Mighty

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea--the LORD on high is mighty. Psalm 93:4 NIV

Beautiful

The heavens proclaim the glory of
God.
The skies display his
craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to
speak;
night after night they make him
known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone
throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.

God has made a home in the
heavens for the sun.
It bursts forth like a radiant
bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete
eager to run the race.
The sun rises at one end of the
heavens
and follows its course to the
other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.

The instructions of the LORD are
perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the LORD are
trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The commandments of the LORD
are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are
clear,
giving insight for living.
Reverence for the LORD is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the LORD are true;
each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who
obey them.
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don't let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.

May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O LORD, my rock and my
redeemer.

Psalm 19:1-14 NLT

So beautiful...

Safe

**Please scroll down and pause player before watching video**

As we continue to pray for the people of Haiti, we remember that we are safe in His Arms.

I received a phone call from World Vision the week before last...they wanted to let me know that they are attempting to account for all the sponsored children in Haiti. As you can no doubt see from the news reports, this will be a daunting task to say the least. It may be months before a sponsor family hears word. In fact, the reality is...it may be never. But God is good. My faith is strong. My little Guithe and his family, through the work of World Vision, knew Jesus. So, whatever the outcome...they too, are safe in His Arms.

"Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." Psalm 46:10 NLT

Simplified

Life vastly simplifies, and satisfaction greatly amplifies, when we begin to realize our awesome roles. God is God. From our perspective, it's all about Him. He is the center of the universe. We seek to please Him. He seeks to perfect us -- and life works. Not without pain, but definitely with purpose.

Excerpted from Beth Moore: Breaking Free Day by Day (emphasis mine)

Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Isaiah 46:9 NLT

His people

I received this link from a friend today...

I am sending it to everyone in my email address book as well as sharing it here because I feel it is a message worth hearing again and again. I certainly was grateful for the reminder today...I hope you feel the same. If so, would you share it as well?

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Air hunger

In medicine there is a term: air hunger. It's described as

deep labored breathing at an increased (or decreased) rate

As I was driving home this afternoon listening to Michael W. Smith's song, Breathe, that's how I felt. Like I just couldn't breathe in enough of Him. I'm desperate for Him. His very Word - spoken to me. His Holy Presence - living in me. He is the air I breathe.

Breathe...

Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 NASB

Someday

So there was a little more that I wanted to add to my last post, but I thought I'd save it for today - Music Monday.

Elliott's mother was his biggest fan. You'd frequently see her in the American Idol audience, cheering him on, smiling from ear to ear. Seeing her always made made my Sweet Hubby and I smile too! Mothers and sons...


He's dedicated his latest CD to her:

This album is dedicated to the loving memory of my mother Claudette Yamin...thank you for this wonderful gift of life, and helping me become the man I am today...I owe it all to you Ma!...you will be in our hearts and minds for all eternity; may you rest in peace!

Elliott co-wrote this song and there is no doubt who he is singing it to...no doubt at all. If you've lost a loved one, I think you'll identify with his words.

**Please scroll down and pause my player before watching video**

Yes...we will see them again. Someday. Just like the song says...no more crying, no more dying. Someday. Provided we know Him. Belong to Him. Then we can rest assured of that sweet someday...

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21: 4 NIV

An unexpected gift

The other day my friend Kimberly and I met at my neighborhood Panera for lunch. While we were there, they breezed in...and they had "the look." You know. The "band" look. And I knew...


He didn't stay...but they did. In fact, they sat at the table right next to us.

I wondered why he was in town...although his hometown is not that far from here, I couldn't imagine he was just hanging out. So, I googled. And then I really knew!

Which led Kimberly and I here the following evening...


A little hole in the wall deli at the oceanfront where my Sweet Hubby and I had enjoyed lunch many an afternoon.

We listened. And I remembered why my Sweet Hubby and I were fans. Why we voted. Why we cheered him on week after week. Why we went to see him when they toured.

And I couldn't help but think as I sat there that night that this was all a gift...oh - I enjoyed every note.


The only way it could have been better was if my Sweet Hubby had been there, holding my hand, and enjoying the music too. With his earplugs in...lol. He liked to tease me that my love of live music cost him his hearing (sorry Building 429!). Oops!

He was just as kind as I knew he'd be...truly grateful for all he's been given; all the opportunities he's been afforded. And while he doesn't live in Virginia anymore, he says it'll always be where his heart is - where he calls home and that he does get back to Richmond on occasion. I told him I'll be looking for him when I visit my son in Richmond...who knows - maybe we'll wave! He laughed and said, "that'll be great!" Nice man. Mama's smiling for sure...

I left with a souvenir to remind me of happier days...times spent watching a young man named Elliott Yamin from Richmond, Virginia pursue his dreams of a music career on a show called American Idol. And how my Sweet Hubby and I rooted for him week after week. Watching him improve, both musically and in his self-confidence. Simpler times, when the biggest stressor of the evening was "did we get enough votes in to keep him in the competition?!" So somehow, this just felt right...



And sweetheart? Thank you for the gift.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

Shaken

Please be in prayer...I just read that a terrible earthquake has been reported in Haiti - possible magnitude 7.0. The epicenter is said to be just west of Port au Prince. Two strong aftershocks followed, 5.9 and 5.5...I'm sure there will be more to come. These people are so very poor, they have so very little. But there is a piece of me there.

Years ago, my Sweet Hubby and I began sponsoring a little boy in Haiti. Our little Guithe. Our hearts melted when we saw this sweet, scared little face...how could they not? He was born into our hearts that very moment.




Just yesterday, I received this Happy New Year card and drawing from him. I melted...again.



As I do every time I get something with this postmark:




So, I am devastated by this news. And on my knees in prayer...Abba Father - please...

And now that you know someone in Haiti too...




I was wondering if you'd join me?

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. Matthew 24:7 NIV

The opposite

Remember this?

**Please scroll down and pause my player before watching video**

Sometimes I'd like to go "the opposite" of there. To a place where no one knows my name.

I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me! Psalm 119:19 NIV

Oh yes...HE IS

**Please scroll down and pause my player before watching video**

On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:16 NIV

Reflection

I'm sitting here this morning, the 14 month anniversary of my Sweet Hubby's Homegoing, reliving some memories. Most happy. Some very sad. It's still all so fresh that unfortunately those memories of cancer and all that came with it are frequent visitors. In time, I expect that they'll fade into the background and all the other, healthy, happy years will once again (and rightly so) resume their place in the forefront. I look forward to that time...Even still, I'd do it all again - every bit of it. My life with him was so good, so worth every moment of this overwhelming sadness. I was so blessed...

I also reread some of my older blog posts to see where I "was" a year or so ago...and I found the most amazing thing!

All of you have been with me this entire time. So I just wanted to say "thank you." From the bottom of my worn out, grieving, faith-filled, God-loving heart. Thank you.

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:1-3 NIV

Just "Be"

From today's entry of my Turning Points devotional by David Jeremiah...

"If you feel that your life isn't making an impact, that your ministry is fruitless, give that over to God. Focus instead on abiding in Him. Spend much time in secret, in the Word and in prayer. We're often enamored by what a person does, but God is more concerned with who we are. Being always comes before doing in His eyes." (emphasis mine)

Sometimes my Sweet Hubby would ask me what I wanted to do with the day...and there were times when I would reply, "Let's just 'be' today." Looks like I was right on track. And I believe it goes along with my heart's desire for this new year:

To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly

*

"Focus instead on abiding in Him. Spend much time in secret, in the Word and in prayer."

Yes, I'd say they're a perfect match.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. John 15:4 NASB

Counting my blessings

I have to confess...a little while ago, I sat here in tears with hurt feelings. Sigh...

Now, my Sweet Hubby was a wonderful listener...the best I've ever known. You can ask anyone who knew him - they'll tell you! And he loved me. Nothing bothered him more than to see me upset. We would sit and he would say, "Sweetheart, tell me..." And I would.

I miss everything about him. But I think I miss his listening the most. At least today. Other times I miss his hand-holding. Or his amazing smile...sigh...I just miss him. All of him. But he was an incredible listener. I mean - just look at him...doesn't he look like someone who would just hang on your every word?? He does, right? That's because he did!



I still talk to him. Yes. Out loud. Does that make me crazy? Oh well...if so, then I guess I am. So, yes, I told him about why I was so upset, why I was crying today. And the blessing is this...

Because I know him so well...I know exactly what he'd say if he were still sitting right next to me, holding my hand.

"Oh Sweetheart, please don't let it get to you so much. Don't let it make you cry...you have so many people in your life who love you and treasure you. If this person treats you this way, then you have to wonder about the friendship and if it is true or not."

And you know? He's was (and still is) absolutely right...I have much to be thankful for. So, go away tears, hello blessings!

I do believe people come into our lives for a reason. And they don't always remain. But because I truly do cherish each and every one of my friends, it hurts when I feel one slipping away...still if the "season" of this relationship has run its course, I'll be thankful for what I had while I had it and look forward to what the Lord has in store for me! As I 'said' to a fellow blogger today, "God is still on His throne!"

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT

Storm

Prayer Warriors, will you help? I just received a message from a friend that her husband tried to commit suicide yesterday. Their son found him. I know they have been struggling in their marriage for a while now and that he lost his job a while ago...pressure, pressure, pressure...I have been praying for them for months now. She has been praying for months now...

Will you pray?

God bless you...and thank you.

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20 NIV

Fingerprints

As my girlfriend Kimberly would put it - we had a little "sitch-e-ation" this morning...could have been a pretty big, UGLY deal. But it was not.

And Lord, I saw Your fingerprints all OVER that one!! To You be all the glory!

I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another. Ezekiel 34:22 NIV

Whispers

I have been processing this all day long and have decided to post it just to have a marker of it.

Right after my quiet time this morning as I entered my kitchen to put the kettle on for another cup of tea, I heard 3 words whispered to me. Not in my house...but in my head, in my heart.

"Ready thy house."

They stopped me in my tracks. Literally. I knew immediately Who was speaking. Because I sure don't talk like that.

So all day long I've been wondering exactly what I'm to "ready" in my house. In a broad sense? In a literal sense? Praying for clarity...I'm listening Lord.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 NLT

He knew His face

Welcome to the first Music Monday of 2010! I hope you like the song I've chosen because I sure do! It's got some lyrics that are very meaningful to me...I'll explain why at the end of this post.

**Please scroll down and pause my player before beginning the video**

What were the special lyrics, you ask?

"Would you recognize His face
If He came to bring you home"

It has given me great comfort over these past almost 14 months that my Sweet Hubby did indeed recognize His face and He did, in fact, come to take him home. My Sweet Hubby called Him "My Jesus"...and He was. And is. Even more so now.

When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. John 14:3 NLT

Day by Day

I know I'm telling my age when I recite these song lyrics...

Day by day
Day by day
O dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by Day

excerpt from the musical Godspell, c 1973

I don't make resolutions for the new year, but the above represent my heart's desire for 2010.

How about you? What are your aspirations for the coming year?

My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming." Psalm 27:8 NLT