God bless America,

Land that I love.

Stand beside her 

And guide her

Through the night

With the light

From above.

God's words to Moses in Exodus 3:7-8: 

I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt.  I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.  So I have come down to rescue them . . .

He still sees 
and hears 
and is concerned
about His people
today.

He still comes down to rescue.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In 1714, Isaac Watts penned these timeless words:
O, God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home. 

Blessed Assurance

Unlike the dandelion, which is at the mercy of the wind, the committed Christian finds purpose and stability and security in God's unique plan for his/her life.  God is in the details, and His all-seeing eyes and His infinite wisdom leave nothing to chance.  Winds, both the cooling breezes and the stormy gales are part of life, but even they obey His voice.  He rules the universe, but He's also concerned about the "little" things in my life!  That's blessed assurance!

The following prayer/praise written by Ruth Meyers in her book 31 Days of Praise is one that I return to again and again:

I praise You for Your sovereignty over the details.  With You, nothing is accidental, nothing is incidental, and no experience is wasted.  You hold in Your power my breath of life and all my destiny.  And every trial that You allow to happen is a platform on which You reveal Yourself, showing Your love and power, both to me and to others looking on.  Thank you that I can move into the future nondefensively, with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead, for You hold the future and You will always be with me, even to my old age . . . and through all eternity.

Rest . . .

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

(Mt. 11:28 KJV)

Can't Touch This!

Time can tarnish
chip away
erode
rust
decay
weaken
wrinkle
destroy.

But Time cannot
touch
The Truth.

The truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise ye the the Lord.
Psalm 117:2

"His truth is marching on . . . "

There Is a Fountain

Remember the old hymn "There Is a Fountain"? It was written in the 1700's by William Cowper, who suffered from deep depression and was institutionalized in an asylum. There he found Christ while reading his Bible, and in spite of his emotional and mental turmoil - and maybe because of it - he wrote literature with amazing insight. He is still known as one of England's greatest poets. "There Is a Fountain" is based on Zechariah 13:1: On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David . . . to cleanse them from sin and impurity. (NIV)

There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Emmanuel's veins.
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stain.

These words written so many years ago are still true . . . for the fountain never runs dry! And that's amazing good news!


(Info on William Cowper is from the book The Complete Book of Hymns by William J. and Ardythe Peterson, and I snapped the photo of the unique fountain in Basin Park, Eureka Springs, AR.)

Room Available

Plenty of room in the family . . .

Room for the young and the old . . .

Plenty of happiness . . .

Plenty of love . . .

Plenty of room in the fold.

There's room at the cross for you;
There's room at the cross for you.
Though millions have come,
There's still room for one.
Yes, there's room at the cross for you.
~Ira Stanphill - Room at the Cross lyrics~
~Gaither - Plenty of Room lyrics~

For whosoever shall do the will of God,
the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Mark 3:35

Go to the Rock

I go to the rock of my salvation;

I go to the stone that the builders rejected.
I run to the mountain and the mountain stands by me.
When the earth all around me is sinking sand,
On Christ the solid rock I stand.
When I need a shelter -

When I need a friend, I go to the rock.

~Lyrics - I Go to the Rock - Dottie Rambo~

Support System

Family and friends
Providing support and love
Keep us standing tall.

Always holding us
His unseen arms provide strength
And cause us to stand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"He holdeth me up
And I shall not be moved.
He giveth me strength as my day."
~Fanny Crosby - Lyrics from He Hideth My Soul~

Buoyancy

Waves crash.
Thunder deafens.

I am no match for the fury.

But in the midst of the tumult,
I hear a Voice -
A Voice mightier than the sound of many waters.

But now this is what the Lord says -
He who created you, O Jacob,
He who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you my name.
You are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you.
When you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you."

And when the Master of the winds and waves speaks,
I can trust Him.
Always.

(Bold print from Isaiah 43:1-2)

No pool . . . no problem!

When you run out of fantastic . . . persevere!
~Reuben Welch~

Life Lessons 101

Click on pic to enlarge.

