If I Stand

I was listening to Rich Mullins again. His songs never cease to impress thoughts upon my heart. It's like every time I hear them, something different strikes home! Here's the words to one of my favorites of his......I wish I could say I wrote it:

There's more that rises in the morning than the sun,
More that shines in the night than just the moon,
There's more than just this fire here that keeps me warm,
In a shelter that is larger than this room.

There's a loyalty that's deeper than mere sentiment,
A music higher than the songs that I can sing,
The stuff of earth competes for the allegiance
I owe only the Giver of all good things.

Chorus:
So if I stand, let me stand on the promise
That You will pull me through;
And if I can't let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You.
If I sing, let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs.
But if I weep, let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home!

There's more that dances on the prairies than the wind,
More that pulses in the ocean than the tide,
There's a love that is fiercer than the love between friends,
More gentle than a mother when a baby's at her side.


I just really like the part where he says "stuff of earth competes for the allegiance..." Anyone else out there have that problem???? I sure am glad I am not God. If I was God, I couldn't stand people like me! I mean, here we ask our heavenly Father for blessings, and because He is the good father that he is, he lovingly give us so much. Yet, then we get so caught up in what He give is, that we get distracted and our focus on Him kinda falls by the way! Know what I mean? Then He gives us trials and disappointments to bring us back and we cry out and get on track again. It's a cycle! You'd think by now we would catch on and just stay focused on Him all the time. Just think of all the trials we'd miss out on! Well, thankfully I am NOT God!!!

I also really like where Rich says, "If I weep, let it be as a man who is longing for his home." I sheepishly admit that often when I have cried over stupid trivial stuff, self pity included, the words of this song have been whispered in my heart. Really, that is pretty much the only thing we should cry over, because we long so badly to go home. I say "pretty much" because I believe there are other causes for tears that can be blessed. Like crying over the death of someone or crying over a lost loved on, etc. But most times we cry, it's foolishness. Sometimes we have to cry to get over things too, I'm not at all saying it's wrong to cry. But I just want to be so focused on the "mark of the high calling" that I don't cry over foolishness! Sigh, I'm afraid I will never be what I should be.....

There's another song that has these words, "Let me be so close to God that it's no big change on the day that Jesus calls my name!" Oh, that that could be true in my life! How I long for closer communion with God! This is my cry here of late. Shhhh! I'm scared to pray that though because I know what happens then, He sends more trials my way to bring me closer and........um..... I don't like trials!

God bless all who read my blog......and all the others who don't deserve it!!!!!! LOL!

Snowy Again!

Well, wouldn't you know, it's snowing again! Yay! I might not even have to go into the shelter tonight! Well, shucks, I guess that makes it sound like I don't like going there but that's not the case! It's a crazy busy week, this week, and I will not whine, complain, or snivel if I end up staying at home tonight!

Okay, tonight I go into the shelter, Wednesday night I go to a Creative Memory Party, Thursday I am away all day at a friend's house in Carlisle, Friday night is family night, and then the weekend is always planned full. Sigh! Is it my own fault? Well, maybe, somewhat! It's all stuff I like doing, it's just that it fell all on one week and I couldn't really help that! So, you see why I wouldn't cry if I stayed home tonight?!

I don't even have a day free this week. I am working Wednesday because I am having off on Thursday to visit the friend in Carlisle. I'm looking forward to that though. It's the Jameses that started the Candycane Mailbox Bible club. They are dear friends of ours. Dick has cancer, and things are not looking very good for his health. I hate to think of the inevitable, but it's what is gonna happen unless a miracle is performed by Jesus Christ only! So, I am gonna try to enjoy him while he's here. He's such a gentle man, full of good humor and oh, so interesting. He has lots of good stories to tell and it's just fun to sit as his feet and listen. I love older people because they are so full of wisdom and advice. Sometimes it seems a little bit outdated because things have changed so much. But if we young ones would admit it, most of their wisdom and hind sight can be applied even at this day and age. Don't tell anyone that I just admitted that!!!!!!!

Well, I just baked for the shelter last night and now this morning I baked some bars to take to Pat's on Thursday and I should go eat breakfast so I can go to work. Oh, one of my friends gave me canning jars and instead of giving them empty, she filled them with brownie mixes and let me tell you, it's awfully handy! God love her!

