quick quotes

Lord, give me a humbling sense of my sins, give me a humbling sense of thy glory, give me a humbling view of thy love, for surely nothing humbles like these. All my pride springs from ignorance.... May I be nothing in my own eyes, may I be willing and desirous to be the servant of all.

John Newton

If anyone would tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness they would tell you to make it a rule to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you. For it is certain that whatever seeming calamity befalls you, if you can thank and praise God for it you will turn it into a blessing.

John Newton

My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior.

John Newton

lay it down

Have you ever had burdens in your life weigh you down?  Way down, like a backpack full of rocks?   It’s difficult and painful.  Sometimes, it takes me longer than it should, but I finally remember I don’t have to carry my burdens alone.  I don’t have to struggle alone.  I don’t have to hurt or grieve or suffer or cry alone.  I’m a child of God, and He will always carry me.  I don’t have to be alone.  I constantly need God in my life.

When I lay down my burdens at the feet of Jesus, I need to leave them there.  I don’t need to pick them up again.

I read this somewhere, and it struck home with me.  Thought I'd share:

We all have burdens. Some have physical burdens like chronic sickness or some disability that you cannot change. Some have spiritual burdens. Satan might have struck your life and bonded you spiritually. Some of you may be dealing with emotional burdens like depression, anxiety, loneliness, heartache of a loss, or financial struggles.  The fact is we all have burdens and cares and they weigh down upon us like a load on the back. 

Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Psalm 55:22 NAS

pause 'n ponder

Above All Things

Rebecca St. James

I cannot tell you all the reasons why
Jesus in His wisdom took an interest in my life
It must be endless the boundries of His grace
For He is patient with us and worthy to be praised

For above all things He is powerful
And above all things He is the King
And above all things He is merciful
For above all things He thought of me

I can't conceive it the torture of the cross
The Author of creation gave us life at His own cost
And all those present thought the grave would be the end
But Jesus rose above it and so will I my friend

God is good!

It’s comforting to know that God not only cares for me, but He also carries me.  It’s comforting to know that God knows everything about me, yet He forgives me and loves me just the same.  It’s comforting to know that God is with me when life is happy and good, and He is with me when I’m struggling and discouraged.  He freely gives me mercy and grace, even though I deserve nothing.  He knows my heart, and yet again, He forgives me and loves me just the same.  My God is an awesome God!

 

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.

Nahum 1:7 NAS

who is He?

Jesus.  He is God, the Way, the Truth, the Light of the World, Almighty God, our Deliverer, the Prince of Peace, our Redeemer, the Lord God Almighty, our Savior, the Messiah, the Good Shepherd, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Word, the Great Physician, Son of Man, Anointed One, Bread of Life, the Christ, the High Priest, Lamb of God, Morning Star, the Beloved, Everlasting Father, Righteous Servant, our Salvation.

Who is He?  He is Jesus Christ, He is God.  God sacrificed His only Son so I may be saved.  I don't deserve it, never have, and never will.  God freely gave me His mercy and grace.  That’s love. 

  

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 NAS

pause 'n ponder

Within You Is The Strength
To Meet Life's Challenges!

You are stronger than you think,
remember to stand tall.

Every challenge in your life
helps you to grow.

Every problem you encounter
strengthens your mind and your soul.

Every trouble you overcome
increases your understanding of life.

When all your troubles weigh
heavily on your shoulders,

remember that beneath the burden
you can stand tall,
because you are never given
more than you can handle...
and you are stronger than you think.

~ Lisa Wroble ~

who am i?

The question of ‘who am I’ is not easily answered.  I am more than just me...

I’m a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mom, mom-in-law, and nana.  I love being part of a family!

But, more importantly, I’m a child of God, loved, saved, born again, accepted, believer, follower of Christ, and forgiven.  I love being part of the family of God!

Who am I?  I’m a Christian.  A Christian?  Someone who sees they can never deserve it and gratefully accepts and trusts in what God has done in His Son. That's faith.

