Filled

Filled with the fulness of Jesus today—

That is the longing for which I now pray.

Oh to be filled up my Savior with Thee,

Come Holy Spirit, and please fill up me!

Fill me with wisdom, with patience, and love,

Bless me I pray, with all gifts from above!

Make me a blessing to those at my side,

In all I do Father, please be my Guide.

Guard me from harming or hurting a soul,

Rather to help and give hope is my goal.

Use me or not as Your purpose shall be,

Only my God, with Your Spirit fill me!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The sun that shines upon the earth;

The wonder of a baby’s birth;

The moon that radiates at night;

With stars that shine a brilliant light;

The showers that refresh the land;

The plant and bud on every hand;

The lofty trees with mighty roots;

The shrubs and vines and tiny shoots;

The waving grain and great blue sky;

The harvest time with its supply;

The spring and summer, cold and snow—

Declare a thing, a message show

They speak of a Creator’s love,

And show a Father’s heart above

They tell of He who holds our days,

And guards our very path and ways

The sense of sight, and touch, and smell;

The workings of the human cell;

The steady beating of the heart;

The complexity of every part;

The bounties on our table spread,

Or water with a little bread;

And that which for the soul we gain—

The Bread from Him that will sustain—

The Sabbath with its joyful rest,

Of which we are so richly blessed;

And then the Gift of gifts, the One

Whose glory outshines star and sun;

These things continually retell,

That God above does all things well

They show a love surpassing thought,

In all these gifts displayed and wrought

Continually the evidence,

Of our God’s benevolence, 

Tells His love and sings His praise—

Then why not our thanksgiving raise?

If you were wearing Solomon's shoes...

If you were wearing Solomon’s shoes

What would you want? What would you choose?

If bright this morning, on your knees,

The Lord has asked you what you please

Would you have asked for wealth or fame? 

Or for a well-respected name?

Would you have asked a pleasant life—

Devoid of challenge, strain, or strife?

Would you have wanted something good

That still was not the best you could?

A life of ease or longer days?

Or human words of love and praise?

Or maybe skill for some nice task—

Would that be what you’d want and ask?

To sing like birds...or speak like gold

Or gain a talent yet untold...

Let not the good supplant the best.

For those who ask will still be blessed

When they delight themselves in Him,

Whose choicest blessings never dim

For God “will give that which is good”

And if this thing we understood,

We’d trust the plan He had in mind

And crave each gift that He designed 

We’d want to want what He would choose,

No matter what we’d gain or lose

For just as Solomon gained more

In seeking wisdom from God’s store

When we will seek Him first and best,

Then can be added all the rest,

For such will have it’s proper place,

When far eclipsed by Jesus’ face!

The Potter's Plans

I know that there are those anticipating my blogged updates from the other side of the planet and the other hemisphere...but I am still north of the equator, this side of the pond. Nevertheless it is due that this dusty blog come out of the coma it went into when yours truly plunged into the deep end of nursing school.

God does not see as humanity sees. (Amen?!) He doesn't plan like us either. Why would you? If your vision was not limited to time and space, and your plans had creative power, why formulate any idea only within the box of here and now? It wouldn't make sense. After all, what kind of plans would we devise?

What kind of plans would we devise,

Who have but mortal minds and eyes?

Who cannot see the greater scheme,

Nor conjure an immortal dream?

How would we plan from day to day

(When we cannot discern the way

That circumstances often take)

And not be left to our mistake?

Whose thoughts can think beyond this realm?

Whose arm can handle his own helm?

Whose goals are broad enough or high 

As His whose stars still trace the sky?

Could we record the sands of earth?

Or figure out the code of birth?

Could we design our very breath?

Or somehow stop the work of death?

Then how do we suppose we may,

Now orchestrate ourselves our way

And from a human point of view

Contrive a life that's worth debut?

How can we think that if we could,

We'd work things out just as they should,

Preventing all the bumps and rain,

And getting all we reckon gain? 