Never Too Old . . .

I'll never outgrow Vacation Bible School!!

This week the boys and girls of our church/community are visiting Nazareth where Jesus grew up. And it has been so much fun! Along with the fun and because of the fun, God's Word has come alive - through the songs, which you see on the screen above; through drama, games and crafts; through amazing decorations and props. His Word has been the focus of it all . . . simple yet profound words . . . timeless truths that children of all ages can grasp and hide away in their hearts . . . words to live by.

My heart has been touched and encouraged each night as these key verses have been highlighted:

For nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)
I have called you by name; you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)
There is more than enough room in my Father's house. (John 14:2)

I sometimes wonder why we big kids make living for Jesus so complicated. I think that's one reason I love VBS so much! For a few hours each night I see firsthand simple, child-like faith . . . eyes filled with wonder . . . ears open to hear more . . . expectant excitement. I don't want to ever get too old for that kind of experience and lifestyle!

VBS . . . a Very Bright Spot in my summer - one that I don't plan to outgrow!!

In spite of the storms . . .
In spite of the extreme heat . . .

It blooms . . . beautifully!

The Other Side

I opened my Bible this morning and turned to the passage for today's devotional, but instead my eyes fell on these verses . . . and not "by accident," I'm sure!

²³And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

²⁴And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

²⁵And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

²⁶And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

²⁷But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

²⁸And when he was come to the other side. . .

Matthew 8:23-28b (KJV)

We can be sure we'll get to the "other side" if Jesus is in the boat with us. No matter how violent the storm. No matter how terrified we may be . . . and even when it seems that He's asleep or unconcerned. Sometimes we have no idea where the other side is. But if He says, "Let's go to the other side," as is recorded in Luke 8:22, in His time we'll step out of the boat and onto the shore. Not just sometimes . . . but every time.

And one day, after we've safely crossed our last storm-tossed lake, we'll be Home - on the other side!!

This old song that we sang in years past comes to my mind:

Master, the tempest is raging; the billows are tossing high.
The sky is o'er shadowed with blackness; no shelter or help is nigh.
Carest Thou not that we perish?
How canst Thou lie asleep, when each moment so madly is threatening
a grave in the angry deep?

Chorus:
The winds and the waves shall obey my will.
Peace be still; peace be still.
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
or demons, or men, or whatever it be.
No water can swallow the ship where lies
the Master of ocean and earth and skies.
They shall sweetly obey my will.
Peace be still, peace be still.
They all shall sweetly obey my will.
Peace, peace be still.

Master, the terror is over, the elements sweetly rest.
Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored, and heaven's within my breast.
Linger, O blessed Redeemer; leave me alone no more.
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
and rest on the blissful shore.
~Mary Baker~

Sing Along . . .

Today John David hung this reminder over the door of the new portable building . . . the one that replaces the one the storm demolished. It was His amazing grace that protected our house - and us - as the tornado raged around us a few months ago. And that's just one of countless times His grace has protected and kept and guided. Even in the bad times . . . when our lives seem to be turned upside down, His grace has been sufficient. He said it would be. It is. Not that we've deserved it or earned it or been "good" enough. He's poured His grace on us - and you - because He loves us . . . unconditionally. I can't wrap my mind around that kind of love, but I'm so glad He wraps His everlasting arms around me! That's what makes it so amazing! Add to that the fact that His supply of grace never runs out; it's always enough! Well . . . the old hymn says it best! Sing along!

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come.
Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

~John Newton~

Grace, grace, God's grace -
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe . . .
~Julia M. Johnston~

Hang On!

Sometimes life gets a little complicated - or a lot complicated . . .
and requires us to sacrifice ease and comfort.
Some solutions demand that we think outside the box . . .
and forget how everybody else is doing it.
But if we keep our eyes on The Prize . . .
no matter how far we must strain our necks -
we'll be rewarded.


Persevere . . . hang on!

