Reading, Watching, and Praising

At the start of every new year, I am faced with the same dilemma. What do I do for a devotional? Do I do the same thing I have done for many years past or do I shake it up with something new? I have an amazing devotional in the forms of Streams in the Desert...but this year, I really felt the Lord leading me to do something different. Or rather, in addition to the said devotional.

As is customary, God used others to reiterate what I believed He was putting on my heart. I was feeling directed towards reading through the Bible in a year....sure enough, when my second family said they were doing the same thing (and asked me to join in with them), I felt as if that was the confirmation I needed.

It's a daunting challenge and one that I have never done before. I mean, I have read books of the Bible, but never the whole thing cover to cover. I am so very excited to do this, as I know I will be blessed and challenged by doing so.

The Lord has already shown Himself in amazing ways. Like He has reiterated to me that He gives second changes to men such as Abram....and people such as myself. He has made me aware of the fact that I need to guard against building "towers of Babel," things that I feel elevate me to somewhere higher than God. And I am only on Genesis Chapter 20!

I have a feeling I am in for a year of amazing things.....as long as I remain open to what God has for me. Even in the book of Numbers ;-)

Every Good Friday

Every Good Friday, I find myself playing this song over and over again. I share the lyrics with you every year--and this year is no exception.


On My Cross--sung by FFH

How wide is Your love
That You would stretch Your arms
And go around the world
And why for me would a Savior's cry be heard
I don't know
Why you went where I was meant to go
I don't know
Why You love me so
Those were my nails
That was my crown
That pierced Your hands and Your brow
Those were my thorns
Those were my scorns
Those were my tears that fell down
And just as You said it would be
You did it all for me
After You counted the cost
You took my shame, my blame
On my cross
How deep is Your grace
That You could see my need
And choose to take my place
And then for me, these words I'd hear You say
Father no
Forgive them for they know not what they do
I will go
Because I love them so
(Repeat chorus)

I hope you find encouagement in these lyrics. I know I am so very thankful to the Lord for willing bearing what was mine. And loving me when I daily, hourly, struggle!!

On My Cross

Every Good Friday, my "song" comes to mind. I once heard it at a concert and I have loved it ever since. It sums up all of my thoughts, my feelings, my thanksgiving in ways that wouldn't sound nearly as good.


On My Cross--sung by FFH

How wide is Your love
That You would stretch Your arms
And go around the world
And why for me would a Savior's cry be heard
I don't know
Why you went where I was meant to go
I don't know
Why You love me so
Those were my nails
That was my crown
That pierced Your hands and Your brow
Those were my thorns
Those were my scorns
Those were my tears that fell down
And just as You said it would be
You did it all for me
After You counted the cost
You took my shame, my blame
On my cross
How deep is Your grace
That You could see my need
And choose to take my place
And then for me, these words I'd hear You say
Father no
Forgive them for they know not what they do
I will go
Because I love them so
(Repeat chorus)

May you be encouraged by the words of this song. It is so true! Because of His grace, His unfailing love, His compassion, His mercy---Christ took everything off of my shoulders, your shoulders, and put it on His---for the rest of eternity.

My God! My God! How thankful am I that you have never, and never will, forsaken me!

It Got to Me

The Friday after Thanksgiving, I can always tell that Christmas is just around the corner. All of a sudden, people cease to be friendly. Cars are twice as likely to honk the minute the light turns green. In stores, people hustle and bustle their way in and don't make room for you. I always say sarcastically :"It's Christmas!"

Every year, I talk about how I hate that behavior. And I always think I am above acting like that........Every year, I found out that I am not.

This past week, the business of all that I had to do got to me. I had packages to get out to long distance friends and I wanted them to get there before Christmas. We had gifts for the grandparents to finish up and mail, which entailed recording some piano music onto the MP3 player and editing the family cookbook. I had my own presents to wrap. Add in eating too many sweets, having to play referee between dogs.......I got testy......and with my own family.

Now that everything I have had to do has been done, I have had time to reflect. The real meaning of Christmas isn't found in the gifts beneath the tree or meeting deadlines. It's being still; it's stopping to remember all that Christ gave up in the glory of Heaven to come to Earth. Even if we didn't do presents or make the traditional Christmas yummies, Christmas would still be Christmas. The Ultimate Gift would still have been given.

So, I hope none of you fall into the trap that I have. If you still have shopping and things, make sure you say "Merry Christmas" honestly, lovingly, and sincerely. (I did do that =) But if you are done with the merry-go-round, stop. Reflect. For me, that will mean pondering what my gift to Jesus is this year......and listening to "Child of the Promist" (which if you can find the cd, it is one the best Christmas albums--it's a lot of Christian artists acting out the Christmas story in song.)

In these last days, I want to make sure Christ is in my Christmas....where He belongs!

Psalms For Sunday

Once again, I wanted to post pictures with the Psalms I have read this week......but once again, Blogger is acting up and I can't get pictures on here. It must be my connection or something! Oh well. The words will speak for themselves. Soli Deo Gloria!

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea."~Psalm 46:1-2

"As Your name deserves, O God, You will be praised to the ends of the earth."~Psalm 48:10

"The sacrifice You want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise."~Psalm 51:17

"I trust in Your unfailing love forever and ever. I will praise You forever, O God, for what you have done. I will wait for Your mercies in the presence of Your people."~Psalm 52:8b-9

"I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you. I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good. For You will rescue me from my troubles, and help me to triumph over my enemies."~Psalm 54:6-7