Dear Saints and Praying Friends:

While visiting friends many years ago, I discovered this cross-stitched embroidery in a frame on the wall. It made an instant impression on me - I laughed my head off! As I recall, it was made by our friend's grandmother many years ago. And of course, I had to take a picture of it for you to enjoy as well. :o)

But after the humorous element subsides, the message grows serious and is a good exhortation for us all. These words of Jesus from Matthew 22:14 were few, "For many are called, but few are chosen." But they are profoundly significant and challenging to us today.

Thankfully, God's mercies are new every morning, and every new day He gives us presents new opportunities to grow in our knowledge of Him and to walk in His ways. They are not merely opportunities, they are also responsibilities.

Last week in the chapel, my curiosity was piqued by the shadow from this ceiling lamp in the top of the arch of the window to the left. Why would it be higher than the lamp itself? The early morning sun was shining down, not up, so how could this be?

There could only be one explanation: the sunlight had to be bouncing off of something. So I marched outside with camera in hand to prove my 'theory' and explore what could have such a shiny surface. I couldn't imagine a gravestone having such a perfectly reflective surface.

To my surprise and delight, I found that the best of man's handiwork had been embellished by the One Who knows how to perfect things indeed! The rainfall during the night had pooled on the surface and had this brilliant effect, which blinded my eyes with light. I don't think even a glass mirror could have produced such a dazzling result.

While I gazed in admiration of God's doings that so surpass our abilities, lots of things came to mind. First among them was the scripture in Ephesians 5:14, which says, "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." Now here is something worth getting up for. What an amazing promise!

And there are many, many more. Jesus, the light of life, has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). And earlier in Ephesians 5, verse 8 says, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." Do a search on "darkness + light", and you will be greatly encouraged.

There is a price to be paid (read Romans 6 and 12:1-2) - but it is SO worth it!

And just as that out-of-place shadow caught my attention, so can our lives draw the attention of the people around us who still walk in the darkness of this world. That is what we're called to do. The words of Jesus in Matthew 5:16 say it best. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

People running to humble themselves at the foot of the cross of Christ is one of the best ways to glorify our Heavenly Father, wouldn't you agree?

Longing for more of His light in our own lives, and in the lives of all Christians everywhere,

Dick & Gladys