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| This Xanga's not my home --
I'm just a-passin' through.
My posts are all put up
On ol' LiveJournal true.
This Xanga beckons me
'Cause friends are posting here,
But I can't feel at home
When LJ is so dear.
Okay, okay, that's a tacky song adaptation if I ever heard one...but I couldn't resist. ;)
Leave a comment with your email address if you'd like the link to my LJ -- I'm always thrilled to share it with folks, but do like to have a general idea of who's reading. :) | | |
| (Posted on my LJ 1-26-06)
Gems of the day: The LORD is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
and He knoweth them that trust in Him.
~Nahum 1:7~
God is faithful
(reliable,
trustworthy,
and therefore ever true to His promise,
and He can be depended on)...
1 Cor. 1:9a, Amplified
 Wallpaper-size image available here.
I made this graphic several weeks ago, partly as an encouragement for a friend, and partly as a needed reminder for myself. To me it pictures the helplessness of having to stand aside and watch while the storm rages around us and our dearest dreams and loved ones are slipping from view.
But look -- there is the cross! Rising up out of the waves and standing firm against the wind, it is a beacon of hope. As we focus on Jesus, all else will "grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace." We can cling to Him in complete trust, knowing He will never fail us. PTL, He controls the storm!
Another precious reminder along these lines was given to me in the form of a song back at the beginning of December. I was chatting with a friend of mine, Elizabeth B. (thekingdomcomes), and she shared a poem God had just given her. My immediate thought was that it would make a very powerful song, but Lizzy "isn't musical" (her own description) and I knew there was no way I could come up with a melody on my own. I've only written a couple songs and each time it has clearly been a result of direct inspiration. Nevertheless, I took the matter to the Lord in prayer that night, asking Him to give me or someone else a melody if He wanted it to become a song. The next day, as I sat down at the piano, the tune came to me -- I never sit down and just play freestyle, so it was obviously an answer to prayer. Isn't God good?!? 
Just yesterday I put the final touches on the sheet music and wanted to share it with you all here with the prayer it will be an encouragement (PDF, 181kb). It has been such a comforting reminder in my own life over the past weeks! For those of you who don't read or play music, Lizzy has the lyrics and a computer generated MP3 (not good quality, but gives an idea of the tune) on her journal. My sisters and I are hoping to make a proper recording of the song when we get a chance; I'll post it when it's finished.
The Lord IS good, friends! He is trustworthy and always, always faithful. Let's praise Him for that today. | | |
| (Posted on my LJ, 2-21-06)
Gem of the day: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you;
that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,
may abound to every good work.
~2 Cor. 9:8~
Have you ever felt like you were useless, unable to do anything for God or those around you? Last night we heard a very encouraging testimony along these lines from one of our nursing home friends. Nancy is younger than most of the other residents, and though her mind is clear she is physically unable to care for herself in any way. She had a major battle with self pity and feelings of uselessness until God gave her an idea -- she could grow her hair out and then donate it to help cancer patients. She has done that several times now; for her it is a tangible symbol that God still has a purpose for her life.
Another of our nursing home friends, Billie, shared with Mother how she is nearly blind and can't get around too well any more. "But I can still hear and talk," she said, "and I make an effort every day to just listen to other's problems and share an encouraging word as I can." Her smile is certainly a bright spot in our visits, and I'm sure God has really been using her in others' lives.
These testimonies are challenging to me. I am still young, with good health and full mobility; God has given me strength and talent and endless opportunities. Am I making the most of these gifts for His glory? Am I "redeeming the time" and truly seeking God's purpose for every moment of my life? Am I sensitive to His promptings, willing to pass along His love and joy to all I come in contact with?
How much I have yet to learn! Thank you, Nancy and Billie, for being a good example to me. | | |
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