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."

A Day at the Lake

Yesterday, Daddy, Mother, Alexandre and I spent a lovely afternoon at Glimmerglass State Park. It was the most beautiful day to go. We all had such a relaxing time. What a perfect way to end the summer. In January, while the snow is blowing and the temperature is below zero(!!), I will remember this day!

The lake was so pretty. It sparkled and glittered. It brought to mind "The Laking of

Shining Waters", like any Anne of Green Gables fan would do!!

This is my favorite!

This is Mother backing the truck, with the canoe, down to the boat launch. I thought she was doing a pretty good job of it!!

The peanut gallery watching as Mother backs the truck up. You can only imagine what they are thinking!!

What is a day at Glimmerglass without the bikes?!?!? To any of you, who go regulary to the park and are able to bring your bikes, I would highly recomend that you do this. It is sooooo much fun to bike here!






Alexandre and I canoeing towards the lake. (He needs some practice!) And to those of you who are wondering if we tipped it (you know who you are!!), we did NOT!!

My dear mother and I. I love the shades!! Don't we look, well.......beachy!!

Swings!! YAY!! The sign on the playground stated that it was designed for 5-12 year olds. Bummer........





......but we couldn't resist!! I look 12, right!?!?

Look at those legs!! They look like two q-tips shooting into the sky!





Biking! This was about the only time this kid was behind me. He may not be able to canoe but he sure can ride a bike!

Isn't that neat?!?!? We are not very far from the oldest covered bridge in the U.S. Woohoo!







It's so much fun to walk through, or would you say on, or would you say under?

Bare piggies!! I love this part of summer! Warm sand in between my toes. Don't get that sensation in January.







The water was a bit chilly, but once you got in it was quite refreshing. I had a hard time getting out!

Well, that is it until next summer. I'm so gald we were able to do this. A day at the lake is such a wonderful way to enjoy God's creation. I thank Him and praise Him for giving us such a glorious day. :)

Faithfulness

I was totally unaware that Pastor Byerly would be preaching on faithfulness when I posted yesterday! Hmm......interesting. Anyway, he preached on the characteristics of a faithful man who would be qualifying for the ministry, but these characteristics can be applied to all of us- husbands, wives, parents, children, employees, etc. Here are a few of them:

1. A faithful man gives and keeps his promises.

2. A faithful man is humble.

3. A faithful man is fervent in prayer.

4. A faithful man will guard his flock (speaking of a pastor to his sheep).

These four were the main topics, but under these Pastor brought up faithfulness in regards to puncuality, money and finances, marriage, and the church. The appeal to be unfaithful is strong in our day. We need to look to Christ for faithfulness and follow his example. May we all strive to be faithful men and women in an unfaithful world.

"Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fall not; as thou hast been thou for ever will be.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth , Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and great hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see: All I have needed Thy hand hath provided-Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!"

~Thomas O. Chisholm~

"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.

~Lamentations 2:22-23~

A Faithful Wife

I happened upon this poem while browsing through a book of poetry compiled in the late 19th Century. It's an inspiration to me, and also something that we do not see much of anymore in our day and age. Enjoy!

"In youth I saw but a maiden fair; and finding beauty I sought no more,
But loved and wedded as youth will dare, and little knew of the prize I bore.
Proud was I 'midst my fellow men, dear to me was my young wife then.

But as life advanced and cares came thick-on every side came pressing round,
Till my wearied heart grew faint and sick-ever her at my side I found,
With words of counsel wise and free; dearer still was she then to me.

Her hair is gray, and her sweet blue eyes, though loving still are no longer bright;
And I list not now for her thoughts so wise; but for stronger ties our hearts unite.
Dear through life has she ever been: dearest now at its close serene."

~Author Unknown~

Sweet Words

"All the way my Saviour leads me-what have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt his tender mercy who through life has been my Guide?

Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in him do dwell-

For I know, whatever befalleth me, Jesus doeth all things well."

"All the way my Saviour leads me, cheers each winding path I tread.

Gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living Bread.

Though my weary steps may falter, and a thirst my soul may be,

Gushing from the rock before me, lo, a spring of joy I see!"

"All the way my Saviour leads me-O the fulness of his love.

Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father's house above.

When my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day,

This my song through endless ages: Jesus lead me all the way!"

~Fanny J. Crosby~