Music, Music, Music!

I tried playing Amy's flute yesterday. Now I have tried (besides violin and piano) a double bass, organ, guitar, xylophone, and flute. And every time I try another instrument, I love music even more! You don't have a true appreciation for the talent of others until you have tried it yourself. I had never tried a wind instrument before . . . and its harder than I thought it would be! It has put a desire in me to learn the flute though. We'll see what happens, cause I'll have to use my sisters to practice.

And then there's Kimberly. She picked up my violin and she's already figured out how to play When I Survey the Wondrous Cross on it . . . and I didn't show her anything except how to hold the bow. She makes me sick!! Of course, she plays guitar, so she has experiance with playing a stringed instruments. Amy tried it too, but once Kim got a hold of it, she wouldn't let go of it. She's playing it again now . . . I have let other people try my violin on various occasions (cough, cough), but she is the best by far!

Anyway, we took some really sweet pictures of our instruments and one of the roses that Dad brought home for Mom last night. They have lighting effects and everything! I'll try to post some later. They are gorgeous. But the credit goes to Kim for having the idea in the first place. We took over half of the livingroom floor and turned out the lights on Mom and Dad, put on the little piano lamp and took lots of pictures. It was fun! And that's when the whole thing about trying each others instrument started . . .

By this we know love . . .

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itslef, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, things no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails, But whether there are prophecies, the will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13

So Blessed

I have been really encouraged and blessed by some awesome friends this weekend. And then last night, I was listening to Selah on the way to Living Worship practice. I hadn't listened to them in a long time. Once again, their beautiful music and lyrics blessed me. Sorry you can't hear the music . . . it makes the lyrics so much better. The instrumental parts are amazing (even though I think the orchestra is really a keyboard!).

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary

When troubles come and my heart burdened be

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence

Until You come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas

I am strong, when I am on Your shoulders

You raise me up . . . to more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger

Each restless heart beats so imperfectly

But when You come and I am filled with wonder

Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity

and . . .

When I think I'm going under, part the waters, Lord

When I feel the waves around me, calm the sea

When I cry for help, oh, hear me

Lord and hold our Your hand

Touch my life

Still the raging storm in me

I think that sometimes God uses people, more specifically Christian friends, in our lives to be His 'hand' stretched out to us, Him 'sitting a while' with us to encourage us. They are one of the most amazing blessings that God can ever give to His children.

Lyrics from Selah 2004: Hiding Place

A Bit of Humor . . . Not My Usual Post

I was reading the Clubhouse magazine that my younger siblings get from Focus on the Family, and I found this article really hilarious. Especially the first part about the hugs. But it also has a good message. It's a little different than my usually posts. Hope you enjoy it!

Adventures of Average Boy

By Bob Smiley as told to Bob Smiley

I don't own a tourniquet (Note: a thing you wrap around part of your body to stop bleeding.) I'll never need one. If I'm ever bleeding and want it to stop, I'll simply ask my mom to hug me. My mom is the tightest hugger in the world! Sometimes she hugs me so tight that hours later my eyes are still bulging. I think the medical term is Optical Poptitude.

My dad, on the other hand, doesn't hug a lot. He pats me on the back to show his love.

"Good job setting the table, Son!" he'll say and then whack me on the back, sending me about two feet forward and causing me to have to reset several things on the table.

Between Mom's hugs and Dad's pats on the back, I'm surprised I have hung on to my eyeballs for as longs as I have. I actually enjoy the hugs and back-pats, because showing love is part of a great relationship.

Relationships are funny, because they're all different. Sometimes your relationships develop slowly.

For instance, there's a girl on my bus, and we speak only once a day. But we're great friends.

She suffers from constant leg cramps. Every day, I try to sit next to her on the bus. However, each day she gets a really bad cramp in her lower leg. She then kicks out her leg in the empty seat next to her and starts shouting, "Ohhhh . . . my leg is cramping again! I have to keep it straight out on this seat!"

This happens every morning. And Donny is really mean to her. He sits there and laughs as I walk past her to another seat. But every day I use the situation to let her know someone cares about her. "I'll pray for you and your leg," I whisper. "See you tomorrow."

It's a small relationship, but it's important. I have tons of those experiences each day.

My coach and I meet only once a day for PE, but we have an awesome relationship. A year ago his doctor told him he needed to exersize more. The doctor specifically said Coach needed to get his heart rate up every day. I don't know how I help him do that, but I do!

He once told me, "Bob, just having you in class gets my heart rate to at least 120 beats per minute every day."

