In the years since I began this blog I have often been asked about how the blog got its name. Why is it called my "Sitting Room"?
To answer that question, today I'm reposting a portion of my first blog post.
As you'll see, over the years I have spent a lot of time sitting. Much of that sitting was not by choice. In recent years I've been focusing on sitting with a purpose. And that's what this blog is all about. Sitting at the feet of Jesus. Listening for what He has to say to me. And then sharing that with you.
Here's how it all began, on December 31, 2008:
I've been thinking lately about just how much time I have spent in the last
several years just sitting.
It really began several years ago, almost 4 years
now, when I broke/shattered my left ankle while out walking the dog. It takes
real talent to fall on a flat surface and do that much damage! Several months, 4
surgeries and hours of physical therapy later, I had surgery on my right knee. I
guess it was tired from carrying me around for all those months! The result was
- you guessed it - more sitting!
After spending the better part of a year
just sitting on my backside, eating the yummy food brought in by family and
friends, and getting to know the Food Network and the Travel Channel much too
well, I had developed a habit - sitting. Unfortunately all that sitting did not
result in any profound new thought processes or anything really worthwhile. It
mostly resulted in a broader backside and a more-sedentary-than-ever lifestyle.
Not good.Since that well-remembered day (March 29, 2005), I have become
a professional sitter. I have wasted countless hours just sitting, doing nothing
or watching mindless television or all-day news. On a positive note, I have
learned to knit.....although only in very recent months. I have read many books,
most of them not worth reading.
So, as I enter the blogosphere, it seems
appropriate to refer to this as my Sitting Room. There is a notable difference
in my sitting, however, as I approach 2009. My sitting has become "on purpose".
As I am reading (re-reading actually) "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World", I
want to sit at the feet of Jesus....I want my sitting to be an opportunity to
hear from Him and then to lead me into a purposeful life. To quote Oswald
Chambers, it is my determined purpose to be "my utmost for His highest." And so
I sit, listening. And I ponder what I hear. No longer sitting just because it is
a habit, but sitting because there is purpose in the sitting and waiting and
listening. And then I look forward to getting out of the chair and being
obedient to whatever He tells me.
So there you have it. That's my story. Since that time back in 2008 when I began blogging, I have had yet another ankle surgery, in 2009, to fuse the badly damaged joint after it had collapsed on itself due to "trauma arthritis" (whatever that is!!). In any event, you may be able to guess the result......more sitting!
There have been other changes in my life as well. For one, I have given up knitting. That's a good thing since I was never very good at it anyway. My mobility has decreased and the amount of time I spend sitting has increased. But one thing has not changed - my commitment to sit purposefully, to listen carefully to what God has to say to me, to be joyfully obedient to what I'm hearing, and to be diligent to share these life lessons with you.
Occasionally I might go "off script" a bit to rant about a pet peeve or to share a funny story about life here in the mountains. But whether what I write challenges your thinking or encourages you or just makes you smile, I'm glad you're here!
"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory." (Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV)
Friday, April 26, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Unwelcome Guests
One of the things I love about this season of the year is the arrival of the warm weather birds. I really enjoy watching the finches and the hummingbirds, and their other feathered friends, at our birdfeeders. What welcome guests they are every year. This year we have some new guests. Two crows have made themselves at home on the porch rail. These unwelcome guests, with their raucous cawing, are really getting on my nerves!! Unwelcome guests, indeed!
I've put Al in charge of getting rid of the crows. I really don't care how he does it. I've been told that it's illegal to shoot them, although I confess that it's hard for me to be very sympathetic to that position. But as I said, Al's in charge of that. He's a better shot than I am, so........
Anyway. Yesterday, as I was studying a completely unrelated topic, I came across some verses that brought those unwelcome crows back to mind. It's a passage about some attitudes and actions that could be thought of as "unwelcome guests" in our lives.
"But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander and obscene talk from your mouth." (Colossians 3:8 ESV)
That's pretty straightforward, isn't it? No beating around the bush. Put these things away. Put them all away. In other words, these are not welcome in our lives.
Put them all away. Any questions?
I looked up each of those words in The Complete Word Study New Testament by Spiros Zodhiates. Here's some of what I learned:
The word translated as wrath refers to "outbursts of anger", while the word translated as anger refers to a state of mind. Anger is a perpetual state, one that Aristotle described as "desire with grief". The word translated as malice takes this even farther, to "wickedness as an evil habit of the mind, the endeavor to do evil to others, emanating from being inherently evil."
I would venture to say that, if you are reading this, you don't qualify as filled with malice. However, what about anger? Or have you had any outbursts of wrath lately? We don't often use that word wrath in our everyday conversation, but I think we can all relate to occasional outbursts of anger or fits of temper. And what are we supposed to do with those temper tantrums? Put them aside. Put them away. Get rid of them. Let them go. Hmmmm........
Moving on through the verse, slander is exactly what you think it is....."verbal abuse, wounding someone's reputation".
What about obscene talk (or abusive speech, as it is translated in the NASB)?
The original Greek word, aischrologia, is only used here in the New Testament and Zodhiates gives us this definition: "refers to shameful words coming out of the mouth, implying that the person who has been redeemed by Christ should never utter improper or filthy words which he may have uttered in his life before Christ."
Now we have the full list of "unwelcome guests". Perpetual state of anger, outbursts of temper, slander, obscene or abusive words. If we're honest with ourselves, we would likely be forced to admit that one or two of these guests have visited us from time to time. But even those occasional visits need to be dealt with. And what about when one or two (or more!) of those guests takes up residence?
Remember the instruction of the verse: Put them all away. All.
Get rid of those unwelcome guests. Invite some new guests in their place.
