Today is my 76th Birthday and I am having a blessed and wonderful day!!
I was born at home, and we did not have a bathroom in the house until I was about 8 years old! (That part is not one of my favorite memories)! :)
My brother and I went to a one- room country schoolhouse about a mile from our home, and walked most of the time. I grew up on the farm, and now after many years of "city living", I love being able to look out my front window and see them plowing or harvesting in the field across the road.
I went to college in Oklahoma and met my "Texan" the very first day I was on campus. The Lord allowed us to spend over 50 years in ministry for Him, and I have many sweet memories of loving and serving Jesus through the years.
Now, since Dad has gone to heaven, I am so very blessed to have all of the family nearby except Jonathan who ministers at a church in Kansas City. In fact, I must hurry because they have planned a very special Birthday celebration for me of feasting, family fun and fellowship!!
"Thank You, dear Lord, for Your Blessings on me."
Friday, July 29, 2016
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
"Win the Lost . . ."
My husband sang this song many times in his years of ministry, and a few Sundays ago my son sang it again.
It always stirs me and humbles me when I hear this soul-searching song! In this fearful day of apostasy, carelessness, compromise and lukewarmness, may God help us to fall on our knees and ". . . seek the Lord till He come . . ."
"As we look around us, all the fields are white,
Ripened unto harvest and so swiftly comes the night;
Christians must get busy, there is work to do,
Here's an urgent task awaiting you.
Christ our loving Shepherd, went out from the fold,
Seeking for the stray lamb that was lost in darkened cold;
Tender hands of kindness, raised him from the ground,
Now the little lost one had been found.
Check your fold, my Christian, are the children in ?
Are there yet some straying, lost in blackened fields of sin;
You must go and reach them, go without delay,
Soon the shades of night will end the day.
Souls are crying, men are dying, won't you lead them to the Cross?
Go and find them, help to win them, win the lost at any cost.
Go out and win, rescue from sin; day's almost done, low sinks the sun,
Souls are crying, men are dying,
Win the lost at any cost."
It always stirs me and humbles me when I hear this soul-searching song! In this fearful day of apostasy, carelessness, compromise and lukewarmness, may God help us to fall on our knees and ". . . seek the Lord till He come . . ."
"As we look around us, all the fields are white,
Ripened unto harvest and so swiftly comes the night;
Christians must get busy, there is work to do,
Here's an urgent task awaiting you.
Christ our loving Shepherd, went out from the fold,
Seeking for the stray lamb that was lost in darkened cold;
Tender hands of kindness, raised him from the ground,
Now the little lost one had been found.
Check your fold, my Christian, are the children in ?
Are there yet some straying, lost in blackened fields of sin;
You must go and reach them, go without delay,
Soon the shades of night will end the day.
Souls are crying, men are dying, won't you lead them to the Cross?
Go and find them, help to win them, win the lost at any cost.
Go out and win, rescue from sin; day's almost done, low sinks the sun,
Souls are crying, men are dying,
Win the lost at any cost."
Monday, July 25, 2016
Rejoice!
As we begin another week of living for Jesus, why don't we determine to practice the wonderful admonition of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:4 -- "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."
And again in I Thessalonians 5:16, Paul reminds us to "Rejoice evermore."
And if you think you don't have much to rejoice about, remember this little quote by J. I. Packer:
"Even when we cannot see the why and wherefore of God's dealings, we know that there is love in and behind them, and so we can Rejoice always."
And again in I Thessalonians 5:16, Paul reminds us to "Rejoice evermore."
And if you think you don't have much to rejoice about, remember this little quote by J. I. Packer:
"Even when we cannot see the why and wherefore of God's dealings, we know that there is love in and behind them, and so we can Rejoice always."
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Let us Go . . . .
After a week of excitement following the Republican National Convention, it is time to prepare our hearts for God's Holy Day tomorrow.
The Psalmist said in Psalm 122:1 -- "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord."
Again, in Psalm 100:4 he said --- "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name."
In these days of carelessness, compromise and lukewarmness, let us not forget God's commandment in Exodus 20:8 -- "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
An important part of keeping the Lord's day holy is found in Hebrews 10:25 (I love this verse) :
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
I need the fellowship of God's people; I need to be blessed, encouraged and uplifted by the beautiful music, the testimonies of the saints, the prayers that seem to bring heaven down until our souls are filled with glory, and I need the anointed message that God has laid upon the heart of our pastor.