"120!" I replied. "That's awesome! Your heart rate matches your age. That's got to make it easy to remember."

"There you go doing it again, Mr. Smiley!" he said appreciatively. "Now go take a lap."

Every day you and I see people. Sometimes we have a small relationship - like the one I have with my coach or the leg-cramp girl. Sometimes we have a big relationship - like the one I have with my parents or my school principal. Each time we see these people, we have a chance to leave them happier or sadder than they were before they saw us. If you try to make others happier each time - by putting them first - you will build great, strong relationships. That's my challenge to you. That, and help me figure out how to cure leg cramps. Hurry!

Now if you will excuse me, I just got a paper cut and it's bleeding. I think I need a hug.

Before Him Bend the Knee

Lord's Supper is on Sunday. I was just thinking about that and this hymn by John M. Wigner popped into my head . . . and it won't go away, especially the phrase 'no vain excuses frame, for feelings do not stay.' It's weird cause I can't remember the last time I have heard this one, or the last time we have sung it in church.

Come to the Savior now

He gently calleth thee

In true repentance bow

Before Him bend the knee

He waiteth to bestow

Salvation, peace and love

True joy on earth below

A home in heaven above

Come to the Savior now

Ye who have wandered far

Renew your solemn vow

For His by right you are

Come like poor wandering sheep

Returning to His fold

His arm will safely keep

His love will ne'er grow cold

Come to the Savior now

He offers all to thee

And in His merits thou

Hast an unfailing plea

No vain excuses frame

For feelings do not stay

None who to Jesus came

Were ever sent away

Come to the Savior now

What'er your burdens be

Hear now His loving call

"Cast all your car on Me"

Come, and for every grief

In Jesus you will find

A sure and safe relief

A loving friend and kind

So Many Questions...So Much to Live For!!

This weekend was so full of excitement and fun and fellowship! And also two compelling sermons on Psalm 22 and I Corinthians 1, and an amazing Bible study on envy at Young People's. I have so much to ponder and think about.

Do I envy anyone, whether for their looks, character, talents, or possessions? How can I guard myself from jealousy and envy? Would I be able to approach that person and admit my envy?

Has Jesus Christ just become a piece of furniture in my life? Have I become to flippant in my worship of Him? Is Jesus truly the only comfort I have in life AND death? If Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters, am I ashamed to confess Him as my Lord before a watching world?

Is the cross foolishness to me, or the power of God to me? Is the world's wisdom foolishness or valuable wisdom to me? Am I living a life of joy and hope in Christ, and in so doing, affecting those in the world I am in contact with? or does my life NOT reflect a changed life in a wonderful Savior?

So many important questions. And through God's strength, may the answers always be glorifying to His name and a testimony to His presence and hope in my life.

"Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus; that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, no imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He has made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:9, 14-21

The Awe of God's Creation

Today, mom took my brothers and two younger sisters to go skating and play hockey on an outdoor rink along Hwy 8. I decided to go along since Amy was at work. We skated for about an hour, and it was lightly snowing. A little while before we left, I was sitting on a chair watching them play hockey, and I looked down so see that my coat and mitts were lightly sprinkled with the most intricately designed snowflakes I have ever seen. They were absolutely beautiful. I just sat there looking at them. I can't describe how beautiful they were. Imagine the millions of uniquely designed snowflakes you are looking at when you look outside at the snow! And no two are exactly the same.

God not only created the complex snowflakes, but He also created you and me. We are like snowflakes. God created each and every one of us, and no two of us are the same. We are all unique and look, act, and talk different. Looking at those beautiful snowflakes reminded me of Psalm 8:3-5, "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor."

In the Bible, snow is a symbol for being cleaned or washed. Psalm 51:7, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Isaiah 1:18, "'Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be as wool.'" Snow tainted by sand and dirt is like us stained by our sin. We need the blood of Jesus to cleanse us, to make us as clean as pure white snow. We need our Savior to take out the dirt of sin from our lives and make us clean and new again.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21

"And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight." Colossians 1:21-22

Praise You in this Storm

This song is one of those songs that you hear, and not only the words are amazing and the message is well worded, but the music fits so perfectly with the words, and is so beautiful that you could listen to it over and over and never get sick of it. I wish I could add the music to this post along with the lyrics, but I guess the lyrics with have to be sufficient for now. And if you know the song already, listen to it again! And yes, this is yet another Casting Crowns song. They have some really neat song ideas, and I love their musical style as well.

