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!! 

Faithful, STILL

Still He blesses those on whom he sets his love in a way that humbles them, so that all the glory may be his alone. 

Still he hates the sins of his people, and uses all kinds of inward and outward pains and griefs to wean their hearts from compromise and disobedience. 

Still he seeks the fellowship of his people, and sends them both sorrows and joys in order to detach their love from other things and attach it to himself. 

Still he teaches believers to value his promised gifts by making them wait for those gifts, 

and compelling them to pray persistently for them, before he bestows them. 

So we read of God dealing with his people in the Scripture record, and so he deals with them still. 

His aims and principles of action remain consistent; 

he does not at any time act out of character.
Our ways, we know, are pathetically inconsistent-

but not God’s.

J. I. Packer
Shared by our friend, Nick S., who enjoys reading and sharing.

Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. 

Your faithfulness endures to all generations; 

you have established the earth, and it stands fast. 

By your appointment they stand this day, 

for all things are your servants. 

Psalm 119:89-91

Blameless in His Presence

A centipede was happy ‘til one day, a toad in fun said, 
“Pray, which leg goes after which?”  
Which strained his mind to such a pitch he lay distracted in a ditch, considering how to run.  I think there are a good many toads in the world, and sometimes, not in fun at all but very seriously, they manage ‘to strain minds to such a pitch’, that instead of going on in simplicity, we may easily find ourselves distracted in a ditch, not running, but only considering how to run.”

Amy Carmichael

So oft we look to others for approval while not realizing they need help and approval too!  Why do we deny our Creator the time and joy of telling us, “I rejoice in you. I made you! You’re mine.  Come!  Let me tell you how I glory in my creation of you.” 

Don't give more weight to worries and the words of others, when you haven't sought the presence of the One who loves you MOST! 

Jude 

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,

25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our LORD, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen. 

Photo credit:  Phil Nichols, SGBC elder, for our church directory. 

For a mom who has always gloried in her family of six, but now must adjust to being a family of five (because our first born married recently), I understand from my very small perspective what it means for God to glory in His children.  He indeed loves and rejoices in me!!  Not until I became a mother could I have ever had an inkling of an idea how to marvel (again, with limited understanding) in the distinction and grandeur of each child formed within my womb.  GOD ALMIGHTY entrusted them to me, to us, to nurture and present them to Him.  It has been a sore adjustment for me to release our firstborn. I still miss his fun-loving presence in our home, but I am purposed to pray and trust through this process, the LORD will multiply grace.  One day I trust the LORD will add the most unfathomable and precious reward and gift of more children...obviously more GRANDEUR !  I am asking the LORD to bear sweet spiritual and physical fruit from our son's leaving and cleaving, with natural longing that in His time, for His glory, He will regenerate more souls to stand blameless before Him!