Monday Needs

When we are sick and tired it seems that we all but lose sight of God. Last night I was dreading today.  I cried a little thinking of being by myself with the boys while I was sick and tired.  My husband had been off for almost four days and it was back to reality, Monday Morning.

As I lie in bed this morning, I think about my attitude.  I think of something our Pastor said yesterday at church.

God promises to meet all our needs, but do we see that we even have needs?  Do we admit to God, "I am in need of everything!"  For us to see God meeting our needs, we must realize what our needs were.

I admitted this morning, in bed, that I need Him today.  It was obvious that I would, as the nausea filled my stomach.  So, I admitted that I need Him.  I asked Him to meet my needs,
whatever those needs might be.

It is only ten o'clock.  I still fell nausea, Jack has gotten two or three spankings, and Titus has ruined only a couple of papers.  I checked our bank balance and realized we had 0 - but God is meeting our needs.

God is meeting my needs today.  I haven't thrown-up, we have done a little school and our Cubbie book, and laundry is going.

God is meeting my needs by filling me with His strength to do the things I need to do.  It may not be much.  I might have the least productive day of all, but at least God is with me.

Finding Joy and Loving Your Home

It isn't like I loath spending time at home and being a mother. But joy sure is missing on some days. (ok, most days)

I asked the Lord to show Himself to me today. I really thought that it would mean that I wouldn't get frustrated or irritated or even raise my voice. Sadly, even before ten o'clock, I did all three. Instead of feeling defeated and totally forgetting the heartfelt prayer I prayed to my Lord this morning, I embrace it. I say: "How Lord, can I see you through my lack of self-control?  Do you see me here?"

He gently sends me a song:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I sing because He loves me and I sing because I am free
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He is watching me.

He gently sends me encouragement and rebuke in this wonderful article today.

Here is a sample:

God does not want a bunch of women at home with discontent and fussy spirits, and He does not want us at home burying our talent in the ground. The Lord wants us here to do His work, to do what we are able to do. He wants our children to grow up in a place of joyful and loving faithfulness. If we struggle with joy, it is not as though there is no hope. We simply need to look for some tangible ways to love our homes, and our calling in them. And if we struggle with fulfillment, we need to look for some tangible ways to respect the work we are doing. Honor your calling by working hard, by pushing yourself to grow, to learn, to give. When you love, the object of that love grows more lovely. When you respect, the object of that respect becomes more worthy of it.

By God’s grace, a home that is full of both love and respect will become a place of joyful influence and potent comfort, a place that overflows with loveliness.

Giveaway!

An Advent Caledar Give Away!

http://rebekahmerkle.blogspot.com/

One day last year...

Last year on this day, it was Sunday.  I remember not even able to get through the service without wiping my eyes.  I do not remember anything about that service - only that I had woken up to a call from my mother saying my Grandmother had finally ended her journey and battle with cancer. 

One year later, and I grieve her still.  It has been a sad October for sure.  It has been cold, wet, and rainy.  Nothing like a typical Autumn.  It perfectly reflects my mood.  I am surprised how much I have not cried for her today.  I have cried a lot of tears (a LOT) over the past year, so on the anniversary of her death you would think it would be the same. 

The only thing distinguishing today with this day last year is time.  Someone once told me that time would help heal.  I did not believe them.  But the fact that the ache is so much less and that I have fewer tears shed today is proof that time does help heal grief.

I am still grieving.  I will always miss her.  I do not want to forget her.  I am thankful for all the pictures and memories that God has given me.  Time isn't the only thing healing my heart - it is my God.

Thank you, Lord, for healing me of my grief in a small little way.  I love you so much.  Let her know how I much I love her as well.  Tell her I will see her soon. Amen

At my highschool graduation....2002

Thoughts for a Sad October...

The anniversary of my grandmother's death is coming up. That as well as the dreary, cold weather have my heart seemingly at a stand still. It seems to permeate my thoughts and sadden my heart. I'm praying for peace this coming week and an ease of the pain.

What would I do with one more day?                            

Sit in your house. 

Drink ginger ale.
Watch game shows.

Walk through the rooms. 

Gaze at the pictures.
Sit on your bed.

Memorize the details.

