31 March 2011
As I looked out the south-facing window, I was met with a crisp view of the morning light just beginning to shine on the frost-covered grass. Being one of my favorite times of the day to capture the outdoors, I took camera in hand and hurried, knowing that there was only a brief opportunity when the light would be at its warmest.
As the cold air greeted me, I pulled my shawl around me tighter. After walking a short distance, I bent down to gain a closer look at the iced grass. As I gazed up towards the rising sun, I was reminded of these verses as I repeated them over in my mind:
“For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.”
—Psalm 30:5
“[His mercies] are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.”
—Lamentations 3:23
[Listen to the words from Psalm 30 set to beautiful music in this song by The Sterlings. And you can visit Mrs. Sterling’s lovely blog here.]
7 March 2011
A flower with its vibrant, created life shines from the garden. Its declaration of the might of its Maker can been seen, and it is picked to be brought indoors. Inside it still reflects the beauty, the wondrous beauty, as it drinks in the water from the glass. It brightens up the surroundings with its peaceful and cheerful face. [Continue reading…]
14 February 2011
“…while growing old together.”
For years I have watched these hands serve, comfort, build and embrace. My parents are a shining example in their love for one another and devotion to fulfilling the Lord’s will and glorifying Him in their lives with a Kingdom-driven purpose. I am blessed.
18 January 2011
Yes, it is true. The Lord, my great Savior Jesus Christ saved me last month, December 2010.
How thankful and grateful I am for the boldness and humility of a friend in sharing his testimony. The Lord used that in my life as one of the final breaking points of my conversion.
Yes, I did believe myself to be a Christian beforehand. Yet the course of my life I would describe now as three years ignorant; thirteen years in false assurance; a year and a half in miserable uncertainty; and then a day that changed every day, month, and year that would follow.
God showed me through the wonderful passage in Romans 2 that I had spent my life as a “self-seeker,” (Romans 2:8) following me. He showed me my utter brokenness and helplessness before Him. He showed me that my faith up until that time was inadequate—a relying on my own faith and ability to trust, not on the Lord and His strength.
It was painful. But, my friends, “joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) Never before had I rejoiced as I did that day. Never before had I understood true peace, true joy, true love. That Someone had laid down His life . . . for me.
Me. The one who is a sinner, the one who was self-seeking, the one who resisted Him.
Undeserving me.
But that, in itself, is one of the beauties of Christ’s love. He takes the weak and makes them strong. He takes the proud and makes them humble. He takes the clay, He molds the clay.
“For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.” —Romans 6:5-7 [emphasis added]
I lay this before your feet, dear ones, desiring the Lord to use my story for His glory and the furtherance of His Kingdom. My pride got in the way from seeing what I truly was. But He changed me.
I beseech you, friends, to work out your salvation with fear and with trembling. (Philippians 2:12-13)
4 January 2011
The NCFIC Love the Church Conference was held in Asheville, NC December 9th-11th. It was a time of rich teaching, precious fellowship, wonderful memories, much singing, and priceless workings of the Lord for which we are forever thankful.
Below are just a few of the photographs from the conference:
Morning landscape in Indiana while traveling.
Myself, Emily, Lauren, & Breezy. (Photo by Mum)
Taking notes during the Men’s Leadership Luncheon.
A priceless moment.
Two of the dear Kendall ladies.
The Kendall family sang from their hearts. God has blessed them with beautiful, harmonizing voices.
To see the rest of the post with more pictures, click here!
3 January 2011
Reflecting on the past year, rejoicing in the Lord and His goodness, and resolving to nobler things in the coming year.
R e f l e c t i n g
Reflect: To throw or turn back the thoughts upon the past operations of the mind or upon past events. [We reflect with pleasure on a generous or heroic action; we reflect with pain on our follies and vices; we reflect on our former thoughts, meditations and opinions.]
Looking back at this past year and seeing how the Lord has changed me and given me new life in Him, what and how He has taught me, what goals have and have not been accomplished, what my strengths and weaknesses have been, where I have visited, who I have met, etc.
It was most certainly a wonderful and blessed year.
