From His Fullness...

Sometimes, in my weakness I realize the benefit...simply, I desperately need the LORD!! 

And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, 
and we have seen his glory, 
glory as of the only Son from the Father, 
full of grace and truth. 

(John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'")

For from his fullness we have all received, 
grace upon grace. 
John 1:14-16

I have always enjoyed the Christmas season, but this year, if I may be honest, I have been especially challenged by the daily reminder of my physical, emotional, and spiritual frailty.  
This passage says, "The word became flesh, and dwelt among us,...".  

A favorite Christmas hymn's lyrics say, 
"Emmanuel, ... his name is called, Emmanuel.
God with us, revealed in us, 
His name is called Emmanuel."

Another hymn's lyrics are...
"Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, 
Jesus, our Immanuel." 
"...Mild he lays his glory by, 
born that we no more may die, 
born to raise us from the earth, 
born to give us second birth.

Come, Desire of nations, come,
fix in us Thy humble home;
rise, the woman's conqu'ring Seed,
bruise in us the serpent' head. 
Adam's likeness now efface, 
stamp Thine image in its place;
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.

Hark, the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!" 

Words: Charles Wesley (1739)

“Fullness of Grace in man’s human frailty
This is the wonder of Jesus
Laying aside His power and glory
Humbly He entered our world
Chose the path of meanest worth
Scandal of a virgin birth
Born in a stable cold and rejected
Here lies the hope of the world

Fullness of Grace the love of the Father
Shown in the face of Jesus
Stooping to bear the weight of humanity
Walking the Calvary road
Christ the holy Innocent
Took our sin and punishment
Fullness of God despised and rejected
Crushed for the sins of the world

Fullness of hope in Christ we had longed for
Promise of God in Jesus
Through His obedience we are forgiven
Opening the floodgates of heaven
All our hopes and dreams we bring
Gladly as an offering
Fullness of life and joy unspeakable
God’s gift in love to the world”

Words:  Getty and Townend
Copyright © Thank You Music, 2004

Salvation Belongs to the LORD!

" If you dwell on your own feelings about things rather than dwelling on the faithfulness, the love, and the mercy of God, then you're likely to have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
Our feelings are very fleeting and ephemeral, aren't they?
We can't depend on them for five minutes at a time.
But dwelling on the love, faithfulness, and mercy of God is always safe."
Elisabeth Elliot ~

Jonah's Prayer Chapter 2-

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish,
2 saying,

“I called out to the Lord, out of my distress,
    and he answered me;
out of the belly of Sheol I cried,
    and you heard my voice.
3 For you cast me into the deep,
    into the heart of the seas,
    and the flood surrounded me;
all your waves and your billows
    passed over me.
4 Then I said, ‘I am driven away
    from your sight;
yet I shall again look
    upon your holy temple.’
5 The waters closed in over me to take my life;
    the deep surrounded me;
weeds were wrapped about my head
6     at the roots of the mountains.
I went down to the land
    whose bars closed upon me forever;
yet you brought up my life from the pit,
    O Lord my God.
7 When my life was fainting away,
    I remembered the Lord,
and my prayer came to you,
    into your holy temple.
8 Those who pay regard to vain idols
    forsake their hope of steadfast love.
9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving
    will sacrifice to you;
what I have vowed I will pay.
    Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

Yes, the LORD has a mysterious, sometimes humorous, way of resolving conflict for some individuals, so please don't put Him in a box, and expect Him to only do things man's way!!

He is God, and He can do as He pleases!!

The Eternal vs The Temporary

Let Your work appear to Your servants and Your majesty to their children.

Psalm 90:16

“My children each year ask me the same question. After thinking about it, I decided I'd give them my real answer:

What do I want for Christmas? 
I want you. 
I want you to keep coming around, I want you to bring your kids around, I want you to ask me questions, ask my advice, tell me your problems, ask for my opinion, ask for my help. 
I want you to come over and rant about your problems, rant about life, whatever.  Tell me about your job, your worries, your spouse, your kids, your fur babies. I want you to continue sharing your life with me. Come over and laugh with me, or laugh at me, I don't care. Hearing you laugh is music to me.

