Grace

I mentioned yesterday that hubby and I will be singing in church again soon.

Singing for the start of Mission's emphasis month.

We are singing a song about God's grace.

The chorus of the song is similar to this quote.

I have thought much about missionaries and their sacrifices in the last few months.

Here I am in a country that speaks my language,

in a home that is not primitive at all and very similar to homes I grew up in,

in a town where I can get familiar foods and drinks, ...

and yet many times, I have felt so alone.

It makes me think of those who are in foreign countries:

strange language,

different housing,

different foods and ways of shopping,

separated from the familiar, ...

but they are doing what God has called them to do.

God has called each of us to something.

Maybe it is the work-a-day world.

Maybe it is a home full of children.

Maybe it is a foreign mission field.

Maybe it is a large ministry in a big city.

Maybe it is a small ministry in a big city.

The task may seem daunting, scary, impossible ...

but His grace is there to help us when we falter, struggle, or just feel weak.

Draw on that grace today!

Yes, He cares!

On this "Thankful Thursday,"

I am thankful for my all-knowing God.

This weekend, we spent time with a converted Muslim from Iran.

He mentioned that Allah was not all-knowing.

Muslims have to pray in Arabic (even if it is not their native tongue).

Allah is not everywhere.

Muslims have to pray facing Mecca.

I am so glad that my God knows my mind and heart.

Last night, my offertory focused on a knowing and caring God.

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

Refrain:

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief there is no relief,

Though my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”

To the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—

Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Always Faithful

So this week I am back to preparing an offertory for Sunday.

I have found that when the words of the hymn really mean something to me,

my nerves are lessened.

This week, I am dwelling on the words to 

"Great is Thy Faithfulness"

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.  “Great is Thy faithfulness!”  “Great is Thy faithfulness!” Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided— “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me! Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

The world is ever-changing,

but He is faithful.

Every Blessing

The song of this week is the hymn "Come Thou Fount."

Hubby and I hope to sing a duet of this old hymn on Sunday.

We are so undeserving of God's blessings and grace ...

but He just gives and gives.

Have you counted your blessings today?

Have you told God how much you appreciate 

all that He has done for you?

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace

Streams of mercy, never ceasing

Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet

Sung by flaming tongues above

Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it

Mount of Thy redeeming love

Here I raise my Ebenezer

Here there by Thy great help I've come

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure

Safely to arrive at home

Jesus sought me when a stranger

Wandering from the fold of God

He, to rescue me from danger

Interposed His precious blood

Oh, to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be

Let that goodness like a fetter

Bind my wandering heart to Thee

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above

Day By Day

This week, 

the song rolling around in my mind is 

"Day by Day."

I will be playing it as an offertory tomorrow.

It helps my nerves when I focus on the words

and this song has always meant a lot to me.

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,

Gives unto each day what He deems best,

Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me,

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,

He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then, in every tribulation,

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,

Offered me within Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till with Christ the Lord I stand.

This week, the Lord has shown us His strength.

Last week, I mentioned a big decision.

The situation came up suddenly and seemed overwhelming.

By Sunday afternoon,

God had given us the answer

and His peace.

Not only did He give direction but He gave an understanding about other parts of our life.

"Casting all your cares upon Him ..."

For those of you who grabbed the non-specific prayer request last week ...

Thank you for praying ...

God heard and answered.

Keep trusting ... Day By Day

A Song of Comfort

Singing a song of comfort this week.

It is needed reminder that my God sees and understands.

My Savior cares.

I have a High Priest who is the example of grace that my heart wants to follow.

Perhaps you need the song today too.

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

Refrain:

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief there is no relief,

Though my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”

To the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—

Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

An Accountability Partner

On this Thankful Thursday,

I am thankful for my new accountability partner.

Last July,

I earned a free Fitbit Flex.

How excited I was to have the reminder to keep moving,

to have the accountability of a record of my successes and failures.

Then last week,

yes, the same day that I broke my mower handle,

fitbit died.

I contacted customer service.

They confirmed that fitbit was indeed dead while still under warranty.

I could get another Flex,

OR

I could have a discount on an upgrade.

Hubby gave me an upgrade.

Fitbit Alta HR arrived on Saturday.

I am excited because it not only tracks my steps,

but it is a watch,

and it gives a better judge of calories burned.

It is good to have my accountability partner again.

Come Thou Fount

Songs of thanksgiving in my mind this week as
we prepare for a Psalm and Praise service tomorrow night.

