When Morning Gilds the Sky

When Morning Gilds the Skies...

When morning gilds the skies,
My heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer
To Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

To Thee, my God above,
I cry with glowing love,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The fairest graces spring
In hearts that ever sing,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When sleep her balm denies,
My silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evil thoughts molest,
With this I shield my breast,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day,
When from the heart we say,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear,
When this sweet chant they hear,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine,
My canticle divine,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th' eternal song
Through all the ages long,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When I read the words to this beautiful hymn, my heart is so filled with the fullness of the Lord, the words lift me up in spirit and mind and heart.  Sometimes just listening to hymns can provide a respite greater than any vacation offers...

In dealing with the loss of my beloved Bill 7 months ago I have been doing Affirmation exercises provided by the funeral home.  It is a wonderful service and it continues for 365 days unless I stop it coming via e-mail.  I do the exercises in my private journal and add little drawings and comments of my own.  Today's message of affirmations was worth sharing and I hope it helps those of you who may be experiencing your own losses.  Sending big hugs and blessings to all of you today!

SEEKING A SOFT PILLOW

 

No matter how much you are hurting right now, it makes no sense to spread those feelings around your world. Making others feel as bad as you do is impossible; no one can truly know how much your sorrow weighs. But, you can lighten their burden, and your own, by being as positive, as uplifting as you can be. So, for today, think good and positive thoughts and behave in accordance with these thoughts. Give love to yourself and to others. Bring peace to everyone you encounter because when night comes – a clear conscience is a soft pillow.

Quotation for the Day

She was no longer wrestling with the grief, but could sit down with it as a lasting companion and make it a sharer in her thoughts. ~George Eliot

My Christian heart to yours...

Our Role as a Servant of God

I have been studying and reading about the role we must take as a Servant Of the Lord.  As much as we would like to think we are the masters of our soul, we are not.  Our timing is not God's timing, what we think are our needs are not what God has planned for us.

It is hard to serve the Lord, we want everything our own way.  And though we pray for things to go right, for God to heal illnesses (And he certainly has the power over all these things) some even pray for riches and success.  But once you become the Servant of the Lord, you learn to WAIT upon the Lord.
Psalm 41:I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
 When my hubby was so ill with cancer, I prayed for his healing, it was not answered.  I prayed for God to lessen his pain, it was not answered.  I BEGGED for him to not suffer the ravages of cancer any longer.  Then God took him home.  For 7 yrs. I was learning to be the servant, caring for my hubby and  living a life of almost complete isolation except for the eternal chemo, doctor, lab visits and radiation treatments.  I did all this willingly because I loved my husband so much.  I did have faith in God's will and plan but sometimes, it was hard to accept that my husband's healing was not in the plan.  He was a gift of God and God took him back...

I do not press God for answers now.  I have learned to Wait upon the Lord and my life is easier now.  I believe he has a purpose for my life because He left me behind when He took my sweet Bill.  I feel the sanctification of the Lord and His Son Jesus in my life and continue to serve where he sends me.  Whether it be bringing a hot meal to an ill neighbor, running an errand for them or simply picking up their mail, such small things to brighten their day and I know I am serving God in my own humble way.  For even our Lord took the role of a servant Washing the Disciples Feet in John 13:1-17  Years ago, I started a tradition of washing my hubby's feet around Easter time and he said it was a feeling like no other when I showed humility and love for him by this simple act.




I have been working a lot subbing at a chiropractor's office and the work is hard physically and mentally.  But I am serving there, also.  I meet many Christians there and they tell me their struggles and I LISTEN (the magic word) and then I tell them I will pray for them.  They are relieved and I am enriched  by their smiles.

"The heavenly Father still sanctifies people today. Before a person places his faith in the Savior, he is spiritually dead and, in fact, an enemy of God (Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 5:10). But the moment someone chooses to trust in Jesus Christ, his sins are wiped away, and he is adopted into God's family. That individual is set apart as a child of God, with a sacred purpose. This means believers are not here to chase after personal gain but to serve the Lord and bring Him 
honor and glory."  (Source: Dr. Charles Stanley)

Have you accepted your role as a servant of the Lord?  Instead of a chore, it becomes an affirmation, however small the effort on your part to do something for others so that they might see the Lord in your eyes, in your heart and on your lips.  What greater reward?

