Ache...{Five Minute Friday}

Limping up the front porch I look back.

I look back at this crazy, wild journey of blessings and heartache.

And it takes all my strength to lift the tight, sore muscles of my legs up one more step.

Retraining my body for God’s glory not the approval of others.

Leaning into His grace and strength that can only carry a body miles on end

through the Kansas winds that push back.

The growth of sleeping muscles coming back to life colliding head-on

with dreams deferred.

Not my strength.

Not my will.

But His in me.

His Word will not return empty.

His Word is as alive as the breathes you take right now…

His Word…

I can do all things through Christ Jesus He who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

By His Grace,

Cole

It's been a few weeks of no rest but so blessed.

A busy season of State Assessments, meetings, Sub-state basketball, and teaching the kiddos God has entrusted to me. 

I've missed you...

How have you been?

We're joining: The Gypsy Mama and Beki's: Finger Print Friday today.

Delight...His Love Story to Me

Reds, oranges, and yellows splash across the big, blue sky painting it majestic.

Barren earth with secrets planted deep within reach up to taste the warmth.

Stories of the bounty not yet told.

I wonder, I awe at this beauty. Delight in what He has given. His love story to me.

Soft, vibrant petals catch my eye. Draw me near, take me in.

Petals that remind me of hopes and dreams, love, and care.

The sweet aroma fills my lungs.

I wonder, I awe at this beauty. Delight in what He has given. His love story to me.

A journey that was unexpected and a new one beginning.

Not knowing the destination, but letting Him be my guide.

The dance of Hope weaving it’s way in and through it all.

I wonder, I awe at this beauty. Delight in what He has given. His love story to me.

His love story. Oh, how He delights in you and me. 

What gifts has God given you that you take delight in? 

By His Grace,

Cole

Joining The Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday 

and 

Beki for Fingerprint Friday

{Finger Print Friday}

Hi there!

How is your week? Are you ready for the weekend?

It has been a H.O.T. week here!

As in...

106!

I am just so glad that were I live we don't have the humidity.

Yesterday,

while driving to celebrate a friend's birthday a random, summer storm blew-up.

I may or may not have seen several gust-natos & the beginning of a huge tornado that quickly died out.

{And...it was the one day I don't take my camera....gosh.}

But, as I was thinking today of what to write for today's Finger Print Friday I realized...

that I see God's work most often in nature.

And, the random storm/shower of last night reminded me of one that we had in 2009.

It was one where yes, our town, does go out and watch the storm, but this time our local

fire department actually drove through town telling us to be ready to take cover.

We do have tornado sirens, but I don't remember them ever going off.

And where was I???

Yep! You guessed it...outside watching.

The clouds that day were eerily, awesome.

Something that only God could paint.

So, I ran in. Grabbed a camera and this is what resulted.

Note...the only changes to the photo is me adding my watermark. 

That is it.

No editing. No color changing. Nothing.

Big storm moving in from the West.

And....

The large storm from the west meeting with the one from the east.

I could not believe what I saw.

We were speechless standing on the porch. 

To God Be the Glory!

{The storms ended up passing us that night. We had some hail, strong winds, and lightning.}

Linking up with Beki and Finger Print Friday!!

Go check it out!

Have a Lovely Day,

Cole

Finger Prints of God {friends}

This past week I went to visit my best friend from college.

It was a wonderful, full week of hanging out and catching up on life.

All through the trip I was reminded of God's goodness in many ways...

* A double check of my tires and realizing one was completely bald before hitting the hot, summer road.

{Two, new tires were found.}

* Morning walks with my friend and her two cutie-cute children.

*Meeting new and seeing old friends at play group and blast ball games.

* Being a part of a really encouraging, solid Bible study.

* Sharing dreams, hopes, prayer.

* Putting together a puzzle with "O."

* Concerts in the park, a morning race, cake pops.

* Sharing in life with a friend and her family.

{Thank You for having me!!}

Where have you seen the fingerprints of God lately?

 Today I'm linking up with Beki and Fingerprint Friday....

Come on over!

Have a Beautiful day,

Cole

In the Stillness...{Thoughtful on a Tuesday}

I hope you are having a beautiful day!

I have so much I want to do, create, and share with you, but I've been fighting some gall bladder and kidney issues. {Not major serious, but enough to make it hard.}

Would you mind joining me in prayer for healing and provision to take care of what needs to be?

Thank you so very much...

{{hugs}}

I previously wrote this post a few weeks ago during a snow storm. It was in the stillness and quiet that God spoke so loudly. 

We don't have any snow right now, but it is...

cold enough for coats in the morning.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The wind howls, branches scrape the side of the house. Blowing, icy, snow whips through the air threatening to take the breath of everything it touches. Moonlight bounces off the ice covered trees. Bitter cold continually tries to creep in.

Power out.
Stillness.
Quiet.
Not a sound.

Flames of candles dance across the room in splashes of light.

Safe.
Warm.
At peace...

...in the shelter of my home, in the warmth of my comforter.

God Speaks...

In the stillness, the quiet, He is there.
In the cold, the wind, He prevails.

God Speaks...

...of His peace in the storm.
...of light shined in the darkness.
...of love and warmth in the cold.

You can not escape it...
...His Presence.

You can not deny it...
...His Love.

weheartit

In the stillness He is there.

"Be still and know that I am God."
{Psalm 46:10}

It is in the power of the storm...
...God speaks loudest in a quiet voice.

Whatever your storm may be.
Whatever "cold" threatens to creep in.

HE. IS. THERE.
...shinning light for you to see.

How does God speak to you?

Lovely Wishes for a Beautiful Day!
Cole