    Of your face.
    Your laugh.
    Your hands.
    Your touch.
    Your hair.
    Your clothes.
    Your smell.
    Your smile. 
 
What would you say to me?

Would you tell about my family?

Would you tell me about my past?

Would you tell me some lessons?
    About love
    About loss
    About family, friends, and faith.
Would you tell me that you loved me?
Would you tell me not to cry?
Would you tell me to hold on fast to those around me?
Would you tell me that it is alright?
Would you tell me about who you were?
     As a girl.

     As a teenager

     As a woman
     As a mother
     As a grandmother

What would I say to you?

I love you.
I miss you.
Will I see you again?
Are you happy with who I have become?
Am I like you? or your mom? or your sister?

I love you. - I have always loved you.
I miss you. - I will always miss you.

Does the aching go away?

Will I miss you more with each passing day?

Will I miss you less as the years fly by?

I love you, always, is what I would say. 

I am so glad that I got to say goodbye to her, but it still does not take the pain of losing her away.

My Grandmother, Delma - around 18 years old

My Grandmother, as I remember her while I was growing up.

Eye on the Prize

Keeping my eyes on the prize is something that I need these days.....  It seems this Christian path is hard and I stumble often.  Thankful for His grace to just keeping on...

Thanks, Sara Groves, for this song:

Paul and Silas bound in jail
Got no money for to go their bail
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Paul and Silas thought they were lost
The dungeon shook and the chains fell off
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Freedom's name is mighty sweet
And one day soon we are gonna meet
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

I got my hand on the gospel plow
Won't take nothing for my journey now
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on
The wait is slow, and we've so far to go
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Courtesy of lyricshall.com
Only chain a man can stand
Is that chain of hand on hand
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Ain't no man on earth control
The weight of glory on a human soul.
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on.

The wait is slow, and we've so far to go
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

When you see a man walk free,
It makes you dream of jubilee.
When you see a child walk free,
It makes you dream of jubilee.
When you see a family free,
It makes you dream of jubilee.

Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on.

Healing

Jeremiah 30:12-17For thus says the Lord:
Your hurt is incurable and your wound is grievous.
There is none to uphold your cause, no medicine for your wound,
no healing for you.
All your lovers have forgotten you;
they care nothing for you; for I have dealt you the blow of an enemy,
the punishment of a merciless foe,
because your guilt is great,
because your sins are flagrant.
Why do you cry out over your hurt? Your pain is incurable.
Because your guilt is great
because your sins are flagrant,
I have done these things to you.
Therefore all who devour you shall be devoured,
 and all your foes, every one of theme,
 shall go into captivity; those who plunder you shall be plundered,
and all who prey on you I will make a prey.
For I will restore health to you,
and your wounds I will heal,"
declares the Lord.

Our sin is grieving the Spirit
Our guilt is black as night
Our punishment comes swift
We no longer deserve light

We sin in the bright light of the sun
In the dark we shed the tears of shame
There is no where left to run
We cannot pass the blame

Our holiness is stained with black
Our God causes us to fall and falter
In this pit we cross our arms, sitting back
We curse the God who will call us

He speaks with a whisper of hope
Yes, punishment can be a bitter sting
We are at the end our rope
Yes, our God silently sings

Our hurts are deep from our sin
We cry from pain of the scars
He is gently pulling us in
He forgives, He loves, in His arms

In His arms we find the healing we need
His embrace offers a sweet balm
We rise up out of the pit, with His lead
He leads us with a pslam

I said, “LORD, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.”
Pslam 41:4

Motherhood

My children will learn rest when I am at rest.

My children will learn to forgive when I forgive them.
My children will learn to love as I love them.
My children will learn to show mercy and kindness as I show mercy and kindness


Motherhood is...
Not cleaning, sewing, cooking
Not late night feedings.
Not late night rockings.
Not hair messed up, shirt with a stain, or cereal on the floor.