I trust that you will join me tomorrow as we go to the house of the Lord and worship Him in the wonderful beauty of holiness!
God bless you!
The Psalmist said in Psalm 122:1 -- "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord."
Again, in Psalm 100:4 he said --- "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name."
In these days of carelessness, compromise and lukewarmness, let us not forget God's commandment in Exodus 20:8 -- "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
An important part of keeping the Lord's day holy is found in Hebrews 10:25 (I love this verse) :
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
I need the fellowship of God's people; I need to be blessed, encouraged and uplifted by the beautiful music, the testimonies of the saints, the prayers that seem to bring heaven down until our souls are filled with glory, and I need the anointed message that God has laid upon the heart of our pastor.
I trust that you will join me tomorrow as we go to the house of the Lord and worship Him in the wonderful beauty of holiness!
God bless you!
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Wise as Serpents . . .
I am certainly not a political analyst, by any stretch of the imagination, but my heart weeps for our nation today and I felt like I wanted to share these thoughts with you.
The RNC is in full swing with Mike Pence scheduled to speak tonight! (Maybe Dad will be listening in heaven. He was a great supporter of Mr. Pence).
As I have listened to some of the speeches, there seems to be a great deal of expectancy, energy, enthusiasm and excitement expressing hope for the future!
One thing does make me very sad, and that is some of our Christian friends say they will not vote for Mr. Trump so they are not going to vote at all. They do not seem to understand that by not voting for Mr. Trump, they are automatically voting for Hillary Clinton!
Perhaps it would be well for us to read the very interesting parable in the 16th chapter of Luke of the unjust steward where the writer said: . . . "the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."
May God help us to be . . . "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
The RNC is in full swing with Mike Pence scheduled to speak tonight! (Maybe Dad will be listening in heaven. He was a great supporter of Mr. Pence).
As I have listened to some of the speeches, there seems to be a great deal of expectancy, energy, enthusiasm and excitement expressing hope for the future!
One thing does make me very sad, and that is some of our Christian friends say they will not vote for Mr. Trump so they are not going to vote at all. They do not seem to understand that by not voting for Mr. Trump, they are automatically voting for Hillary Clinton!
Perhaps it would be well for us to read the very interesting parable in the 16th chapter of Luke of the unjust steward where the writer said: . . . "the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."
May God help us to be . . . "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
Monday, July 18, 2016
"Seek ye the Lord". . .
Today, our nation is wearing many different "hats", so to speak.
There is the hat of "sorrow", as we mourn the tragic and devastating loss of law enforcement officers and grieve for their families in this time of great tragedy.
There is the hat of "fear" that seems, like a blanket, to be settling down upon our nation that has always been the Home of the Brave.
Almost everyone is wearing the hat of "wonderment" about the Republican National Convention beginning today! It makes me want to cry out with the prophet of old to the watchman up on the wall -- Watchman! Watchman! What of the night?
Perhaps the Watchman would answer us in the words of another prophet---Hosea, by name.
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you."
There is the hat of "sorrow", as we mourn the tragic and devastating loss of law enforcement officers and grieve for their families in this time of great tragedy.
There is the hat of "fear" that seems, like a blanket, to be settling down upon our nation that has always been the Home of the Brave.
Almost everyone is wearing the hat of "wonderment" about the Republican National Convention beginning today! It makes me want to cry out with the prophet of old to the watchman up on the wall -- Watchman! Watchman! What of the night?
Perhaps the Watchman would answer us in the words of another prophet---Hosea, by name.
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you."
Friday, July 15, 2016
"In Times Like These"
"In times like these we need a Saviour. In times like these we need an anchor;
Be very sure! -- Be very sure!!
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these we need the Bible. In times like these O be not idle;
Be very sure! -- Be very sure!!
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these I have a Saviour. In times like these I have an anchor.
I'm very sure! -- I'm very sure!!
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
This Rock is Jesus; Yes, He's the One. This Rock is Jesus; the only One!
Be very sure! -- Be very sure!!
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!"
---Ruth Jones
If Jesus tarries, the eyes of our nation will be focused upon the Republican National Convention next week. Perhaps we need to join in the prayer of the prophet, Habakkuk:
"O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy."
