The King of Glory and of Grace

A Cousin Lovin; Thanksgiving, 2014

A Psalm of David.

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,

the world and those who dwell therein,

for he has founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?

And who shall stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to what is false

and does not swear deceitfully.

He will receive blessing from the Lord

and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

Lift up your heads, O gates!

And be lifted up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The Lord, strong and mighty,

the Lord, mighty in battle!

Lift up your heads, O gates!

And lift them up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The Lord of hosts,

he is the King of glory! Selah

Psalm 24

Forgiveness

St. Augustine Lighthouse, 08/14

Some stories really need to be repeated...

"When [Thomas Edison] and his staff were developing the incandescent light bulb, it took hundreds of hours to manufacture a single bulb.  One day, after finishing a bulb, he handed it to a young errand boy and asked him to take it upstairs to the testing room.  As the boy turned and started up the stairs, he stumbled and fell, and the bulb shattered on the steps.  Instead of rebuking the boy, Edison reassured him and then turned to his staff and told them to start working on another bulb.  When it was completed several days later, Edison demonstrated the reality of his forgiveness in the most powerful way possible.  He walked over to the same boy, handed him the bulb, and said, "please take this up to the testing room."  Imagine how that boy must have felt.  He knew that he didn't deserve to be trusted with this responsibility again.  Yet, here it was, being offered to him as though nothing had ever happened.  Nothing could have restored this boy to the team more clearly, more quickly, or more fully.  How much more should those of us who have experienced reconciliation with God be quick to demonstrate our forgiveness with concrete actions." 

If Christians are the most forgiven people in the world, than shouldn't they be the most forgiving people in the world?
Ken Sande, The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
  
 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16

Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 222-223.

- See more at: http://bookstore.peacemaker.net/blog/?p=3758#sthash.gN3LZBJ9.dpuf

Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 222-223.

- See more at: http://bookstore.peacemaker.net/blog/?p=3758#sthash.gN3LZBJ9.dpuf

Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 222-223.

- See more at: http://bookstore.peacemaker.net/blog/?p=3758#sthash.gN3LZBJ9.dpuf

Good Shepherd of my Soul

Good Shepherd of my soul
Come dwell within me.
Take all I am and mould
Your likeness in me.
Before the cross of Christ
This is my sacrifice:
A life laid down
And ready to follow.

The troubled find their peace
In true surrender.
The prisoners their release
From chains of anger.
In springs of living grace
I find a resting place
To rise refreshed,
Determined to follow.

I'll walk this narrow road
With Christ before me
Where thorns and thistles grow
And cords ensnare me.
Though doubted and denied
He never leaves my side
But lifts my head
And calls me to follow.

And when my days are gone
My strength is failing
He'll carry me along
Through death's unveiling
Earth's struggles overcome
Heav'n's journey just begun
To search Christ's depths
And ever to follow.
To search Christ's depths
And ever to follow. 

Words and Music by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Fionan de Barra, and Stuart Townend
© 2013 Getty Music Publishing (BMI) and Fionan de Barra (admin MusicServices.org) and Townend Songs

Standing Still...

"Standing still, on some occasions, is the paramount duty of the follower of Christ.  There are times when we must be merely onlookers, when the flesh and the brain refuse to work, hopes shrivel like autumn leaves and we simply do not know which way to turn.  It may be just then that we shall learn for the first time how to stand still in perfect peace and quietness of soul, not idling away our time, not hopelessly limp and heedless of the outcome, but working on in such ways as may be given to us, observing with eager joy the way in which God will work it all out to a perfectly glorious ending.

All our little fussiness and haste, all our strong anxiety and warping care are as futile as the tugging of a little child's hand at the great iron knob of a closed and barred gate through which his loving father does not care to have him go just then." 

H. Clay Trumbull, When Days Seem Dark

Great-Grandfather of Elisabeth Elliot 

"Then said [Naomi], 'Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall:...'." Ruth 3:18, KJV

OR

"Then Naomi said, 'Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. ...'".

Ruth 3:18, ESV

Because of Who He Is

"...if you let something steal your thanksgiving, you let something steal your joy, and if you let something steal your joy, you let something steal your strength...

we will give thanks to God not because of how we feel, but because of who He is."
Ann Voskamp

Omamacare

Like Mark, John is quick on the draw and says some of the funniest things!! 

Last night Katherine and I were in the kitchen preparing food for our Sunday lunch when she asked, "Did you let 'Bagheera' out?", and I replied, "No, I actually haven't seen him."  Katherine was concerned he'd snuck upstairs, so she started looking around for him.  A few moments later, Katherine called, "Mom, come look at this!"  Bagheera had found a place to curl up and nap on the living room couch. 