Do we forget that One whose heart

Has held us from the very start,

Whose fingers fashioned us -the clay,

Is also Potter of each day?

Do we now think that in His hands

Our life's in danger at His plans?

When every turn the Potter makes

Produces what He undertakes?

This is the One who's Authored life,

Who knows the controversies' strife,

Who walked this earth in Heaven's will,

From manger to Golgotha's hill

This is the One whose love would dare,

Almighty bonds to cut and tare,

And God from God Himself to break,

In my behalf, for His love's sake

Then how can we not trust to Him:

The future which we see so dim;

The turns beyond finite repeal;

When they are of the Potter's wheel?

And can we not discern and tell,

That He who "doeth all things well",

Does not forget His chosen clay, 

But purposely leaves it to lay?

That through each change the Potter's hand,

May work out that which He had planned

And one day to His Father bring,

A vessel fit to serve the King.

86,400 Seconds to say Thanks

Have you ever played the game 20 questions? It’s where someone thinks of a “thing” such as a Bible character, and then everyone else can make 20 guesses to determine what that “thing” is. 

Ok. Ready? …(My guess is that this will be more like twenty clues and not 20 questions, but anyways, here it goes.) 

So I’m thinking of a certain type of medicine. It has no negative side effects, but it is somewhat contagious. It affects not only the people who take it, but also everybody else around them. Studies indicate that it extends life expectancy for older adults. Beyond that, it improves the quality of life without requiring a change of any outward circumstances. It’s unique as a medication, because the more you take it, the more you will take. Now what could be better than that? For one thing, it’s free. And it doesn’t require a dose of decadent dishes on November 27. 

A merry (rejoicing) heart is good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22. 

Gratitude. It’s free. It’s contagious. It’s good for your health. But it takes a choice.

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a package and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward

God has given us 46,800 seconds today.

Have we used one of those seconds yet to say thank You?

Photo Credit: Kristen Pool

Impossible Prayers & Morning Miracles

Birds sing. Red and gold streak across pastel blue as if crowning a miracle. The coolness and freshness of morning air caress sleep from my eyes. Today dawns a miracle, but another miracle captivates now. 

Not that God gives good gifts… He does. 

Not that God cares for temporal necessities… He does. 

Not that He owns hills of gold, and cattle times thousands… He does.

It’s that…  He rules in the impossible. 

That a child’s prayer is heard by the King of the Universe. That He finds no complexity in our perplexity. That unfeasible realities, farfetched dreams, impossible hopes- to human sight, look very different to Omnipotence. 

A miracle times two, but really beyond numbering floods my heart with wonder. Two and half years ago, two and a half really solid impossibilities stood in my path. And really, it doesn't matter what impossibilities face us. Today, the answer is two inches from my eyes: God rules the impossible. 

  God’s working is miraculous. 
  His storehouse is sufficient.

  His answers to prayer are as sure as His name. 

...and that's present tense.

Philippians: 119 Cooperation

“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:19

“This shall turn to my salvation” -

It will come to bear good fruit.

It will work a reformation

In the branches of the Root.

But notice though, the means by which

Our crucibles have blessing

It’s “through your prayer” that there’s a switch,

And through the Spirit’s giving.

We see cooperation here:

That man is linked with Christ.

And then salvations’s gift draws near,

For self is sacrificed. 

Philippians: 112 Appointment

“But I would that ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;” Philippians 1:12

All things. 

No, not all things are good, but God works all things for good, to them that love Him. 

Seeing as God sees, Paul saw appointment in disappointment. Victory in apparent defeat. Sunshine beside the shadows.

This lesson is for us.

•   •   •   •   •   •  

At times we will not understand

What happens here and now,

But when we reach that happy land

God makes it plain somehow.

Oh, we’ll see each disappointment,

Each trial, and each test,

So transformed for God’s appointment,

That we can call it blessed.