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience......and above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." (Colossians 3:12,14 ESV)
I've put Al in charge of getting rid of the crows. I really don't care how he does it. I've been told that it's illegal to shoot them, although I confess that it's hard for me to be very sympathetic to that position. But as I said, Al's in charge of that. He's a better shot than I am, so........
Anyway. Yesterday, as I was studying a completely unrelated topic, I came across some verses that brought those unwelcome crows back to mind. It's a passage about some attitudes and actions that could be thought of as "unwelcome guests" in our lives.
"But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander and obscene talk from your mouth." (Colossians 3:8 ESV)
That's pretty straightforward, isn't it? No beating around the bush. Put these things away. Put them all away. In other words, these are not welcome in our lives.
Put them all away. Any questions?
I looked up each of those words in The Complete Word Study New Testament by Spiros Zodhiates. Here's some of what I learned:
The word translated as wrath refers to "outbursts of anger", while the word translated as anger refers to a state of mind. Anger is a perpetual state, one that Aristotle described as "desire with grief". The word translated as malice takes this even farther, to "wickedness as an evil habit of the mind, the endeavor to do evil to others, emanating from being inherently evil."
I would venture to say that, if you are reading this, you don't qualify as filled with malice. However, what about anger? Or have you had any outbursts of wrath lately? We don't often use that word wrath in our everyday conversation, but I think we can all relate to occasional outbursts of anger or fits of temper. And what are we supposed to do with those temper tantrums? Put them aside. Put them away. Get rid of them. Let them go. Hmmmm........
Moving on through the verse, slander is exactly what you think it is....."verbal abuse, wounding someone's reputation".
What about obscene talk (or abusive speech, as it is translated in the NASB)?
The original Greek word, aischrologia, is only used here in the New Testament and Zodhiates gives us this definition: "refers to shameful words coming out of the mouth, implying that the person who has been redeemed by Christ should never utter improper or filthy words which he may have uttered in his life before Christ."
Now we have the full list of "unwelcome guests". Perpetual state of anger, outbursts of temper, slander, obscene or abusive words. If we're honest with ourselves, we would likely be forced to admit that one or two of these guests have visited us from time to time. But even those occasional visits need to be dealt with. And what about when one or two (or more!) of those guests takes up residence?
Remember the instruction of the verse: Put them all away. All.
Get rid of those unwelcome guests. Invite some new guests in their place.
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience......and above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." (Colossians 3:12,14 ESV)
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Basement or Balcony - Which One Are You?
We all need some encouragement from time to time, don't we? Often encouragement comes in unexpected places and in unexpected ways. It might come from something we read, or a song we hear on the car radio as we're driving along. Perhaps it comes from Scripture, from a passage we read or perhaps from the Pastor's sermon. Maybe it's a phone call. Or it's the beauty of a clear blue sky or the sound of birds singing. We're encouraged by a number of different things.
Sometimes encouragement comes in conversation. With family members. With friends. Often it isn't even meant to be particularly encouraging, but it just is. Even the simplest, the most seemingly mundane everyday conversation can have an encouraging effect. Whether because it was intended that way, or in spite of the fact that it wasn't!
The reverse is also true. Often our everyday conversations have the exact opposite effect. They are discouraging rather than encouraging. This is what I have often referred to as the "balcony or basement" effect.
It has long been my opinion that people can be divided into two basic types: balcony people and basement people. Balcony people lift you up. They are the encouragers. Basement people drag you down. They are the discouragers. And before you hasten to inform me that the two people groups are the saved and the unsaved, allow me to inform you that I've met balcony people and basement people in both of those groups!! Sometimes the "saints" are among the least encouraging people. Sad, but true.
Consider this example. You're having a really good day. Maybe you got some good news. About your job or about a family member or perhaps a good report from your doctor. Then along comes a friend or family member who, with one or two sentences, completely bursts your bubble. Destroys your good mood. Drags you down. That's a basement person.
Words are powerful things, aren't they? So we should choose them carefully. Certainly there will be times when we disagree with a choice or a decision or a behavior of a friend or a family member. There will be times when we need to speak out, to confront a behavior or a choice. Even then, our words need to be chosen carefully. We can disagree without being disagreeable. We can confront situations in such a way that encourages a better behavior rather than in a way that makes matters worse.
Think about how you react to the people around you. Do you encourage or do you discourage? Are you a balcony person or a basement person?
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)
Sometimes encouragement comes in conversation. With family members. With friends. Often it isn't even meant to be particularly encouraging, but it just is. Even the simplest, the most seemingly mundane everyday conversation can have an encouraging effect. Whether because it was intended that way, or in spite of the fact that it wasn't!
The reverse is also true. Often our everyday conversations have the exact opposite effect. They are discouraging rather than encouraging. This is what I have often referred to as the "balcony or basement" effect.
It has long been my opinion that people can be divided into two basic types: balcony people and basement people. Balcony people lift you up. They are the encouragers. Basement people drag you down. They are the discouragers. And before you hasten to inform me that the two people groups are the saved and the unsaved, allow me to inform you that I've met balcony people and basement people in both of those groups!! Sometimes the "saints" are among the least encouraging people. Sad, but true.
Consider this example. You're having a really good day. Maybe you got some good news. About your job or about a family member or perhaps a good report from your doctor. Then along comes a friend or family member who, with one or two sentences, completely bursts your bubble. Destroys your good mood. Drags you down. That's a basement person.
Words are powerful things, aren't they? So we should choose them carefully. Certainly there will be times when we disagree with a choice or a decision or a behavior of a friend or a family member. There will be times when we need to speak out, to confront a behavior or a choice. Even then, our words need to be chosen carefully. We can disagree without being disagreeable. We can confront situations in such a way that encourages a better behavior rather than in a way that makes matters worse.