Bagheera is our neighbor's cat.  He lives three doors away with a Navy family who moved into the neighborhood last January.  

Not knowing he belonged to them, we thought he was an abandoned cat, so we started feeding him in April. He has been faithful to visit ever since, off and on, and yes, a few of us have grown to love him as if he were our own. He is quite a loveable and talkative visitor when he comes. 

We learned from Bagheer's family  that his name is Milo.  He was the runt of the litter, but you wouldn't know that now.  At almost 2 years of age, he is big and heavy!  

His owner was thankful to learn we are loving him too, and was happy to know where to hunt him down if he stays away too long. 

Soo, as John and the boys were arriving home last night, John made a few statements re:the cat being on the couch, and this one especially cracked us all up...

"No wonder the cat comes back, he gets Omamacare here!"

<smile>

Yes, we got caught!!  Still cannot believe they came out of hiding just in time to find Milo on the couch!!  : /

Katherine For the Gold

Last weekend our family drove several hours south to attend a martial arts tournament.  The opportunity was our excuse to get away to enjoy watching friends compete.  Little did we know, Katherine's instructors would talk her into participating.  She took her uniform, thinking it was protocol, but as it turned out, that worked to her instructors' advantage.  Oh yeah, of course!!!

Katherine's twin friends, Victoria and Jessica, dependable as they are, sandwiched her, entwined their arms in hers, and with big smiles, lead her away to change into her uniform.  Though Katherine returned with a tad look of concern on her face, she quickly adjusted her mind to the challenge, and jumped in to the day!

Within a few short minutes, all the black belts were called out for a meeting.  When they returned, moments before the tournament began, all the black belts were wearing 'Referee' shirts.  That was a fun treat for the girls.  For the first half of the day, they were scattered throughout the gym to judge, take notes, calculate scores, and award medals. 

I think Katherine's greatest concern was that she felt ill prepared, and feared being matched to compete with those who'd spent time getting ready!!  As it turned out, Katherine's rank was scheduled to compete after lunch, and by that time, she was anxious to get it all over with.  I can't say any one of us blamed her! 

She wasn't the only one... Jess and Tori were in their places and ready to go as well. 

Those who lined up to compete would only compete against those whose rank and age were in the same category.  In Katherine's age and rank, there were no additional individuals, so she would compete alone.  That made her feel much better.  Jess and Tori competed against one another. 

As Katherine approached the judges, she introduced herself, stated her age and rank, then identified the form she would demonstrate.  Forms are demonstrations of repetitious self defense and attack techniques.

















With every belt advancement, a student must learn additional forms and techniques to show progress and mastery of the accumulation and advancement of techniques.  Katherine has always enjoyed learning her forms.  After her demonstration, she was awarded a gold medal.    

















Finally, Katherine demonstrated her ability to break five 1" boards.  Her dad and brother had to run out to the local Lowes to purchase boards for her breaking demonstration because the boards provided at the sale table were not only expensive, but the incorrect size for her rank.
Three of Katherine's masters held a board for her, and the additional two holders were judges.  You'll notice the gentleman on the left wasn't expecting her 'force', and lost his grip on the board, so she had to repeat the hammer kick.
Without further ado...
Enjoy!  



Needless to say, my daughter amazes me.  She received another gold medal.  The master announcing at the tournament told Katherine how much he enjoyed watching her breaking demonstration, which was really kind of him.  Every hug and word of praise made Katherine's participation in the tournament worth the long wait for her turn.  

Our time away was a lot of fun.  We definitely enjoyed the opportunity to spend the day with special friends, just being together, and doing what they all enjoy.  

The four Korean men in the last two photos above are the Grand Masters that founded the Ko Am Mu Do Federation which Katherine is involved in.  It was exciting to see them so involved with the students at this tournament.  I regret that I didn't get a photo of Katherine with them, but she was moving around a lot, and involved herself with refereeing, judging, and counting scores, in addition to her own competitive participation.  I believe it was Grand Master Noah Guak, the second from the left, whose head is bowed down, who oversaw Katherine's form.
Hopefully we'll see them again at the next tournament.     

I'm especially thankful for those who have invested so much of their time and expertise to encourage and train Katherine for this event.  Though she never imagined she'd participate in this tournament, she entered it and walked away happy she did.  We are also! We're proud of her!  She may just want to do this again when the opportunity arises, and we'll be happy to do it all over again! 

Do the Next Thing

Ezekiel’s Wife Dies

15The word of the LORD came to me: 16“Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke; yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down. 17Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban, and put your shoes on your feet; do not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.” 18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. And on the next morning I did as I was commanded.  

Ezekiel 24

Baby steps seem a mile apart somedays,  but every inch forward counts.   

