"He's The One"

I trust that these words from this blessed old song of comfort and consolation will speak to the need of your heart today.

     "Is there anyone can help us, one who understands our hearts, when the thorns of life have pierced them till they bleed;
      One who sympathizes with us, who in wondrous love imparts just the very, very blessing that we need?
     Yes, there's One, only One,  the blessed, blessed Jesus, He's the One;
When afflictions press the soul, when waves of trouble roll,
     And you need a friend to help you, He's the One."

A Vapour . . .

In the little book of James, it tells us we know not what shall be on the morrow, for our life is a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Our hearts are sad today by the tragic news of the sudden death of a young man very close to some of our family.  At a time like this, there seem to be no words that can ease the breaking hearts, but I trust that this poem by Helen Steiner Rice will be a blessing and comfort.

     "Whenever I am troubled and lost in deep despair
   I bundle all my troubles up and go to God in prayer . . .
      I tell Him I am heartsick and lost and lonely, too,
   That my mind is deeply burdened and I don't know what to do . . .

      But I know He stilled the tempest and calmed the angry sea
   And I humbly ask if in His love He'll do the same for me . . .
      And then I just keep Quiet and think only thoughts of Peace
   And if I abide in Stillness, my 'restless murmurings' cease."

In the time of sorrow, we are thankful for the kindness and thoughtfulness of neighbors and friends, but I am especially thankful that we have a Friend in Jesus who cares and understands.

     "No one understands like Jesus; He's a Friend beyond compare.
   Meet Him at the throne of mercy; He is waiting for you there.
      No one understands like Jesus; every woe He sees and feels.
   Tenderly He whispers comfort, and the broken heart He heals.

      No one understands like Jesus when the days are dark and grim.
   No one is so near, so dear as Jesus; cast your every care on Him."

Grow in Grace . . .

I like this little quote from T. Watson.
     "Such as do not grow in grace, decay in grace.  There is no standing at a stay in religion, either we go forward or backward; if faith does not grow, unbelief will; if heavenly mindedness doth not grow, covetousness will."

     "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."  II Peter 3:18   

Graduation!

I have enjoyed going to the mailbox the last week or so and finding graduation announcements from relatives and friends!  I can almost feel the excitement oozing out of the announcement as each young person anticipates turning their tassel!  Each one is excited about beginning a new chapter in their life.  Perhaps our best graduation gift to them would be to let them know we will be praying for them as they place their hand in God's and let Him direct their paths!

Special Congratulations to my sweet granddaughter, Kaylee.  I love you!!   

Come and Worship . . .

     "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."  (Psalms 122:1)

      "Enter into His gates with Thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His Name.  For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations."  (Psalms 100:4-5)

      " O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker."  (Psalms 95:6)

      "Praise ye the Lord.  Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints.  (Psalm 149:1)

      "Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God: for it is pleasant; and praise is comely."  (Psalm 147:1)

      "Praise ye the Lord.  Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power.  Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.  Praise ye the Lord."  (Psalms 150:1,6)

      "Dear Heavenly Father, help us to prepare our hearts today so that when we go to church in the morning, if Thou dost give us the light of another day, we will be ready to 'Worship the King, all glorious above, and gratefully sing His wonderful love; Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.'  In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen."  

"Make Me" . . .

Perhaps, in these troubled times, it would be well for us to bow humbly on our knees before the God of the universe and pray from the depths of our soul -- "Make Me".
Then, perhaps it would be well to remember that God, as well as a multitude of others, sees everything we post on Facebook.
Then, perhaps we can think about the lovely verse in Proverbs 25:11 -- "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."
And then, perhaps, we will be ready to sing from our hearts the beautiful words of "Make Me a Blessing" by by Ira Wilson.

"Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad.
     Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad.

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love; tell of His power to forgive.
     Others will trust Him if only you prove true every moment you live.

Give as 'twas given to you in your need; love as the Master loved you.
     Be to the helpless a helper indeed; unto your mission be true.

