~Happy Thanksgiving~

"How good it is to thank the Lord, and praise to thee, most High accord,
To show thy love with morning light, and tell thy faithfulness each night;
Yea good it is thy praise to sing, and all our sweetest music bring."

"O Lord, with joy my heart expands before the wonders of thy hands;
Great works, Jehovah, thou hast wrought, exceeding deep thine ev'ry thought;
A foolish man knows not their worth, nor he whose mind is of the earth."

"When as the grass the wicked grow, when sinners flourish here below,
Then is there endless ruin nigh, but thou, O Lord, art throned on high;
Thy foes shall fall before thy might, the wicked shall be put to flight."

"The righteous man shall flourish well, and in the house of God shall dwell;
He shall be like a goodly tree, and all his life shall fruitful be;
For righteous is the Lord and just, He is my rock, in him I trust."

~The Psalter, 1912~

A blessed Thanksgiving to all!!!

Syracuse Zoo

This past Saturday, David and I decided to spend an afternoon at the Syracuse Zoo! The day was warm and sunny. The pictures below do not cover even half of all the animals that are at the Zoo. These are the animals that really caught my eye. God's creation is indeed marvelous! Enjoy!

Trust

"My soul wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."

~Psalm 62:5-8~

Hoopes Park

Last Friday, David and I had an evening out together. These are always such special times. After we had dinner he took me to this park for a lovely walk. (I might add that this is where his dad proposed to his mom, so it holds a special place in the hearts of the entire family.) Enjoy the photos!

My Apologies!!

Tonight at prayer meeting, I was reprimanded by a dear sister in Christ for not posting anything on my blog for a very long time! It has been way too long, so here I am back at it! I intend to do a picture post for some of the things I've been up to this summer. For now, I'm just going to share a hymn, that I've song most of my life that is now one of my favorites.

God, my King, thy might confessing, ever will I bless thy name;
Day by day thy throne addressing, still will I thy praise proclaim.

Honor great our God befitteth; who his majesty can reach?
Age to age his works transmitteth, age to age his power shall teach.

They shall talk of all thy glory, on thy might and greatness dwell,
speak of thy dread acts the story, and thy deeds of wonder tell.

Nor shall from mem'ry's treasure works of love and mercy wrought;
Works of love surpassing measure, works of mercy passing thought.

Full of kindness and compassion, slow to anger, vast in love,
God is good to all creation; all his works his goodness prove.

All they works, O Lord, shall bless thee; Thee shall all thy saints adore;
King supreme shall they confess thee, and proclaim they sovereign power.

~Richard Mant, 1824~

A Comfort

"Father, I know that all my life is portioned out for me;
The changes that are sure to come, I do not fear to see:
I ask thee for a present mind, intent on pleasing thee.

I would not have the restless will that hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do, or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child, and guided where I go.

I ask thee for the daily stength, to none that ask denied,
A mind to blend with outward life, while keeping at the side,
Content to fill a little space, if thou be glorified.

In service which thy will appoints there are no bonds for me;
My secret heart is taught the truth that makes thy children free;
A life of self-renouncing love is one of liberty."

~Anna L. Waring, 1850~

Emotional Purity

I have been thinking alot lately on the subject of emotions or romantic feelings. It is very distressing to see almost all relationships being ruled by emotions instead of on the basis of getting to know the person better and loving that individual for who he really is.

I have spent the past three years of my life getting to know someone and loving him for who he really is. I know that if I had allowed my emotions to get involved too soon, it more than likely would have hurt both of us, and we would not be enjoying the relationship we have today. This wasn't the easiest thing in the world to do, but we both knew that we needed to keep our emotions in tact, not only for ourselves, but for the other person.

Here are a few excerpts from a well known book that I personally have found so helpful on this subject:

"When we find ourselves attracted to someone, we need to make building a deeper friendship our first priority. Too often we believe that relating in a romantic, exclusive realtionship will automatically mean we'll be closer and know each other better. But this doesn't always happen. Although romance can be a more exciting level of relationship, it can also foster illusion and infatuation, obscuring the true character of each person invloved. Remember, as soon as we unleash our emotions in romantic love, our objectivity begins to fade. For this reason, we need to focus on developing a closer friendship with a potential partner before introducing romance."