(I took this pic of the beautiful red-headed woodpecker through my window looking at the feeder that hangs a few feet away on the front porch.)

Tangles

Ever watched a child try to get a knot untangled in his or her shoelaces . . . and give up? Then without a second thought, pull the tied shoe on and run off to play until Mama or Daddy - or someone who can - gets the shoelace untangled.

I thought of that this morning as I read these words in Streams in the Desert: Much of the life of faith consists of letting things alone. . . . It is such a comfort to drop the tangles of life into God's hands and leave them there.

Why would I want to resist that comfort?

I hear the answer and I don't like it.

Lord, help my unbelief.

God will make a way
where there seems to be no way.
He works in ways we cannot see;
He will make a way for me.
~Lyrics by Don Moen~

Lead Me, Lord . . .

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

~Robert Frost~


Your plans for me are perfect;
I never need to fear,
For though at times I feel alone
I know that you are near.
My heart just longs to follow;
I'm willing to obey.
Take my hand and lead me;
I will follow all the way.
~Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir~

Blessed

Sitting on my couch, I can look out the window across the room and see the American flag blowing in the breeze . . . and I realize again how blessed I am! Old Glory still evokes in me feelings of patriotism and love of my country.

On the table beside the window lies John David's Bible . . . one of many copies we own. How blessed we are to live in America where we can have as many Bibles as we wish, we can openly display them, and more importantly, we can read His Word without fear.

I know these freedoms and countless others were bought with a great price. Freedom is never free! And so as we approach the birthday of our great country, I say "Thank you! Thank you!" to the brave men and women who have paid the price for my freedom - both in the past and those who are defending my freedom this very moment.

God bless America . . . and God bless those serving in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy and Marines!

Detours

Detours . . . we don't like them!

Not when we're traveling the highways and interstates . . . and not in our life journeys. But friend Roz reminds us of the road God's children are traveling: It's the Highway of Holiness; the road is marked for us!

We can be sure as His obedient children that every detour takes us closer to the SON - even when it doesn't look that way through our earthly eyes!

When God has another plan - walk on and just say yes.
When God has another plan - be assured that He knows best.
~Lyrics by Taranda Greene~

When it pours . . .

When it rains, it pours!

No, I'm not talking about the wonderful rain we've received and are so thankful for. I'm thinking of the troubles, difficulties, illnesses and tragedy that have "rained" down on the families of our church and community within the last few months. With each phone call or text or message relaying more bad news, it seems that a little more breath is knocked out of me.

It's at these moments I must be still and be reminded that He is still God and is in control. I CAN trust Him - always - even when I don't understand. I like the words of the song that say:

God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don’t understand,
When you don’t see His plan,
When you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.

Easy to do? I never said that!

Did you notice in the above pic of the salt box that the timeless little girl is spilling out her salt in the pouring rain? I see a lesson in that for us - for me . . . and it's not one that most of us ace on the first test! Do you think God says to us, when a deluge of troubles almost sweeps us off our feet, "Someone is watching. Don't give up your faith! Be the salt of the earth in the midst of your trials. I can use you - in spite of your feelings of weakness - to touch those around you. I can be glorified. Carry the umbrella of my promises - but let your salt pour!"


(Edit: Words to song by Babbie Mason and Eddie Carswell)

Wonder-full!

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child.
There are seven million.

~Walt Streightiff~

I love watching kids play . . . and I love their creativity! Yes, they enjoy all the tech toys that are available to them, but they can also create a wonderland from almost nothing.

That's what Aiden, Isaac, and Abby did when they were here last week . . . and what they always do during their visits. Just give them a few quilts to hang over the bunk bed and a chair or two, and suddenly the "kids' room" is transformed into a fort. Tie a flashlight to the slats of the bunk bed, and play begins. Well . . . actually building the fort was as much fun for them as playing inside it, I think!

Years from now, I hope they look back on these days and remember the joys of creating . . . and play that cost nothing . . . and working as a team . . . and finding pleasure in the simple things. And I hope they can still picture the amazing creativity of the MawMaw, the great-grandmother they never knew. She made the beautiful quilts that form the walls of their fort, so it was almost as if her creative hands encircled them as they played inside their hideaway.

