I wanted to share some of my favorite songs with you, those that comfort, inspire, and uplift me, so I decided to make it a weekly feature. I hope you enjoy!
Sing Me A Song About Jesus
G.T. Speer
Sing me a song about Jesus,
Sing me a song about His love,
Sing with all your might, Ev'ry day and night,
Make the hallelujahs roll;
Sing out the blessed old story,
Tell how he gave the victory,
Dying on a tree, All for you and me,
How He came and made me whole.
Sing me a song about Jesus,
Sing me a song about His love,
Sing with all your might, Ev'ry day and night,
If the way is bright or dim;
Sing me a song about Jesus,
Sing me a song about His love,
Sing about His grace, Till you see His face,
Sing me a song about Him.
Jesus the wonderful Savior,
Guides me along the rugged way,
Never lets me fall, Hears my feeble call,
Makes the way so bright for me;
I will forever adore Him,
I will forever sing His praise,
He will take me home, Never more to roam,
Then His loving face I'll see.
Sing me a song about Jesus,
Sing me a song about His love,
Sing with all your might, Ev'ry day and night,
If the way is bright or dim;
Sing me a song about Jesus,
Sing me a song about His love,
Sing about His grace, Till you see His face,
Sing me a song about Him.
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Just A Mom
I don't know how many of you are stay at home moms, like me, but do you ever feel like people look down on you because you are "just a mom" and haven't really "done anything with your life?" I do. I "threw away" a full paid scholarship to college to get married and start a family. I had heard my whole life, "You can do anything you want to do, be anything you want to be, if you just set your mind to it." I went through stages just like any kid, wanting to be a doctor, a teacher, a famous singer...but in the back of my mind, I knew I always wanted to be a wife and mother. And here I am however many years later. Wife and mother of 3. And you know what?
I'm happy.
I'm not going to sit here and lie to you. I'm not the perfect, model Proverbs 31 woman. There are things that I wish were different sometimes. I wish I had more support and more courage to act even without the support.
But I love being Jeremy's wife, his help meet, which entails so many different things. That and being a good mother to our children is a full time job. I love doing it. I love knowing that God gave me the direction and the desire to want to serve Him in doing my best to make our home a happy, loving, safe place for us and those we love. That He gave me the direction and desire to be hospitable and kind-hearted. That He gave me the avenue and ability to use this blog to reach out to others and try to be an encouragement even to those who I may never have met.
Am I "just a mom?"
No.
I am a mom. But I am also a wife. A friend. A Christian. A child of the King. A servant of my Lord.
Lord, help me always to remember that everything I do is for Your glory, whether it is blessing my home with cleanliness, instructing my children in righteousness, supporting my husband in his place of leadership, or encouraging others with Your love. Let me always strive to continue do to so. In the name of sweet Jesus, Amen.
I'm happy.
I'm not going to sit here and lie to you. I'm not the perfect, model Proverbs 31 woman. There are things that I wish were different sometimes. I wish I had more support and more courage to act even without the support.
But I love being Jeremy's wife, his help meet, which entails so many different things. That and being a good mother to our children is a full time job. I love doing it. I love knowing that God gave me the direction and the desire to want to serve Him in doing my best to make our home a happy, loving, safe place for us and those we love. That He gave me the direction and desire to be hospitable and kind-hearted. That He gave me the avenue and ability to use this blog to reach out to others and try to be an encouragement even to those who I may never have met.
Am I "just a mom?"
No.
I am a mom. But I am also a wife. A friend. A Christian. A child of the King. A servant of my Lord.
Lord, help me always to remember that everything I do is for Your glory, whether it is blessing my home with cleanliness, instructing my children in righteousness, supporting my husband in his place of leadership, or encouraging others with Your love. Let me always strive to continue do to so. In the name of sweet Jesus, Amen.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
True to Myself
You ever have someone tell you the "right"way to do something? Then when you try things their way, it's like wearing a shoe that is too tight (which is even more uncomfortable for someone who wears shoes as seldom as I do!) Now, you realize I'm not talking about commands from God, or doing those things that are required in our walk to live the Christian life. I'm talking about personality differences, "marketing yourself" if you will.
