Happy New Year 2013

 

 We are nearing the end of another year. In just two days, we'll welcome in the New Year, 2013.

As I pray and thank the LORD for all of His mercies, I am particularly mindful of the way He tenderly, and mercifully lead us through a difficult year. 

 

I pray God's mercies bring you a New Year that is filled w/a sweet knowledge and fellowship with HIM, come what may!   

Shine, Jesus, Shine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who exult in your name all the day
and in your righteousness are exalted.
For you are the glory of their strength;

by your favor our horn is exalted.
For our shield belongs to the Lord,
our king to the Holy One of Israel.
Psalm 89:15-18 

 

The lights on our tree draw me in to the LIGHT who came to save me from the darkness.

I pray our hearts will be illuminated by HIS presence in our home. 

I pray for the hearts of those who have somehow missed the LIGHT, who are satisfied to linger in the darkness because they do not recognize HIM for the LIGHT of Salvation HE is. 

 

For the families in Newtown CT, I am praying HE will lift their sorrow, and shine in the deep, dark crevices of their broken hearts and minds.  Their sorrow is not trivial. 

May they have just enough faith, however desperate, to seek HIS face and lift up his name in the midst of the evil they are consumed by. 

"Lord, the light of Your love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness shining;
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth You now bring us;
Shine, Jesus, Shine..."
Words, Graham Kendrick, 1987

The Purry Gates

She was a feral kitten in our neighborhood that found my routine treat for the neighbor's cat her feast.
At first, she only came at dusk. Eventually, we began to see her peek her little nose above the neighbor's border grass at dawn, so I put food out for her then too.
In time, and w/much TLC, we adopted this little rebel rouser into our family. She hated to be confined in any manner. The first time we brought her into the house, she went ballistic! She literally climbed the door to get out, thinking the daylight she saw behind the lace panel curtain was the way to her escape. I wonder if the person that drove by at that moment saw her caught between the window and the lace. She was a tough kitty to break, but she eventually accepted our love, and realized she was home.

Somehow, and quickly, Matt endeared himself to her. She loved him w/the most tender kitty affection. 

When he left home, she awaited his return, often at the foot of his bed.
When he showered in the mornings, she sat outside the bathroom door waiting for him to return to her. If he took too long, she'd claw at the door as if she really thought she needed to get in there to save him. It wasn't unusual for him to open the door to let her in to the bathroom, so she'd be at peace w/where he was.

A quiet mew is unusual for a Siamese, even for a mixed breed. Tink'r Bell's mew made us laugh.
She communicated soooo sweetly. We'll miss her soft, unassuming presence.

Tonight she left us quickly. There was no warning...
If I understood, I'd feel better.
Needless to say, this is another hurt and another difficult loss for me.
I am solaced to consider the LORD loved her too.

The Purry Gates~
It seems that I've reached Heaven,
or it's doorstep at any rate,
and been winding round St. Peter's ankles
by the Pearly Gates,
I've plucked the angels' harp strings
and made a merry sound,
But it's plucking at my heartstrings
that you are not around.
So I think I'll sit and wait here,
just outside the door,
And as the souls come floating in,
I'll tap them with my paw,
And when you seek admittance,
they'll rename this place -
It will become Purradise,
and these the Purry Gates!
Author Unknown

More to be Thankful for!

"If the LORD had not been my help,
my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
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 94:17-19 ESV)

My Mother Dear completed her chemo treatments this past Monday.
My heart is tender to consider how the LORD will use this treatment to fulfill HIS purpose for Mom, and all of us, for HIS glory.
I tremble to selfishly desire my will, and not His.
My heart is stilled; I truly desire to know and trust Him through the rest of this journey.

Mom will meet w/a radiologist/oncologist in January to discuss whether she'll need radiation treatment. Meanwhile, we covet your prayers for her health and recovery from cancer.  

Thank you!