Led Astray

Last Wednesday evening, I led a half-hour "singspiration" from the piano

at our weekly prayer meeting gathering at church.

During the afternoon, I'd jotted down some numbers and titles,

having grabbed the first writing surface I could find  beside my chair--

an old greeting card.

That evening I began with (what I thought was) the first one on my list.

To my surprise, number 5 was NOT "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"
as I'd expected!

I puzzled my way through the rest of the evening
finding NONE of my numbers corresponding with the hymns I'd selected!

When I got home, I went straight to the hymnal I thought was the same

as the one we use on Wednesday evenings.  It WAS!

What then was the explanation?

I was quite perplexed.

Finally, I turned the card over and then realized my error.
To my chagrin, I realized the list that wasn't working

contained the numbers of pages in the book I'd been reading.

(I do this frequently, returning when I reach the end of the book
to copy significant lines into my journal.)

I had been led astray by referring to the wrong side. 
Do you do that (make notes while reading on random pieces of paper)?
I chuckled at myself in relief at having solved the situation.
I also made note of the potential to be led astray by inadequate, false,
and faulty information on subjects with far more serious consequences
than the one I'd just experienced!

Don't be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; 

for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by foods, 

since those involved in them have not benefited.

Hebrews 13:9
 

Living with a Missing Piece

We finished this puzzle (purchased used, which may account for the missing piece) yesterday.

Only after I composed the title did I realize that it was finished

on my mother's birthday - February 2.

This was her first birthday to pass since she died a few months ago.

She IS a missing piece in our lives.

But life DOES go on, and we don't wish her back.

The past week has left us with a few more "missing pieces".

The dear gentleman whose position my husband recently inherited died earlier this week,

and last night another sweet friend finished her earthly course.

Last night as we sipped our hot chocolate and played dominoes,

we had music playing in the background.

One of the songs seemed to fit mother's birthday quite perfectly....

 ♪ I have heard of a land on the faraway strand,
’Tis a beautiful home of the soul;
Built by Jesus on high, where we never shall die,
’Tis a land where we never grow old.

Never grow old, never grow old,

In a land where we’ll never grow old;

Never grow old, never grow old,

In a land where we’ll never grow old. ♪

Heaven is sounding sweeter all the time!

Oh, Holy Night!

It was a special night...

...in some ways, a holy night.

 Friends gathered in this warm and welcoming home

to sing, share, and eat.

The words of one of the carols ESPECIALLY stood out to me this evening:

♪ The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend! ♪

Those middle two lines!  

Ah.  Those middle two lines...

This ornament - crafted by our Sunday School teacher and given to each of us Sunday morning.

While Shepherds....

♪ While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
all seated on the ground;
the angel of the Lord came down,
and glory shone around ...♪

 It dawned on me this morning as I posted these words

from a Christmas carol on my facebook page

that "glory shone around"

in circumstances most ordinary - humble even,

in darkness,

and close to the ground.

That's where I live!

 I'll think of this with fresh appreciation when I pass our mantel

that holds (among other things) my small collection of  motley sheep.

Glory!

While shepherds...

In Every Change...

This afternoon I thumbed through our hymn book to select songs 

for the ♪Singspiration♪ I'll be leading at church this evening.

I sang through the verses of Be Still, My Soul

and jotted down the page number for reference tonight.

These words stood out to me:

 Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 There's no denying the changes that surround me--

at home, in my family, in our church, in our country.

How reassuring to know that "in every change, He faithful will remain".

Speaking of changes....

My husband is changing the old door that had been propped up in our shed.

He has removed the inside panel,

sanded down the exterior for a good painting,

and purchased a mirror to place in the opening.

I'm expecting a "joyful end" to this project and have a place in mind for it already!

Minutes after posting this, I changed my mind.
No paint.  Dark stain instead.
(It will match a few dark wood pieces housed in the same room.)

Ready and Waiting

 It started as an old blue shelf relegated to a place in the shed

where it housed garden tools and other miscellaneous items.

While looking for something the right size to hold my father's

small television in the dining area of our kitchen,

we remembered it.

