Will You Help??

Please head over to my sister's blog to read the story of a precious Down Syndrome lady and find out how you can help make her 50th birthday special!

Burdens Lifted

The last few days have been kind of rough for me. Lily is teething {yes, I know it's earlier than most babies, but goat milk drinking babies usually get their teeth faster}, has a cold, and has just been a miserable little baby for the last two days {although you'd never guess that from the angelic picture!}. I feel so bad for her! It's very hard to see your little one hurting, and it's especially hard when they can't tell you what's wrong.

My heart has also been very burdened and broken for a dear friend who needs the Lord to work mightily in her life right now.I find that it's so easy for me to get bogged down and depressed by things/people that I cannot change, I can only pray about. It is hard sometimes to give our burdens over to the Lord, but that's what His Word says we are to do. "Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you: he will never suffer the righteous to be moved" Psalm 55:22

Last night at prayer meeting we sang this song. It's a familiar song, but I'd really never noticed the words {shame on me!}.

Singing I Go

The trusting heart to Jesus clings,

Nor any ill forebodes,
But at the cross of Calv’ry, sings,
Praise God for lifted loads!

Refrain

Singing I go along life’s road,
Praising the Lord, praising the Lord,
Singing I go along life’s road,
For Jesus has lifted my load.

The passing days bring many cares,
“Fear not,” I hear Him say,
And when my fears are turned to prayers,
The burdens slip away.

He tells me of my Father’s love,
And never slumb’ring eye,
My everlasting King above
Will all my needs supply.

When to the throne of grace I flee,
I find the promise true,
The mighty arms upholding me
Will bear my burdens too.

I'm so thankful the Lord used the words of this song last night to speak to my heart, lift my burdens, and renew my joy!

Nothing Compares To...

1. God's Love.
   
   We cannot comprehend it.
   
   
   We cannot reciprocate it.
   
   
   We can only accept it and rejoice in it.
   
   
   The love of God is greater far
   Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
   It goes beyond the highest star,
   And reaches deep where sinners dwell;
   The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
   God gave His Son to win;
   His erring child He reconciled,
   And pardoned from his sin.
   
   
   Refrain:
   Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
   How measureless and strong!
   It shall forevermore endure—
   The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill, 

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

Romans 8:38-39

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Overwhelmed

The last few days I have felt very overwhelmed. There are so many, many things that I need to get accomplished before the baby is born. I am about seven weeks from my due date, yes, SEVEN weeks! When I think about that, I think about all the stuff that is not done and ready for Lily's arrival.

The Lord has been speaking to my heart. He is teaching me that I don't need to focus on all the things that haven't been done. Instead I need to take one day at a time, focus on what I can do each day, and trust Him to give me the grace and strength to accomplish each task. And if something doesn't get done before Lily gets here, then it will be ok!

These are the verses I am claiming for the next few weeks. Psalm 61:2-3, 

"When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou has been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy." 

The enemy could be any number of things. For me, the enemy is stress. What precious promises are here: He will lead me, He is my rock, He is a shelter for me, He is my strong tower. There is no way I can be stressed out when I am meditating on these verses. I am going to write them on 3x5 cards and put them around the house where I will see them often.

So here is a list of some of the things I want/need to get done in the next 7 weeks:

• Buy and wrap Christmas presents for our immediate family (at least 14 people)
• Wash, sort, and fold baby clothes (my Mom has offered to help with this)
• Finish the nursery!
• Go through all our baby gifts and stuff we've been given and see what else we're going to need
• Finish the new church directory
• Prepare for and teach 2 coupon classes with my sister
• Clean my always cluttered kitchen counter and table
• Make jar mixes for extended family's Christmas gifts
• Finish making several Christmas gifts
• Clean the bathroom (it is seriously nasty!)
• Make Christmas cookies and labels for goody bags for Jacob's 3 youth orchestras and all his students
• Stock the freezer with about 20 meals to use after Lily is born
• Finish writing thank you notes
• Get Christmas photo cards printed and mailed

Well, that's all I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure there's plenty more, but this is a start.

Happy Friday Ya'll!

Proverbs 4:23-26

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

These verses are such a great reminder to me that I need to diligently keep my heart, mouth, eyes, and feet pure before God. I believe that these verses are the key to living a life of obedience to God...it all starts with the heart followed by a kind mouth, focused eyes, and feet walking on the narrow path.

Have a wonderfully blessed Lord's Day!

I'm Thankful Today!

I really feel the need right now to count my blessings! Here in the south we have been experiencing rain everyday for over a week now. It is rather insane!

So much rain and gloominess has a way of getting us down. It can make us physically (aching joints), emotionally, and mentally pooped!

I read Psalm 118 this morning because I knew it would lift my spirits by all the great verses.

• O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endures forever (verse 1)
• I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me and set me in a large place (verse 5)
• The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation (verse 14)
• This is the day which the Lord has made; I will be glad and rejoice in it (verse 24)
• Thou art my God, and I will praise you: thou art my God, I will exalt you (verse 28)

What a blessing and challenge these verses are for me today! Such a reminder to count my blessings!

Today I am thankful...

• to be alive
• for a roof that doesn't leak
• that we don't have flooding (there are so many people that we need to remember to pray for as they deal with lots of damage to their homes!)
• that we are not going through a drought like many parts of the world are experiencing
• for God's Promise of a Rainbow!

Visit Heavenly Homemakers for more Gratituesday posts!

What We're Created To Be

I just read this amazing post on Transparent Mama's blog. It really spoke to my heart because I've been struggling some lately with comparing myself to others. I was humbled and challenged as I read this post to not try to make myself look like, or act like, or be like other people. My focus needs to be on what God has made me to be and how I can bring the most glory to Him through my life.

I encourage you to go and read this post. It will be a blessing to you!

II Corinthians 10:12

For we dare not make ourselves of the number,

or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves:

but they measuring themselves by themselves,

and comparing themselves among themselves,

are not wise.

May we all be the woman God created us to be, no more, and no less!

May the Mind of Christ

This hymn is one of my favorites! It was written by Kate Barclay Wilkinson in 1912. She lived in England and was very involved in a ministry to girls in London. The hymn is based on Philippians 2:5: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."

1 May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
live in me from day to day,
by his love and power controlling
all I do and say.

2 May the word of God dwell richly
in my heart from hour to hour,
so that all may see I triumph
only through his power.

3 May the peace of God, my Father,
rule my life in everything,
that I may be calm to comfort
sick and sorrowing.

4 May the love of Jesus fill me
as the waters fill the sea.
Him exalting, self abasing:
this is victory.

5 May we run the race before us,
strong and brave to face the foe,
looking only unto Jesus
as we onward go.

Have a blessed Lord's Day!

Thoughts on Psalm 23

Today my sister is hosting a Sunday Meditations blog hop, so be sure to go over there and get a blessing from what other bloggers share.

Awhile back I read Elizabeth George's book Powerful Promises for Every Woman, 12 life-changing truths from Psalm 23. I marked in my Bible some of the things she pointed out that were a blessing to me. I re-read my notes often because they are such a huge blessing to my heart and I want to share them with you.

One big thing to notice about this psalm is that it is written personally to us in the present tense, "me, my."

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd:: Jehovah-Rohi {God guides}

I shall not want:: Jehovah-Jireh {God provides}

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:: He makes us rest so we can feed upon Him. He refreshes us physically.

He leadeth me beside the still waters:: With Him as the leader of our lives, our hearts have peace and rest.

He restoreth my soul:: Jehovah-Rophe {The Lord heals} He refreshes us and restores us spiritually.

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake:: Jehovah-Tsidkenu {The Lord our righteousness}

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and they staff they comfort me:: God provides comfort and companionship.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:: He gives protection from spiritual and physical enemies.

Thou anointest my head with oil:: Jehovah-Nissi {The Lord is my banner}

My cup runneth over:: He gives joy overflowing.

Surely goodness {God's goodness} and mercy {His lovingkindness} shall follow me {pursue me} all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever:: live in our eternal home, enjoying the eternal presence of God with us.

I hope this is a blessing to you as it has been to me. Have a wonderful Lord's Day!

A Few of My Favorite Things in God's Creation

Today I decided to join in with Amy at Filled With Praise to count my blessings (favorite things). My theme this week is God's Creation. I love being outside enjoying all the wonderful, beautiful things God has given us. Have you ever thought about what life would be like without colorful flowers or sunsets or animals or green grass? I think it would be pretty dull and dreary and depressing!

So let's praise Him today for His glorious creation!

I LOVE:

sunrises

sunsets

flowers, morning glories

orchids

tiger lilies

green grass

lakes and forests

hay fields and blue skies

wild animals

domestic animals

Psalm 19:1-6

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoicing as a strong man to run a race.

His going forth is from the end of the heaven and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

Be sure to stop by Filled With Praise to see how other bloggers are praising God today!

One Day At A Time

My Mom came across this touching poem when she was going through some of my Granny's things. Granny is in Heaven now, but I know she'd be so happy for me to share this wonderful poem.

What an encouragement it's been to me to remember day by day that His grace is absolutely sufficient for me and His strength is made perfect in my weakness!

One Day At A Time

One day at a time, with its failures and fears,

With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,

With its portion of pain and its burden of care;

One day at a time we must meet and must bear.

One day at a time to be patient and strong;

To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;

Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;

It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.

One day at a time - but the day is so long,

And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,

O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;

Give courage and patience and strength for the day.

Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;

"Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;

I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;

I will not forsake thee; I never will leave."

Not yesterday's load we are called on to bear,

Nor the morrow's uncertain and shadowy care;

Why should we look forward or back with dismay?

Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.

One day at a time, and the day is His day;

He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.

His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;

As the day so the strength that He giveth His own.

by Annie Johnson Flint