Remaining calm so they learn peace
Loving them when they do their best
Forgiveness when a wrong takes place
Loving them when they do their least


Not dirty, stinky, strange-color diapers
Not making the bed (three times)
Not organizing the toys (100 times)
Not marker on the carpet or smudges on the glass

Joy when they cry to get their way
Loving them when they whine
Mercy when they break your dish
Loving them all the time

Motherhood is…
Loving… to teach them to love
Showing mercy… to teach them to show mercy
Forgiving… to teach them to forgive
Seeking joy… to teach them to seek joy
Repentance…to show them the Gospel

I want to be the kind of mother who recognizes that I am constantly a teacher, whether I choose to be or not. By looking at my attitude, actions, and especially my reactions to things that happen, what am I teaching them?

By having patience when they ask “why” for the 1,000 time today I am teaching him patience.
By not getting angry when he throws a huge tantrum in the store, I am teaching him mercy and forgiveness – maybe even self-control.
By repenting when I do something wrong, I am teaching him the first step of being right with God.

Life Heroic - Part I - Questions

Good thoughts I read on the Rabbit Room blog today by Jonathan Rogers:

A virtuous life is a life of adventure—of facing challenges, standing firm, rescuing the powerless, righting wrongs. A good adventure story dramatizes that adventure and makes it seem like the sort of life that nobody would want to miss out on. It doesn’t just tell the reader what’s right; it helps the reader to want what’s right.

Real life doesn’t always feel like a great adventure. Sometimes doing the right thing is rather dull. Great adventure stories remind us that in the end, the choices we make every day are the stuff of greatness. The world is changed by people who choose to tell the truth, to show kindness, to be courageous.

Our natural tendency is to burrow into our own little lives and so lose perspective on what really matters and what’s really true. Our good deeds start to seem irrelevant, and our bad deeds start to seem like they’re no big deal. We all need to step outside ourselves now and then—perhaps to try out another, better self, or perhaps, as David did, to see our own situation from another viewpoint.

I want to write stories that tell people that the everyday matters.  That the little things in life, add up to greatness.  I want to show that to people – and to remind people that God is working in the little things.  First, I need to learn it.  How is changing diapers, kissing boo-boos, and reading books heroic?  Is it?  Is it really?

Sometimes I wonder if my life will always plug along like a little engine and stay on the tracks – not able to leave the tracks. Is it here that I get to look at the beauty my God has created.  Wishing the hours by until naptime.  At naptime, I wish the minutes to stand still so I can catch my breath.  It is here that I ask the one question that I ask everyday:

Stay up and get stuff done?

Stay up and do fun stuff?

Take a nap?

I need to enjoy the moments when they are awake.

Although I pray for rest, peace, comfort, and ease - the days slowly going by offer me that - am I willing to see it?

So, how is my life heroic - how do I do great things by taking a boy to the bathroom, changing diapers, telling them to not touch the fireplace for the 1,000th time?  is it great?  Why do I seem to only want to "get through" this season in my life?

Purposes

Wow, cannot believe it has been almost a month since my last post.  July was busy.
We moved.
I started a running program.
I am adjusting to a new house/routine.

Here are some things I read today though:

" In the natural life our ambitions are our own, but in the Christian life we have no goals of our own. We talk so much today about our decisions for Christ, our determination to be Christians, and our decisions for this and that, but in the New Testament the only aspect that is brought out is the compelling purpose of God. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you . . .” (John 15:16)..... God takes us aside all the time. We have not yet understood all there is to know of the compelling purpose of God." - Chambers

I think that I know God's purpose for my life:
To be a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend.

Yet, is there more to that?  Am I to be something totally different?

Only by seeking Him, reading His Word, saturating myself with the things of God will I finally see glimpses of what God has for me.  It may be only for this day only.

O Lord, teach me what You have for me.  Teach me Your will - for today.  Let me not worry about tomorrow's purposes - only today's. Amen.

Faithfulness Extended

When I look at all my friends, only a few (maybe two) have been faithful through the years - but really, only my God has been completely, 100% faithful. When He has kept all of His promises, why do I doubt?! When He has been so faithful, why do I worry?! Forgive me, Lord, for my own unfaithfulness. Let me sink into the ocean that is Your faithfulness. You were faithful to those before me - You are faithful to me - You will be faithful to those after me. Amen.

Swim through your troubles. Run to the promises, they are our Lord's branches hanging over the water so that His children may take a grip of them.

- Samuel Rutherford

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds

- Psalm 36:5

Lay Down Your Life

John 15:13,15

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend....I have called you friends."

