A little observation that happened to me this morning...
It's amazing how just ONE WORD will create a "want" in your mind. This morning I read the word BROWNIE while skimming over some email, now I really want one! :-) What "word" could you use today to create a hunger in someone's heart to know the true Savior of the world...JESUS? You may not even realize the impact you are having on someone today, but your "word" just might be the very one that awakens their spiritual appetite to know Him! God knows the exact timing for that one "word" to be spoken. He see's the heart of the people you are surrounded by, and loves them so much that He reaches to them in some of the simplest of ways. They may not know at that particular moment what is going on, but in the quiet of their evening He will bring to their remembrance that one "word" when something stirred inside their heart. When I let myself think about Jesus and how He came to redeem us, I think of LOVE...just one simple "word," but the most powerful of all!
Have a blessed Monday!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
A Time Well Spent
As I was getting ready to go to bed tonight, I felt drawn to sit down at my piano. The songs that flooded my mind and got my fingers to "tickling the ivory" were:
Everybody Will Be Happy Over There
Until Then
I Want to Go There
Lord, When Are You Coming?
I Want to Hear Your Welcome
Once I started singing, I didn't want to stop, so I kept playing and singing for awhile. The longer I sang, the more "homesick" I got for Heaven. I want to be ready to meet The Lord when He comes to take us all home.
There's something great about letting your "soul" sing. It lightens your load. It re-focuses your mind. It brings to remembrance the one thing that's most important, and keeps Heaven in view. Oh yes! I had a wonderful time as I sang. My voice isn't as strong as it once was, and at times it struggles to reach a note, but my heart had no problem of reaching into the heavens. Then, I felt Him walk into MY world, and I had the desire to grow closer to Him!
Everybody Will Be Happy Over There
Until Then
I Want to Go There
Lord, When Are You Coming?
I Want to Hear Your Welcome
Once I started singing, I didn't want to stop, so I kept playing and singing for awhile. The longer I sang, the more "homesick" I got for Heaven. I want to be ready to meet The Lord when He comes to take us all home.
There's something great about letting your "soul" sing. It lightens your load. It re-focuses your mind. It brings to remembrance the one thing that's most important, and keeps Heaven in view. Oh yes! I had a wonderful time as I sang. My voice isn't as strong as it once was, and at times it struggles to reach a note, but my heart had no problem of reaching into the heavens. Then, I felt Him walk into MY world, and I had the desire to grow closer to Him!
Christmas Countdown
It's just a few more days till Christmas, and I haven't finished buying gifts, yet! At times I feel that panic mode, then remind myself that 'll get it done! I always have!
We are really looking forward to a few days with our kids and grandkids! Our granddaughters are growing up way too fast, yet I'm enjoying each stage! They range from pre-teen to little toddlers, so I can enjoy great conversation with the older ones, and cuddle with the babies. What a life!
I have my house decorated with all the Christmas decorations, our nativity, and my Santa collection. I love this time of year! All the green and red that fills our home makes it cheerful and fun!
When I think about the "Reason for the Season," I think of the song..."We are the reason that He gave His life..." Calvary wasn't the first or only time He gave His life. When Jesus came to earth as a baby, He gave His life, for He knew He would have to suffer and be ridiculed, mocked, and crucified! He came with a purpose! My heart overflows with thankfulness, and I am humbled to know how much He loves me...and you.
Yes, Christmas Day is almost here, but while I am approaching the day filled with family, fun, food, and presents, I pause to reflect on the REASON for it all!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
We are really looking forward to a few days with our kids and grandkids! Our granddaughters are growing up way too fast, yet I'm enjoying each stage! They range from pre-teen to little toddlers, so I can enjoy great conversation with the older ones, and cuddle with the babies. What a life!
I have my house decorated with all the Christmas decorations, our nativity, and my Santa collection. I love this time of year! All the green and red that fills our home makes it cheerful and fun!
When I think about the "Reason for the Season," I think of the song..."We are the reason that He gave His life..." Calvary wasn't the first or only time He gave His life. When Jesus came to earth as a baby, He gave His life, for He knew He would have to suffer and be ridiculed, mocked, and crucified! He came with a purpose! My heart overflows with thankfulness, and I am humbled to know how much He loves me...and you.
