Musical Moments of JOY

Life often speaks to me in moments of music.

Here are a few that I've experienced lately:

* singing the ABC song with a favorite little guy [under two] and hearing him say the next letter before it comes out of my mouth.  I'm thankful for the time his sweet mommy spends with him!

* singing "Jesus Loves Me" with another small, sad friend and loving that moment when he wasn't just listening to me singing, but he was singing with me.  I love the thought that he took comfort in singing those words while he waited for his Mommy to return.

* singing "When We All Get to Heaven" during a visit with my Great Aunt as she wondered about those she would be reunited with in Heaven someday ~ "what a day of rejoicing that will be!"

How does music speak to you?

Healing is in His Hands

Have you ever received a very clear message from a song?  Me too.  At worship on Sunday morning.

Some friends are going through tough stuff, and it was weighing heavy on my heart.  I like to make things better for people, don't you?  Sometimes I overwhelm myself thinking there MUST be something I can do.  But, this morning, after singing "healing is in your hands" several times, I felt a release switch flip inside of me.  I felt like God was saying, "Let it go. Healing is in MY hands."

Whether you're waiting to be healed, or perhaps on the other side of the coin and trying to be the "healer" -- the "fixer," I think this song is powerful.

No mountain, no valley
No gain or loss we know
Could keep us from Your love

No sickness, no secret
No chain is strong enough
To keep us from Your love
To keep us from Your love

How high? How wide?
No matter where I am
Healing is in Your hands

How deep? How strong?
Now by Your grace I stand
Healing is in Your hands

Our present, our future
Our past is in Your hands
We're covered by Your blood
We're covered by Your blood

How high? How wide?
No matter where I am
Healing is in Your hands

How deep? How strong?
Now by Your grace I stand
Healing is in Your hands

In all things we know that
We are more than conquerors
You keep us by Your love

In all things we know that
We are more than conquerors
You keep us by Your love
You keep us by Your love

How high? How wide? Oh, Lord
No matter where I am
Healing is in Your hands

How deep? How deep is Your love?
How strong? How strong is Your love?
Now by Your grace I stand
Healing is in Your hands.

I John 4:10

"This is love:

not that we loved God, but that he loved us

and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

I Stand in Awe of You

You are beautiful beyond description

Too marvelous for words

Too wonderful for comprehension

Like nothing ever seen or heard

Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?

Who can fathom the depth of Your love?

You are beautiful beyond description

Majesty, enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of You

I stand, I stand in awe of You

Holy God, to whom all praise is due

I stand in awe of You

You are beautiful beyond description

Yet God crushed You for my sin

In agony and deep affliction

Cut off that I might enter in

Who can grasp such tender compassion?

Who can fathom this mercy so free?

You are beautiful beyond description

Lamb of God who died for me

words and music by Mark Altrogge

Warm Fuzzies!

It hasn't been a creative week around here,

and I'm not sure where the time has gone.

The last few days I've found a few blog posts
that have really been an encouragement to me.

So, thinking that perhaps you might also need a "lift" this day,

let me tell you about them.

{1}

Do you know my friend Teresa at Meadowbrook Farm?

I've bragged on her blog a few times around here.

On those days when I feel strangled by the weight of things that need to be done,

I click on her blog, and know that I will see photography that transports me

to a different place -- even if just for a few minutes.

Go there and see for yourself.

All I know is, I've never seen those mountains or that scenery.

If you told me "Pack your bags and let's go,"

I'd say, "Who needs bags?  I'm ready."
Seriously. 

{2}

Susie is another friend.

We encourage one another (apparently).

It seems like every time I leave a comment
telling her how much she encourages me,
she comments back to me that I do the same for her.
It's kind of a lovely "vicious circle." (smiles)
The other day, Susie wrote about peace,
and about the choice we make each day upon waking.
This is real stuff folks, and it cuts right to the chase.
There's a reason Susie is called the "Good News Girl!"
I'm just sayin'.

{3}

Read this post by Ali Edwards.
It's really just a quote, but it's a good one,
and it spoke volumes to me.
See if it speaks to you.

{4} 
Some thoughts to ponder --

taken from my handwritten notes at the front of my Bible.

These are not my original thoughts,

but rather, thoughts pastors and/or friends shared with me.

"Our problems may be bigger than us,

but God is bigger than our problems!"

"The one who controls it all is totally committed to me!"

{5}

"Praise the Lord" by The Imperials

A Hymn: One Day

During my high school and college days, I would "request" this song regularly when we had the opportunity to request hymns during Sunday evening worship.  It's still a favorite! 