And, in case you are having trouble finding reasons to be thankful.

Come Thou Fount

Come Thou Fount of every blessing

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

Sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,

Mount of God's unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Hither by Thy help I'm come;

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger,

Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be!

Let that grace now like a fetter,

Bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here's my heart, O take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above.

Singing the Scriptures

Hubby is now preaching the book of Isaiah.
This means that he wrapped up Philippians,
 and we are working on another physical book of the lessons that he just preached.
In connection with the new series,
hubby wanted to help the congregation to learn a "Hymn" in Isaiah.
While we were travelling in October, we put Isaiah 12 to the tune,
"Look Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious."
It was a fun endeavor and I love being able to learn Scripture so easily
as well as having the beneficial words going through my mind.

Isaiah 12

And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee:
though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away,
and thou comfortedst me.

 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid:
for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name,
declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.

 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion:
for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

For the tough days ...

There are days that are just tough...

there are things that don't seem to make sense ...

there are imperfect people ...

there are accidents ...

there are tragedies ...

I was reminded of this song this morning.

It is based on a Psalm.

The reminder is perfect.

I don't have to know why ...

I just have to remember that I serve a perfect Heavenly Father.

His Way Is Perfect

by Becky Kistler

When my way seems dark and drear and the future I don’t know, 

My heart feels so empty as the tears unending flow.

When my heart breaks with sorrow and a tempest fills my soul,

This one thing I know for sure: my God is in control.

Chorus

His way is perfect, His way is perfect.

Though I don’t understand His wise and loving plan,

His way is perfect. His way is perfect.

Take my life and make a vessel purified.

God makes no mistakes, His way is best. 

 

When the toils of life are come and my heart is worn with care,

I faint ‘neath the burden of a cross I cannot bear.

When the joy has departed from my sorrow stricken soul,

This one thing I know for sure: my God is in control.

Psalm 18:30

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: 

he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Comfort, Grace, and Guidance

1. Typically my offertory selections are the hymns that run through my mind throughout the week.
   Since we have been out of the sanctuary,
2. we haven't been having an offertory
   so I have had more time to dwell on the words of
3. ABIDE WITH ME.
   
   You can hear the arrangement here as performed by the composer.
4. It's themes include God's presence and help,
   God's changeless nature,
5. God's grace,
6. God's guidance,
7. God's comfort in and victory over death,
8. God's salvation.

Abide with Me

1. 
   
2. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
   The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
   When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
   Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
3. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
   Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
   Change and decay in all around I see—
   O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
4. I need Thy presence every passing hour;
   What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
   Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
   Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
5. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
   Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
   Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
   I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
6. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
   Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
   Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
   In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Relinquish Control

"Take my moments and my days;

Let them flow in ceaseless praise."

Following hubby's surgery,

I was lent the book Kept for the Master's Use by Frances Havergal.

The days immediately following surgery were very busy and I am just now getting to it.

It is a small book (60 pages) and I am enjoying the thoughts immensely.

Of the above phrase from her well-known hymn, "Take my life and Let it Be," she writes:

But ever if we have gone so far as to say, "Take my moments," have we gone the step farther, 

and really let Him take them -- really entrusted them to Him?  

It is no good saying "take" when we do not let go.  

How can another keep that which we are keeping hold of?   

So let us, with full trust in His power, first commit these slippery moments 

to Him -- put them right into His hand ... .

I am a firm believer in controlling my days and time -

in not being tossed about by every whim and "emergency" that comes my way.

But there must be the reminder that the day, the moments are not mine --

there are people to minister to ...

there are needful "distractions" ...

I must commit all to Christ!

He will show me what is needful and what is frivolous.

Carols with Meaning

Last week, I shared hubby's favorite carol.

This week, one of mine.

Again, I think it tells the whole story from birth to death to return.

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,

When Thou camest to earth for me;

But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room

For Thy holy nativity.

Refrain

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,

Proclaiming Thy royal degree;

But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,

And in great humility.

Refrain

The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest

In the shade of the forest tree;

But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,

In the deserts of Galilee.

Refrain

Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word,

That should set Thy people free;

But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,

They bore Thee to Calvary.

Refrain

When the heav’ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing,

At Thy coming to victory,

Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,

There is room at My side for thee.”

My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,

When Thou comest and callest for me.

In the Hustle and Bustle

Just another reminder - there is more than cookies, lights, and presents ...

