Do not doubt in the dark, what you saw in the light.

We walk by faith and not by sight

We all remember the story of Peter coming to the believer’s house and Rhoda answering the door, was so shocked that she left him standing there. She ran to tell the other Christians that Peter had been freed.
How did they respond? They were astonished.
Remember, Herod had thrown Peter into prison, fully intending to kill him. The only thing he was waiting for was Passover to be finished, then he was planning to put an end to this church leader’s life.
The Christians had prayed and waited all week for Peter. Perhaps if Jesus had freed Peter, or changed Herod’s mind in the beginning of the week, they wouldn’t have been so astonished.

Many are the times that I have prayed for a specific need. Prayed and waited. Prayed a little more anxiously, waited a little less patiently. Prayed with desperation, chewed my nails while tapping my foot, and tried to call it “waiting”.
Then, at the last possible moment there is the Lord.
Calm (the term for this is the Prince of Peace), totally in control (the term for this is Sovereign), and He didn’t need to be informed of my “urgency” ( the term for this is Omniscient). I think you get the idea…
And I didn’t even mention His Mercy, Faithfulness, Grace, and the way He forgives us.
There really isn’t such a thing as a “last possible moment” to the Lord. All the moments are His.
This hymn has corrected my thinking more than once, and I would like to share it with you.

My Father Planned It All
What though the way be lonely, and dark the shadows fall,
I know wher’er it leadeth, My Father planned it all.

I sing through the shade and the sunshine, I’ll trust Him whatever befall;
I sing for I cannot be silent, My Father planned it all.

There may be sunshine tomorrow, Shadows may break and flee,
Twill be the way He chooses, My Father’s plan for me.

He guides my fal’tring footsteps, A–long the weary way;
For well he knows the pathway, Will lead to endless day.

A day of light and gladness, On which no shade will fall;
Tis' this at last awaits me , My Father planned it all.

Genesis 3:9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him,

"Where art thou?"

God asked Adam a question. Not for information. God knew where Adam was. God asked Adam this question, because Adam needed to know he was lost.
If a person never knows they are lost, they will never be found.
This same question is asked of a believer- when we allow sin, when we allow compromise into our lives.
It is a question that only the Spirit of God can ask- and already know the answer.
He asks in love. To reveal to us our hearts. Not just to reveal, but to draw us back to Himself.

Where art thou?

Psalm 139:23-24
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Our God not only reveals, He restores.


Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean,
In it's fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me,
Is the current of thy love.
Leading onward, leading homeward,
to my glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus.
Spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o'er His loved ones,
died to call them all His own.
How for them He intercedeth,
watcheth o'er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
love of ev'ry love the best!
'Tis an ocean vast of blessing,
'tis a haven sweet of rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
'tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me.
And it lifts me up to glory,
for it lifts me up to Thee!

Nature's Praise - Part 2 (Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus)

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Of things held dear from my heritage

It smells like home.

Like the home I grew up in.

Wafting

through the air

is the smell of...

PASTY !

Since my godly heritage has been on my heart,

I thought it only fitting to include this different,

but none-the-less sweet part of my heritage.

Pasty (with a short "a" sound) is a Finnish meal- a pie crust stuffed with potatoes, onions, carrots, and hamburger. Normally they are individual, hand-held pies...but with 10 children- you learn to do things on a...let's say "grander" style! By the way, this idea was also passed on to me by my sweet mama!

Ahh, the joy of knowing that your family enjoyed a meal!

One more thing... whenever my mom made pasty, there was always this little bit of pie crust left-over. Just perfect for a little sugar and cinnamon! Hungry yet?

"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Psalm 34:8

I love the smell ( and taste) of home!

Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience, and longsuffering with joyfulness. Colossians 1:11

"A great point is gained when we have learned not to struggle against the circumstances God has appointed for us." H. L. Sidney Lear

Do I come to God saying, " Rabboni" ? (which is to say, "Master")

Or do I come with my will flailing against Him?

Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, and my will be lost in Thine.

