Psalm 136:3
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever:
Psalm 136:26
Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
For His mercy endures forever.
These verses remind me of just WHO God is! He is the LORD of lords. The ultimate Lord. The one with all authority. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, ever present yesterday, today, and forever. He also shares this ultimate authority with His Son, the very one who died for ME and who makes intercession for me before the Father, and whose blood covers my sin and continually cleanses me (1 John 1:7). Sometimes I feel like the weight of the world is on my weak shoulders, and yet...God truly bears the weight FOR me. 1 Peter 5:7 says to cast our cares upon Him for He cares for you. This doesn't just mean He cares about us. It means He does the caring FOR us! Just as a child need not worry about "grown up" things we, too, need not worry about ANYTHING. Just as we do the "caring" for things for our earthly children, our holy Father does the caring FOR us.
He is the GOD of heaven!
I cannot wrap my mind around the glory that must be in heaven. It is the home of THE God. It is the home promised to the faithful. Somehow, some way, there will be no tears, no sorrow, no pain, and no suffering there (Rev 21:4). We will need no light, as God will be the light (Rev. 21:23). There will be no fear or worrying there (for which I am SOOOOO grateful, as that is my "thorn"), and we will have eternity to praise Him. The Creator. Our Father. The Judge. The Almighty. The LORD of lords.
Give thanks to Him. He deserves so much more than our feeble thanks, but give it anyway! Thank Him for His love, His mercy, His righteous judgment, His creation.... Thank Him at any time you can, for the big things and the little. Thank Him with words, actions, and your life.
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Friday, November 3, 2017
Thankful, days 2 and 3
Psalm 107:1 - Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Psalm 118:1 - Oh, give thanks to the LORD for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
The LORD is good always and in ALL ways. I am reminded of the verse that says, "Blessed be the LORD, who daily loads us with benefits! The God of our salvation!" (Psalm 68:19). Every day that we live, God blesses us. We would do well to focus on this more than we do on the difficult and challenging aspects of life.
HIS MERCY endures forever! His MERCY - we are so undeserving of His mercy, grace, and forgiveness; however, He gives all freely if we are obedient. That is so mind-boggling to me!
His mercy ENDURES forever - This makes me think of perseverance, determination, patience, and willingness! His mercy is not short-lived or temporal. It is extended to us eternally and will withstand even the fiercest attacks from the devil.
His mercy endures FOREVER - Just as the LORD has always existed, so, too, has His mercy. He has planned mercy from before the foundation of the world, and it is evident in every aspect of His character, His creation, His church, and His salvation.
Psalm 118:1 - Oh, give thanks to the LORD for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
The LORD is good always and in ALL ways. I am reminded of the verse that says, "Blessed be the LORD, who daily loads us with benefits! The God of our salvation!" (Psalm 68:19). Every day that we live, God blesses us. We would do well to focus on this more than we do on the difficult and challenging aspects of life.
HIS MERCY endures forever! His MERCY - we are so undeserving of His mercy, grace, and forgiveness; however, He gives all freely if we are obedient. That is so mind-boggling to me!
His mercy ENDURES forever - This makes me think of perseverance, determination, patience, and willingness! His mercy is not short-lived or temporal. It is extended to us eternally and will withstand even the fiercest attacks from the devil.
His mercy endures FOREVER - Just as the LORD has always existed, so, too, has His mercy. He has planned mercy from before the foundation of the world, and it is evident in every aspect of His character, His creation, His church, and His salvation.
Thankful, day 1
I have recently been reminded how "cathartic" writing can be, so I am hoping to be able to find more time to do so. Feel free to ignore these random posts. And, if you are a male reading this blog (doubtful, but, I suppose, possible), please skip over anything regarding Scripture, in keeping with the Bible's instructions about women not teaching men. :)
Psalm 100:4 - Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. NKJV
I love this verse when thinking about the opportunities He affords us to worship Him along with our church family. Sometimes, especially for moms, worship can become a drudgery or just another part of our to-do list. It can seem mundane or even fruitless to expend so much effort wrestling with our children during services or making sure everyone arrives dressed, fed, rested, and with Bible in hand. It is a welcome reminder to me that we always have reason to praise and to thank Him, no matter our circumstances.
Psalm 100:4 - Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. NKJV
I love this verse when thinking about the opportunities He affords us to worship Him along with our church family. Sometimes, especially for moms, worship can become a drudgery or just another part of our to-do list. It can seem mundane or even fruitless to expend so much effort wrestling with our children during services or making sure everyone arrives dressed, fed, rested, and with Bible in hand. It is a welcome reminder to me that we always have reason to praise and to thank Him, no matter our circumstances.
More than "just" pictures
A few years ago when my aunt Margaret passed away, I remember my mom commenting on how few pictures she had of the two of them together. They were always either the ones taking the pictures of everyone else, or else they were finding excuses to not be in the picture. Years later, there was so much regret that they had no photographic proof of so many memories made and shared.
Recently, Jeremy and I took a belated anniversary trip to Charleston, South Carolina. During that trip, we took several walks on the beach, the pier, the waterfront, etc. I was struck by the beauty of it all and snapped pictures like crazy! I even convinced Jeremy to let me take pictures, and I didn't hesitate when he asked to take some of me. Additionally, I had complete strangers take OUR picture...a rare treat!
After our trip to Charleston, we tried to show the kids pictures of our adventures, and we discovered our camera had vanished. We scoured the car, our house, our luggage, etc. I contacted nearby restaurants, security personnel, and even the police department near our last stop. Friends in the area selflessly went to search for the camera, but it was nowhere to be found. I was crushed. Completely devastated. Inconsolable.
Jeremy could not understand my overwhelming despair at the loss, and he reminded me calmly that it was "just" a camera and could be replaced, and that we still had the memories even though we didn't have the photos. He told me it was not worth the tears and the stress. What I couldn't explain to him was that those pictures represented so much more to me, for an abundance of reasons, some of which I will try to detail below.
1. For once, I was actually willingly "in the pictures." Usually I avoid pictures because I am appalled at what they show. All I can see in them is how tired, fat, ugly, or stressed I look. I usually can't see past those physical flaws to the soul within. On this trip, however, I ignored my fears and flaws and just delighted in the fact that Jeremy and I had some "couple" photos.
2. Those photos showed us having FUN. TOGETHER. Doing ADULT things. JUST US. As a mom, it is easy for me to forget what things I even enjoy. I get so caught up in what others need, want, or like, that I forget to take care of myself or do things I enjoy. These pictures were a reminder to me that I am more than "just" a mom, although that is a huge blessing in my life. In these pictures, I am reminded that I am someone's chosen life partner, someone's beloved, and someone worthwhile. Someone whose likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses matter. The pictures would also serve as a reminder that Jeremy and I share a powerful friendship and can enjoy each other's company by just being together.
3. In this set of pictures, there were photos of things that caught MY eye or inspired ME. We took a bunch of pictures of a giant cargo ship that looked as if it could not possibly fit under the bridge it was rapidly approaching. We, along with quite a few other curious people, watched intently, unintentionally holding our collective breath. When the ship did, indeed, pass safely under the bridge with minimal clearance, we all simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.
Jeremy teases me about taking "leaf" pictures, but I am fascinated by the way light plays through trees and branches, and I enjoy taking "off the beaten path" photos. On this trip, I had free rein of hte camera and could take whatever I chose. No one was yelling "look at me! Take MY picture! Look at that!" I could just enjoy and photograph.
4. These pictures represented how far I have come in life and how much GOD has blessed me. We went on a walking tour with my high school history teacher, Bill Stanton, and, at the end of the tour, Jeremy took our picture. Somewhere I have a "before" picture from graduation, and I can't wait to compare the two. When I had Mr. Stanton in class 20 years ago, it was a rough time in my life. We had just moved from LA (the only home I'd ever known) to TN. I didn't fit in at all in my new school, and I despised everything about it. It felt like a prison. The focus on academics was minimal, while wealth, parties, and athletics were glorified. I was placed in Mr. Stanton's class as a "last resort" due to how my credits transferred and due to our late registration in the system. Defeated, depressed, and dreading school, I began my tenure as his student.
Within a few classes, history became ALIVE to me. I couldn't wait to know more, and I proceeded to take every class Mr. Stanton offered during my time there. A love of history was born, and it has shaped me ever since.
Additionally, Mr. Stanton encouraged me greatly and did many things on my behalf, including reference letters. A few years later, I was admitted to Milligan College, where I received a sizable scholarship. Years later, an admission counselor confided in me that the reference letter from Mr. Stanton made the difference in which scholarship I got. Had I not received the one I did, I likely would not have been able to attend that school. Consequently, I would never have met my husband or had my two beautiful (albeit challenging) children. Perhaps I would never have learned the truth of and obeyed the gospel, met my church family, or received a million other blessings that resulted from meeting Jeremy. So, this picture 20 years later was more than "just" a picture. It was a visual stop on the road map of a blessed life.
All in all, this whole camera ordeal has been so much more than "just" a lost camera. I have learned and evaluated so many things just in these few weeks.
Yesterday, my son came in and said he deserved something nice. I turned to see why he said that, and there he stood with our camera. In disbelief, I just stood there. We previously had the same model of camera, so I didn't dare believe this was the one we had in Charleston. Yet, there it was! I quickly pulled out the memory card and opened up the files on our computer. It WAS our camera! All those pictures were there, just as I remembered them! I was so stunned and thankful that I just couldn't speak. What a blessing! I am so very thankful, and next time we are taking photos, I am undoubtedly getting IN the picture, exhaustion, no makeup, double chins, and all! :)
Recently, Jeremy and I took a belated anniversary trip to Charleston, South Carolina. During that trip, we took several walks on the beach, the pier, the waterfront, etc. I was struck by the beauty of it all and snapped pictures like crazy! I even convinced Jeremy to let me take pictures, and I didn't hesitate when he asked to take some of me. Additionally, I had complete strangers take OUR picture...a rare treat!