Make me a blessing; make me a blessing.
     Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing, O Saviour, I pray.
     Make me a blessing to someone today." 

It Is Glory . . .

Yes, "It is glory just to walk with Him whose blood has ransomed me; it is rapture for my soul each day.  It is joy divine to feel Him near where e'er my path may be.  Bless the Lord, it's glory all the way"!
This morning it was cloudy, a little rainy, and very quiet and peaceful in my cozy home.  I sat in my favorite little rocking chair, reading my Bible and thinking how blessed I am!  What a comfort, in these troubled times, to have a deep, settled peace in my soul.  God's sweet Presence filled my heart to over-flowing as the words pf hymn after hymn sprang up in my soul.

Then I thought of my friend who shared with me yesterday a deep valley she is going through.  Perhaps you, too, are going through a difficult time.  I trust that Jesus can minister to your need  through one of these wonderful songs.

     "Under His wings I am safely abiding.  Tho' the night deepens and tempests are wild.
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me.  He has redeemed me, and I am His child."

And what comfort when we remember that our Heavenly Father's eye is on every little sparrow.  We don't need to be discouraged -- our Heavenly Father is watching us!
And what a thrill it is to lift our voices in singing the grand old hymns of the church like, 'A Mighty Fortress is our God, a Bulwark never failing!'
And as we're running the race of life, we must keep looking unto Jesus and remember that -- "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.  Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ.  One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase.  So bravely run the race till we see Christ."

If your heart is in need of a song today, pick up your hymnal.  I believe you will quickly find some "Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life"!

Mother -- the Heart of the Home!

Many years ago, God spoke to Moses and said, "What is that in thine hand?"  Thousands of years have passed since God spoke to Moses out of the burning bush, but He is still speaking today.  I believe that on this Mother's Day in 2016, God is speaking and asking us -- "Mother, what is that in thine hand?"  And should we hesitate to answer, I believe God would answer for us -- "It is the children that I have given you to train for Me so that I can use them for My honor and glory and the upbuilding of My kingdom.  I fashioned your children when they were yet in your womb, and then I placed them in your hand and entrusted them to your care.  I asked you to teach your children diligently, and to talk of Me and My laws when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up."

I suppose there has never been a day when Mother's faced a greater challenge than we do today.  We are living on the brink of eternity, and the devil is doing everything he can to destroy the children that God has placed in our hand.  Are we going to live our lives of ease and pleasure and let our children slip out of our hands, or will we stand firm and refuse all of the devil's compromises, saying like Moses did -- the whole family's going and everything we possess; we're not leaving even a hoof behind!  God wants the whole family safe in the ark, but there is a price for us to pay, Mother, just like there was for Moses and Noah.

I read the story of a merchant ship named the "Star of India" which survived collision, a mutiny and a terrible cyclone on 21 trips around the world.  Her cargo included coal, timber, sugar and salmon, but more significant than these was the human cargo she bore carrying immigrants to New Zealand.  Over 400 people would pack the airless steerage compartments and tiny wooden berths for four months on the tossing sea.  Those brave souls that sailed on the "Star of India" risked everything to begin a new life.  They were committed to facing the dangers and enduring the hardships in hope of making a safe harbor.

What about you and me, Mother?  We are on a journey, too, and our Heavenly Father has placed our children and their never-dying souls in our hands.  They, our children, are the only thing we can take to heaven with us; we must leave everything else behind.  Our task is not easy.  We will face some storms; sometimes it will mean sacrifice and self-denial; sometimes it may seem almost hopeless, but there is never a place to give up; sometimes we will have to deny ourselves some comforts and pleasures and pour out our heart unto God.  But if we can make it to heaven and have the children in our hand, it will be worth a thousand times more than all the hardships of the journey!

Mothers, we are the heart of the home.  Let's give Jesus everything, and let Him guide us to heaven and home with the children in our hand!
God bless you and Best Wishes for a very blessed and happy Mother's Day!