I spent the better part of my life raising you the best way I knew how, and I'm not bragging, but I did a pretty darn good job. Now, give me time to sit back and admire my work, I'm pretty proud of it.

Raid my refrigerator, help yourself, I really don't mind. 
In fact, I wouldn't want it any other way.

I want you to spend your money making a better life for you and your family, I have the things I need. I want to see you happy and healthy. When you ask me what I want for Christmas, I say "nothing" because you've already been giving me my gift all year. I want you.

If you feel the same way, feel free to copy and paste... I did!”

Author Unknown

This was shared by my friend on FB. 
Though I cannot agree to accept any credit for anything good that has resulted in the hearts and lives of my children, I understand God has used me as a tool to shape them and lead them to Him for His praise, not mine, and for His glory! 
My friend has the biggest heart of love and devotion for her family: her husband, children, grandchildren, parents, and extended family. I admire her soo very much.  I have witnessed the selfless cost of her sacrifice to them, especially when they have taxed her, and made little effort to express love, honor, and gratitude  back.  I pray and ask the LORD to sustain her, to bless and reward her and her husband for giving of themselves first to HIM, because they know His love for them required the greatest sacrifice, but also as role models to the Body, and as godly parents/grandparents to their children and grandchildren. 

I have always thought, "There is no greater calling for a woman than to be a wife and mother", but now I understand the greater good in any calling is the response of the heart to desire God's glory and purpose in the call, so that whoever, ...spouses, offspring, family, and/or friends may come to know and follow Jesus.  

My mom has always told me, "I came to know the LORD because we [she and her sister, my dear aunt] spent our summers with our grandparents, and they lead us to Him." 
Her grandparents gave of themselves sacrificially:  time, love (in costly measure), and spiritual guidance. 
My deepest hearts longing has always been to do the same.

Time is vital to bonding, strengthening, and grounding relationships that are more valuable than trinkets. 
Souls are eternal;  trinkets are temporary. 
Because my mom came to the LORD at a young age, she desired to lead us to the LORD, and I could not be more thankful for her investment in my life. 

Oh, LORD, how I pray this multi-generational, spiritual legacy will continue for many more generations of Grays to come. 

Counsel for Contentment

If we wished to gain contentment, we might try such rules as these:
1.  Allow thyself to complain of nothing, not even the weather. 
2. Never picture thyself to thyself under any circumstances in which thou art not. 
3. Never compare thine own lot with that of another. 
4. Never allow thyself to dwell on the wish that this or that had been, or were, otherwise than it was, or is. God Almighty loves thee better and more wisely than thou dost thyself. 
5. Never dwell on the morrow. Remember that it is God's, not thine. The heaviest part of sorrow often is to look forward to it. "The Lord will provide."
Edward Bouverie Pusey

Daily Strength for Daily Needs

May 23, page 144


Ohh FATHER, I am guilty!! 
Please forgive me and help me long for a heart to receive from your holy, righteous hand, so that I do not demand, expect, and/or desire from another that which will never satisfy my deepest soul needs. 
My heart has been influenced by this grave world, and though I'm thankful Scripture has shaped my heart, I still linger for thinking what is best and most.  
May I long for You, my greatest gain, the ultimate Satisfier and Sustainer. 
May I learn to better recognize and run from the sin of idolatry that bears its fruit by murmuring and complaining, manipulating, and manifesting the sin of SELF! 

May I never be satisfied with less than YOU, my greatest treasure.


"Lord, deliver us from our sad, sweet, stinking selves."
L.E. Maxwell, principal of Elisabeth Elliot

Bless Us All

Life is full of sweet surprises, everyday's a gift
The sun comes up and I can feel it lift my spirit
It fills me up with laughter, it fills me up with song
I look into the eyes of love and know that I belong

Bless us all, who gather here (Yes, LORD!! )
The loving family I hold dear
No place on Earth, compares with home
And every path will bring me back from where I roam

Bless us all, that as we live
We always comfort and forgive
We have so much that we can share
With those in need we see around us everywhere

Let us always love each other
Lead us toward the light
Let us hear the voice of reason
Singing in the night

Let us run from anger
And catch us when we fall
Teach us in our dreams and please, yes, please
Bless us one and all

Bless us all with playful years
With noisy games and joyous tears
We reach for you, and we stand tall
And in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all
We reach for you, and we stand tall
And in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all

Words (and music) by Paul Williams

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Bless Us All- Words (and music) by Paul Williams

The Rock That is Higher Than I

Hear my cry, O God;  attend unto my prayer. 
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed:
lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. 
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever:  
I will trust in the covert of thy wings.
Selah.
For thou, O God, hast heard my vows:  
thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. 
Thou wilt prolong the king's life: 
and his years as many generations. 
He shall abide before God for ever:  
O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. 
So will I sing praises unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform you vows. 
Psalm 61

Much of the enJOYment I have experienced with blogging has been about combining my interest in journaling with capturing photographic gifts and family memories

I gain JOY in the experiences and JOY in the re-living of those memories.  Old photos can easily stir me to tears just for realizing how fleeting our time together has been.  I will never, ever want it to end! 

Looking back to read and see memories captured is a regifting of some of God's sweetest and greatest blessings to me.  
Why wouldn't I want to linger and marvel in them?

Some posts remind me of grievous hurts and losses, but there is growth and gratitude to gain for seeing and knowing, even if through tears, that God loves me and has not, nor will He ever abandon me through my trials. 

This year has flown by, and yet looking back I sense I have captured very little to show the magnitude and weight of change I've experienced.  I am still processing. 
I'm thankful to have friends and family who have shared photos;  what a blessed gift. 
They know me.  Such a gift is love!! 

For whatever reason, I am having problems with Blogger on my iPad, and I am unable to transfer photos to my posts, but hopefully soon I'll get this problem resolved. 

Meanwhile, I hope simply these words will give you a glimpse of what means the world to me...
Faith, God's Word, and Family

Don’t Fret!

Commit your way to the Lord; 

trust in him, and he will act.

He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,

and your justice as the noonday.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,

over the man who carries out evil devices!

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!

Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

For the evildoers shall be cut off,

but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. 

Psalm 37:5-9

My Mother Dear made and gave me this pillow back in 2012 after she learned she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Still five years later I am personally aware of how prone to worry I am, while I process and scheme a way to overcome a similar path. 

Oh, to follow in Mom's shoes with the courage and grace, strength and victorious outlook she had...

She was and still is the Champion of champions.  

I pray I will not falter in my faith during this season in my life. 

Bless the LORD, O my Soul

"True spiritual peace is completely different from the superficial, ephemeral, fragile human peace.

It is the deep, settled confidence that all is well between the soul and God because of His loving, sovereign control of one's life both in time and eternity. That calm assurance is based on the knowledge that sins are forgiven, blessing is present, good is abundant even in trouble, and heaven is ahead. The peace that God gives His beloved children as their possession and privilege has nothing to do with the circumstances of life."
 ~ John MacArthur

Psalm 103-

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 

2

 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

3 

who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

4

 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 

who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

6 

The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 

7

 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

8 

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 

He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. 

10

 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 

11 

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 

12

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

13 

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

14 

For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

15

 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 

16 

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 

17 

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, 

18 

 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. 

19 

The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. 

20

 Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!

21 

Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! 

22

 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

The canvas in the photo was made by my lifelong friend, Lynn, and her daughter, Mercy.  

I am still awed by their love and creative effort to lift and encourage me to truth.  

Thank you, Father, for sustaining me by this awesome truth that has been copied.  

Psalm 103 begins and ends...soo perfectly...

Bless the LORD, O my soul!! ...

"Bless the LORD, all his works, in ALL places of his dominion.  Bless the LORD, O my soul!"

Yes!! Bless the LORD, O my soul!!

This is Good, Acceptable and Perfect

The will of God is always a bigger thing than we bargain for, 

but we must believe that whatever it involves, 

it is good, acceptable and perfect. 

Jim Elliot

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, 

holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 

Romans 12:1-2

If Thy Dear Home Be Fuller, LORD...

O Prince of Glory, who dost bring
Thy sons to glory through Thy Cross,
Let me not shrink from suffering,
Reproach or loss ….

If Thy dear Home be fuller, Lord,
For that a little emptier
My house on earth, what rich reward
That guerdon* were.

*recompense; something earned or gained

Amy Carmichael

Our dear family has been separated from us for a season, so far, of almost 3 years.  We miss them terribly, but are thankful to have seen them recently for a few short weeks when they returned home.

Their children have grown so much, and so have ours.  What a blessing it was to watch them pick up and continue where we left off that Christmas Eve night of 2014.  Had we not shared soo many very special family gatherings prior, we might not have been so sad to see them go. 

It's sweet to belong, to be unified and strengthened in heart for one another, to continue to grow in love in spite of the miles that separate us.  The kind of family love that endures and longs for more fellowship with one another is a gift, especially when the separation is for a purpose and glory higher than our own.  This love is rooted in the love and drawing of the Father, and it extends to others to share in His fellowship the way we do..."If Thy dear Home be fuller, Lord".  

We love you and thank the LORD for you, DEAR family.  Lord willing, it won't be long before we'll see you again. ❤️

He Sees My Child

The LORD looks down from heaven;

he sees all the children of man;

from where he sits enthroned he looks out

on all the inhabitants of the earth, 

he who fashions the hearts of them all

and observes all their deeds. 

The king is not saved by his great army;

a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 

The war horse is a false hope for salvation, 

and by its great might it cannot rescue. 

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, 

on those who hope in his steadfast love, 

that he may deliver their soul from death

and keep them alive in famine. 

Our soul waits for the LORD;

he is our help and our shield. 

For our heart is glad in him,

because we trust in his holy name. 

Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, 

even as we hope in you. 

Psalm 33:13-22

He is my Portion

Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances, and if you had the choosing of your lot, you would soon cry, "Lord, choose my inheritance for me, for by my self-will I am pierced through with many sorrows." Be content with such things as you have, since the Lord has ordered all things for your good. Take up your own daily cross; it is the burden best suited for your shoulder, and will prove most effective to make you perfect in every good word and work to the glory of God. Down busy self, and proud impatience, it is not for you to choose, but for the Lord of Love!

"Trials must and will befall--

But with humble faith to see

Love inscribed upon them all;

This is happiness to me."

CHS, Morning and Evening

November 11

I pulled out an empty journal the other day to record a trial I'm going through, but I still have soo little to say, and have especially lacked emotional energy to repeat it.

My greatest trial and hardship is to lack faith to believe the LORD will walk with me through my difficult circumstances.  

Though some trials are just not meant to be recorded or remembered, if the trial in and of itself is the means to the end, to the One who will use this season for my good and His glory, then He is worth recording and repeating.  

"The LORD has promised good to me, His word my hopes secures, 

He will My Shield and Portion be as long as life endures!!"

John Newton

What should I remember and meditate on most about this season? 

The LORD.  He is my chosen, assigned portion and cup, and HE makes my lot secure!! 

A Miktam of David.

1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 

2 I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." 

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. 

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. 

5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 

7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 

8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 

9Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 

11You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Birthday Loves

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in His way;

though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand. 

Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. 

Psalm 37:23-24, 37

Everyday I 🎉celebrate🎉 the gift of these two... 

Can you EVEN imagine my life? 😂🙈😂

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to these dudes!! 

I love and treasure them IMMENSELY:

They are both soo ever present and giving to me, especially when I need them most.

