I was in on the launch team for Max Lucado's new book, How Happiness Happens. My copy arrived today, along with his book, Grace, free with pre-order of new book. The first five chapters were available to the launch team and let me say, Max did not disappoint with this book! Can't wait to read the rest of it!

@maxlucado #howhappinesshappens 

No. Matter. What.

Today, during my caregiver shift with my m-i-l (with AD), we were watching Gaither Homecoming dvds.  Lynda Randle sang a song that I heard years ago at a concert at our church at a time that I really needed to hear it.  It spoke to my heart then and every time I hear it, it is a reminder of God's faithfulness.  It reminds me that God is the great "I am".

No. matter. what.

God on the Mountain

(click on title to listen to the song)

Life is easy when you're up on the mountain

And you've got peace of mind like you've never known.

But then things change and you're down in the valley.

Don't lose faith for you're never alone.

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.

When things go wrong, He'll make it right.

And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times.

The God of the day is still God in the night.

You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain.

Oh but the talk comes easy when life's at its best.

But it's down in the valley of trials and temptation

That's when faith is really put to the test.

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.

When things go wrong, He'll make it right.

And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times.

The God of the day is still God in the night.

__________________________
  
How do songs minister to your heart?  Any special ones?  Please share.

Where were you...

Where were you 13 years ago today?

It was Monday morning.  I was with friends in our church basement crafting for our fall bazaar.  Pastor John came down and asked me where Terry (hubby) was.  I said he had planned to go to Manhattan the day before, but “changed his mind”.  He would be home that week rather than in New York as usual.  That’s when Pastor John told me that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center.

Shock and disbelief overwhelmed me--if Terry had kept his plan to go to NYC that week, he would have been in his company’s offices in the Trade Center that Monday morning.

Oh, but for the grace of God…

I remember...and I thank God that he “changes minds”.

Let us never forget!

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

 A tribute to those who died on 9/11

Sunday Sojourn

We are in the midst of the Lenten season.  My church didn't practice Lent when I was growing up; so my view was that Lent was just a Catholic observance.  In recent years, our church movement has initiated Focus 40, which is a 40-day emphasis on prayer and fasting leading up to Easter.

Over the years, when I heard Catholic folks talk about "giving up" something for Lent, I always wondered why they were doing it--was it ritual--or was it heartfelt and life changing?  You often hear "I can't eat meat on Fridays."  And the weekly "Friday Fish Fry" down the street is there to fill that void.  But why?  Why can't you eat meat?  Why are people doing it?  Because the church says you're supposed to?  Or does it have deeper meaning for you?  Why are you doing what you do for Lent?

I stumbled across something in blogland that intrigued me.  I found a blog series by Pastor Phil Ressler called 40 Things to Give Up for Lent.  I decided to subscribe to his daily posts, hoping that they would add some meaning to Lent for me.  These posts have challenged me and caused me to think and question what I'm about. (You can read the story behind this series here.)    

In my research on Lent, I also found some good thoughts from Ann Voskamp:

Okay… Lent.  It’s the preparing the heart for Easter.  Like going with Jesus into the wilderness for forty days, that we might come face to ugly face with our enemy.  Our sacrificing that we might become more like Christ in His sacrifice...

Lent isn't about forfeiting as much as it's about formation.  We renounce to be reborn; we let go...It’s about this: We break away to become...

Don’t think of lent as about working your way to salvation. Think of it as working out your salvation....

Why doing Lent is what we need — because it leads us to Christ:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
-Ephesians 2:8,9

And last, but by no means the least, this passage in Isaiah addresses

True Fasting:  Isaiah 58.

So, what about Lent?  Do you practice it--and if so, why? 

Sunday Sojourn

Wow, talk about grace...

Sunday Sojourn

We sang one of my favorite songs this morning in church. There's a promise for you and me in the following words:

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God

What a great reminder when life seems to be getting the best of you.  Listen and find encouragement, my friend.

The Piano Guys -- Love 'em!

I love these guys!  Their music is beautiful, but watching them perform together is even more amazing! 

Hope you enjoy it!

Faith

Lamium in my garden June 2013

I heard Max Lucado use this quote on the radio today and wanted to share:

 

"God doesn't always change the circumstances, but He can change us to meet the circumstances. That's what it means to live by faith." 

--Warren Wiersbe

Sunday Sojourn

What does the Word of God mean to you?   Do you look to it for strength and guidance each day?

A verse from Ancient Words by Michael W. Smith:

Words of Life, words of Hope

Give us strength, help us cope

In this world, where e'er we roam 

Ancient words will guide us home
 

Ancient words ever true

Changing me and changing you

We have come with open hearts

Oh, let the ancient words impart

You can listen to the complete song on Youtube :  Ancient Words 

Sunday Sojourn

Why is it so hard to lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus--and then leave them there?  Do you know what I mean?  The laying down part isn't always so hard--it's resisting the urge to pick them back up that I struggle with...the waiting on God's timing...continuing to have faith that He knows best and will work all things for good to those who love him.

Why do I struggle so much with this?  Perhaps it's because, even though at this moment in time I realize I can't handle that heavy burden on my own, I still think that maybe tomorrow, or the next day, I'll find the answer.

So I kneel at the cross, place my burdens there at the feet of Jesus, stand up...and reach back down and pick them up again.  I am sure God thinks, "Oh my foolish child!  Do you not realize what I have done for you?  The sacrifice I made to save you from carrying that heavy load alone?  When will you understand...when will you trust enough?"

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28)

Sunday Sojourn

 

 

 

"In all the tough times of life, God gives you the ability to look up and envision a better day as you embrace His promise." 

(www.findthepower.com  Wisdom Minute)
 

 

For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.

Isaiah 41:13

What Faith Can Do

I hope you aren't getting tired of the songs I have been sharing...I find strength...hope...courage in the lyrics of many songs.  Sometimes I cannot put words to my feelings or piece together words in prayer to God.  In those times, I find that a song will speak to my soul and from my soul in a way that elusive words can't.

So, once again, today I share this with you: 

...remember...that's what faith can do!

P.S.  And if you would be so kind as to remind me of that when I forget and am floundering, I would be most appreciative.  ;)

Easter Morn...

Celebrate the risen Christ!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In his great mercy he has given us new birth

to a living hope through

the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..."

(1Peter 1:3 NIV) 

 

 *graphic courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

 

 "The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances." - Robert Flatt

Sunday Sojourn...

As I searched for wisdom and understanding this week, I found a link to this devotional, Need You Now ...it spoke to me right where I was...I had heard a snippet of this song on the radio the day before and meant to search for it so I could hear the entire song...before I had the chance to search, I found this devotional.  God served the song up to me along with words that spoke to my heart.

God is waiting to bear our burdens...

"Jesus is offering those who are exhausted and buckling under life’s burdens a way to not go it alone. That was a comforting thought as I considered that pain and loss is a given. I don’t have to go it alone."

May the words of this devotional,
Need You Now
and the lyrics of this song bless your heart as they did mine.

Finding shelter in the storm...

As I struggle to weather this storm, I search for answers...search for words of encouragement to give me strength to stand...

This is what God gave me this morning...once again, I share...so maybe another hurting one can find the comfort they are needing too...

When God Comes Near -- Proverbs 31 Ministries

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

In this storm...

No creations to share today...no vintage finds...no words of wisdom...

Today, I find myself in a storm...tears falling...aching heart...I searched for a song that speaks to where I find myself...I found this...

Maybe it will also speak to someone else crying in the rain...

Sunday Sojourn

Lord, I need you, oh I need you...every hour I need you...

You can listen to the song by Chris Tomlin here.

I found this photo in my files...taken on a foggy February morning a few years back...

Sunday Sojourn...

Sometimes life is hard...sometimes it is painful...sometimes it doesn't make sense...sometimes we have to wait...

We need to remember...we need not be alone...God will be there beside us in our waiting if we only ask...

Psalm 62: 5-8  "I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor come from God alone.  He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.  O my people, trust in him at all times.  Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge."

Psalm  40:1
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry."

While I'm Waiting by John Waller 

I'm waiting...
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful...
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful...
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting...I will serve You
While I'm waiting...I will worship
While I'm waiting...I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait