Peaceful place

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

Emma’s song

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.

From an autumn walk

There’s nothing like a walk on a gorgeous fall day. God’s creation simply amazes me. It’s too beautiful for words. It’s so calming and peaceful to be out with the breeze rustling in the trees, and all the warm golden hues, with the sun reflecting off it all. I love it!

Some of the things I saw while I was out enjoying the weather today…

Berries…

and flowers…

and those beautiful fuzzy-things that I don’t know what they’re called…:)

and soft, spongy moss…

and deer tracks…

and ruby-red leaves…

 

 

A simple prayer

 

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified…today.

Isaiah 35

Water will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs.

And a highway will be there; it will be called

the Way of Holiness…it will be for those who walk in that way.

Isaiah 35:6,8

The Joy Song

I saw raindrops on my window,

Joy is like the rain.

Laughter runs across my pain,

Slips away and comes again.

Joy is like the rain.

:::::

I saw clouds upon a mountain,

Joy is like a cloud.

Sometimes silver, sometimes grey;

Always sun not far away.

Joy is like a cloud.

:::::

I baby-sat for a family this afternoon, and this simple song is often requested for me to sing by their little girls. I can still hear their voices ringing in my ears,

“Miss Bryant, Miss Bryant, sing the joy song, please, the joy song!”

 The real title is Joy is Like the Rain, but they prefer to call it simply “the joy song.” :)

 

 

A year ago, I was taking a course to prepare me to be a counselor at a camp that I’ve gone to for many years, and for this course, we studied Philippians. This book talks a lot about joy, and so one of the questions that the instructor once asked me was, 

“What is the difference between joy and happiness?”

My answer was that anyone can have temporary joy or happiness about that happened to them, or something they like. But when that feeling “runs out”, they have nothing to do but wait untill the next thing that gives them that good feeling. But for the Christian, although we also will feel happiness about something from time to time, when the feeling runs out, we must have this inner joy to rely one. This joy comes from belonging to Christ. And this joy is a choice; it doesn’t depend on surroundings or circumstances. We choose to focus on, believe in, and look forward to that promise of eternity which we will spend worshipping our Lord and Savior face to face. No matter what happens (or doesn’t happen) here, in this life, nothing and no one can take that promise away from us.

:::::

 I saw Christ in wind and thunder,

Joy is tried by storm.

Christ asleep within my boat,

Whipped by wind, yet still afloat.

Joy is tried by storm.

:::::

 

Random

With my sister at Gooseberry Falls, Duluth, MN — July ‘09

(and if you ever hear a story from my family about me nearly falling off the falls soon after this picture was taken, it is simply not true. I only tripped just a little and said “Whoa!” I was fine, though.) [grin]

 

Never looking back

Lord, I have said the eternal “Yes.”

Let me never, having put my hand to the plow, look back.

Make straight the way of the cross before me.

Give me love, that there may be no room for a wayward thought or step.

Elisabeth Elliot Gren

A thought

When it comes to pouring out all we possess in radical abandon to the King of all kings, there is no such thing as being too extreme.

Nothing we offer to Him out of a heart of loving devotion is ever a wasted sacrifice.

 Leslie Ludy

 

The Lord has been teaching me that learning to surrender to Him is a daily, moment-by-moment choice, a daily taking up what He has given me to bear and following Him. I can’t expect to say to Him once, “Lord, I want Your will,” and expect to never struggle with surrendering to Him ever again. He’s taught me that it’s okay to struggle with it every day, and it’s okay to be brutally honest with Him about what’s really going on. (After all, I’m not going to “suprise” Him!). It’s okay to tell Him, “Lord, right now, I really, really want what I want!”…so long as I follow that statement up with, “But I’m still going to trust that You know BEST!”

  ”Life requires countless ‘little’ deaths — occasions when we are given the chance to say “no” to self and “yes” to God.”

 Elisabeth Elliott Gren

I know that as I choose to “die” these “little deaths” (no matter how repetitious they may seem), that slowly but surely, that trust and dependence on my Savior will grow with each little step.

All to You, all to You;

I give it all to You.

Cute as a bug

Back from VOM

We arrived home from serving for a week at The Voice of the Martyrs (an organization that ministers to Christians in other countries who are being persecuted for their faith) tonight, tired, but happy. (As I like to say, a “good kind of tired”). :) And full of fun memories, like times to talk while perched on gi-normous stacks of cardboard boxes (right Abby and Hannah!), and throwing balls to one another from across the warehouse (and sometimes missing), and frogs and lambs grooving to CCM music, and crawdads named Bob, and blue and red M’nMs….and the list goes on!

We had a wonderfully fun, blessed, profitable time there, and I can’t wait to go back soon! :)

 

Packing…(again)

Yes, even though it’s hard for me to believe that it’s here, October 11th is nearly upon us! On Sunday, we will be embarking on yet another trip, this time to Oklahoma, to volunteer at The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), an organization that ministers to Christians in other countries who are being persecuted for their faith in God.

I have become a very accomplished packer in recent months, with all the trips and places I’ve gone this summer, and can now pack in just under an hour. :) (I timed myself packing for the Bright Lights conference trip in August). [grin] Packing used to be a long and laborious task stretching on and on for hours. But now…:)

But in all seriousness, I’m very excited to be going back to VOM. It’s such a neat ministry, and so wonderful to be able to help our brothers and sisters in Christ, all the while staying in the good ol’ USA. :) Also, this time, we’re going down with some friends from our church, and even though it was also fun to meet new volunteers down there last time, I know we will have a great time with these friends!

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,

He Who promised is FAITHFUL.

Jesus, You Be Lifted High

This is one of my very favorite songs, and I hope it blesses you tonight, as it has me!

You be lifted high, You be lifted high.

You be lifted high in my life, oh God.

And I fall to my knees,

So it’s You that they see, not I.

Jesus, You be lifted high.

Simple joys :: home-made granola

Fresh from the oven. Mmmmm… :)