I Bless Your Name

I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise
shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

and let us exalt His name together!

Psalm 34:1-3

In memory of my son Caleb who has been praising God in heaven for 24 years.

In prisoners' chains with bleeding stripes

Paul and Silas prayed that night
And in their pain began to sing
Their chains were loosed and they were free

I bless Your name, I bless Your name
I give You honor, give You praise
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
I bless Your name, I bless Your name

Some midnight hour if you should find
You're in a prison in your mind
Sing out and praise, defy those chains
And they will fall in Jesus' name

I bless Your name, I bless Your name
I give You honor, give You praise
You are the Life, the Truth, the Way
I bless Your name, I bless Your name

Story of Paul and Silas
Acts 16
Bible Gate

Object Lesson at the Creek

One summer day a few years back, Granddaughter Kaedyn and I were walking down at the creek and were admiring some delicate wildflowers tucked in among the blades of grass.

Jesus' words came to mind: "If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you...?" Matt. 6:30

We talked about how Jesus was thinking about more than shirts and shorts. He was saying:

"I will clothe you with Myself." 

Another verse we cherish now that she is older is John 14:20
In that day, you will know that I am in My Father, you are in Me, and I am in you.

Brooklyn Bridge

My son Cameron, who lives in Brooklyn, often drives across the Brooklyn Bridge. I have never been to NYC and I love to learn about its history online.

I was surprised that construction of the Brooklyn Bridge began in 1869 and took 14 years to complete. People were afraid to trust the bridge, so chief engineer Emily Roebling asked P.T. Barnum to bring 21 circus elephants to march across and convince residents of the safety of the world's first steel-wire suspension bridge.

Today more than 125,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day.

God With Us

I've had many experiences in my lifetime. Some good and some bad, and though the events are history, the memories have stayed with me. I even have photographs of some of them.

Before the digital age, we had a Polaroid instant camera, so we wouldn't have to wait overnight to have the film developed. Yet, even as great as instant pictures were, in certain conditions, some were blurry or dark.

The Lord showed me how this was like the memories of my life. Not all of them have been developed yet. Not all of them make sense now. Not all of them are pleasant.  Some I want to hide, and others I wish I could forget. But God says in His Word that He has never left us or forsaken us. At the end of my life, and sometimes along the way, I'm going to see something different about those memories....

When these pictures develop.... 

I'm going to see JESUS standing there with me in every one!

We can ask Jesus to show us where He was in our memories. No matter how alone or forsaken we may have felt at times, Jesus has always been right there, causing all things to work together for our good, watching over us. He wants us to know that even in present and future struggles, He is right here with us. All we have to do is call upon His name and believe that He is our helper.

This was written by my son, Cameron 

As the Deer

Talk with each other much about the Lord, quoting psalms and hymns and singing sacred songs, making music in your hearts to the Lord. Always give thanks for everything to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20
One of my favorite songs is AS THE DEER PANTS FOR THE WATER
Acapella rendition by Master's Chorale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYNNIUtQ160

WORSHIP

I WILL COME AND BOW DOWN

AT YOUR FEET, LORD JESUS

IN YOUR PRESENCE 

IS FULLNESS OF JOY

THERE IS NOTHING

THERE IS NO ONE

WHO COMPARES WITH YOU

I TAKE PLEASURE 

IN WORSHIPING YOU, LORD.
RON KENOLY

CAROLING!

When I was a teen, my youth group went Christmas caroling, wearing our royal blue choir robes over our coats. We especially made an effort to visit older folks. Now I am one of the older folks! I live in a senior apartment building and we were serenaded by 40 young carolers crowded into the stairwell to escape the 20 degree wind chill.

It's fun to see their enthusiasm and energy and join in  celebrating the birth of our Savior.

LAMPLIGHTER

Before the electric light bulb was widely used, lamplighters had to go about the streets at dusk and light the gas lamps. Do you remember this song about The Old Lamplighter that Mother used to sing?
He made the night a little brighter wherever he would go, the old lamplighter of long, long ago.

How inky black the nights can be when the electricity is off all over town during a snow storm, and you can't see moon or stars hidden by the low clouds.

Maybe David was recalling how God brought him through a storm when he wrote this psalm:

It is You who light my lamp; 
the Lord my God 
lightens my darkness.
Psalm 18:28

SNOWMAN

So where did Mr. Snowman go? I worried about him when I was a little girl. And why did he seem eager to leave the children for new adventures?

When I was teaching second grade and teaching about the water cycle, I thought it would be great to imagine all the fun the snowman would have through the seasons as the children wait for him to come back next winter.

Where'd Mr. Snowman Go?

He's the puddle of slush
that flows over your feet
Numbing your toes
as you trudge down the street.
He's the crystals you see
on your own windowpane
As you wait for your school bus
to come down the lane.

In spring, you hear him
in quiet gentle showers
That water new leaves
and bright garden flowers.
He cascades down streams
'til they overflow
Bursting over waterfalls
onto rocks down below.

In summer,
he gives the trees a good drink
As the thunder claps
and lightning bolts blink.
He rains on your picnic
in the middle of July,
Sends you running for shelter
to keep yourself dry.

Autumn comes,
and he's watching so proud
From a gorgeous pink sunset
on a cotton candy cloud.
Then he teases the children
with an early snow flurry
To let them know
winter will come in a hurry.

Now December is back
and we can't wait to hear
If we'll have a white Christmas
again this year.
But "whenever great heaps
of snowflakes fall"
We'll build another snowman,
the best one of all.

~Karen Rice

EACH MORNING

But as for me, I will sing each morning about your power and mercy. For you have been my high tower of refuge, a place of safety in the day of my distress. 
PSALM 59:16 
iT IS EASIER FOR ME TO LISTEN TO MUSIC THAN TO READ AND I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED SEVERAL PSALMS SUNG BY SHANE AND SHANE. ONE OF MY FAVORITES IS PSALM 23 - SURELY GOODNESS SURELY MERCY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoojA0cLPWY

ALSO, I LOVE THIS LITTLE GIRL RECITING PSALM 23 
SO SWEET!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVLQLwSgnU8

Joy, Hope, and Peace

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing - bubbling over with hope.
Romans 15:13 Amplified

FIVE AND DIME

 When Alpharetta was a tiny town

We knew all the families up and down

Christmas was an exciting time

Gazing at toys in the Five and Dime.

Etch-A-Sketch was all the craze

We made our list and counted the days

Peeking through the store's window panes

Longing for red and white candy canes.

Christmas morning would finally dawn

We'd rush to the tree with our pajamas on

Ripping the wrapping and tossing the bow

Gasping in glee, "How did Santa know?"

SNOWBALL FIGHT

The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued.

Robert Frost

I love poetry and I am in awe of Robert Frost's ability to paint such a vivid picture with one sentence comprised of 34 words! As I pictured his frown being turned upside down by an unexpected shower of snow, I remembered an experience from years gone by.

I can remember several instances, when the kids were all at home, when there was family tension or teenage "crises" and then something unexpected would happen and everyone would dissolve into laughter.

One day we had a rare snow in Georgia. I was anxiously trying to get everybody ready and out the door to be on time for some event. My husband and kids were in the car (or so I thought). I rushed out the storm door right into a volley of snowballs from every direction! This was WAR! After I attempted revenge with a few snowballs of my own, we arrived a little late - looking worse for wear - but in a much happier mood!

A merry heart does good like a medicine.

Proverbs 17:22

STRENGTH

Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25-26 NKJV

"You are my strength" sung by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9faaOmrw0hk

Christmas Lights

When my children were small, there was a neighborhood that went all out decorating their yards. We would drive around and around the neighborhood with Christmas music playing on the car tape player.

The sights and sounds of Christmas brighten a lot of faces.

God's Love

"It's deeper, it's wider,

 it's stronger,

 it's higher

Than anything my eyes can see."

I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 8:38-39

Happy Birthday, Mother

Today would have been my Mothers 90th birthday.

She loved Christmas, and baking, and decorating the tree.

As a child I helped her replace

the burned out bulbs for the tree 

while we sang this song:

Now it's Christmas time

Oh, now it's Christmas time

And Christmas time will last til 

New Year!

Now it's Christmas time

Oh, now it's Christmas time

The time for happiness

And good cheer.

Wherever You Go

Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you
wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

Darkness into Light

You, Lord, keep my lamp burning.

My God turns my darkness
 into light.

With Your help
 I can advance against a troop.

With my God I can scale a wall.

Psalm 19:28-29

In a Little While

 

When Kaedyn was younger, she would beg me to go right then to the toy store for some promised special reward. Being a busy Nana, I would say, "In a little while."

Discouraged, she would whine, "Is that a YES or a NO?!!"

As I was reading the Bible this morning, I realized that I can count on God's promises, even though it might be a 'little while' before I receive them.

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.

For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 
Hebrews 10:35-37 

Let me hear in the morning

of Your steadfast love,

for in You I trust.

Make me know the way I should go

for to You I lift up my soul.

Psalm 143:8 ESV

Roman Road

The book of Romans in the Bible is one of my favorites. When I was a child, my Daddy taught us these verses in Romans that explain how we can have everlasting life by putting our trust in Jesus Christ. The book of Romans is a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to his Christian friends in Rome about 30 years after Jesus died and ascended to Heaven. I like to think of discovering these verses as clues in a treasure hunt as we travel down a road to reach the prize.

Our first stop is Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." We have all disobeyed God's laws. There is no one who is perfect except Jesus Christ.

#2 is Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The punishment for sin is death - hell and separation from God.