Jesus Christ is who He says he is: "I am the way and the truth and the life."

John 14:6 NIV

bright light or dim light, there’s only one choice

There’s a children’s song that many may be familiar with.  The title is ‘This Little Light of Mine’.  The chorus and the first line of each verse are below:

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel? No!  Don't let Satan blow it out,  Let it shine till Jesus comes,

A little song sung by innocent little children.  I sang it many times when I taught the three-year-old Sunday School class. 

As a Christian, do I shine for Jesus?  Do I shine His light for others to see?  Do I share His light in a dark world?  Does my life shine for Him?  Do my words shine for Him?  Do my actions shine for Him? 

These are questions I need to pray about.  These are questions I need to answer.

"You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don't hide a light under a bowl. No. People put the light on a lamp table. Then the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that people will see the good things you do. Live so that people will praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16 ERV

all things work for good

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 NAS

To me, this verse says that I, as a Christian, will still go thru pain and heartache and sadness and suffering and troubles and anxieties and hardships and burdens and difficulties and grief and testing and more.  To me, it also says that God will use each of these things for His own good.  I can’t and won’t escape bad times.  I often don’t understand or know why.  When I became a Christian, God never promised me a happy and carefree journey thru life.

When I look back at some of the most challenging times I’ve faced, I can now see how God used them.  God meant these things for good.  It’s a lesson hard to learn, but God is in charge of every aspect of my life.

I love God with all my heart, but He loves me so much more.

i’ll never be the same

When I hear songs that ‘speak to me’, I often look up the lyrics and note the lines that have special meaning to me.  The songs with the ‘I’ll never be the same’ message are similar.  It’s a simple message.  It is what it is, and it will never change:

God sacrificed His only Son to save us.  Look at the empty cross and the empty grave.  What you see is eternal life.  Jesus is alive, period.  He always was, and He always will be.  There’s no denying that.  He’s the truth, He’s the Messiah, He’s the Light, He’s the Word, He’s the Savior, He’s the Way.  

When I accepted Jesus Christ, He forgave me.  It was a glorious day when He entered my heart.  He loves me, He has always loved me, I belong to Him.  When I struggle, when I’m lost, when I fall, when I make a mess... He’s always there with me.  And, the best place to fall is on my knees.

After loving Him, I’ll never be the same, I’m forever changed, He’s all I need, He’s everything to me.

‘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

quick quotes

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.

~Brian Tracy

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

~Willian Arthur Ward

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

~Melody Beattie

stars above

In his ‘second’ senior year, my son lived in a townhouse with three other young men.  The road to it was steep and curvy, just as I like.  I loved the mountain setting and the excellent view of Boone down below.

Hub and I were visiting, and I will never, ever forget what I saw that night.  I sat alone on the steps of the rear deck, with the lights of Boone concealed behind me.  I looked upward and stared in awe at the black sky above.  There were literally millions and millions of stars and a bright, white moon.  The sheer beauty was unimaginable to me. 

It struck me that the God who created this splendor also created me.  He knew how many stars were above me, and He knew everything about me. 

Yes, God knows every single detail of my life...the past, the present, and the future.  The good and bad, the joy and sorrow, the delightful and painful, the peaceful and suffering, the calmness and anger, the hopeful and depressing, the happiness and sadness, the right and wrong...  you get the idea.

That night I saw millions and millions of stars.  At home, I do well to see five stars.  It reminds me that God is always with me thru thick and thin.  Millions of stars or five stars, no matter what.

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10 ESV

quick quotes

Nanas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever. 

~Author Unknown

A garden of love grows in a Nana's heart. 

~Author Unknown

Nanas are the people who take delight in hearing babies breathing into the telephone.
~Author Unknown

gifts..............

