count'em

How many times do I fail to recognize the wondrous and infinite blessings God has done to me?  And, I don’t deserve even one. Oh! How much He loves even me.  Rather humbling.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Lyrics: Johnson Oatman, Jr (1856-1922)

save me

Save Me

Save me from myself, Lord;
Save me from my need
To always run my life, Lord,
To control my every deed.

Save me from my pride, Lord,

My focus on just me;
Help me learn to serve, Lord;

Show me how to be. Save me from the world, Lord,
When tempting things entice;
Remind me of eternity
With You, in paradise. I give my life to you, Lord
My every need you fill;
I’m resting in my faith, Lord;
You saved me, and you always will. By Joanna Fuchs

worthy words

magnificent, marvelous, miraculous, majestic

When I was a girl, I used to lie on the grass and look at the clouds.  I saw all kinds float slowly by.  I'd gazed at the sky and imagine the unique shapes were boats or bears or balloons or butterflies or bananas or babies or...  I didn't know if they were cirrus clouds or cumulus clouds or cirro-cumulus or alto-cumulus or...  
All I did know was that God created a beautiful world and I enjoyed those lazy warm days looking up to the sky.

worthy words

blessings

Count your blessings

and your problems.

If your problems

out number your blessings,

count again.

Chances are the things

you take for granted

were not added.

worthy words

Trust... in His timing.
Wait... for His answers.
Rely... on His promises.
Relax... in His presence.
Believe... in His miracles.
Rejoice... in His goodness.

pause 'n ponder

An honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what is wrong with him very quickly.

God is not silent. It is the nature of God to speak. The second person of the Holy Trinity is called "The Word."

For not only does sound reason direct us to refuse the guidance of those who do or teach anything wrong, but it is by all means vital for the lover of truth, regardless of the threat of death, to choose to do and say what is right even before saving his own life.

(A W Tozer)

Happy Birthday Hudson!

 

Happy 3rd Birthday Hudson!
I love you, Nana

Galatians 6:9

pause 'n ponder

Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.

Prayerlessness is a sin.

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?

Don't pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.

Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.

(Corrie Ten Boom)

?

Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

When we cry?

When we dream?

When we kiss?

Because we know that the most beautiful things in life are not seen, but felt by the heart.

don't be a copy cat

His Love endures forever...

Because you love Me, I will rescue you; I will protect you, for you acknowledge My name. You will call upon Me, and I will answer you; I will be with you in trouble, I will deliver you and honor you. With long life I will satisfy you and show you My salvation. If I am for you, who can be against you? Who shall separate you from My love? Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from My love. My love for you endures forever!

With All My Love,

The Lord

worthy words

dear Lord, forgive our yielding to temptation

Just Like Me
Dear Lord, forgive our yielding to temptation;
Forgive our pride, our love of worldly things.

Have mercy on our love of sensual pleasure,
Compassion on the sins that self love brings.
It must be hard to understand us sometimes;
So very different is your heart and mind.
But wait, I just remembered that you do know
What it’s like to be a part of humankind.

You suffered just like we do, and you were tempted.

You lived with us so you could comprehend

The things that we go through each trying day,

So you could give us mercy, and be our friend.
Thank you for compassion and forgiveness;
Thank you for your love and empathy.
Thank you, Lord, for coming down from heaven
To experience life’s trials, just like me.
By Joanna Fuchs

worthy words

do i have faith this amazing? (reprise)

In today’s sermon, our preacher told a little about a man named George Muller.  He was born in 1805, saved at age six, and in 1834, founded the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, whose prime objective was to provide orphanages in Great Britain.  

He had no money, he had no intention of asking for any – he believed that God would provide everything that was needed.  He prayed and God provided!  Muller never asked for support!  For 64 years, that’s how he operated.  Just think about it, he never, ever asked for money, he only prayed and God supplied! 

Over the years, he cared for and educated over 18,000 kids, educated over 100,000 more in other schools, distributed hundreds of thousands of  Bibles, tens of millions of tracts, supported about 150 missionaries, travelled over 200,000 miles as a missionary himself, and shared the gospel to over 3 million around the world.

 

And in all that time, he never asked for one penny from anyone, his children never missed a meal, and he never had a debt. That is the remarkable record of George Mueller.

Happy Birthday Jackson!

Happy 1st Birthday Jackson!
I love you, Nana

Lord help me to be in Your holy will

Like You Lord help me to be in Your holy will;
Tell me what to do today;
Lead me in Your righteousness;
Make me more like You, I pray. Guard me against this corrupting world,
Its perverted priorities, temptations, too.
Direct my mind toward Your commands,
So I can focus my life on You. Fill my heart with Your light and love,
So I can assist those I see in need;
With You as my role model, let me be
Like You in thought and word and deed. By Joanna Fuchs

worthy words

worthy words

to Him

To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
To Him who made the heavens with skill,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
To Him who spread out the earth above the waters,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
To Him who made the great lights,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting:
The sun to rule by day,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Psalm 136:4-9 NAS

worthy words

Love the Lord

He answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” and, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 10:27

quick quotes

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.

I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.

grace

There was a time in my life that I felt far removed from grace. This gift is never deserved, and it took a little faith before I could accept God’s grace for me. In this life, I'll never be worthy to receive God’s free gift of grace. So, just like I am, it’s okay to accept God’s grace.

God gives His grace freely, and it’s inseparable from His love. My life ought to be spent, every moment of it, in returning His love thru worship. And, thru shining His love into the lives of others. This giving back and sharing the love of Christ is achieved by my acceptance of God’s grace, and being saved by faith.

worthy words

hummmmm...

During the day, while doing this and that and the other, I realize from time to time that I’m humming a song and ‘singing’ the lyrics in my thoughts.  Actually, a hymn.  Why these particular hymns, I don’t know.  I haven’t sung them in church for years and years and years.  I listen to contemporary Christian music, so it’s doubtful that I’ve heard them recently.  Evidently, they have been pulled from somewhere in my subconscious mind.  (It’s amazing what’s stored there.)

I made mental notes to remember what I hummed.  That didn’t work, so I did it the old school way:  paper and pencil.  This is but a small sampling:

Send the Light

There's a call comes ringing over the restless wave
"Send the light! Send the light!"
There are souls to rescue there are souls to save
Send the light! Send the light!

Holy Holy Holy

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Battle Hymn of The Republic

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,
He hath loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on.

Count Your Blessings

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

quick quotes

The interior journey of the soul from the wilds of sin into the enjoyed presence of God is beautiful. Ransomed men need no longer pause in fear to the Holy of Holies. God wills that we should push on into His presence and live our whole life there.
AW Tozer

God did not write a book and send it by messenger to be read at a distance by unaided minds. He spoke a Book and lives in His spoken words, constantly speaking His words and causing the power of them to persist across the years.
AW Tozer

worthy words

worthy words

broken shell

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18 NAS

A dear lady from my church gave me a gift.  It was a book that held a special place in her heart, and she wanted to share it with me.  I’ve read this book many times, and it never fails to remind me of the hope and faith I have in God, and to feel His loving comfort.  I may be burdened, but He gives me rest.  I may be weak, but He gives me strength.  I may be hurting, but He gives me comfort.  I may be depressed, but He gives me hope.   

I may be broken, but I have the loving arms of my Lord holding me.

My Beautiful Broken Shell: Words of Hope to Refresh the Soul 

by Carol Hamblet Adams, D. Morgan (Illustrator)

‘Walking along a North Carolina beach one day, Carol Hamblet Adams picked up a scallop shell. It was broken. She threw it down. Then she picked it up again. In that moment, God spoke to her about her own brokeness, her own imperfections. The resulting reflections....’ 

*There are two other books by Carol Hamblet Adams that continue to speak of the rest and the hope and the healing touch of God: 

Waves of God's Healing: Finding Rest in the Storms of Life 

My Beautiful Sandcastle Moments: New Beginnings of Hope and Healing

this really isn't funny

Had to take Callie to the vet yesterday because she suddenly stopped eating.  She prescribed a small tablet once a day.  Who knew it would be this hard!

How to Give a Pill to a Cat

1. Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.
2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.
3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.
4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.
5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.
6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.
7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.
8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.
9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.
10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.
11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw tee-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.
12. Call fire department to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil-wrap.
13. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed, force cat's mouth open with small wrench. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of filet mignon. Hold head vertically and pour ½ pint of water down throat to wash pill down.
14. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture store on way home to order new table.
(Unknown)

worthy words

pause 'n ponder

God has no origin and it is precisely this concept of no-origin which distinguishes that which is God from whatever is not God.