Make a list for yourself of ways you can serve right where you are at this time.

Keep a journal of what you did for others and how it made you feel.

And pray that God will guide your path in all that you do and your road will never be rocky but firm ground on which to place your foot one step at a time.

Psalm 119:105  (KJV) ” Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path “.

Sharing Dr. Stanley's post

This message from Dr. Stanley is the best explanation of the  original sin that I had to share: The Priority of Obedience John 14:23-26 The Creator gave two commands to Adam and Eve—first, to fill the earth and rule over it, and second,  not to eat from a certain tree in the Garden (Gen. 1:28; 2:17). Because they chose to disobey, their  relationship with God was broken, and they had to leave Eden.  The first couple’s rebellion not only  impacted their own lives but also had far broader implications: all future generations have suffered.    In Romans 5:12-19, the apostle Paul explained the reason. Through the trespass of one man, Adam,  sin made its entrance into the world, and death resulted for all mankind. Because Adam was head  of the human race, his actions affected everyone born after him. His disobedience resulted in each of  us having a bent  away from the Lord and a desire for self-rule.   By contrast, Jesus made conformity to the Lord’s will the priority of His life. He obeyed God in both  word and deed (John 8:28-29). Having lived a perfect life—one entirely without sin—He qualified to be  our Savior (2 Cor. 5:21).  Through the death of one man, Christ Jesus, payment was made for the  transgressions of all mankind. God’s  acceptance of the Son’s sacrifice brought us forgiveness  and freedom from sin’s power. Adam’s disobedience brought judgment and death upon us, whereas Jesus’ obedience resulted  in new life for all who believe in Him (Rom. 6:4). Our Savior calls us to deny selfish desires, live  sacrificially, and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). A godly life will bring Jesus honor and influence others  for Him. For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley,  please visitwww.intouch.org. I have been away to visit my son all last week and this week I  worked subbing at the doc's office so have neglected my posts on my blogs but will catch up today on all of them.   Thanks for stopping by and may God bless you this day and every day. My Christian Heart to yours....

The Tale of Jonah

This little girl says it all!!!!

The Story Of Jonah As Told By A Little Girl : Video Clips From Th... http://www.coolestone.com/media/4123/The-Story-of-Jonah-as-Told-by-A-Little-Girl/ This beautiful and talented little girl brought a smile to my face as she tells the most enchanting, fascinating and educational story of Jonah I... Be prepared for something special when you listen  to this wonderful little girl tell the  story of Jonah. My Christian heart to yours...

Remembering the Joy of My Salvation

What a glorious morning this Sunday is!  I was led to share the video at the right as I was basing this post on what it means to be Born Again. John 3 reference. Here are the Lyrics:
Born Again

2/14/2008

You may think it foolish what I'm going to say, 
But I'm not ashamed, no not ashamed. 
But I prayed Jesus, take my sin away, 
And that's when I was born again. 

Born again, there's really been a change in me 
Born again, just like Jesus said 
Born again, and all because of Calvary 
I'm glad so glad that I've been born again. 

There was one man who came to Jesus 
John and Chapter 3 
He was so afraid, O so afraid 
He said "Master you're from God, I really do believe" 
And Jesus said "you must be born again."

I tried to play my guitar and sing it for you as it is one of my favorites, but that was a disaster-ha!  

When others hear you say you've been born again, they may think you are crazy because they are not familiar with the Word of God In John Chapter 3.

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus (NIV)

3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 

² He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

 ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You^[c] must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Wow! isn't this awesome??  I can still remember when I accepted, invited, and took the Lord into my heart (Born Again with a new life in Christ).  I was filled with such joy that I rose from where I was sitting and jumped once like a child who is filled with Joy.  The smile did not come off my face for a long, long time.  I felt so full in my heart and such Peace.  I handled my children better, lost my quick temper and could not get enough of God's word.  It was truly amazing the feeling that I had.  And now all these years later, I still pray, "Let the joy of my salvation be in my heart and on my lips, may others see Jesus in me. Lord, never let me lose the JOY of my salvation."

