Renewal

Psalm 19:1 and Isaiah 40:5, 28

From the darkness, I said to the Lord:

“Like a dry and parched field, my soul longs for the nourishing rain of heaven.  Scorched by the trials and troubles of this world, it cries out for relief and for the divine presence of the only One able to bring it.

How long, Oh Lord, will You remain silent?  How long will you gaze upon the fallow ground of my heart as it calls upon You to enrich it with Your holiness?  Will You remain silent forever?  Will You leave Your servant to fend for herself, to wander the deserts of this world in search of You?

Do not tarry, Lord!  Do not hold back Your presence from me!  Speak to me, Lord.  Let me  hear Your voice!

As You “measured the waters in the hollow of [Your] hand,” measure Your servant’s devotion to You.  Weigh my love for You upon Your scales and if I am found lacking, adjust the balance for Your good pleasure.  From Your heavenly throne, look down upon me with tenderness and rain Your Spirit down upon my barren heart!

Return to me, Oh Lord!”

From the light, the Lord answered:

“Lift your eyes, beloved.  I am here.  Look to the heavens; gaze upon the earth.  Tell me, what do you see?   

The heavens speak of My glory; "the skies proclaim the work of [My] hands."  Marvel at the bounties I have set in place for you, the mercies I have poured out upon you.  Have they been found wanting?  Have I not sheltered and watched over you as a shepherd tenderly cares for his flock?

When you wandered, did I not leave the flock and go in search of you, gently carrying you upon My shoulders back into the safety of My fold?

When you cried out in darkness, did I not rush to bring you back into My light?

And when you reclined upon your bed, overwhelmed with anguish and despair, did I not lay My right hand upon your shoulder and give you peace?

Am I not “the Lord…the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth”?  I do not “grow tired or weary” as mere men whose strength fails them.  I do not cause men to stumble on rocky paths, for My pathway is clear, My steps are sure and the way is known to you, for I have made it known.

I AM the everlasting God.  My love for you will not wane.  My ancient eyes are ever upon you for I made you Mine from before the beginning.  I measure each step you take.  I have breathed My life into you.  I will not shut My ears to your call.  Therefore, My arm is not too short, nor My sight too dim, that I will not rescue you, though you stumble or grow faint.

Draw not away from Me, beloved, for I, too, desire your presence.  Return to Me and I will renew your strength.  I will pour out My power upon your weakness and I will carry you if you grow weary.  For, lo, I am with you always.”

Humbled, I said to the Lord:

“Oh Lord, how could I have doubted You!  How could I have wandered away so far from You that I could not see You have never left my side?  Forgive my wanderings and my unbelief!

How You have made my heart soar within me!  Because of Your untiring faithfulness, You have refreshed the soil of my heart and made the roots of my love for You grow deeper!  Like the wind that chases away the chaff, You have cleansed me once again with Your abounding love.  My faith and trust are strengthened and You have placed my feet back on Your path of righteousness.  Where You lead, I will follow.

Your wisdom cannot be measured, for You are the Sovereign Lord; the Maker of all things, both seen and unseen.  You have reopened my eyes to Your wonder and majesty and my renewed hope remains in You, my Lord and my God.  

I will look upon Your glory that fills the heavens and the earth, and I will praise You forever and ever!”

Black History Month: Planned Parenthood's Dark Secret

The following video is provided by Facing Life, a pro-life organization dedicated to bringing awareness of abortion and the original agenda of Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, and the "eugenics legacy" she implemented within the black community.  Dr. Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King and a leading voice in the pro-life movement, is highlighted in the video, along with Elaine Riddick who, unbeknownst to her, underwent forced sterilization at the age of 14 years following the birth of her son, Tony, who was the result of rape.

The video sends a powerful message, not only to the black community, but to all of America.  If you believe that each individual should have the right to choose abortion, I pray this video changes your heart.

http://www.facinglife.tv/episode/season_4/episode_10/episode_410.html

An Article Worth Reading

I check my blog traffic counter each morning and noticed a hit from a Australian blogger.  I visited his blog and would like to share with you the last article he posted in June of 2009. entitled "The Church: Lover Or Prostitute?"  I believe that, contained within the article, there is a question posed that each and every Christian should consider.

I pray it blesses you!

http://www.kevinbartonsmith.blogspot.com/

My Ineptness Shines Through!

I recently added or, should I say tried to add, a very useful tool called RefTagger to the blog.  It is offered by logos.com, a Bible reference website.  The advantage it has over Biblegateway is that when you hover your mouse on the highlighted Bible verse I have added, instead of opening a new page, a box pops up containing the referenced chapter and verse.  It provides immediate reference and the ability to continue to read additional Scripture verses, if desired, by clicking "more" in the bottom of the box .