And in all of the reflecting I am reminded that “only the things done for the Lord will last.”
R e j o i c i n g
Rejoice: To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult.
Rejoicing in God’s goodness, law, faithfulness, grace, love, justice, mercy, forgiveness, restoration, sovereignty, perfect time and plan, joy, strength, peace, . . .
God has shown me great mercy this past year and I am so thankful for His salvation, His mighty works, and His forgiveness. I am indebted to Him, and my life is His and His alone.
R e s o l v i n g
Resolve: To fix in opinion or purpose; to determine in mind. [He resolved to abandon his vicious course of life.]
We are to be always reforming. I want to always strive for higher, nobler things – things that bring honor and glory to my Lord and Savior.
I have several lists for this coming year, but I know that I would like to make this forever true in my life: “for me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). I want there to be less of me and more of Him. I want to faithfully serve in the domain that He has placed me, to joyfully submit, to use my time wisely, seek to bless others, to be prayerful in all things, and to wait on the Lord.
Semper Reformanda! Soli Deo Gloria!
(Definitions courtesy of Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.)
30 December 2010
When I grasp a good book in my hands and read words that edify, my heart sings; it is a breath of fresh air, a lovely breeze on a warm summer’s day.
The books that inspire, uplift, and encourage are such rich blessings, but they are not always easy to come by.
Recently I was able to read such a book – or, listen to one, I should say. The book is a collection of letters written by a sturdy, godly woman in the 1700′s. Although she was imperfect in an imperfect world, she was a hard-worker who diligently sought to improve her skills, and delighted in the Lord and His sovereign plan.
At the age of sixteen, her father left her in charge of his plantation in South Carolina. She was responsible, put her mind to her work, and took pleasure in caring for her father’s property. A rigorous schedule she made for herself and followed, looking out for the well-being of others and ways to help the economy in the state she lived.
Her name? Eliza Lucas Pinckney. She was an inspiring woman, and God has used her legacy to continue to impact lives today.
Would you like to listen to her story, and know more about this amazing woman of God?
“The Letterbook of Eliza Lucas Pinckney” is a part of the series “Voices from the Past: American Heroines in Their Own Words” read aloud by Victoria Botkin.
Each book in the series is encouraging, inspiring, challenging, uplifting, and shares about the beauties and hardships of life and the women who lived before our time – women whose examples we can learn from.
With period-fitting music composed by her daughters, Mrs. Victoria Botkin captures each story in a way that imprints on hearts and minds. Her voice is soothing, with meaning behind each word . . . I believe I could listen to her all day long.
Through the end of the year you can receive 25% off these audio books from the Western Conservatory (and all the products there), plus free shipping! Use coupon code “ENDOFYEAR” at checkout to receive the discount.
27 November 2010
A tree in a room seems to bring attention to itself. Those who first have a glimpse usually turn their head to have a second look. Hm, how interesting . . . they think, but their thoughts quickly wander off.
But take a tree and give it a name, a purpose. Those who notice will take a gander to see what is so special about said tree. Why looky there! Notes on a tree – I wonder what they say . . . and on they think, and take a peak to see the other side of each note hanging on the branches.
What they find may stay in their minds and even bring a smile to their face. What could that be, listed on each piece of paper?
Why, notes of thankfulness, don’t you see?
Because the tree was called “The Thankful Tree” and on it hung reminders of grateful hearts, declaring their glad praise to the One who blessed them.
You can make your own with:
- Jar
- Sticks
- Scrapbook Paper
- Hole Punch
- Ribbons, for extra beauty
- Grateful Hearts
It’s that easy! Take joy in giving thanks in all things…
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4 November 2010
What is your focus? What are your goals? What do you wish to accomplish? What do you have on this earth? Where does your hope lie?
These are questions that we must ask ourselves . . .
. . . and answer in the light of God’s Word.
It is only when we understand that all is His and all is by His grace; only when we love Him more than anything; only when Christ is at the center of our all, can we truly say,
“Whom have I, but you?”
“Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
You hold my right hand.
You guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward You will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
—Psalm 73:23-26 {emphasis added}