After our trip to Charleston, we tried to show the kids pictures of our adventures, and we discovered our camera had vanished. We scoured the car, our house, our luggage, etc. I contacted nearby restaurants, security personnel, and even the police department near our last stop. Friends in the area selflessly went to search for the camera, but it was nowhere to be found. I was crushed. Completely devastated. Inconsolable.
Jeremy could not understand my overwhelming despair at the loss, and he reminded me calmly that it was "just" a camera and could be replaced, and that we still had the memories even though we didn't have the photos. He told me it was not worth the tears and the stress. What I couldn't explain to him was that those pictures represented so much more to me, for an abundance of reasons, some of which I will try to detail below.
1. For once, I was actually willingly "in the pictures." Usually I avoid pictures because I am appalled at what they show. All I can see in them is how tired, fat, ugly, or stressed I look. I usually can't see past those physical flaws to the soul within. On this trip, however, I ignored my fears and flaws and just delighted in the fact that Jeremy and I had some "couple" photos.
2. Those photos showed us having FUN. TOGETHER. Doing ADULT things. JUST US. As a mom, it is easy for me to forget what things I even enjoy. I get so caught up in what others need, want, or like, that I forget to take care of myself or do things I enjoy. These pictures were a reminder to me that I am more than "just" a mom, although that is a huge blessing in my life. In these pictures, I am reminded that I am someone's chosen life partner, someone's beloved, and someone worthwhile. Someone whose likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses matter. The pictures would also serve as a reminder that Jeremy and I share a powerful friendship and can enjoy each other's company by just being together.
3. In this set of pictures, there were photos of things that caught MY eye or inspired ME. We took a bunch of pictures of a giant cargo ship that looked as if it could not possibly fit under the bridge it was rapidly approaching. We, along with quite a few other curious people, watched intently, unintentionally holding our collective breath. When the ship did, indeed, pass safely under the bridge with minimal clearance, we all simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.
Jeremy teases me about taking "leaf" pictures, but I am fascinated by the way light plays through trees and branches, and I enjoy taking "off the beaten path" photos. On this trip, I had free rein of hte camera and could take whatever I chose. No one was yelling "look at me! Take MY picture! Look at that!" I could just enjoy and photograph.
4. These pictures represented how far I have come in life and how much GOD has blessed me. We went on a walking tour with my high school history teacher, Bill Stanton, and, at the end of the tour, Jeremy took our picture. Somewhere I have a "before" picture from graduation, and I can't wait to compare the two. When I had Mr. Stanton in class 20 years ago, it was a rough time in my life. We had just moved from LA (the only home I'd ever known) to TN. I didn't fit in at all in my new school, and I despised everything about it. It felt like a prison. The focus on academics was minimal, while wealth, parties, and athletics were glorified. I was placed in Mr. Stanton's class as a "last resort" due to how my credits transferred and due to our late registration in the system. Defeated, depressed, and dreading school, I began my tenure as his student.
Within a few classes, history became ALIVE to me. I couldn't wait to know more, and I proceeded to take every class Mr. Stanton offered during my time there. A love of history was born, and it has shaped me ever since.
Additionally, Mr. Stanton encouraged me greatly and did many things on my behalf, including reference letters. A few years later, I was admitted to Milligan College, where I received a sizable scholarship. Years later, an admission counselor confided in me that the reference letter from Mr. Stanton made the difference in which scholarship I got. Had I not received the one I did, I likely would not have been able to attend that school. Consequently, I would never have met my husband or had my two beautiful (albeit challenging) children. Perhaps I would never have learned the truth of and obeyed the gospel, met my church family, or received a million other blessings that resulted from meeting Jeremy. So, this picture 20 years later was more than "just" a picture. It was a visual stop on the road map of a blessed life.
All in all, this whole camera ordeal has been so much more than "just" a lost camera. I have learned and evaluated so many things just in these few weeks.
Yesterday, my son came in and said he deserved something nice. I turned to see why he said that, and there he stood with our camera. In disbelief, I just stood there. We previously had the same model of camera, so I didn't dare believe this was the one we had in Charleston. Yet, there it was! I quickly pulled out the memory card and opened up the files on our computer. It WAS our camera! All those pictures were there, just as I remembered them! I was so stunned and thankful that I just couldn't speak. What a blessing! I am so very thankful, and next time we are taking photos, I am undoubtedly getting IN the picture, exhaustion, no makeup, double chins, and all! :)
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