2010

Wow Two Thousand and Ten. Looks weird to write that number! So much has happened in the last year. We were blessed beyond measure. Health, family, work, provision, fellowship ~ just a tiny example of some of our many blessings. I have this verse on my heart today . . . "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up."
I pray that in the coming year we are able to grow closer as a family, and grow in the Lord together ~ with our family and our brothers and sisters in Christ. I am so thankful for all the the Lord has done in my life and just pray that I can continue to serve Him joyfully.

Scotch Kisses ~ So Worth the Work!

Been making this delicious treat since before I was married! It's a lot of work, but truly is worth it. There has been lots of learning ~ trying to find the exact temperature so that they are the perfect consistency. Everyone loves them and looks forward to them.

Thanksgiving

Had a wonderful day yesterday. Lunch was quiet with just five of us. Friends and family came throughout the day. We had great food and great fellowship. I am so blessed. My cup overflows.

Alabaster Box

At Bible Study on Wednesday, there was mention of Mary's alabaster box, and the great offering she gave to Christ. Again, at our church women's ministry on Saturday, Brenda spoke of using our gifts, and she brought up the alabaster box.
So, I have been reading this scripture and pondering it alot. Sometimes something just pops out at me and I know the Lord is highlighting it for me!
I notice that Mary was scorned by many because of what she did. But she did the act out of her own love and devotion for her Lord. She didn't care what others would say, she didn't care the cost, she just gave her all. It was an oil of great cost, great value.
I hope that I can learn from this example. No matter what the cost, no matter what people may say, I want to be able to give of myself.
May I desire to offer up sweet fragrances.

He is The Name Above All Names!

Jesus ~ Name above all names
Beautiful Saviour ~ Glorious Lord
Emmanuel, God is With Us.
Blessed Redeemer, Living Word.

Jesus Christ is... Advocate (1 John 2:1)
Jesus Christ is... Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18)
Jesus Christ is... Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13)
Jesus Christ is... Amen (Rev. 3:14)
Jesus Christ is... Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1)
Jesus Christ is... Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2)
Jesus Christ is... Author of Life (Acts 3:15)
Jesus Christ is... Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2)
Jesus Christ is... Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10)
Jesus Christ is... Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13)
Jesus Christ is... Blessed and only Ruler (1 Tim. 6:15)
Jesus Christ is... .Bread of God (John 6:33)
Jesus Christ is... Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48)
Jesus Christ is... Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15)
Jesus Christ is... Capstone (Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7)
Jesus Christ is... Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20)
Jesus Christ is... Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4)
Jesus Christ is... Christ (1 John 2:22)
Jesus Christ is... Creator (John 1:3)
Jesus Christ is... Deliverer (Rom. 11:26)
Jesus Christ is... Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20)
Jesus Christ is... Gate (John 10:9)
Jesus Christ is... Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11)
Jesus Christ is... Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5)
Jesus Christ is... Faith and True Witness (Rev. 3:14)
Jesus Christ is... First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13)
Jesus Christ is... Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5)
Jesus Christ is... Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15)
Jesus Christ is... Gate (John 10:9)
Jesus Christ is... God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5)
Jesus Christ is... Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)
Jesus Christ is... Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20)
Jesus Christ is... Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)
Jesus Christ is... Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)
Jesus Christ is... Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2)
Jesus Christ is... High Priest (Heb. 2:17)
Jesus Christ is... Holy and True (Rev. 3:7)
Jesus Christ is... Holy One (Acts 3:14)
Jesus Christ is... Hope (1 Tim. 1:1)
Jesus Christ is... Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27)
Jesus Christ is... Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
Jesus Christ is... I Am (John 8:58)
Jesus Christ is... Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4)
Jesus Christ is... Immanuel (Mt. 1:23)
Jesus Christ is... Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)
Jesus Christ is... King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17)
Jesus Christ is... King of Israel (John 1:49)
Jesus Christ is... King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11)
Jesus Christ is... King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16)
Jesus Christ is... King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3)
Jesus Christ is... Lamb (Rev. 13:8)
Jesus Christ is... Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Jesus Christ is... Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19)
Jesus Christ is... Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45)
Jesus Christ is... Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4)
Jesus Christ is... Light of the World (John 8:12)
Jesus Christ is... Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)
Jesus Christ is... Living One (Rev. 1:18)
Jesus Christ is... Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4)
Jesus Christ is... Lord (2 Pet. 2:20)
Jesus Christ is... Lord of All (Acts 10:36)
Jesus Christ is... Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8)
Jesus Christ is... Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16)
Jesus Christ is... Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48)
Jesus Christ is... Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15)
Jesus Christ is... Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)
Jesus Christ is... Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
Jesus Christ is... Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16)
Jesus Christ is... Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:9)
Jesus Christ is... Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)
Jesus Christ is... Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Jesus Christ is... Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2)
Jesus Christ is... Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3)
Jesus Christ is... Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)
Jesus Christ is... Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Jesus Christ is... Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7)
Jesus Christ is... Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Jesus Christ is... Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6)
Jesus Christ is... Prophet (Acts 3:22)
Jesus Christ is... Rabbi (Mt. 26:25)
Jesus Christ is... Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)
Jesus Christ is... Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5)
Jesus Christ is... Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1)
Jesus Christ is... Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)
Jesus Christ is... Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16)
Jesus Christ is... Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14)
Jesus Christ is... Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5)
Jesus Christ is... Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20)
Jesus Christ is... Son of David (Lk. 18:39)
Jesus Christ is... Son of God (John 1:49; Heb. 4:14)
Jesus Christ is... Son of Man (Mt. 8:20)
Jesus Christ is... Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32)
Jesus Christ is... Source of Eternal Salvation for believers (Heb. 5:9)
Jesus Christ is... The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5)
Jesus Christ is... The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11)
Jesus Christ is... True Bread (John 6:32)
Jesus Christ is... True Light (John 1:9)
Jesus Christ is... True Vine (John 15:1)
Jesus Christ is... Truth (John 1:14; 14:6)
Jesus Christ is... Way (John 14:6)
Jesus Christ is... Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Jesus Christ is... Word (John 1:1)
Jesus Christ is... Word of God (Rev. 19:13)