Think about how you react to the people around you. Do you encourage or do you discourage? Are you a balcony person or a basement person?
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Are You Willing?
On Sunday afternoon Al and I sat in front of the television and "attended" the funeral of much-beloved gospel singer George Beverly Shea who left this world last Tuesday at the age of 104.
I don't remember when I first heard that voice. I do remember the first time I heard him in person, as a young girl attending a Billy Graham Crusade in nearby Greenville, South Carolina with a number of people from our church. Over the years that voice blessed me many times, whether I heard him in person, or over radio or television, or on a record or a video.
What a blessing Mr. Bev was to so many around the world. Whether singing words he had written himself......"I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold......" or "The wonder of wonders that thrills my soul is the wonder that God loves me.....", or singing words written by others, God used George Beverly Shea in mighty ways to shine the light of Jesus around the world.
As I was having my devotional time this morning, it occurred to me that Mr. Bev is a wonderful example of living out the instruction I read in Romans 12:1: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (ESV) Mr. Bev spent a lifetime presenting himself, offering himself to God, to be used for God's glory.
What about you and me? Are we offering ourselves completely to God for his glory?
Or are we making excuses?
Excuses like I don't sing as well as she does. Or he's a better writer than I am. Or everything always goes so well for her, but nothing ever works out that way for me. Or people just like him better, so I'll just bow out of the way. Or any other variation of that theme.
The fact of the matter is that we aren't all alike. We haven't all been given the exact same talents or abilities. We aren't all given the exact same opportunities. We don't all have the same personalities. And that really isn't the point anyway, is it?
If you remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, you'll see the principle. We aren't all given the same thing. (And talents in this passage is not about talents like singing or playing an instrument; a talent was a monetary unit.) Each of the men in this parable was given a different amount. Just as you and I are given different abilities and in differing degrees. The point is to use what we have been given. Not to make excuses. Or to make comparisons. The point is to just do it! To "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
That's certainly what George Beverly Shea did. He committed his God-given talent as a living sacrifice, his spiritual worship, to be used for God's glory and His alone. And I am confident that when he met his Savior face to face last week, he heard the words "Well done, good and faithful servant."
God used George Beverly Shea in mighty ways for His glory. And I believe He wants to use you and me as well. Are you willing?
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mericies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2 ESV)
I don't remember when I first heard that voice. I do remember the first time I heard him in person, as a young girl attending a Billy Graham Crusade in nearby Greenville, South Carolina with a number of people from our church. Over the years that voice blessed me many times, whether I heard him in person, or over radio or television, or on a record or a video.
What a blessing Mr. Bev was to so many around the world. Whether singing words he had written himself......"I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold......" or "The wonder of wonders that thrills my soul is the wonder that God loves me.....", or singing words written by others, God used George Beverly Shea in mighty ways to shine the light of Jesus around the world.
As I was having my devotional time this morning, it occurred to me that Mr. Bev is a wonderful example of living out the instruction I read in Romans 12:1: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (ESV) Mr. Bev spent a lifetime presenting himself, offering himself to God, to be used for God's glory.
What about you and me? Are we offering ourselves completely to God for his glory?
Or are we making excuses?
Excuses like I don't sing as well as she does. Or he's a better writer than I am. Or everything always goes so well for her, but nothing ever works out that way for me. Or people just like him better, so I'll just bow out of the way. Or any other variation of that theme.
The fact of the matter is that we aren't all alike. We haven't all been given the exact same talents or abilities. We aren't all given the exact same opportunities. We don't all have the same personalities. And that really isn't the point anyway, is it?
If you remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, you'll see the principle. We aren't all given the same thing. (And talents in this passage is not about talents like singing or playing an instrument; a talent was a monetary unit.) Each of the men in this parable was given a different amount. Just as you and I are given different abilities and in differing degrees. The point is to use what we have been given. Not to make excuses. Or to make comparisons. The point is to just do it! To "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
That's certainly what George Beverly Shea did. He committed his God-given talent as a living sacrifice, his spiritual worship, to be used for God's glory and His alone. And I am confident that when he met his Savior face to face last week, he heard the words "Well done, good and faithful servant."
God used George Beverly Shea in mighty ways for His glory. And I believe He wants to use you and me as well. Are you willing?
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mericies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2 ESV)
Master, Thou callest, I gladly obey;
Only direct me, and I'll find Thy way.
Teach me the mission appointed for me,
What is my labor, and where it shall be.
Only direct me, and I'll find Thy way.
Teach me the mission appointed for me,
What is my labor, and where it shall be.
Master, Thou callest, and this I reply,
"Ready and willing,
Lord, here am I."
"Ready and willing,
Lord, here am I."
(Fanny Crosby)
Monday, April 22, 2013
A Sign of Spring
It hasn't felt much like spring around here for the last few days. We've been waking up to temperatures hovering around the freezing mark. BRRRR!!! I'm ready to be done with that and move on!
We did have a sign of spring of Friday afternoon. A lone hummingbird showed up, looking for the feeder. It's really early to have a hummingbird here on this mountain. They usually show up later in the season, after the weather has warmed a bit more. I was a little worried about this bird, since we're still dealing with such cold overnight temperatures. But he was looking for food, so I set about getting the feeders filled.
That turned into a comedy of errors! For starters, I messed up the proportion of sugar to water. Instead of 4 cups water and 1 cup sugar, I dumped 4 cups of sugar into the water!! And since that was all the sugar we had (I hadn't yet done the grocery shopping and sugar was on the list), I set about trying to rescue some sugar out of that gloppy mess and transfer it to a different container where I could mix the proper proportions.