Praise You in this Storm
Casting Crowns
Romans 8:28 / 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 /
Psalm 42:5 / Psalm 121:1-2 /
Job 1:20-21 / Daniel 3:16-18

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen"
And it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength was almost gone
How can I carry one
If I can't find You

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

The Lord have, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21b

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. Psalm 42:5

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. I Corinthians 4:16

Another Song (By Me)

Rejoice with those who rejoice

Weep with those who weep

Showing love to all the saints

In all brotherly love

Serve the Lord, rejoice in hope

Patient in your trials

Strong in prayer, loving good

Watching for the needs of the saints

Cast your care upon the Lord

For He cares for you

Resist the one who walks about

And tries to make you fall

Knowing that your brotherhood

In the Lord are also

Going through the same trials

Satan tempts you with every day, so

Rejoice with those who rejoice . . .

Communion of the Saints

I was listening to Casting Crowns: Lifesong this afternoon and the song Stained Glass Masquerade (previous post) came on. I love that song. It says so well what I often think about in our little Christian communities. We often try to hide how we really feel inside from others around us so that they won't see what we truly think and feel, what we fear or worry about. We want others to think that we are strong and maybe even perfect, and have everything in our lives under control.

Then I got thinking about blogs. And how amazing it is that through something as small as a blog on the big web, Christians can not only be a witness to those who might happen to read our blog, but we can also, as Christian young people, learn about and learn from eachother and encourage one another by hopping from one blog to the next (as I do sometimes), leaving and encouragement here or a fun one there.

I think we often get frustrated with the increasingly high tech world we live in. At least I do. Or we take for granted the internet, or even computers. Thank you God for things like email and blogs and some pretty awesome young people in my world to learn from and get to know. The Christian community is a truly amazing one to be a part of!

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Rom 12:15). God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor. 1:9). But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble (1 Cor. 8:12-13). And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints (1 Thess. 3:12-13). Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world (1 Peter 5:6-11).

Song on Psalm 91

Psalm 91
Carol-Lee Joy Brouwer

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High God
Shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty God
I will say of the Lord Most High
"He is my refuge and my fortress
My God, in how I trust."

A thousand may fall at your side
Ten thousand at your right hand
But it shall not come near you
Only with your eyes will you look
And see the reward of the wicked.

I have made the Lord Most High my strong dwelling place
No evil nor any plague shall come near me
His angels are surrounding me
In their hands they shall bear me up
Lest I dash my foot and fall.

"He has set his love on Me, so I'll go with him
And has known My holy name, I will set him on high
He shall call on Me in prayer
I will be with him in trouble
Bear him up and deliver him."

How Much Does Your RoadGuide Mean to You?

"You each need your own RoadGuide. All who walk the red road must read it. Repeat its words until they flow from your heart like water from a fountain. You must study the map, or you will get lost…or stray from the road…or be unprepared for what you encounter on it."

"You’re always reading it," Victoria said. "Can’t we just follow your lead? Besides, the red road is obvious, isn't it?"

"The book is your guide, your compass. Don't underestimate your ability to depart from the true road. Don't trust your instinct of your logic - don't even trust me. I don't trust myself. Trust only the RoadGuide."

I turned through the pages, reading instructions here and there, looking at the maps, scanning the many stories of those who'd walked the red road before.

. . . Everyone got up but Quon, already lost in the pages of the book. I had to pull him up, and even then he kept his nose in the book as he walked. I had to occasionally grab his arm to keep him from stumbling. Half the time he didn't even notice.

(Edge of Eternity, by Randy Alcorn, pages 150-51; definately a recommended book if you liked Pilgrim's Progress!)

RoadGuide - Bible ; Red road - Narrow path to life in Christ

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have such a renewed love for the Bible like Quon's love for it? We often hastily do devotions, thinking about all the things we have to do. We don't give God's Word, or Him, the time He deserves as our Father, Creator, Redeemer, and King.

"My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word. Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day." Psalm 119:81, 97

WAR!!

I love reading. Maybe too much! One thing I notice when I'm reading a book is that I always seem to feel as if the main character's problems are mine and I want to fix them. And I keep reading, wishing I could tell him or her how stupid they are when they make a bad decision or warn against obvious danger around the corner. And sometimes it's really annoying, but I guess that's the whole adventure of reading a book.