Monday Memories

O Great God of Highest Heaven

Beautiful setting sun, I-95 southbound for the weekend

  

O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven’s joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace

Help me now to live a life
That’s dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me

Words: Bob Kauflin

A Joyful Heart is Good

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Ohhh, how I love ending the day with uncontrollable laughter.  

There's never a good explanation for why these things happen, but when they do, it seems, they always involve a toothbrush!! 

Being that we are a family of six, we divide up and share bathrooms so as not to have a larger collection of toothbrushes in one bathroom and everyone waiting in line to use the sink. 

Well last night, our oldest entered the unoccupied hall bath to make preparations for bed.  He noticed his toothbrush was missing, so asked the natural question, "What happened to my toothbrush?" Then, "Where'd my toothbrush go?, followed by "O.K., who packed my toothbrush?"  

By the time he asked the third question, I realized he was expressing some slight irritation in his voice, but I started laughing... Not a giggle, but a sudden roll from the depths of my belly, uncontrolled, "this is an awesome feeling" sort of enjoyment!!  Wow!  Where did that come from?  It truly took me a good bit of time to stop laughing!!  Maybe if it weren't for the fact that my children came running to watch me, because after all, they think I never laugh, I might've had a better chance of settling down, but their smiles  and comments fueled the roaring flames of my delight!! Ooohhh!! 

Not long ago, Katherine entered the master bathroom to brush her teeth before bed, and she grabbed her toothbrush and found it was wet!!  <And I'm laughing again!!!...>

Her groaned reaction was soo funny, and I laughed uncontrollably!!

She grimaced and growled from the bathroom about someone using her toothbrush.  "Who used MY toothbrush?" 

"Why would someone use MY toothbrush?...."

Poor John get's blamed for everything...and he was yelling from his bedroom in his own defense to say, "I didn't use your toothbrush."

Katherine's reply, "Obviously, someone did, and you're the only person I know who stores his toothbrush in Mom's bathroom...AND yours is dry...Ughhhhrrr"! 

I guess you'd have to be here to understand how much fun it can be to live with these awesome people!  They are each and every one a blessed gift from the Lord and they each have such amazing personalities!!  We mesh soo well together, and mush <sometimes> as well!  Even in spite of our humanity, we blend soo beautifully, and of course, hilariously, at just the right times!! 

Thanks Lord, I needed that!! 

Praise Him in Glad Adoration

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee;
Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

Words: Joachim Neander, ...(Straslund: 1680); translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth, 1863.

Continue On, My Servant

"A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life. She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother. She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference.

At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated. "Is it worth it?" she often wondered. "Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?"

It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart.

"You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be. Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. But I notice. Most of what you give is done without remuneration. But I am your reward.

Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.

Your children are precious to Me. Even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise them for Me. What you invest in them is an offering to Me.

You may never be in the public spotlight. But your obedience shines as a bright light before Me. Continue on. Remember that you are My servant. Do all to please Me."

-Roy Lessin

 

I wonder, did my dear mom ever imagine 59 years ago that she would have such a beautiful family?

I wonder, did she ever cry out in frustration, wanting to give up on child-training when my brothers and I were young? 

Did she ever wish my father would postpone finishing his degree because her days with us were endless and her nights with him too short? 

Did she ever feel she was stretched too thin between everyone and every expectation, especially when her grandmother, mother, mother in law, and sister were soo far away?  Did she ever feel alone?

Did she ever envision the faces of those we'd marry, the children we'd bear and raise in the admonition of the LORD, all because of her devotion and example?  

Did she ever anticipate the many opportunities she'd enjoy hosting our large family for gatherings, all 20 of us (presently) gathered around her tables several times a year? 

Did she ever dream of holding and teaching her grandchildren, then eventually great grandchildren, about Jesus every Easter and Christmas?  

Did she ever consider their hearts, how they would circle around her as she expressed her love for the story of His birth, the manger, that he would die one day on a cross for their sins, for those who would call on Him for salvation?  

She wanted two children, but God surprised her with a third.  Then she prayed that her children would marry..., and before she knew it, God enlarged her heart for 9 beautiful grandchildren.  It wasn't long before 1 grandson in law was added, then 2 great grandchildren soon followed.  Today, I do believe the LORD has laid it on Meme's expanding heart to pray for her grandchildren, especially those who are yet to be married.  I don't think any one of them would argue, she has their best interest at heart.  

LOOK what our great GOD has accomplished through the life of one "Mother [sooo] Dear" and desirous to submit her will and life to Him who  would be most pleased.  

I am so blessed to call her my Mom. 

 

"I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.  As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.  I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.  For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,  for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:3-7, ESV