My Beloved

The past few weeks I have been involved in a study on the Song of Solomon at my church.  The next few days I'm going to share some of my favorite parts.  But for tonight, I want to share the lyrics of a wonderful song called My Beloved.  It is such a wonderful and touching song...... enjoy it.

You're My Beloved
You're My Bride
To sing over you is My delight
Come away with Me My love

You're Beautiful to Me
So beautiful to Me

Under My mercy
Come and wait
Till we are standing face to face
I see no stain on you
My child

You're Beautiful to Me
So Beautiful to Me

I sing over you My song of peace
Cast all your care down at My feet
Come and find your rest in Me

I'll breathe My life inside of you
I'll bear you up on eagle's wings
And hide you in the shadow of My strength
I'll take you to My quiet waters
I'll restore your soul
Come rest in Me and be made whole

You're My beloved
You're My Bride
To sing over you is my delight
Come away with me my love

Scripture Share... More thoughts to come.

Psalm 119:57-60

You are my portion, O Lord;

I have promised to obey your words.

I have sought your face with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to your promise.

I have considered my ways

And have turned my steps to your statutes.

I will hasten and not delay

To obey your commands.

Hiding In Thee...

You have heard the phrase... I want to find a hole and crawl in it... Well that is how I have felt the last few days.  So many little annoyances that add up to stress and discontentment in my life.  I find myself easily annoyed with those I love and spend all my time with. 

Sometimes I just want to silence the world, my mind, my heart... just have no noise of any kind.  I can make my home totally quiet... but I am NO good at turning off my brain.  I envy those who can just lay their head on their pillow and be out! 

But just now, as I was telling my little ones and big ones good night.... the old hymn, "Hiding In Thee" came to mind.  What a wonderful and precious thought.  I do not need a hole in the ground.  I have a Savior, a Father, a Lover of my soul... that I can hind in at any moment.  Let me share the lyrics... it is worth a read!

O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.

Refrain

Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,”
I’m hiding in Thee.

In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o’er me its power;
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.

Refrain

How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.

Refrain

Oh thank You, my ROCK OF AGES... that I may hide in You.  That when I am in conflict, pressed by the enemy... I can run to you and "breathe out my woe".  I'm so thankful... that You love and adore my praise.  But I am blessed... that You love me so much... You are willing to listen to my moaning.  

Praise You, Thank You, I Adore You...

People Listening!

So tonight I am sitting at a local Starbucks waiting on one of my daughters to finish a Photography class!  (She is getting really good by the way!)

But I have been in this store for a little over an hour and heard at least four conversations regarding God.  Ok... I am trying not to be judgmental... truly I am... but folks are really confused and are being led astray!  I'm not talking simple little "issues" that are different from denomination to denomination... I'm talking basic BIBLICAL accountability and such.  Wow... you would have thought God was really this "mystic" being... a "fairy" that hangs out in our "earth"... well that was at least one explanation!  Wow!

Father God... please, help me to hold fast to YOUR WORD and none other.  Please let me know YOU so completely and intimately through your WORD and my time with you that I am not led astray or compromised by others "opinions".  I know that there is ONE GOD, and ONE WAY... only through Your Son JESUS CHRIST and His shedding of blood for me!  Help me when I read books, hear messages, etc.. that I not become a christian with a knowledge of catchy phrases and quotes... but of YOUR WORDS. 

Ok, that's my "soap box" for tonight!  Blessings to you all!

Cleaning Out The Temple..

I have been reading a book by Tim Hill called Beyond the Mist.  It's been a wonderful "read" about true revival.

The chapter I just finished made me take a look at my life.  It was centered around what unfolded as Jesus saw the money changers, all all that was unholy in the temple.  How they had the "dove" caged.  I have reflected on my "temple"  and what I had in it that wasn't supposed to be there.

I want, I long for a new stirring, a new revival, a new thing... beyond what I ever expected.  And I know to do that... there needs to be a cleaning.  Not that I have "deep, dark sins" anywhere... but even the small things... simple things like too much TV.  Thoughts that should be crucified, and such that I know is not perfectly pleasing to God.

Why is it so easy to put the Holy Spirit in a cage, and limit His work in my life, in my family, in my church.  Why is it so easy to let things of this "world" collect in my temple... so they are what I focus on instead of His voice, His face?  I don't want that.  I want more of HIM.  I want a so much more...

We sang a new song at church on Sunday, The More I Seek You.  I think it was made popular by Kari Jobe.  It is my hearts desire today and always.  I want to seek all that God has for me... all that He wants me to be and have... I want it all.  Not just a little, not just a portion... I want it all.  And if I have to clean house, daily, hourly, moment by moment.. I will.

Enjoy the song.

Do you have those times...

in your life when it seems that everything falls apart?  That regardless of what you do for the Lord, your family, your church... it is never enough or makes a real difference?  That's where I have been the past few days.

But anyone who knows me well also know that music is my "word"... music is what can change my situation quicker than anything else.  I love Christian music, especially worship music.  I've always loved music.

Anyway... a few nights ago, I was particularly down.  We had been informed of some upcoming changes with some of our dearest friends... changes that would carry into our church... and even our family because we love them so.  I was so defeated... I felt alone and broken and confused.  I was in tears when I clicked on KLOVE (my favorite online site for music) this song came on: 





My load was lifted.  Not gone, but such a reminder that God is right there with me.  That I am never alone in my burden.  That when my "everything" falls apart, it's just a season... but a season in which if I watch and allow Him to be... my God is strong and mighty!  I just have to keep holding on! 

Praise God for He is to always be praised!

Maundy Thursday

Tonight we our family attended the Maundy Thursday service of a local church.  Two years ago the pastor there introduced me to the Maundy Thursday services.  I had never been a part of them before, especially not in the pentecostal church.  I have to say that this Pastor is one of a kind... draws from so many aspects of church history and service types and melds them into his services.

Anyway.... once again this year, I was touched and moved so very deeply.  Thinking of our Risen King, being a servant just hours before the longest, darkest period of his life... humbles me so much. 

In this particular church, during the services, we still participate in a very lost, and misunderstood tradition of "foot washing".  It was just three years ago when I experience this for the first time.  I was not prepared for the waves of emotion that flooded me as women, whom I respect and love as mentor's... knelt beside me and washed MY feet.  The prayers they prayed touched my deepest needs and that place of longing to be truly a part of these amazing women.  Tonight was no different.  And to add to this wonderful, humbling, time.... my 3 year old, wanted her "feet washed" as well.  I couldn't tell where my tears ended and the bath of water began... and the prayers these wonderful women of God prayed over my daughter, this young tender little girl... well I have a great hope that our big and awesome God heard them all!

As we move into Friday.... and Saturday, with all the hustle and bustle of preparing for kids egg hunts, and family coming for lunch, and grocery shopping, etc....  I am determined to keep my focus on the Via Dolorosa... the way of suffering my Jesus walked.  I will remember pain and suffering He withstood as soldiers mocked Him, beat Him, humiliated Him.   I will remember the sorrow His mother felt.  I will remember the pain of what she had always known would come to pass, now unfolding in front of her. I will remember the unfathomable feeling of abandonment... my Jesus felt as His Father, turned His face away.  I will keep my focus on all that Jesus did for me.  All He endured... for just me... as if there was no one else who needed it but me. 

And Sunday... as all of my children are dressed in their new shoes and new clothes... I will focus... on the new body, the risen and transformed body, that Jesus now has.  I will remember the joy of the women who found the tomb empty.  I will remember the victory that is available to me and my life, because my Wonderful, Beautiful, Precious Jesus, ascended to hell and took hold of the keys.  I will remember as we sing of MY REDEEMER.... that Jesus sits at the right hand of His Father.  I will rejoice that the Sacrificial Lamb... is alive and waiting for me.  I will Sing The Wondrous Story.... of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. 