Counting Blessings

1. I'm so thankful for the way the Lord answers specifically- just in time.

2. I'm so thankful for my family~ 4 sisters, 3 brothers, 4 brother-in-laws, 3 sister-in-laws, 18 nephews, 17 nieces.

3. I'm so thankful for the parents God gave me.

4. I'm so thankful for a godly husband.

5. I'm so thankful for 10 children, my heart is full, my hands are busy!

6. I'm so thankful for the present~ living life moment by moment!

7. I'm so thankful for music~ lifting up soul to my Father.

8. I'm so thankful for the Word of God~

9. I'm so thankful for little girls that play with their babies~ rocking, singing to them, feeding, burping them, dreaming of someday...

10. I'm so thankful for little boys that watch their papa with admiration, that learn far more than they might let on, that long to be real men!

11. I'm thankful for the privilege of prayer~ sometimes simple, sometimes quick, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes gut-wrenching sobs, always HEARD!

12. I'm so thankful for the testimony's of those that have walked before.

Lord Jesus, help us to voice, or pen, or type our thankfulness. Not so much for the benefit of others, but as unto the Lord.

As we do, we will gain the precious ability to be thankful in the moment.
"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1

"I have a Goodly Heritage" Psalm 16:6

If there is one thing I would gladly shout from the housetops it is this:

Psalm 16:6 "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea,

I have a goodly heritage."

So, with this in mind, I would share with you a song that blessed me. It is my prayer that you are blessed too. I do not know the people singing, but the message is loud and clear. I close my eyes and picture my own precious parents!

I may not have riches as some others may
But I have a mother who knows how to pray
And maybe there's some things I've missed in my youth
But I have a father who stands for the truth

I have a goodly heritage
I'm blessed with things you can't see
I have a goodly heritage
And that is worth far more to me

And if in the future, my parents pass on,
To dwell in that City we've come to call Home
They may not leave me the goods of this world
But I have accepted their God and His Word

Chorus

I have everything, all that I need
All that I need, treasures unseen,
And that is worth far more to me

written by Leah Sandlin

Is it just my imagination, or are there a LOT of really hurting people?

Nothing like "jumping right in", hmm?

Individuals

Marriages

Families

Churches

I'm sure the list could go on and on. My heart is overwhelmed with lives that are going to absolute pieces. People that I know. Individuals that have made choices that are affecting every part of their lives.

My parents told me many times, " You are your choices."

What did they mean by that? They wanted me to know that I am responsible for my own choices and the consequences of them.

Maybe I could not prevent others from hurting me, but I could choose how I was going to respond.

To be able to respond with Christ-like love to my husband, or child, or friend- in the face of being hurt, will require that I do not see myself as better than others. = pride

It will also mean that I accept what comes into my life as from the hand of the Lord.

Jesus gave us an example of reaching out to hurting people.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Rom. 12:15
May we have an answer prepared by experience to give to them that seek hope in their hurt.
Experience in walking with Jesus and responding with a gentle, quiet, Christ-like word when we are hurt.
These are just some thoughts that have been in my heart.

"Only one life, how soon it will pass, only what's done for Christ will last."

Sweet and Simple Multiplication

What does a much looked-forward-to visit from a dear sister and her family multiplied by praying to a Faithful Heavenly Father equal?

A GIGANTIC package of toilet paper,bags of canned goods, arm-loads of garden fresh vegetables, and much love poured out on our family.

Praising the Lord for His faithfulness to us! Rejoicing in the amazing privilege of being a child of God!

Are we grateful?
Sometimes it helps to walk away from our "comfort zone" of living the American Dream...

Sometimes it helps to follow by faith where God leads...

It may be a need in our lives to lift up our hearts and hands in full surrender to Christ and letting Him fill us with His best!

I Thessalonians 5:16-18
A little song I learned as a young person goes like this:

His Name shall be praised,

His Name shall be praised,

His Name shall be praised, Hallelujah!

From the rising of the sun, until the day is done,

His Name, His Name shall be praised!