Jesus does not ask me to die for Him, but to lay down my life for Him....It is far easier to die than to lay down the life day in and day out with the sense of the high calling. We are not made for brilliant moments, but we have to walk in the light of them in ordinary ways. There was only one brilliant moment in the life of Jesus, and that was on the Mount of Transfiguration; then He emptied Himself the second time of His glory, and came down into the demon-possessed valley...I have deliberately and carefully to lay down my life for Him. - Chambers

The day in and day out is the hard part.

Diapers

Fixing meals

Cleaning toys

Crying

Whining

"Moooommy"

It is hard to do it.  Yet, it is my high calling.  It is my job to lay down my life - not to die, but to give up my own ambitions, my own desires, my own to-do lists - for the Lord, which practically means for my family.

It is hard, but I have the Holy Spirit to enable.  The Father to comfort.  The Savior to provide.

Amen
 Now, off to feed the baby and put him down for a nap.....

My Boys

I have to show off the wonderful work of my friend, Paul Boekell.

To his advantage, he did have cute guys to work with!

The Holy One

I have been reading in Isaiah lately and the phrase that keeps reoccurring is "Holy One" in reference to God. 
Isaiah 41:16 - You shall rejoice in the Lord, the glory in the Holy One of Israel.
The Holy One is a term that would seem to separate God from us, lowly sinners.  Yet, it is a term that is one that sparks in me this song sung by Mark Schultz and written by Chris Rice.  In the song, it speaks not of the God of the Old Testament, but His manifestation in the New.

The Holy One

Gentle friend,
You knew my name.
Yet with Your hand You calmed the storm and healed the lame.
As You spoke,
People came.
And as the crowds would gather 'round they called out,
"Holy One, are You the Holy One, who was sent by God to show the way?"

I wasn't there,
The night they came:
Those who saw and feared the miracles you made.
You took the nails,
You bore the pain.
And as they hung You on the cross and mocked you,

"Holy One, if You're the Holy One, let your God come save You from the grave."

I just heard the news today,
I just came to find you but they said You'd gone away.
I just wanted to hear You say, that you had to go
But that You'd be back again.

Early morn,
Break of day.
Came in time to find the rock You rolled away.
I found Your robe,
An empty grave.
And as I fell upon the ground I cried out,
"Holy One, You are the Holy One, and You came and gave Your life away."

"Holy One, You are the Holy One and You came and gave Your life away."

"I am the life, I am alive, I came to show the way."

The Wingfeathers

I have always loved children's books.  So much is hidden among the pages that even those who have seen a few more years of life can glimpse a precious jewel among the simplest of stories.  One of the newest additions to children's literature is Andrew Peterson.  I know I have shared quite a few of his songs here, but let me take a moment to share his newest story-telling adventure:

The Wingfeather Saga

The story follows three children in a mysterious land called Anniera.  The children learn secrets about the Dark Sea of Darkness, discover hidden jewels, run for their lives, and learn about weakness, strength, and most importantly - love.  Janner is the oldest and the brave protector.  Tink, or Kalmar, is the second and although rash and impulsive, under goes the most change.  Leeli, the youngest and the only daughter, seems to be the glue that holds them all together.  Not only is the story extremely original and full of imagination, it is so packed with theology that it speaks to the very soul of a person. 

It is a great read for adults, teenagers, and children.  I have shared it with my husband, my mom, my aunt, my cousin, and two other families at church.  They all love it!

The first is

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

The second is

North! Or Be Eaten

The third is

The Monster in the Hollows

(The last book has yet to be written.)

Each book is unique and inspiring.  You must read them in order.

I must warn you, I cried at the end of each one.  A good cry though.  Happy - sorrowful all at once!  Rarely does a book make me cry, yet here I am, wiping away tears from the end of "The Monster in the Hollows" at this moment! 

For a good, fun, exciting, deeply moving experience, pick up

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

Buy at the Rabbit Room, you might even get it signed by him if you do!

