Christ Giveth and Giveth and Giveth Again

After talking with a good friend from seminary days who has been struggling with a bit of discouragement, I was reminded today of an sweet hymn that is laced with the most wonderful Truth-filled encouragement that it is GOD Who provides all we need for our earthly journey.  This is for that precious soul, a true friend who loveth at all times and in whom I know I can confide when my soul needs a place to go.  Hope you all enjoy as well.

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

(by Anne J. Flint)

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As High As The Heavens...

There's been LOTS around me that is new, these days, and I've wanted to share a few things with you for a few weeks now but just haven't gotten to it!  When we start school in two more days, we're going to start with a scavenger hunt (dad included!) around the rural towns in which we now live.  We hope to give the kids -- well, just the olders -- a sense of where they live in relation to their new surroundings.  I'll be sure to take some pics of that, but I thought I'd share a few today from around our home.  (My photog disclaimer: These are completely uneditted, some should have been for viewing effect-- but I'm giving it to ya live -- well, as "live" as blogging gets!)

The sun setting above the corn just in front and to the west of our house.

Our lovely fence line, complete with a spectacular view of God's heavens.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits,

who forgives all your iniguity, who heals all your disease,

who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s…

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear Him;

as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. 

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 

For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust…

The steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,

and his righteousness to children’s children,

to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments…

Bless the Lord, all his host, His ministers, who do his will!

Bless the Lord, all His works, in places of His dominion. 

Bless the Lord, O my soul! 

(various verses from Psalm 103)

A final pic, for those family following, this ONE of our beloved "climbing trees".  These kids are "in heaven" climbing, and I'm "in heaven" just admiring GOD'S HEAVENS every evening of our new rural life.

May you be able to take time today to praise our Lord and Savior for the beauty He's putting in your life -- even if it's coming in the form of "ashes".

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"Consider How The Lillies Grow" (Part 1)

Luke 12:27-28 “Consider how the lilies grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field…how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!”

Consider: To think about seriously, to believe after deliberation, to look at thoughtfully.

What a road life has been these last few weeks!  When I last left you, I was in a hotel room with my family as my husband candidate for an associate pastor position.  Well, he was offered the job, we accepted with much eagerness, and now we’re in full swing of packing and getting all the details in order to move a family of six!  Quite the project, really.  But in the hustle and bustle we’ve been reading a book to our children from the wonderful ministry Lamplighter, called Challenge at Runaway Brooke.  Here is the exchange that took place between two characters that made this verse stick with me for the past several weeks.

 

“[Luke 12:27] is such a pretty verse,” said Sarah. “What made you think of it?”

“I do not know,” said Rosa, “unless it was working at the flowers.  I often think of it when I have flowers.  I like to remember that Christ used to notice and admire them when He walked in the fields.”

“Do you suppose he really did?” asked Kitty.

“Certainly,” said Rosa, “for he says so, and I believe every word He tells me.”

"And I believe every word He tells me"…do I?  Do you?  This interchange between two young girls in the story struck me in several ways.  First, to imagine Christ walking along talking with the disciples.  He had at first mentioned a raven and then the lilies—do you think that perhaps those were animals and flowers that He and His disciples were passing by?  It only makes sense…or perhaps our word “lilly” was used in place of a different kind of flower better known in that region of the world. (I didn’t take time to look that part up!)  But it really makes no difference here, for we can picture Christ enjoying creation.  Even in these early summertime days, I have not taken time to truly consider His creation.  Have you?

Second, Christ’s words are really quite powerful if we believe that every word He says is true ; that “not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”  AND then the next part, “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field…how much more will he clothe you…?”  Is there something that you need right now?  I know there are many wants, but is there something that you truly need?  Maybe it’s not a material item, maybe it’s healing or comfort, maybe it’s rest and spiritual rejuvenation.  Whatever it is that you are lacking, do you believe Jesus Christ can provide that sufficiently for today?  I know I have used these words from Scripture and from this story to remind myself probably 10 times JUST TODAY that Christ is sufficient for ALL my needs, today.  (And He will be tomorrow, too, even if I have to remind myself 11, 12, or 20 times!)  Reminds me of a popular chorus from a few years back.

All of You, is more than enough for all of me,

for every thirst and every need.

You satisfy me with Your love,

And all I have in You is more than enough.

(Enough, words and music by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio)

I DO believe every word God says is true and therefore when I am tempted to worry instead of trusting in Him to supply my need, I need to confess that and turn and depend on Him.  That's the way He designed it to work!  And He promises to supply our need -- in HIS time (the PERFECT time, EVERY time.)

May God's hand of comfort and peace be with you today!

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