(To encourage)

“We are never nearer to Christ than when we find ourselves lost in a holy amazement at His unspeakable love.”

John Owen

“If I have observed anything by experience, it is this: a man may take the measure of his growth and decay in grace according to his thoughts and meditations upon the person of Christ, and the glory of Christ’s kingdom, and of His love.”

John Owen                                                                                  

 “He is righteous to reward according to deserts; He is gracious to reward above deserts;  yea, He is merciful to reward without deserts; and how, then, can I doubt of His will to help me?“

Sir Richard Baker

“Alas, for that capital crime of the Lord’s people–barrenness in praises!  Oh, how fully I am persuaded that a line of praises is worth a leaf in prayer, and an hour of praises is worth a day of fasting and mourning.”  John Livingstone

“God hath in Himself all power to defend you, all wisdom to direct you, all mercy to pardon you, all grace to enrich you, all righteousness to clothe you, all goodness to supply you, and all happiness to crown you.”

Thomas Brooks

“Since He looked upon me my heart is not my own, He hath run away to Heaven with it.”

Samuel Rutherford

“Constant thoughts (for Christ) are operative, and musing makes the fire burn.  Green wood is not kindled by a flash or spark, but by constant blowing.”  Thomas Manton

“Praise is a soul in flower.”  Thomas Watson

I read all these Puritan quotes this morning from my new book (A Puritan Golden Treasury published by The Banner of Truth Trust) ~ and I had an “a ha!” moment when I fully realized that fruitful prayer comes from MEDITATION!  How true that is!  The times when my heart and soul are in tune and prayerful to my heavenly Father are when I have been naturally thinking of Him over and over during the day.

So I wonder, would it not be more rewarding for their souls to guide our children to first and foremost think of Christ and meditate on Him and His word?  It scares me to think that I could unknowingly lead my children down a path of a heartless relationship with God.  Meditation and prayer. . .both practices are vital.  But without meditation, prayer can be nothing more than vain babblings.  Meditation cannot help but lead me to prayer.

I remember when I was encouraged to “pray for at least 10 minutes a day” and was held accountable to it on a piece of paper! To think that I would set my timer!  For 10 minutes!  And then try to fill the time with whatever I could think of.   The Lord knows my heart at that time was right–I was doing what I was told to do by a well-meaning mentor.  My prayers were still often-times heart-felt and always heard.  But, I think of that time, and am speechless with gratitude to God’s growing process.  I now believe that there needn’t be a program to prayer.  Isn’t it just a natural heart cry?  At times, words aren’t even necessary. 

He is so wonderful to us.  He never leaves us in one place.

happy in Him

‘Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray I’ll tell you what I’d do. I’d go out into a great big field all alone or into the deep, deep woods, and I’d look up into the sky – up – up – up – into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness. And then I’d just feel a prayer.’
-L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

(To encourage)

“We are never nearer to Christ than when we find ourselves lost in a holy amazement at His unspeakable love.”

John Owen

“If I have observed anything by experience, it is this: a man may take the measure of his growth and decay in grace according to his thoughts and meditations upon the person of Christ, and the glory of Christ’s kingdom, and of His love.”

John Owen                                                                                  

 “He is righteous to reward according to deserts; He is gracious to reward above deserts;  yea, He is merciful to reward without deserts; and how, then, can I doubt of His will to help me?“

Sir Richard Baker

“Alas, for that capital crime of the Lord’s people–barrenness in praises!  Oh, how fully I am persuaded that a line of praises is worth a leaf in prayer, and an hour of praises is worth a day of fasting and mourning.”  John Livingstone

“God hath in Himself all power to defend you, all wisdom to direct you, all mercy to pardon you, all grace to enrich you, all righteousness to clothe you, all goodness to supply you, and all happiness to crown you.”

Thomas Brooks

“Since He looked upon me my heart is not my own, He hath run away to Heaven with it.”

Samuel Rutherford

“Constant thoughts (for Christ) are operative, and musing makes the fire burn.  Green wood is not kindled by a flash or spark, but by constant blowing.”  Thomas Manton

“Praise is a soul in flower.”  Thomas Watson

I read all these Puritan quotes this morning from my new book (A Puritan Golden Treasury published by The Banner of Truth Trust) ~ and I had an “a ha!” moment when I fully realized that fruitful prayer comes from MEDITATION!  How true that is!  The times when my heart and soul are in tune and prayerful to my heavenly Father are when I have been naturally thinking of Him over and over during the day.