A look at forgiveness and bitterness.

FORGIV'ENESS, n. forgiv'ness. 1828 Dictionary


1. The act of forgiving; the pardon of an offender, by which he is considered and treated as not guilty. The forgiveness of enemies is a christian duty.

2. The pardon or remission of an offense or crime; as the forgiveness of sin or of injuries.

3. Disposition to pardon; willingness to forgive.

And mild forgiveness intercede to stop the coming blow.

4. Remission of a debt, fine or penalty.


BIT'TERNESS, n. [from bitter.] A bitter taste; or rather a quality in things which excites a biting disagreeable sensation in the tongue.


1. In a figurative sense, extreme enmity, grudge, hatred; or rather an excessive degree or implacableness of passions and emotions; as the bitterness of anger. Eph.4.

2. Sharpness; severity of temper.

3. Keenness of reproach; piquancy; biting sarcasm.

4. Keen sorrow; painful affliction; vexation; deep distress of mind.

Hannah was in bitterness of soul. 1 Sam.1. Job.7.
In the gall of bitterness, in a state of extreme impiety or enmity to God. Acts.8.

Root of bitterness, a dangerous error, or schism, tending to draw persons to apostasy. Heb.12.


"Bitterness is like drinking a cup of poison and waiting for the other person to die."

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you."—Unknown

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Calvary Love

Calvary Love
by Amy Carmichael

If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting "Who made thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?" then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I find myself taking lapses for granted, "Oh, that's what they always do," "Oh, of course she talks like that, he acts like that," then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not feel far more for the grieved Savior than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can rebuke without a pang, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If my attitude be one of fear, not faith, about one who has disappointed me; if I say, "Just what I expected" if a fall occurs, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand," or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am content to heal a hurt slightly, saying "Peace, peace," where there is no peace; if I forget the poignant word "Let love be without dissimulation" and blunt the edge of truth, speaking not right things but smooth things, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I hold on to choices of any kind, just because they are my choice, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am soft to myself and slide comfortably into self-pity and self-sympathy; If I do not by the grace of God practice fortitude, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve round myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have "a heart at leisure from itself," then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If, the moment I am conscious of the shadow of self crossing my threshold, I do not shut the door, and keep that door shut, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I cannot in honest happiness take the second place (or the twentieth); if I cannot take the first without making a fuss about my unworthiness, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I take offense easily, if I am content to continue in a cool unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel injured when another lays to my charge things that I know not, forgetting that my sinless Savior trod this path to the end, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel bitter toward those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I crave hungrily to be used to show the way of liberty to a soul in bondage, instead of caring only that it be delivered; if I nurse my disappointment when I fail, instead of asking that to another the word of release may be given, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not forget about such a trifle as personal success, so that it never crosses my mind, or if it does, is never given room there; if the cup of flattery tastes sweet to me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If in the fellowship of service I seek to attach a friend to myself, so that others are caused to feel unwanted; if my friendships do not draw others deeper in, but are ungenerous (to myself, for myself), then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I refuse to allow one who is dear to me to suffer for the sake of Christ, if I do not see such suffering as the greatest honor that can be offered to any follower of the Crucified, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If my interest in the work of others is cool; if I think in terms of my own special work; if the burdens of others are not my burdens too, and their joys mine, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I wonder why something trying is allowed, and press for prayer that it may be removed; if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment, and cannot go on in peace under any mystery, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me; if my fellows hesitate to ask it and turn to someone else, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
That which I know not, teach Thou me, O Lord, my God.

Thank you for taking time to read this post. Not my own words, nor did I find this. My sweet niece had this posted, and it is a needed message.

A story from my mom ~

Years ago as a young girl I loved to play and pretend many things. One day I was playing that I was a princess. My mother heard me playing and sat me down to tell me this story. I don't know where she got this story from, but it certainly made an impact on me.

