Beauty from Ashes

 

^{Isaiah 61: 1-3}

^I1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
   because the LORD has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
   to proclaim freedom for the captives
   and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
   and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
   instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
   instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
   instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
   a planting of the LORD
   for the display of his splendor.

 

 

The above picture describes my work week.

Beauty in the midst of chaos

I arrived in East Texas to smoke and destruction: the fires had hit. All over Texas wildfires are out of control, destroying homes and memories. a constant reminder that THE God of ALL is in control.

How fitting is it for THE only God to give us this reminder as the 10th Anniversary of 911 occurs. I remember, geography class my freshman year. I did not even know what the Twin Towers were until then. A nation on its knees…And now? I hear all the stories and see the memorials but my heart is only saddened: They have forgotten…forgotten who is in control of it all. May we never forget the Savior of all!

As the craziness of this world continues as the nation struggles to overcome its pride and bow to the God, Judge of all, may we look for the beauty amongst the ashes and see the ultimate Comfort for us all!