There and Back Again ;)

You guessed it - I've been to Long Beach and back again ;)
I love spur-of-the-moment things and this trip was one of those. I'm always on the lookout for a sweet squeeze in between hectic or demanding schedules where I can go and spend some time in the wake and roar of the ocean.
Monday was absolutely spectacular! The weather was very unseasonal - hardly a breeze, warm, sunny with clouds in the sky.
The beach was like a cleaned chalk board - no marks in it - so beautiful!
The ocean was amazing - the waves were cresting so far out. There was a little fishing vessel, I believe it was 'trolling'(?) parallel to the shore, so it gave quite a perspective on the action out there.
A rainbow formed from a little spot above the water until it was a full arch connecting sky, sea and land! What an unforgettable experience!
My soul revels in a day and an experience like that. Sometimes it feels as if my soul would leap right out of my body! ! !
How thankful I am to be able to 'come away and rest awhile' in the plethora of God's works of creation. It makes me feel like I am in the center of a vast museum of a Master Artisan - and I, too, am a work of His fingers. Its where I belong - its the perspective I need to keep!
(You can click on a photo to see an enlarged image - Have fun!)

Hello from Michigan!

The colors are absolutely gorgeous,

even tho' its a little past the peak of the season.

I couldn't resist sharing some of it with you!

The Trip Through The Thunderclouds

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 4:17

Whenever I think about 'meeting the Lord in the air', I remember a flight I was on a few years ago between JFK airport, NY and Buffalo airport, NY. I was in one of those smaller planes that has one aisle with two seats in each row and about 12 rows (?). Those are the ones in which you feel like you're in an 'old' plane - and you wonder if it will make it to the next airport!

I was by the window and a man sat beside me on the aisle. He ordered a drink because he was nervous. I got a soda because I was thirsty.

We took off on time, but the pilot said our time of arrival might be delayed due to the weather conditions. Nothing unusual so far. I was just along for the ride.

We weren't in the air 10 minutes when we began to experience turbulance. The guy next to me was starting to make stressing sounds and he reached for 'the bag'. I had never been close to anyone who had motion sickness in a plane before, so I tried to be interested elsewhere. It didn't take much effort though, because as I looked out my window, I found that we were not under the weather conditions, nor were we above the weather conditions. We were flying right through the middle of the thunder heads and it was AMAZING!
I became mesmorized by the formations which made our plane seem like a toy. It felt like I was in a video game and with the vibrations the plane was experiencing, it felt like we were on a track instead of in the air, which just added more to the whole experience of feeling like we were in another world of some kind. We were cruising through this world of snow white caves and mountains, past huge outcroppings and along a landscape that was breath taking!

Periodically, my mind would register with 'reality' - my soda glass held high in the air so as not to spill - I held it in the air the entire trip! My cheeks were getting sore from the huge grin stuck on my face. The man next to me was making very strange sounds and filling 'the bag'.

Mostly though, my attention was fixed on the 'other worldiness' outside my window and my mind was totally alive to imaginings like I'd never before experienced - even as a child!

Well, all that to say, it was an experience I will never forget. I saw the 'heavens' in a way that I'm sure few people ever do, and since then, I've thought many times about 'meeting the Lord in the air'. What will the sky be like on that day? Will we experience clouds in heaven like that? How long will we be there - in the air? Will my imagination be as free or more so - it was exhilerating to think, imagine and feel all that I did with such glorious intensity and freedom!

Now, whenever I see thunderheads in the sky, I long to be able to ascend and fly through them. Each time I take a trip, I hope to have another opportunity to fly through that 'world' again.

On Wednesday, I'm flying to see my sister, and I'm sure you know what I've been dreaming of!

Can anyone else relate? Has anyone else had a similar experience or similar desire?

Last Evening in Long Beach

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—
whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.
Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
Look at the birds.
They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns,
for your heavenly Father feeds them.
And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And why worry about your clothing?
Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow.
They don’t work or make their clothing,
yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers
that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow,
he will certainly care for you.
Why do you have so little faith?
So don’t worry about these things, saying,
‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’
These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers,
but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else,
and live righteously,
and he will give you everything you need.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.
Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:25-34 NLT

Then Jesus said,
“Come to me,
all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you.
Let me teach you,
because I am humble and gentle at heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28,29 NLT

Take a Break From It - Make a Break For It!

Ahhh… sweet Long Beach…I’m back again!
A couple of weeks ago, I was feeling like I really needed a vacation. I’ve been deep into life - up to my chin for sometime and though the grace of God has been plentiful, I am feeling rather raggedy around the edges. So, I was dreaming of getting away physically, mentally and emotionally – just let my mind and heart cruise over terrain that is smooth and dreamy – and in the process, leave all the ‘norm’ that I’ve been wading through on a back burner for a while. The ‘norm’ will be there when I return – guaranteed!
Anyway, last week, Long Beach sent an email special – an incredible deal – and so, in between my intense summer and school books arriving next week for my daughter’s school year, I made a break for it! Six days to revel in joy, sunshine, ocean, and watercolor! Thank You, Lord, for Your many expressions of love and careful watch over me! I LOVE YOU!

Long Beach Revival

What an extraordinary day at Long Beach!

Yes, I am here at my favorite spot in the whole world and the whole time I've been here the weather has been glorious! The forecast was for rain, rain and MORE RAIN, but God orchestrated the most beautiful days in so many ways!
Rebekah and I came down on Wednesday suffering from 'Ocean Deficient Syndrome' - (haven't been here in months!). We were in much need of some recharging, renewing and inspiration. Little did we know what God had in store for each of us!
Life has been a challenge lately, and after awhile, it gets increasingly challenging to see and hear clearly what is going on around you and to know what the right course of action is necessary. It's amazing how muddled up our hearts can get!
I have been so fully blessed to have a time and a place to meditate, pray, hear, learn and gain new insights. Long Beach does it for me! How I thank the Lord for His great kindness toward me! I am ready to face the challenge again with eyes wide, ears clear, heart wide open and faith in the Almighty God of heaven and earth,

"who is able, through his mighty power at work within us,

to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

Ephesians 3:20

Worship the Lord in the Beauty of His Holiness

I love you, Halleleyah!

Psalm 19
The heavens declare the glory of God;
The skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Psalm 145
All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord;
And thy saints shall bless thee.
They speak of the glory of thy kingdom,
And talk of thy power.

Psalm 104

Let all that I am praise the Lord!
O Lord, my God, how great You are!
O Lord, what a variety of things You have created!
The Lord takes pleasure in all He has made!
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.
I will praise my God to my last breath!
May all my thoughts be pleasing to Him
For I rejoice in the Lord!

John 4
For God is Spirit, and those who worship Him
must worship in spirit and in truth.

Matthew 5
Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works and
glorify your heavenly Father.