Okay, you all have a great day!

Gotten Distracted!

I've sort of gotten distracted along the way! I really loved blogging at first, and I still do, but now I found facebook. I am having alot of fun with that. Isn't it crazy how much time a computer can consume! I guess it's all a choice, it's what you let it have. But goodness, I keep adding things to my agenda, of what all I can do on my computer and I am loving it. I just have to be very careful to keep my priorities straight! Tomorrow I have off, yay!!!!! I am planning to scrapbook! I love doing that when there is snow on the ground! I hope the snow stays that long. It's been cold for awhile now, so maybe it will stay! Awesome sunrises over the snow! I had to take a snapshot this morning, it was simply gorgeous! I love how God shows His mighty power in the sunrise, it makes me think of how His mercies are new every morning and how He is so faithful. Anyway, I must soon go to work, whine, snivel! I'd rather stay home all day and enjoy my house!

It's Snowing!

Yay, what a gorgeous morning! I am not a morning person at all! But once I am up awhile and more awake, I'm fine! I got up before the sun this morning and as I got ready for the day and peaked out the window, I saw some beautiful snow! The roads are bad, I've been told, but I think I'll probably go to work anyway.

Yesterday was my day off, but it was one of those days where I didn't get much done! I dislike days like that. I mean I had fun. One of my friends came over and we talked for a few hours. That was the highlight of the entire day. But I guess I'm a scheduled person and when my schedule gets wrecked, I get all disoriented! Ha ha, I can just imagine some housewives saying, "Don't get married and have children then!" But it doesn't happen often and it happened yesterday. Because of some misunderstanding, the person I was gonna take shopping changed her plans back and forth. GRRRR! I had a list of things to do and only got 2 things done on the entire list! Oh, well, as long as there is life, there's gonna be struggles. On, this cursed earth, that is!

It's good to be alive though. I am absolutely loving my house to the max. I get scared when I think about the bills, but I try not to dwell on it. And now my close friend Rhonda said her husband who builds houses might be totally out of a job by March or April as they just don't have work. It scares me more than I'd like to admit. Here I am, wishing I could have a nanny job. But with all these people needing jobs out there, I am not sure. Perhaps I need to hang onto what I have instead. I can't dwell on the economy either or I'll get depressed. I do better if I ignore it for the most part.

Well, I need to get some of my list done before work that I did not get done today! Have a great day, everybody and don't forget to thank the Lord for a new day!

What if His People Prayed?

Anyone ever hear this song? I borrowed a Casting Crowns cd from my sis and this song "What if His People Prayed" is on it. It made me all teary-eyed. Isn't it so true? I"ll copy some of the words for those who don't know the song.

What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords?
Vowed to set the captive free,
And not let Satan come for more.
What if the church for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate;
Took a stand upon God's promise
And stormed those rusty gates!
What if His people prayed?
And those who bare His name
Would wholly seek His face,
And turn from their own ways?

And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way;
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day.
What if the light that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth?
What if the family turned to Jesus,
Stopped asking Oprah what to do!
What if His people prayed?
And those who bear His name
Would wholly seek His face,
And turn from their own ways
He said that He would hear,
His promise has been made
He made it loud and clear,
If only we would pray!

These are not all the words to the song, just some of them. I love these words. I wish I could say that I wrote them. It's my heart, anyway, and should be the heart of any truly born again Believer. Seriously, what WOULD happen if His people prayed? I don't mean just pray, I mean REALLY cry out to God? I had written this down before church this morning and now I just got back. Guess what, the sermon was centered on Romans chapter 1 and we discussed Paul and how he was NOT ashamed of the Gospel. So, how many times have we been ashamed of the gospel? How many times has God nudged us to talk to someone about Him and we thought maybe it wasn't His voice, or we decided not to because we were too "shy" or afraid of being made to look stupid? For myself, too often I hesitate and by the time I say, "Yes, God, I'll do it", the moment is lost forevere! Why can't I just do it without a moment's hesitation. So what if it wasn't God nudging us, what could it hurt us to reach out to that person anyway. And, if we ever feel the need to reach out, most likely it is always God nudging us to do it! Oh, how long of a journey I have to become even a fraction of what Paul was!

