Journey For God: My Hope and Stay

Neither go back in fear and misgiving to the past, 

nor in anxiety and forecasting to the future; 

but lie quiet under His hand, having no will but His. 

H. E. Manning

I am on a journey to discover God's will for my life, 
and for the lives of my family/children. 
As a mom, I have prayed a lot lately, almost daily, to ask the LORD for wisdom regarding the matters of life that weigh heavy on my heart and mind. 
Those foremost are, the spiritual wisdom of my family, that we'd be drawn into the fellowship of our Savior, yet, I tremble to consider suffering may come with that. 
I confess, I fear suffering. 

Yet again, I sense I suffer when I deny my heart to yield to His will for my life, and theirs. 

What is God calling us to? 
Who is He calling them to?
Where will He call our children to go? 
Will He call them to stay or move away? 
When will He call them? 

Will He call them to lead or follow? 

Some days, I feel strong in faith. 
Other days I feel exceptionally weak, and vulnerable to fear and anxiety. My heart wrenches in pain and discouragement to consider living without them.  
This is such an emotionally challenging season for me. 
I do not want to idolize them, nor grasp for them as if they are the ultimate gift.  
Christ is my ALL in all!  

Ohh, Father, I sense an urgent need and desire to know your peace and comfort regarding the matters on my heart.  Please lead me in truth, "Thy word is truth" (John 17:17)! 
I don't want to cling so tightly to anything, especially that which  I have no right to claim!  

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul give way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
Edward Mote (1797-1874)

Celebrating Eileen's life with Friends

Carol suggested we get together to celebrate Eileen's birthday! Soo, we did! 
I believe she'd be happy to know we laughed a lot!
❤️
We thank the LORD for every remembrance of you!
w/Sir Case, Gail, and Carol

Let Men be Men

Strange how easy it is seems to be for some women to expect their husbands to be women, to act like women, to do what is expected of women.  Instead of that they are men, they act like men, they do what is expected of men and thus they do the unexpected.  They surprise their wives by being men and some wives wake up to the awful truth that it was not, in fact, a man that that they wanted after all.  It was marriage, or some vague idea of marriage, which provided the fringe benefits they were looking for--- a home, children, security, social status.  But somehow marriage has also insinuated into their cozy lives this unpredictable, unmanageable, unruly creature called a man.  He is likely to be bigger and louder and tougher and hungrier and dirtier than a woman expects, and she finds that bigger feet make bigger footprints on the newly washed kitchen floor; they make a bigger noise on the stairs.  She learns that what makes her cry may make him laugh.  He eats far more than seems necessary or even reasonable to a woman who never ceases her vigil against excess weight.  When he takes a shower his broader dimensions mean more water used and a greater surface for water to cling to and therefore she finds that the towels get much wetter and he probably doesn't hang them up folded in three as she wants him to in order to display the monogram.  He may not hang them up at all.  He won't use a washcloth which means he consumes three times as much soap as she does.  When she cleans the bathroom she finds she has to clean in places she never had to clean before.  He's a toothpaste-tube twister instead of a roller.  Anything he does which seems to her inexplicable or indefensible she dismisses with "Just like a man!" as though this were a condemnation or at best an excuse instead of a very good reason for thanking God.  It is a man she married, after all, and she is lucky if he acts like a man.
Elisabeth Elliot, Let Me Be a Woman, page 83-84

The Communion Hymn

Soo thankful for the many ways that make Sundays soo uplifting and special.
Having a husband who takes me to unite with the covenant body of Believers of Sovereign Grace Baptist Church (by no means perfect, but broken with humble hearts eager to be washed and built up in faith in the LORD), which includes my family and extended family, and precious loved ones I hold dear.
We have a pastor and elders who have jealous hearts for the faithful presentation and ministry of the Word, who shepherd well, and take seriously their call to lead us.
We have deacons who serve sacrificially and prayerfully, one of which is our worship leader.
All of these men labor in prayer and with weighted responsibility for the souls of the saints they have been called to serve.
Men and women alike serve side by side in many ways to make assembling together every Sunday a great blessing.
I am soo very thankful.

Yesterday, we came together as examined members (regenerate, repentant, responsible, and reconciled) of His body to approach His table.
The hymn "Behold the Lamb (The Communion Hymn)" was played on the piano (Thank you, Caroline Gray ❤️) as we approached the table, and the lyrics stirred me deeply... They are meaningful and worth repeating...

Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away,
Slain for us - and we remember
The promise made that all who come in faith
Find forgiveness at the cross.
So we share in this bread of life,
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of peace
Around the table of the King.

The body of our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Torn for you - eat and remember
The wounds that heal, the death that brings us life
Paid the price to make us one.
So we share in this bread of life,
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of love
Around the table of the King.

The blood that cleanses every stain of sin,
Shed for you - drink and remember
He drained death’s cup that all may enter in
To receive the life of God.
So we share in this bread of life,
And we drink of His sacrifice. 

As a sign of our bonds of grace
Around the table of the King.

And so with thankfulness and faith we rise
To respond, - and to remember
Our call to follow in the steps of Christ
As His body here on earth.
As we share in His suffering
We proclaim Christ will come again!
And we’ll join in the feast of heaven
Around the table of the King ”  

Words and Music by Keith and Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend   © 2006

Photo credit:  Picture of John taken a few weeks ago when he was asked to read a passage of Scripture.  I really appreciate how our pastor and elders find ways to transition the regenerate young men of our congregation to take on responsibilities, serving and leading our congregation.  It is a joy to listen to our sons read when called upon.   

Thank you, Father, for the many gifts of grace we enjoy and would not have were it not for your gracious gift of yourself to us through these blessings.  

It Shall Be Well

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
    who walks in his ways!
 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
    you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house; 
your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
 

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
    who fears the Lord. 


The Lord bless you from Zion!

    May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life!

May you see your children's children!
    Peace be upon Israel!

Psalm 128

Marked

While sorting through a lifetime of memories at my parents' home today, I happened (?) upon this letter, and well, yeah it took my breath away, ... You can probably guess the rest! 😭
He came five days later, yet he still arrived five days early 💪🏼!
It's just a momentous piece of paper, but my heart will forever be marked!  
Psalm 127-

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 

2 It is vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. 

4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. 

5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.