I got Randy Alcorn's Edge of Eternity for Christmas. I just started reading it today. I tried reading it a few months ago when I got it out of the library, but I couldn't get into it then. This time, I'm seeing it differently. The main guy, Nick Seagrave, finds himself in another world and scenes of his messed-up life keep flashing before him. He begins to realize the wrong choices he's made, but the devil (represented by a scorpion hooking it's tail into his chest) still has a powerful grip on him. One part struck me and reminded me of Ephesians 6. I think we sometimes forget about the spiritual battle that is constantly going on, not only around us, but it is a war to fight for our very souls. And when we do remember, we are sometimes so caught up in the battle and relying on our own strength, that we sometimes forget the power we have to fight in Jesus Christ.

The plain suddenly became an immense battlefield, full of great gladiators, with eyes of fire, lifting their swords against other warriors, these with cold shark eyes. The warriors of both sides seemed to be of the same stock, as if it was a civil war - the gray city of the east versus the bright city of the west. Some troops fought on the ground, some above it, as if the air had an invisible floor. Sparks flew off their swords and lightening bolts pierced the sky. Swords clashed agianst shields, and thunderclaps exploded. Even at a distance the noise was almost unbearable.

People, some of whom I'd just seen, walked on the ground underneath the great combatants. Now they appeared translucent, almost invisible. Most of them stepped casually, unguardedly, apparently unaware of the battle raging above and around them. (Edge of Eternity, page 73)

"Finally, my brethern, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:10-13

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

It is God Who Arms Me with Strength

With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;
With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;
With the pure You will show Yourself pure;
And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.
For You will save the humble people,
But will bring down haughty looks.

For You will light my lamp;
The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
For by You I can run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall.
As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
He teachers my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great.
You enlarged my path under me,
So my feet did not slip.
Psalm 18:25-36

Verse 29 is amazing. With God beside us, we can do or face anything. He is our rock, shield, defender, Savior, salvation. He holds us in His right hand. Isn't that amazing . . . to think that God would love us so much that He actually HOLDS us in His hand? He guides every step we take, helping us along the way, to face anything. With God's help we can perservere through any trial, whether spiritual or physical. "For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall." What stunning imagery . . . a troop and a wall. Passages like these never cease to provoke awe and wonder of just what an amazing and all-powerful Father we have.

Stained Glass Masquerade

Stained Glass Masquerade
Casting Crowns

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

'Cause when I take a look around
Everbody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we'll close the curtain on our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one that's traded
In the alter for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
You imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatains 6:2

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you . . . and this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the friuts of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:3, 9-11

"A friend is someone who shares all your great moments with you. A true friend is someone who is there to share all the bad moments too." R. Sherwood

To all who I can truly be myself with, thank you for being such amazing friends in Christ.

Letting God Take Control

Ready for You (Kutless)

Lord, You take my heart away with Your love

And I, am willing to put all my faith in Your plan 1

Come and take my life

Make my soul refreshed in truth now 2

I am ready for You

Take my heart and make me new now

I am ready for You

To come and fill my soul 3

Cleanse, all of my mind that is not of You

Break me, teaching my how to find rest in Your hands 4

Whatever it takes

I'm needing to make Your will be done 5

And I'm letting go of my control

For I see what You've done in me 6

1 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

1 "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out!" Romans 11:33

2 "And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 John 3:3

2 "Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom." Psalm 51:6

3 " . . . where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all." Colossians 3:11

3 "For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." Romans 14:8

4 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

4 "Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins." Psalm 19:"12b

5 "And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:17

5 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

6 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

6 "For our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:29

6 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Back to the Grind

Well, it's back to the grind once again. 'sigh' I must say, it felt really good to get up at 7:30 this morning, which is unusually early for me, and get to work. I feel like I have actually done something worth while . . . especially after almost three weeks off. I even helped my sister with some Algebra 1 this morning, and shocked myself that I can still remember that stuff! I plunged right into studying music history this morning, and it was surprisingly fun. It felt good to be studying music again, even though I was really sick of it before Christmas. I think I really needed a holiday. And then I taught 4 piano lessons. I'm glad the break is over, I'm ready for a regular routine again.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Psalm 91

I've been memorizing Psalm 91. There are some pretty amazing verses in this psalm. One of my favorites is verse 7 and 12.

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.

4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day,

6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.

8 Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place,

10 No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

12 In their hands they shall hear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."

Living Sacrifices

Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

This is one amazing passage. I came across it again during the devotions the other day, and I realized that I don't think about this as often as I should . . . that I don't always strive as much as I should to serve God with all of my life, every single part of it.

2007's here!!!

Blessed New Year everyone! Welcome 2007!

The name of the Lord is a strong tower,
The righteous run to it and are safe.\
Proverbs 18:10