Our Steadfast God

Psalm 94:22 New International Version (NIV)

22 But the Lord has become my fortress,

    and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

Isaiah 54:10New International Version (NIV)

10 Though the mountains be shaken

    and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”

    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Tornados and fire storms are in the news tonight.  For many it will mean a difficult Christmas this year.  If our holiday hopes are dashed, and it doesn't take a natural disaster for that to happen, we find our hope in God.  He is our fortress and our refuge.  The gift of the Savior is both the need and the desire

of our hearts.  He is our home, our place of belonging.

Steadfast

Wrap This One Up

No Room...

Luc Olivier Merson, The Arrival in Bethlehem (1897)

Luke 2:7 New English Translation (NET Bible)

7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

...for your Redeemer?

Matt Maher - Glory (Let There Be Peace) [Official Lyric Video]

He's Coming!

And I'm not talking about Santa Claus.

The King Is Coming Prelude - Christy Nockels 

He Forgets Not His Own

John 10:27-28 New English Translation (NET Bible)

27 My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand.

Tonight I was playing Christmas Youtube videos on the computer while my husband finished watching his recording of the Seahawks game.  They lost, the TV was shut down, and I then heard my husband's voice behind me saying, "I want to hear "We Gather Together!"  Thanksgiving remains and will likely always remain his favorite holiday of the year.  It's good to remember at all times, in victory or defeat...and I'm not just talking about football...that God forgets not his own.  
Go Hawks!

We Gather Together - Celtic Spirits

Matt Redman - Hearts Waiting (Joy To The World) (Lyrics And Chords)

Matt Redman - Glory Hallelujah (Lyrics And Chords)

Because Christmas Has Come...

2 Corinthians 9:8 New English Translation (NET Bible)

8 And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work.

...to a store near you.

Lauren Daigle - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

A Priceless Thanksgiving

Matthew 19:6 New English Translation (NET Bible)

6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

I truly had a nice Thanksgiving holiday; and, while the men of my family slept off their turkey hangovers, I was able to upload a pretty video.  Thirty years ago as a bride I vowed before God to honor my groom; and it was a vow not just intended for my wedding day.  So I let him sleep on the couch while a football game played on the TV, and his son as well; and, in a strange way, I honored them both.  They are priceless indeed, and they are mine.

Priceless (The Film Ballad) [feat. Bianca Santos] - for KING & COUNTRY 

Thanks In Every Circumstance

Three GIs eat K rations in the rain, Thanksgiving Day, 1944, France.

1 Thessalonians 5:18English Standard Version (ESV)

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I'm having trouble feeling thankful because I'm going to be strictly dieting tomorrow on our holiday that's built around a feast.  This image of three GI's during my father's war reminds me to be thankful, nevertheless.  Now if I can only keep from weeping at the table while my husband and the young man who lives in a dorm but is now home for the holiday stuff themselves that would be good for all...Sigh...It could be worse.  I have an abundance of grace.  I have my Savior's love.  I will be thankful.

Blessed Spirit (Puritan Prayer) - Stuart Townsend 

Sing Hallelujah

"Eagle Creek into Cumberland River"- Elmer L. Foote Lantern Slide Collection, ca. 1900-1915 (Lexington Public Library)

Revelation 19:6 New International Version (NIV)

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!

    For our Lord God Almighty reigns"

What a wonder it will be to hear our Hallelujah's in Heaven some day!  What a wonder it is to hear our Hallelujah's now!  I pray that I may live a Hallelujah life both sides of eternity.  Turn my thoughts toward the one who deserves my upmost praise and highest glory.  Take my strangled Hallelujah's and turn them to full throated declarations of praise to our God Almighty.  

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah - Blue Highway 

THANKFUL - Dwayne Reed

More Cows...

...because I do like them...

Home Free - How Great Thou Art

It's Sunday!

Come, ye thankful people come!

The Oak Ridge Boys - Rest In You Tonight

Stand Fast

Years ago "I Shall Not Be Moved" was my go to song when dealing with a sometimes unreasonable toddler.  It seemed better to sing then to shout...and to sing before I shed mommy tears.  My child didn't know it then but I had his back, not letting him go where he shouldn't go.  So it also is with our God.

I Shall Not Be Moved - Johnny Cash 

Chris Tomlin - All Yours (Lyric Video)

Because It's A Birthday Today!

When I See the Blood

The animal you select must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no defects.“Take special care of this chosen animal until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month. Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter their lamb or young goat at twilight. 7 They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal.But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. Ex. 12:5-7

When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. Ex. 13:12

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. I Cor. 5:7

The connections between the Exodus passages and the New Testament passages is clear. John, Peter, and Paul all saw how the Passover predicted the sacrifice of Christ. The lamb in Exodus is a type, corresponding to Christ in the NT. To a reasonable person, this is, in fact, reasonable.

I used this recently when talking to someone about the Lord. Sometimes we wonder how to get a conversation seated on a spiritual track. Here I used the interesting Bible story containing the type, then turned the conversation corner by essentially saying "In the same way..." to get to the all-important fulfillment in Jesus. The necessity of applying the lamb's blood was not optional to the Israelites. No blood, no avoiding the death angel. So it is now with the necessity of applying Christ's death to oneself. No Christ, no avoiding God's judgment.
Beanscot's Husband

When I See The Blood (Hymn)

Beloved Sleep

I find myself falling asleep before I ever get to my blog.  I know I could start earlier, but I still don't.  I call it "the tyranny of the blog" and rebel against writing.  You might call it laziness and you'd be right.  Thankfully, I still sleep so I am still God's beloved; and it's a wondrous love indeed.

