my tears in my bottle

I came across this and was struck by its message.  It's a bit long, but thought I'd share...

My Bottle of Tears
by Kristi Huseby

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle.  You have recorded each one in your book.”  (Psalm 56:8, NLT)

I confess I’m a crier.  I cry at movies, at baseball games when the national anthem is played, at graduations, weddings, and funerals.  I cry when I hear a sad story, when someone else cries, when I share what God has done in my life, when I’m angry, and even when I laugh hard enough.

I hate the fact that I cry so easily.  It can be incredibly embarrassing for one thing.  And for another, it puts people in an awkward position.  But crying can be a good thing! God created tears – it is in His design that we cry.

I love the Psalms because they give us beautiful pictures of what our intimate relationship with God is like.  And Psalm 56:8 (NLT) gives us one of those snapshots of God’s tenderness with us when we are experiencing incredible sorrow in our life.

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle.  You have recorded each one in your book.”  (I’m sure I have a very BIG bottle!)

God not only keeps track of all our sorrows, hurts and heartaches, He has recorded them in His book. Every tear we’ve cried He has stored in our bottle, the one He keeps just for us.

I wonder, does my bottle have my name on it?  Is it a special color?  I wonder if God, my Father looks at my bottle full of tears and says, “Ah, that one is my daughter, Kristi’s! Her bottle of tears is so precious to me and I treasure each one. I am intimately acquainted with all her ways and I love her.  When she has cried tears that no one sees, I have seen, I know and cherish each one because I cherish her.”

What a beautiful gentle picture this is of our God – a Father who tenderly collects our tears and holds them close to His heart.

Have you ever stopped to consider that God is keeping track of all your sorrows? He knows each one of them.  He has seen you cry until you can’t cry any more.  He has witnessed your heartache over a difficult child, a wayward spouse, a broken friendship, or the death of a loved one.  He has seen your tears when you have cried all alone in the dark, not sure of where to turn or where to go.  He has recorded each one in His book and collected your tears in the bottle He has just for you.  How precious you are to Him!

Let the tears flow and know that your God cares for you intimately and with great passion!
Father, Thank you for seeing my tears and for the promise that I am never alone in my sorrow.  Amen.

quick quotes

Charles Spurgeon 

"Stand still” – keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.” 

If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts; for blessed are all they that wait for Him. He is worth waiting for. The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes. The Lord’s people have always been a waiting people.

Those who do not hope cannot wait; but if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Happy Birthday H!

Happy 4^th Birthday H!  You’re a sweet grandson, with bunches of fun, lots of laughter, and full of love.  I love it when you sing, when you show me pictures you made, and when you play hide-n-seek.  Have a super day!  I love you bunches and bunches, Nana

i have three wonderful grandchildren

O is a beautiful, charming, bright, and imaginative five-year-old.  I fell deeply in love the first moment I saw her and held her in my arms.  I had no idea how to be a nana, and I admit I was a bit anxious.  I didn’t know much about little girls.  She was the one who taught me.   And, so the story began...


H is a funny, sweet, energetic, and mischievous four-year-old (in a few days).  When I first laid eyes on him and held him in my arms, I fell deeply in love all over again.  I quickly learned about being a nana to a little boy.  After all, I did have some experience with his Dad.  And, so the story began...

J is a happy, curious, entertaining, and active two-year-old.  I fell deeply in love all over again when I saw the first pictures of him.  He grew quickly from week to week, then month to month.  I first hugged him and held him when he was around seven-months-old.  And, so the story began...

I’ve watched each grandchild grow, I’ve seen pictures they drew and colored, I’ve watched them dance, I’ve read books to them, I’ve listened to songs they’ve learned, I’ve learned about their school, I’ve heard about their day, I’ve played hide and seek, I’ve watched them open gifts, I’ve been blessed to be such a part of their lives.  I’m so grateful for Skype.

This nana’s heart overflows with love for these three precious children. And, the story continues...

I'm blessed, seriously blessed...

(photos by their mom)

Amen!

faith

We need some work done around the house, but realized/decided we need a professional.   After researching companies online at the BBB site (Better Business Bureau), I found several good possibilities.  Occasionally we get an envelope in the mail with a bunch of company coupons/flyers.  We got such an envelope yesterday, and there was a coupon for my first choice.  As it turns out, the coupon has a Christian fish (ichthys).  Below that is 2 Cor. 5:7 - For we live by faith, not by sight. 