There once was a Daddy and little girl that loved each other very much. He told her that he would never lie to her and would always love her. Daddy had to be gone doing business often, but the reunions between them were sweet. They had a special tradition that Katie looked forward to greatly. When her daddy came home from trips he would call her to him and tell her to close her eyes and reach her hand down into his big suit pocket for a small gift.
One time Katie pulled out a sparkly, white bead bracelet, that became her greatest treasure. She wore it every day and told everyone she met how it was a gift from her daddy.
Her mother had to remind her to take it off when bedtime came.

There came a day when her daddy came home from being gone for several days and he called her to him. She came running excitedly to his side. He took her face in his hands and lovingly asked her if she knew that he loved her. She replied that she KNEW he did. He reminded her that he would never lie to her. Katie shook her head, "yes", she knew that as well.
Then he said, "Katie, before you put your hand in my pocket for your gift, I have a special request to make of you."
"What Daddy?" Katie asked. Her father replied, "Katie I want you to give me your very special bracelet. I want you to give me the thing you love most."
"Oh, Daddy, give you my bracelet? But, Daddy, why do you need it?" Katie began crying.
Her wise, loving daddy said to her, "Honey, I have a gift for you, but first you must give me your bracelet. First, you must trust me."
Katie turned away from her father, tears running down her cheeks. Her daddy stood waiting, quietly, lovingly, waiting- for his daughter to return.

Finally, after many long minutes, his little girl turned and came back to her daddy.
She slowly pulled the treasured bracelet off her wrist, and placed it in his waiting, open hand.
He said nothing, but opened his pocket for her to reach her small hand into.

Katie put her hand down in his pocket and felt a small box. Pulling it out, she looked questioningly at her father. Katie opened the box and began to weep.
For there in the box was a real pearl bracelet. Her daddy opened his arms and as they embraced, he looked deep into her eyes and said, " If Jesus ever asks you to give up the thing you love most, it is because He has something of infinite worth to replace it with. You can always trust Him."

Last night as my little girls were playing princess, they had been given plastic bead necklaces. I thought of this story and shared it with them. Then we looked at Psalm 45:9-13 . God showing us what He wants of His princesses. How He wants them to be "all glorious within". The value of those plastic beads was suddenly lost.
Jesus will ask each of us to give up what we treasure, not to hurt us- Only to give us what is most valuable.
The question is, are we able to trust Him? Trust Him when it seems like we must protect ourselves. Trust Him when everything is falling to pieces in our lives.

Jesus knows us, far better than we know ourselves. He is worthy to be trusted.

Hidden things.
There are so many things that seem unanswered in our life right now. Many questions that we have put before the Lord. Moments of doubt come- and then the quiet, reassuring voice of the Master follows. "Trust Me, my child, I have everything under control."

Do I always listen? Ah,...no. Does He always forgive and refocus me? A resounding YES!
This morning, waking to a thousand demands and time limits, I went to quickly read a devotional that comes to my inbox each morning. This is verse that greeted my needy heart.

Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name;
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:2 & 3

I looked up some of the words in my Strong's and the definitions "blew me away".
As a young person I was told that if the Lord says something once it is important, if He says it twice- take heed, but if He says it three times it is of utmost importance. He really wants our attention.
The word maker and formed both have very similar meanings, and the word establish so confirms the other words. He truly designs all that comes into our lives, not only designs and fashions all, but then establishes it. The word most precious to me was mighty.
This word means "hidden things".
What an encouragement to my heart to think about. He will make conspicuous (shew) great and hidden things which I know not!

Is there a heart o'er bound by sorrow?
Is there a life weighed down by care?
Come to the cross each burden bearing.
All our anxiety leave it there.


All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the mercy seat leave it there;
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus.


No other friend so keen to help you,
No other friend so quick to hear.
No other place to leave your burden;
No other one to hear our prayer.


All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the mercy seat leave it there;
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus.


Come then at once; delay no longer!
Heed His entreaty kind and sweet.
You need not fear a disappointment;
You shall find peace at the mercy seat.


All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the mercy seat leave it there;
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus.