When we try to focus our thought upon One who is pure uncreated being we may see nothing at all, for He dwelleth in light that no man can approach unto. Only by faith and love are we able to glimpse Him as He passes by our shelter in the cleft of the rock.
A W Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

hearts, not marble

A good character is the best tombstone.  Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered.  Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.

Charles H. Spurgeon

message along the highway - reprise

Last week, I was driving down a busy road during the lunch-time rush. As I stopped for a red light, I noticed a woman, dressed in tattered clothing, standing in the median. Her arms were stretched high above her head holding a handmade sign. On a paper poster board, large letters were clearly printed in black. The sign read: STOP SINNING, COME TO JESUS. She wasn’t asking for money, she was just standing there, in the middle of the busy road, planting seeds among the traffic.

Her actions were a witness for Jesus Christ. As a child of God, my life is a witness for Him, either for or against. Even as a Christian, I am not immune from testing and temptation. I was born with a sin nature, and will never STOP SINNING. There is no escape from sin; it’s a reality of life. Even so, I can COME TO JESUS and ask Him for forgiveness.

I did some shopping and ran errands for a couple of hours. On my way home, the woman was still there, standing in the median, holding the sign high above her head.

if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 NIV

quick quotes

faith quotes by A.W. Tozer

Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.

Perhaps it takes a purer faith to praise God for unrealized blessings than for those we once enjoyed or those we enjoy now.

True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lie.

Strength, Power, and might

"The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him.

Exodus 15:2 NAS

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31 NAS

'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Isaiah 41:10 NAS

Happy Birthday Olivia!

Happy 4th Birthday Olivia!
I love you, Nana

:)

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life and to my best friend. 

Thirty-one years ago, we vowed ‘forever, together, in love’.  

I’m blessed.  Seriously, blessed.   

happy birthday son

On this day in 1982, I first met the baby boy I had carried for 9 1/2 months.  He was born at 12:45 am, weighed 8 lbs 6 oz, and was 20 7/8 long.  It was suddenly real, and I fell in love.

When we came home with him and settled in, I suddenly realized this darling baby was ours, and our responsibility.  I realized, literally, that I knew little about being a mom.  We learned by trial and error, made mistakes, had some successes, and felt more comfortable with what we were doing.

When I snuggled and held him close, I thought about him smiling and sitting and walking and talking and running and playing.  I wondered what he’d be like as he grew, what kind of man he’d become, and what he’d accomplish with his life.

As I rocked back and forth, I looked into my baby’s beautiful blue eyes, and never imagined he’d be the man he is today.  I couldn’t have known the special plans God had for him...

Happy Birthday, Son!  I love you!   

one beautiful morning

I sit here on my bench, soaking in the dappling sun as it peeks thru the shade of a tree.  There’s a soft breeze, gently kissing my cheeks, carrying the fragrance of flowers swirling all around me.  I hear the bubbling water on the pond, a buzzing bee flying by, the music of the wind chime, the chirping of baby birds.  I open my eyes and see a beautiful butterfly resting on a colorful bloom, a mother sparrow poking a worm into her nest, the glint of goldfish as they swim back and forth, a tiny crape myrtle bloom floating by, a limitless deep blue sky holding white fluffy clouds.  

 I am astounded by the sheer beauty of God’s creation.  I close my eyes and thank God for my life, for His grace, for His salvation.  There are no words to express the immense love I feel.  God is so good. 

“Nature never taught me that there exists a God of glory and of infinite majesty. I had to learn that in other ways. But nature gave the word glory a meaning for me. I still do not know where else I could have found one.”

~C.S. Lewis

one, two, three!

My grandkids make me smile and laugh.  They fill me with joy and love.  They are fun and adorable. 

They have filled a space in my heart that I never knew was empty.  

 

Three gifts from God... 

I’m blessed.   

Seriously, blessed.

i’ve fallen and i can’t get up

I believe all us, as Christians, at one time or another, have found ourselves stuck in a pit.  Sometimes the pit isn’t very deep and the clay isn’t very soggy, sometimes the pit is narrow and the bottom is miry, sometimes the pit is wide and the clay is liquid, sometimes we fall in backwards, sometime we trip and fall in, sometimes we weren’t paying attention, sometimes we jump in, sometimes we are pushed in, sometime we slide in, sometimes we aren’t aware how we got there.  However we find ourselves in the dark hole, there’s only one way we’ll see the light, there’s only one way the bottom is firm, there’s only one way we can be freed.    

