Wednesday April 29, 2009

Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

“We need winds and tempests to exercise our faith, to tear off the rotten bough of self-dependence, and to root us more firmly in Christ. The day of evil reveals to us the value of our glorious hope.” ~C.H. Spurgeon

“Pining for something more can honor God as much as gratitude for what’s already happened.” ~Abraham Piper

“In a fallen world where obedience to God is costly, groaning can be just as much an expression of faithfulness as rejoicing.” ~Wesley Hill

“Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God, whose ways you may not understand at the time.” ~Oswald Chambers


(the following is from a blog I follow, by Mrs. MK)

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
.
.
.
The command for encouragement and perseverance assumes a NEED.
That means that believers can be
(and are often)
discouraged and weary…..
if it was an easy road,
an easy race,
this verse would be superfluous….
I have faith,
confidence in the Lord alone,
that his power will bring me safely to the finishline.
But it will not be the finish of the graceful runner
in perfect shape
who crosses triumphantly,
but the injured,
sick and nearly out of their mind
with exhaustion
runner who collapses
the instant the line reached.
.
.
But it will be reached,
and then,
in His presence I will know:
true bliss,
true rest and comfort,
unbroken.

Romans 15: 4-5
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus……

~Mrs. MK

Saturday April 25, 2009

**applause** and **confetti** and **huge hugs** and **lingering kisses**
are all for my amazing, diligent, honorable, patient, serving, loving, delightful husband.

He was just offered a new job!! I am so proud of him. He probably will start in a couple of weeks, and he is delighted by the prospect that he not only expects to be able to provide well for his family, but also that God is very kind in providing him with a job that he will enjoy.
Wow. A Christian company. Near our home. In a position that almost seems tailor-made to suit Steven.
God is so good. And we are so thankful.
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow!!

I love you, Steven. Thank you for always providing for us, in so many many many ways. xxx

Saturday April 25, 2009

I can in all states cast my care upon God, cast my burden upon God, I can commit my way to God in peace: faith can do this. Therefore, when reason can go no higher, let faith get on the shoulders of reason and say, ‘I see land though reason cannot see it, I see good that will come out of all this evil.’ Exercise faith by often resigning yourself to God, by giving yourself up to God and his ways. The more you in a believing way surrender up yourself to God, the more quiet and peace you will have.

The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, by Jeremiah Burroughs

In active obedience we worship God by doing what pleases God, but by passive obedience we do as well worship God by being pleased with what God does…It is but one side of a Christian to endeavour to do what pleases God; you must as well endeavour to be pleased with what God does, and so you will come to be a complete Christian when you can do both…

a little more from The Rare Jewel, by Burroughs


I swiped the above excerpts from Mrs. Wilson’s site femina.reformedblogs.com.
However, I added the bold text.
I need to read these over & over & over & over &…..


Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
   His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
   and to him who has no might He increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
   and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
   they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
   they shall walk and not faint.
        Isaiah 40:28-31


My mother counseled & encouraged & challenged me this morning with the above portion of Isaiah. Yes, I have known. Yes, I have heard. Yes, I believe! Now: do I act like I believe it. Please Lord, enable me; accomplish Your will in my heart, in my actions, in my life. Even when I am faint, weary, & exhausted – the Lord is there with strength to renew my soul. Thanks for the chat, Mama.


I waited patiently for the LORD;
   He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
   out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
   a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
   and put their trust in the LORD.

 Blessed is the man who makes
   the LORD his trust…

As for You, O LORD, You will not restrain
   Your mercy from me;
Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness will
   ever preserve me!
For evils have encompassed me
   beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
   and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
   my heart fails me.

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!
   O LORD, make haste to help me!

But may all who seek You
   rejoice and be glad in You;
may those who love Your salvation
   say continually, “Great is the LORD!”
As for me, I am poor and needy,
   but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
   do not delay, O my God!

Psalm 40:1-4a, 11-13, 16-17


My meditation and prayer for today was taken from the above psalm. I love singing that psalm. It brings peace.

Heavenly Father, reigning in majesty and glory~
I wait for You. Give me patience in this waiting. Give me patience!
Draw me up, set my feet upon the rock, guide my steps securely in Your sovereignty. Put a new song in my mouth so that I may praise Your grace and testify of Your goodness.
Cause me to make You -and only You- my trust, and my source of strength.
Do not restrain Your mercy from me. Rain mercy upon my head like oil. Preserve me, Your covenant daughter, by Your love and faithfulness. I feel encompassed and overtaken; my heart is failing, O God. Deliver me from this! Make haste to help me! Restore my soul and lead me in paths of righteousness for Your sake.
I seek You, my Father. Let me rejoice in You, let me be glad in You, cause me to proclaim Your greatness from the rooftop! Do not delay, O my God, my King.
Humble me in this: that
You take thought of me. Father, be pleased to take thought of me, Your servant. Thank You, O God; hallelujah!
Amen.

Thursday April 23, 2009

*I’ve mentioned that Gabriel got his third tooth a couple weeks ago, right? And the fact that it’s not a center tooth, but a little fang? 🙂 Like daddy, like son. I think the one on the other side is about to pop through, too.

*I bought Gabriel swim trunks and a beach ball yesterday at Target, so now I’m on the lookout for a kiddie pool. Hurray for stockpiling birthday presents! Speaking of which, I can not believe he is 11 months old TODAY! The big birthday is coming up quick. I need to get planning. 🙂

*I went to solmusic.ca again yesterday to read some lyrics, in order to help me choose which cd to buy Gabriel for his birthday. We get to attend a Jamie Soles concert soon, and I plan to pick up a couple of birthday gifts for my big boy! I am hooked on “Pure Words” and “Ascending“, and we’ll just have to add “Memorials” to a future wishlist too.

*There are only four weeks of piano lessons to teach after my lessons this afternoon. I can not describe how excited I am about that. After more than eight years of teaching (or has it been nine…), I am ready for a many-year break.

*Have I mentioned before that I am keenly addicted to 24? Thankfully we are getting season six during a free trial of Netflix, and soon we’ll be able to catch up on hulu.com. By the way… anyone else not have a television, and love watching Hulu? 🙂 We get a huge kick out of the show “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” Haha.

*Keeping my fingers crossed right now for good weather over the weekend so we can till and prepare the garden. I get to experiment with my green thumb this year! 🙂

*Last night I made a very delicious (if I do say so myself…) meal of breaded sole aside vermicelli in a parmesan lemon cream sauce, with mushrooms, zucchini, and green onions. Wow, I need to write down what I did so I can replicate it. Mmm.

*I neglected to mention that on Monday my husband brought me a dozen gorgeous roses! The kind that make you weak in the knees to look at, and shut your eyes in ecstasy when you smell them. In addition, he washed the dishes two nights in a row. All because he loves me. ♥ Just sayin’.

*Darling husband of mine has also been blessed with a very promising interview, so we are praying fervently for an offer there. It would basically be his dream job, combining his love of Biblical studies, Greek, and general computer geekiness. ((squealing in hope))

*I’ve been going through Hebrews and finally got to chapter 11 today. It’s pretty much the reason I wanted to start Hebrews again. ((happy dance)) I also read a psalm every day, and I’ve just finished 69, 70, 71, and today is 72. It’s so wonderful to pray through the words of David.

*That’s about it for random cheery thoughts running through my head right now. I need to get busy around the house. Thankfully I have even found some moments recently to start some crafty things. I had some baby gifts to make (check, check = all done), some scrapbook pages to do (I have them cropped and ready — maybe I can get to that before my students come today?), and also a cross-stitch project to do in honor of my baby Glory. The spring weather has been invigorating. In fact, I think we’ll go step out in it this morning before the clouds roll in. Time to breathe in some fresh spring air.

*Many blessings to you.

Monday April 13, 2009

Gabriel got his first haircut on Easter. No more temptation for me to give him pigtails, haha! He looks so grown up now, all trimmed around his ears and base of his neck. My adorable big boy. xx

For our Resurrection Feast, my parents took us to an incredible Champagne Brunch after church. This is Steven with the dessert table, complete with chocolate fountain. I’m not even going to show you the other tables full of feasting goodness. Mmmmmmm!!

Gabriel was such a good boy. He loved watching the fish swim around in the fountain there, too.

Family Photo!

Sunday April 12, 2009

We believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of Heaven and Earth,
and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord…

On the third day He rose again from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty!!

Amen!

The Lord is risen!!
He is risen indeed!!

His resurrection reminds us that there is hope ~ it solidifies our faith for the future.
No more tears, no more death, no more sorrow.
Hallelujah!!

Saturday April 11, 2009

We believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of Heaven and Earth,

and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, Who…
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into Hades…

Friday April 10, 2009

Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Holy His will abideth.
I will be still whate’er He does,
And follow where He guideth.
He is my God,
Though dark my road.
He holds me that I shall not fall
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right,
He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path,
I know He will not leave me
I take, content,
What He hath sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Though now this cup in drinking
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it all unshrinking.
My God is true,
Each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Here shall my stand be taken
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care
Is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all.