Creativity comes in so many forms and is expressed in so many ways - and is no respecter of age. But seeing the world through the wonder-filled eyes of a child is priceless!

But I can think of one thing more special . . . and that's seeing the world and people through the eyes of The Creator, who looked at the works of His hands and said, "It is good."

And I look back on the fun-filled, kids-at-play days of last week, and I, too, can say, "It is good."

Appreciating Beauty . . . in People and Sunsets

One of the most satisfying experiences I know is fully to appreciate
an individual in the same way I appreciate a sunset. When I look
at a sunset...I don't find myself saying,
'Soften the orange a little more
on the right hand corner, and put a bit more purple along the base,
and use a little more pink in the cloud color...'
I don't try to control a sunset.
I watch it with awe as it unfolds.
~Carl Rogers~

Fun Times

All four grands are here!! Busy times . . . fun times . . . memory-making time!

I'll cross that bridge when I get to it . . .

I often find myself trying to cross bridges that are out ahead of me.

I have an idea some of you know what I'm talking about . . . and so you know how draining that is - emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Too late I realize that all my stewing and worrying and planning and trying to figure things out "sensibly" never move me ahead one inch! Sometimes I simply get ahead of God. And that means I'm not letting Him BE God in my life.

But He's teaching . . . and I'm trying to be a better student, a better listener, a better follower. Life is just too short and precious to wrap myself up in a blanket of worry and fear! Why should I even want to do that when He offers me His hand to hold and His loving arms around me? Lord, help me . . .

Tomorrow's bridge is a dangerous thing;
I dare not cross it now.
I can see its timbers sway and swing,
And its arches reel and bow.
O heart, you must hope alway;
You must sing and trust and say:
"I'll bear the sorrow that comes tomorrow,
But I'll borrow none today."
~copied from Streams in the Desert~


Jesus will walk with me; He will talk with me.
In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow,
I know He will walk with me.
~Lyrics by Haldor Lillenas~

If love says anything . . .

Love covers a multitude of sins. I Peter 4:8

That Bible verse can easily be misinterpreted. We know that we can't forgive or remove sins. Only the blood of Jesus does that! So what does it mean? I like what Max Lucado says about it:

Have you ever heard anyone gossip about someone you know? . . .
What do you have to say?
Here is what love says: Love says nothing. Love stays silent. “Love covers a multitude of sins.” Love doesn’t expose. It doesn’t gossip. If love says anything, love speaks words of defense. Words of kindness. Words of protection.

Words to live by . . . words that get right down where we live . . . words that I need to be reminded of often!

They will know we are Christians by our love . . . by our love.
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
~Lyrics by Peter Scholtes~

Shipment Received!

In all states of dilemma or of difficulty, prayer is an available source.
The ship of prayer may sail through all temptations, doubts and fears, straight up to the throne of God; and though she may be outward bound with only griefs, and groans, and sighs, she shall return freighted with a wealth of blessings!

~C. H. Spurgeon~

Today the ship of prayer returned to our friends, church and community loaded with a miracle! Surgery was scheduled this morning for a dear friend - a surgery that would have taken her leg. But God heard our prayers - individual prayers, small group prayers, and corporate prayers - and she still has her leg! The doctor was amazed at what he saw when he began the surgery this morning; the damage was not nearly as extensive as he expected! Nothing short of a miracle!

Our hearts are full and running over! We give HIM all the praise! We needed a miracle. God honored our sincere, believing prayers and sent us that miracle - one that has touched and will touch our friend, her family, and our church and community. I believe it is the spark that will set our hearts aflame with hope and faith and will be a constant, very real reminder that our God can do anything! Our God IS an awesome God!

This song I sang as a child came to my mind today:

God can do anything,
anything,
anything.
God can do anything
but fail!

(Note: I took the photo on St. Simon's Island - GA.)