"It will take patience and self-control not to express your feelings prematurely, but it's worth it. 'I want you to promise.....' says the maiden in Song of Songs 8:4(NLT), 'not to waken love until the time is right.' The Wycliffe Bible Commentary says, ' Love should not be stirred up before its proper time, because the love relationship, unless carefully guarded, may cause grief instead of the great joy it should bring to the human heart.' Proverbs 29:20 states, 'Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.' Don't play the fool in your relationships by speaking too soon. If you're pursuing a deeper friendship, the other person will already have an idea that you're interested, and you can't avoid this. But expressing these feelings in words often 'awakens love' before it's ready."

"I Kissed Dating Goodbye" ~Joshua Harris~

David and I were only able to do this by the grace of God. It is only through Him that we are who we are!!

Reflecting on God's Promises

Today's message for the afternoon was delivered by a dear brother from Montville, NJ, Kenny Harris. He said at the start that we were going to do some spiritual muscle building by reflecting upon just a few of the promises of God. I thought I would share a few of my favorite promises that have been such a comfort and help to me.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." ~Proverbs 3:5-6~

"Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." ~Psalm 37:4~

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." ~Matthew 6:33~

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God , to them who are the called according to his purpose." ~Romans 8:28~

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 4:6-7~

"And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands; in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the cirumcision of Christ; buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." ~Colossians 2:10-12~

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." ~1 John 1:9~

Have a blessed Lord's day!

I'm Blessed!!

I realize that it has been a while since I have posted anything. The holidays can certainly cause one to neglect other things. I have decided to post what has been on my mind lately....actually for a very LONG time!!

To those of you who know me know that it is not a "what" that has been on mind but rather a "who" that has been on mind for a long time! I am blessed indeed in the relationship that I have with David. I just want to take a few minutes to express just a few things that I love about him.

I love that he would rather talk to me for an hour and a half on the phone than watch a footabll game on television.....even when he's been looking forward to it all day!!

I love that he would drop anything to talk with me when I am going through a hard time and just need to talk....even when I can't talk beacuse I'm all choked up.

I love that he wants me to tell him if anything he does bothers or annoys me, and is not offended when I do.



I love that he is willing to just listen to me go on and on about things.......even when they are "girly" things that he doesn't quite understand but wants to!!

Last, but not least, I love him for the faith he has in our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus. We have acknowledged so many times to each other that it is only by His grace that we are who we are. It is only by His love and grace that we have been able to go this far in our relationship, and Lord willing, go farther.

Pastor Byerly once asked me, "You're in love, aren't you?". My response was, "Oh, yes, and it's wonderful!!". The Lord has truly blessed me with this young man. His heart is worth more than all the riches in this world. I love you, David!!

Her Dominion

A couple weeks ago I started this book. A dear sister in Christ recommended it to me. I have been truly blessed and inspired by it. Here is an excert I read last night that really "wowed" me:

"The mother is the hub of the home, holding all the spokes in place. Without her being at the post, the family spins out of control and falls apart. When her husband hears the predawn alarm clock, she knows he's emotionally emboldened by her tenderly squeezing his arm in appreciation.

From then on, she's the nucleus of the day's family activity. She needs to nurse feed one, rouse out of bed another, review a spelling list with yet another, change a diaper, prepare a breakfast, pray God's blessing on the day, tie shoes, write out a check for a class trip, pack a lunch, check on progress regarding an upcoming book report, read and comment on a verse from Proverbs, discuss a peer conflict while chauffeuring to school, pick up Dad's suit at the dry cleaners, shop for groceries and household items at the store, sign up for soccer at the Recreational Department, read a story before putting one down for a nap, teach one phonics sounds and letters, make beds and clean up the kitchen, show how to sweep properly, search the internet for good pictures of frogs, deal with a lying problem by spanking, talking, and praying, and prepare lunch.

That's just the morning.

Then in the afternoon, she's called to teach lyrics of a song about a pirate named Patch, take a field trip to the park down the street, talk about sharing apple slices with others, explain to her child why he's not permitted to throw tantrums like the others in the park, catch and analyze a grasshopper's physiological structure and functions, return home for a naptime preceded by a storybook, sit down for personal devotions and prayer, call an appliance repairman about a strange sounding washing machine, drive to school and talk with a teacher about a child's performance in math class, talk about the day on the drive home, purchase a well-fitting pair of soccer cleats, assign and supervise the weeding of the flower garden, give out popsicles to the handful of neighborhood children playing in the yard, prepare dinner, embrace her husband and briefly share mutal experiences of the day, enjoy a nutritional supper and discussion together as a family, sit and listen to her husband lead in family worship, direct the clean-up after dinner, help with math homework, bake a batch of sweet-smelling chocolate chip cookies, wash bodies in the bathtub while singing about a pirate and a Savior, rock a little one in a chair, rub a back in bed while giving advice about an argument that took place during recess, pay bills on the internet, wash, fold, and iron shirts, counsel her husband about a relational conflict at work, and enjoy her husband rubbing her arm in bed.

With this, I've just skimmed the surface of her day. Remove the hub of her tireless labors, and her family flies apart, her husband is a frazzled wreck, and her childrenare greatly diminshed individuals." ~Mark Chanski~

This is a woman's dominion! God has called her to rule over her home and children. What a privilege!! Why don't woman see this?!?!?

"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and praiseth her." ~Proverbs 31:27-28~

Take It To the Lord!

As I was going through a difficult time last week, a person very dear to my heart encouraged me with this hymn. I was reminded again of how often we fret and worry about something when instead we should be approaching the throne of grace and taking it ALL to the Lord in prayer.

"What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."


"Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged: take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness-take it to the Lord in prayer!"


"Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our Refuge- take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there."

~Joseph Scriven c. 1855~

Happy Thanksgiving!!

"We thank you all our God with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done, in whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms, hath blessed us on our way,
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today."

"O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in his grace, and guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills in this world and the next."

"All praise and thanks to God, the Father, now be given,
The Son, and Him who reigns with them in highest heaven,
The One Eternal God whom earth and heav'n adore;
For thus it was is now, and shall be evermore."

~Johann Cruger, 1647~

Oswego-8, Morrisville-1.....WE WON!!!!

This past Saturday I had the wonderful opportunity to attend my first hockey game! I will admitt I was a bit unsure about the entire thing, but because I was going with my "special someone" I thought I would give it a wirl. College hockey is VERY civil!! I had soooooo much fun and can't wait to go again someday!! Here are a few pictures:

The student section. At least two of them were sain! Can you spot Kevin and Matt? (if you know them!)

Preparing the ice.


My wondeful boy and I!!



The refs coming onto the ice. They have alot more courage than I ever imagined!!

The Lakers!!! (our team!!) Woohoo!!

The Mustangs. Boooo.....

The goalies.

This dude was amazing!!

Whizzing around on the ice. They go so fast!! They can't even be thinking about skating. It has to be a second nature for them!

Saluting both the American and Canadian flags. Most of the Lakers' players are from Canada. Their national anthem is beautiful.

They were aloud to shove each other around and into the wall, but the weren't aloud to trip each other with their sticks. I did see one case of that, though! It was sooo funny!!

Push, shove, push, shove, push, shove.....

We WIN!!!!!!

This poor kitty being brainwashed! Whether he knows it or not he IS a Lakers' fan!!

The evening was definitely one to remember! And no, I don't want to take up hockey, although it does look really fun, doesn't it?!?!? :)

Chaste

" To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." ~Titus 2:5~

Chaste: 1. Pure from sexual intercourse; virtuous; continent. 2. Pure in thought and act; innocent; free from lewdness and obscenity, or indecency in act or speech; modest. 3. Pure in design or expression; correct; free from barbarisms or vulgarisms; refined.

Yesterday I heard a sermon on this verse, and this word and its definition seemed to pop out at me. The one preaching brought to attention that the young woman who is chaste is deemed a stranger in this world, but in the same breath she is respected for her character and worth. She is not wimpy, yet she has a meek and quiet spirit.

