25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
It's been a little more than a year since we lost our house to foreclosure and moved into this little house under the weeping willow tree. I think I should be over the loss by now but I'm not. I am yet sad. Still, I know, I really know that God is watching over me and that should be enough. I look out the window, however, waiting for the bluebird of happiness to settle in my yard and see only sparrows and blackbirds. Child of God, remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength. Fly away, little sparrow, to your Savior.
Intimacy comes from being yourself on the stage and making the audience feel, without trying, that you're sittin' down there with 'em, playing, and that can happen in a big hall, if you have a good audience that want to listen.
I'm like an old dog, I hate to be run off from home
Doc Watson
I was saddened to read of Doc Watson's passing today. He's been a favorite of mine when it comes to bluegrass music. He had an amazing talent and gift for the guitar. I don't know enough about guitar playing to comment on his style, but I did enjoy it. It's when he laid down his guitar, however, and lifted his voice singing the old gospel hymns that I would be most captivated. The conviction in his voice as he worshipped his Savior could give me chills, the good kind, the feeling that makes you want to stop everything to join in worship, even in a recording. I wish I had seen him in person, but it looks like that will now have to wait until Heaven, but that's okay, it's an Eternity, far beyond the 10,000 years, bright shining as the son, as John Newton wrote in his hymn, "Amazing Grace." Doc's Home now and he won't be run off.
Although God did not spare Doc's physical sight, he lost it when he was only one, He did open the spiritual eyes of his heart. Doc was introduced to the hymns when he was a child. Parents remember that the gospel songs will stick with your children the rest of their lives. Here's Doc singing "Amazing Grace."
This funny picture brought to mind my favorite theologians, the characters from "Veggie Tales." In the Moe and the Big Exit video we have the tale of the exodus from Egypt placed in the old west. When I first watched this I wondered how they would translate the commandment on adultery in a way suitable for children. They nailed it by saying, "Dance with who brung ya." That's so very true. God expects us to keep our vows. It's a truth even children can understand and hope their parents will practice.
Here are the Veggie Tales Ten Commandments, good for all of us to follow:
. Y'all have no other gods b'fore Me. 2. No makin' idols. 3. When y'all use my name, y'better mean it. 4. Lay off the trail one day a week. 5. Mind yer ma and pa. 6. No killin' folks. 7. Dance with who brung ya. 8. No swipin'. 9. No lyin'. 10. No hankerin' for things that ain't yours.
Day is done, gone the sun From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky All is well, safely rest God is nigh. Fading light dims the sight And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright From afar, drawing near Falls the night. Thanks and praise for our days Neath the sun, neath the stars, neath the sky As we go, this we know God is nigh.
I uploaded "Taps" today to my Youtube channel to honor those who have served their country. I understand that there is no greater honor for a bugler than that of blowing taps. As a Christian I want the honor of blowing taps for Jesus, my Savior, announcing that His work on the cross was finished and hope began with his resurrection. We will rise with Jesus. Easter was our reveille!
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
My hand is numb today from too much time on a keyboard, but it's work and I'm thankful. I'll let the Scripture, the pictures, and the hymn tell the story. God bless.
"My Hope is Built On Nothing Less" - Deborah Liv Johnson
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
The hymn, "My Jesus I Love Thee" has been playing through my head today. I do love this hymn and will always associate it with the funeral of a dear friend of ours, a friend so dear we named our son after him. The lyrics could have been the testimony of his life I was astounded to read today that it was written by a Canadian boy, only 16 years old, not astounded that he was Canadian but that he was only sixteen. He lived a short life dying at 27 years of age, but what a legacy he left behind, this profound, straight forward love letter to his Savior. When I was sixteen my greatest desire was acquiring my driver's license and/or a boyfriend. I did get the license.
"My Jesus I Love Thee" - The Joslin Grove Choral Society
My Jesus, I love Thee
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine; For Thee all the follies of sin I resign. My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I love Thee because Thou has first loved me, And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree. I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death, And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath; And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
In mansions of glory and endless delight, I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright; I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
he people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
Dad,
I've been thinking about you tonight. Your son-in-law and I celebrated another anniversary. I've been remembering how we stood arm in arm at the end of the church aisle, me in my wedding gown, and you poised to walk your last daughter down the aisle. You looked at me and said, "You know it's not too late to back out of this." My jaw dropped open under my bridal veil, then the organ music played, and off we went! Even though there have been times when I wished I'd taken you up on it, there is so much I wouldn't change for anything. The product of our union, the young man who lives in our house and doesn't want to be blogged about, has just been talking my ear off about the things so important to him. There were so many times I did that to you! I thought education made me so smart, when it was so little compared to the knowledge you gained serving in World War II. He enjoys so much what he's learning and the heady power of knowledge! Today he finished a macro economics paper and wryly commented that he could now solve the country's economic crisis. What is macro economics anyway? Well, economics isn't a worry for you now. You don't have to run around Heaven turning off lights to save a little money, or remind people to close doors behind them, because they weren't born in a barn. That would be sort of funny if you did, though, because the King of Heaven, the Light of the World was born in a barn! Your bride is doing well, still living a life of obedience to the Savior. This song reminds me of growing up with you and Mom, who taught me to appreciate songs by Perry Como. This version of "Catch A Falling Star" is by Neal and Leandra from their "A Dreamer's Holiday: A Tribute to Perry Como" album.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Romans 5:8(NIV)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 10:11(NIV)
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
The national news tonight covered the one year anniversary of the devastating and deadly Joplin, Missouri tornado. I was especially touched by the story of a young wife whose husband gave his life for hers, when he covered her with his own body as the tornado passed over. His sacrifice was of one of no greater love, the love that compelled Jesus to die for his own bride, the church. One day he will present us spotless before the throne of God, because He has been our covering.