My heart smiles when I see a business display a public testimony of the Word of God!

beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life

Every so often I come across a verse (or verses) that I focus on the meaning of each word.  The verse from this week covered a few responsibilities of Christians.  (Note the word ‘few’)

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

(1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV)

guard – Be alert.  Be watchful.  Be prepared.  Be ready.  Be focused.

stand firm –  Stand certain.  Stand sure.  Stand steadfast.  Stand fixed.

courageous – Be brave.  Be bold.  Be confident.  Be fearless.  Be secure.   

strong – Be fit.  Be able.  Be capable.  Be determined.   
  
love – Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.  Love your enemies.  Love one another.

Since I’m not a Biblical scholar, I’ve most likely ‘interpreted’ some of this verse incorrectly.  But, I do believe the entire Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of God.

pause 'n ponder

song of the Shepherd

There’s a song I’ve held close to my heart for a very long time.  I can listen to the words and the music thousands of times and never grow tired of the message it holds.  It soothes my soul and calms my heart.  I take comfort knowing I’m safe inside my Shepherd’s care.  He laid down his life for me, He leads me so carefully, and He is the way back home.

the Shepherd Song by Kelly Willard, Evening Tapestry album

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSoEIP2-Bcg

(This album was a gift from Mary (my sister) many years ago.)

declares the LORD

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

I have read and/or seen and/or studied this verse a zillion times – in the Bible and on greeting cards and devotionals and on bookmarks and calendars and encouraging quotes and videos and in lessons and on web pages and sermons and in books and wall art and blogs and Bible covers and Facebook and coffee mugs and paintings and more...

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:12-13

Verses 12 and 13 are just as powerful. 

I’m certainly no Bible scholar, but from what I understand, these verses are reminding His chosen people of His unbreakable covenant with Abraham.

These verses hold a special place in my heart.  He knows what I am.  He knows what He wants me to be.  He knows He is here for me.  He knows He will hear when I pray.  He knows I will find Him in my heart. 

reflective reads

Happy 2nd Birthday J!

J, you have lots of smiles inside of you!  From sweet to big and happy to mischievous.  Your laughter just bubbles over and your eyes twinkle brightly.  J, you’re a fun little fellow!  Happy 2nd Birthday!  I love you bunches and bunches, Nana

on a hill an empty cross

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.     Galatians 2:20 NAS

There are times when the cross comes to the forefront of my mind.  Not just any cross, but that cross on the hill.  I contemplate exactly what that cross means to me.  That cross: it’s a powerful thing.  Jesus died and rose around 2,000 years ago, yet because of His sacrifice on that cross, I’m saved by His mercy and grace.  As a Christian, I have faith in that cross.  On that cross I was crucified with Jesus.  That’s a fact.  It’s a concept that’s difficult to wrap my mind around.  But, in my heart?  I know it was there that Jesus willingly died for me.  I know for a fact, I have total confidence, I’m definitely certain, I’m absolutely sure, I’m a believer, I’m positive it’s true, I have no doubt, I completely accept, I’m assured and secure, yet I don’t fully comprehend nor understand.  In every respect, I have faith that He died and rose for all, even a filthy sinner like me.

On that hill, there stands the empty cross.  I know that is true.  I have faith

There’s a hymn titled ‘Only a Sinner’ (James M Gray, 1905) that nails it. 

Refrain

Only a sinner, saved by grace!
Only a sinner, saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory
I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!

Another hymn, ‘Nothing but the Blood’ (Ro­bert Low­ry, 1876) lays it out clear and simple.What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

music to my ears

quick quotes

*Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of.

*Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the windows which hope has opened.

*There is no more blessed way of living, than the life of faith based upon a covenant-keeping God to know that we have no care, for He cares for us; that we need have no fear, except to fear Him; that we need have no troubles, because we have cast our burdens upon the Lord, and are conscience that He will sustain us.

Charles H Spurgeon

♥

squirrels scampering, scuttling, and scooting (say that fives times fast)

For the last few days, I’ve watched cute little squirrels scurrying in the backyard intent on finding ideal winter storage spaces.  The way they are feverishly searching makes me wonder what this winter may hold.  They are racing and ‘squirreling’ around with nuts held tightly in their cheeks.  Where are they finding pecans?  I think acorns are plentiful from trees around the neighborhood.  I wonder if they can find enough to last thru the winter.  I’ve seen evidence in some of my flower beds that ‘tasty winter food’ is hidden beneath the surface.  I wonder if there’s a problem with some squirrels bullying others or stealing food.  That would be sad.  If food were stolen, I wonder if others would share their stash with less fortunate ones.  If not, that would be sad.  I wonder if the ones that dine from my bird feeders don’t otherwise have enough food.  Maybe I should stop shooing them away.  Yeah, I should.

hiatus

Reason:  'L5-S1 tear and disc herniation'
'Nuff said

:(

Feral cats are homeless cats, and most are born in the wild.  Others are abandoned or became lost. They are for all intents and purposes wild, frightened, and pitiful.  They get sick, they get injured, they get hit by cars, they kill birds, they suffer, they scrounge for food and water.  Even though I know of one neighbor who daily puts out food and water, it isn’t enough for every cat and kitten.

There is a Feral Cat program that spays/neuters /vaccinates/and return the cats to the neighborhood in which they were trapped.  They call this a ‘feral cat colony’ that depends on a caretaker responsible for providing the necessities.  But they face the same environment all over again.  I do not agree with this program.

There are many feral cats and kittens in my neighborhood.  Only the baby kittens are most likely adoptable, with some love and care and patience.  But, the SPCA has been full and the Humane Society couldn’t help and the many agencies and rescue groups and assistance programs and animal shelters are usually well over their limit.  It just breaks my heart. 

According to the ASPCA, these statistics are sadly tragic. 

Start with one unspayed female cat who produces three litters of 4.5 kittens in one year. Then suppose each of these kittens finds a mate and reproduces at the same rate, and so on for the following generations…all while the original female continues breeding, too. If none of these cats are sterilized, how many cats will you wind up with?

Year 1: 14
Year 2: 203
Year 3: 2,754
Year 4: 37,193
Year 5: 502,119
Year 6: 6,778,620
Year 7: 91,511,383

This needs to be stopped...

Isaiah 40:30-31

I’ve been praying and praying and praying for something.  Actually, quite a few things...health related, me related, family related, friend related, situation related, world related, and more related.  I desperately need want several prayers answered – now!  I’m tired, very tired.  I’m impatient, I’m frustrated, I’m discouraged, I’m weak.  I want answers now, I need want it now!

(I’m screeching to a full stop here!) I know.  God knows what I truly need.  He knows when and where and how and how much and how soon.  He knows I need strength, He knows I need comforting, He knows I need leading.  He knows, He knows, He knows.

These are two of my favorite verses.  God knows, He knows. 

Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

Isaiah 40:30-31 NAS

My prayers should be for His will to be done.  Because, God knows.  Period.

quick quotes

Blessed are they who can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.

Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.

Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.

unknown

♥

i can't save the (cat) world

My neighborhood is overrun with feral cats.  After seeing the number grow, several people began humanely trapping.  Over the last couple of weeks, around 18 were caught.  That’s the problem.  These cats are hungry, get hit by cars, get sick with contagious infections, other illnesses, get injured, infected with worms, and so much more.

I have to remind myself that I can’t save the world.

It was a very, very hard decision for me, but I also began trapping.  My first one had some intestinal sickness and looked pitiful.  Today I caught a ten-week-old grey tabby that was very sick.  The animal control officer is very understanding that some of us can’t hold back a few tears.  It’s something about handing them over, knowing they are headed to the shelter and will be put to sleep.

I have to remind myself that I can’t save the world.

Earlier this week, a couple of neighbors caught a baby kitten from between our fences.  I was able to catch two others.  (Even though one scratched and bit me, he was still cute.)  There were five kittens, but I never found the other two.  My neighbors are allergic, so I had a box of three precious kittens about five weeks old.  The SPCA was at capacity, nothing at The Humane Society or The Feral Cat Assistance program.  I really tried, but the last option was the Animal Shelter.  I took the box and asked what would happen to them.  I was told they may never be put up for adoption.  They have 600 dogs and cats, and they do the best they can.

I have to remind myself that I can’t save the world.

A neighbor just called.  The house beside me has baby kittens in the crawl space.  And so we begin again Monday.

I have to remind myself that I can’t save the world.

the tree outside a bedroom window

In August of 2000, we loaded up the truck and Jeep and drove towards God’s country.  We were heading for Boone, NC, a peaceful setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  I rode in the Jeep for the drive up.  We talked about campus life and settling into the dorm and if he had everything he needed and how we loved the mountains and how it wasn’t that far from home and to what lay ahead...

Then there was less talk and more music.  My heart became flooded with memories.  Some made me happy and I smiled, some made me sad and I fought back the tears.  I reminisced...how this story began some 18 years before, how quickly time had passed, how this journey was unknown...

The campus was unbelievably spectacular.  I took a step back and tried to take it all in.  We unloaded all of his belongings and somehow moved them into his dorm.  My only child would be living here.  We were glad he was sharing the dorm with an old friend.  We helped put away a few things, but as for the rest, he would make that space his own, now this was his home for a while...

