May The Celebration Continue

"Christ Is Risen" - Matt Maher

My God, My Pruner

John 15:2

New International Version (NIV)

2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful.

We're having a beautiful Easter weekend with sunshine and warm temperatures.  Daffodils have bloomed in the front of our house of the level path and a tree in the backyard seems to have bloomed overnight.  I took this picture of it today.  We're wondering what type of tree it might me.  I'm hoping  for an apple tree or any fruit, really.  It brings back memories of my childhood home with a good share of fruit-bearing trees, even if the the fruit wasn't always appreciated by me.  I so wanted to pull out hostess cupcakes or snowballs from my school lunch and was more than a little embarrassed by the home-grown apples.  Now I know it was God's way of providing for a household fruitful in children if not in cash.  
I pray that this sometimes ungrateful branch of my Father's tree will bear fruit for His Kingdom and willingly, if not always bravely, submit to His pruning shears.  

Dad, you were wrong!  Money did grow on trees!  I suppose you know this well now, as you are dancing in our Father's fields of grace!

"Fields of Grace" - Big Daddy Weave

It's Friday...

"It's Friday...But Sunday's a Coming"

My Servant God

Matthew 25:40

New International Version (NIV)

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

"Garden" - NeedtoBreathe

What I'm Listening To...

"Worn" - Tenth Avenue North

Another Requested Image...

Titus 2:13

English Standard Version (ESV)

13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 6:10-18

New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Be encouraged.  Pray for one another and stay on the battlefield.  Our great Lord goes before us.

"The Battlefield" - Isaacs

A Requested Image

My Time Out God

Matthew 5:45

New International Version (NIV)

45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Oh, so this is why I'm being rained on today.   Well, not actually, even though where I live that's normal.  I know I have rheumatoid arthritis, but today I'm feeling it.  It is ever so evident that I am sick.  So it's been a time out day.  I may want to complain, but I know that God is working even in the downpour.  He is still good.  

"When The Rain Comes" - Third Day

My God Who Faithfully Provides

A week ago I was fretting over the loss of my relatively new cell phone with no funds to replace it.  A cell phone can be a security blanket for someone with a chronic illness.  Not knowing if I could walk for help if needed and remembering how I needed it at the time of our catastrophic car accident, makes me anxious without this little bit of electronic magic.  The young man who lives in our house but doesn't want to be blogged about dug up his very first cell phone and amazingly it is still working.  It's not what I lost but it is what I need.  I may find myself still looking for the provision that I know not of but perhaps I've had it all along.  I've even got the local pizza delivery place on speed dial and the numbers of all of my young man's friends.  

"Great Is Thy Faithfulness" - Fernando Ortega

Hosanna!

A Day to Worship

  

My God of Light

There was a moment today when light streamed down onto me from the kitchen skylight in my house of the level path and gratitude took me by surprise.  Now it's late, but I want to stop and praise God for this home with windows that welcome light.  

Bebo Norman - "Great Light Of The World"

A Grateful Surrender

I'm a casualty of my day.  Sleep is claiming me, so for tonight, I surrender!

My God of Contentment

Psalm 16:6

New International Version (NIV)

6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

    surely I have a delightful inheritance.

Sometimes I just need to meditate of God's goodness to me.  Happy laughter is in my house tonight and I am content.

"Heaven Came Down" - David Crowder Band

My Sweet God of Spring

I was surprised to hear from the TV news that this is the first day of Spring, because at the time I was huddled under a quilt listening to the rain fall and the wind blow outside my house of the level path.  The quilt was keeping me warm for as much as I love this house, it's expensive to heat.   Tonight my husband has been using my computer to work on taxes and now wants it once again to fill out his March Madness brackets; so yes, it truly must be Spring.  Even as the snow falls lower and lower on the mountains, our grass is growing and a hardy patch of flowers is blooming.   So I will celebrate with Jimmy Durante's "Bluebird of Happiness."  Life is sweet, after all.


Ecclesiastes 11:7-9 NLT
7Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning.
8When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless.

9Young people,d it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. 10So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.

