"It's Me"

A few days ago I heard this Sara Groves song for the first time. I'm not even married, and yet before the song could finish I was sobbing so hard that I had to run in the bathroom and cry on the floor. I knelt there confessing to my precious Lord all the times I've been so hard and calloused, so cold to His touch. It's me that is so wrong. It's me who puts the distance between us. So often I've been like Israel in the book of Jeremiah, forgetting Him for days without number.(Jer. 2:32)
Throughout so many books of the Bible, the Lord speaks as a jilted, forgotten, heart-broken lover---yet ALWAYS A LOVER. This truth of His character has amazed and broken me time and time again. The fact that no matter how cold I become, He always welcomes me back with open arms and more tenderness that I could ever dream.

Have you ever grown cold or hard toward someone whom you have committed your life to and who loves you? Is there someone whom you need to be reconciled with today? Just those two words, "It's me".... could be the hardest and yet most precious words you could say to them.
May the Lord grant you grace this day to join with Him in one of the most beautiful aspects of His nature.... RECONCILIATION.


"It's me, oh baby it's me...how in the world could tenderness be gone?"

"If we cut off their tongues and forbid the Christians speech, they love with their hands, with their feet, and with their eyes, they love always and everywhere until their last respiration. Does anybody know how to take out the power of love from these stupid Christians?"

-Romanian prison guard who found both his fulfillment and frustration in torturing Christians

I Want To Know That Man

If there's a man with a vison to recognize beauty in places and faces the rest have passed by

If there's a man who could meet with the queen

and stay warm with a beggar the very same night

A man who would pour himself out for a stranger for years for no kind of pay

Let me know his name

I want to know that man

I want to know that man

I want to know that man

If there's a man without a wallet or looks to explain

why these masses of people wanna follow him around

If there is something compelling

if he's saying something they know they've gotta know more about

A man who could love like a mother and die for a world instead of saving himself

I want to know his name

I want to know that man

I want to know that man

I want to know that man

Oh I'd be fool to go on acting like it's unimportant

It might take a little more faith to imagine him away

to walk the other way...

If he came if he lived if he came if he lived

If he died if he lived if he IS if he IS

If there's a God who would enter humanity to capture the love of a rebel like me

I want to know his name

(I want to know his name)

I want to know that man

I want to know that man

(I want to know that man)

I wan to know that man

I want to know that man

by Christa Wells

Download selections (including this song) from her album Frame the Clouds here at her website!

Pretties

When this sweet lil' feller jumped up on my arm, we were instantly friends. :)

Daddy bought me an orchid! Isn't it absolutely gorgeous!?
I'm learning about how to take good care of it.

My cheerful phalaenopsis.

Staring contests.

This little guy came to visit on the back porch. Isn't he amazingly created?

Guidance

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye."
Psalm 32:8

I will guide you with My eye.

Those who are most beloved to me follow my gaze, and I theirs. It is only natural that when you love someone you want to know what they look upon, what captures their attention and brings light to their eyes. What excites them? What saddens them? What makes them beam with pleasure?

This, I believe, is what our precious Lord means when He says He will guide us with His eye.
THOSE WHO LOVE HIM FOLLOW HIS GAZE.
They watch to see what makes Him smile...
and find themselves smiling also.
They watch to see what He looks upon that makes Him cry...
and tears fill their eyes.
They find Him laughing and laugh with Him.

And as they follow His gaze, their eyes are opened.
They are not rebellious, nor do they turn away.

They always keep following...

ALWAYS

Seek My Face

*be sure to pause the music at the bottom of the page*

If You Love the LORD

If you love the Lord, you will love His will for you

Instead of questions why, there'll be praise for all He brings you through

If you love the Lord, you will love His holy commands

Delight yourself in them, and everything you do will surely stand

We are His workmanship created for good works in Christ

He calls us to offer up ourselves a living sacrifice

Well, if you love the Lord, His discipline you won't despise

Cause it will prove to you, that you're a Child in His eyes

And if you love the Lord, you'll seek His face with all your heart

And even when you're old, from His holy place you won't depart

We are His workmanship created for good works in Christ

He calls us to offer up ourselves a living sacrifice

We are His workmanship created for good works in Christ

He calls us to offer up ourselves a living sacrifice

If You Love the Lord, by Keith Green

These words have been running through my mind for days! I love this message. I want to shout it to all the world! To all the church!

"Instead of questions why, there'll be praise for all He brings you through."

"His discipline you won't despise 'cause it will prove to you that you're a child in His eyes."

So good. So true.

Nevada

Hot, dry desert land. Crisp, clear water.

Beautiful sunset. And a sky full of stars.

Walker River Resort was nice.

Nana liked the farm country up against the Sierras so much that we teased her about becoming a mail-order bride and living on a big Nevada ranch.

I told her I would come visit. :)

Springtime Tidepool Fun

Boredom

I firmly believe the word is not to come from any true believer's mouth, much less be an attitude of his heart and mind. It grieves me to hear young people, even young adults whining, "I'm bored..."What does God say about it?
"Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. " 1 Thess. 5:16-18
Does this leave ANY space for boredom?
Do you sometimes wonder what the Lord's will is for you? This verse states it clearly. This is the beginning of His will for you; pursue these things!



Elisabeth Elliot, in her book Discipline, writes:
"I once heard a formula guaranteed to prevent boredom.
It is to have

1. Something to do
2. Someone to love
3. Something to look forward to

"The Christian has all these things in Christ: work, a Master, a hope.
How easily we forget this. One of the results of the Fall is that we lose sight of the meaning of things and begin to see the world as dull and opaque, instead of charged with glory."



In the light of our Lord and His salvation, even the smallest tasks take on a glorious meaning. Again and again God's Word makes it clear that everything is worthwhile if done as unto the Lord. "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Also, we are told that God has prepared good works for us, which we should walk in. Just like the Israelites entering the promise land, He tells us, "Here is My great plan for you, full of milk and honey and all manner of sweetness, walled cities and giants to conquer (It is I who fight for you; do not be afraid), therefore GO! Every bit of soil that you place you foot upon is yours, take it all! Be strong and of good courage; I have given you this land which I swore to give you."

So we enter in and begin to walk; we keep walking and never stop.

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

May every day be sweeter as you pursue our precious King Jesus.