Pondering Over Gifts

There are many wonderful gifts that the Lord has blessed us with and we will celebrate one of them tomorrow. Our oldest son will be 18. I must say I am amazed. More than just from the passing of time, which seemed so fast, but from all the special moments packed into that time. It is such an incredible gift. As I am remembering my precious baby to now my handsome young man and all the wonderful times in between my heart is swelling with gratitude to the Lord.

You are loved Jus and we are thankful and proud to have you as our son!!!!!!!!!!

Mom

I can trust God even when I can't see what He is doing!

God has lovingly reminded me this morning that He is always working on my behalf for His glory.  

As I was in my study of Exodus this morning I was impressed with the fact of how the Israelites seemed to trust God when they could see His miracles and His works on their behalf and when it benefited them personally.  When God had brought them across the Red Sea the scripture says that they feared the Lord, they believed in the Lord, and they believed in Moses but how quickly they forgot His faithfulness when they could not see what God was doing.  I had to ask myself how quickly can I doubt when I can not see what God is doing?   The Lord lovingly reminded me that I am to walk by faith not by sight and that He is always working on my behalf even when I can't seem to see anything happening.  I am so thankful that God in His mercy and grace spoke to me this morning through His word to remind me of this beautiful truth and to caution me to remember He is always with me, He will never leave me nor forsake me, and He is working on my behalf for His glory and I can trust Him.  It may not always be how I see it because my ways are not always His ways but I can trust in His faithfulness!

BEAUTIFUL WORDS!

I read the words to this Hymn and I was so blessed that I thought I'd share.  I hope it encourages you in your walk with the LORD as it did me.  We have been asking the Lord to fill our mouths with praise and laughter even in situations that seem difficult for it is so easy to give praise when everything goes my way but oh how different it can be when they do not.  As I ponder over the last few years I can definitely see how God is teaching me this very truth.   

HYMN: FILL THOU MY LIFE

Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God, 

In every part with praise,

That my whole being may proclaim

Thy being and Thy ways.

Not for the lip of praise alone,

Nor e'en the praising heart,

I ask, but for a life made up

Of praise in every part:

Praise in the common things of life,

Its goings out and in;

Praise in each duty and each deed,

However small and mean.

Fill every part of me with praise;

Let all my being speak

Of Thee and of Thy love, O Lord,

Poor though I be and weak.

So shall no part of day or night

From sacredness be free,

But all my life, in every step,

Be fellowship with Thee.

Stand Still!

We were reading in Exodus 14 a few weeks ago and I was really struck by this:  God took the Israelites by way of the Red Sea,  where they could go no further on their own. 

Although this this seemed to be an impossible situation to man, God was in control.  The Israelites have left/fled from Egypt by the hand of God.  The Pharoah, with his army,  decides to follow after them because he has once again changed his mind ( with the Lord's help ).  As the Israelites head to their promise land they run smack into the Red Sea with an army behind them that is pursuing them and the Sea in front of them.  They were in a position where they could go no further on their own.     

They immediately say to Moses....

And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

And they said unto Moses, Because [there were] no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

[Is] not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For [it had been] better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

Then Moses replies: 

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Then this is what happens: 

And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry [ground] through the midst of the sea.  And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go [back] by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry [land], and the waters were divided.

And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry [ground]: and the waters [were] a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, [even] all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.

And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.

And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, [and] all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.

What is so amazing to me this time through this passage is that God brought the Israelites to a point of complete dependence on Him.  Then not only did he deliver them he destroyed the enemy completely by bringing them to a body of water that seemed impossible to cross to them but was necessary because it needed to be big enough to swallow up the whole Egyptian army.  If God would have taken them an "easier" route like a small river - something they could see the other side of, it would not have been big enough to accomplish that part.  Not only did He deliver them        ( even though they thought they were just going to die ) God swallowed up any chance of thier enemies coming after them at another time !  He COMPLETELY FREED THEM FROM THIS BONDAGE!    ISN'T THAT AWESOME!  

JOURNALING

Ahhh...just like a good book.  The other day while I was cleaning I came across some old journals of mine.  They are records of my walk with God.  I settled in with a cup of coffee and began to just enjoy the goodness of the Lord....seeing how there were times of tears and times of laughter and how my faithful friend Jesus was there every step of the way.  It was very encouraging to look back and see how God worked in situations with a clearer view.  While my hand was writing those thoughts and prayers to the Lord in the past I had no idea how he would answer them but now as I read the words at a future time.....the answers were before me because they had already transpired in my life.  I was able to see the whole picture in many areas.  Everything may not have been written in those journals but that record of God's faithfulness has encouraged me to continue to trust in Him.  

Journaling has also stemmed into other areas in my life....like my kitchen.  Several years ago our family traveled to Virginia and one of the places we visited was Thomas Jefferson's home Monticello ( ?sp ) I was amazed at how much they recorded about the running of the home.  They were able to recreate the whole garden area to what it would have been like when they were living because of the journals that Mr. Jefferson and his daughter kept.  It's quite amazing to see and I highly recommend it.  