My husband fashioned legs to make it stand a little taller.

 Then he painted it white to match the trim in the room.

And here it stands...

ready and waiting.

Completely "reborn" for a specific purpose and time--

to provide a place for the small television

so Dad can watch a favorite show in the morning as he eats his breakfast.

The other shelves will be used to house the games 

we frequently play at the table

and music books I use at the keyboard 

that fits snugly beside the shelf unit.

Sometimes I feel a bit like the shelf--

Reborn for a specific purpose and time.

Ready and waiting.

♪ Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!

Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still. ♪

Beauty

 Maybe it was the bad-timing of an earlier frost that thinned out

the lilac clusters this year.....

 No matter.

I'm surrounded by beauty on all four sides of our house!

This morning, I'm praying that the Heavenly Father will make ME

as beautiful inside as the exterior beauty of our trees and plants this spring...

 ♪ Beautiful, beautiful
Jesus is beautiful
And Jesus makes beautiful
Things of my life.
Carefully touching me
Causing my eyes to see
And Jesus makes beautiful
Things of my life. ♪

If We Could See Beyond Today

After a run to the grocery store this morning for salad fixings,

I returned home to alter some nightgowns for Mother.

 This involves sewing up the fronts of some and splitting the backs of all.

I rarely get my trusty little sewing machine out these days...

As I scheme and sew, I find myself wishing Mother was here with me

(and that I'd paid more attention when I was younger).

She would know just how to do this, 

and it would be finished so much nicer than I can do with my humble attempt

to make these gowns serviceable and appropriate to her condition.

 I'm also working to write in the third part in one of the songs I may be singing

with my two sisters this Sunday.

Its words have taken on a whole new layer of meaning for me

in the past two years.

 If we could see, if we could know,
We often say.
But God in love a veil doth throw
Across our way.
We cannot see what lies before,
And so we cling to Him the more
He leads us till this life is o'er,
Trust and obey.

(3rd verse)

So Much More!

 

This morning I posted my eighth "triplet" of character traits 

I want to see increasingly a part of my 67 year old life.

H - Happy/Humble/Holy 

Within 30 minutes, the above meme appeared on my Facebook page.

Forget for a moment that "to" in "to short" should be "too",

but don't forget there is so much more to being happy

than being silly, fun, different and crazy!

Words of an old gospel song came to my mind:

Trust and obey, 

For there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey.

Incidentally, the Bible verse I posted this morning

supported the "holy" part of the triplet--

 Obey God because you are his children; don’t slip back into your old ways

—doing evil because you knew no better.  But be holy now in everything you do, 

just as the Lord is holy, who invited you to be his child. 

(I Peter 1:14-15) 

I don't "believe" in fortune cookies,

but it was pretty unusual to get this in my cookie 

only about 24 hours after posting my "happy/humble/holy" triplet!

Mercy

Some of my small collection of hymn books

The pianist played simple tunes before the service in the small church began yesterday.

I was familiar with the songs she played.
Songs like "Only Trust Him".

Its words passed through my mind.....

Come, every soul by sin oppressed,

there's MERCY with the Lord

Gratefully, I recognized and noted the word.  MY word for 2016.  Mercy!

A few minutes later we sang two gospel songs with the congregation.

In loving-kindness Jesus came

my soul in MERCY to reclaim.... 

followed by "Redeemed".

Redeemed through His infinite MERCY,

His child and forever I am.

 "For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive;
and plenteous in mercy to all them that call on you."  Psalm 86:5

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."  Matthew 5:7
Since adopting this word, I am seeing it in one form or another almost every day!
I'm SO thankful for the Lord's mercy to me and pray to become merciful to others.

Profusely

Anthony Bradley recently tweeted:  "Among the best weapons to fight against depression include committing to a life of gratitude and experiencing real connection in community." I passed this wisdom along to a fellow traveler recently with my OWN exhortation that both of us endeavor to  enter the new day with humble and profuse gratitude.

Then I quickly googled profuse to be sure I'd used the word correctly.  It's NOT a word I use frequently in conversation or writing.  I found these two definitions:

• 1. Plentiful; copious.
• 2. Giving or given freely and abundantly; extravagant. 

