Love without measure; Space without time
Life with no crying; Will one day be mine.
Hearts never breaking; Hands that don't fight
Days that don't end with The darkness of night.
The lamb and the lion Will walk side by side
in a world where freedom abides
Friends that don't leave you; Smiles that don't fade
Nobody's hurtin' - No one's afraid.
No hungry children; Loved ones don't die
No sad farewells; There'll be no more goodbyes.
All the burdens and longings We bring to this place
Disappear in the moment We look at the love on His face.
That's what heaven will be like,
That's what heaven will be.
These are some of the lyrics from Michael English's song "Heaven". Isn't it wonderful to think that one day we will be in that wonderful place?
This weekend, we learned that a friend of ours had gone on to be in the arms of Jesus. Times like these always bring back memories of personal loss. Loved ones who have gone before us. While here on this earth, we mourn our loss, our loved ones are resting in this marvelous place where there is no struggle, no sadness, no hunger, no pain. While our lives will never be the same and our loved ones will never be forgotten, we thank you, Lord, for the comfort in knowing that they are home with you.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
A Child of the King
"He owns the cattle on a thousand hills"... it's been running through my mind all night and the thought brings me joy... this song isn't just talking about wealth, but comfort. Comfort in the knowledge that, as a child of the King of kings, we are cared for... provided for... and have no need of want.
It has been said that "God helps those who help themselves" well, that's not Biblical at all but it is true that He blesses those of us who love Him and are ready to receive His blessings. These blessings that are so freely talked about throughout the Bible aren't just monetary blessings... they are blessings of peace and joy. Security in knowing that we are truly loved. Just this week, I was listening to another sermon on the beatitudes and was reminded that "Blessed" means happy but not the emotional happy that we think of - rather a deeply abiding joy.
To me, this joy comes in so many forms... the beauty of God's handiwork, the wonderment of His miracles, the encouragement of a friend or loved one, or in times like tonight, a song that won't leave my mind... a song that reminds me that I am His. That I'm provided for and loved as a child of the King and that He will never leave me nor forsake me.
"He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the wealth in every mine,
He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills, the sun and stars that shine,
Wonderful riches more than tongue can tell, He is my Father so they're mine as well.
He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, I know that He will care for me."
Words and Melody by John W. Peterson
It has been said that "God helps those who help themselves" well, that's not Biblical at all but it is true that He blesses those of us who love Him and are ready to receive His blessings. These blessings that are so freely talked about throughout the Bible aren't just monetary blessings... they are blessings of peace and joy. Security in knowing that we are truly loved. Just this week, I was listening to another sermon on the beatitudes and was reminded that "Blessed" means happy but not the emotional happy that we think of - rather a deeply abiding joy.
To me, this joy comes in so many forms... the beauty of God's handiwork, the wonderment of His miracles, the encouragement of a friend or loved one, or in times like tonight, a song that won't leave my mind... a song that reminds me that I am His. That I'm provided for and loved as a child of the King and that He will never leave me nor forsake me.
"He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the wealth in every mine,
He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills, the sun and stars that shine,
Wonderful riches more than tongue can tell, He is my Father so they're mine as well.
He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, I know that He will care for me."
Words and Melody by John W. Peterson
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Slowing Down
You know those times when you really want to do something, your mind and spirit says, "go, go, go", but your body says, "who are you kidding?" Well, that was me today. Yesterday, I was TOTALLY wiped. After being sick several times in the middle of the night, I was too weak to even go downstairs for some much desired orange juice. But, after spending most of the day in bed and then getting a full 12 hours of sleep, my body was still on the ropes but my mind is wide awake and ready to go.
This feeling reminds me that these are the times when God can use us to pray, to encourage, to be there for support for those who need us. So, I may not have the energy to even make a phone call, but I can read, type, and pray.
It's also encouraging to know that God is ALWAYS there... and sometimes, he needs to just put us flat on our backs in order to get us to look up. But, Lord, I'm so glad you don't allow me to be on my back very often... it sure is miserable being down.
This feeling reminds me that these are the times when God can use us to pray, to encourage, to be there for support for those who need us. So, I may not have the energy to even make a phone call, but I can read, type, and pray.
It's also encouraging to know that God is ALWAYS there... and sometimes, he needs to just put us flat on our backs in order to get us to look up. But, Lord, I'm so glad you don't allow me to be on my back very often... it sure is miserable being down.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The Beat Goes On...
Ok... so, I know I said I couldn't claim to be a regular at this but once every two months? Really? As my son-in-law told me this week, in order to be motivated to blog, there needs to be someone following the blog. So, I guess, even though this is only my second post, I should let people know the thoughts are out here in case they may want to read them. So, to those of you giving this a try, thank you and welcome.
It's amazing to me, this miracle we take for granted... this miracle of life. Over the past 5 years, God has blessed our family with 8 grandchildren (plus a little one in heaven). These 8 grandchildren are happy, obedient, loving, and a joy to be around. When I hear someone yelling at a child or, almost as bad, totally ignoring them, it makes me sad. Life is very precious and it can be taken away (or withheld altogether) at any point in time.
Each breath is a miracle... how just the right combination of oxygen enters our body and is distributed to every organ as needed. It's a miracle that our heart pumps this oxygen around our body using a complex system of blood vessels and an even more complex filtration system. When I look at little tiny eyelashes, and teenie tiny finger nails, fingers, and toes, I can't help but be amazed. Then, as these children learn to form words, put 2 and 2 together, learn to walk, and how to get their way, it amazes me even more. How can anyone, not recognize this miracle that takes place every second of every minute, every hour of every day, every week of every year...
So, we started out just the two of us... my husband and I. Six years later, it was a family of 5 and now, almost 34 years later, we have our three beautiful children and their wonderful spouses (who we like to claim as our own) and these eight precious grandchildren. Even more amazing? None of the children are talking about stopping having children any time soon... so, as I said, the beat goes on... the heartbeat of God in every breath we take.
It's amazing to me, this miracle we take for granted... this miracle of life. Over the past 5 years, God has blessed our family with 8 grandchildren (plus a little one in heaven). These 8 grandchildren are happy, obedient, loving, and a joy to be around. When I hear someone yelling at a child or, almost as bad, totally ignoring them, it makes me sad. Life is very precious and it can be taken away (or withheld altogether) at any point in time.
Each breath is a miracle... how just the right combination of oxygen enters our body and is distributed to every organ as needed. It's a miracle that our heart pumps this oxygen around our body using a complex system of blood vessels and an even more complex filtration system. When I look at little tiny eyelashes, and teenie tiny finger nails, fingers, and toes, I can't help but be amazed. Then, as these children learn to form words, put 2 and 2 together, learn to walk, and how to get their way, it amazes me even more. How can anyone, not recognize this miracle that takes place every second of every minute, every hour of every day, every week of every year...
So, we started out just the two of us... my husband and I. Six years later, it was a family of 5 and now, almost 34 years later, we have our three beautiful children and their wonderful spouses (who we like to claim as our own) and these eight precious grandchildren. Even more amazing? None of the children are talking about stopping having children any time soon... so, as I said, the beat goes on... the heartbeat of God in every breath we take.
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