When we moved to a different region I had such trouble trying to keep in my mind when certain fruits and vegetables came into season.  Since I like to can this was a problem...I kept missing the good prices and the fresh vegetables.  So finally last year I wrote down when I bought strawberries, peaches, and corn and now I have a record of what to look for this year.  I know about what I paid, how much I bought, where I bought them from, what it yielded and when they come in season.  My family has enjoyed the fruit of this and they are thankful! 

As I type this it reminds me of the record that Jesus is coming again:  It has been written for us!  Some day we will see the whole picture but for now we must but trust!

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; ( don't you love that part...how God personalized it and didn't leave it just with great God but OUR SAVIOUR)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  Titus 2:13-14. 

This world is not my own........I'm just a passing through....my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.........ahhh just love that song!

REMINDED HOW MUCH I HAVE IN JESUS CHRIST

2 Corinthians 6: 1-10 

I was reading in Corinthians this morning the above passage and my heart was so blessed by God's word.  The whole passage is awesome but what really struck me was verse 10: 

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich: as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.  

By sight....I may be poor, yet I am rich in the Lord Jesus and can make many rich by sharing Jesus with them.  By sight again...I may have nothing but according to scripture...I possess all things in the Lord Jesus.  What wonderful reassurance from God's word in times of turmoil in my own life.  To be reminded of what is important and how much I have in Him.  "As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing" ! 

This paints a picture for me of a person that appears as someone who may not have anything..........a homeless person sleeping on a bench, or standing on the corner with a sign.  In a wordly sense at times we may appear just like these beggars/homeless to those who chase after wealth and fame;  yet the Lord tells us in Him not only are we rich but we have the ability to make others rich.  Not only do I have nothing but in Him I possess all things.   In Sorrow, I can rejoice.  

Ahhhh....I pray that in my life I will not receive the grace of God in vain!  ( 2 Cor. 6: 1 ) 

GREAT IS THE LORD!

Psalm 48: 1, 2

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness. 

Because God is so great, He is greatly to be praised.  He is worthy to be praised as the great Creator, the great Sustainer, the great Prophet, the great High Priest, the King of all kings, the great Redeemer, and the great Deliverer of His people.  In Psalm 48 it is His greatness as the Savior and Protector of His city and His people.

                                         commentary by William MacDonald  

How wonderful to be reminded of how great the LORD is.............

We Serve a Risen Savior

I have been meditating on the song: 

We serve a risen Savior,

( Do I live like I serve a risen Savior - I must confess..not always ) 

He's in the world today!

I know that He is living, 

whatever men may say; 

( many will say man things but God's word is Truth)

I see His hand of mercy, 

( praise God for His mercy ) 

I hear His voice of cheer, 

( Isn't wonderful to think that He's our biggest cheerleader ) 

And just the time I need Him

( which in reality is all the time I just don't always realize it ) 

He's always near

( He will never leave me nor forsake me ) 

HE LIVES HE LIVES, CHRIST JESUS LIVES TODAY

( not just today but for all eternity )

He walks with me

( may I walk with Him ) 

He talks with me 

( may I talk with Him ) 

along lifes narrow way

( the narrow way of grace through faith, not of works ; Oh how I must constantly remember that it is not of me but only of HIM ) 

HE LIVES, HE LIVES, SALVATION TO IMPART

( may I remember to share His great gift ) 

You ask me how I know He lives

( I'm so glad that people ask ) 

HE LIVES WITHIN MY HEART! 

What a difference Jesus has made/and is making in my life....all glory to HIM! For I am His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works  ( clay in the potters hand - just plain ole dirt yet precious to God ) 

Which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

( may I walk in what God has prepared for me; a life of just being who I am in Christ and may the fullness of who He is overflow my cup and spill over into the lives of others) 

I STAND AMAZED IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS THE NAZARENE!

Unbelief

Today I was reading about Zechariah and Elizabeth.  I was really struck by the fact that the angel Gabriel shut Zechariah's mouth as he questioned what was going to happen.  As I reflected on this I thought about this:  did God not want his unbelief to spread before John the Baptist and the Savior were born?  I do not know but it did cause me to wonder how my unbelief at times can effect others and that when I doubt or fear I need to trust God.  I can tend to want all the details revealed just like wondering why God did this yet there are times I must simply trust that He is in control.

DEPENDING ON GOD

I don't know about you but there are times in my life that God brings me to realize that I am in total dependence upon Him!  I am thankful for those times because they allow me to re-focus on who and what is important.  Some times those things are as little as a family activity that is not on my favorite list....Sometimes I can so be like my littlest child and throw a fit in my heart when I have to do things that make my life uncomfortable.  Like chasing a little one around all day in an 1862 period costume :-)keeping him safe without scaring him to much about strangers.   I thought it would be easy but it's not and I truly need to continue to ask the Lord to help me maintain a sweetness and a servants heart. 