Once the food was mixed, I poured it into the feeder, attached the base and carried it, upside down, out to the porch. I got my stepstool in place, since I'm too short to reach the hook otherwise. I stepped onto the stool and turned the feeder right-side-up to put it on the hook. At that point, the bottom part of the base of the feeder popped off and I was covered in sugar water!
I jumped backwards off the stool in an attempt to get out of the way of the deluge of sticky water. But I couldn't move fast enough to escape! The good news is that I didn't fall off the stool. The bad news is that I twisted all my parts in my attempt to avoid the water. I'm still feeling the effect of that today.
Fortunately I had enough sugar water to fill two feeders, and the second feeder was filled and hung without incident. We didn't see the little bird again until yesterday afternoon, and he's already been back this morning. So I guess all is well with him, in spite of the cool temperatures.
We didn't think to bring the feeder in on Friday night, so some critter (probably a bear) helped himself to it and the remaining bits were on the ground Saturday morning. On Saturday we bought some new feeders and more sugar, and so the "buffet" is ready for our little feathered friend and for the rest of his friends when they decide to venture this far north.
And that's what the beginning of spring is like here in the mountains!
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV)
We did have a sign of spring of Friday afternoon. A lone hummingbird showed up, looking for the feeder. It's really early to have a hummingbird here on this mountain. They usually show up later in the season, after the weather has warmed a bit more. I was a little worried about this bird, since we're still dealing with such cold overnight temperatures. But he was looking for food, so I set about getting the feeders filled.
That turned into a comedy of errors! For starters, I messed up the proportion of sugar to water. Instead of 4 cups water and 1 cup sugar, I dumped 4 cups of sugar into the water!! And since that was all the sugar we had (I hadn't yet done the grocery shopping and sugar was on the list), I set about trying to rescue some sugar out of that gloppy mess and transfer it to a different container where I could mix the proper proportions.
Once the food was mixed, I poured it into the feeder, attached the base and carried it, upside down, out to the porch. I got my stepstool in place, since I'm too short to reach the hook otherwise. I stepped onto the stool and turned the feeder right-side-up to put it on the hook. At that point, the bottom part of the base of the feeder popped off and I was covered in sugar water!
I jumped backwards off the stool in an attempt to get out of the way of the deluge of sticky water. But I couldn't move fast enough to escape! The good news is that I didn't fall off the stool. The bad news is that I twisted all my parts in my attempt to avoid the water. I'm still feeling the effect of that today.
Fortunately I had enough sugar water to fill two feeders, and the second feeder was filled and hung without incident. We didn't see the little bird again until yesterday afternoon, and he's already been back this morning. So I guess all is well with him, in spite of the cool temperatures.
We didn't think to bring the feeder in on Friday night, so some critter (probably a bear) helped himself to it and the remaining bits were on the ground Saturday morning. On Saturday we bought some new feeders and more sugar, and so the "buffet" is ready for our little feathered friend and for the rest of his friends when they decide to venture this far north.
And that's what the beginning of spring is like here in the mountains!
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV)
Friday, April 19, 2013
When Will It End?
A few minutes ago I learned that the National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for tonight for NC mountain locations above 3500 feet. I live in such a location. My response has been things like.....Good Grief!.....You've got to be kidding! And similar sentiments. Just when we thought spring had finally begun to show up here in these mountains, here comes a reminder of winter. Again. When will it end??
As I type, I'm listening to news reports of a manhunt in Boston, efforts to capture the remaining suspect in this week's bombing at the Boston Marathon. On this anniversary of the bombing in Oklahoma City twenty years ago, the suspect in this most recent bombing is on the loose somewhere in Boston. And while we in this country have not had to deal with bombings and terrorist acts on our own soil in the same way as citizens in many other parts of the world, this is all too real and too close to home for comfort. And we wonder when it will ever end. Is terrorism the new "normal" in our country? How I pray not. But current events certainly seem to indicate that "normal" has changed.
This really shouldn't come as a surprise to us. The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, warned us that such things would happen. No, he didn't use the word "terrorism" or warn against IEDs and bombs. But he did warn that difficult times would come.
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty." (2 Timothy 3:1 ESV).
This second letter to Timothy was the last of Paul's letters, written very near the end of his life. I think we can safely assume that Paul was aware that the end of his life was near, as he was writing from a Roman prison. I think we can also safely assume that, because he knew the end was near, he was not wasting words. That he was telling Timothy the things he thought it most important for Timothy to know. Important for us to know, as well.
Paul was saying to Timothy, and by extension to us, that there are tough times ahead. Would any of us argue that we are not living in tough times? Read the next verses in chapter 3. Paul describes what will come.....a description that certainly fits the times in which we live.
"For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power." (2 Timothy 3:2-5 ESV)
How are we to respond in such difficult times? When will it all end?
Consider the first question. Did Paul just forecast tough times with no clue as to how to handle it? Not at all. Consider some of his instructions to Timothy:
"Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you." (2 Timothy 1:6 ESV)
"Guard the treasure which has been entrusted to you." (2 Timothy 1:14 NASB)
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB)
"Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.......have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies." (2 Timothy 2:22, 23 ESV)
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with complete patience and teaching." (2 Timothy 4:2 ESV)
It is clear that we are not just dropped into difficult circumstances without a clue as to what to do. Paul is very clear in this letter, and we have the full counsel of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit within us, so that we know what to do and how to conduct ourselves, no matter how difficult the times or our circumstances may be.
When will it all end? We don't know, not exactly. But we do know that it will end. Christ will return! We don't know the exact day of His return, but we do know with certainty that He will return! We know that He will return because He said that He would! ("I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am there you may be also." John 14:2-3 ESV)
And so, until then, until Christ returns, while we are in the midst of "difficult times", what are we to do?