Yes! I used it correctly! I am humbly and PROFUSELY grateful today.  Worthy?  No.  Grateful?  Profusely!  I can't begin to describe my awareness of the abundant, extravagant grace of God to me throughout my life--and today.  And my awareness falls so short of its actuality! 

Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

(Chorus of "Wonderful Grace of Jesus")

Begin. Again.

I recently read a quote (but failed to copy it exactly).  

The gist of it was "Don't look back; you're not going that direction."

So I'm not going to look back.

Besides, I'm not sure how far back I'd have to look!

January 2014?  Or January 2015?

Either way, my intention was to write a new song every week.

I have little to show for that intention.

The photo above shows that I may get my inspiration just about anytime.  

Anywhere.

The challenge for me is to DO it.

I have the equipment.

I have enough skills to compose and record simple songs.

So.....there's no time like the present to begin.  Again.

Promises

My parents celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary yesterday.

To watch their faithfulness to one another and to the Lord 

over the years has been a sweet privilege.

Yesterday was not without its challenges, but the afternoon turned out to be a gentle, peaceful one.

This morning, reflecting on the experience,

this old song kept running through my mind.

It is my prayer.

O Jesus, I Have Promised

John  E. Bode

1. O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
   Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;
   I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
   Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.
2. Oh, let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,
   I dare not trust my judgment: Thy way shall be my will;
   Oh, speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
   Oh, speak, and help me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.
3. O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee
   That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be;
   And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end—
   Oh, give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.
4. Oh, let me see Thy footprints, and in them plant mine own;
   My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone;
   Oh, guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end;
   And then in Heav’n receive me, my Savior and my Friend.

Anything is Possible

 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

Mark 9:23, New Living Translation

It has been an interesting day, not spectacular, but interesting.
My mind sifts possibilities,
interweaving them with improbabilities,
contrasting with certainties.
For life is not static
and tomorrow will have another song to sing,
interspersed with silence.
But I will only be able to appreciate the melody of the day,
if I take time to sit and listen.

(Rose Humphrey, from this post on her blog)

♪ I am a promise

I am a possibility

I am a promise with a capital P

I am a great big bundle of potentiality ♪

(the Gaithers)

and THIS, from a children's musical I directed YEARS ago--

who knew these words would still be with me today?!?

 ♪ Only God can count the apples in a single seed

Only He knows just how many there will be

All my possibilities are the treasures that He sees

When He looks inside of me ♪

(I Am God's Project)

Possible is "my word" for 2015.  I want to/NEED TO revisit it frequently!

"Momenting" into 2015

"The Gate of the Year"
by Minnie L. Haskins 1908

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year
'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.'

And he replied, 'Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!'

 ***

 Don't panic, if you haven't figured out 2015. 

Every moment is the beginning of the rest of your life. 

Begun is begun, no matter when.

(Dr. John Piper)
***
♪ MOMENT by MOMENT ♪
(Daniel W. Whittle)

1.  Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine;
Living with Jesus, a new life divine;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Refrain:
Moment by moment I’m kept in His love;
Moment by moment I’ve life from above;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

2.  Never a trial that He is not there,
Never a burden that He doth not bear,
Never a sorrow that He doth not share,
Moment by moment, I’m under His care.
3.  Never a heartache, and never a groan,
Never a teardrop, and never a moan;
Never a danger but there on the throne,
Moment by moment He thinks of His own.
4.  Never a weakness that He doth not feel,
Never a sickness that He cannot heal;
Moment by moment, in woe or in weal,
Jesus my Savior abides with me still.
***

I'm "momenting" my way into 2015.   I'm NOT alone.
These are just a few of the thoughts that have crossed my path or entered my mind
over the past few days.
As I wrote to a friend on Facebook this morning:
...if there's one thing I'm learning through my "light and momentary afflictions", 
it is to live in the present moment w/o anxiety re. tomorrow.
(I'm well aware that I'll see if I've REALLY learned it when those 
light and momentary afflictions are lifted or replaced by others.) 