Yes, Yes, Yes.....I should realize this all the time but I can so easily slip out on my own abilities and function well until I hit the wall of yucky.  

With out Christ I can do nothing, at least nothing that counts for eternity and I don't know about you but I so want what I do to count for eternity!  

AM I A COMFORTER???

I have the older two boys going through a study on affliction, which is part of the curriculum we use.  It has been an excellent study and one of the books of the bible that they are going through is Job.  This of course has me in the book of Job also, and I am so thankful it does. I'm learning a lot.  Here is a verse that struck me this morning, probably because one of my children pointed it out yesterday.  

 

Job: 16:2-5

                  

I have heard many such things: miserable comforters [are] ye all.

Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?

I also could speak as ye [do]: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

[But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage [your grief]

I can testify to some times in my life when I have been just like Job's friends but with God's grace may I take to heart this counsel and allow God to help me in this area in the future. It reminds me of the verse that says to "let your speech ALWAYs be seasoned with grace".  Oh may God give me grace filled speech!

Thou art my God

Hosea 2: 23b....

And I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; And they shall say, Thou art my God.  

That is such an awesome verse that I just had to post it.  I was just basking in the fact this morning that I can say....Thou art my God.  God in His grace and mercy has given me the way to say....Thou art my God.  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  May I always be thankful and remember what the Lord has done for me.  

cg

Are You Overwhelmed

Psa 61:2

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I.

This morning I read this Psalm during my time with the Lord and He so comforted me with this verse.  I am so thankful that I can be led to the rock that is higher than I.  The One that is unmovable and a firm foundation!  I am thankful that the Lord reminds me that His ways are higher than mine.  My husband said during devotions last night that when we are on the wrong road we can't find the right "rest stops".  I thought that was so good.......We truly find rest in His ways.  Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Ahhh...what a great God we serve!

Thank you Jesus for your care for me!

cg

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

We had a wonderful time last night with the children.  Jonathan had received a glow in the dark stick two nights ago at Jacob's piano recital and we promised him that we would play hide and seek with the glow stick, in the dark, the next night.  We had so much fun!  It really brought to light ( no pun intended ) some scriptural truths.  One of our children hid it so hard that we could not see the light in the dark at all to clue us into where it might be. We searched and searched to no avail, finally we had to be shown.    When we finished playing we gathered around in the dark and  sang This Little Light of Mine and talked about the fact that as Christians we have the light of Jesus and that the purpose of it is to shine in a dark world so that others can see Jesus.  Even though that light is always there we can hide it,  but what happens when we hide it?  Others cannot find what they truly need.  We asked the children what are some ways that they can let their light shine and we all came up with the fact that when we walk in His ways ( witnessing, loving one another, obedience, etc.... )  His light shines through us.   

Time to Focus

This year the Lord provided an opportunity for me to attend a LPA through the generosity of my in-laws ( really in- love as well as in law but we'll stick with tradition ).  This was a time for me to go and spend time focusing just on the Lord and allowing Him to minister to my heart.  There were things that He showed me that needed to go and things that needed to be put on.  I am thankful that the Lord is always molding us into His image and what He desires for us.  The one thing I walked away with was the fact that I love to gather with my sisters in Christ who have a sincere heart.  I was also provoked unto love and good works by what the speakers shared and what that meant for me was that my good work is to rest in Jesus and to be compelled by the love of Christ in all I do because He first loved me and gave His life for me.  

I don't know about you but in the every day life of being a wife and mother it is hard to quiet ourselves long enough to hear that still small voice that guides us.  I am so thankful that God gives us these times.  

cg

DIRT POTS :-)

 We had a wonderful Lord's Day yesterday with so much encouragement from God's word.  The one thing that stuck out to me was: 

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. BUT we have this treasure in EARTHEN VESSELS, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 

 

I was struck by the earthen vessels portion which the speaker brought out that they are fragile and they break yet that is what God calls us;  but it is through these cracks that God's light can shine through so that others may see Jesus.  I don't always like those cracks but when this happens others can see the power of God working and not us!  

I pray that in my life that others see the power of God and not myself.  The speaker challenged me/us to not be China ( as in fine dishes, looking oh so good in a prideful way ) but to be the earthen vessels that God calls us.   Yep!  That's it.....just plain old dirt pots used for the Glory of God! 

The next verses go on to say this: 

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.  

I may suffer many things on this side of heaven but God will not abandon me and through my trials may I be the earthen vessel that He has said I am ( cracks and all )  so that others may see His power working in my life! 

We truly serve a great God!

cg

Welcome

Wow! It's been long in the coming but we are now in the world of blogs. I trust that anything that God is teaching me will be an encouragement to you.
CG