"As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:5 ESV, emphasis mine)
When will it end? I don't know. But I do know, with confident assurance, that it will end. Until then, I say with the Apostle Paul, that no matter what is going on in the world around me, and no matter what my personal circumstances may be, in good times and in bad, in want and in plenty, whether in peace or in chaos, "I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12b KJV)
"He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20 ESV)
As I type, I'm listening to news reports of a manhunt in Boston, efforts to capture the remaining suspect in this week's bombing at the Boston Marathon. On this anniversary of the bombing in Oklahoma City twenty years ago, the suspect in this most recent bombing is on the loose somewhere in Boston. And while we in this country have not had to deal with bombings and terrorist acts on our own soil in the same way as citizens in many other parts of the world, this is all too real and too close to home for comfort. And we wonder when it will ever end. Is terrorism the new "normal" in our country? How I pray not. But current events certainly seem to indicate that "normal" has changed.
This really shouldn't come as a surprise to us. The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, warned us that such things would happen. No, he didn't use the word "terrorism" or warn against IEDs and bombs. But he did warn that difficult times would come.
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty." (2 Timothy 3:1 ESV).
This second letter to Timothy was the last of Paul's letters, written very near the end of his life. I think we can safely assume that Paul was aware that the end of his life was near, as he was writing from a Roman prison. I think we can also safely assume that, because he knew the end was near, he was not wasting words. That he was telling Timothy the things he thought it most important for Timothy to know. Important for us to know, as well.
Paul was saying to Timothy, and by extension to us, that there are tough times ahead. Would any of us argue that we are not living in tough times? Read the next verses in chapter 3. Paul describes what will come.....a description that certainly fits the times in which we live.
"For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power." (2 Timothy 3:2-5 ESV)
How are we to respond in such difficult times? When will it all end?
Consider the first question. Did Paul just forecast tough times with no clue as to how to handle it? Not at all. Consider some of his instructions to Timothy:
"Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you." (2 Timothy 1:6 ESV)
"Guard the treasure which has been entrusted to you." (2 Timothy 1:14 NASB)
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB)
"Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.......have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies." (2 Timothy 2:22, 23 ESV)
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with complete patience and teaching." (2 Timothy 4:2 ESV)
It is clear that we are not just dropped into difficult circumstances without a clue as to what to do. Paul is very clear in this letter, and we have the full counsel of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit within us, so that we know what to do and how to conduct ourselves, no matter how difficult the times or our circumstances may be.
When will it all end? We don't know, not exactly. But we do know that it will end. Christ will return! We don't know the exact day of His return, but we do know with certainty that He will return! We know that He will return because He said that He would! ("I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am there you may be also." John 14:2-3 ESV)
And so, until then, until Christ returns, while we are in the midst of "difficult times", what are we to do?
"As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:5 ESV, emphasis mine)
But until then my heart will go on singing,
Until then with joy I'll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.
(-Stuart Hamblen)
Until then with joy I'll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.
(-Stuart Hamblen)
When will it end? I don't know. But I do know, with confident assurance, that it will end. Until then, I say with the Apostle Paul, that no matter what is going on in the world around me, and no matter what my personal circumstances may be, in good times and in bad, in want and in plenty, whether in peace or in chaos, "I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12b KJV)
"He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20 ESV)
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Happy National Bookmobile Day!
I just learned that this is National Bookmobile Day. I didn't know there was such a day! Having learned that there is, my mind has traveled back to my childhood. To the bookmobile that parked at the end of our street. What memories!
We didn't have a library in our town then. That came later. But the bookmobile came on a regular basis, although I confess I don't remember how often. But I do remember my delight at climbing the steps into that rolling library. I remember the smells. The books. My joy at selecting the ones I wanted to take home and read over and over again until the bookmobile returned. Then the process was repeated.
Later a library opened in town......a branch of the Spartanburg County Library. What excitement that was! To be able to go the library twice a week instead of having to wait for the bookmobile to come!
A lot has changed since then. Now there is a library open daily, with lots of books and magazines. Even computers!
Life was simpler back then. We weren't bombarded by 24-hour news cycles replaying over and over the trauma we would wish to forget. We didn't have 24-hour anything on television. In fact, many people didn't even have television! Life was simpler. Those were the "good old days"!
And while I would not wish to go back, I confess there are days when I miss the simplicity of life back then. The innocence of life then. Before we knew about IEDs and ricin and terrorism. When we left the windows open and the doors unlocked. And looked forward to a visit from the bookmobile.
"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul." (Psalm 94:19 NASB)
We didn't have a library in our town then. That came later. But the bookmobile came on a regular basis, although I confess I don't remember how often. But I do remember my delight at climbing the steps into that rolling library. I remember the smells. The books. My joy at selecting the ones I wanted to take home and read over and over again until the bookmobile returned. Then the process was repeated.
Later a library opened in town......a branch of the Spartanburg County Library. What excitement that was! To be able to go the library twice a week instead of having to wait for the bookmobile to come!
A lot has changed since then. Now there is a library open daily, with lots of books and magazines. Even computers!
Life was simpler back then. We weren't bombarded by 24-hour news cycles replaying over and over the trauma we would wish to forget. We didn't have 24-hour anything on television. In fact, many people didn't even have television! Life was simpler. Those were the "good old days"!
And while I would not wish to go back, I confess there are days when I miss the simplicity of life back then. The innocence of life then. Before we knew about IEDs and ricin and terrorism. When we left the windows open and the doors unlocked. And looked forward to a visit from the bookmobile.
