my way at will
Through all eternity.
--Lillain Hoover Lester

"For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17


Saturday, July 5, 2008

Rejoice

"This is the day which the Lord hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24

Friday, July 4, 2008

Be Still



Dear Child,
God does not say today, "Be strong"
For He knows how long the road has been
And how weary you have grown;
For He who walked the earthly roads alone,
Each bogging lowland and each rugged hill,
Can understand.
And so He says, "Be still. The hour is late
And you must rest awhile.
And let life's empty reservoirs fill up
As slow rain fills an empty, upturned cup."
Hold up your cup, dear child, for God to fill.
He only asks today that you be still.
Grace Nell Crowell

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Unfolding The Rose

Please turn on your speakers and click on the following link:

http://llerrahmusic.com/viewcard.php?code=21802

Enjoy...