I Have Been Blessed

When He moves among us all that He does
all of His mercy and all of His love
and the pen of the writer could write everyday
even this world could never contain
how I've been blessed

Verse 2:
The warmth in winter the flowers in spring
the laughter in summer and the changing of leaves
the food on my table a good place to sleep
clothes on my back and shoes on my feet
I have been blessed

Chorus:
I have been blessed God's so good to me
precious are His thoughts of you and me
no way I could count them there's not enough time
so I'll just thank Him for being so kind
God has been good so good
I have been blessed

Verse 3:
Arms that will raise a voice that can talk
hands that can touch and legs that can walk
ears that can listen eyes that can see
oh I've got to praise Him as long as I breathe
I have been blessed

Verse 4:
A father and mother who nurtured and raised
a brother and sister memories made
our pastor to lead us the altar to pray
stripes that can heal the blood that can save
I have been blessed

Chorus:
I have been blessed God's so good to me
precious are His thoughts of you and me
no way I could count them there's not enough time
so I'll just thank Him for being so kind
God has been good so good
I have been blessed

Verse 5:
We live in a country the greatest on earth
our flag stands for freedom and what it is worth
she stands in the harbor Miss Liberty calls
all have gave some but some have gave all
for me to be blessed

Verse 6:
He's my shoulder to lean on when I am down
the rock where He leads me when I'm overwhelmed
the place where He hides me under His wings
He's not just a song He's the reason I sing
I have been blessed

Chorus:
I have been blessed God's so good to me
precious are His thoughts of you and me
no way I could count them there's not enough time
so I'll just thank Him for being so kind
God has been good so good
I have been blessed

Starting school...enough said.
Well, one more thing to say, His grace is sufficient!

Thank you Jesus!

Great is Thy faithfulness,O God my Father! There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not- Thy compassions, they fail not: As Thou has been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand provided-

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.





Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow- Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided-

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Just wanted to pass on a precious truth I read this week:

Our confidence in adversity does not rest in our ability to find God - it rests in God's inability to lose us.

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10

Walking and Waiting

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Psalm 143:8

And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. Isaiah 30:18

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, besides thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth on for him. Isaiah 64:4

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint . Isaiah 40:31

(For we walk by faith, not by sight ;) 2 Cor. 5:7

The essence of walking and waiting to me is, (at this time of my life) walking where my Lord shows the way, waiting when He says to, and sometimes walking, even when it is dark.

There are a multitude of verses about how to walk, but the Lord showed me these. Actually taking steps of action (walking) has to be founded in faith and obedience.

The two words “walking” and “waiting” seem, at first, to be opposed to each other.

Websters 1828 Dictionary
WALKING, ppr. Wauking. Moving on the legs with a slow pace; moving; conducting one’s self.

WAITING, ppr. Staying in expectation.
Waiting on, attending; accompanying; serving.
Waiting for, staying for the arrival of.
Waiting at, staying or attending at in expectation or in service.
In waiting, in attendance.

The Lord does not see these two words in opposition to each other. He couples them all throughout history. We, as His people have one thing that would hinder us from doing both simultaneously-

Bowing our knee!
Submission to Jesus will make us able to both walk, and wait.

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Psalm 32:8-9
The word “go” means walk.

From the depths of my heart I want to walk and wait in obedience to my Savior. That I would be led by that “still, small voice”, and to know the power of the Holy Spirit in my life.

The other morning as I was reading the Word, I read a comforting and familiar verse.
Isaiah 26:4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever, for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
What gripped my full attention were those small words, “ for ever” . Does my trust in the Lord have longevity? Am I willing to trust when everything is bleak and unknown? Am I willing to trust when it feels like the Lord is silent to me?

Then, it goes on to say, for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. His everlasting strength for my life and each of my responses to life. His everlasting strength in return for my forever trust in Him.

Be confident in, be bold, secure and feel safe in the Existing One, (eternity past to eternity future) and do this with perpetuity, for ever, because, in the Eternal, Existing One, my precious Heavenly Father, Who sees me and my surrounding circumstances in totality, is an everlasting Rock to run to, and hide in.
My paraphrase.