There is wonderful news at stop # 3. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Number 4 on the Road to salvation is this, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9-10

Romans 10:13 says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  God's forgiveness of sins, is available to anyone who will repent and put his trust in Jesus Christ as Savior.

Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Lord I believe that You took the punishment that I deserve. Through faith in You I can be forgiven. I place my trust in You. Thank You for forgiving me and for the gift of eternal life! Amen!

1958 Family Thanksgiving

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

November Evening

  

A crackling fire

The chiming clock

Little ones playing with toys and blocks.

The antique hall tree loaded down with wraps.

Uncle in his easy chair catching up on naps.
Granny crocheting a warm winter shawl.

 Candles glowing in the windows 
Bringing cheer to us all.
Karen Rice

God Knows My Name

I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. 

Isaiah 45:3 NIV

He know my name

He knows my every thought

He sees each tear that falls

And hears me when I call.

Be Glad

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You.

Psalm 40:16

Beautiful Sunday in New York

My son Cameron enjoyed a walk in Central Park.

I can't imagine the view from such a tall skyscraper.

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

THANKS GIVING

"It does not matter what your circumstances are, the instant you begin to thank God, even though your situation has not changed, you begin to change. The key which unlocks the gates of heaven is a thankful heart; entrance into the courts of God comes as you simply begin to praise the Lord."

Francis Frangipane

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise:

Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting;

And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100

Listen

The Lord spoke to my heart this morning: Someday before too long, all the negative voices, discouraging words, lies of the enemy will be silenced forever, but the Words that I speak to you are true and they are eternal. Listen to My Voice. 

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4

PSALM 16:7-8

I will praise the Lord,

Who counsels me;

Even at night

my heart instructs me.

I keep my eyes

always on the Lord.

With Him at my right hand,

I will not be shaken.

\

Sixty Years Ago

When I gave my life to Jesus, I remember being baptized in autumn, and  noticing the beautiful colors of the trees that lined the church yard as if I had never seen them before. When I got home, I looked into the mirror on our bedroom dresser, and thought to myself: I am a brand new person in Christ. I am a child of God. So thankful for His mercy and grace! 

I love these worship songs sung by Tasha Cobb: I Am a Child of God and Break Every Chain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzYjJLgrUD4

Out My Window

My sister Mildred found these adorable animals for my granddaughter Kaedyn

to use in decorating my bedroom.

Leaves rustling

Creek gurgling

Squirrel chattering

Bird warbling

Wind chimes ringing in the crisp breeze

Lots to See

I am blessed to have a peaceful place to walk each day. I enjoy noticing new signs of fall: acorns, many colors and shapes of leaves on the path, sweet gum balls, pine cones, and the garden carpeted with pine straw.

Wisdom for the Road Ahead

My brethren, count it all joy
when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith
produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work,
that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking nothing.
If any of you lacks wisdom,
let him ask of God,
who gives to all liberally
and without reproach,
and it will be given to him.

James 1:2-5 NKJ

IS HE WORTHY?

Beautiful song written in 2018 by Andrew Peterson. (Lyrics below)
I only came across it recently, and I think the words are so
appropriate for our world today.
https://youtu.be/vEZzH-dWDOU
Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won't
stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)
Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this?
He is
Does the Father truly love us? (He does)
Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those He loves? (He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
From every people and tribe
Every nation and tongue
He has made us a kingdom and priests to GodTo reign with the Son
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
He is, He isHe is, He is…

A True Friend

God comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. 
2 Corinthians 1:4 Message
[Fall photo send from my son in New York]

Morning Light

It is You who light my lamp; 

the Lord my God lightens my darkness. 

Psalm 18:28
I have had vision problems since July
so I cannot see small print.

I have been enjoying listening to  
Bible Gateway Audio.

ELISABETH ELLIOT

Just When I Need Him Most

What God gives in answer to our prayers will always be the thing we most urgently need, and it will always be sufficient. Elizabeth Elliot

I was nervous about an appointment early yesterday morning. The night before, I was sitting in the dark gazing out the bedroom window. The nearest tree was aglow with hundreds of fireflies. It looked like a Christmas tree with chasing lights. It seemed Father God allowed me to see that to cheer me up.

Jesus is near

To comfort and cheer

Just when I need Him most.

Stop and Smell the Roses

To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Strong Faith

Christ will make his home in your hearts 
as you trust in him. 

Your roots will grow down into God’s love 
and keep you strong. 

Ephesians 3:17 NLT

"Oh, to be unmoved by our circumstances and get to the place where we never question God's love for us....So how do we get our roots down? Strangely enough, it is by being faithful during the small trials. As we are tempted to doubt, we press more and more into God and refuse the lies of the enemy. Then, when the really hard times come, our roots are already established and our faith will remain strong." - Daniel Juster

Yosemite

My oldest son, Carl and his daughter, Skyler, are on vacation at Yosemite this week. They sent me dozens of great pics and videos. I have never been any farther west than Kansas City, so this is a real treat for me.