One day when heaven was filled with His praises,

One day when sin was as black as could be,

Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin --

Dwelt among men, my example is He!

CHORUS:

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;

Buried, He carried my sins far away;

Rising, He justified freely forever:

One day He's coming -- O glorious day!

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain,

One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;

Suffering anguish, despised and rejected;

Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He.

One day they left Him alone in the garden,

One day He rested, from suffering free;

Angels came down o'er His tomb to keep vigil;

Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He.

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,

One day the stone rolled away from the door;

Then He arose, over death He had conquered;

Now is ascended, my Lord evermore.

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,

One day the skies with His glory will shine;

Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;

Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine! 

SOURCE

Sleepless in Seattle

Well, okay -- not Seattle, but you get the idea.  It was a sleepless night for me.  For no reason in particular -- just everything in general.  A lost treasure.  A friend's anguish.  An event to plan.  A decision to be made.  Jobs in jeopardy.

Usually sleep is my escape.  There is nothing I like better than laying down at the end of a busy day, and putting it all out of my mind while I drift off to dreamland.  But, sleep eluded me last night. 

I prayed.  Then, I prayed some more.  I counted backwards.  I started with a higher number, and counted backwards again -- all things that usually work if there is any hesitancy on my body's part to sleep.  Not last night.

Just yesterday, I read this great quote...which I have since tried unsuccessfully to find again.  I remember the quote -- not the site.  (How bad is that?)  Anyways, the quote had something to do with worry keeping you from sleep.  The idea was that if that was the case, you should GET UP, and do something productive rather than laying there worrying.  (UPDATE:  I had to keep looking - it was driving me crazy.  The quote was found at Quote Garden and is from Dale Carnegie: "If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying.  It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep.")

So, I got up.  I'm pretty sure I didn't do anything productive.  I had a cup of tea, I answered some e-mails.  Did a little tidying up around here.  Okay - maybe a little productive.  And then, when I could keep my eyes open no longer, I went back to bed, and slept immediately -- for about 2 hours, until it was time to get up.

Oh, today's going to be a l-o-n-g day.  I find myself thinking about "rest" already.  This song came to mind: "My Soul Finds Rest ~ Psalm 62", and I knew exactly which picture I wanted to include in this post.

My Soul Finds Rest ~ Psalm 62

 My soul finds rest in God alone, My Rock and my salvation,
A fortress strong against my foes, And I will not be shaken.
Though lips may bless and hearts may curse,

And lies like arrows pierce me,
I’ll fix my heart on righteousness, I’ll look to Him who hears me.

O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward;
Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.

Find rest, my soul, in God alone
Amid the world’s temptations;
When evil seeks to take a hold
I’ll cling to my salvation.
Though riches come and riches go,
Don’t set your heart upon them;
The fields of hope in which I sow
Are harvested in heaven.

I’ll set my gaze on God alone,
And trust in Him completely;
With every day pour out my soul,
And He will prove His mercy.
Though life is but a fleeting breath,
A sigh too brief to measure,
My King has crushed the curse of death
And I am His forever.

O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah,
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah,
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah! hallelujah!

♫♫♪♪♫♫♫♪♪♫♫♫♪♪♫
May your soul find rest in God alone today.

What Love Really Means

Usually when I post a link to a song, it is one that has touched me -- often during Sunday worship.  I rush home and do a YouTube search, hoping to find it, so I can share it with someone... you.  Today, there is a little story that goes with my song link.

The other day my daughter told me that this is one of her new favorite songs.  So, I took a listen, knowing that she listens and "gets" the lyrics.  I was struck by her almost-13-year-old confidence in knowing that our Savior loves us right where we are.  I guess we've done something right.

I'm so thankful for music which really touches a chord in this family's heart.

Can you take time-out for a listen?  God loves you right where you are too!  (Not for what you have done, or what you will become...)

Come To Jesus

My Hope is in the Lord

If you have read THIS PREVIOUS POST, then you will not be surprised to learn that our dear family friend went to be with the Lord on December 26.  He was 84 years old.  He left 4 children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many, many dear friends.  The memorial service at the church was beautiful, and the brief ceremony at the cemetery even more emotional, as there was an honor guard.

As we hugged our friends, and prepared to leave the cemetery, his daughter (my girlfriend since 6th grade) held me and said, 

"I pray that Jesus returns before you EVER have to go through this!"

It was a blessing that took my breath away.

It made me more aware of three things.

1. How raw and real my friend's grief was - even though she is a believer, and knows that she will see her beloved parents again in Heaven.