My mind cannot wrap around this. That God would love me and stoop to comfort me, and so care for me that nothing can stand in His way of protection for me!
Once again, I must bow my head and say, Hallelujah, What a Savior!

Where do the moments go? Or for that matter, the days, weeks, and months?
The Lord has been leading me on a new path of intense lessons on "Simply Trusting every day..."
When everything seems "topsy-turvy", and I would like to hit the "rewind" button on life-
that is precisely the moment Jesus says,

Be Still, and Know that I AM God~

Have you ever had the privilege of sitting very still before the Lord Jesus and knowing, really knowing that He had everything under control? He has NEVER made a mistake, and He has yours and mine best interest in mind, in every change.

What a wonderful Savior! We will fail, and Jesus looks on us with His compassion and picks us up, (or, like in my case, scrapes me off the ground!) and sets us back on solid ground!

Psalm 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Psalm 18:35 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Hallelujah! What a Savior! ~(Man of sorrows)

A Quick Thought

The definition of lip-service: "Since I've acknowledged the truth, I now have a grace period, to do nothing about it." Man's word



I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. God's Word
Romans 12:1-2

Praise the Lord!

Let us praise the Lord together with purity of heart!

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

In Christ your Head, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in earth and heaven.

On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone
And filled it with repose.

Sudden expired the legal strife,
’Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.

Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Savior mine.

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!

I found and owned His promise true,
Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew
When written on my heart.

Look unto Him, ye nations, own
Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.

See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.

Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Æthiop white.

Harlots and publicans and thieves
In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.

Murderers and all ye hellish crew
In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you;
For me the Savior died.


"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish but have everlasting life. "

O for a thousand tongues to sing, my great Redeemer's praise!

Love is...

A month of silence...as far as blogging goes...but I have noticed I'm not the only one that isn't being very faithful to blogging!
This "quiet time" on my blog should not be a reflection of what is happening in my life/heart!

The Lord has shown Himself faithful and true to me. What a loving Friend to show me where I have strayed- whether in word, deed or thought. That last one is my particular "problem area". I know that the Scripture says to "take each thought captive", but so many times I become alerted to "uncaptured" thoughts after they have hurt my fellowship with the Lord. So, I praise the Lord for His gentleness, and merciful forgiveness.

This past month I was seeking the Lord's heart on love, here are some of the thoughts He gave me.


As Christians we are called to love~
not to "figure out people/relationships"
not to tell everything we know
not to justify ourselves
not to keep our reputation = defend ourselves


What is love? According to the Scripture it suffereth long, it is kind, it envieth not, it vaunteth not itself, it is not puffed up, it does not behave itself unseemly, it seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, it thinketh no evil. It rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. It beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Must we "feel" any of these things, in order to do them? Must there be a response on the other person/s part for there to be a "loving relationship"?

Love is not a two-way street. It can be one way the whole way, and at the end of the way there is Love. We can say this with confidence, because Love is Jesus- God is Love- Maybe an even more appropriate thing to say is "at the end of the way is the cross "

Should we expect people to demonstrate love to us, at any time, for any reason?
Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Wow, there's the cross again!

My mom quoted many a time Ephesians. 5:1-2 "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour."

The only way for our light to shine to a lost people, (whether they are my own children, or a stranger) is to be filled with love. In other words, to filled with God~ for God is Love!

Not a revelation, or anything close to it...just what the Lord is reminding me of.
Thank you, Jesus!

What is the response of my heart?

These past few days have given much pause for thought for many Americans.
A few times I have not known what to think...then this morning, it came, a sweet balm to my soul. As I was reading a little devotional book, full of nuggets from those that have gone on before us, I was so blessed!
The words I read re-focused my mind and heart on that which is eternal and cannot be taken from me, nor changed by any act, law, bill, or "reform" from man.

I could write a list of all the things that I am not trusting in...or I could share of the joy of Who I am trusting in and why I have confidence in Him!

