How Firm The Foundation

Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, 

who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb;

even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. 

I have made, and I will bear;

I will carry and will save. 

Isaiah 46:3-4

"Even down to old age all My people shall prove

My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;

And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,

Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne."

Words:  How Firm a Foundation

Author-Unknown

Photo:  My Dear Daddy and Mother Dear! 

I can hardly believe Dad will be 87 and Mom, 81, in October! 

They live every day the LORD gives them to the fullest! 

They inspire me to endure the challenges when they come, and to always thank the LORD for the good in every set of circumstances!! 

❤️ you Meme and Poppy!! 

Because of the Gospel: A Love Story

As a husband, I didn't give myself to every woman.  

I gave myself to my chosen bride. 

Voddie Baucham

I love this quote!! 

I still marvel to consider what God used to write the story of MS and C.  

He wove together two people from two different states, an intricate webbing of unimaginable details to display His love and grace!! 

First of all, I'd like to explain the picture.  C wanted a peg couple, a bride and groom, to top their wedding cake, so our neighbor, Becky, agreed to take on the challenge of painting them.  

What a sweet gift of her time and talent that MS and C will long enjoy and treasure. 

The day Becky finished painting them, she brought them over, and MS took the picture above and sent it to C with a smile on his face.  Moments later, C shared his picture with me in a text.  

We cracked up together over MS's fun caption, as if it wasn't already obvious who was who,... Ha! 

Still to this day, I smile when I scroll through my photos and see this picture (and many, honestly)!

I'm soo thankful for the sweet love of our son for his chosen bride.

I'm thankful for his intentional pursuit of her, and for her response to his wooing, the love she continues to return to him.  What a sweet joy to witness! 

They met and love one another because God loved each of them first.  

The LORD set them apart and used circumstances in each of their lives to prepare their hearts for one another.  Some of those circumstances include hardships and trials, none of which they would have chosen, but God allowed, and used to magnify their need for Him, and one another, so they and others would know He is Sovereign in the details, and not them in their choosing!! 

When I think about hardships, I am reminded of Joseph in the Bible.  God allowed and used difficult circumstances in his life; what some meant for evil, God meant for good. 

Because of this, I am mindful of my need to "Be still and know..." God when trials come, that I might better learn to rejoice in hope, to be patient in suffering and tribulation, and constant in prayer (Romans 12:12).  This is not easy, but we're charged by Paul in Romans to do this!! 

It's sad, but true:  God used pain to close one door so another could be opened by MS to find and pursue C.  

We can trust the LORD and wait for Him through seasons of trial.  He will perfect that which concerns us! The waiting and longing may seem arduous, but even through it, we cannot deny what God uses to perfect. 

I came across an article several months ago that encouraged me , so I've decided to share it here...

Gary and Betsy Ricuchi, Love That Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace (Crossway, 2006), pp. 22-23 shared this...

• Because of the gospel, Christians have become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, in our marriage, our past does not define us, confine us, or determine our future.
• Because of the gospel, we are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7). Therefore we can live free of all guilt and condemnation for every sin, and we can trust that God, in his mercy, will be gracious to us.
• Because of the gospel, we can forgive, just as Christ forgave us (Ephesians 4:32). Nothing done against us compares to our sin against God. Therefore all offenses, hostility, and bitterness between Christians can be completely forgiven and removed.
• Because of the gospel, we are accepted by God (Romans 15:7). Therefore we are not dependent on a spouse for who we are or what we need.
• Because of the gospel, sin's ruling power over us is broken (Romans 6:6, 14). Therefore we can truly obey all that God calls us to do in our marriage, regardless of any circumstance or situation.
• Because of the gospel, we have access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16). Therefore we can at any time take any need in our marriage to the One who can do all things.
• Because of the gospel, we have hope (Romans 5:1-4). Therefore we can endure any marital difficulty, hardship, or suffering, with the assurance that God is working all to our greatest good (Romans 8:28).
• Because of the gospel, Christ dwells in us by his Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:13-14). Therefore we are confident that God is always with us and is always at work in our marriage, even when progress is imperceptible (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
• Because of the gospel, we have power to fight and overcome remaining sin, which continues to dwell and war within us (Romans 7:19-21, 24-25; Galatians 5:16-17). This indwelling enemy represents the essence of what is called the doctrine of sin.

These are just a few of the ways the gospel can transform a marriage. Sometimes it's not easy to live in the reality of these truths. But it is always possible--and not because of our strength or determination, but because of God's empowering and enabling grace.

May the Author and Finisher of every faith and life message never take a back seat to the cast, or the story He tells. 

He is far greater the One to consider daily, in the living and the telling of every story, His story, His work, to His praise and glory! 

And what is soo awesome about His story, is that it never ends! His stories are eternal, because He will always have love and a providential story to tell!!

For the LORD and For Gideon

Reducing 32,000 men down to 300 could not have felt or seemed like a good tactical maneuver to Gideon if he was already prone to fear. 

If that weren't concerning enough, the LORD told Gideon to head down to the camp of the enemy. 