"The Builders"

This beautiful poem, by an unknown author, greatly humbles and challenges me.  It is such a sweet privilege and wonderful blessing, but also a great responsibility, to be a mother and grandmother.
May God help us to live so that our precious families will have no doubt that Mama and Grandma belong to Jesus!

"A builder built a temple; he wrought it with care and skill --
     Pillars and doors and arches, all fashioned to work his will.
And men said, as they saw its beauty, 'it shall never know decay.
     Great is thy skill, O builder!  Thy fame shall endure for aye.'

A mother built a temple with infinite loving care,
     Planning each arch with patience, laying each stone with prayer.
None praised her unceasing effort; none knew of her wondrous plan.
     For the temple the mother built was unseen by the eye of man.

Gone is the builder's temple -- crumbled into the dust;
     Low lies each stately pillar, food for consuming rust.
But the temple the mother built will last while the ages roll,
     For the beautiful unseen temple, Is a child's immortal soul."

Thank You, Mother!

Even though my Mother has been gone for several years, I still hold sweet memories in my heart and wanted to share these thoughts this Mother's Day.

     I can say with the Psalmist, "I have a goodly heritage."  I thank God for my mother who instilled in me a love for God, His people, and His holy day!  Sunday was a day of rest and worship, and no unnecessary work was done.
     She taught me obedience, respect for others, to be truthful, and the value of a loving family.  I don't ever remember fussing, fighting, arguing, etc. in our home.
     She showed me by her example the importance of God's Holy Word---to read it faithfully and obey it!
     Mother was a wonderful cook, a friend to all, a great encourager; in short, a wonderful mother and wife.  She always called my Daddy her "sugar-man"!  :)
     Thank You, Heavenly Father, that I had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home filled with love and peace and happiness!

Happy Mother's Day!

Dear Paula, Barb, Jess, Mandy and Britt:

Happy Mother's Day to each of you!  I feel so very blessed to have such sweet and lovely girls to be the Mother's of my grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

As Mother's Day approaches, I am reminded again of what an awesome responsibility we have as Mothers.  I love the sweet story in the 2nd chapter of Exodus where Moses' mother made a little Ark and put him out on the river.  I doubt she realized she was helping to preserve the life of the man God was going to use to deliver His people from Egyptian bondage.  Likewise, you girls may have no idea how God wants to use the precious gifts He has placed in your hands!  They are each blessed with marvelous gifts, graces and abilities.  They have multiple talents which the devil would like to take and use for his wicked purposes rather than you investing the time and prayer and patience and work it will take to develop them for the glory of God!

We live in a very different world now than when Dad and I were raising Paula and the boys, but it is a great comfort to know that God has not changed!  He is ever the same, and still loves to hear Mother's pour out their hearts to Him for guidance in raising their little ones to love and serve Him.
I count it one of my chief joys to pour out my heart to God in prayer for you girls that God will grant you the wisdom and understanding that you need in raising my precious grandchildren and great grandchildren to love and serve Him! 

Always remember that "Jesus is Still the Answer!  He's Always Been and Always Will Be!"

     Love and Prayers,
     Mom

God Knows Best!

Our Father knows what's best for us, so why should we complain --
   We always want the sunshine, but He knows there must be rain --
We love the sound of laughter and the merriment of cheer,
   But our hearts would lose their tenderness if we never shed a tear.

Our Father tests us often with suffering and with sorrow,
   He tests us not to punish us, but to help us meet tomorrow --
For growing trees are strengthened when they withstand the storm,
   And the sharp cut of the chisel gives the marble grace and form.

God never hurts us needlessly, and He never wastes our pain,
   For every loss He sends to us is followed by rich gain.
And when we count the blessings that God has so freely sent,
   We find no cause for murmuring and no time to lament.

For our Father loves His children, and to Him all things are plain,
   So He never sends us pleasure when the soul's deep need is pain.
So whenever we are troubled and when everything goes wrong,
    It is just God working in us to make our spirit strong.
                                                                             -- Helen Steiner Rice