"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul." (Psalm 94:19 NASB)
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Therefore.....
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1 NASB)
What was your reaction yesterday when you heard the news from Boston?
It has been interesting to me to note the various reponses across social media and in news reports. Everything from "here we go again" or "oh no, not again" to grief and sadness to anger to numbness, and everything in between.
I read a blog post yesterday, and shared that post on my Facebook wall this morning, that pretty much sums up my feelings. I'm tired. Tired of bombings and terror attacks being part of "normal". I'm weary of the numbness and the grief that accompanies these attacks. I'm just tired. And sad.
I'm sad that my grandchildren have to grow up in this kind of a world. Sad that they will never know the kind of carefree lifestyle that was part of my growing up years. Sad that they and their generation have to grow up in a terror-filled world.
And I'm tired of all the "how could God let this happen?" questions. God did not cause this. We live in a fallen, broken world. People's hearts are often full of anything and everything but God. And while God did not cause this, He was not surprised by it. Nothing comes as a surprise to our all-knowing God. How His heart must grieve over the condition of our world. How His heart must be grieving with all who were affected by yesterday's senseless tragedy. And how our hearts grieve with them as well as we "weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15).
When these events happen, it's easy to be overcome by them. It's easy to let grief or fear or anger consume us. I began this post with the first verse of one of my favorite Psalms, Psalm 46. It is a profound truth that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
The next word of that Psalm is a very important word. Therefore. Because it is true that "God is our refuge and strength", how are we to respond?
"Therefore, we will not fear." That's our response. We will not fear. No matter what happens. No matter how many bombs go off, or how many shootings there are, or how many terrorist attacks. No matter what happens. Because God is our strength, our very present help, we will not fear. That's our "therefore". That's our response. We know the truth......that no matter what man does, God is still God. God is in control. Even when we don't understand and no matter what comes our way, that truth remains.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea." (Psalm 46:1-2 NASB)
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21 ESV)
What was your reaction yesterday when you heard the news from Boston?
It has been interesting to me to note the various reponses across social media and in news reports. Everything from "here we go again" or "oh no, not again" to grief and sadness to anger to numbness, and everything in between.
I read a blog post yesterday, and shared that post on my Facebook wall this morning, that pretty much sums up my feelings. I'm tired. Tired of bombings and terror attacks being part of "normal". I'm weary of the numbness and the grief that accompanies these attacks. I'm just tired. And sad.
I'm sad that my grandchildren have to grow up in this kind of a world. Sad that they will never know the kind of carefree lifestyle that was part of my growing up years. Sad that they and their generation have to grow up in a terror-filled world.
And I'm tired of all the "how could God let this happen?" questions. God did not cause this. We live in a fallen, broken world. People's hearts are often full of anything and everything but God. And while God did not cause this, He was not surprised by it. Nothing comes as a surprise to our all-knowing God. How His heart must grieve over the condition of our world. How His heart must be grieving with all who were affected by yesterday's senseless tragedy. And how our hearts grieve with them as well as we "weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15).
When these events happen, it's easy to be overcome by them. It's easy to let grief or fear or anger consume us. I began this post with the first verse of one of my favorite Psalms, Psalm 46. It is a profound truth that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
The next word of that Psalm is a very important word. Therefore. Because it is true that "God is our refuge and strength", how are we to respond?
"Therefore, we will not fear." That's our response. We will not fear. No matter what happens. No matter how many bombs go off, or how many shootings there are, or how many terrorist attacks. No matter what happens. Because God is our strength, our very present help, we will not fear. That's our "therefore". That's our response. We know the truth......that no matter what man does, God is still God. God is in control. Even when we don't understand and no matter what comes our way, that truth remains.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea." (Psalm 46:1-2 NASB)
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21 ESV)
Friday, April 12, 2013
Consequences
My jury service is completed. A verdict has been rendered and the judge will pronouce sentence this morning. The defendant will learn the consequences of the choices he made.
That's a word that has been reverberating in my thoughts since I left the courthouse yesterday. Consequences. There are always consequences. To every choice. Sometimes consequences are immediate, and sometimes they are delayed. But there are always consequences. Sometimes they are good, and sometimes not so good. But there are always consequences.
And consequences don't only come to hardened criminals. Or to repeat offenders. Or to drug dealers.
Consequences come to all of us. If you're foolish enough to stick your hand into a hornet's nest, you will get stung. If you don't pay attention to things like routine auto maintenance and you never remember to have the oil changed in your car, there will be consequences! If your car sits in the garage for months and is never started, the battery will go dead. If you're gluten intolerant, but you decide to eat pancakes any way, you will suffer the consequences. If you choose to spend your day on the computer playing Words with Friends, you won't get much else done.
Whatever the choice, there's a consequence. And choices made repeatedly become habits. That isn't necessarily a bad thing.
As an example, if you begin to make good, healthy choices when it comes to the foods you eat, and if you continue to do this, your physical health will likely improve. If you continue to do this over time, you will form a habit of eating good, healthy food. That's a good consequence.
But if you pursue, over time, a course of eating junk food and food filled with chemicals and additives, your physical health will decline. In either case, a habit is formed, and in both cases there are consequences to your physical health.
The same can be said of your spiritual health. If you make a choice on a daily basis to spend time in the Word of God and in prayer, there will be positive ramifications for your spiritual health. As you continue to make this choice, your spiritual health will improve. You will draw closer to your Lord. His Word will be hidden in your heart. And as you continue to make this choice, a habit is formed. A spiritual discipline. A consequence. One that deepens your spiritual relationship with the Lord and that will, in turn, have an effect on all other relationships as well.