Gideon definitely feared that, so God also told him, "But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant.  And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.”

So Gideon took Purah with him, someone he could trust and confide in, who was likely one of the ten that had helped him to break down the altar of Baal. 

Together they went and overheard two soldiers of the enemy talking.  

One of them tells of his dream... "Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.”  

And his comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.”

Gideon's name and fame had spread through the camp, giving the enemy great reason for concern!! 

Gideon worshipped the LORD for hearing this news, and he returned to his camp and told his men, “Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand.”

So Gideon separated out the 300 men into three companies and armed everyone with... 

a trumpet, an empty jar, and a torch.  

He then told them, "Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, 

do as I do. 

When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’”

Gideon had left the camp and his men in fear and returned with praise and confidence in the LORD's call!  He was assured by hearing the interpretation of the enemy's dream that only the LORD could have gone before him and frightened the enemy upon hearing of his (Gideon's) reputation.  

I pray each of us will better learn to entrust our fears and reputation to the LORD.   

The LORD will fulfill His purpose for us! 

Psalm 138

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
  before the gods I sing your praise;

2 

I bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
    for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word.

3 

On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.

4 

All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth,

5 

and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.

6 

For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
    but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me.

8 

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
   your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.

May it be so, LORD!!

❤️u! 

Photo:  Matt has always had a heart to conquer, but seldom has he ever wanted to win a war alone. He's always wanted a buddy to go with him!  I have always loved his heart for camaraderie...he has always had a desire to trust and contribute loyal strength towards those he entered a "pact" with, and if anyone ever broke his trust, he was crushed.  😪 

Ohh how my heart yearns for all of us to enter a deeper relationship with the LORD who will always be there for us.  Through all of our journey in life, through times of peace or war, ease or hardship, we can be sure He will have our back and be the strength and courage we need to face our battles.  

We can not go through life without Him! 

Gideon had to learn what God had called him to was not about him, or the battle itself, but about Who his confidence should be in. 

As Matt could always count on his little sister to dress up and get in the act of living life with him, we, too, can be sure the LORD has already ordained and accomplished His part in going before us in our living, and He knows what's going to happen next!  

His name and reputation is our guarantee!! 

Look at Him, and do likewise!! 

Christ is ALL in All

“If Christ is not all to you He is nothing to you. 

He will never go into partnership as a part Saviour of men. 

If He be something He must be everything, 

and if He be not everything He is nothing to you.”

― Charles H. Spurgeon

Photo:
Mark's father's Bible was carried by the "Ringbearers" in the wedding of MS and C. I refered to them as the "Bible-bearers". 

It was a sweet semblance of Pawpaw's influence and constant presence in MS's life before he passed away in September of 2012.  We are soo very thankful for the close proximity and relationship we all enjoyed with him before he passed.  It seems soo few value and prioritize that kind of family strength and togetherness, and yet Mark and I both came from such families that have desired nothing less. What a treasure and godly heritage we have and have been able to share with our children!! ❤️
I'm thankful C allowed Pawpaw's Bible to be included in their wedding ceremony, instead of just following tradition.  

I pray God's Word will always have a strong presence and influence in our home and in the home of MS and C, leading all of us in Truth as we walk a path lead by the Light!  

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. 

Psalm 119:105-106

A Plant Full Grown

MS and I on his wedding day, 08/05/17

I L❤️VE this young man with every fiber of my being! 

I'm so thankful for his desire to love and lead Caroline to the LORD through the gift of marriage. 

Dear Son, 
I'm praying for you today, while missing your voice and hugs!
I'm thankful you're not far, but definitely away, growing and flourishing with Caroline! 

I pray this passage will become a reality in your life and home, as it has in ours, that the LORD will give you increase in all you put your hands to do, and your abundance will come from His bounty and loving favor!!
I love and miss you deeply!

Psalm 144-
12May our sons in their youth
be like plants full grown,
our daughters like corner pillars
cut for the structure of a palace;
13may our granaries be full,
providing all kinds of produce;
may our sheep bring forth thousands
and ten thousands in our fields;
14may our cattle be heavy with young,
suffering no mishap or failure in bearing;
may there be no cry of distress in our streets!
15Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!
Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!

❤️u, always! 

Christ Supplies

“O how little do many of us know of Christ, 

and therefore it is that we make so little use of Christ, 

receive so little from Christ, 

and do so little for Christ!  

Our sense of our need of Christ, 

if it be deep and increasing, will lead us to seek to know more of Christ; 

and knowing more of Christ, we shall daily come to Christ for all our supplies.”
James Smith

Stay As Sweet As You Are

"Stay as sweet as you are

Don't let a thing

Ever change you

Stay as sweet as you are

Don't let a soul

Rearrange you

Don't ever lose

All the charm you possess

Your loveliness, darling

The way you say "yes"

Stay as sweet as you are

Discreet as you are

You're divine, dear

Stay as grand as you are

And as you are

Tell me that you're mine, dear

Young and gay or old and gray

Near to me or afar

Night and day I pray

That you'll always stay

As sweet as you are." 

~ Mack Gordon 

{sung by Nat King Cole}