Saturday, April 14, 2018

It's Sunday!

St. Paul's Chapel downtown NYC. Built 1764-66. Only Colonial Era church to survive.
I'm choosing this image today because I was able to walk by this historic church this past week.  It was the little church that stood as the World Trade Centers fell on Sept 11, 2001, and it was a place of refuge and rest for those who worked the on the tragic site afterwards.  
Thank you for your service. 

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Jordan Feliz - Witness (Lyric Video)

It's Palm Sunday!


Matthew 21:9 English Standard Version (ESV)

9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Hosanna - Phil Driscoll

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Contagious Courage

Romans 10:10-17 English Standard Version (ESV)

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?[a] And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Mark 16:15 English Standard Version (ESV)

15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

The day of Billy Graham's death and home going, I overheard a conversation mocking him.  It saddened me that a hero of the faith could be so disparaged; but it also saddened me for the souls of the mirthful.

  Romans 1:22 Good News Translation (GNT)

22 They say they are wise, but they are fools;


I grew up with Billy Graham.  My mother would call us children in from play on a long summer evening to watch his crusades and my own obedience to her call was tinged with reluctance.  Still there was something this man on a grainy black and white TV calling people to accept Christ that compelled me to watch and then marvel as the people came forward to do so.  This week I read a sidebar article on his death in the news that explained what evangelism was and suggested that it was a passing phase in Christianity.  It surprised me that something I learned as a child, the call to proclaim the gospel, was first necessary to explain and then treated as a historical footnote.  The death of Billy Graham doesn't negate my own responsibility to proclaim the gospel, even if I fall too often into reluctant obedience.  I pray that my spine may be stiffened by this brave man.  It's my job to love as well.






Matt Maher - What a Friend (Official Lyric Video)

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Well Done, Billy, Well Done

Matthew 25:23 New King James Version (NKJV)

23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Just As I Am - Johnny Cash

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Great Love, Great Grief

We mourn as individuals, a family, a community, a country when we receive news of yet another mass killing, such as the one in Parkland, Florida this past week.  And every time this happens, we long and pray for it to be the last, even though knowing that it may never be.   I pray that we will never be so numb to these events that we no longer weep for the lost, the frightened, the brave, the survivors.  Today I uploaded yet another song to help me deal with the tragedy and possibly help others who still trying to comprehend what cannot be understood.    The love of God in our hearts allows our souls to weep.  Those who are greatly loved will greatly mourn. Embrace it. Love as you are loved.

Weep With Me (Reprise) - Rend Collective


It's Sunday!

Snow-covered church, 1927, Marc Chagall
A late winter snow is on the way!

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Because I'm Missing Someone...


John 16:22 English Standard Version (ESV)

22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

...I haven't been blogging much; but I have been writing!  I've been writing the young man who used to live in my home but is now in service to his country.  I've been writing letters of encouragement, humor, remember when's, love and prayers.  I guess that's what Mom's do, especially since his dog can't.  

Michael W. Smith - How To Say Goodbye

"Always Good" by Andrew Peterson - Official Lyric Video

It's Sunday!

Come, children, come...

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Oh Lord, You're Beautiful


Head of Christ - Rembrandt

Psalm 27:4
One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple.

Isaiah 28:5
In that day the LORD of hosts will become a beautiful crown And a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people;

Isaiah 33:17
Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; They will behold a far-distant land.

"The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection". (Michelangelo)

Oh Lord, You're Beautiful - Michael W. Smith



Jonny Diaz - Define Me (Lyric Video)

Monday, February 5, 2018

Still Soaring


Isaiah 40:31 English Standard Version (ESV)

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.


Maybe I shouldn't have needed to watch the Philadelphia Eagles win last night's Super Bowl to remind me of this verse; but they did win and now I am not only reminded but soaring!   I lived in Philadelphia during my college days and I found myself wishing I could have been out on Broad Street celebrating with everyone else.  It's nice to see the good guys win!

Why Walk When You Can Fly - Mary Chapin Carpentner


Sunday, February 4, 2018

It's Sunday!

And you're looking good!

Ready For Some Football!

Ephesians 5:21 English Standard Version (ESV)

21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Soon my husband will return from work and expect to watch the Super Bowl he's been taping.  That means soon I'll be watching the Super Bowl also.  Our young man who once lived in this house but is now serving his country won't be here to watch the game with his dad, so I'll be his replacement.  Am I ready for some football?  Sometimes we are called to serve on the home front.  Here's hoping he won't notice me bringing my Kindle to the game!


Rend Collective - Counting Every Blessing | Good News Session

Grace Will Lead Me Home (Official Music Video)

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Monday, January 22, 2018

Dance Like David


Psalm 51:8 English Standard Version (ESV)

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones that you have broken rejoice.


I could blame my poor dancing on my rheumatoid arthritis but my sense of rhythm is more likely at fault.  Today, however, while uploading a new song by Rend Collective, I discovered I could dance even if only from my computer chair, because I found myself rejoicing as I worshipped my Lord.  So inflamed joints notwithstanding, I will dance like David danced.

 “I have one desire now – to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.”  ~Elisabeth Elliot

 I Will Be Undignified - Rend Collective 










Rend Collective - Nailed To The Cross (Audio)

Sunday, January 21, 2018

It's Sunday!

Maria Wiik (Finnish artist, 1853-1928) At the Church
Take time to be holy.

Sunday, January 14, 2018

It's Still Sunday!

Psalm 133English Standard Version (ESV)

When Brothers Dwell in Unity
A Song of Ascents. Of David.

133 Behold, how good and pleasant it is
    when brothers dwell in unity![a]
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
    life forevermore.

Where I am it's still Sunday, but my husband and I are pretty tired.  We were seeing our young man who doesn't want to be blogged about off at the airport early this morning.  We were able to attend a church later that we hadn't been to in a couple of decades and were delighted to find old friends still there, still in love with our Lord.  Until we meet again...

God Be With You - Selah 


Monday, January 8, 2018

Our Christ: Our Delight and Our Joy

The young man who was living in our house then at college but doesn't want to be blogged about has graduated and is about to start down a new path in his life, one that takes him further away from his family; and I'm not sure how I feel about it.  I do know I love him fiercely and deeply but God loves him even more.  I'm good with that!  I found myself in a car with him today trying to cram in as much wisdom and family history that was coming to mind, while he was still tied to my apron string.  He's learned much and will experience much, facing joys and sorrows still unknown, and yet in all this has never been and will never be apart from God's love.  So, yes, remember what it says in Romans 8: 38-39 and lean into and onto the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

No One Can Steal Our Joy - Tenth Avenue North
Dad,
I wish you could see him now, maybe you can from Heaven, you'd be so proud of him.   Are you and Grandma and Grandpa getting to say, "Look at him!  He's ours!"?  I hope so.  Thank you for our heritage of faith in Jesus Christ.  We'll see you when we get there.