We have need for heaven’s vision

To see by faith today,

And to claim God’s rich provision

Of grace to trust His way.

For the trials haven’t ended,

The tests are sure to come,

But our God for us has blended,

His grace with every one.

Weimar Board Weekend: "Now"...

      Is it possible for "Now" to be past tense? :) It is in this case...

The lights are on...

...and the doors are open!

Recently positioned seats in the new (old) building

From the back

Miracle: occupancy for one day in Echo Hall. 

The King of all the ages
Could grasp eternity,
Yet traced redemption's pages
In deepest poverty.

With joy and gifts abounding
What's given is not lost,
But blessing comes surrounding
The sacrifices' cost.

Now therefore let us follow
The path that Christ has trod-
To give up all our living
Should it bring one to God.

•  •  •  •  •

Behold the riches given
And let your heart reply,
My Jesus gave all heaven-
Now, all to Him give I!

Taken from 2 Corinthians 8:9-11

Thank You, Father

Father, thank You for this day,

For the privilege to pray

For communion with the King,

And a song of praise to sing

Thank You Father for the way,

You lead Your children day by day

Though all things to You are known,

To us, just what we need is shown

Thank You that Your grace is high,

Above, beyond the reach of sky

Yet it grasps the lowest soul,

That yields itself to Your control

Thank You that Your strength is there,

When all our own is weak as air

That You lend to us Your arm,

To lift us from the waves of harm

Thank You for the gift of hope,

That is to us a telescope

Bringing near what's far away,

And making clear a better day

Thank You Lord for Your commands,

That each enables its demands

Though impossible alone,

With You to fail is never known

Thank You- O how weak the word,

But it so graciously is heard

By our Father and our Friend,

From whom all good gifts do descend!

A Blessing Secured

      “The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.” Revelation 1:1-2

      It’s like a waterfall. It plunges down on the rocks, smoothing, shaping, fashioning. But that water is not meant to stay there. It is only as the water is passed from rock to rock on it’s speedy descent to the valley floor that granite can continue to be molded. 

      Pure, clean, beautiful, life-giving, renewing water can stagnate. Turning rocks that have been changing shape into slimy, disgusting stones. Withholding our cup, however full, from another will only insure our future thirst. 

      God gave, so His angel could give, so John could pass it on. 

      “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you…” 1 John 1:1-3

      Give and it shall be given unto you. Light is not sent to be consumed, but reflected, ultimately back to God in glorification of Him. We who have been so blessed, so privileged, so cared for, we have responsibility. That responsibility is to give our gifts away. 

      A blessing shared is a blessing secured. Give. 

Happy Birthday, Rachel!

Some time ago, our hearts were bound,
With ties of friendship dear
For God did sow seeds in the ground,
Where love would soon appear ;)
My sister now, and still my friend,
Though physically not near,
I pray God's blessings start to end
On this your newest year!

Consider It Joy

Long centuries ago, a scripture was penned,

Enlightening the Christian's night
A precept to show, and blessing defend,
It still gives to Christian's their sight
This word in the flame, when taken to heart,
Will comfort, bring hope, and uplift
In floods, just the same, a gift t'will impart,
To buoy those who feel they're adrift

So what is this word, this most precious thought,
That cheers those who heed it's advice?
That tests those who've heard, entreating for naught,
The ones who make gloom to suffice?
Oh, "Count it all joy", is Heaven's high word,
To all who face trial and test
When troubles annoy, and grief seems assured,
This note rings above all the rest

Consider it joy, and count it the same,
When troubles and trials surround
When fear would destroy, all peace in the flame,
Faith holds, and so joy can abound
This joy will not come, apart divine grace,
- It's song is a gift from above -
But will overcome, in trial's dark face,
Through faith in God's mercy and love!

INFC_A New Day

      A new day. A new time. Change is here again. Seasons come and go so quickly that it seems only the adaptable person could get accustomed to a change before it changes again. 

      Over the years, we have been blessed, encouraged, challenged, inspired… stretched way out of our comfort zone. Need I say it again? Way out.

      Now, that day is over. Yet it remains. Challenges, blessings, inspiration, these continue to come. Heaven-ordained stretching? It hasn’t stopped. That’s a good thing.

      Heaven ordains it that way. Change may come to us as a very unwelcome thing, yet without change the pool becomes stagnant, the water muddy. More changes are doubtless about to burst their challenges and blessings across our path. But that’s okay. 

      Heaven ordains it that way. Not that our Father in heaven brings about every change that comes upon us, but He can use every change to profit. 

      The words of the hymn dash across my mind: In every change… He. Faithful. Will. Remain.

My friends this day is not yet done,

There's battles still to fight

Eternity has not begun,

There still remaineth night

Though changes come within the day,

We must keep on our course

For pressing on the upward way,

Will bring us no remorse

This thing of change seems to remain,

When surely change must cease 

But at each turn through joy or pain,

We're offered heaven's peace

We cannot fight, we cannot work,

Apart this holy grace

Dear friends, I beg you do not shirk,

To seek Him in this place

When camp is done and home you go,

It may seem dark as night

But this you can both trust and know,

That One for you will fight

Oh friends in trial deep and long,

Our God can hold your home

For each one in His arms belong,

Eternally, at home!

Gather the Roses

      The promises of God: what a precious blessing they are! They encourage, strengthen, uplift, ennoble. God has given them already, it is up to us what we will do with them. Will we cherish them? Will we search for them? Will we share them with those in need? Will we value them? The promise of God are like flowers: Very beautiful when you stop to look at them, but they will not stop the busy passer-by. We must take time to pick the roses. The Heavenly Gardener has many flowers suited to each need. He knows exactly which flower to give, which promise to put before our eyes at the time of greatest need. Here are a few of God's flowers. 

      "Your life is precious in the sight of God. He has a work for you to do. It is not unfolded to you now, but just walk on trustingly without a single word, because this would grieve the dear Jesus and show that you were afraid to trust Him. Lay your hand in His; He is reaching over the battlements of heaven [for it] to be laid confidingly in His. Oh, what love, what tender love has Jesus manifested in our behalf. The Bible promises are the pinks and the roses and the lilies in the garden of the Lord... Do not listen to Satan’s lies, but recount God’s promises. Gather the roses and the lilies and the pinks. Talk of the promises of God. Talk faith. Trust in God, for He is your only hope. He is my only hope." – {DG 146}

Gather the roses, the lilies, and pinks,
Destiny rests upon that which one thinks
Promises brighten the heart and the mind,
But contemplate doubts and thorns you will find

There may be briers that poke and that prick,
But cherish the blooms that near them are thick
Dwell upon trials and thorns multiply,
Though promises blossom in heaven's supply

When thistles increase, and hardships abound,
Look for the blossoms that there will be found
Flowers like promises sent from above,
Bloom bright in trials of patience and love

Contemplate blessings, and more will be seen,
Splashing their colors across fields of green
Dwell in the pastures where God's word is found,
Eating each morning from heavenly ground

Gather the roses, the lilies, each one,
Pick them ahead of the fast rising sun
Think and consider upon heaven's word,
Faith will then strengthen and hope be assured

Make Me Lord a Blessing

O can I be a blessing,
To anyone today?
Can I loose a burden's weight,
By what I do or say?
I want to be a blessing,
To lift a load of care
To pass on the refreshing,
That with me God does share

Please make me Lord a blessing-
A channel for Your grace
Unfold in me your likeness,
My selfish heart replace
Purge the dross that stains my soul,
And may I truly be,
Yielded under Your control,
A blessing Lord from Thee

With heaven's light descending,
Illumining our all,
We then can be a blessing,
In answer to Christ's call
Christ's given us immeasurably,
More blessings than we know
So let us share the bounty,
His blessings let us show