I will focus my life, my will, my desires, my entire being... to be more and more like my Lord, every day.  I will love people, to look past their sin and disease, and love them where they are.  I will do all I can do to "see" them as "Jesus" see's them... with compassion.  And I will work daily, to live a humble life, as a servant to all.  May I serve others in everyday, ordinary ways.... as I SERVE MY KING.

There is strength in the name of the Lord, there is power in the name of the Lord, there is hope in the name of the Lord..... blessed is he who comes, in the name of the LORD.

It's been a while...

since I posted on this site.  Life seems to keep me hopping! 

God has blessed me so much.  Every day is a treasure.  I am learning to sit back and enjoy special moments of each day, especially with my children.  Time goes by so quickly..... I blink and a year has passed.  I don't want to let my life get so "complicated" that I forget to enjoy and savor those little moments with the ones I love.

God continually shows me how big and mighty He really is.  There is a peace in my life that I have never known.  Sometimes, maybe it's a bad thing, because I get complacent.  But then again, maybe it's just that I am learning to rest in Him.  I don't think I've ever been able to do that before.

Oh most Holy and Gracious God, thank You for Your blessings.  May my eyes always be on You.  And may Your peace always be found in my life, even in the midst of the craziness this world offers. Amen.

Thanks, give thanks...

I love fall and Thanksgiving. I think it is my favorite time of year. We spend a few days at our family farm "Heritage Acres"... and just soak in God's beautiful creation! My kids love this place. They stay on the go from sun up to sun down. By the time night falls... they are worn out. We cook over the fire, ride 4 wheelers, play football, and other games. Aunts, uncles, cousins... four generations of them all come together that week. It is amazing.

We always have devotion before our meal on Thanksgiving day. This year, my mom shared. I love her and am so thankful for her! But as she spoke, I was overwhelmed with the reminder that our family has such a strong family line of christians. Generation after generation have believed in God, served Him, and lived their life by His Word.

I pray that I am able to leave this same legacy for my family. I pray that when my grandchildren's grandchildren gather for Thanksgiving... that they will recall their family always having a heritage of following the Lord. Of living for Him, serving Him, worshiping Him.

If you know me... you know worship is something that is very dear to my heart. I believe worship is the one thing I can offer up to the Lord at all times! And it is truly a good way to get you through the hard times as well. But I sense God calling me into a deeper sense of worship... really meeting with Him, on a personal one on one time. I've never been "great" at devotions and reading the Word. I love bible studies and have done some wonderful ones, but I think God is calling me to read His love letter to me. To know Him more intimately by just His words.

I hope to share and really get busy on my blogging during this excursion into His presence and His Word. Would you like to join me?

Knowing God...

I have thought a lot about really knowing God. I mean I know about God, I know who He is, I know all the stories... but do I really KNOW Him?

Do I know Him intimately? Do I know every little aspect of who He is and do I still long for Him? Think about when you "fell in love" for the first time... or maybe the last time. Do you remember every aspect, every feature of his face. When you parted, do you remember the smell, the touch? Could you remember and think about every word spoken, every sweet word he whispered in your ear?

We should know our First Love this intimately. Do we remember His voice, His touch, His name, His face? Or has our love grown cold? Has our love affair with the Savior faded? Is it just routine? Is it just something that is "there"... but doesn't move us or make us feel?

I want to know my Savior this well. I want to make sure I find time every day to just sit in His presence... to memorize His Word, His voice, His touch. I want to remember every touch He has given my life. I want to be able to hear His voice, and know any time He calls.

How do we get to know Jesus this well? Spend time with Him. Read His love letters to You. Talk to Him. Adore Him. Worship Him. Lavish in His love for You. Rest in His arms. Taste His blessings.

I love the words of this song. Oh to know You in Your glory. Oh to bow before Your throne. Oh to rest here in Your presence. Oh to worship You alone.

Spend time with your Savior!