The Shepherd

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through

the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life;

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

Why is this such a popular Psalm? The truths, like all of Scripture, are deep and everlasting. Rereading this Psalm with a fresh new look, creates in me such comfort! My LORD, my Shepherd, truly will take care of me. It is such a comfort to know that my Shepherd is so intimately concerned about my life. He cares for my daily physical and spiritual needs. He is my LORD, but acts like my servant. I am so humbled and overwhelmed with love towards this One who cares so much for me. Truly it is too wonderful for me to comprehend.

What is your shepherd to you?  What in your life does He care about? Read this Psalm.  He cares for your ever want.....for your safety....for your salvation....for your daily needs....for your spiritual needs.  He cares for you so intimately, more than any one in your life right now.  Jesus cares for you. Let that truth sink in and fill your hurting heart.  If your heart is full from life, empty your life so you can be filled with Him.  Let Him fill your cup, so that His love, mercy, and goodness will run-over. Sometimes God empties your cup for you. He will take away, seemingly "everything" - only to show you that you can have more with Him.  Read Psalm 23 again and see the intimate Shepherd who cares for you more than anyone.

God never abandons anyone on whom He has set His love; nor does Christ, the good shepherd, ever lose track of His sheep. - J.I. Packer

The Shepherd
Loves His sheep
Cares for His sheep
Intimately knows His sheep
Hears His sheep cry
Runs to care for His sheep.
Provides for His sheep.
Spends His time with His sheep.

The Sheep
Love Him in return.
Rest in His comfort.
Yearn to know Him more.
Cry to Him first.
Accept what He has given.
Know your needs are provided.
Learn to spend time with Him more.

Mighty to Keep

We know He is mighty to keep us and protect us.

Yet, we fear.

What do you fear the most?

My God is stronger than those lies that cloud the way.

It does not matter that we do not know the next step.

We are to rest and dweel in our God.

No matter the season

He is our refuge.

No matter the storm, wind, and rain

He is our fortress.

Even my faith is sustained by Him.

I can't muster up in myself the faith to move

God is the one who gives it to me.

God is adequate as our keeper...

Your faith will not fail

while God sustains it;

you are not strong enough to fall away

while God is revolved to hold you.

-J.I. Packer

God, who is our dwelling place, is also our fortress.

It can only mean one thing, and that is,

that if we will but live in our dwelling place,

we shall be perfectly safe and secure from every assault.

-Hannah Whitall Smith

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almight. I will say of the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

-Psalm 91:1-2

God's Thoughts

Your thoughts - how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! I couldn't even begin to count them - any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!

Psalm 139:1-18

The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

Psalm 33:11

How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts!

Psalm 92:5

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heaves are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

Just when we least expect it, He intrudes into our neat and tidy nothings about how He is is and how He works.

Joni Eareckson Tada

We don't understand You.

We don't understand what You do.

We catch glimpses in Your word

Of who You are:

loving

kind

gentle

powerful

But we don't really know you

We don't really know what You do.

We sometimes catch glimpses we don't expect:

wrath

judgment

jealousy

holy

We cry out to know You more

We want to listen and understand

Yet You are silent on somethings

You do not reveal all that You are.

You invade our senses and push the boundaries.

You don't fit inside of my box that I've made.

You are Who You are.

You know Who You are.

Continue to teach me the truth:

That I can know You, but never truly know You.

I Will Rest In You

BP

I Will Rest in You

sung by Jaci Velasquez

Lord, I’m in the dark,
Seems to me the line is dead when I come calling.
No one there, the sky is falling;

Lord, I need to know.
My mind is playing games again,
You’re right where you have always been.

Take me back to you,
The place that I once knew as a little child;
Constantly the eyes of God watched over me.
Oh, I want to be
In the place that I once knew as a little child,
Fall into the bed of faith prepared for me.
I will rest in you.

Tell me I’m a fool,
Tell me that you love me for the fool I am,
And comfort me like only you can,
And tell me there’s a place
Where I can feel your breath
Like sweet caresses on my face again.

Take me back to you.
The place that I once knew as a little child;
Constantly the eyes of God watched over me
Oh, I want to be
In the place that I once knew as a little child,
Fall into the bed of faith prepared for me.
I will rest in you

God is Good

When life is merciless,
.................God is good.
When messes are endless,
.................God is good.
When nights are sleepless,
.................God is good.