...it is the night of the dear Savior's birth!

Carols with the Whole Story

It wasn't until we moved to NC that I was made aware 

that there are people who do not like Christmas carols;

that there are many who do not celebrate the Savior's birth.

Those who are "anti-carols" say that the carols celebrate a baby and not His work.

I do not agree.

This is hubby's favorite - when not abbreviated - 

it tells the WHOLE story.

What do you think?

What Child is this who, laid to rest

On Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,

Come peasant, king to own Him;

The King of kings salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high,

The virgin sings her lullaby.

Joy, joy for Christ is born,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Be Still My Soul"

I just love hymns set to Classical Music.

One of my favorites is "Be Still, My Soul."

As we left our home in WA for the unknown in NC,

the words seemed to take greater meaning.

It is always a great comfort to me.

When things seem uncertain, it is a great blessing.

As I prepared for Sunday services,

I really wanted to play this song as an offertory,

but my selection for this song was weak at best.

I did a "swagbucks" search for a free piano arrangement

and actually found a beauty.

I think that a piano solo communicates so much more

when it is ministering to the pianist.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

What Will You Do?

What Will You Do with Jesus?

Mary L. Stocks

Jesus is standing in Pilate's hall--

Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all:

Hearken! what meaneth the sudden call!

What will you do with Jesus?

Jesus is standing on trial still--

You can be false to Him if you will,

You can be faithful thru good or ill:

What will you do with Jesus?

Will you evade Him as Pilate tried?

Or will you choose Him, what-e'er betide?

Vainly you struggle from Him to hide:

What will you do with Jesus?

Will you, like Peter, your Lord deny?

Or will you scorn from His foes to fly,

Daring for Jesus to live or die?

What will you do with Jesus?

"Jesus, I give Thee my heart today!

Jesus, I'll follow Thee all the way,

Gladly obeying Thee!" will you say,

"This will I do with Jesus!"

Chorus:

What will you do with Jesus?

Neutral you cannot be;

Someday your heart will be asking,

"What will He do with me?"

The words are going through my mind this week as we think of 

Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Resurrection Sunday 

and all of the events of this week.

Crowded Out

Two questions have jumped out at me this year.

"Are you Ready for Christmas?"

and

"Will we have a good Christmas?"

I understand the first to ask -

is your shopping done?

are the Christmas cards in the mail?

how is the baking coming?

and yet it strikes me that Jesus is missing in the question.

I should always be ready to remember and celebrate Christ's birth.

The second question is more disheartening.

The context usually explains this question as ...

Will I get what I want?

Will there be a lot of Christmas presents?

Christ is again missing.

Reminds me of this hymn:

Crowded Out

by C.H. Morris

Is Christ crowded out of your busy life

With the toiling that each day brings?

With the strain and stress of the cares that press

You've no time for the King of kings.

"No room in the inn" for the Christ-Child blest,

"In a manger so low He lay;"

In the hearts of men o'er and o'er again,

There's no room for Him still today.

"The foxes have holes and the birds have nests,

But nowhere for His head divine.

had the Son of man", should He come again

Find a place in your heart and mine?

The hearts of the ones whom He died to save

Is the home which He seeks today;

By His life bought yet He is crowded out,

And "away with Him", still they say.

Refrain:

Crowded out!

Crowded out!

You've no time for His service, you say;

While for pleasure and business you always have time,

Is Christ crowded out today?

Unlimited Supply

Hubby and I sang this song on Sunday morning - probably why it is still going around in my mind.

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater;

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.

To added affliction He addeth His mercy;

To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done.

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Chorus:

His love has no limit;  His grace has no measure;

His pow'r has no boundary known unto men.

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Prayer in Song

Two weeks ago, I asked hubby if he would choose the following hymn to sing in the evening service. 

I grew up singing it, but had not sung it in years. 

It has been a frequent prayer of mine in the past week and a half.

May the Mind of Christ, My Savior

May the mind of Christ, my Savior, live in me from day to day,

By His love and pow'r controlling all I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour,

So that all may see I triumph only thru His pow'r.

May the peace of God, my Father, rule my life in ev'rything,

That I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me, as the waters fill the sea;

Him exalting, self abasing - this is victory.

May I run the race before me, strong and brave to face the foe,

Looking only unto Jesus as I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost to win,

And may they forget the channel, seeing only Him.

Kate B. Wilkinson