Built to Last!

Grace is built to last forever;

 In the heavens themselves 

You established your faithfulness.

Psalm 89:2 

Complete Jewish Bible

Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus, 

Deeper than the mighty rolling sea, 

Higher than the mountain, 

Sparkling like a fountain, 

All sufficient grace for even me, 

Broader than the scope of my transgressions, 

Greater far than all my sin and shame, 

O magnify the precious name of Jesus, 

Praise His name!

Haldor Lillenas

What You Do for a Child, You Do for the Lord

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child and had him stand among them. Then he said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me.  Matthew 18:1-5

Sometimes by the time Friday rolls around (sometimes Thursday) I am ready for a break from chasing my three year old granddaughter. Then I think about how much she is learning each day and the joy she has in everyday "wonders" like dandelion seeds and bubbles and learning new words.

She spent the night with me last night, and I was sitting up reading after she was tucked into her "Dora" bed. She popped up and looked at me and asked, "What "zactly" is that you are reading?"

It's the story of George Washington, I told her.

She came back with, "Now that's impressive!"  

Path of Love

All the paths of the Lord
are mercy and steadfast love,
even truth and faithfulness are they,
for those who keep His covenant
and His testimonies.
Psalm 25:10

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

 Robert Frost 

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 NIV 

JESUS IS OUR PEACE

Back in the early 90's, when the kids were still at home, our neighbors invited us over to hear a video recorded live in South Africa by Integrity Music called "Rejoice Africa". It became a tool for inviting many neighbors for "pitch-in" suppers at their house on Friday nights. Several people gave their hearts to the Lord during those times.

There is revival happening now in South Africa that has been televised on God TV.

This song, sung by Lionel Petersen, was one of my favorites!

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

As a young man, Evan Roberts was led by the Lord to share this message of the reality of God and the possibility of complete forgiveness of sins with his home youth group in Wales:

1. Confess all known sin.

2. Deal with and get rid of anything ‘doubtful’ in your life.

3. Be ready to obey the Holy Spirit instantly.

4. Confess Jesus Christ publicly as Lord and Savior.

By the end of the first week over 60 responded. By the end of the second week Evan began to tour the South Wales valleys preaching repentance and forgiveness, and within a year or so 100,000 converts were said to be added to the Welsh Church. This was the beginning of the Welsh Revival of 1904.

Many have prophesied another great awakening for America, where millions repent of turning their backs on the God who has blessed this nation, and turn their hearts in thankfulness toward God.

Here is some wisdom from Francis Frangipane:

The very quality of your life, whether you love it or hate it, is based upon how thankful you are toward God. It is one's attitude that determines whether life unfolds into a place of blessedness or wretchedness. Indeed, looking at the same rose bush, some people complain that the roses have thorns while others rejoice that some thorns come with roses. It all depends on your perspective.

This is the only life you will have before you enter eternity. If you want to find joy, you must first find thankfulness. Indeed, the one who is thankful for even a little enjoys much. But the unappreciative soul is always miserable, always complaining. He lives outside the shelter of the Most High God.