Our goodbyes had been said.  As the mountains disappeared behind us, I knew it was time to let go. I trusted that he would make good choices, that he would find his way.  The page had turned to a new chapter.  His journey would take a new path, one guided by God, one that he would make his own...

 

On our way home, we stopped at a local garden center and bought a Crepe Myrtle tree.  It’s one of our favorite trees, from the tender green leaves of spring, to the tiny delicate flowers of summer, to the brilliant multi-colored leaves of fall, to the beautiful bark of winter.  We planted the tree that day, and the cycle continues...

This tree is outside the bedroom window, the room of a young child’s journey, a journey which shaped the child into a young man... 

Sometimes his tree will catch my eye, and I stop and remember and gaze and smile.  Since that day, he graduated college, he married the woman God intended, they have three beautiful children, they are following the path God had chosen...

judge not

there’s a story behind every person,a reason why they are the way they are so, think about that before you judge someone

Before you judge my life, my past, or my character...walk in my shoes, walk the path I’ve traveled, live my sorrows, my doubts, my fear, my pain, and my laughter...remember, everyone has a story.  When you’ve lived my life, then you can judge me.

 Why do I still need reminding of this?

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Matthews 7:1-5 NIV

sunday songs

A man named C. Austin Miles (1868-1946) was first a pharmacist and then began authoring hymns and then became a music director at church.  He also was an amateur photographer.

One day in March of 1912, he was in his dark room developing film.  He had a profound spiritual experience where he saw a vision of Mary Magdalene looking into the empty tomb.  He saw her walking away into a garden, where she met Jesus.

Miles had a new song filling his mind and heart.  He sat down and wrote the lyrics to ‘In the Garden’, and that very night he composed the musical score.  The song was published in 1912.

This is one of my favorite hymns, especially when I’m in my garden...

In the Garden

I come to garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses . . .

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!

He speaks and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that he gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing . . .

And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!

Jesus Christ - Savior

blessings

a rose can say I love you

an orchid can enthrall

but a weed bouquet in a chubby fist

that is the best of all

sunday songs

In 1922, a woman named Rhea F. Miller wrote a poem. Somehow, ten years later a copy of that poem was on top of an organ in a family home in New York.  A 23-year-old musician saw the poem, and its words touched the cry of his heart.  He set the words to music.  His mother heard her son singing this testimony of commitment.  She came from the kitchen, with tears in her eyes, and asked him to sing it the next Sunday.

When the congregation heard his deep voice sing, little did they know that song would become one of the most well-known Christian hymns.  A few years later, this musician joined forces with a young evangelist and they traveled the world together.

The musician: George Beverly Shea

The evangelist: Billy Graham

The song: I'd Rather Have Jesus

I'd Rather Have Jesus

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I'd rather have His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I'd rather be led by His nail pierced hand

Refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway;
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,
I'd rather be true to His holy name

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom,
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all that my hungering spirit needs,
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

Philippians 3:8 NAS

quick quotes

quotes by Corrie Ten Boom

What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.

Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?

When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.

a little girl's calling

Let me tell you about my Great-Aunt Gladys.

While other children were playing ‘house’ or ‘truck driver’ or ‘teacher and school’ or ‘super-hero’, my Great-Aunt Gladys played ‘missionary’.  Yes, I said ‘missionary’.  Even as child, she knew that God was calling her to be a missionary.  To me, that’s incredibly awesome!

She attended Oxford College, The Medical College of Virginia, and Tulane University in preparation for becoming a medical missionary.  She became both a general medical doctor and a surgeon.

My Great-Aunt Gladys, MD, sailed for China in 1924.  She was prepared for language difficulties and oriental diseases.      

Such an example of the conditions the medical missionaries faced happened in 1935.  There was a deadly ‘scourge black fever’ that was killing thousands and wiping out whole villages in a coastal province in China.  The missionaries worked with limited resources and without enough facilities.

Her dedication to China ended after WW II when missionaries were forced to leave or become imprisoned.  The Communist Regime closed China to missionaries.  After serving about eleven years in the China mission, Aunt Gladys began her homeward journey.

She remained in the states for several years, studied a new language, and learned about diseases in the heart of Africa.  Aunt Gladys traveled to Africa in 1949 to continue her missionary career in the Kasai valley in the Congo.  She directed a women’s hospital, worked at other Congo missions, and served for many years at Bulape as well at other stations. She was among those evacuated during an Independence Revolution, but later she returned to the mission field. 

After many years of Christian service, Aunt Gladys had reached the retirement age.  Missionaries were given complete physicals when returning for furlough.  She had developed cancer and later died at Memorial Hospital in Charlotte, NC on December 28th 1964..