The other thing that bugs me and I have to write about it to get it off my chest: What would happen if Christians were as dedicated to their God as Satanists are to their god? Satanists are dedicated, I mean REALLY dedicated! They will stop at NOTHING sometimes. I've heard/read testimonies of former witches who said how they fasted and prayed til they got what they were asking for! And they do this over winning souls for Satan's kingdom! They will literally fast for days/weeks and will NOT stop until it has been wrought the way they want it. Wow! What is wrong with us feeble minded pampered American Christians? Okay, I don't mean to bash us, that sounded too harsh! But you know what I mean? Sometimes I get so frustrated at myself on how my priorities get so mixed up. What a pathetic Christian I am! What would happen if I dedicated more time to praying? How many more people could be blessed or brought to Christ if I did that?

How many Christians actually fast? I despise fasting, and I am very ashamed to say I do not do much of it at all. Why? I love to eat! I don't enjoy that feeling of hunger and light-headedness, the stinky breath (LOL), and the bitter taste in my mouth. But what would happen if I would?

What would happen if more Christians stood up and voiced their opinions in America, instead of kicking back and propping up their feet and watching what happened? Would there actually be abortion allowed in any of the US if every Christian who believed it is wrong stood up and actually voiced their opinion? Would prayers be a routine in school yet if we had stood up?

Okay, I think I am done venting! I feel better now! I think there is a happy medium to everything and I don't want to be a radical Christian. However, I think I have alot to work on to become what I need to for the Lord. It makes me angry when I hear that Christians who are persecuted pray that we in America would become persecuted so we would be on fire for the Lord. It makes me angry because it steps on my toes. I think that we need to wake up and stand our ground before persecution comes in the picture! We need to be SOLD OUT for the cause of Christ.

I hope everyone's Sunday was good and peaceful. I thoroughly enjoyed Sunday school this morning too. To sum it all up, I really love my church. I feel the Spirit of God moving there and I love the worship. I always go away filled. The people are friendly. The roads were bad this morning, due to some ice and snow, so we were about 2 minutes late. They had started singing when we walked in. I couldn't help but think about how "at home" I felt. Normally, I would get all shaky and oh, so nervous if I had to walk in late. But in this church, it did not bother me to come in late and walk all the way to the front where the youth sit. I was not at all nervous. The whole atmosphere is so peaceful, no one stares at anyone at all. I love it, love it, love it! Thank you Jesus for bringing me to this church!

Well, I must get my afternoon beauty (Snort, cough, hack!) in, so goodbye til later!

What a Beautiful Day............

for the Lord to come again! Anybody know that song? I had to think of it this morning because I saw a gorgeous sunrise! I mean, glorious! I took pictures of it but I haven't figured out how to post the picture yet! I guess I haven't tried really tried too hard to figure it out yet! When I have more time........haha..... time, what's that? Seems a bit foreign to me! Actually, I'm caught up pretty good now. I don't have to make supper tonight because it is family night. I'll go home for supper and Sharon will too. I look forward to Mom's good cooking, and seeing everybody again as well!

Yesterday was a fairly good day. I went to work, of course, and I had a good time working with our pottery. Now today I have to make some orders for the store and do some cleanup. Last night for supper I made chicken alfredo. Very yummy recipe. Tomorrow we'll have some warmups and then next week it's Sharon's week to cook! Ah, then I can kick back my heels and read!!!! I do love cooking, it's just that it's an added chore and I'll look forward to the break time!

I was listening to a song this morning by Rich Mullins. Some of the words are: "stuff of earth competes for the allegience I owe only to my Savior and King". Isn't that so true? I get all caught up in this materialism thing and it's way too easy to get so busy doing "stuff" that I don't take the necessary time for God. And then when I do, sometimes it's out of guilt or obligation and then I might as well skip it if I'm not doing it for the right reason! But I'm working on that. It was just kinda up in the air right when I moved because all I could think about was moving and after I moved all I could think about was all the stuff I needed to organize yet! It's all coming into place now and I'm feeling more relaxed, thank God!

Yikes, time at home flies. I have to leave for work soon. I'd better go eat breakfast. God bless you all!

Another Day, Another Dollar!