Gifts AND Presence

 She'd come earlier this month bringing with her my birthday gift--a set of beautiful coasters.

Thoughtful.  Knowing my birthday falls on Christmas Day, 

she wanted me to have separate gifts.

 Then back today with my "Christmas gifts"...

the ornament (above) and homemade goodies filling the box below.

Like a very young child, I am totally enchanted with its wrapping!

As yummy as the contents of the box are,

it was her PRESENCE that I needed most today.

And the time and labor of love that went into making the pickles, sweet breads and caramels
warmed my heart.

My gift-and-presence-friend and her kindness
made me think of a Vacation Bible School song from several years ago.

Have you ever heard it?

GIFTS AND PRESENCE

Our gifts seem small
But we place them all
We place them all at Your feet
They are simple things
But with all our hearts
With all our hearts we will sing
We will sing

CHORUS

We bring our gifts

You bring Your presence

Exchanging our little

For all that You are

We bring our gifts

You bring Your presence

And what is most precious

Jesus, You fill our hearts

To serve O King
Is the praise we bring
The praise we bring is to serve
Ever to obey
Is the way we say
The way we say we are Yours
We are Yours

 (Annette Oden | Dave Noel)

Sweeter

 I used a photo of our old lilac bush as a facebook header this morning.

I added this description:  Every spring they seem lovelier than the previous one...

 It's true, you know.  They really DO seem lovelier! 
If I were to compare THIS year's photo with those from past seasons,
I may observe that other years there were more blooms
producing  a different, fuller effect.
But no matter!  This year's seem lovelier somehow.

It made me think of the goodness of God AND an old gospel song.

Sweeter as the years go by,
Sweeter as the years go by,
Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter,
Sweeter as the years go by.

It's true.

♪  The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.  ♪

The Holy...Drawing Near

My father and mother holding hands in a recent chapel service.

Pay attention to the things that bring a tear to your eye or a lump in your throat; 

they are signs that the holy is drawing near. ~ F.Buechner

So many tears in my eyes and lumps in my throat these days.

I don't mean to be a "Debbie Downer", but I am reassured by this quote.

I have sensed it; now I realize that indeed

the holy IS drawing near.

♪ Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary ♪

 Days are filled with sorrow and care,
Hearts are lonely and drear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.

Refrain:
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Calvary, Calvary;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.

Cast your care on Jesus today,
Leave your worry and fear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.

Troubled soul, the Saviour can see
Ev'ry heartache and tear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.

More

I didn't "bother" to bring out my small collection of nativity sets this year.

Having celebrated Christmas with our family at Thanksgiving,

it didn't feel as "necessary" somehow...

Then, last Sunday I was gifted with this unusual set 

by a thoughtful couple in our church.

(Thank you, Drex and Jean.)

The detail on these little characters is amazing!

The more I look, the more I see...

Just like the One whose birth we celebrate today.

The more I look, the more I see.

 

♪ More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.

Refrain

More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me. ♪

Do You Wonder?

The Christmas season began early for us...

all the way back at Thanksgiving when we gathered with our children and grands.

It's been an unusual season for me.

I haven't spent my time digging out ornaments & trees from attic storage.

If you walked into our house, you wouldn't be overpowered

by "Christmas"...

In fact, you might wonder about me!

 The "Christmas" I've invested in this year
has been decorated primarily with people.

Time spent decorating the church with Bible study friends,
 in simple plans and practice for Christmas programs,

enjoying Christmas gatherings and parties,

 and community Advent luncheons.

A few remain...

A small group gathering Saturday night,

a youth/children oriented Christmas service at church Sunday,

and a Christmas Eve candlelight service.

Christmas Day will be spent quietly at home.

Yes, it's been an unusual and very simple Christmas season for me this year.

I rather like it!
It's left me with time and space to wonder--REALLY WONDER.

Do you wonder about me?

Oh, by the way, the definition of wonder:   
To have a feeling of awe or admiration; marvel.

♪ I Wonder as I Wander ♪

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky

When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all
But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall
And the promise of ages it then did recall

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
A star in the sky or a bird on the wing
Or all of God's Angels in heaven to sing
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky