Trust

When I cannot read,

when I cannot think.

when I cannot even pray,

I can trust.

Hudson Taylor

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

One Thing

The one thing I want from God, the thing I seek most of all, is the privilege of meditating in his Temple, living in his presence every day of my life, delighting in his incomparable perfections and glory. There I’ll be when troubles come. He will hide me. He will set me on a high rock out of reach of all my enemies.  

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me, O my people.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Ps 27: 4-6, 8 Living Bible

My son Cameron started the long drive back to New Jersey this morning. It was good to hear about his ministry opportunities in the greater NYC area, and his experiences in Israel. I got to see many beautiful photos of the Holy Land.

Lord, I Offer My Life to You

What can we give that You have not given?

And what do we have that is not already Yours?

All we possess are these lives we're living

And that's what we give to You, Lord.

Don Moen

Good Times

My kids and grandkids like to eat! I made a cake and brownies. They left me one teeny bite of brownie in the corner of the pan. (I think they just didn't want to have to wash the pan. LOL) Everybody seemed to have a good time here  playing games and singing carols. Cameron is here from New Jersey and I had a nice chat on the phone with my oldest son Carl in Virginia.

Light of the World

Jesus spoke to them saying, 

"I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, 

but will have the light of life." 

John 8:12

Gift of God

The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Glorious Gift

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!"
John 17:22-24

Ohio River Walking Bridge

My granddaughter on the Big 4 walking bridge last summer
with Louisville, Kentucky, in the distance.

The bridge illuminated  at night.
credit

We took this photo last year on Christmas night
from Jeffersonville, Indiana..

The lights continually change colors.

Early In the Morning

 

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness 

in the morning, for in You do I trust;

Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,

for I lift up my soul to You.

Psalm 143:8

Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning
Our song shall rise to Thee

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

For lo, the days are hastening on,

By prophet bards foretold,

When with the ever circling years

Comes round the age of gold;

When peace shall over all the earth

Its ancient splendors fling,

And the whole world give back the song

Which now the angels sing.

Jesus is our Peace.

Jesus Prayed

Leonard Ravenhill was a man of prayer. He would often spend entire days in his study in prayer. The man was a giant in prayer, yet at the end of his mortal life, with eternity in view, his regret was, if only I had prayed more and preached and planned less.

Rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, 

Jesus departed and went out to a desolate place, 

and there he prayed.

Mark 1:35

My son Cameron took this photo in Israel.

RUBY

Panning for gems in Franklin, North Carolina, in 1969, a group of us college students were hoping to strike it rich. One of the girls began to shout, "I found a ruby!" She later took it to a jeweler and when it was cut and polished, the large ruby made a stunning ring.

The ruby is one of the most valuable gemstones. It has everything a precious stone should have: color, hardness and brilliance. However, without chiseling, shaping, and polishing, the ruby would never shine.

As we go through the trials of everyday life, we can know that God allows the refining because He sees us as precious, and, in His eyes, we shine!

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3

Holdin' On

Once, in my quiet time, God reminded me of living in Atlanta when my children were small. I learned the hard way NOT to depend on young children to keep their eyes on me in a busy parking lot or shopping mall. I started holding onto their forearms instead of letting them hold my hands.


The very next day, I was asked to pray with a person, and the Holy Spirit urged me to share that story...that God is like that with His children. He doesn't depend on us to always keep our eyes on Him or to hold onto Him. Instead, He holds onto us. The person told me that her main fear was that God would take His hand off her life if she made mistakes.

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 NIV

Penguins

My granddaughter Kaedyn and I are learning about Penguins this week. 

Here are some of our favorite penguin puns.

Why did the penguins cross the road?

They wanted to go with the floe.

******

What do you call a cold penguin?

A Brrr-d.
*******
How does a penguin build its house?

Igloos it together!
*****

Believe

Blessed is she who believed

that there would be a fulfillment

of what was spoken to her from the Lord.

Luke 1:45 ESV

Kaedyn and I were reading from Matthew 2 today about Herod asking, "Where does the Bible say the Christ will be born?" She was fascinated to find out that His birthplace was recorded by Micah 700 years before Jesus' birth.

There is an amazing article on CBN news about all the Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. 

http://www1.cbn.com/biblestudy/biblical-prophecies-fulfilled-by-jesus

When We First Believed

The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. 
Romans 13:12 Message

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

1. 
   

Prince of Peace

Kaedyn visited today. The weather was beautiful. We went for a nice walk. and worked on this week's memory verse, getting ready for her Christmas program.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

frosted windowpanes

Blessed be the name of God,

forever and ever.

He knows all, does all:

He changes the seasons and guides history,

Daniel 2:20-21

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.

Leaves are Raining Down Today!

Thankful

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5

Getting Ready for Christmas

Praying for you, Mr. President

"What I hear most often as I travel the country are these words that never, ever fail to touch my heart. I hear it so often. 'I am praying for you, Mr. President,'" Donald Trump has said many times.

When I think about all the major catastrophes that America has had to deal with since January, in addition to strife among elected officials, riots in the streets, and threats from other nations, I know it is by the prayers of believers and God's grace that our leaders are able to keep on going.

Chaplain of the Senate Barry Black says, "When we pray we are making our voices heard in heaven."

Praying for Iraq, Iran and Kurdistan Quake Victims

A missionary couple that are dear to me, posted this today:

Jesus is beautiful enough to keep us looking at Him; Jesus is good enough to keep us drinking and eating from Him; Jesus is bright enough to never be affected by the darkness; Jesus is faithful enough for us to never doubt Him; Jesus is powerful enough to never fear. Jesus is enough!!

For several years they have faithfully ministered to refugees in an area where there has been fighting. And now today a 7.3 earthquake.

HELP!

When I was very little

I wanted to 'do it by myself''.

Let me make the biscuits, Mom

I don't need grown-up help!

But Mother would soon lose patience,

She had so much to do

It's quicker for me to do it myself

Than to clean up after you.

When I grew up and married

And supper was up to me

I'd call my grandma on the phone

Please give me your recipe.

Oh, just add a smidge of salt

And a dab and a half of spice..

A splash of milk 'til it looks just right

And bake it til it smells nice.

Now I have senior moments,

My doctor says with a frown.

But I got my very first smart phone

(My antique flip phone drowned).

Please teach me how to use this thing!

I begged my granddaughter today

Oh, Nana, it's intuitive!

And off she went to play

No Longer in the Dark

Yesterday, just after sunset, the lights went out and our community was without power for many hours. I had forgotten just how dark "dark" can be! It reminded me of my college days as an usher at the Atlanta Auditorium on Courtland Avenue. Trusty flashlight in hand, I would guide guests to their seats before the concert as the house lights began to dim.

We knew the star was about to appear on stage when the auditorium became completely dark. Then suddenly, the spotlights illuminated the one everyone had been waiting to see.

As the darkness of evil increases in our world, we look for Jesus Christ to appear, but we also realize that the time is short to guide people to their reserved seats. Jesus is giving a personal invitation to all who will come to Him: 
I have come as a Light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer wander in the darkness.John 12:46

Pastor Francis Frangipane wrote: "Too many of us are so focused on what the devil is doing that we fail to see what God is doing. The focus of the Lord is not on how dark evil becomes, but how Christlike the Church becomes!"

Though None Go With Me

I watched the movie: Though None Go With Me on youtube and thought this was timely advice:
Pastor Ben Phillips, in his farewell sermon to his congregation before being deployed to the Korean conflict in 1951 says:

"Our own power isn't enough to get us through the difficult times.

Inevitably some things happen that make us see that our power is limited

but God's power is infinite. All He requires of me is one simple prayer:

'Not my will but Yours, Lord.'

 I accept whatever it is that You have chosen for me.

Though none go with me still I will follow

No turning back."

Thanksgiving at Grandma's

Pickled peaches and spiced apple rings

Candied yams and good green beans,

Cornbread dressing and sweet iced tea,

And pecan pie baked just for me.

Grandma in her apron,

Flitting all about,

Grandpa greeting kinfolk,

"Come in this house!" he'd shout.

Young'uns in the kitchen,

Cousins acting silly.

Grown-ups 'round the dining table

"Ask the blessing, Papa Billy."

I'm missing all the loved ones

Who once gathered around

But thankful for the love we shared

And the faith that they passed down.

Karen Rice

I Can Be Glad

I can be glad for my hope is in the Lord

'Cause He gives a confidence that this world doesn't know
He's the Lord of all creation
And whatever the situation
I'm glad for my hope is in the Lord

Larnelle Harris

Potter and the Clay

O Lord, You are our Father.

We are the clay

You are our Potter,

and we are the work of Your hand.

Isaiah 64:8

Our God Sings

I was reading "Sarah Plain and Tall" to my grandchild. It was set in the late 1800's and tells about a widowed father of two who advertises for a wife willing to come to the prairie from back east. He gets an acceptance letter from Sarah, from Maine. The youngest child, Caleb, tells his father to write Sarah back and, "Ask her if she sings!"

I thought about a little boy's heartfelt request when I read this promise:

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

Nothing

Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

Years ago when I was at the hospital with my young son, I had a bookmark with this verse printed on it. A nice nurse came in and I felt an urge to give her that bookmark. She stood there reading it, and then told me she couldn't believe how it was just what she needed at that moment, because her husband had just told her he was leaving her. She had never read that verse before.

I am so thankful for our faithful Father in heaven and for His Word.

I found this picture of old mason jars online and it reminded me of grandmother and her sisters canning vegetables, and making preserves all summer. Then the pantry shelves would be lined with an abundance from the garden for the winter ahead.

God is able to make all grace abound toward you, 
that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, 
may have an abundance for every good work. 
2 Corinthians 9:8

Silly Goose

I urged my new friend to jump in the pond. She just looked at me as if I should go first. But I got goosebumps just thinking about it. As I was walking it was like playing hopscotch to miss stepping in the goose droppings on the sidewalk. When are the Canadians going to come clean up after their geese?

Just One Rose

I was thrilled to see this one pink rose in the garden this week. The weather will be much cooler with rain and wind tomorrow.

Stand Tall and Expect an Answer!

One day when Kaedyn was in kindergarten, she was at my house working on a Fall leaf project. We could not find her pencil box that held her markers. She said. "We could pray and ask God to help us."

"We need to hold hands while we pray," she told me. She asked God to show her where it was, and she thanked Him in Jesus' name.

She stood up with a big smile fully expecting to see the box. And she did!! It was behind her stack of library books on the dresser hidden until that moment.

What an awesome Father!

Morning Prayer

Our Father in heaven, How grateful we are for your matchless love for us. You take our fears and give us Your peace. Give us Your strength for the day and encourage us with Your Holy Word.

You are all wise, all powerful, all knowing and greater than any problem that may come our way.

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Gladness and Joy

Cameron (on left) and friends near the Eastern Gate, Old Jerusalem

They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:10

Desert near Jericho

Cameron wrote: The sights that have impacted me the most are the Garden Tomb and and the Mount of Olives. meditating on Jesus’ resurrection.

Joy

"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." Pastor Francis Frangipane

Lord, help me not to complain, but to look forward to each day with gladness and a thankful heart.

In Your Presence - Paul Wilbur

Break into shouts of joy, you forests and every tree

After the rain and wind, the walkway was carpeted with colorful leaves this morning.

I received more photos of Jerusalem from Cameron this weekend where Jews are celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles. Many Christians gathered for an awesome time of worship

Israel, I will not forget you. I made your rebellious acts disappear like a thick cloud and your sins like the morning mist. Come back to me, because I have reclaimed you. Sing with joy, you heavens, because the Lord has done this. Rejoice, you deep places of the earth. Break into shouts of joy, you mountains, you forests and every tree in them. The Lord has reclaimed Jacob. 
He will display his glory in Israel. 
Isaiah 44:21-23

Bigger than any mountain

Know that your Father God will never ever leave you nor forsake you. He has not called you to walk alone. He is offering for you to lean upon His strong arm, to lean on His understanding, and to rest in His word.

I am praying for a missionary friend who has served for decades with her family in Africa. Now in her 60's, caring for her elderly parents, she is battling depression and discouragement.

All of us go through valleys. I am so thankful to have friends and family who have lifted me up.

When I heard from my missionary friend today, these lyrics came to mind:

Bigger than all my problems, Bigger than all my fears
God is bigger than any mountain that I can or cannot see
Bigger than all my questions, Bigger than anything
God is bigger than any mountain that I can or cannot see