When I decided to start a devotional blog, the first thing I did was do a little research on what makes a "good" devo. I found I was "supposed to" start with a Bible passage, say my bit, then end with a prayer. So this is how I started. And I will admit, it is a good format. But it just hasn't been flowing well for me. At least not to use the same format for every post. So I have decided to loosen up a bit. Be more...well, me. Not try to be so philosophical or whatever it is I have tried. Be myself, and not try to do like someone else because it's "right." Just be open, using my own life and my own words to minister. Share my own shortcomings and how I am trying to overcome them. I don't mean be negative, but constructive. Weaving Scripture and prayer throughout. We will see how this goes. ;)
When I decided to start a devotional blog, the first thing I did was do a little research on what makes a "good" devo. I found I was "supposed to" start with a Bible passage, say my bit, then end with a prayer. So this is how I started. And I will admit, it is a good format. But it just hasn't been flowing well for me. At least not to use the same format for every post. So I have decided to loosen up a bit. Be more...well, me. Not try to be so philosophical or whatever it is I have tried. Be myself, and not try to do like someone else because it's "right." Just be open, using my own life and my own words to minister. Share my own shortcomings and how I am trying to overcome them. I don't mean be negative, but constructive. Weaving Scripture and prayer throughout. We will see how this goes. ;)
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
A Prayer
Dearest Father in Heaven,
Please be with me in all that I do. Let Your part in my life increase, and my my fleshly desires to decrease. Help me to be a better servant in Your eyes. Be with me as I raise my children, make a home, and do my part to spread your word. Guide my actions and my words so that others may see You in me. Please take away my insecurities and give me peace and strength, for Your glory, not mine. Lord, You are mighty and I am weak, and I know that while I can accomplish nothing alone, there is nothing I can't do with Your help. Please bless me with those spiritual blessings which will let Your light shine through me and guide me, so I can guide others in the journey to heaven. In Christ's most precious and holy name,
Amen.
Please be with me in all that I do. Let Your part in my life increase, and my my fleshly desires to decrease. Help me to be a better servant in Your eyes. Be with me as I raise my children, make a home, and do my part to spread your word. Guide my actions and my words so that others may see You in me. Please take away my insecurities and give me peace and strength, for Your glory, not mine. Lord, You are mighty and I am weak, and I know that while I can accomplish nothing alone, there is nothing I can't do with Your help. Please bless me with those spiritual blessings which will let Your light shine through me and guide me, so I can guide others in the journey to heaven. In Christ's most precious and holy name,
Amen.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Grieving God
Ephesians 4:30 "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God..."
Really think about the word "grieve." My dictionary defines it as to "cause to suffer sorrow." When Jeremy and I were talking about it, that came to my mind was "make you so sad it physically hurts."
Did you know there are things we can do to make God grieve?
Verse 31 says "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor [or loud quarreling], and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." You think it grieves God to hear us act in such ways toward each other?
If you keep reading in chapter 5, we are told, "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for the saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting..." (v. 3, 4) How many of us are guilty of at least one of these? If we haven't participated in it ourselves, we have at the least not rebuked others who were. I am just as guilty on this as anyone. How many times have we heard or told nasty "jokes," or flippantly discussed adultery, or watched a television show that endorsed homosexuality? These are subject matters that are grievous to God's Holy Spirit. Should we be taking them so lightly? Verse 12 says, "it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done my them [ungodly people] in secret."
Instead, we are to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another," "walk in love," and "do not be partakers with" those who act in such ways, but "find out what is acceptable to the Lord. (4:32, 5:2, 7, 10) Maybe we need to start redirecting our thoughts and our tongues. When something like this comes up, ask yourself "Is this pleasing to God? Does He want me to have a part in this? Is this something that He will accept as 'an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma' or does it just plain stink?"
Let us always remember to "imitate God as dear children." Act as He would have us, just as we expect our own children to act in an appropriate manner. Think about how a child wants to do everything exactly like mommy or daddy does it. God is telling us to follow Him in the same way. While we know we are not perfect and will inevitably make mistakes, we are to do our very best to imitate the Spirit of God.
Really think about the word "grieve." My dictionary defines it as to "cause to suffer sorrow." When Jeremy and I were talking about it, that came to my mind was "make you so sad it physically hurts."
Did you know there are things we can do to make God grieve?
Verse 31 says "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor [or loud quarreling], and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." You think it grieves God to hear us act in such ways toward each other?
If you keep reading in chapter 5, we are told, "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for the saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting..." (v. 3, 4) How many of us are guilty of at least one of these? If we haven't participated in it ourselves, we have at the least not rebuked others who were. I am just as guilty on this as anyone. How many times have we heard or told nasty "jokes," or flippantly discussed adultery, or watched a television show that endorsed homosexuality? These are subject matters that are grievous to God's Holy Spirit. Should we be taking them so lightly? Verse 12 says, "it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done my them [ungodly people] in secret."
Instead, we are to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another," "walk in love," and "do not be partakers with" those who act in such ways, but "find out what is acceptable to the Lord. (4:32, 5:2, 7, 10) Maybe we need to start redirecting our thoughts and our tongues. When something like this comes up, ask yourself "Is this pleasing to God? Does He want me to have a part in this? Is this something that He will accept as 'an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma' or does it just plain stink?"
Let us always remember to "imitate God as dear children." Act as He would have us, just as we expect our own children to act in an appropriate manner. Think about how a child wants to do everything exactly like mommy or daddy does it. God is telling us to follow Him in the same way. While we know we are not perfect and will inevitably make mistakes, we are to do our very best to imitate the Spirit of God.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Whose Way?
Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."
So many times we forget who we are supposed to be listening to.