My heart response, (and I pray yours) needs to be one of "ready self-surrender in faith , in trust" to whatever comes from the Father to us. I am not seeking to make light of things that could strike fear in us- but rather, the Lord is giving us an opportunity to offer up what we are, who we are, and all we do, to the One who is WORTHY of our complete trust.

I believe this works out practically by "conscientious obedience" to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit.

I am praying that we have a renewed purpose of why we are here, that we will be light and salt,
full of the joy of the Lord- which is our strength!

"Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalms 46:10

and that's just the last of Psalm 46!
Take time to be quiet before the Lord and ask Him for His mind, His thoughts.

1 Samuel 12:24 " Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you."

Truth

How much do I love the truth? Does it get in the way of comfort? Perhaps it fulfills my need to "sound right" when I verbally agree with the "truth"... When I use the word "truth", I am speaking of the Word of God. His principles of life laid out clearly, and the consequences of turning away from them.

There are people who are willing to block out truth in order to keep "comfortable".
May I ask the Lord to "search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:" Ps.139:23

In all of our lives we must face truth and make a choice about it: to accept it, (and be changed) or to reject it.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
One precious thing about the Truth found in God's Word- when you obey truth that is shown you, you will be given more truth!
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

The word Truth is a name of God~

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

May the God of truth speak His truth to our hearts.

"The question isn't - were you challenged? but, were you changed?"

God's Truth Will Change Us!

Is my outlook an "uplook"?

We have so much to be thankful for!
In my little corner of the world I find it sometimes easy to focus on the "what ifs", and the "if onlys".
Jesus has an entirely different reality for me to live in. One of praise and thanksgiving for who He is!
There was a little incident in our home today that caused me to be still and think about what is truly important- a priority check!
There is nothing that can enter my day, that has not been sifted through the hands of my Heavenly Father.
I am given the choice to reject the situation as "unbearable" or accept it - along with the grace of God.
My thoughts go to so many Scriptures right now...I'll just put down a couple.

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 2 Cor. 9:8

" Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." Phil. 4:4

If I had one of those neat little "play lists" that play music while you read a blog, I would have this song playing right now:
Rejoice in the Lord

by Ron Hamilton
God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.

O Rejoice in the LORD
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried
And purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
Source(s):
http://www.hymnlyrics.org/lyricsr/rejoic…

Quote for the day

" Faith doesn't come in bushel baskets...

It comes one step at a time."

Abiding

" I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5

Am I trying to accomplish things for God, or is He working through me?
This morning I read this little line, "Let me not seek out of Thee what I can only find in Thee, peace and rest and joy and bliss, which abide only in Thy abiding joy."

As I go about my day there are so many moments of feeling like I'm just not accomplishing enough...our precious Lord reminded me today that it isn't how much is done that He is concerned about. It is how much I am communing with Him, how much I am resting in Him.
Now, there is a contrast: feverishly working, or resting.

The other thought that came to me, is the question of the value of all I do.
The things I accomplish may bring praise to me, (from people) but is it bringing forth fruit? Not if I am not abiding in Christ.
Jesus will take the simplest task as a sacrifice of praise when done in Him. Then my attention will be focused on Christ, not on what/how much is "accomplished".


Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!

Joy comes in the morning!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces;…
Isaiah 25:8a

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. Philippians 1:20

How I praise the Lord that His joy comes in the morning!
In Christ I have the hope of being reunited with those who belong to Jesus!

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

At this time in my life words cannot describe the pain of missing people that I love, nor the longing I feel to be with Jesus. However, I am rejoicing (some days that is simply a choice) in hope... hope in the Word of God that is always true,...
hope in my Savior- Who loves me and carries my burdens,...hope in the coming of Jesus Christ!

The Lord's way is best!

1 Peter 3:1-2 in the Amplified
"In like manner, you married women,be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any obey not the Word [of God],they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives,
When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him--honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband]."

Sometimes it helps me to look at a passage in the Amplified version. Opening my eyes to practically living out the Word of God.

What is true subjection?

SUBJECTION, n.