Yes, Christmas Day is almost here, but while I am approaching the day filled with family, fun, food, and presents, I pause to reflect on the REASON for it all!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Judge Not
In reading the chapter my friend Gayla Millstid Hardin recommended on her Facebook status update this morning, one scripture really stood out to me. It's one of the most heartwarming scriptures in the Bible, or it can bring a sting of reproach to the person that is pointing their finger at others.
(1 Cor. 6:11) "And such were some of you..."
If it had not been for The Lord we would all still be living a life full of sin. Be careful who you point your finger at...they could be someone God is giving "lessons" to and they are struggling to understand His ways. I love the rest of the scripture:
"...but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you are justified in the name of The Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God." (NKJV)
I'm thankful for the blood of Jesus that washes away our sin! We are all "sinners saved by grace!" We need His precious blood applied each day.
(1 Cor. 6:11) "And such were some of you..."
If it had not been for The Lord we would all still be living a life full of sin. Be careful who you point your finger at...they could be someone God is giving "lessons" to and they are struggling to understand His ways. I love the rest of the scripture:
"...but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you are justified in the name of The Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God." (NKJV)
I'm thankful for the blood of Jesus that washes away our sin! We are all "sinners saved by grace!" We need His precious blood applied each day.
Could It Be?
Seeing all the planning of parties, shopping for gifts, and the busyness of life, I have a quiet nagging inside that's saying..."All of the above is well and good, but REALLY...the MOST important happening in my life is the 'twinkling of an eye' trip I'm planning, and Who I'm going to see when I get there!" Friends, don't get too distracted in this world! We have a hope and a promise! My heart is singing..."
I want to go there; I want to go there.
Christ said I could go; His Word tells me so, the beauties of Heaven to share.
I want to go there. I mean to go there!
My mansion awaits, just inside those gates, and I want to go there!"
Do you think we just might be spending this Christmas where roses never fade, and the light we see shining is coming from the throne because JESUS, the light of the world is there?
Lift up your eyes and look to the sky...HE'S COMING!
I want to go there; I want to go there.
Christ said I could go; His Word tells me so, the beauties of Heaven to share.
I want to go there. I mean to go there!
My mansion awaits, just inside those gates, and I want to go there!"
Do you think we just might be spending this Christmas where roses never fade, and the light we see shining is coming from the throne because JESUS, the light of the world is there?
Lift up your eyes and look to the sky...HE'S COMING!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
A weekend With Andrew and Family
This past weekend we got to spend a few days with our kids. It was wonderful! The girls are growing up too fast, and they are all sweethearts! :-)
On Sunday morning we went to church with them, and my husband preached a soul-stirring message. He preached with passion about being "shut in with God" and "receiving the blessing." I left with a deeper desire to know God more intimately, to have His approval and blessing more than ever!
The church in Balch Springs is growing numerically. Souls are being brought into the Kingdom, and that brings excitement to the church family! There is joy in giving to those new babies in Christ! The service Sunday morning was filled with the glory of God! Our souls were fed by the richness of His everlasting love!
I took a few pictures with my phone, which aren't as sharp as my good camera, but at least I have pictures! :-)
On Sunday morning we went to church with them, and my husband preached a soul-stirring message. He preached with passion about being "shut in with God" and "receiving the blessing." I left with a deeper desire to know God more intimately, to have His approval and blessing more than ever!
The church in Balch Springs is growing numerically. Souls are being brought into the Kingdom, and that brings excitement to the church family! There is joy in giving to those new babies in Christ! The service Sunday morning was filled with the glory of God! Our souls were fed by the richness of His everlasting love!
I took a few pictures with my phone, which aren't as sharp as my good camera, but at least I have pictures! :-)
Rethinking My Blog
After feeling guilty for not writing on my blog faithfully, and a friend from home mentioning to me that the "last time I had written a post to Echoes from the Elms was in October, and that she isn't on Facebook where she can keep up with us," I am rethinking my blog. I don't know how it will be, but I'm am going to try and share on my blog short thoughts I have, and what's happening in our life in a shorter post...more like what I post on Facebook. I may add a little more of my "thought" here since I can write more, but will work to keep it shorter. That is hard for me! So...please bear with me, and if you have a suggestion, please share with me. Also, if you have a comment, I would love to hear from you. The interaction is what I love about Facebook, so I am pulled toward the connection with friends and family in that forum. As you know, "relationship with God, family and friends is MOST important in my life!" May you have a blessed day and experience the presence of Almighty God as you go through this day!
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