Sunday

Our sweet Aunt Othalyne passed away this week. Although we are so sad to see her leave this world, we are rejoicing in knowing that she has found peace and everlasting life with Jesus.

"And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
    and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever."
~Isaiah 32:17

Sunday

"Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,

to dwell in your courts!

We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,

the holiness of your temple!

By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,

O God of our salvation"

Psalm 65 4-5

Sunday

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, 
O Lord, make me dwell in safety." 
~Psalm 4:8

Sunday

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
~2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Sunday

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."

~Romans 8:5-6

Sunday

Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

~Isaiah 55:6-7

Sunday

"Sow for yourselves righteousness;
    reap steadfast love;
    break up your fallow ground,
for it is the time to seek the Lord,
    that he may come and rain righteousness upon you."

~Hosea 10:12

Sunday

But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."
The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.

Lamentations 3: 21-25

Merry Christmas

Yesterday we prepared the manger, celebrated with family a bit early, and ended the day by preparing our hearts at a Christmas Eve service.

This morning the kids woke up to find that baby Jesus had indeed found a soft place to lay his head.

We read the Christmas story, dug into stockings, and opened presents, and in the midst of lights, and ornaments, and crumpled brown paper, and bits of string, I prayed that seeds of faith were being sown.

To be honest, I struggle with how to balance the world's Christmas with the real Christmas...how to keep the baby and the truth at the center of it all. More than anything I want these kids of mine to know God's love...

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

~John 3:16

And, for them to know His story by heart...

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, 

praising God and saying,

'Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"

I hope you all had a very merry and blessed Christmas full of Christ's joy and peace.

I've been quieter than usual around here. We've had a few rounds of sniffles and family visits, and then Friday happened. I'm still speechless and just holding my kids and my Savior a little bit closer.

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
~Psalm 9:9

Sunday

"Be still and know that I am God."
~Psalm 46:10

A dear friend who has counseled me through many a tough time used to say this to me often. "Be still. Be still and know that He is God." It's a work in progress...this stillness. I imagine that to be still in this world full of busy and chaos is quite the challenge for all of us.

Lately I've been hearing these whispers and rustles. His quiet voice speaking to my heart. I am not always still enough to hear Him above the din of 3 children and life, but I am feeling more and more the need to seek out quiet spaces. Quiet for all of us, the small ones included, so that we might be still and know...know His voice and His love.

Sunday

It is no secret that autumn is my favorite season. I love the cool crispness that begins to creep in...the preparations for all of the holidays...the warmth found in snuggling on the couch with books, hot tea, and knitting. At the same time, though, I find autumn's fullness to be often overwhelming. There's just so much to do, and all I really want to do is listen to the crunch of leaves, snuggle with my family, and knit. Lately I've found myself leaning on certain scriptures and trying to still my heart in the midst of the busy.

From the end of the earth will I call unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

~Psalm 61:2

Sunday

And Jesus, looking upon them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” 
~Mark 10:27

Sunday

 "I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance."
~Ephesians 1:18

Sunday

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
~Proverbs 31:25-31

Happy Mother's Day to all you mamas out there and to my own wonderful mama in particular!

Sunday

 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."
~Matthew 7:7-8 

*The photo is of some wild hydrangea's we saw while at Rocky Springs. I wish I'd had a camera other than my phone with me to do them justice. They were gorgeous.

Sunday

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love. 

The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.

~Psalm 145:8-9

Sunday

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 

~ 1 John 4:7-8

Sunday

If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,
   Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
   so that we can, with reverence, serve you. 
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
   and in his word I put my hope. 
~Psalm 130:3-5

Sunday

"We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters."
~1 John 3:16