God can use anyone or anything for his instrument.  I was born again watching Pat Robertson on TV.  I know, you are groaning-ha!  But the Lord chose this way to show me the light I had been longing for.  Pat merely said to invite Jesus into my heart and I did and could feel an immediate difference and I jumped for joy.  And oh the wonderful path that decision led me.  I had been of another faith but was empty inside and sought out a Bible Teaching church. I literally knocked on the door of a church and it was opened!

It was opened by a parishioner/believer who was there painting in the building.  He told me I had come to the right place and invited me to service.  Four years later, our whole family was going there and my two daughters were baptized in the spirit there, my son and one daughter were married there and my husband's memorial service was performed there just this last March.  That church, United Church of Auburn, NY, never let us go, never forgot about us when we moved to SC and for these past 23 years still send the monthly newsletter to us.  I became a certified Bethel Bible teacher after two years of intensive study while attending there and learned so much I never knew about God and His Son.  I learned that I could have a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.  I did not have to go through saints to intercede for me, I could TALK WITH JESUS!  It was such an exciting time in my life and still is.  But that first year of being Born Again was just full of little miracles and I am so grateful that someone "opened the door" to what I was longing for.

Are you feeling empty inside, like something is missing even though you have attended church and been a Christian for all of your life?  Just ask God to come into your heart and then share your joy with someone.  It shall be done.

Thank you so much for visiting my Christian Blog and I hope you take away with you something new, something that will bless you and give you hope and a closer relationship with Jesus and His Father.  Enjoy this blessed Sunday.

Much Love,

My Christian heart to yours....

Still struggling with loss...

I am still struggling with the loss of my beloved Bill.  Sometimes, it seems to be getting better and then I hit a slump where I miss his presence so much, I can hardly stand it.  I know he is with the Lord and not suffering any longer but when you have been a caretaker for 7 years, it is quite disconcerting when you feel you no longer have a purpose in life.

I find it hard to fit in anywhere now that I am one.  God is providing much for me...work, earnings and sustaining me just as he always has.  But my feelings of loneliness are quite overwhelming at times and I break down.  All this is normal in the healing process of losing a loved one but even though we know and understand the process, it does not make it any easier.  I keep as busy as I can and I love gardening and picked my first tomato from the vine on Sunday!  


Today, I did not have to work so I decorated the front of the house with flags and red, white and blue flowers.  I am slowly getting back into reading again and am enjoying a new book and of course never get tired of reading the Bible.  


I find myself thinking a lot on our role as servants of the Lord and want to serve wherever God would use me.  I am most gratified when serving others for good.  (References 2 Cor 4:5, Philippians 6-7, Mark 9:35, 1 Peter 4:10 and John 15:12-13)

How are you handling your losses?  I hope you are getting out and about and serving the Lord in some capacity.  Sometimes, it is as simple as sharing a favorite dish that you cook with neighbors.  Do whatever you can to help others and in the same way, you also help yourself.  I am still taking one day at a time..... as the song says.


Much love to my faithful followers.  I am hoping to get back into the habit of posting more.  Thank you.

My Christian Heart to yours...

HAVE A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS....

I love the words to "Have a Little Talk with Jesus" and I love the Oakridge Boy's rendition of it!  Beverly, at How Sweet The Sound, posted it yesterday and I can hardly keep my hands and feet still when listening to this one-ha!  I listened this morning and feel so joyful in my heart and mind.


I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.  God uses anyone and everyone as his instrument to spread the word of Jesus.  Songs have been a part of spreading and listening to the word of God since time began.  The Psalms (Psalm 51:7) were songs written by David and all these many centuries later, here we are learning God's word through them.


Life is awesome, isn't it?  God can heal us from great loss, great illness, great sins.  Isaiah 1:18 "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow"   through confession and inviting Jesus into your sincere heart.


God's mercy is endless.  What would make your heart sing this morning??

This was taken at Huntington Beach, SC last evening by my Daughter Barbara.  It is a Green Heron.  I see God in every creature and it makes my heart sing!


Have a most blessed Sunday, Much love,

My Christian heart to yours....