If you haven't already done so, why not begin today? Make a choice that will have a positive consequence for you and for all those around you as well. Spend some time reading the Word of God. Establish a habit of daily time in God's Word. You'll be glad you did!
"I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways; I wil delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word." (Psalm 119:15-16 ESV)
That's a word that has been reverberating in my thoughts since I left the courthouse yesterday. Consequences. There are always consequences. To every choice. Sometimes consequences are immediate, and sometimes they are delayed. But there are always consequences. Sometimes they are good, and sometimes not so good. But there are always consequences.
And consequences don't only come to hardened criminals. Or to repeat offenders. Or to drug dealers.
Consequences come to all of us. If you're foolish enough to stick your hand into a hornet's nest, you will get stung. If you don't pay attention to things like routine auto maintenance and you never remember to have the oil changed in your car, there will be consequences! If your car sits in the garage for months and is never started, the battery will go dead. If you're gluten intolerant, but you decide to eat pancakes any way, you will suffer the consequences. If you choose to spend your day on the computer playing Words with Friends, you won't get much else done.
Whatever the choice, there's a consequence. And choices made repeatedly become habits. That isn't necessarily a bad thing.
As an example, if you begin to make good, healthy choices when it comes to the foods you eat, and if you continue to do this, your physical health will likely improve. If you continue to do this over time, you will form a habit of eating good, healthy food. That's a good consequence.
But if you pursue, over time, a course of eating junk food and food filled with chemicals and additives, your physical health will decline. In either case, a habit is formed, and in both cases there are consequences to your physical health.
The same can be said of your spiritual health. If you make a choice on a daily basis to spend time in the Word of God and in prayer, there will be positive ramifications for your spiritual health. As you continue to make this choice, your spiritual health will improve. You will draw closer to your Lord. His Word will be hidden in your heart. And as you continue to make this choice, a habit is formed. A spiritual discipline. A consequence. One that deepens your spiritual relationship with the Lord and that will, in turn, have an effect on all other relationships as well.
If you haven't already done so, why not begin today? Make a choice that will have a positive consequence for you and for all those around you as well. Spend some time reading the Word of God. Establish a habit of daily time in God's Word. You'll be glad you did!
"I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways; I wil delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word." (Psalm 119:15-16 ESV)
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Doing My Civic Duty
I'm on jury duty this week. And this is, quite frankly, not my favorite thing. It interrupts my routine, and I don't like that very much. Sitting and waiting for my name to be called, or not, is boring. The seats are very uncomfortable.......and that's an understatement!
But it is my civic duty. Or, to put it another way, the way the judge refers to it, jury duty is a privilege and obligation of citizenship.
When you put it that way, my attitude changes a little. Yes, I'm still whining about having to be there, sitting in a courtroom on beautiful days like today. But when I stop and think about how many millions of people around the world are denied this privilege, about how many wish they could have a jury trial, I feel ashamed to be such a whiner.
Living in this country is a privilege, a blessing. Even with all our problems and all that needs to be changed, being an American citizen is a great privilege. And with privilege comes responsibility.
I didn't get selected for yesterday's trial, so was dismissed early. I, and the others in the jury pool whose names weren't called, will report back this afternoon. I'm glad to have the morning free, to be able to ease into the day. That always works better for me! I'm thankful to be able to linger over another cup of coffee. Thankful not to be rushing around.
Just thankful for so many things this morning. Especially thankful to be an American. Even thankful for the privilege of jury duty!
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3:17 ESV)
But it is my civic duty. Or, to put it another way, the way the judge refers to it, jury duty is a privilege and obligation of citizenship.
When you put it that way, my attitude changes a little. Yes, I'm still whining about having to be there, sitting in a courtroom on beautiful days like today. But when I stop and think about how many millions of people around the world are denied this privilege, about how many wish they could have a jury trial, I feel ashamed to be such a whiner.
Living in this country is a privilege, a blessing. Even with all our problems and all that needs to be changed, being an American citizen is a great privilege. And with privilege comes responsibility.
I didn't get selected for yesterday's trial, so was dismissed early. I, and the others in the jury pool whose names weren't called, will report back this afternoon. I'm glad to have the morning free, to be able to ease into the day. That always works better for me! I'm thankful to be able to linger over another cup of coffee. Thankful not to be rushing around.
Just thankful for so many things this morning. Especially thankful to be an American. Even thankful for the privilege of jury duty!
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3:17 ESV)
Friday, April 5, 2013
Perspective
This has been an unusually busy week for me. I'm not sure exactly why......I guess all those appointments somehow got scheduled into the same week and there are all those projects I have underway and all the regular day-to-day stuff and it all just ran together. In any event, it just seems that I have had more to do than usual.
It's in these busier-than-normal times that it seems really easy for me to lose perspective. To get bogged down by the trivial and forget about the important. Perhaps it's partly to do with being more tired as a result of being more busy. Or maybe it's just having my focus in the wrong place. Maybe it's that I am tired because I have my focus in the wrong place! Focusing on all the stuff to be done instead of on the One who will give me the strength and energy to do it.
I confess that I have had one of those kinds of weeks. Which has made it not such a good week.
Bogged down by the stuff. Focused on trivialities. As a result, tired and irritable. That's what happens when I lose perspective. When my focus is in the wrong place. When I end up just going through the motions.
Do you ever have days, or weeks, like that? Or is it just me?
We had more of the never-ending winter yesterday. That just added to my irritability! And we're off to another gloomy gray start today.
In spite of that, I'm choosing to have a different perspective today. I choose to refocus my heart and my mind and my energy away from myself and my to-do list and away from the weather and away from all the things that are skewing my perspective. I choose to be grateful. I choose to notice all the little grace gifts that the Lord has so generously given me. I choose to fix my eyes on Jesus today.
