And look at that – the roses are still blooming!

The past few days have been very stressful and hectic (hence, no blogging!). My “mantra”, as I scurry around from one task to the next, has been, “Oh, there’s so much to do and so much to be done!” [grin]

And that’s exactly what it’s been like! :) Between preparing for and teaching piano lessons, trying to practice for my own music lessons, general up-keep and cleaning of the house (my mom and sister are both out of town), cooking, studying, and organizing the basement (I’m trying to suprise my mom when she gets back!), the days are full! I did manage to finish a few sewing projects that have been sitting around for way too long. Among them, sewing a new skirt, putting fabric in the side slits of one, and adjusting another. Oh, and I am going to a musical tonight, and looking forward to going out immensely!

Well…I guess I’d better just end this exceedingly boring post ( my deepest apologies ), since it’s really not going anywhere very important. :)

This verse from John 14 really “stuck” for me when I read it during devotions on Wednesday:

v. 23 If anyone loves Me, he will obey My commands. My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our home with him.

What an amazing thought this is! That They would make Their home with us!

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend! Hugs for all my huggable friends and a hearty handshake for everyone else!

PS Drop a note and tell me what you’ve been up to recently!

~*Bryant*~

Now My heart is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, deliver Me from this hour”?

No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.

Father, glorify Your Name.

Instead of wanting to be simply delivered from what He was about to endure, Jesus knew that His troubled and sorrowful heart was part of what He came to do. He saw a bigger purpose behind the momentary pain and suffering. His foremost desire was for the Father’s glory. If it took anguish on His part in order that His Father might be glorified, He was willing to endure it.

I learned a new word today – ingot.

According to the online dictionary:

in·got

 n. 1. A mass of metal, such as a bar or block, that is cast in a standard shape for convenient storage or shipment.

2. A casting mold for metal 

I had never heard this word before, so thank you for helping me feel just a little bit wiser, Daddy! [grin]

It’s so weird to be able run around without even a coat in early November, but I’m enjoying it immensely. I don’t think it will last very long, but I’m loving it while it does!

I took my traditional Sunday afternoon walk today, and I got to wear flip-flops! I had packed them away for next summer a month or two ago, but dug them out for one last fling this year. At first, I couldn’t find them, and I had to dig around for a while before I found even one. It’s pretty frustrating to not be able to find the pair of shoes you want to wear, but it’s even more frustrating to only be able to find one. You’re so close … and yet still so far away! [grin] But I found both of them eventually, and had a lovely walk.

I was just praying while I was out walking that the Lord would teach me to let Him use me to bring glory to Him, and that I would not be afraid to take the opportunities to serve Him when He gives them to me. Just then, the lady who lives next door to us rounded the corner, and we were able to walk the whole “circle” in our development together and just talk. It was so nice, and I felt like the Lord had answered my prayer right then, by giving me the opportunity to walk and talk with her. It was neat, and I walked home rejoicing and thanking the Lord for that time with her.

As I was writing this post, I was listening to Meredith Andrews singing You’re Not Alone. It is one of my favorite songs, as the words are so meaningful.

You’re not alone, for I am here, let Me wipe away your every fear.

My love, I’ve never left your side, I have seen you through the darkest night.

And I’m the One Who’s loved you all your life.

Faithful and true, forever. My love will carry you.

 I can trust and believe that the deep, deep love of Jesus is all I truly need, for today, for tomorrow…and the years ahead. Oh, the rich and unfathomable depths of His love, that have stretched from everlasting to everlasting! My flesh cries, “Lord, but what if…?” But, He is all I need right now, and I can take one day, one step at a time, believing and rejoicing that He will be all I need then, too. Could I dare even consider that this deepness which I cannot even comprehend could be exhausted in any amount of time?

Oh, the deep, deep love; All I need and trust is the deep, deep love of Jesus.

Oh, The Deep, Deep Love

Oh, the deep, deep love; All I need and trust is the deep, deep love of Jesus.

This is a slideshow that I made to be shown at our church of pictures from our trip to The Voice of the Martyrs.

The music doesn’t really fit, but it was the best of what I had. Enjoy it anyway! :)

65 degrees at 7:30 PM on November 6!

And it’s supposed to be COLD! :)

The fair new petals must fall, and for no visible reason.  No one seems enriched by the stripping.

And the first step into the realm of giving is a like surrender — not manward, but Godward: an utter yielding of our best.  So long as our idea of surrender is limited to the renouncing of unlawful things, we have nver grasped its true meaning: that is  not worthy of the name, for “no polluted thing” can be offered.

The life lost on the crosswas not a sinful one — the treasure poured forth there was God-given; a God-blessed treasure, lawful and righ to be kept: only that there was the life of the world at stake.

What kind of a God is it Who asks everything of us?

The same God “Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

 

He gives all . He asks all.

Passion and Purity

Doesn’t it make you want to just sit down and read?

This is probably my favorite part of the movie Emma. Did You Not Hear My Lady is such a pretty song.

This song was written by G. F. Handel for the opera Tolomeo in the 1700’s. It’s original title was Silent Worship.