The problem I had was with the "control panel" that was also offered.  This option allows the reader to modify his Bible preference - such as changing the translation from the New International Version to the King James, etc., and to use more information tools from logos.com.   However, there was a separate code that was provided, a "Step 2", if you will, that I have been unable to figure out and determine the proper place to put it. 

The main tool was easy.  Simply choose your preferred translation and add it as a page element to the bottom of the layout.  The second step involved adding the control panel, if you wished.  They provide a code to copy where you want the control panel to appear, then comes the dreaded "Step 2".  They instruct you to "add it to the head section of your page's HTML."  That's where I run into a wall.  When the first code is applied in layout where I want it to be, I don't get the control panel, only a box with part of the information.  AND, not fully understanding where the "head section" of my "page's HTML" is, I guess the wall I have run into is impenetrable at this point!  At least until someone with much more knowledge on the ins and outs of the layout comes to my rescue and helps me place the second code where it belongs!  The box that shows up in the right-hand column does not reflect the image it should.  However, the tool is useable.

So, for now, if you wish to read the highlighted Bible verses in your preferred version, look above "Labels" (inserted between my introduction and "Labels") in the right-hand column.  It will have the heading "Bible Options". Simply click on the version tab to bring up a drop-down box, select your version and click "save".  You are then able to hover your mouse on any Scripture verse that is added to the articles you read here to bring up the referenced verse.  Either that, or go to Biblegateway found in the right-hand column and look up the verse in your preferred version.  Both are valuable tools for referencing Scripture.

If you have any suggestions to offer or know where the "head section" of my "page's HTML" is and where within that section I am to place the code, I would sure appreciate the help.   I am the first to admit I can often be terribly inept when it comes to things like this.  In the meantime, I will keep trying to make your visit a more enjoyable one!

I Will Look To the Heavens

If I cannot comprehend the majesty of God…

If I cannot fathom the mystery of His being…

If I am unable to embrace His infinite wisdom, the height, the depth, or the magnitude of His creation…
  

Then I will take hold of His unwavering affections and wrap them around my heart.  I will  bathe in His Word, His works, and all that encompasses His holiness.  And like a child, I will look to the heavens and marvel at His royal beauty, be in awe of His unrivaled power and might, and faithfully return His divine, eternal love.

Isaiah 40:18-31

Lift Your Eyes

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

Hebrews 12:2-3

When the weight of the world bears upon you,
    When trouble and despair overcome;
When weariness falls from temptations and trials,
    Lift your eyes to God’s glorious Son.

When it feels there is no one to turn to,
    Who will share in your aching release;
If you find no shoulder on which to recline,
    Lift your eyes to the God of great peace.

Cast your burdens upon His mighty shoulders;
    Run to Him, and do not delay.
Lift your eyes and your heart to your Maker,
    And look into His beautiful face.

For it’s there that your solace awaits you;
    It’s there where relief can be found.
When you look upon your Savior,
   His peace will forever abound.



Copyright 2006 Karen L. Brahs

Haiti Relief

I just received this as an email from my Pastor and would like to encourage those who are looking for a worthy and legitimate charity to donate money to for the Haiti relief efforts to consider the Heartline Ministries.  100% of your donated dollars goes directly to  the needs of the Haitian people.  Please visit the website listed below.  

"Those of you that know me are aware that I have 4 adopted children from Haiti .  You may not know that I am also on the board of directors for the Heartline Ministries, an orphanage in Port-Au-Prince .  Our people in Haiti are scrambling to get basics like food and water to take care of the children and our workers.  The earthquake has been devastating for them and they need help.  Money is the number one need.   Funds are needed to buy materials and supplies for recovery and rebuilding.  If you are inclined to donate to Haiti ’s need and are not aware of an organization that needs help, you can donate to our organization at www.heartlineministries.org or www.haiti-relief.com.  I can guarantee the funds will go directly to relief efforts in Haiti .  Please keep Haiti in your thoughts and Prayers."

 

Thanks. 

 

Thomas White, CFP, CPA, PFS

White & Company, PC

PO Box 898, Sunnyside , WA   98944

Phone:  509-837-6700

Fax:  509-837-8151

A Simple Song Of Faith

We are unable to turn on the television, the radio, or our computers without seeing horrible images or hearing heart-wrenching stores of the devastation in Haiti.

As the days following the earthquake increase, it seems the suffering and hopelessness grows even greater.  According to the reports, the people of Haiti wait for rescue, for relief from hunger and thirst, or wait for death.  And as time becomes more precious as they cling to a bare thread of life, the desperation is growing into frustration and anger, and lawlessness is beginning to threaten the rubble-strewn streets.  But for every one hundred stories of grief or unrest, there comes a story of hope and joy.  A few nights ago I watched as one such story unfolded.