Praise and Worship at the Cathedral

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar, at the sound of Your name!

The skies proclaim - God You Reign!

Ordinary Joys for Me

Someday maybe I will figure out what I'm doing on this blog:) Just a few pics of our ordinary days. Nice to find beauty and joy in the ordinary.

Song for a Sunday

When I survey the wondrous Cross, On which the Prince of Glory died;
My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God;
All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His fee, sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e're such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so diving, demands my sould, demands my soul;
Love demands my soul, my life, my all.

Song for a Sunday

Heavenly Sunshine, Heavenly Sunshine;

Flooding my soul with glory Divine.

Heavenly Sunshine, Heavenly Sunshine;

Hallelujah, Jesus is Mine!


After weeks of rain, this song has been on my mind since the beautiful sun poked it's bright face out again! We have actually had three days that have been sunny or partly sunny! Doesn't sound like much, but this rain here in New England has been getting on everyones nerves.

Firstborn

Timothy is 19!

What joy he has brought to our lives! He has grown to be a responsible man. He has always been quiet and kind. A real thinker all the time! Always so smart and thinking out of the box. We thank God for him.

Song for a Sunday

God You Reign!

You Paint the night; You count the stars and you call them by name
The skies proclaim, God You reign.
Your glory shines; You teach the sun when to bring a new day
Creation sings, God You reign!

God You reign, God You reign,
Forever and ever, God You reign.

You part the seas; You move the mountains with the words that You say.
My song remains, God You reign!
You hold my life, You know my heart and You call me by name,
I live to say, God You reign!

God You reign, God You reign,
Forever and ever, God You reign.
Hallelujah, hallelu; Hallelujah, hallelu.
Hallelujah, hallelu; Hallelujah, hallelu!

Quick Get-away

Beautiful Anniversay Roses

We got away to Maine for a short trip for our 20th anniversary. Nothing like the seacoast of Maine.