The greatest gift I’ve ever received is perfect.  It’s Jesus!  And, His Word and His salvation and His love and His grace and His protection and His mercy and His power and His forgiveness and His security...  I received these gifts because I gave my life to Him.  Because I repented of my sins.  Do I understand the sacrifice He willing gave?  Do I ever take Him for granted?  Am I thankful for Him?  Do I realize how blessed I am?  Do I depend on Him?  Am I grateful for Him?  Am I faithful to Him?  Do I worship Him? 

Do I deserve these gifts from God?  NO!  That’s where His grace and mercy comes in.

 

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

James 1:7 NAS

for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Romans 11:29 NAS

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

Ephesians 2:8 NAS

finding joy I came across this topic, and was reminded that joy, holy joy, is not to be hidden away. It doesn’t matter if my circumstances are discouraging or difficult or daunting or demanding or disappointing or desperate or devastating. Joy remains in my heart – Jesus joy. There are times I can’t find that joy, but I know that joy is still there. There was a children’s song that went – “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart. Where?” etc – and ended with “down in my heart to stay!” First of all, Jesus suffered on this earth. Job went thru unspeakable circumstances, and he still had Jesus joy. When Paul was in prison, he knew that having joy didn’t depend on his circumstances. Moses, Noah, Jacob, Timothy, Adam and Eve – the Bible tells of numerous men who suffered. Actually, all mankind suffers. Christians suffer. We were told that we would suffer. But we need to remember that we still have joy – Jesus joy. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21 NIV Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief. Proverbs 14:13 NIV Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. Psalms 126:5 NIV He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6 NIV

fear?

Now all has been heard;
   here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
   for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
   including every hidden thing,
   whether it is good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NIV

As Christians, we are to fear God and obey His commands.  That’s what Christians are to do.  And, God knows every thing about us, both the good and the bad.  

What does ‘fear’ God mean?  When I was young, I thought I was supposed to be scared of God.  But, I was very wrong.

To fear God is to be reverent of Him and in awe of Him and respect Him and obey Him and worship Him.  We are to allow God to impact our lives and follow Him and understand that He hates sin and He will judge our sins.

Yes, I fear God, but I’m not afraid of Him.  I live my life for Him and He lives within me.

finding joy - reprise

I came across this topic, and was reminded that joy, holy joy, is not to be hidden away. It doesn’t matter if my circumstances are discouraging or difficult or daunting or demanding or disappointing or desperate or devastating. Joy remains in my heart – Jesus joy. There are times I can’t find that joy, but I know that joy is still there.

There was a children’s song that went – “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart. Where?” etc – and ended with “down in my heart to stay!”
First of all, Jesus suffered on this earth. Job went thru unspeakable circumstances, and he still had Jesus joy. When Paul was in prison, he knew that having joy didn’t depend on his circumstances. Moses, Noah, Jacob, Timothy, Adam and Eve – the Bible tells of numerous men who suffered. Actually, all mankind suffers. Christians suffer. We were told that we would suffer. But we need to remember that we still have joy – Jesus joy.

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Job 8:21 NIV

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.
Proverbs 14:13 NIV

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
Psalms 126:5 NIV

He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:6 NIV

reflections

As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

Proverbs 27:19 NIV

Maybe you can look at a person’s face and venture a guess about how they’re feeling.  What’s the meaning behind the expression?  Can you detect if a smile and a laugh mean happiness?  Can you detect sadness?  Anger?  Loneliness?  Compassion?  Anxiety?  Confidence?  Burdened?  A face can conceal emotions.

But!  How about one’s heart?  The heart is the person.  In the midst of all the emotions one can experience, can others see Jesus in there?  He should take up all the space!  Life throws a lot at us, but it all comes back to Jesus in the heart.            

Jesus, please fill my heart...with Your peace, love, and promises... 

quick quotes

God understands our prayers even when we can't find the words to say them. 

Author Unknown

The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too. 

Teresa of Avila

Prayer is when you talk to God; meditation is when you listen to God.

Diana Robinson

I've decided to start blogging again.  Soon.