 

She dedicated her life as a medical missionary...

This is what God had planned for that little girl’s life...

john 10:27

the redwoods

I love nature. Sometimes I get curious enough about something and will look it up.  Redwoods.  I wanted to know more about redwoods.  And, now I do.

We had to have a large pine tree cut down.  It made me sick.  It had provided me shade for years.  One of the guys explained how pine tree roots behaved.  Then he asked me if I knew how deep redwood roots were.  I knew they were tall, tall, tall.  I guessed they were about a half mile.  Wrong answer.

This is what I learned:  Redwoods have no tap root and the other roots are only 6 to 12 feet deep.  Considering their enormous height, that’s some shallow roots. The major roots are about an inch in diameter and they typically spread out 50 to 80 feet. The California redwoods are the tallest trees on earth.  They can reach 350 feet high, can weigh as much as 500 tons, and live between 500 to 700 years. 

How do these giants stand for so many years? Their shallow roots, seriously.  Redwoods grow close together and their root systems intermingle and intertwine and entangle and interweave and interlock, resulting in strong support for each tree. 

Working together for the common good.

Author – the Redwoods

sunday songs

The song and the story:

‘Jesus Loves Me’

Anna Bartlett Warner (1827-1915)

Anna and her sister loved writing hymns, novels, and children’s books.  Among the 18 books they wrote together was Say and Seal (1859).  This book included ‘Jesus Loves Me’, written by Anna. In the story, one of the characters comforted a dying child by singing ‘Jesus Loves Me’.  The stanza based on the dying child isn’t commonly found in hymnals:

‘Jesus loves me! Loves me still
Tho' I'm very weak and ill
That I might from sin be free
Bled and died upon the tree.’

Anna published ‘Jesus Loves Me’ in her first hymnbook, Original Hymns.  In 1861, William Bradbury put the song to music and added the chorus, ‘Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!’ The joyful tune and simple words soon became favorites around the world.  In 1971, the song was once again revised by David R. McGuire.  He rewrote stanzas two and three to reflect Matthew 19:13-14, where Jesus gathers the children around him:

‘Jesus loves me! This I know
As He loved so long ago
Taking children on His knee
Saying, Let them come to Me.’

I had no idea this children’s song had such an interesting history.

?

I wonder if anyone reads my blog.  But, I suppose it really doesn’t matter.  After a long break from blogging, I finally decided to continue.  It’s a good way I can take part of my day and focus on something or another...  It’s a way for me to ‘speak’ my thoughts and beliefs and experiences and humor and quotes and songs and photos and ponders and memories.

always faithful

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

I’ve read this verse many times.  It has been used in devotions and sermons and lessons.  Today, I studied it my quiet time.  I thought how each word applied to my life in one way or another.

me:

Strong – Am I weak? Am I useless? Powerless?

Courageous – Am I unsure? Uncomfortable? Shy? Unwilling?

Afraid or Terrified – Am I scared? Am I a coward? Cautious? Uneasy?

God:

never leave, nor forsake – He’s always and forever in me.  He’s staying here and He’s not going anywhere.

He supports and defends and keeps and helps and protects and strengthens and sustains and cares and holds.  He does all of this for me. His child.

Just remember one thing, God is with you and will make everything beautiful at the right place and at the right time.

He is always faithful.  Always.

quick quotes

God has given us...

eyes, not to insult but to look beyond situations
mouths, not to criticize but to speak for the truth
hands, not to punish sinners but to give a helping hand
ears, not to be insensitive but to hear voice in pain

everything has its own purpose, we should use it well 

~unknown

Never underestimate the pain of a person, because in all honesty,
everyone is struggling with something. Some people are better
at hiding it than others.
~unknown

sunday songs

I would guess a gazillion million people, both past and present, have heard or sung ‘Just As I Am’.  This hymn was written around 1835 by the poet and composer Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871).  This hymn became the invitational song of the Billy Graham Crusades, and many came forward and accepted Jesus as their Savior while the words were song and the music was played.

I don’t know where I read this about Charlotte Elliott, but the story is so precious:

When this poet was 46 years old, an elderly man approached her at a dinner party and asked if she was a Christian. She considered him rude and unkind, and that his question was inappropriate. After the man walked away, Charlotte could not get his question out of her mind so she went to find the man, and to ask how to become a Christian. That night she received Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Soon thereafter she wrote ‘Just As I Am’ as a testimony to her newfound faith, and as a tribute to the man who had told her that she could come to Christ, 'just as she was'. Over the remainder of her life Charlotte wrote 150 hymns.

‘Just As I Am’

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come..................