1. The act of subduing; the act of vanquishing and bringing under the dominion of another.

The conquest of the kingdom and the subjection of the rebels--

2. The state of being under the power, control and government of another. The safety of life, liberty, and property depends on our subjection to the laws. The isles of the West Indies are held in subjection to the powers of Europe. Our appetites and passions should be in subjection to our reason, and our will should be in entire subjection to the laws of God. Websters 1828 dictionary

This definition makes me think of Galatians 6:1 "Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
What is true liberty?

Realizing that my subjection is to God, [ultimately]. In the Lord's love and wisdom, He takes my subjection to my husband and uses it to draw my husband to His own self.


May I stand, not in fear of what the outcome may be, but in awe of my Savior...and may I subject myself.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Man of sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
"Full atonement"! can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!


OUR GRIEFS...HE HATH BORNE

OUR SORROWS...HE HATH CARRIED

OUR TRANSGRESSIONS...HE WAS WOUNDED FOR

OUR INIQUITY...HE WAS BRUISED FOR

OUR PEACE...THE CHASTISEMENT OF, WAS UPON HIM (the pain of "fixing" our relationship with God, He took upon Himself)


Lifted up was He to die;
"It is finished!" was His cry;
Now in Heav'n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Special Pictures of my Blessings

SOME OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLESSINGS GOD HAS GIVEN ME...
A HUSBAND AND 10 SWEET CHILDREN...




Joshua 10 months




Harmony and Melody 2 yrs. old







Christianna 9 yrs.old







Isaiah 8 yrs. old





Matthew 10 (almost 11) yrs.old

Bob & Rachaelle

We know how to have a good time! Excuse our silliness...

Alayna and Titus ages 7 and 6

Noah 5 yrs. old

Joseph 3 yrs. old

Hope ~

Have you ever thought that...

we wouldn't need to hope, if...

we never had to wait?

The two are intrinsically tied together.

The word hope is used approx. 141 times in the Bible.

Some of my favorite hope verses:

"Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." Ps. 31:24

"Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy." Ps.33:18

"Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be." Rom.4:18

" Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

Rom. 5:1-5

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through power of the Holy Ghost." Rom. 15:13

Contentment

This thing we call "contentment"~ what is it really? Why is it important? How do we get it?



The Lord confirmed His love and "witness of the Spirit" to me this weekend.

The Lord began speaking to me about being unthankful and discontent. The implications of these sins are HUGE.

It reaches far beyond the limits of our own hearts and affects all around us. Particularly our families.

It hinders us from hearing the voice of our Savior.

It hinders us from pouring out our hearts to our Savior.

There is a slow "frog in the water" (http://allaboutfrogs.org/stories/boiled.html )effect on our understanding of right and wrong.



Over the weekend we heard a message about contentment.

The Word of God says that godliness by itself does not bring great gain.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Tim. 6:6



We have the privilege as believers to walk by faith not by sight. As we are "faith-walking" our circumstances will not have the power to rob us of contentment.

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

content:[to be held. to hold] Literally, held, contained within limits; hence, quiet; not disturbed; having a mind at peace; easy; satisfied, so as not to repine, object, or oppose. Websters 1828

Not much room for complaining or discontent, is there?

Praise the Lord there is an answer!

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Heb. 13:15

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:16-18

" Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice." Phil. 4:4

Give thanks, receive joy, be content, have the strength of the Lord!

The "dailiness" of my life as a wife and mother gives me many opportunities to be aware that the "will of God" for me is the mundane. Oh, how many times I would love to sit and share with my children great truths, "fellowshipping" for hours...(over cups of coffee, of course) the house staying perfectly clean. All attitudes joyful, grateful, quiet ...

O.K. I'll come back to reality~ my reality.

The Lord has given me diapers to change, dishes to wash, school to teach, meals to make, fights to deal with, hearts to love, ect...

My mom used to tell me: "It's not what you know, it's what you love."

Amen.

I need to LOVE these things that appear to my limited vision as interruptions.

I Thessalonians 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."