two roads

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Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost

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pause ‘n ponder

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the path...

(I’m not a writer and I tend to ramble, ramble. I just reread this post, and I have not the first idea on how to tie all this together. But, here goes...)

Sometimes I don’t know where I’ve been, sometimes I don’t know where I am, and sometimes I don’t know where I’m going. I may have fallen from a cliff. I may have tripped and landed in briars. I may have slipped in some mud. I may have not paid attention. I may have wondered from the path.

What is this path I’m walking? It can be rutted and beautiful and uneven and steady and rocky and smooth and bumpy and bright and shaky and rugged and hard and rough and fragile and tough. It doesn’t matter what I face on my path, I’m following and walking with Jesus.

It is difficult. But, I chose to follow the narrow path when I asked Jesus into my life. And, Jesus never, ever leaves my side. He promised.

Just read these three verses:

have faith in the straight path

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

follow the brilliant path

the path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Proverbs 4:18 NIV

pursue the secure path

Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.

Proverbs 4:26 NIV

worthy words

because

Because the world is hungry,
go with bread.
Because the world is filled with strife,
go with peace.
Because the world is filled with deceptions and lies,

go with truth.
Because the world would die without,
go with the love of God.

more joy, holy joy, Jesus joy, awesome joy

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for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

Happiness is caused by things that happen around me, and circumstances will mar it; but joy flows right on through trouble; joy flows on through the dark; joy flows in the night as well as in the day; joy flows all through persecution and opposition. It is an unceasing fountain bubbling up in the heart; a secret spring the world can't see and doesn't know anything about. The Lord gives his people perpetual joy when they walk in obedience to him.

D.L. Moody

Happiness depends on what happens; joy does not.

Oswald Chambers

forgiven?

Earlier this week, I heard that a guy I went to school with had died. I hadn’t thought about him in years and years, and probably haven’t seen him since high school graduation (31 years ago). My initial reaction was “I’m sorry he died, but...” ‘But?’

‘But.’ was followed by “particularly in the middle school years, he made my life utterly miserable.” That guy picked on me relentlessly, saying things he knew would cause the most pain. He never gave up. It was embarrassing. It was hurtful. It was cruel. It was excruciating. It was hateful. It was brutal. It was downright horrific. All these years later, the memories are still there.

I don’t know if I ever forgave him. True, all this time, I haven’t thought about him. But, have I ever forgiven him? I’d hidden these memories far, far away, yet now I remember them quite well. But, have I ever forgiven him? I’m an adult now, and things like that don’t bother me. But, have I ever forgiven him?

The Bible is very clear about forgiveness. I have a lot of prayer and soul searching to do...

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:28

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 5:44

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
Mark 11:25-26

time

A Time for Everything

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV)

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.

We serve Jesus by following in His footsteps on the path He has already laid out for us and has prepared for us. The path of our Lord is our path of life. The path of Christ is the path of the cross.

Sometimes I veer far away from the path. Sometimes I feel lost, I lose my way, I lose my direction, I take a wrong turn, I lose my focus, I wander off. Sometimes I stumble, and I trip, and I fall. The path is narrow, and there are rocks and roots and bumps. The path has sharp turns and curves and valleys and mountains.

If only I could/would always keep my eyes on Jesus, and follow in His footsteps.
God shows me the path to take. He guides me, He teaches me, He directs me....
But, I have to do my part...study the Word of God, pray to God, grow in God, praise God, live for God....

And, stay on the path with Jesus...

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 NIV

He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23:3 NIV

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; Psalm 25:4 NIV

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path Psalm 119:105 NIV

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

amazing love

You Are My King (Amazing Love)

I was driving home yesterday with the volume turned up. (‘CD 2, track 2’ may show some wear.) During the almost two hour drive, I played the same song over and over and over again. I want the words imprinted on my heart.

The lyrics speak of glory and honor, of praise and worship, of love and sacrifice, of grace and forgiveness, of encouragement and joy, of devotion and trust, of comfort and strength, of hope and peace.

And yes, the lyrics speak to me.

Why did my King die for me? For me? His is an amazing love. A love that is awesome and true.

Amazing love,
how can it be,
that You my king would die for me?*


*You are my King (Amazing Love) – various artists

pause 'n ponder

it’s time to choose

the ultimate, most important decision of your life


When someone/anyone hears the Gospel of Christ
and the Word of God and the Holy Spirit speaking,
there is a decision to be made.