Blue Highway - Wondrous Love

Behold (Then Sings My Soul) Lyric Video - Hillsong Worship

No Other Name But Jesus [Live]

Surrender to the Worthy One

Psalm 22:27-28 New International Version (NIV)

27 All the ends of the earth

    will remember and turn to the Lord,

and all the families of the nations

    will bow down before him,

28 for dominion belongs to the Lord

    and he rules over the nations.

Daniel 2:20-22 New International Version (NIV)

20 and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;

    wisdom and power are his.

21 He changes times and seasons;

    he deposes kings and raises up others.

He gives wisdom to the wise

    and knowledge to the discerning.

22 He reveals deep and hidden things;

    he knows what lies in darkness,

    and light dwells with him.

I've been running into citizens of my almost zealously blue state who are extremely upset over our Presidential election.  I watch on the news as my countrymen are marching in near anarchy over it.  Friendships have been broken.  Things have been said that may not be unsaid.  

In these times I look to Jesus.  He is Lord.  He is worthy.  He keeps His promises.  I surrender to Him.  

Yes and Amen - Chris Tomlin

It's Sunday!

7eventh Time Down - Lean On

Thank You for Serving

Philippians 1:3 New International Version (NIV)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 I thank my God every time I remember you.

Gone Home - Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

Lord Give Me One More

Luke 15:7 New English Translation (NET Bible)

7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

Galatians 6:9 English Standard Version (ESV)

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Tonight my husband and I went to see "Hacksaw Ridge," the real life story of Desmond Doss, the only medal of honor winner who was also a Conscientious Objector.  It was an impressive movie and I would recommend it.  I was especially moved by the prayer, Desmond Doss, repeated through the long night of bringing wounded off the battlefield to safety, "Please Lord, give me one more."   It was a good prayer for Christians as we daily go out onto God's battlefield, "Please give me one more soul to save."  

Do not give up, weary Christian, while there's still one more soul to save.

HACKSAW RIDGE Official Trailer (2016) Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer

Tenth Avenue North - Fighting For You (Official Lyric Video)

The Spirit of 76

Galatians 5:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

John 8:36English Standard Version (ESV)

36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Walt Disney's Johnny Tremain, "The Sons of Liberty" (1957)

It's Time to Decide

1944- Undecided - by Norman Rockwell who presents a voter pondering the choice between FDR - running for a fourth term- and Thomas Dewey.

Isaiah 30:21 English Standard Version (ESV)

21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

Proverbs 16:33 English Standard Version (ESV)

33 The lot is cast into the lap,

    but its every decision is from the Lord.

Mary, Did You Know - Voctave feat. Mark Lowry

Take Courage Take A Stand

2 Timothy 3:12 English Standard Version (ESV)

12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

John 16:33 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

2 Timothy 4:3-4 The Voice (VOICE)

3 because a time will come when some will no longer tolerate sound teaching. Instead, they will live by their own desires; they’ll scratch their itching ears by surrounding themselves with teachers who approve of their lifestyles and tell them what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from the real truth you have to offer because they prefer the sound of fables and myths.

“Leave safety behind. Put your body on the line. Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind--even if your voice shakes. When you least expect it, someone may actually listen to what you have to say. Well-aimed slingshots can topple giants.” --Maggie Kuhn

My pastor spoke this morning on being a confident witness.  We need this confidence as Christians in what is rapidly becoming a post-Christian America.  Take the courage Jesus is offering and put it to good use.  Standing up for Jesus is more than a song sung in church.  It is our charge, our rallying cry. 

Ready for the Times to Get Better - Doc Watson and David Holt 

It's Sunday!

Do we remember when most children went to Sunday School?

Sometimes It's Later

Farther Along - The Grascals

It's Sunday!

And the choir is warming up!

The Digital Age - I Belong [Official Lyric Video]

Off To Work!

Colossians 3:23 English Standard Version (ESV)

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Psalm 90:17 English Standard Version (ESV)

17 Let the favor[a] of the Lord our God be upon us,

    and establish the work of our hands upon us;

    yes, establish the work of our hands!

Sigh...I may look more like the wary horse than the enthusiastic cowgirl.  

Switchfoot - "I Won't Let You Go" (Live in NYC)

This Is A Good Verse ...

Psalm 16:8 The Message (MSG)

7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake

    is confirmed by my sleeping heart.

Day and night I’ll stick with God;

    I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

...when heading off to bed, and again when waking.  Look to God who has your back in every trial and through every fear. 

Back's Against the Wall - Judah & the Lion 

Delightful Boundaries

Leaving On A Ferry From Seattle 

Psalm 16:5-7 New International Version (NIV)

5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;

    you make my lot secure.

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

    surely I have a delightful inheritance.

7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;

    even at night my heart instructs me.

It was drizzling last night and my husband and I left Seattle.  We had the deck on the ferry to ourselves, and it was lovely.  Inside the ferry, it seemed as if nearly everyone was attached to an electronic device.  Admittedly I took this picture with one, but I pray that I'll never get so caught up in it that I'll miss the delightful inheritance the Lord has laid before me.  

Praise God from whom all blessing flow!

Doxology - David Crowder Band 

 

Tim Neufeld and the Glory Boys - Let Everything That Has Strings