Just two miles from the Haiti airport, where thousands of United Nation relief workers and American troops unload millions of critical tons of aid, the House of the Children of God  orphanage lay in rubble.  It had housed infants from a mere few days old to dozens of older children who had been abandoned there.  The orphanage director and his handful of workers had managed to gather what was salvageable from the wreckage.  Their protection from the elements consisted of a truck van to house the infants and a crudely built open-air tent for the older children.  Although they had managed to receive some water from a water truck, it was not clean and had added dysentery to the already worsening situation.  They had a two-day supply of unclean water, food was not mentioned, no medical supplies, and had twice been forced to fight off looters who attempted to steal what little they had.

As I looked at the faces of the beautiful, bright-eyed babies, this story of helplessness could have overwhelmed me and caused me to ask God why He would allow such suffering to be brought to such small and innocent victims.  But instead, it brought another reaction.  It revealed to me miracle after miracle and the powerful and providential hand of God upon it.

Not one child was injured or killed in the earthquake.

The lives of the orphanage director and the workers were spared and the children left with shepherds to tend them.

A wall of divine protection had been placed around them and those who would bring harm to them had been driven back.

But the most powerful miracle to watch was these small people’s witness to the world.  They sang.  They continued to lift their voices in praise and worship to Almighty God.  And God heard them and responded.

A truck was brought in to their location by the Fox News crew, delivering cases of clean, bottled water and promises of other supplies and support to come.  Their report was broadcast world-wide to millions of viewers, engendering an overwhelming response.  And because of Fox reporter Geraldo Rivera’s dogged determination, I have no doubt they will receive everything necessary to sustain them through this tragedy.

You may ask yourself how the workers and the children are able to sing joyful praise while so much pain and misery surrounds them.  The secular media pondered the Haitian’s ability to continue in worship of God in a similar gathering that was reported.  They are unable to comprehend the existence of God’s presence amidst so much destruction and sorrow.  They wonder how, and even why, there are those who continue to believe in an omniscient and omnipresent God while so much pain and grief and an uncertain future has enveloped them.  Their doubt-filled hearts and unopened eyes question the sanity of anyone who believes in and places their hope in the Unseen God.  

But it is in situations just like this where God is most evident.  The children have been taught that Jesus loves them and will continue to provide for and protect them, even if it means waiting.  And they do so patiently.  With an innocence and trust many who are watching question, the children know there is only One to turn to in their hour of need.  Their tiny voices singing to Him Who holds the balance of all things in His hand were carried on angel’s wings to His throne.  His ear heard their cry and in response, He joined alongside those who work tirelessly to bring relief.  He has poured out upon them His love, His comfort, His protection, His joy, and is sending them the help for which they prayed.

“For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one;  He has not hidden His face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” Psalm 22:24

As the efforts to bring aid and comfort to the nation of Haiti continue, please keep them lifted up in your own prayers.  He will not forsake His children who remain faithful to Him.  We have seen the evidence with our own eyes through a simple song of faith.

How marvelous it is to meditate on this vital truth:

Jesus is both the Teacher and the Lesson!

Yep, you're in the right place!  

I got tired of the old look and decided to change the blog's background but, BOY, was that a challenge!  For all you bloggers out there who want to create a welcoming and warm blog for your visitors, I sure hope you had an easier time than I did!

After choosing a new background template from Cutest Blog On The Net, trying to eliminate the old one that kept showing back up, seeking help from my brilliant and beautiful nieces who have been blogging longer than me, reading and re-reading Blogger's and Cutest Blog's instructions, finally giving up on the new one and selecting one of Blogger's boring backgrounds, I had a headache and it was past my bedtime.  I would tackle the mess I had created in the morning and, hopefully, visitors wouldn't wonder who sneaked in while they weren't looking and made a royal mess of things.

I was just about ready to give up when, lo and behold, instead of Blogger's blah background, the template from Cutest Blog mysteriously appeared!  I still haven't figured out what happened to Blogger's background, or the old background you were accustomed to, or how the new one over-rode them.  I'm just glad it's there!  Somewhere along the path of attempting to freshen up the look of the blog and from my perspective, failing miserably, all seems to be well...for now!  Who knows what will happen when I take my eyes off it for a moment!  It seems to have a mind of its own!

So, I hope you like it...because, at this point, it will just have to stay there!  Maybe a few months from now, after my nieces finish educating me on the do's and don't's of background changes, I'll take another stab at it.  I'm still receiving new and useful tips from them as I write this!  Until then, I hope you come back often to visit me.

Oh, and by the way, I love to hear comments, so please leave a note after your visit...and be sure to mention your own blog so I can visit yours! 

Have a great week, everyone!