Today I choose joy!
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
It's in these busier-than-normal times that it seems really easy for me to lose perspective. To get bogged down by the trivial and forget about the important. Perhaps it's partly to do with being more tired as a result of being more busy. Or maybe it's just having my focus in the wrong place. Maybe it's that I am tired because I have my focus in the wrong place! Focusing on all the stuff to be done instead of on the One who will give me the strength and energy to do it.
I confess that I have had one of those kinds of weeks. Which has made it not such a good week.
Bogged down by the stuff. Focused on trivialities. As a result, tired and irritable. That's what happens when I lose perspective. When my focus is in the wrong place. When I end up just going through the motions.
Do you ever have days, or weeks, like that? Or is it just me?
We had more of the never-ending winter yesterday. That just added to my irritability! And we're off to another gloomy gray start today.
In spite of that, I'm choosing to have a different perspective today. I choose to refocus my heart and my mind and my energy away from myself and my to-do list and away from the weather and away from all the things that are skewing my perspective. I choose to be grateful. I choose to notice all the little grace gifts that the Lord has so generously given me. I choose to fix my eyes on Jesus today.
Today I choose joy!
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
Monday, April 1, 2013
Finished!
I have finally finished the photo book of our recent trip to Israel! The order has been placed, and now I just must wait for the book to arrive in the mail.
In sorting through the hundreds (thousands!!) of photos of this trip - photos I took and that Al took, as well as those shared with us by others on the trip - I discovered one that has become my absolute favorite. Not because it's of some particularly significant holy site. It's a favorite because I think it really captures something very special.
See that cute couple walking together in the lower right hand corner? Aren't they just adorable??!! I just love this candid shot as Al and I are walking along toward the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount, completely oblivious to everybody around us. Just two sweethearts out for a stroll!
Finishing up this photo album over this Easter weekend has been so special, as the last pages of my book cover the events of the crucifixion and resurrection. Those sites are the places we visited on our last days in Jerusalem. In fact, on our last day there, we followed Jesus' steps from the Garden of Gethsemane, to the House of Caiphas, down the Via Dolorosa, to Golgatha and then to the Garden Tomb. Remembering that day in Jerusalem, revisiting those places in my memory, was a special part of my Easter celebration.
All that was so fresh in my mind as we went to worship yesterday, as we celebrated Resurrection Sunday! We looked at the events through Matthew's account in our Life Group. The pastor's message led us through the events as recounted by Luke. The message....the fellowship.....the music.....the worship......all made yesterday's celebration of Resurrection Day one I will not soon forget.
This morning I am still thrilled by hearing the choir and Joni sing "This Blood"......amazing! But as I reflect on yesterday, and on the Crucifixion and Resurrection, there's another song playing over and over in my head. It's one of those new songs that isn't so new any more, one that has been set aside for newer songs. But it's the song of my heart this morning as I remember the cross and the empty tomb. As I remember that "It is finished!"
In sorting through the hundreds (thousands!!) of photos of this trip - photos I took and that Al took, as well as those shared with us by others on the trip - I discovered one that has become my absolute favorite. Not because it's of some particularly significant holy site. It's a favorite because I think it really captures something very special.
See that cute couple walking together in the lower right hand corner? Aren't they just adorable??!! I just love this candid shot as Al and I are walking along toward the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount, completely oblivious to everybody around us. Just two sweethearts out for a stroll!
Finishing up this photo album over this Easter weekend has been so special, as the last pages of my book cover the events of the crucifixion and resurrection. Those sites are the places we visited on our last days in Jerusalem. In fact, on our last day there, we followed Jesus' steps from the Garden of Gethsemane, to the House of Caiphas, down the Via Dolorosa, to Golgatha and then to the Garden Tomb. Remembering that day in Jerusalem, revisiting those places in my memory, was a special part of my Easter celebration.
All that was so fresh in my mind as we went to worship yesterday, as we celebrated Resurrection Sunday! We looked at the events through Matthew's account in our Life Group. The pastor's message led us through the events as recounted by Luke. The message....the fellowship.....the music.....the worship......all made yesterday's celebration of Resurrection Day one I will not soon forget.
This morning I am still thrilled by hearing the choir and Joni sing "This Blood"......amazing! But as I reflect on yesterday, and on the Crucifixion and Resurrection, there's another song playing over and over in my head. It's one of those new songs that isn't so new any more, one that has been set aside for newer songs. But it's the song of my heart this morning as I remember the cross and the empty tomb. As I remember that "It is finished!"
FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE
I WILL THANK YOU!
FOR ALL THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO!
FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE PROMISED
AND ALL THAT YOU ARE
IS ALL THAT HAS CARRIED ME THROUGH!
JESUS, I THANK YOU!
AND I THANK YOU!
THANK YOU, LORD!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU, LORD!
THANK YOU FOR LOVING AND SETTING ME FREE!
THANK YOU FOR GIVING
YOUR LIFE JUST FOR ME!
HOW I THANK YOU!
JESUS, I THANK YOU!
GRATEFULLY, THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!
I WILL THANK YOU!
FOR ALL THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO!
FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE PROMISED
AND ALL THAT YOU ARE
IS ALL THAT HAS CARRIED ME THROUGH!
JESUS, I THANK YOU!
AND I THANK YOU!
THANK YOU, LORD!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU, LORD!
THANK YOU FOR LOVING AND SETTING ME FREE!
THANK YOU FOR GIVING
YOUR LIFE JUST FOR ME!
HOW I THANK YOU!
JESUS, I THANK YOU!
GRATEFULLY, THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!
(-Dennis Jernigan)
"Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
(1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)