20th Anniversary

Today marks the day that God joined me together in marriage with my best friend. Twenty years ago! They say time flies, and I have to say that I am amazed that twenty years has passed. We have a marriage that is truly blessed by God. Not to say we haven't had rough patches, or that we don't have "those days", but I love him more with each passing day and am so thankful to have him in my life.

I pray that we can continue to love and serve each other, and strive to continue growing in Christ together.

Song for a Sunday

Faith of Our Fathers



Faith of our fathers. living still,

In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;

Oh how our hearts beat high with joy,

Whenever we hear that glorious Word!



Refrain: Faith of our fathers, holy faith!

We will be true to thee till death.



Faith of our fathers, we will strive,

To win all nations, unto Thee;

And through the truth that comes from God,

We all shall then, be truly free.


Refrain


Faith of our fathers, we will love,

Both friend and foe in all our strife;

And preach Thee too, as love knows how

By kindly words and virtuous life.

Refrain


The words to this song were written by Frederick W. Faber.


How blessed we are to have had faithful men of God to stand up and to carry on the work and knowledge of the Lord throughout time. Passing on that torch to generations to come.

How blessed I am to have such an awesome husband, a man of God. What a wonderful gift he gives to his children! Is there anything better than to give your children the knowledge of our Lord and Savior? To have a husband who strives to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. It is such a sweet joy, and I am truly blessed beyond measure.

Life Is Moving Quickly!

This week I celebrated my 39th birthday. (Whew) Next week our second son will graduate from high school. Wow!

Those days of toddlerhood seem like a very distant blur. Everyone always said it would go by so fast, to enjoy each and every day. When you are in the midst of diapers and sleepless nights, sometimes it seems you will be there forever! It really does go quickly.


As a parent I often worry. Why do I worry? Aren't we to put our children in the hands of their Heavenly Father, and to trust? This is a struggle. I pray that I can be obedient to God and to always remember to put them in His care, for does He not care for them even more than I? WOW!

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

My prayer is that we have trained our children in the ways of the Lord. All of us make choices daily, and some are not the best choices. I realize that all children are given choices to make and often we all grow by our mistakes. This is a difficult area for me. I know that I cannot guide each step and control their walk. So my prayer is that we have put a firm foundation in place for each of our children, and though they may stumble, and fall, they will know that we are always here for them, and above all that the Almighty Father, Wonderful Counselor, Great Physician, King of Kings, is there at just the cry of their hearts or the utterance of the name of Jesus. What an amazing God we serve!

Some of the Elements of a Spring Day

A beautiful spring week brings it's share of challenges. Allergies are our challenge right now. Wondered why we were all wheezing and sneezing! No, not a spring cold . . pollen! Checked the pollen count. Hmmmm our area shows it's 11.2 on a scale that goes up to 12. Handkerchiefs, eye drops and inhalers.
Must admit it's great to see green grass, leaves on trees and flowers:) Just look at those apple blossoms! God is Good!

My Prayer

John 15:1-16

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered: and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so shall ye be my disciples."


Wow!! I saw this picture on the internet today, and the verse really hit me. Reminded me how important it is to stay close to God, our vine. Are we nourishing ourselves each day so that we are able to produce beautiful blossoms and abundant fruit? How important to nurture, feed, and water our earthly plants, then how much more important for us to do the same to ourselves, not only in the physical sense, but the spiritual as well.

Do I want to wither and die, be cast off, be scooped up by men and thrown into a fire? How do I prevent this? Nurturing, having a right relationship, going forth and bearing much fruit. That's what the verse says, MUCH fruit. How sad it is when we see those that have withered and died, been cut from the tree. I see how quickly a branch dies when it is cut. It cannot sustain life apart from the vine.

Sometimes the process isn't an easy one. God often works on me, and in the process I am pruned. I must be pruned in order to bring forth abundant, healthy fruit. Pruning is hard! Those clippers can hurt, but it's the only way that we can promote growth. Healthy growth. Cutting back the branches.

I pray that I can continue to grow. That I can stay out of that drought, that I can keep away from the things that may infect me, that will cause unhealthy fruit or cause me to be unfruitful altogether. That is my prayer, Lord, to stay connected to that source of Life.

Spring Flowers