I was glad tonight to see that the young wife was living her life as her husband would have wanted. Here is the story from a year ago.
He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.
Okay, I admit it, I'm not always a happy mother, especially not like this one as she washes dishes by hand. If I had my way, we'd be eating frozen meals or take out on paper plates just to avoid the dishes! I really, really miss a dishwasher. I do like being a mother, gratefully so, after years of infertility. As the young man who lives in my house and doesn't want to be blogged about marches towards high school graduation, I want to wail at losing my baby! We will still have his dog, though, when our son goes off to college, and he has a pretty good baying cry. We will be able to cry in chorus, I suppose, as we both suffer from empty nest syndrome.
I came home the other day and found the dog baying on the front porch stoop. He had somehow gotten left outside after his master left for school. I called his name as I approached him but I don't think he heard over his whooooooooing. I called his name one more time as I stepped up to the porch and he nearly jumped out of his fur! Did I scare him into believing he'd have to be a guard dog for real? His shaggy fur has grown over his eyes again, so I'm not sure he could really see me. He's getting clipped next week.
I do love this loyal dog who helped raise my son perhaps more than his parents. He came to us from the pound after my son and I spent much time in prayer for a dog that would be his very own dog. He has been beside him since the day we brought him home, love at first sight, and a clear answer to prayer. My son has been a good master too taking responsibility for his own.
Just a mother's ramblings tonight as I continue to occupy this little house under the weeping willow tree.
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
I was stumbling through Scripture today when I came upon a number of verses that speak to the truth that God will make His home with me. If God should be willing to live in this tiny little house under the weeping willow tree then so should I be willing. Still I rebel against the confines of this house and long for a bigger, better place to live. Could it have a dishwasher, Lord? Please? What about a hot tub for my fibromyalgia? Bigger closets, too, I'd like bigger closets. "There's just no place to put stuff!" I cry and I recoil from the clutter. Perhaps it's time to do a little spring cleaning in my own heart to make more room for my Savior's comfort. He deserves no less.
I also came across a song I haven't heard sung for a long time, "Sanctuary," as other songs have come into vogue in corporate worship. There's no reason, however, I can't make it a part of my personal worship. I found a video for it.
“Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by.” (Exodus 33:21,22)
"He Hideth My Soul - Brian Fee and Assurance
What a comfort! My soul is safely hidden in the cleft of the rock and covered by God's own hand. Just as Moses in his imperfect state had to be protected from seeing the glory of God, so must I be protected. One day I will see the glory of God, but until that day, I am allowed to see where God has been. Even this little house under the weeping willow tree was prepared for my family to live in, before I knew it would be needed. I suspect that I still won't know all the ways He has protected me while I walk this earth, but I'm thankful that He does.
He Hideth My Soul - Fanny Crosby
Refrain:
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life with the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Savior to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.
Refrain
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away;
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.
Refrain
With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
And filled with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God
For such a Redeemer as mine!
Refrain
When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he has removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103 gives me another reason to be thankful that God is God and I am not. He does not harbor his anger forever or give me the cold shoulder when I have sinned, unlike someone I know so well in the kingdom of me, myself, and I. I stubbornly cling to my supposed right to justice when I've been wronged, and become angry when justice isn't served. It wasn't justice that sent Jesus to the cross, it was love. He, who knew no sin, bore my sins for me, receiving what I deserved as he hung on the cross. He is my redeemer and my deliverer. I remain gratefully his, here in this little house under the weeping willow tree.
I find a spoken Psalm beautiful. Here is a reading of it from Hillsong.
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
My soul is always touched by this picture. It reminds me of the father of a severely disabled but dearly loved daughter. Every morning of her short life he had his quiet time next to her crib. Her life was of such great value that she brought a grown man to his knees. Was she made in the image of God? Yes, she surely was. We all are made to live out our lives to the glory of God.
Even if it is pain and sorrow that brings glory to God, we yet live for Him.
Christa Wells - How Emptiness Sings
How Emptiness Sings Brother, he's suffered like a tree taken down Wept as he witnessed his dreams carved out And how can a man just keep walking around With his heart full of holes
But ooh, His bow is on the strings And the tune resonates in the open space To show us how emptiness sings:
Glory to God, Glory to God! In fullness of wisdom, He writes my story into his song, My life for the glory of God. Hmm, hmmm
Sister carries her loneliness In a hidden hollow inside her chest And sometimes all that she wants is an end To the long, long night
But ooh, Her bow is on the strings, And the tune resonates in the open space To show us how emptiness sings:
Glory to God, Glory to God! In fullness of wisdom, He writes my story into his song, My life for the glory of God. Hmm, hmmm
I haven't been asked yet to walk the hard roads Still there's a sense of deep loss in my soul In the middle of a party, I'll just want to go Home.
But ooh, My bow is on the strings, I'm beginning to learn where to find the words To the song that emptiness sings Ooh, bow is on the strings:
Glory to God! Glory to God! This is how emptiness sings, oh, This is how emptiness sings Hmmm, hmmm
