Faith Shapes

Nature Prayer

He's the Lilly of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star, He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul. William W. Fry We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers.  We praise you for these good gifts, and pray that we may safeguard them for all posterity.  Grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation.  To the honor and glory of your Name, now and forever. Ame… READ MORE
Nature Prayer

Flower Power! Women and Wild Roses

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.  Proverbs 31:30 (NLT) If I had to choose only one flower to represent women, it would be the rose.  Long considered the symbol for beauty, the rose offers us a stark contrast in its appearance.  First, consider the delicacy of the petals---you're almost afraid to touch them for fear of damaging their beauty; yet you can't resist the urge to feel that velvety softness.  Next, take a close look at the stems; they are sturdy, t…
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Mothers, Women, and Wisdom

We arrive at the month of May. As the last school bells ring and the air thickens with humidity, it’s a time for us to celebrate mothers! We all have mothers in our lives whether they are in our immediate family or in our friend circle. What a blessing mothers can be in affirming and shaping our being.  I recall how lucky I was to have my own mother so present in my life growing up. She was there for my Girl Scout meetings, prom dress fittings, track meets, and school graduations. She endured my teenage girl meltdowns, listening to me cry and complain…
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