‘I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!’  How many times have we heard that?  Over and over and over again.  But, in reality, it’s so true.  When I’ve fallen, I can’t get up by myself.  It takes a loving and powerful and comforting and gracious and true and kind and faithful and majestic and holy and righteous and almighty and perfect and merciful and eternal God!  He is the one and only way we can be rescued.  He is the one and only way we can be saved.  He is the one and only way we can be set free.  He is the one and only way we can be delivered. 

I’ve been in a deep, dark pit stuck up to my neck in slimy clay.  A lot of soul searching took place down there.  A lot of tears.  A lot of questioning.  A lot of suffering. A lot of learning.  A lot of yearning.  A lot of praying.  A lot of...   

Hey, God gave me a new song!

I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.  He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.

Psalm 40:1-3 NAS

quick quotes

Grace is the pleasure of God to magnify the worth of God by giving sinners the right and power to delight in God without obscuring the glory of God.
- John Piper

When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.
- Billy Graham

You must go forward on your knees.
- Hudson Taylor

foto favs

what a blessing...

Psalm 91:4

He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

Psalm 91:4 NAS

God covers me with His strong wings and feathers.  I’m comforted in the knowledge that I can rest safely and securely in His love.  He is my shelter, He is my protector, He is my defender, He is my assurance, He is my deliverer, He is my fortress.  God surrounds me with His love, He covers me with His armor, His promise is true, His faithfulness is great, His love is matchless, His love is divine.

This verse has special meaning to me. I’ve read it over and over and over again.  I hold each word close to my heart.  When I’m afraid, when I’m alone, when I’m empty, when I’m struggling, when I’m confused,  when I’m grieving, when I’m tired, when I’m insecure, when I have nothing more to give, I can hide in God. 

God is my precious hiding place.   

worthy words

quick quotes

A W Tozer:

An honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what is wrong with him very quickly.

The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.

One hundred religious persons knit into a unity by careful organization do not constitute a church any more than eleven dead men make a football team. The first requisite is life, always.

journey to joy - reprise

”May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love, and joy of God's presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of my self as a vessel for Him to fill full of His Spirit and His love.” -Andrew Murray

My life. I can either be grateful for it, or grumble about it. I can be satisfied with what I have been given, or envy what others possess. Life is a journey that I can either tolerate or enjoy. I’d rather my life have J-O-Y.

My life. But, it’s not all about me. As a child, I learned that J-O-Y was Jesus 1st, Others 2nd, and You last. Jesus is the one, true source of everlasting joy. By giving my time and energy to others, I receive joy in return. I’d rather my life have J-O-Y.

My life. Because God lives within me, my joy may be eternal. Someone once said, “God made you for Himself, and it is only when you find His purpose for your life, that you will also find His peace and His joy in your life”. I’d rather my life have J-O-Y.

You reveal the path of life to me;
in Your presence is abundant joy;
in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.
(Psalm 16:11 The Holman Christian Standard Bible)

"I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”
(John 15:11 The Holman Christian Standard Bible)

worthy words

burdens & backs

Don’t pray for lighter burdens, but for stronger backs.

worthy words

depression, gratitude and Charles Spurgeon – part 2

Sometimes depression can be a preparation for something greater.  Charles Spurgeon knew this well.  He preached through adversity.  How?  He saw ‘his depression as the design of God for the good of his ministry and the glory of Christ’.

These are but two excerpts written about him that clearly show how he allowed God to use him just the way he was:

For the suffering that he endured was tremendous, and at times overwhelming, yet he would say that it was during these times that he truly longed for, because during these times he could do nothing else but to draw near to his Savior and Lord. This is when Spurgeon would climb under the wings of refuge, and gain his strength in spirit, mind, and will, to do his part in fulfilling the great commission.  

Spurgeon was no stranger to depression, and therefore his words have all the more credibility. And as Spurgeon was a great champion of God’s sovereignty in all things, he serves as a reminder that people of great faith and trust in God can nonetheless be brought low in depression. While that thought may be depressing to those who haven’t known much depression, it will be liberating to those who have.

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.

Psalm 42:5 NAS

pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 NAS

depression, gratitude and Charles Spurgeon – part 1

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (June 19, 1834 – January 31, 1892)

I enjoy reading quotes, sermons, and devotionals written by Charles Spurgeon.  He’s one of my all-time favorites.  He was a prolific author who wrote great works, with great meaning, with great insight, with great knowledge, with great clarity, with great honesty, with great feeling, with great belief, with great perspective, and with great sincerity. 