2. How much I love my parents.

3. How much I look forward to Jesus' return.

The words of this old hymn came to me today...
My hope is in the Lord, who gave Himself for me.
And paid the price of all my sins at Calvary.
For me He died, for me He lives,
And everlasting light and life He freely gives.


No merit of my own, His anger to suppress,
My only hope is found in Jesus' righteousness.
For me He died, for me He lives,
And everlasting light and life He freely gives.


And now for me He stands, before the Father's throne,
He shows His wounded hands, & names me as His own.
For me He died, for me He lives,
And everlasting light and life He freely gives.


His grace has planned it all, 'tis mine but to believe,
And recognize His work of love, and Christ receive
For me He died, for me He lives,
And everlasting light and life He freely gives.

(Hymn lyrics and Music by Norman J. Clayton)

December 26th ~ Pipe Dream

Just for FUN!  Hope you had a wonderful Christmas Day!

December 17th ~ Random Musings

* I am still rather new to the blog scene, so I was really excited to see a link to my December Daily project HERE.  And, might I add... it is right next to pictures of (gulp) Ali Edwards' pages!

** Do you know Susie Davis...the good news girl?  Today, she shared an awesome photo of "coming home for Christmas," as well as great poetry (on the same subject) by Elizabeth Bowen.  Go take a look.  It will put you in the Christmas spirit, in case you're not already there. 

*** And, just to keep things in perspective during this busy time of year, here is a song that brings me to tears every Christmas.  It may have something to do with that little person's voice - there is nothing like the sound of children singing to Jesus!  Enjoy.

Check this out. (Love it!)
If you follow this blog, you know I admire just about everything that Ali Edwards comes up with.  She is one creative soul, and I love her style.  She has come up with a way to save your Christmas Cards (specifically the photograph ones, but you can add a few other decorative ones for good measure.  Click HERE to see what I mean.

December 12th ~ Joseph's Lullaby

If We've Ever Needed You

There's so much going on in today's world.  Some days - it's just an effort to keep up.  Don't be mistaken - I don't mean on a personal level.  I mean all the unrest in the world - and really, if we hear of one more tragedy - one more crisis... I just wonder sometimes how much more this earth can bear.  And then I remember who is in control...  I know who holds the future, and I know HE holds my hand!  Praise God.

I received this image in an e-mail the other day, and wanted to share it.

I made it the wallpaper on my computer.  It is a reminder every time I sit down here.  It is a reminder to my daughter who said "wow, I like THAT!" when she passed by.  It's a special verse to me - because I shared it with our kids when my husband was so sick several years ago.  We pictured God and Daddy, hand in hand.  It helped us remember who is in control.  Who indeed. 

This is one of my current favorites: "If We've Ever Needed You, Lord It's Now!"  -- by Casting Crowns.  I'll hope you'll take a listen!  It reminds me that the Lord does not intend for me to walk through this life and handle it all on my own.  I am ever-thankful that He walks by my side.

Let's Start at the Very Beginning...

Yesterday - 5PM
I prepared an early dinner, as we were heading out to a concert at The Civic Theatre in the evening - along with my husband's entire extended family.  The occasion was a concert-package-Christmas-gift from his parents.  Last night's concert was "The Music of Richard Rodgers," and I thought that I (read: ONLY me) would know a lot of the songs and would want to sing along.  (Yes, I am the person that sits behind you and hums all the songs.  Forgive me.)

I found myself wondering how the younger people in our group would fare - and how much (if any) of the music they would find familiar.

11PM
What a great evening!  The first song was "March of the Siamese Children" from the musical "The King and I" - and recognized by my daughter.  When she was younger, we watched the animated version a LOT.   The second song was "It's a Grand Night for Singing" from "State Fair," and the COMPANY came on stage to sing.  The "company" consisted of a local high school symphonic choir and included, not 1, 2, 3, or 4 -- but 5 students that our kids knew from church.  Kinda cool.  All of a sudden the whole thing took a turn, and it didn't matter so much if my kids knew the songs - they were watching their friends perform!

Also included were songs from "South Pacific," "Carousel," and "Oklahoma."  And it WAS a grand night for singing.  There was one encore, and it was "Do Re Me" from "The Sound of Music."  Wow - we knew that one!  Everyone was encouraged to sing along, and it was a great note on which to end.

Success.  Memories recalled.  Time shared.  New memories made.  And, looking forward to the next concert in the line-up: "Holiday Pops" -- a week before Christmas!

{Side note:  I'm already thinking of how I can add these programs & tickets to my December Daily album!}