Friday, June 10, 2011

A Good Sign

This was my Christmas present from my dear friend Heather. I've been meaning to add it to my blog for a few months now but each time I tried I couldn't locate the photo (did I mention I'm still learning how to use the Mac? Cuz I am. :) Anyway, this sign is lovely and it makes me happy every time I see it. Thank you Heather for your friendship, your kindness, your thoughtfulness. I just love you and am so thankful for you and our friendship! So glad God saw fit to have us meet 11 years ago. I'd be LOST without you and fun night wouldn't be fun without you, Brandon and Lia Grace!




Happy Friday y'all! I pray you all have a friend like my Heather! :)

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

The Source of All Happiness

The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions
By Aurthur Bennett

I love this book. I had never heard of this book until I listened to a CD called Voyage by Christine Dente. She is a favorite of mine and her newest CD was about this book. I fell in love with the CD and immediately bought the book. It's an oldie but goodie and the prayers are so beautiful and thought provoking. I personally love to read a prayer out loud each day and I think that today's is the best one I've read until I read the next day. I love when that happens. If you don't own either book or CD, definitely check them out. You will not be disappointed. You will be encouraged and strengthened and renewed in your love and pursuit of the One who loves and pursues you. I wanted to share the prayer that I read today. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

God Enjoyed

THOU INCOMPREHENSIBLE BUT PRAYER-HEARING GOD,
Known, but beyond knowledge,
revealed, but unrevealed,
my wants and welfare draw me to thee,
for thou hast never said, "See ye me in vain'.
To thee I come in my difficulties, necessities, distresses;
possess me with thyself,
with a spirit of grace and supplication,
with a prayerful attitude of mind,
with access into warmth and fellowship,
so that in the ordinary concerns of life
my thoughts and desires may rise to thee,
and in habitual devotion I may find a resource that will
soothe my sorrows, sanctify my successes,
and qualify me in always for dealings with my fellow men.
I bless thee that thou hast made me capable
of knowing thee, the author of all being,
of resembling thee, the perfection of all excellency,
of enjoying thee, the source of all happiness.
O God, attend me in every part of my arduous and trying pilgrimage;
I need the same counsel, defence, comfort I found at my beginning.
Let me religion be more obvious to my conscience,
more perceptible to those around.
While Jesus is representing me in heaven, may I reflect him on earth,
While he pleads my cause, may I show forth his praise.
Continue the gentleness of thy goodness towards me,
and whether I wake or sleep, let thy presence go with me,
thy blessing attend me.
Thou hast led me on and I have found thy promises true,
I have been sorrowful, but thou hast been my help,
fearful, but thou has delivered me,
despairing, but thou has lifted me up.
Thy vows are ever upon me,
And I praise thee, O God.

***
Beautiful, isn't it? I just love it. I wanted to share so much with you my thoughts about this particular prayer but I find myself at a loss for words, which if you know me well, doesn't happen all too often. I will say this, I am drawn to the line that says, "thou hast made me capable of enjoying thee, the source of all happiness."

Truly, it is. Enjoying God is the source of ALL happiness and He has made us capable of enjoying Him.

Have you enjoyed God today?



Monday, June 6, 2011

The Start of Something Good

Summer!

175 Days of School have come and gone. Can I get an Amen?

So here we are now experiencing summer vacation. YAY! It's a cool 72 degrees outside....but this is all new to me. Not the weather, ok, well maybe, since I live in New England but still. This summer vacation thing is brand new. I haven't had a "real" summer vacation since I was a teenager. This is my first summer without a job and having my kids home with me. What a year it's been. So thankful for grace. I'd be lost without it. I find myself a little nervous for the summer. We are once again down to one car and I'm not sure what to do with all my time. I was journaling on Thursday asking the Lord to help me use my time wisely. To be a good steward of the moments that I can never ever get back. I need to start each day with that thought in mind and remember His grace that is new every morning.

317. A walk on the beach
318. Crashing waves
319. The sun glimmering on the water
320. Spending time with my only brother and his lovely fiancee Brianna
321. Birds chirping in the early morning
322. Early morning walks
323. My new haircut
324. The last day of school
325. Summer vacation
326. Potty accident-after a week of being accident free :)I know he can do it!
327. Watching Brandon play baseball with such enthusiasm
328. Being haunted by God (thanks to Oswald Chambers):)
329. Repenting of worry, self-reliance, self-sufficieny and pride
330. Truly trusting God
331. Life hidden with Christ in God
332. Soul dwelling at ease
333. Abiding companionship of God
334. Book: Glimpse of Grace by Mary Forsythe
335. Not being lazy or procrastinating this summer
336. Doing the dishes even when I'd rather leave them for the next day
337. Jordan's nap
338. A hot shower after a long day
339. Reading a good book in bed after hot shower
340. Loneliness

"Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart." Psalm 119:111 ESV

Lord, you are the joy of my heart. I know you are with me and I'm never alone. I love you for that.