admire

As I sit here and see this scene looking back at me, I smile just because it's so charming and breathtaking.  I'd like to go there someday and bask in the sunshine.  To listen to the quiet sounds of life. To breathe in the scents of fresh open air.  To take in all the sights and remember them forever.  With a sweet smile I ask, come and go with me...

the paths of my life (reprise)

When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
Isaiah 43:2-3 NIV

When I have a difficult or painful or frustrating or distressing time in my life, it’s hard to walk thru unknown waters. Where is it miry? What creatures are lurking? I can’t see what’s around me. Are there any clear waters? Is some of the water shallow? Where is it deep? How far will I have to swim? And, I’m not a good swimmer. I am frightened. I don’t want to go alone.

I need strength and courage and faith.

When I find myself on the wrong side a riverbank, I have to cross to the other side. The water is raging. The rapids are powerful. I see white waters and boulders and waterfalls and turns and twists and strong currents. Will I be swept away? Is it impossible to cross? Can I do this by myself? I can hardly think with the crashing sounds around me. I am frightened. I don’t want to go alone.

I need strength and courage and faith.

When I’m face to face with fire, I don’t know what to expect. I know I can walk thru the fire and not be burned. Fire symbolizes purification and cleansing and correcting and light. It also represents God’s power and God’s presence, and the Holy Spirit. The fire of my heart needs to be (re)kindled. It should burn with love and compassion that will spread God’s flames of kindness, melting the hearts of others. This is a considerable responsibility. I am frightened. I don’t want to go alone.

I need strength and courage and faith.

I need God.

God is the one who can calm my fears.
God will never leave me alone.
I depend on God for strength and courage and faith.
It is God who purifies my heart and He uses me to spread His love and compassion.

summer memories

Three hundred eighty one miles (in today's miles).  Before interstates, over winding mountain roads, endless hours in the car, three kids in the backseat, no air conditioning. How oh how did we survive?

We spent two weeks every summer at my Granddaddy's and Grandmother's home in Tennessee. There were ten of us cousins. I loved seeing them!

Adventures! There were adventures! Playing with salamanders in the spring and wading in the creek and capturing crawdads and collecting cool rocks and walking to the store and hanging out at the wooden bridge. There was a family reunion each summer.  I don't remember any of the extended kin, I do remember the food!

Us cousins slept upstairs.  The boys on the right and the girls to the left. I enjoyed laying in bed each night and listening to nature outside the windows. I loved going there each summer. We made some sweet memories. And then we all grew up, got married, and spread our wings. Many, many years have passed, and still today, something will remind me of those two week visits and make me smile.

the tender heart of a six-year-old (reprise)

A Facebook friend posted the following and I would like to share it with you:

I know this is bragging but our six year old granddaughter deserves it and this is why. Tonight before her Awana class at their church she face timed Nana and Pop. She quoted 13 bible verses and quoted the New Testament. I couldn't believe it. This is how they raise money for some of the missionaries the church supports.

Her blessing at dinner tonight was thanking God for dying for our sins so we don't have to go to Hell. Mother said she tried not to look shocked at the word Hell coming out of her mouth.

At bedtime her prayer was that her brother would grow up to be a good Christian.
I believe God has very special plans for this precious child of His.

God has blessed all of us with this beautiful little girl and her sweet spirit. The world is a better place because of her.

sin

When once asked, ‘What is the definition of sin?’ Billy Graham gave the following answer:
 'A sin is any thought or action that falls short of God’s will. God is perfect, and anything we do that falls short of His perfection is sin.'

He gave an accurate answer.  Straight from the pages of the Bible. I have thoughts that are sins.  I have actions that are sins. I fall short. I'm not perfect. I'm a sinner. But I do have the promise of God's forgiveness. I found several Bible verses that clearly teach about sin and confession and forgiveness and faithfulness and mercy and grace.

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NLT

But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 NLT

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 NLT

He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1:7 NLT

Redemption is not perfection. The redeemed must realize their imperfections. John Piper
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/john_piper

Redemption is not perfection. The redeemed must realize their imperfections. John Piper
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/john_piper

Redemption is not perfection. The redeemed must realize their imperfections. John Piper
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnpiper530160.html

What is sin?
It is the glory of God not honored.
The holiness of God not reverenced.
The greatness of God not admired.
The power of God not praised.
The truth of God not sought.
The wisdom of God not esteemed.
The beauty of God not treasured.
The goodness of God not savored.
The faithfulness of God not trusted.
The commandments of God not obeyed.
The justice of God not respected.
The wrath of God not feared.
The grace of God not cherished.
The presence of God not prized.
The person of God not loved.
That is sin.

John Piper

Redemption is not perfection. The redeemed must realize their imperfections. John Piper
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnpiper530160.html

Redemption is not perfection. The redeemed must realize their imperfections. John Piper
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnpiper530160.html

He watches over me

This is a Bible verse that encourages, that inspires,  that reassures, that promises God will always watch over us.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Matthew 6:25-26 NIV

 

His  Eye Is On The Sparrow
Lauryn Hill

Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home
When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is he

His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me
I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow