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.

Sunday Sojourn

What an amazing story...an amazing teacher...an amazing father...

Keep your kleenex handy!

A film by Zack Conkle.

Video from KarmaTube

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

Sunday Sojourn...

Words from another worship song

to nourish your soul...

 

I Am Yours (Take My Life) from iWorship

 (you can click on the song title above to listen to the song)

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

SUNDAY SOJOURN

 

 

"Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity."

 

These words are from the song Hosanna by Hillsong United.  They speak to me each time I sing them.

 

Too often we go thru life seeing only what we want to see...focused on ourselves and all we have to accomplish..ignoring the hurting hearts behind those faces we pass each day.

 

Have you ever prayed the above prayer?  Do you think if you did, you just might make a difference in your world? 

 

"Cause if you pray it, and your eyes are opened to the hurts, the injustices, the wronged of the world...I believe you may just happen to feel the need to do something to make a difference.

 

And the great thing about it all is that we don't need to be capable in our own selves to accomplish the task, whatever it may be.  When we open our hearts and lives to God, he can work his love through us...we are the vessel--but the ability and power comes from him.

 

So what do you think...will you pray these words...will you look and truly see...and then reach out and make a difference in your world?   

Looked out my kitchen window today as I was waiting for my toast, there was a lovely little blue bird perched on a shepherd's hook. There is a little birdhouse directly below my kitchen window. Lo and behold, she has made a nest in it!

What a lovely sight to greet me this morning as I head out the door to work.
I am reminded of these words...

"And when he sings to you, Though you're deep in blue,
You will see a ray of light creep through,
And so remember this, life is no abyss,
Somewhere there's a bluebird of happiness.
Life is sweet, tender and complete,
when you find the bluebird of happiness."

- Bluebird of Happiness, lyrics by Edward Heyman & Harry Parr Davies, 1934

Have a wonderful, blessed day!

Look for the joy...

“You have to look for the joy.

Look for the light of God that is hitting your life,

and you will find sparkles you didn’t know were there. “

~ Barbara Johnson

"Rules of the road: What appears to be a detour
may be the most important leg of the journey."
--Judy Cannato


(The above photo was taken from my front porch--a sunrise in December of 2005. It took my breath away then, and still does so now to contemplate the awesome hand of God!)

Thoughts...

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16




Strength is born in the deep silence
of long-suffering hearts, not amid joy.
--Felicia Hemans




Growth demands a temporary surrender of security.
--Gail Sheehy

Inspiration for the soul....

Wishing

Do you wish the world were better?
Let me tell you what to do:
Set a watch for your actions,
Keep them always straight and true;
Rid your mind of selfish motives;
Let your thoughts be clean and high.
You can make a little Eden
Of the sphere you occupy.


Do you wish the world were wiser?
Well, suppose you made a start,
By accumulating wisdom
In the scrapbook of your heart:
Do not waste one page on folly;
Live to learn, and learn to live.
If you want to give men knowledge
You must get it, ere you give.


Do you wish the world were happy?
Then remember day by day
Just to scatter seeds of kindness
As you pass along the way;
For the pleasures of the many
May ofttimes traced to one,
As the hand that plants an acorn
Shelters armies from the sun.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Love...Love...Love...

...flowers from my Sweetie...

"Love of man for woman--love of woman for man. That's the nature, the meaning, the best of life itself."
(Zane Grey: Riders of the Purple Sage)


November 7, 1981--"I do."

November 7, 2009--"I still do!"



Even though we didn't get to celebrate our special day (due to my Antique Sale this weekend--talk about bad timing!), that doesn't change the fact that for 28 years, through all that life has handed us--good and not-so-good--our love has proven true!

I would choose no other to walk this path of life with than my love, my "Sweetie".


Thank you, Sweetheart, for making life worth the ride!


"So, she leaning on her husband's arm, they turned homeward by a rosy path which the gracious sun struck out for them in its setting. And O there are days in this life, worth life and worth death. And O what a bright old song it is, that O 'tis love, 'tis love, 'tis love that makes the world go round!"
(Charles Dickens: Our Mutual Friend)

Lists to live by...

I love quotes, witty sayings, inspirational thoughts--collect them wherever I can. I have them jotted down in journals, in files on my computer, on scrap pieces of paper...I've been known to jot down--on the back of a bank deposit slip--a thought-provoking comment I've heard on a radio show...while driving! What can I say?...I am addicted to quotes! (My future d-i-l even realizes it--she bought me a book for Christmas, 1001 Smartest Things Ever Said--I couldn't wait to work my way through it! Almost didn't want to open the rest of my gifts!)

I guess I may have inherited this particular collecting trait from my mother--she loved poetry and collected poems and other readings. She was always sharing a poem in church, when she wasn't sharing a special song, that is. I have the three-ring binder with her collection she gathered over the years. None of my siblings was interested in it when she passed away, but how could I let that be thrown out? There are newspaper-clipped poems taped to pages (remember Grit--she loved it) and others she had re-written on notebook paper. I guess I view her collection as a look inside her heart and soul. Each poem had some meaning to her--spoke to her in some way. And when I read one of them, our hearts still connect, even though she's been gone almost 18 years (wow, doesn't seem like I've been without her that long!).

So I said all that to share this with you. I have a collection of books entitled Lists to Live By. I pulled one of the volumes out today while working at the church--I needed some filler for our bulletin. (I also do our church sign, so my quote collection comes in handy!) The following is the list I chose to use and thought I would share it with you all. Hope it gets you thinking!

Actions That Take Courage

• Admitting you are wrong.
• Doing what is right when everyone else isn't.
• Speaking to someone you don't know.
• Saying "no" when people are trying to get you to do something you know you shouldn't.
• Telling the truth and accepting the consequences.
• Standing up for something you believe in even though it might mean rejection or ridicule or even physical harm.
• Defending someone who is considered unpopular or unacceptable.
• Facing a limitation and giving it your very best regardless of pain or discomforts.
• Confronting a fear without running away.
• Giving sacrificially to protect or promote either someone you love, someone who has been wronged, or someone who is in need.
• Being the only one.
• Taking a risk.
• Sharing your heart honestly (including your feelings and fears and failures).
• Living your faith with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength regardless of the cost.

Dr. Steve Stephens, Psychologist and Seminar Speaker
Lists to Live By, The First Collection

God is good!

Wow...I've been AWOL for a long time! Life has been rather busy...with all the regular daily stuff of work and household chores...and then all the spring chores of mowing, planting garden, etc...and in the time left over, I've still been searching the help wanted ads and sending out resumes hoping to get full-time employment...I've been working part-time as cashier/deli worker in a local market (6 days a week) while looking for something more permanent (if you've recently found my blog, here are a couple of posts reflecting on our situation "Waiting" and "Amazing Grace").

Economic times are tough all around and there are tons of applicants for each open position...I've been praying (along with the prayers of my church family) for a door to open...well, God flung one wide open this weekend! I interviewed for an office position Saturday morning and praise God, they called me Sunday afternoon and offered me the job! Full-time with benefits!

The whole story is a lot more involved--how things came about and other circumstances--but all I can say is that it was definitely a God thing--orchestrated by His hand. It has been a roller coaster ride since last year when hubby lost his job...sometimes hard to keep the faith...sometimes it feels as though we are engulfed in the fog of our circumstances but we can be sure that when we finally step through--back into the sunshine--we can look back and see how God worked for our good and carried us through it all. This weekend we had one prayer answered, now we're just waiting for a door to open for my hubby--I'm confidant that God has something great in store...we just need to continue keeping the faith! Just wanted to share my good news with you all and also share the following link...I received the following in an email and I realized it is a reflection of my philosophy on life also...choose the good!!!
Help Others.org: Choosing to Live Fully -- A Kindness Story

Hope you all have a great day--I know I will! Smiles and sunshine to you...

Spring fever...and a few projects...

Wow...it's been awhile since I posted last...been busy with work, crafts, building raised beds on the few nice days we've had, etc... I have been visiting some of you all, but haven't been motivated to write anything...thought I would do a short post to wish all a Happy First Day of Spring! Woke up to snow flurries this morning and it was rather chilly all day...didn't quite feel like spring...although when the sun came out, it made it seem warmer...

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Also took a pic of a few of the things I've completed lately...I have projects scattered in a corner of my living room that I've been trying to work on when I get a minute...just doesn't seem to be enough time...and with warmer weather coming, I'm gonna want to be outside as much as possible...guess I'd better get to it and finish them up or they may still be there come fall!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Dreams do come true...

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.
~Henry David Thoreau~

This is a pic my youngest son snapped on our family trip to Alaska in 2007--isn't it gorgeous?!?!? Alaska had always been a dream of mine and we were blessed to be able to make a two-week trip in May that year with our two sons. We flew to Anchorage, rented an RV and drove 1700+ miles in a big loop on all 3 major highways--yup, there's only 3 main highways. Saw lots of awesome scenery...hiked through untamed wilderness...were lucky to have a gorgeous view of Mt. McKinley...saw loads of wildlife...a cousin from Fairbanks with his own charter service flew us north of the Arctic Circle to Fort Yukon (awesome experience--thanks Tom)...went deep-sea fishing with wonderful folks who have roots here in our area--thanks Denny and Ginger (son #1 and I each caught a skate and halibut)...and that's just a smidgen of the adventure...it was truly a trip of a lifetime--one that will never be forgotten! Yes, dreams do come true!


Mt. McKinley--all I can say is "WOW".

(I found Thoreau's quote today and originally was just going to post it...then thought, "why not add a pic to go with it"...then the rest just seemed to flow...I may share some more pics and adventures in a future post if you're interested...let me know.)

My world this morning...

Click on photo to be taken to a slide show of the world outside my window this morning...our God is an awesome God...

"Be still and know that I am God..."
Psalm 46:10

Evening thought...

"Simplicity is a decision, not a result."

(from Home-Grown Wisdom by Peter Reese)

Finish Every Day

With the new year almost upon us, our minds are drawn to thinking about New Year's resolutions. We all know there are things we can change in our lives for the better, and we tend to use a new year as motivation to implement those needed changes. I don't know about you, but I usually start off with a bang and faithfully stick to my new resolution with dogged determination--for a couple of weeks! Then the old adage sounds in my head--"Old habits die hard!"

I think a better approach to "resolutions" may be to just vow to give each day our best. Live each day to the fullest--but when it's done, it's done. Don't waste energy regretting your yesterdays. You can't change the past, but you do have the ability to make today one of your best ever!

Seek out ways to make your world a better place...one day at a time...one person at a time.

Ponder these words from Ralph Waldo Emerson and have a wonderful 2009!

Finish Every Day
by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities
no doubt have crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.

Tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely
and with too high a spirit
to be cumbered
with your old nonsense.

This day is all that
is good and fair.
It is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on yesterdays.

See Philippians 3:13-14 for further thoughts.

A time for thanks...

I came across these thoughts about Thanksgiving yesterday when I was researching some things for our church bulletin. I really liked the message and thought I would share it with you. It has encouraged me to contemplate all the blessings in my life.

How 'bout you? How many things can you come up with that you are thankful for? I imagine if we put our minds to it, we could have an endless list, from the simplest of smiles to the grandest of loves.

Take time in the coming week to thank God for life (and all it entails), love (and the joy it brings to your life) and liberty (we are so blessed to live in a free nation).

May you find inspiration in the following words...

"Thanksgiving is a great holiday! It focuses our minds on our blessings rather than on our problems. It makes the heart glad for what we have been given, and it takes our minds off the burdens we all have. Thanksgiving recognizes the giver as well as the gift. It keeps it on the positive side. In life of plenty and prosperity we seem to take everything for granted. How appreciative we should be for our blessings and what a wonderful thing is a holiday which focuses our attention on them. Thanksgiving is therapy we all need to keep cognizant of the blessings and the beauty of living. This year let's set aside a few minutes of the holiday to sit alone and think of the many things for which we should be thankful - then this great holiday will have true meaning for us."

~ "Thanksgiving" by Robert N. Filie ~