Many people are great photographers, and we often use video cameras or in this day smart phones to record precious moments. I had none of those this weekend, so I am hoping to capture precious memories by blogging them.
1. Going through pictures and sharing family memories with friends
2. Spending the afternoon with Tim and Jen and Emily
3. Listening to our choir sing Amazing Grace acapella
4. Seeing Tim and Ted pray together at the altar
5. Watching Tammy's happiness at her surprise birthday party
6. Having my Sweetheart hold my hand or wrap me in his arms at random moments (I so treasure this)
7. Praying at the altar drawing my heart closer to God's
8. Getting hugs from so many wonderful ladies at church who love me and pray for me
9. Hugs from my Princess and Precious (two special young ladies)
10. Listening to a man who had fallen away from God for years come back repented, renewed, rejoicing, and singing for God once again (it's seeing that prayer really does work)
Monday, February 27, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Legacy of Mourning
For those of you that follow this blog and have not just stumbled upon it randomly, you know the journey we have been on for the past couple of years. A journey of grace, trust, waiting on the Lord even when we don't understand, and learning to keep on living this race of life. Everyone mourns the passing of a loved one differently, although it usually follows the same stages, it just depends on how long it takes you to get through each stage.
Last weekend, I went through some family pictures and of course Momma was in 98% of them. Pictures seemed to have helped the rest of the family, with me it seems to be the opposite. Pictures of Momma keeps the hurt and loss constantly before me, and then I struggle to move forward. I thought I handled the whole picture thing fairly well these past few years and even last weekend. Then, a sweet lady passed away this week and her visitation was in the same room of the funeral home as Momma had been, yellow roses on the casket, the funeral director knew me, I was there by myself.... and I realllly struggled. My heart physically hurt by the time I got to the car to go to church. Now, for over 2 years I thought I was doing very well considering... but this seems to be a new stage of mourning that I had not expected. I dreamed of Momma that night, and for once my mind didn't acknowledge that she wasn't supposed to be there. Usually, I realize in my dream that seeing her is precious and something to enjoy. No, she is NOT visiting me in my dreams, it's my brain trying to sort through the jumbled thought processes of what I am going through when I am awake.
She had such an impact on our lives that even as time passes, her strong godly influence doesn't fade. I had a good friend tell me that she thought her funeral would be just a couple of minutes long as she didn't have many friends and didn't think that anyone would bother coming. What sort of impact will my life leave for the glory of God? Will people miss me or mourn my passing, or will I be just another name in the paper? Am I living my life in a way that honors God and leaves a godly imprint on others' lives?
I read an obit in my hometown paper this morning. The name was unique and immediately I knew it had to be related to the boy who died a few years before I went to school. I was right.. it was his grandmother. I never knew the family or the boy who died, but the impact of his death was felt through the years at our school. He was remembered at class reunions, etc. Now more then 35 years later, he is remembered again through the passing of his grandmother.
I usually view myself as simple, behind the scenes, Plain Jane, nobody special....but I do want my life to be a godly example to those around me. When I leave this earth, I hope others will say... "she inspired me to serve God".
As I deal with this new stage of mourning, I trust you too will think of what legacy you are leaving behind.
Last weekend, I went through some family pictures and of course Momma was in 98% of them. Pictures seemed to have helped the rest of the family, with me it seems to be the opposite. Pictures of Momma keeps the hurt and loss constantly before me, and then I struggle to move forward. I thought I handled the whole picture thing fairly well these past few years and even last weekend. Then, a sweet lady passed away this week and her visitation was in the same room of the funeral home as Momma had been, yellow roses on the casket, the funeral director knew me, I was there by myself.... and I realllly struggled. My heart physically hurt by the time I got to the car to go to church. Now, for over 2 years I thought I was doing very well considering... but this seems to be a new stage of mourning that I had not expected. I dreamed of Momma that night, and for once my mind didn't acknowledge that she wasn't supposed to be there. Usually, I realize in my dream that seeing her is precious and something to enjoy. No, she is NOT visiting me in my dreams, it's my brain trying to sort through the jumbled thought processes of what I am going through when I am awake.
She had such an impact on our lives that even as time passes, her strong godly influence doesn't fade. I had a good friend tell me that she thought her funeral would be just a couple of minutes long as she didn't have many friends and didn't think that anyone would bother coming. What sort of impact will my life leave for the glory of God? Will people miss me or mourn my passing, or will I be just another name in the paper? Am I living my life in a way that honors God and leaves a godly imprint on others' lives?
I read an obit in my hometown paper this morning. The name was unique and immediately I knew it had to be related to the boy who died a few years before I went to school. I was right.. it was his grandmother. I never knew the family or the boy who died, but the impact of his death was felt through the years at our school. He was remembered at class reunions, etc. Now more then 35 years later, he is remembered again through the passing of his grandmother.
I usually view myself as simple, behind the scenes, Plain Jane, nobody special....but I do want my life to be a godly example to those around me. When I leave this earth, I hope others will say... "she inspired me to serve God".
As I deal with this new stage of mourning, I trust you too will think of what legacy you are leaving behind.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Musings of Longing
Our blog is about the mountains and valleys our family goes through and how our journey can help, inspire, or encourage others who walk the same path. Right now we are going through a valley that often seems so reminiscent of the "slough of despair" in the Pilgrim's Progress story. Don't get me wrong, God has been so clear in His Word and His comfort to us. Just a few short months ago, I was sharing how God had taught me about His Grace in 2010, learning to trust Him by the end of 2011, and now it's 2012. Very early into this year, He has already shown me that my lesson to learn is to Wait on the Lord. To go forward through the Red Sea, but only at His command and in His protection. I don't see the victory, the light at the end of the tunnel, the mountain peak, but I know it's there.
Often, I feel weighed down with this burden and despondent of a glorious resolution. My soul cries out with longing to my Shepherd, to hear my cry and to answer my plea.
Today was the funeral of a very well known, beautifully gifted musician who grew up in church. It was mentioned today that in spite of all her trials and tragedies, the very last song she sang in public was "Jesus Loves Me" just a few short days before she died.
Now you might scoff at that or feel hope or just indifference, but I chose to let it remind me that through all that I am going through, I am alive and Jesus DOES love me. If a jaded worldly musician knew it then why should I doubt it?
Now, God didn't gift me with a voice comparable to this noted singer, in fact I think He gave me one comparable to a certain female oinker of the puppet persuasion. He did however give me the wonderful gift of salvation, an amazing husband, and two decent young men for children. He blessed me with a wonderful church family, and surrounded us with prayer warriors. I pray that my song through this valley will be one that draws others to Christ, that if I should pass through Heaven's portals suddenly that those left behind will hear Heaven's Jubilee through my life.
I don't know what you are going through, I long to shed this weight that so easily besets me, I long for my heavenly home, I long for so many people around me to know that Jesus truly can set them free.... I long for you to be encouraged in your valley and in your storm.
Need Help for Free? Read the Bible!! It's amazing!
Need wonderful help at low cost? Purchase this devotional book, it will change you.
Often, I feel weighed down with this burden and despondent of a glorious resolution. My soul cries out with longing to my Shepherd, to hear my cry and to answer my plea.
Today was the funeral of a very well known, beautifully gifted musician who grew up in church. It was mentioned today that in spite of all her trials and tragedies, the very last song she sang in public was "Jesus Loves Me" just a few short days before she died.
Now you might scoff at that or feel hope or just indifference, but I chose to let it remind me that through all that I am going through, I am alive and Jesus DOES love me. If a jaded worldly musician knew it then why should I doubt it?
Now, God didn't gift me with a voice comparable to this noted singer, in fact I think He gave me one comparable to a certain female oinker of the puppet persuasion. He did however give me the wonderful gift of salvation, an amazing husband, and two decent young men for children. He blessed me with a wonderful church family, and surrounded us with prayer warriors. I pray that my song through this valley will be one that draws others to Christ, that if I should pass through Heaven's portals suddenly that those left behind will hear Heaven's Jubilee through my life.
I don't know what you are going through, I long to shed this weight that so easily besets me, I long for my heavenly home, I long for so many people around me to know that Jesus truly can set them free.... I long for you to be encouraged in your valley and in your storm.
Need Help for Free? Read the Bible!! It's amazing!
Need wonderful help at low cost? Purchase this devotional book, it will change you.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Higher Ground
Today is a trying day for my Sweetheart. I can't be with him physically, but I have gathered prayer warriors and have surrounded him with continual prayer as he faces this troublesome day. So many times this morning I felt like my prayers were somehow inadequate, as if it was the power from my prayer that would fix this. We need God's power the power is not our own. I was sitting here wishing there was more I could do, and I turned on some praise music. Listening to Higher Ground settled me down.
I'm pressing on the upward way
New heights I'm gaining every day
Still praying as I onward bound
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."
####Chorus:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith on heaven's table land
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay
Tho' some may dwell where these
abound
My prayer, my aim is higher ground.
####
I want to live above the world
Tho' satan's darts at me are hurled
For faith has caught the joyful sound
The song of saints on higher ground.
####
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright
But still I'll pray till heaven I've found
"Lord, lead me on to higher ground."
I'm pressing on the upward way
New heights I'm gaining every day
Still praying as I onward bound
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."
####Chorus:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith on heaven's table land
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay
Tho' some may dwell where these
abound
My prayer, my aim is higher ground.
####
I want to live above the world
Tho' satan's darts at me are hurled
For faith has caught the joyful sound
The song of saints on higher ground.
####
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright
But still I'll pray till heaven I've found
"Lord, lead me on to higher ground."
Monday, February 13, 2012
Love Is....
Tomorrow is Valentines Day. Ted and I won't get to be together for much of the day, and that leaves me a bit forlorn. I was trying to think of poetry, or something unique to express my jumbled thoughts in a romantic fashion. Alas, I find that I will just
Keep
It
Simple
Sweetheart
I Love you!
Keep
It
Simple
Sweetheart
I Love you!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wait upon the Lord
Psalms 59
A Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
To the chief Musician, Altas'chith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.
1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God:
defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,
and save me from bloody men.
3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul:
the mighty are gathered against me;
not for my transgression,nor for my sin, O LORD.
4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault.
Awake to help me, and behold.
5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel,
awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors.
Selah.
6 They return at evening:they make a noise like a dog,and go round about the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips:for who,say they, doth hear?
8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee:for God is my defense.
10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me:God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget:scatter them by thy power;
and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips
let them even be taken in their pride:and for cursing and lying which they speak.
13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be:
and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth.
Selah.
14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog,
and go round about the city.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat,and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning:
for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing:for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy.
A Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
To the chief Musician, Altas'chith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.
1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God:
defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,
and save me from bloody men.
3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul:
the mighty are gathered against me;
not for my transgression,nor for my sin, O LORD.
4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault.
Awake to help me, and behold.
5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel,
awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors.
Selah.
6 They return at evening:they make a noise like a dog,and go round about the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips:for who,say they, doth hear?
8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee:for God is my defense.
10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me:God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget:scatter them by thy power;
and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips
let them even be taken in their pride:and for cursing and lying which they speak.
13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be:
and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth.
Selah.
14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog,
and go round about the city.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat,and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning:
for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing:for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Can't Touch This
I know that is a popular secular saying, but so many times we as God's children think we are untouchable by the circumstances of the world. Yes, God does filter everything that happens to us. Bad things can and do happen to God's children. The dividing line is that we need to be thankful and give God the glory no matter what happens to us.
Today has been a day to put feet to my faith and to see if I did learn that lesson of trusting God even when I don't understand. As I pondered and prayed today, I remembered Daniel ended up in a lions' den, Joseph spent years in prison, Peter and the disciples were all imprisoned and martyred, Job is the picture of faith through all ages, Esther risked her life, David ran for his life for years.... the list goes on. The Hall of Faith in Hebrews is full of people who put their trust in God no matter what and endured many hardships and unfair circumstances and even danger or death. Why do I think that I am somehow exempt from this in the age of grace? Why do I think I can limit what God allows to happen to me?
This blog is about our mountains and our valleys, right now we are entering a valley that at this end seems dark and scary, but I know that God will walk or carry us through it and that the mountain is just ahead even if the climb is treacherous.
So for this situation we are facing right now... to God be the glory, I am still blessed!!!!
Today has been a day to put feet to my faith and to see if I did learn that lesson of trusting God even when I don't understand. As I pondered and prayed today, I remembered Daniel ended up in a lions' den, Joseph spent years in prison, Peter and the disciples were all imprisoned and martyred, Job is the picture of faith through all ages, Esther risked her life, David ran for his life for years.... the list goes on. The Hall of Faith in Hebrews is full of people who put their trust in God no matter what and endured many hardships and unfair circumstances and even danger or death. Why do I think that I am somehow exempt from this in the age of grace? Why do I think I can limit what God allows to happen to me?
This blog is about our mountains and our valleys, right now we are entering a valley that at this end seems dark and scary, but I know that God will walk or carry us through it and that the mountain is just ahead even if the climb is treacherous.
So for this situation we are facing right now... to God be the glory, I am still blessed!!!!
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