So I wonder, would it not be more rewarding for their souls to guide our children to first and foremost think of Christ and meditate on Him and His word?  It scares me to think that I could unknowingly lead my children down a path of a heartless relationship with God.  Meditation and prayer. . .both practices are vital.  But without meditation, prayer can be nothing more than vain babblings.  Meditation cannot help but lead me to prayer.

I remember when I was encouraged to “pray for at least 10 minutes a day” and was held accountable to it on a piece of paper! To think that I would set my timer!  For 10 minutes!  And then try to fill the time with whatever I could think of.   The Lord knows my heart at that time was right–I was doing what I was told to do by a well-meaning mentor.  My prayers were still often-times heart-felt and always heard.  But, I think of that time, and am speechless with gratitude to God’s growing process.  I now believe that there needn’t be a program to prayer.  Isn’t it just a natural heart cry?  At times, words aren’t even necessary. 

He is so wonderful to us.  He never leaves us in one place.

happy in Him

‘Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray I’ll tell you what I’d do. I’d go out into a great big field all alone or into the deep, deep woods, and I’d look up into the sky – up – up – up – into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness. And then I’d just feel a prayer.’
-L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

My cousin Elisha came for a visit.  It was the first time in about 7 years that we were able to spend time together at my house.  What I loved the most about her was that we didn’t have to talk at all.  The quiet times we spent together were just as satisfying as a good conversation.

We went for a walk. . . .

Blue and White

And a brilliant peeling bark shining red from the sun.

Wintergreen

I called this plant, “pumpkin heads”, does anyone know what it really is?

We went to a scrapbooking store, “The Inspiration Station”, and discovered how weak we are when it comes to stickers, papers, scrapbooks, embellishments and gadgets.

We both laughed when Elisha remarked as we left the store, “If I didn’t have a limit on my credit card I would’ve spent a lot more.”

Buttons

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life – to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.  ~George Eliot

***********************

Okay, I’m going to go make peanut butter cookies with David now.  Have a great day everyone!

He always sighed a little when he said it.

“I just really want a dog,” he’d say.

If his teacher at school asked if their were any prayer requests, he’d raise his hand and ask for prayer so that he could have a dog.

He’s only 8 but he’s been praying for years.

And now God has answered and arranged for us the perfect dog.

Welcome Trott, a lab that we rescued through labs4rescue.  He is well-mannered, quiet, and polite.  Playful but not destructive.  The whole family loves him already. 

Especially my son.

Suffer little children to come to me and forbid them not:  for of such is the kingdom of God.  Luke 18:16

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.  Matthew 21:22

It’s you I like,

It’s not the things you wear,

It’s not the way you do your hair–
But it’s you I like
The way you are right now,

The way down deep inside you–
Not the things that hide you,
Not your toys–
They’re just beside you.

But it’s you I like–

 
Every part of you,
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings

 
Whether old or new.
I hope that you’ll remember

Even when you’re feeling blue
That it’s you I like,

It’s you yourself,

It’s you, it’s you I like.

(song by Mr.Rogers)

http://www.puritansermons.com/index.htm

A favorite website of mine.

Enjoy!

I am blessed to be a penpal to an 85 year old Christian woman, Sally.  She lost her husband a few years ago and is now living alone in their old farmhouse.  She has neighbors and relatives who love her and check in on her often. 

As a little girl going to church, my family sat in the pew in front of Roger and Sally.  So, she watched me grow up, meet Rich, and get married. Her letters have been a tool in God’s hands to get me to think about life and what matters most. 

Todaywould have been Roger and Sally’s 61st anniversary and I thought it would be nice to share some quotes from her letters. 

“If I could live my life over I would work harder when I was young instead of being so world crazy–and would have been nicer to Roger all the years we were married.  We had a great life but now he is gone, I wish I had done so much more, he was so good.”

Fun is what you make it

My favorite Hymn:

 All the way my Saviour leads me-What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Saviour leads me-Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial, Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Saviour leads me-O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit clothed imm0rtal, Wings it’s flight to realms of day,
This my song thru endless ages, Jesus led me all the way.

Little Me:

  Child of God, wife, mother of 5, friend, sister, daughter. . . . .

Thanking God for another year. . . .

Flower of February:

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Psalm 90:12