When my heart ails,
.................God is good.
When the baby wails,
.................God is good.
When a person fails,
.................God is good.

When nothing is sown,
.................God is good.
When I'm all alone,
.................God is good.
When I'm without hope,
.................God is good.

When the bills pile,
.................God is good.
When darkness is vile,
.................God is good.
When I've struggled a mile,
.................God is good.

When the rain clouds loom,
.................God is good.
When thunders boom,
.................God is good.

When the way is lost,
.................God is good.
When the river is crossed,
.................God is good,
When I've counted the cost,
.................God is good.

When I have no song,
.................God is good.
When my days are long,
.................God is good.

The truth remains:
.................God is good.
Although nothing will stay the same,
.................God is good.

No matter the lie,
.................God is good.
No matter the "why"
.................God is good.

No matter the pain,
.................God is good.
No matter the gain,
.................God is good.

No matter the way,
.................God is good.
No matter what they say,
.................God is good.

No matter the choice,
.................God is good.
No matte the voice,
.................God is good.

No matter what I feel,
.................God is good.
One thing is for sure real:
.................God is good.

The Goodness of God

I need to write about this today.  God knows that I do and He knows why I need to be reminded of His goodness.

The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.

- A.W. Tozer

All that is good, all that is true, all that is beautiful, all that is beneficent, be it great or small,  be it perfect or fragmentary, natural as well as supernatural, moral as wells as material, comes from God.

- John Henry Newman

We walk without fear, full of hope and courage and strength to do His will, waiting for the endless good which He is always giving as fast as He can get us able to take it in.

- George MacDonald

Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in His Word. There is no other hope in the world.

- David Wilkerson

No matter how I feel - the truth remains. Where God has me is a good place. Because I may feel a certain way, I may fail to see that.  My feelings do not dictate what is true. The truth is: God is Good. Life is hard, monotonous, and difficult, but God is good.  I am at home all day, but God is good.  I sometimes wake up with a headache, but God is good.  God is good - nothing is too bad that His goodness cannot overcome.

Rest in that. Meditate on His goodness today.  I am not going to try and find the good things in my life (I know what they are).  I am going to try and rest and be comforted with the simple, but profound fact that my

God is good. 

Psalm 34:8-9 "O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him. O fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him."

Resting in God

What is resting in God mean?

Isaiah 30:15
For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel:
In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.

Lord, I pray that you will teach me what it means to rest in You.
Amen.

BP

Lift Up Your Eyes - God Understand

It should fill us with joy that infinite wisdom guides the affairs of the world...that infinite wisdom directs every event, brings order out of confusion, and light out of darkness, and to those who love God, causes all things, whatever be their present aspect and apparent tendency, to work together for good. - J.L. Dagg

I lift up mine eyes to the quiet hills, and my heart to the Father's throne; in all my ways, to the end of days, the Lord will preserve His own. - Timothy Dudley-Smith

Faith is to believe what we do not see; and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe. - Augustine

Psalm 123:1-2 "I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. We keep looking to the Lord our God for His mercy."

Psalm 147:3-5 "He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds, He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! No, the Lord's delight is in those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love."

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Psalm 124:8 "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

Everything God does is love - even when we do not understand Him. - Basilea Schlink

God, who made the wind, the flowers, the tiny lizards - knows me. He understands my daily struggles. He watches over me when I sleep. He is there: day and night, in every season of my life. He knows the number of the stars - and gently heals my broken heart. He delights in me! Why would I not trust? When I sin, I am not trusting. When I worry, I am not trusting. His ways are perfect and He will perfectly show me the way. I may not understand Him or all of His ways - but He understand me.

The God of All Comfort - My God Comforts Me

We may ask, "Why does God bring thunderclouds and disasters when we want green pastures and still waters?" Bit by bit, we find behind the clouds, the Father's feet; behind the lightning, an abiding day that has no night; behind the thunder, a still small voice that comforts with a comfort that is unspeakable.

- Oswald Chambers

Regardless of the need, God comforts.

He is the God of all comfort!
That's His specialty.

-Charles Swindoll

God walks with us...He scoops us up in His arms or simply sits with us in silent strength until we cannot voice the awesome recognition that yes, even now, He is here.

-Gloria Gaither

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I, even I, am He who comforts you.