Jimmy Durante - "Bluebird of Happiness"

My God Who Carries Me

My mother-in-law was a busy homemaker, a lovely hostess, an exceptional quilter and an accomplished athlete, at least she was before age and the ravages of Parkinson's Disease left her trapped in an uncooperative body.   It was hard on her to come to such an abrupt halt, surviving her husband and a son before going home to Jesus herself.  I know that some would have questioned her quality of life and believed in her right to die.  That choice has even been written into law, but not into God's law.  There's no life that's a burden to my Jesus and neither should there be to me.  If I measure a person's value by what they can do, especially what they can do for me, then I am the one who falls woefully short.  I need to be poured out before I can be filled again.  I need to love as Jesus would.  May we all give each other the burden of love.    

"Will You Love Me In the Winter" - Brian Doerksen

For The Love of Big Sisters...

...who could be counted on to set your mind at ease...

My God, My Vision

I saw my wee little mother in church today.  Proud of her Scott's Irish heritage, she's the reason I can claim a wee bit of Irish to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day.  She is height challenged as am I, but Mom is also vision challenged, blind in one eye.  That's okay, it's rarely stopped her.  More importantly she enjoys the spiritual vision that has kept her eyes on Jesus.  How much worse it must be for believers who willingly keep one eye closed to all that God has for us!  Forgive me, Lord, for the times that believer has been me.

"You Are My Vision" - Rend Collective Experiment

Mother's Love

Italian Painter: Giovanni Segantini (1858 – 1899) 'The Two Mothers'

Philippians 4:8

New International Version (NIV)

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

It is nice to think on lovely things and this painting, "The Two Mothers," takes me there in my thoughts.  It's been a long time since I've held a child through the night.  I didn't know at the time that I would miss it.

"You Cannot Lose My Love" - Sara Groves

My God, My Testimony

Acts 20:24

English Standard Version (ESV)

24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

May my song forever be of the great grace bestowed on me. 

Avalon - "Testify to Love"

I Was Off to a Good Start...

Galatians 5:7

King James Version (KJV)

7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

...but I got in the way of myself.  My goal is always to end well, but I seem to have a natural bent to consistent laziness and inconsistent servitude.   Instead of reaching for greater goals I please myself with smaller ones.   When I compromise or choose to sin, I've nobody to blames but myself.  Satan has not power without my consent.  Still my God uses me in spite of myself.  He has that kind of power and every right to use it.  Again I'm so glad that He is God and I am not.  

"You Are God and I Am Not" - Dennis Jernigan

  

What I'm Listening To...

"The Truth Is Still True" - Chris August

My God of All Joy

Job 6:10

New International Version (NIV)

10 Then I would still have this consolation—

    my joy in unrelenting pain—

    that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.

Hebrews 4:16

New International Version (NIV)

16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

1 Peter 1:8

New International Version (NIV)

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

Revelation 5:13

New International Version (NIV)

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

    be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!”

I believe that unspeakable pain may truly be joy unspeakable.  I believe that burdens we bear of no fault of our own are actually gifts of God's grace.  I believe that each tear shed behind a closed door lifts a veil in Heaven.  I believe sorrow's trail leads us ever closer to the Man of Sorrows.  I believe we will never know justice this side of heaven, but we will know redemption.  I know this because when I was being placed on my cross, my Lord, my Jesus, placed Himself there instead.  Thank God I won't get what I deserve.  

Today, as I exercised in the pool, I watched a young swim teacher with her tiny students as she taught them how to back float.  Each time a child struggled they felt their teacher's hands under their shoulders steadying them.  As I left and looked back down at them in the water they were all floating like happy starfish around their teacher, listening to her gentle voice reminding them to breathe; and such will we one day be around the Heaven's throne, we who have put our faith and trust in Jesus our Savior.   Even so, we will still struggle on this side of Heaven as our faith has not yet been made complete.  Even so, I believe we can still have unspeakable and glorious joy, because our Lord is ever present, reminding us to breathe.

"Joy Unspeakable" - Curt McKee

My Very Good God

I'm having trouble thinking about what to write, so I might just join my cat who is surely tucked in for the night.  My husband and I saw the new "Oz" movie this afternoon and enjoyed it.  A friend survived a small stroke this past week and I'm thankful.  God is good.