All of you young women who are reading this, and young men, too, are you looked upon as strangers in this world for being chaste? If so, you are pleasing God!! This brings Him delight. The world may be frowning, but He is smiling.

I experienced one of the greatest joys yesterday evening. I had a young man (you all know who he is!) tell me he loved me because I was not like the girls of this world, because I was chaste and considered weird and out of place in this world. Although he didn't use all of these exact words, that is what he meant. I thought I was going to cry!

It as all totally worth it!! You may think others don't notice. They do! Even more importantly, God notices. Remember...

" Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised." ~Proverbs 31:30~

My Chains Fell Off

And can it be that I should gain an int'rest in the Saviour's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him, to death persued?
Amazing love! How can it be that Thou my God, shouldst die for me?

'Tis myst'ry all! Th' Immortal dies! Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries to sound the depths of love divine!
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father's throne above (so free, so infinite His grace!)
Humbled Himself because of love, and bled for all His chosen race:
'Tis mercy all, immense and free; for, O my God, it found out me.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eyes diffused, a quick'ning ray. I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head, an clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th' eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

~Charles Wesley~

Don't Open Your Mouth!

One of our patients brought this into work. He said he spotted it while waiting for a truck to be unloaded where he works. He was, I think, getting impatient and when he saw this he burst out laughing. He just had to have a copy of it.

(I didn't burst out laughing when I read this. Instead, I was quite convicted!)

When to Keep Your Mouth Shut

1. In the heat of anger.

"He that is soon angry dealeth foolishy: and a man of wicked devices is hated." ~Proverbs 14:17~

2. When you don't have all the facts.

"He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." ~Proverbs 18:13

3. When you haven't verified the story.

"At the mouth of two witmesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death." ~Deuteronomy 17:6~

4. If your words will offend a weaker brother.

"And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?" ~1 Corinthians8:11

5. If your words will be a poor reflection of the Lord or your family and friends.

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: WHO DID NO SIN, NEITHER WAS GUILE FOUND IN HIS MOUTH: Who, when reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. ~1 Peter 2:21-23~

6. When you are tempted to make light of holy things.

"Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few." ~Ecclesiastes 5:2~

7. When you are tempted to joke about sin.

"Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour." ~Proverbs 14:9~

8. If you would be ashamed of your words later.

"All the words of my mouth are in righteousness: there is nothing froward or perverse in them." ~Proverbs 8:8~

9. If your words would convey the wrong impression.

"He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit." ~Proverbs 17:27~

10. If the issue is none of your business.

"The heart knoweth his own bitterness: and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy." ~Proverbs 14:10~

11. When you are tempted to tell an outright lie.

"Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee." ~Proverbs 4:24~

12. If your words will damage someone's repuation.

"An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire." ~Proverbs 16:27~

13. If your words will damage a friendship.

"A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends." ~Proverbs 16:28~

14. When you are feeling critical.

"Therewith bless we God, even the Father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God." ~James 3:9~

15. If you can't speak without yelling.

"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." ~Proverbs25:28~

16. When it is time to listen.

"A wise man heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not a rebuke." ~Proverbs 13:1~

17. If you may have to eat your words later.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." ~Proverbs 18:21~

18. If you have already said more than one time (then it becomes nagging).

"A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping." ~Proverbs 19:13~

19.When you are tempted to flatter a wicked person.

"He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him." ~Proverbs 24:24~

20. When you are supposed to be working instead.

"In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury." ~Proverbs 14:23

"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from trouble." ~Proverbs 21:23~

He Leadeth Me

"He leadeth me : O blessed thought! O words with heav'nly comfort fraught!

What'er I do, where'er I be, still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

Sometimes 'mid scenes of of deepest gloom , sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,

By waters calm o'er troubled sea, still 'tis his hand that leadeth me.

Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine , nor ever murmur nor repine;

Content, whatever lot I see, since 'tis my God that leadeth me.

And when my task on earth is done, when by thy grace, the vict'ry's won,

E'en death's cold wave I will not flee, since God through Jordan leadeth me."

"He leadeth me, he leadeth me; By his own hand he leadeth me:

His faithful foll'wer I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me."