Isaiah 51:12

My God does not just provide comfort - He is the comfort. He gives Himself so that I am comforted. What joy awaits those who place their trust in God! He is able to comfort in all affliction. Nothing is too big (we've heard that enough), but nothing is too small either. He cares and comforts concerning the smallest of affliction. For me, He cares that my baby sleep through the night. He cares about my cold.  What is it that seems small to a great big God, but He can still comfort you? God sometimes provides comfort through others - but also through Himself. I love Isaiah 51:12 - He is the one holding our hand, even when we can't see it. He is the one embracing us though we can't feel it. He is the one whispering reassurances - and those we can hear, when we read His Word.

He Makes All Things New

Welcome, Palm Sunday

I'm home today with a sick baby.  Thankful for the quiet though (my toddler went to church with my husband).  Thinking about and thankful for the Resurrection.  With death clouding this past year, it is comforting to know that all will be made new.  Not just our bodies, but everything will be new.  God will make our hearts new. He will make our love new. He will show us Himself and we will be forever changed.  I am so thankful for the reminder every year of His Resurrection.  Because of His Resurrection, I have the hope of one day being made completely new. 
Today I can be new as well. I can be transformed by the renewing of my mind (Rom. 12).  I know that I am looking forward to the newness of heaven, but Christ arose so that I can have new life now.  I can rise now and be new.  I can walk in the newness of life, even today!  I don't have to wait for someday....

All Things New - by A.P.

Come broken and weary.

Come battered and bruised.

My Jesus makes all things new, all things new.

Come lost and abandoned.

Come blown by the wind.

He’ll bring you back home again, home again.

Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, the light of the dawn is upon you.

Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, he makes all things new.

Come frozen with shame.

Come burning with guilt.

My Jesus, he loves you still, he loves you still.

Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, the light of the dawn is upon you.

Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, he makes all things new.

The world was good, the world is fallen, the world will be redeemed, so hold on to the promise.

The stories are true that Jesus makes all things new.

The dawn is upon you.

Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, the light of the dawn is upon you.

Rise up, oh you sleeper, awake, he makes all things new.

All things new.

-for Kelly

Hello Spring, Goodbye Winter

Yesterday we went to the park...it was such a pretty day - warm too.

I even got a little sunburned. (After this winter, I didn't care at all.)

  I was happy to be in the sunlight.

Goodbye Winter,

Hello Spring!

Wecome back, old friend

Winter is at an end.

The warm breezes blow

It is finally time to sow.

You have been gone

For far, far too long.

The rain is cool and clean

Rays of sunlight gleam.

The birds are full of joy

The wind whispers of more.

The flowers shyly drop in

Bringing a smile to our chin.

Trees bend and blow

To bow before Your throne.

The color that can be seen,

Is every shade of green.

We salute you, Spring

We love you, our dear King.

Your beauty, oh so dear.

Your ways are bright and clear.

No more dark nights

Will come with you in sight.

The days will be splended

The nights not so shaded.

Your presence fills us with light.

We are awaiting Your sight.

Abide with us for weeks.

Let Yourlove kiss our cheeks.

Blue skies.

Warm breezes.

Soft colors.

Quiet nights.

Faithful days.

The Return of Spring (and Our King)

Abiding in the Everyday

It is the simple, dreary day, with its commonplace duties and people, that smothers the burning heart— unless we have learned the secret of abiding in Jesus.

Chambers

Photo by BP

Grace

"Thou Son of the Blessed,
what grace was manifest in thy condescension!

Grace brought thee down from heaven,
grace stripped thee of thy glory,
grace made thee poor and despicable,
grace made thee bear such burdens of sin,
such burdens of sorrow,
such burdens of God's curse,
as are unspeakable.

O Son of God!
grace was in all thy tears,
grace came bubbling out of thy side with thy blood,
grace came forth with every word of thy sweet mouth.

Grace came out where the whip smote thee,
where thorns pricked thee,
where the nails and the spear pierced thee.

O blessed Son of God!
here is grace indeed!
unsearchable riches of grace!
unthought-of riches of grace!
grace to make angels wonder,
grace to make sinners happy,
grace to astonish devils.
-John Bunyan Saved by Grace