"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" - BigStuff Band

A Lullaby

Proverbs 3:24

English Standard Version (ESV)

24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;

    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

"Sleep and Dreams" - Charlie Hall

The God of My Mornings

Psalm 143:8

New International Version (NIV)

8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

    for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

    for to you I entrust my life.

My God, My Sandman

John 11:9

English Standard Version (ESV)

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.

As I write, my husband is standing on a chair to adjust our clock for Daylight Savings.  I may enjoy falling back, but I really, really don't like springing forward.   It's really not something I've ever done with grace and gratitude; and now that I'm living with rheumatoid arthritis, it is even more difficult.  When I never feel rested, I hoard every minute of sleep given to me.  As our country goes to battle now against our natural sleep patterns, I pray that our next few sleeps will be sweet and sufficient to face the hours of the day.  

"My Love Goes With You" - The Innocence Mission

What I'm Listening To...

Deuteronomy 31:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

"God of Angel Armies" - Chris Tomlin

My God, My Soul's Stillness

This woman looks like someone who has learned to still her soul.  I would like to have a peaceful soul, but I don't.  I can certainly work on it, though.  It's always good to have a goal to reach this side of eternity.  How wonderful it would be to give Jesus the gift of a still, quiet soul, a heart completely at rest,  when I meet Him on the other side!  

"Be Still My Soul, What A Friend We Have in Jesus" - Selah

My God, My Mover and Shaker

Philippians 4:4-6

New International Version (NIV)

Final Exhortations

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Psalm 55:22

New International Version (NIV)

22 Cast your cares on the Lord

    and he will sustain you;

he will never let

    the righteous be shaken.

I do love these courageous verses.  Unfortunately, when I've been blown off of my foundation and surrounded by those who seek me harm, it's hard not to be at least slightly cynical about them.  I'm prone to ask, "Really?  Really, Lord? How can I possibly not be anxious?  How can I not be shaken?" When I was a child it was pretty scary watching Dorothy in the tornado, and even scarier with the flying monkeys, but that's okay because my parents were giving me a firm foundation in teaching me about Jesus.  I may not like it; but I know now sometimes a storm is needed to carry us to the place God wants us to be, if we only "trust and obey."  

                             "Trust And Obey" - Big Daddy Weave 

My God Who Cleanses Me

Psalm 51

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 51[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,

    according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

    blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity

    and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,

    and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned

    and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

    and justified when you judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth,

    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;

    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins

    and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence

    or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

    so that sinners will turn back to you.

14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

    you who are God my Savior,

    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15 Open my lips, Lord,

    and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;

    a broken and contrite heart

    you, God, will not despise.

18 May it please you to prosper Zion,

    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,

    in burnt offerings offered whole;

    then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Today I've had someone taking issue with God for loving David, even though he sinned with Bathsheba and then was responsible for an innocent's death.  True repentance leads to forgiveness.  And I am ever so thankful; because, like David I'm a weak vessel that can still be used by God.  I'd like to imagine myself a mighty warrior, but the truth is that I'm not always strong.  I need Jesus.

 

"I Need Thee Every Hour" - Forbes Family

This Is True!

Amen and amen...Thank you my precious Savior!

"How Can I Keep From Singing" - Eva Cassidy

I Remember...

...putting on makeup because I wanted to look old, but now I do it because I want to look young.

Psalm 71:18

English Standard Version (ESV)

18 So even to old age and gray hairs,

    O God, do not forsake me,

until I proclaim your might to another generation,

    your power to all those to come.

Winter's Bone

My husband and I just rented and watched the movie, "Winter's Bones."  It wasn't always easy to watch, but I'd still highly recommend it.  The old gospel song, "Farther Along," figured prominently in the movie.

Winter's Bone Soundtrack - "Farther Along" Marideth Sisco

May You Catch Stars...

...in your nights...

...and souls by day.

Matthew 4:19

King James Version (KJV)

19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

"Fishers of Men" - Rhonda Vincent