It's not any man. (Acts 17:11)
It's not any tradition. (Colossians 2:8)
It's not even our own heart. (Proverbs 28:26)
Of course, there are times when man, traditions, and our heart are on the right track. But we should never trust them blindly. We should constantly search the Scriptures to make sure that we are following God's path, not our own. Sometimes, man tells us to make things easier for ourselves. Traditions may be held for the wrong reasons - simply because "that's the way we've always done it," not because we have clear instruction to do so (or not do so. It goes both ways.) Our heart can deceive us, trying to better our earthly life instead of looking toward our eternal goal and how we can achieve it.
God's way won't always be easy. It may not always be clear. We may not always understand why we are headed in the direction He sends us. But His way will always be right.
So many times we forget who we are supposed to be listening to.
It's not any man. (Acts 17:11)
It's not any tradition. (Colossians 2:8)
It's not even our own heart. (Proverbs 28:26)
Of course, there are times when man, traditions, and our heart are on the right track. But we should never trust them blindly. We should constantly search the Scriptures to make sure that we are following God's path, not our own. Sometimes, man tells us to make things easier for ourselves. Traditions may be held for the wrong reasons - simply because "that's the way we've always done it," not because we have clear instruction to do so (or not do so. It goes both ways.) Our heart can deceive us, trying to better our earthly life instead of looking toward our eternal goal and how we can achieve it.
God's way won't always be easy. It may not always be clear. We may not always understand why we are headed in the direction He sends us. But His way will always be right.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
He Gives Songs In The Night
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." ~Matthew 11:28-30
"...[He] gives songs in the night" ~Job 34:10
In our Monday night ladies' Bible class, we have been looking at Lea Fowler's book Strength in Times of Trouble. Last night's lesson was titled "He Gives Songs in the Night." In one paragraph she says, "That scripture has always bothered me. I had many times deliberately tried to think of songs in the night. I hadn't understood that first part - He gives you songs - He, God, gives you songs. It is not-'I strive to sing songs in the night.' " In another part, she says, "I had tried to sing for joy when I was joyful - but we sing for joy when we are scared, or hurting, or weak and have found relief."
I completely understood the concept of this. I knew that when I was feeling down or discouraged, a song of praise would come to my lips, and it would inevitably make me feel better. But I had never put the scripture with the concept. (Makes you look again at 2 Peter 1:3, doesn't it?) Then, last night, I had the opportunity to experience it once again.
It was "one of those nights." I had to get up 4 times in as many hours with one or another of the kiddos. I was tired. The baby had been whiny and clingy all day. When I got up with her to feed her, I just felt so overwhelmed. I just wanted to sleep. Then the song came to me "Ye that labor and are heavy laden lean upon your dear Lord's breast, Ye that labor and are heavy laden come and I will give you rest." And I started to feel better. I wasn't really less tired, but I knew that I could handle it. That my Heavenly Father would take care of me just as surely as I was taking care of my own child right that very minute. How sweet to know that He is always there. And how sweet to know He gives us songs in the night.
Loving Father, who watches over me with Your mighty Hand, thank you so much for the blessing of being able to call you Father. I know that You are always with me, and that You will comfort and uplift me just as I would my own child. Thank you for the songs of praise and encouragement you inspired others to compose so that when I am down, You can bring them to my rememberance and give me songs in the night. In my dear Saviour's name, Amen.
"...[He] gives songs in the night" ~Job 34:10
In our Monday night ladies' Bible class, we have been looking at Lea Fowler's book Strength in Times of Trouble. Last night's lesson was titled "He Gives Songs in the Night." In one paragraph she says, "That scripture has always bothered me. I had many times deliberately tried to think of songs in the night. I hadn't understood that first part - He gives you songs - He, God, gives you songs. It is not-'I strive to sing songs in the night.' " In another part, she says, "I had tried to sing for joy when I was joyful - but we sing for joy when we are scared, or hurting, or weak and have found relief."
I completely understood the concept of this. I knew that when I was feeling down or discouraged, a song of praise would come to my lips, and it would inevitably make me feel better. But I had never put the scripture with the concept. (Makes you look again at 2 Peter 1:3, doesn't it?) Then, last night, I had the opportunity to experience it once again.
It was "one of those nights." I had to get up 4 times in as many hours with one or another of the kiddos. I was tired. The baby had been whiny and clingy all day. When I got up with her to feed her, I just felt so overwhelmed. I just wanted to sleep. Then the song came to me "Ye that labor and are heavy laden lean upon your dear Lord's breast, Ye that labor and are heavy laden come and I will give you rest." And I started to feel better. I wasn't really less tired, but I knew that I could handle it. That my Heavenly Father would take care of me just as surely as I was taking care of my own child right that very minute. How sweet to know that He is always there. And how sweet to know He gives us songs in the night.
Loving Father, who watches over me with Your mighty Hand, thank you so much for the blessing of being able to call you Father. I know that You are always with me, and that You will comfort and uplift me just as I would my own child. Thank you for the songs of praise and encouragement you inspired others to compose so that when I am down, You can bring them to my rememberance and give me songs in the night. In my dear Saviour's name, Amen.
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