Be very sure! -- Be very sure!!
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these we need the Bible. In times like these O be not idle;
Be very sure! -- Be very sure!!
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these I have a Saviour. In times like these I have an anchor.
I'm very sure! -- I'm very sure!!
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
This Rock is Jesus; Yes, He's the One. This Rock is Jesus; the only One!
Be very sure! -- Be very sure!!
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!"
---Ruth Jones
If Jesus tarries, the eyes of our nation will be focused upon the Republican National Convention next week. Perhaps we need to join in the prayer of the prophet, Habakkuk:
"O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy."
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
"A Mighty Fortress . . ."
It is said that Martin Luther's Journal entries tell of his great and seemingly continuous battles against the forces of evil.
I think this quote about his wife's words is very sad: "Once when Martin Luther was in the depths of despair, his wife dressed herself in mourning clothes. When he asked her who had died, she answered that she had assumed from his actions that God Himself was dead."
I don't know why he suffered thus, but maybe the devil was trying to discourage, defeat and destroy him to keep him from writing that grand and glorious hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, which, after over 500 years, is still thrilling and blessing hearts today!
"A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and pow'r are
great, and, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth is His
name, From age to age the same, and He must win the battle.
And tho' this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim--We tremble not for him; His rage we can en-
dure, For lo! his doom is sure, one little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly pow'rs -- No thanks to them -- abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours thro' Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may
kill: God's truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever."
No wonder it was he who said:
"Music, next to Theology, is God's Greatest Gift to man!"
I think this quote about his wife's words is very sad: "Once when Martin Luther was in the depths of despair, his wife dressed herself in mourning clothes. When he asked her who had died, she answered that she had assumed from his actions that God Himself was dead."
I don't know why he suffered thus, but maybe the devil was trying to discourage, defeat and destroy him to keep him from writing that grand and glorious hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, which, after over 500 years, is still thrilling and blessing hearts today!
"A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and pow'r are
great, and, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth is His
name, From age to age the same, and He must win the battle.
And tho' this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim--We tremble not for him; His rage we can en-
dure, For lo! his doom is sure, one little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly pow'rs -- No thanks to them -- abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours thro' Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may
kill: God's truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever."
No wonder it was he who said:
"Music, next to Theology, is God's Greatest Gift to man!"
Monday, July 11, 2016
"Living For Jesus"
As we begin another week, our nation mourns the death of fallen law enforcement officers -- sin, selfishness, deceit and wickedness abound in "high places" -- we seem to have forgotten that "Jesus is Still the Answer; He's Always Been and Always Will Be!"
Maybe you are thinking there is nothing you can do about it, and perhaps our sphere of influence is very small, but we can "brighten the corner where we are." Jesus said we are the light of the world! So let's make sure our light is burning brightly at all times so everyone will know we belong to Christ the Lord!
As we face perilous times, let us keep our eyes upon Jesus, keep trusting Him, and keep walking humbly with Him until the day He calls us Home!
"Help me to serve Thee more and more.
Help me to Praise Thee o'er and o'er;
Live in Thy Presence day by day,
Never to turn from Thee away!"
---Charles Weigle
Maybe you are thinking there is nothing you can do about it, and perhaps our sphere of influence is very small, but we can "brighten the corner where we are." Jesus said we are the light of the world! So let's make sure our light is burning brightly at all times so everyone will know we belong to Christ the Lord!
As we face perilous times, let us keep our eyes upon Jesus, keep trusting Him, and keep walking humbly with Him until the day He calls us Home!
"Help me to serve Thee more and more.
Help me to Praise Thee o'er and o'er;
Live in Thy Presence day by day,
Never to turn from Thee away!"
---Charles Weigle
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
A Christian Home!
It is, perhaps, impossible to express in words the beauty and blessing of a truly Christian home where father and mother are devoted to God and each other, and the children are brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
I remember reading a story some years ago about a young man brought up in a godly home. He was a brilliant young man, and in college had a professor whom he greatly admired for his intellect, but the professor claimed to be an atheist, The young man told of the great struggle he had as this professor tried to destroy his faith. He said the thing that held him steady and kept him from denouncing his faith was the picture in his mind of his dear father praying at the family altar each morning---he could not get away from those prayers nor forget the glory of God He had seen on his father's face many times. He knew it was real, and it held him steady when the storm was raging.