Wow, today it is cold! We don't have a thermometer yet, but I can tell it is COLD! It is windy! This house doesn't hide that fact! BRRR! Thank God for heat! I would hate to be out on the streets today! I wish it was my day off all over again! I would love to climb back into bed. I sort of was up later than I planned to be last night. Sometimes when you start something, it's a bit hard to quit before you are finished. Anyone know what I mean?!

Yesterday went waaaaaay too fast! Why does my day off ALWAYS do that to me?! It's maddening! I made supper: cream cheese potatoes, meatloaf, and corn. It was very yummy, if I may say so myself! However, it was work! You might say, "Duh, of course it was work!" Well, I mean, it was extra work. Sometime, try cutting 2 onions up with only a table knife and your fingers! Need I say they were not nice small pieces like I wanted them to be??? Need I say my fingers hurt til I was done? I could have gone home to Mom and borrowed her knife, but I decided I can and will do this on my own! A bunch of my friends are having a housewarming party for us this Saturday and I know one of them is giving us some knives. Thank God! Oh, well, dear Sharon insisted she did not mind the huge obnoxious looking onion chunks in her meatloaf!

Last evening I had a friend come over to visit, whom I hadn't seen in a while. Our first formal visitor! I had a very good time catching up on stuff! And my sis surprised me and stopped in. We don't like surprise visitors, because we like to be in our nighties alot! So anyone who stops in is up for a surprise! LOL! But I guess it was just my sis, so that's alright!

Tonight I was supposed to sing at a home, which I do once a month. I sing in a quartet, and the one lady has a cold, so we are pushing the singing off til next Thursday. I hope and pray I don't have a cold til then. I've been surrounded by people with colds. I've been trying hard not to get one!

Right now at work we are not very busy with customers, so I am getting the store re-arranged. Tuesday I made a big mess of the pottery and I hope it's still there for me to work on today. I love working with our pottery. So if MaryAnn didn't finish my job, then I can finish it today. I have to place some orders for merchandise to. I love placing orders and unpacking stuff when it comes in.

Have a good day everyone and I'll catch up with you later!

My first Bog Ever!

Well, who would have thought I would ever have a blog? I always thought that kind of a thing is something I'll never have the privilege of having. Now here I am, doing that very thing! It's gonna be fun, I think! I tried to write it a couple days ago and I don't know what I did, but somehow I managed to lose what I had written! After I typed it all up, it said it could not be posted. GRRR!

Today is my day off! Lovely! Doesn't matter that it's raining and a little icy outside. Any day off for me is a lovely day, unless I'm sick! I am doing wash. My very first wash day at my new house. I used to do wash for a quilt shop owner and I loved it. Only, I'm finding out that my cheap generic laundry soap does not smell half as good as the expensive stuff I got paid to work with! Oh, well, you can't have it all, can you? I'm just thankful I have money to get cheap stuff, which is better than nothing!

Today I am going to shop a little and I need to get recipes copied over from Mom. I need to hang a few things on the wall....hey, working at a craft shop paid off. I can hang up my own pictures and wall decor. These walls at this house are drywall, same as at King's.

You all have a great day, and God bless!

My First Blog!

Well, I can't believe I am doing this! I have always liked reading other people's blogs; yet I never thought I would actually get caught up in writing one myself! This could be fun! I will try to write faithfully! Right now it's time for me to go to work so I can't write much. I should not have even started. But, I wanted to try this out so even if it has to be short, at least it's something! LOL! They are calling for icy weather tonight. I am supposed to go into the shelter (LCYIC) to do the Bible study with the teen girls. I have a feeling that will be canceled. If it is, then guess what I'll be doing? You guessed it, I'll be sitting on my duff in my living room, see what all I can do with this blog. Then the rest of the time I'll be most likely doing something with my wonderful friend Sharon Fox. I so love living! Oh, last night I went shopping and the price of things is horrible! I always laughed at the old ladies who grumbled over the cost of living and how it went up so high since they were young. I thought, "yada, yada, yada, yeah, whatever"! Now, um, it's kinda a different tune that I'm singing now that I have to buy my own stuff to live! Okay, gulp, I was wrong! I repent! Anyway, I must go to work. As Tiny Tim says, "God bless us everyone"!