To learn more about his life and ministry, I recently googled him, and was especially surprised at what I stumbled upon.  Charles Spurgeon wrestled with depression most of his life.

As well as recurrent battles with depression, he also suffered from extreme, painful physical illness.  Yet, his attitude was unbelievably positive.  He said, “This depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry. The cloud is black before it breaks and overshadows before it yields its deluge of mercy”.

“Knowing by most painful experience what deep depression of spirit means, being visited therewith at seasons by no means few or far between,.....and that sadder men might know that one upon whom the sun has shown right joyously did not always walk in the light.”

This was a man who was incredibly used by God, despite his life of intense pain and suffering. 

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 NAS

foto favs

 

worthy words

make the time to...

This morning, I was once again ashamed.  Ashamed of my lack of quiet time with my Savior.  I had/have many things to do today, and I rushed and hurried on my way.  Then I thought/think about the days I skip it all together and I’m very guilty.  Every day of my life, I can  make all the time needed to be still, to listen and know that God is God.  After all, I owe my life and everything to Him.    

It’s easy to pick up a devotional book or magazine and quickly read a couple of paragraphs and hastily read a few Bible verses and hurriedly say a prayer.  And, before I know it, I can’t remember what I read and I’ve fallen into a sinful routine.  I say this with embarrassment and shame – to whoever reads this, but most importantly to Jesus.  I ask for forgiveness and ask for direction and ask for wisdom.  I must sincerely pray to and listen to God and to Jesus and to the Holy Spirit. 

I talk aloud to God throughout the day, but I can’t hear Him unless I’m quiet and still and listen and focus.  Only then can I hear Him speak - the Creator and Deliverer and Lord and Savior and Almighty and Everlasting.  There is plenty of time in my day to meditate on God’s Word and allow Him to speak to my heart.  I love and trust and have faith and love Him.  It’s time to show I do.      

“Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10 ESV

quick quotes

Andrew Murray (1828-1917)

A readiness to believe every promise implicitly, to obey every command unhesitatingly, to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, is the only true spirit of Bible study.

The only humility that is really ours is not that which we try to show before God in prayer, but that which we carry with us in our daily conduct.

Never try to arouse faith from within. You cannot stir up faith from the depths of your heart. Leave your heart, and look into the face of Christ.

give thanks, seek His will

pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 NAS

The truth is, when it comes to being thankful for everything in my life, I often completely fail.  I realize that everything happens because it’s the will of God.  I know His Word is true.  I know He is faithful.  I know He loves me.  I know He is in control.  He is in control of everything.  But there are those times I need reminding that He is in control of everything.

Sometimes I’m happy and sometimes I’m sad, sometimes I’m comforted and sometimes I’m hurting, sometimes I’m calm and sometimes I’m upset, sometimes I’m well and sometimes I’m sick, sometimes I’m encouraged and sometimes I’m frustrated,  sometimes I understand and sometimes I question.

My life would be better if I totally and completely obey and trust God. It would be better if ...

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 was monogrammed on my heart.

foto favs

what can i do?

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:19-20 NAS

So I ask myself, "what can I do?" Certainly more than I do.  I obey God and give my tithes and offerings.  What else?  Support missions - both in America and foreign countries.  Attend church weekly.  Be faithful in studying His word.  Live so others can see Jesus in me.  Visiting some home bound church members.  Even though I have some physical limitations, there are simple and small things I can do.  Like, taking a couple of turns manning a tractor trailer to receive items for a church yard sale.  The proceeds will benefit causes supported by the Women on Missions (WOM) group.  As much as I'm able, be active with the WOM and helping with projects.  And, thinking about it, there’s many, many other ways I can serve.

(Excerpt from Lifeway ‘Explore the Bible Adult Learner Guide’, Spring 2011):

Some people mistakenly believe that missionary work can only be done by certain Christians who have received a special calling from God.  Yet Jesus’ mandate that we know as the Great Commission was intended to apply to all His followers, not just to a special group of people.  Certainly some are called to go as career missionaries.  However, God wants every follower making disciples.  You may already be involved in spreading the gospel and not realize it.  For example, a portion of tithes and offerings given to Southern Baptist churches goes to provide financial support, supplies, and equipment to missionaries all over the world.  There are many ways you can join others in spreading the gospel in your community as well as to the ends of the earth.