A decision to accept and to believe and to be saved
and to follow Jesus. A decision to repent,
to confess, to obey, to trust. A decision to commit
your life and to become a Christian and to love God
and to have a personal relationship with Jesus and
to have faith in God and to have eternal life.
And this is just the beginning of a new life in Christ.

Or, a decision to resist, to reject, to not believe,
to say no, to turn away, to refuse.

It isn’t as simple as eternity in Heaven or eternity in Hell.
You must make your own decision.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 NIV

It’s time to choose Christ.

pray

Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NAS

I pray that all I say and all I think and all I do, is acceptable and pleasing to God. I pray for His grace to touch my words and touch my thoughts and touch my heart. I pray that I will be obedient to God’s will. I pray for knowledge and wisdom and direction and guidance and courage. I pray that my life will show glory and honor to God. I pray.

God is my foundation and my rock and my strength and my protection. God is my Redeemer and my Redeemer lives.

remain ever-restless

"Always seek peace between your heart and God, but in this world, always be careful to remain ever-restless, never satisfied, and always abounding in the work of the Lord."

~Jim Elliot

don't judge here, don't judge there, don't judge anywhere

There are times when I make a negative comment about someone. I try to avoid judging others. I know it’s not fair to criticize when I don’t have all the facts. In the last day or two, I started to make a comment, but I stopped myself. Of course, thinking it is equal to saying it.

Someone used to correct me by simply saying “don’t judge”. That someone had to correct me a number of times. It made me become more aware of judging – by thinking and by speaking. That someone taught me many other things. That ‘someone’ is my son. I believe he was in high school when my lessons began. This is just one example of how a child can teach a parent. Yep, he was and is an awesome son.

Of course, the Bible has a lot to say about judging:

Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:1-2 NAS

Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge of it.
James 4:11 NAS

But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Romans 14:1 NAS

bday

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Happy Birthday to the love of my life. Each year spent with you is another year of love and happiness.

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fall, leaves, fall

hubby found these, and knew I'd like them...how sweet

what is joy divine?

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An old hymn has been front and center in my thoughts today. I wondered where it came from (?). Hummm... This song is based on:

The eternal God is your Refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Deuteronomy 33:27

It’s a song of the truth of the everlasting Word and of the everlasting arms.

So, what is joy divine? For starters, divine joy is a gift of our salvation. It’s joy in the Holy Spirit. It’s God’s glory and grace letting us share in His divine joy. Bottom line, as Christians, we are to be filled with divine joy. And, there’s so much more to this joy divine...

“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”

(Eli­sha A. Hoff­man – 1887)

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

hi!

Happy First Day of Autumn!
(I’m so looking forward to breathing some crisp mountain air!)

Since the US is in the northern hemisphere, today at 5:18 PM will be the first day of Fall. It will last from the autumnal equinox (September) to the winter solstice (December).I know, this is more information than you wanted.

joy is coming

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I needed to read this today.

weeping may last for the night,
but a shout of joy comes in the morning.

PSALM 30:5 NAS

Joy Comes in the Morning

You’re not the first to be
acquainted with sorrow,
grief or pain,

But the Master promised
sunshine after rain.

Hold on my child,
Joy comes in the morning,

Weeping only lasts
for the night.

Hold on my child,
Joy comes in the morning,

The darkest hour means dawn
is just in sight.

before the throne

Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

Psalm 95:6 NAS

Nine years ago yesterday, my Dad walked thru a gate made of a single pearl. He entered into a city whose foundations were made of many precious stones. My Dad took a walk down streets of pure gold. It was such a beautiful bright place. He came before the throne of God, and bowed down and worshiped the King, his King.

At the graveside service, my dear husband read this poem:

THE LIFE THAT COUNTS

The life that counts must toil and fight;
Must hate the wrong and love the right;
Must stand for truth, by day, by night…
This is the life that counts.

The life that counts must hopeful be;
In darkest night make melody;
Must wait the dawn on bended knee…
This is the life that counts.

The life that counts must aim to rise
Above the earth to sunlit skies;
Must fix its gaze on Paradise…
This is the life that counts.

The life that counts must helpful be,
The care and needs of others see;
Must seek the slaves of sin to free…
This is the life that counts.

The life that counts is linked with God;
And turns not from the cross…the rod;
But walk with joy where Jesus trod…
This is the life that counts.

Anonymous