Mark's light-hearted personality lifts me, though I admit, sometimes I'm not soo convinced I want to be  lifted. Ha! I am thankful for my husband who leads me to the LORD on my hard days, and doesn't just lead me, but lingers with me, while I transition from one frame of mind to the better mindset.

He speaks wisdom, and though sometimes that wisdom is tough-love, I know he is speaking truth! 

The blessing of tough-love is not that it originates from him, but from Our Heavenly Father!  I've learned that kind of love runs deep and encircles me when sin heeps and hovers.  God's love is far more believable, even as I remember what Christ experienced when His Father demonstrated LOVE by  leading Him to the cross. "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39).  

If we deny taking up our cross daily, we deny Him, His will, His love, His sufferings, His fellowship, and His glory!! 

This is what my husband has taught me, and I am thankful, IMMENSELY, he loves me enough to lead me to take up the crosses in my life! 

God is Faithful in the steps of my husband whom He has given me!  I am soo very thankful! 

Matthew has always been strength for me.  From my first thoughts of him in the womb, he has been a "Gift from God"!!  From his birth, "Made in God's mold", uniquely for us!!  From a young age, he has lived out a steady and strong example of exuberance for living!  He has always wanted to be ALL or nothing, and we, his parents, have had to help him discern the balance needed to be who God desires him to be...For God's glory alone, to be himself, not someone else.  When he was little, he always lived in a pretend world of other characters.  For the longest season of his 3 year old little mind, he told people when they asked, "My name is Peter Pan, Opie, "The David" (in the Bible), Cowboy, Fireman, Policeman, ..." and the list grew longer and longer.  When we'd check him in to his Sunday School class each week, his teachers met us at the door with excitement to learn what name he'd added to the long list he'd memorized. The name he wrote on his papers every week was "Peter Pan", and we had to call him sometimes by that name at home to get a response from him when we called. 

I love Matthew's love for living, and as he's grown, he has been frustrated by a desire to be all for everyone.  He takes on responsibility very seriously, and when he has fun, he dives in deep there also.

My greatest heart's joy is that Matthew desires to love for the long haul, and deeply.  He loves me with an affection that carries me daily in his absence.  I know when he hugs me, he loves me.  I know he loves me, because he hugs me, faithfully, and lately, often!  He is and has always been very sensitive towards me and has always wanted me to know he's there.  When the children were little, I'd lead them in devotions, and sometimes start crying while sharing matters on my heart.  On several occasions, Matthew came to my side to hold my hand.  He has loved me in my sensitivities, and I CAN'T tell you how much that means to me!! 

The LORD is using Matt these days to bring comfort lost, and the JOY in any loss is knowing God's love and provision is perfect and best!  

We will celebrate these guys today.  It'll be simple, different.  We may take a couple of days to celebrate, but nonetheless, we'll rejoice in God's giving of these gifts I cannot begin to thank Him enough for!!  

God's provision for our family in one another is a mystery, and I MARVEL to receive from His heart!! 

I cannot be more thankful for the gift of family! 

Photo credit: THANK YOU Philip Blaine Nichols for capturing Mark's and Matt's personalities so perfectly and timely!!

God of Peace, I Pray...

When I thought, "My foot slips," 
your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. 
When the cares of my heart are many, 
your consolations cheer my soul.
Psalm 94:18-19

Thank you, LORD!!

I love the way Paul brings the book of Romans to a close with this consolation as he cautioned his brothers in the faith to watch out for those who caused divisions by creating obstacles, teaching doctrine contrary to what they'd been taught...

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. 
The grace of our LORD Jesus will be with you. 
Romans 16:20

I'm soo very thankful the LORD secures my steps, and gives me grace to be sustained! 

He leads me in paths of righteousness, for His name's sake!!  

Whatever the enemy uses to distract and discourage me, 
to assault my soul, the LORD restores! 
This is where my confidence lies...

He is my peace!!
He has stepped in on my account to bring an end to the enemy, the conflict, and all of my faltering insecurity! 

He knows the way, and He will lead me in the way I should go! 

What a comfort to cheer about!!