Parents -- our children and precious grand-children are the only thing we can take to heaven with us. Let us ask the Lord to help us build strong Christian homes where prayer and praise are as natural as breathing; the Bible is loved and obeyed; the precious hymns still sung; our conversation like "apples of gold in pictures of silver"---humbly asking the Lord to help us live so that all who enter our homes will know that we belong to Jesus!
I remember reading a story some years ago about a young man brought up in a godly home. He was a brilliant young man, and in college had a professor whom he greatly admired for his intellect, but the professor claimed to be an atheist, The young man told of the great struggle he had as this professor tried to destroy his faith. He said the thing that held him steady and kept him from denouncing his faith was the picture in his mind of his dear father praying at the family altar each morning---he could not get away from those prayers nor forget the glory of God He had seen on his father's face many times. He knew it was real, and it held him steady when the storm was raging.
Parents -- our children and precious grand-children are the only thing we can take to heaven with us. Let us ask the Lord to help us build strong Christian homes where prayer and praise are as natural as breathing; the Bible is loved and obeyed; the precious hymns still sung; our conversation like "apples of gold in pictures of silver"---humbly asking the Lord to help us live so that all who enter our homes will know that we belong to Jesus!
Monday, July 4, 2016
Independence Day!
Flags are flying, fireworks are lighting up the heavens, families are gathering together, the grills are filled to capacity with hotdogs, hamburgers and chicken!
What a wonderful day it is as we take time to reflect upon our founding fathers who paid a tremendous price to give us the freedoms we still enjoy today. It makes me want to lift my voice and sing ---
"God Bless America! Land that I love! Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a Light from above! From the mountains to the prairies; to the oceans white with foam!
God Bless America! My Home, sweet Home!"
Tonight when we return to our homes after a wonderful day of food, fellowship, fireworks and family, may we pause and thank God again for the freedoms we enjoy today and remember this little poem from the pen of Helen Steiner Rice:
"AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL" -- May it always stay that way
But to keep 'OLD GLORY' flying there's a price that we must pay. . .
For everything worth having demands work and sacrifice,
And Freedom is a Gift from God that commands the highest price
For all our wealth and progress are worthless as can be
Without the FAITH that made us great and kept Our Country Free!"
What a wonderful day it is as we take time to reflect upon our founding fathers who paid a tremendous price to give us the freedoms we still enjoy today. It makes me want to lift my voice and sing ---
"God Bless America! Land that I love! Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a Light from above! From the mountains to the prairies; to the oceans white with foam!
God Bless America! My Home, sweet Home!"
Tonight when we return to our homes after a wonderful day of food, fellowship, fireworks and family, may we pause and thank God again for the freedoms we enjoy today and remember this little poem from the pen of Helen Steiner Rice:
"AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL" -- May it always stay that way
But to keep 'OLD GLORY' flying there's a price that we must pay. . .
For everything worth having demands work and sacrifice,
And Freedom is a Gift from God that commands the highest price
For all our wealth and progress are worthless as can be
Without the FAITH that made us great and kept Our Country Free!"
Friday, July 1, 2016
Six and Counting . . .
It is hard to believe that six months ago today I embarked on this blogging journey, and I must say that I am enjoying the trip!
I was rather fearful of starting, but the children encouraged (maybe I should say "pushed") me and helped me set it up. It has actually been a blessing and help to me, personally, and helps me to feel that this is a way I can still have a little tiny part in furthering Dad's ministry.
THANK YOU so very much for your kind comments! They have encouraged me and been a great blessing to me! I covet your prayers, for it is my desire that my posts will not just be idle chatter, but will be a blessing to you as you face the storms of life, and will help to encourage you on your journey toward heaven and home!
God bless you each one!
I was rather fearful of starting, but the children encouraged (maybe I should say "pushed") me and helped me set it up. It has actually been a blessing and help to me, personally, and helps me to feel that this is a way I can still have a little tiny part in furthering Dad's ministry.
THANK YOU so very much for your kind comments! They have encouraged me and been a great blessing to me! I covet your prayers, for it is my desire that my posts will not just be idle chatter, but will be a blessing to you as you face the storms of life, and will help to encourage you on your journey toward heaven and home!
God bless you each one!
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