If I do not post anything else this Christmas, I want to share this favorite Christmas song arrangement again this year. May you and yours be blessed with a safe and joyful Christmas celebration in the coming days. May we each give thanks to Jesus, the One who was born and ultimately gave ALL for each of us.
Is it possible that where we are standing sometimes matters MUCH LESS than in which direction we are moving? Here's a quote from a technology tutorial concerning the use of a computer mouse:
"The easiest way to know which direction you are moving in is to figure out where you are now and compare it to where you were just a few seconds ago."
Now, that seems pretty obvious. Guess it is just at times more "intoxicating" to buy into that "man-pleasing spirit" and compare ourselves to a standard set by this "world's system" (Jason Upton, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bheXTsvHEJ4). "Sometimes, no compromise means no compensation" (Upton). Reflecting upon my own self and the direction in which I am moving ... No one else ...
If you're still sharing in my introspection and line of thought today, soak in the words of this video:
I do believe that God is "raising up an army like Joel saw," an army of young people who "fear only the Lord and hear only the Lion of Judah!" They are "nameless, faceless and placeless" and are seeking not their own fame but His glory!
Be blessed today and always!
Raise up an army, O God!
Joel 2:11
And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? (KJV)
Sometimes we walk through dark valleys without much warning. Questioning is natural. Perhaps these valleys teach us some deeper things about ourselves, about others and about the nature of Jesus. Emergence from the darkness and into brighter surroundings restores hope.
Learning and living restoration are not always simple tasks, even though the process is necessary, beautiful and hope-filled. When I began praying for restoration years ago, I had no idea where the road would lead. I still have no idea! Am I handling these transitions perfectly? I would think not. But, I am so blessed to have my faithful Friend keeping His eye on "this sparrow" and covering me with "His hand."
Along those lines of personal reflection, let me mention that I love being back in St. Tammany Parish to teach. Teaching at Lee Road Junior High School is a joy. Next week, exams begin. Where have 9 weeks gone?! I am excited about starting a MATHCOUNTS Club (https://mathcounts.org/sslpage.aspx) this next nine weeks.
Just thinking prayerfully this morning about my baby sister (Danan) and her family...
Danan is a missionary to Africa. Her oldest child (Hannah) starts college this year. So, Lord willing, I will experience the absolute joy of a brief reunion with them this Saturday. Before returning to Africa, Danan will help Hannah to settle into college here in the USA. Please keep them in your prayers. Times of celebration can contain embedded growth pains.
Also, I just want to express in writing this morning how blessed I am. Jesus is so good! He knows my EVERY need and supplies when I do not even realize that I have a need. He gives grace and strength, direction and hope. He is the source of all peace. May you be abundantly blessed with His peace today.
Just thought I would share an updated picture of my sweet grandbaby, Eliana. She's about 3 months old now and is doing well. I like to imagine in this picture that she's saying, "Let me think about this whole thing. What do you mean that my MiMi is going back to school soon? I'm not sure that I'm ready for this change!" Of course, her daddy already returned to school. So...
"Each time life brings me to my knees, I will pour out my heart to You ... I'll trust You're with me still, Jesus. I'll recall Your goodness, Your faithfulness and the great things in my life. These will be my songs in the night." (Recorded by Lauren Talley)
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (KJV)
The Blessing in the Thorn (Phillips, Craig & Dean) http://www.tsrocks.com/p/phillips_craig_and_dean_texts/blessing_in_the_thorn.html
I read about a man of God
Who gloried in his weakness
And I wish that I could be
More like Him and less like me
Am I to blame for what I'm not
Or is pain the way God teaches me to grow
I need to know
When does the thorn become a blessing
When does the pain become a friend
When does the weakness make me stronger
When does my faith make me whole again
I want to feel His arms around me
In the middle of my raging storm
So that I can see the blessing in the thorn
I've heard it said the strength of Christ
Is perfect in my weakness
And the more that I go through
The more I prove the promise true
His love will go to any length
And reaches even now to where I am
But tell me once again
Lord, I have to ask You
On the cross You suffered through
Was there a time You ever doubted
What You already knew.
A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise, become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
My Soul cries out to You
My Soul cries out to You
to You, to You
My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out.
I am a person washed in the blood of Jesus and filled with His precious Spirit, the Holy Ghost. Every day, I want to live for Him to the best of my God-given ability. When the grass has withered and the flowers have faded on my life, I pray to have touched lives and to have made a positive difference for Jesus in this world.
Those who are not familiar with this site or me may not know that my "baby" sister and her family (The Bensons) are missionaries to Togo. I trust that when you visit my site, you will stop to pray for them. Also, you may want to visit their blogs (see my list).
This one may REALLY be a case of my taking things too far. I have found a gadget to countdown 4 years from the day that the Benson family left for Africa (December 5, 2008). If you, my friends, find this countdown too terribly bothersome, I will remove it. Thinking in terms of weeks instead of years just makes everything seem sooner to me. Hope this gadget brings a smile to you and not a frown! God bless...Dee
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