Lynne Gardiner

Zoomies and Naps

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ( Matthew 11: 28,29) “You can love what you do and still be tired” (A meme I saw on Social Media and I honestly have no idea where it came from). For the past week or so my grand-kitty, Clara, has had a friend over by the name of Holly.  Holly is this pretty little calico … Read more

The Serpent’s Fruit

“But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”” (Genesis 3: 4,5) “And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.  If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” … Read more

The Twitter Wilderness

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  (Isaiah 55: 8,9)   “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,” (Luke 4: 1)   I have this routine every morning that’s unwavering.  Its mostly unwavering because I’m not really ‘good’ in the morning.  I don’t sleep very well at night so there are very few mornings that I … Read more

Singing the Lord’s song in Babylon

By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion. We hung our harps Upon the willows in the midst of it. For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, And those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” But how could we possibly sing the Lord’s song on foreign soil?(Psalm 137: 1-4)   All week this Psalm has been ‘singing’ in my head; you know those earworms you get of music?  The tune I have in my head is the Israeli … Read more

It is well with my soul

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12: 1,2) When peace like a river attendeth my way When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say … Read more

Wants, Needs, and the Desires of your Heart

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7: 7,8) This week, I’ve had a couple of funny conversations with people.  Now, bear in mind that I’m really not a ‘sporty’ kind of person.  Maybe its why these conversations caught my attention.  Regardless, the scenarios I’m going to reiterate … Read more

Their Hearts were Hardened.

He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their … Read more

Think on these things

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. (Philippians 2: 14, 15) “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. “(Philippians 4:8) “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7) I have had a … Read more

Star of Wonder

Star of Wonder, Star of Night,     Star with Royal Beauty bright,             Westward leading,             Still proceeding,     Guide us to Thy perfect Light. (as printed in Hopkins, Carols, Hymns, and Songs, 1st ed., 1863)   Today is Epiphany.  The day in the church calendar year where we celebrate the Magi coming to Bethlehem to honor Jesus after following a star ‘in the East’ for many years.  I don’t know how many Christmas pageants that I’ve participated in where the 3 Kings had star billing.  In my head I can see the 3 boys with paper crowns and some … Read more

Solid Rocks and Shifting Sand

Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall— Matthew … Read more