Let the Cheering Begin!

 "The angels are the dispensers and administrators of the divine beneficence toward us;

they regard our safety, undertake our defense, direct our ways,

and exercise a constant solicitude that no evil befall us."

John Calvin, 1509-1564

In Billy Graham's November 14th devotion in the book "Unto The Hills" he wrote about God's angels watching the drama of this age. The angels have witnessed all the ages, and they are interested spectators.

I like the words he shared: "We know they are watching, but in the heat of the battle, I have thought how wonderful it would be if we could hear them cheering."

Yes, we all need cheer leaders. I know I do! Those folks who stand by you when the going gets rough, encouraging you on and letting you know you're not alone.

But what would it be like if we heard angel's cheering? Just the thought brings tears to my eyes. What a phenomenon that would be! Talking about a sign from God!

As I pondered this thought, one way I can "hear" the angels cheering for me is reciting Scripture: "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" Hebrews 1:14. And, "For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." Psalm 91:11. They are serving and guarding me. That makes me cheer!

Another way is to sing this simple melody: 

"All day, all night, angels watching over me, my Lord. 

All night, all day, angels watching over me."

Mr. Graham also wrote: "If God were to open our spiritual eyes, we would see 'horses and chariots of fire' (2 Kings 6:17) surrounding the servants of the Lord, for we are encircled by 'Thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly' (Hebrew 12:22) sent to protect His royal seed."

 

One day I'll see those angels, and I can ask when they cheered for me. Until then, I have a few angels here on earth that I can turn to who always cheer my heart!

"All day, all night, angels watching over me, my Lord. 

All night, all day, angels watching over me."

By His Grace . . .

The Beauty of Words

 
I've always liked this picture that was taken in Gettysburg one year. 

The lantern flame, the flowers in the window and the beautiful stone home.

When I read a hymn in my hymnal, I often highlight a verse, or a line in a verse, that touches me. There is such beauty in the words of hymns. This is one of the verses I’ve highlighted from the hymn “God, Who Touches Earth With Beauty.”

 “Like the arching of the heavens, Lift my thoughts above;

Turn my dreams to noble action, Ministries of love."

Verse 4

 

This is a hymn I’d never heard of before. That’s one of the beauties of reading hymnals. You find many hymns of beauty, with words to thrill your soul, that you will never hear sung. You will find verses, and lines in verses, that touch your soul and inspire your spirit.

I purchased this canvas picture last Fall to add to my collection.

 

Mary S. Edgar wrote this hymn. The other verses are just as lovely.

“God who touches earth with beauty, make my heart anew.

With your Spirit recreate me pure and strong and true.

 

“Like your springs and running water, make me crystal pure.

Like your rocks of tow’ring grandeur, make me strong and sure.

 

“Like your dancing waves in sunlight, make me glad and free.

Like the straightness of the pine trees, let me upright be.

 

“God who touches earth with beauty, make my heart anew.

Keep me ever, by your Spirit, pure and strong and true.”

 

We are equipped to serve God. To encourage people, to comfort people, to help people, to teach people. Are we doing it? Are we doing it with love?

You can’t do it if you’re not reading God’s Word. That’s where we find the inspiration to serve others. That’s where we are encouraged and comforted so that we can encourage and comfort others.

Another favorite picture of this beautiful buck in the field. I added the hymn lyrics of

"As The Deer."

I’m certain you’d like to have “Ministries of Love.” Words inspire you. If you don’t have a hymnal at home, I recommend purchasing one. Start reading from the beginning, one hymn each day. You will be amazed at the inspiration you receive. And don’t forget to sing it if you know the melody.

The beauty of words. Let your spirit be carried away by inspiring words that God has gifted others to write. And have “Ministries of Love!”

 

By His Grace . . .

Unimaginable Joy!

 "Joy is the deep settled confidence that God is in control of every area of my life."

Paul Sailhamer

November 14. A very important date for me. It was the day I was saved. The day I found new life in Christ. The day I started living for God.

It was way back in 1978 that I first stepped into Montrose Baptist Church in Rockville, Maryland, and heard the gospel message. Just my daughter and me. The church was next to the apartments we lived in. A short walk through a few trees and there I was.

That began a new life for the rest of my life. It brought the joy of the Lord into my life!

Lisa Guests said, in her book, "100 Favorite Bible Verses:" “The joy of the Lord – that God-given gladness found when we are in communion with God.” It, indeed, is God-given. It's hard to explain. It's just there. It never leaves. It fills your heart and soul at all times.

This joy helps you get through rough times, times of sadness, times of grief. It's there during the good times when your heart overflows with happiness! It never leaves you. 

That's what happened to me on November 14, 1978. Forty-five years ago. Joy came into my life. I thank God for His Faithfulness; I thank Christ for dying for me, and I thank the Holy Spirit for dwelling inside me.

Thinking of my last post and the question, "What if this is as good as it gets?" I believe I have the best I can possibly have! I'm celebrating!

Sing with me!

"Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God."

Leon Henri Bloy, 1846-1917

By His Grace . . .

What A Question?

 

This blog post is from November 19, 2014. 

A good title catches your eye. A good song lyric stays in your head. A good caption speaks volumes.

And that's what happened to me as I was reading through the November issues of Home Life and Mature Living. "What if This is as Good as it Gets?" caught my eye as well as "When the Rain Falls . . . Things Begin to Grow."

As a writer I was trained to create catchy titles because that's what draws the eye. Some of the titles I've created that were published are: "Are You Afraid of a Divorced Person?" "A Life Changing Truck," "My Melody of Words," "Out of Tune" and "Is the Answer Reverence." Titles get you thinking, and that's just what I did with "What if This is as Good as it Gets?"

Am I okay with that? Here we are two weeks before Thanksgiving, a time of giving thanks for God's blessings. Am I truly thankful for my life and all the joy and sadness I've been through? Wow. That's a doozy of a question.

The truth is, we all have our stories of life . . . the joys, the disappointments, the happy times and sad times. There's always something we wish we could rewrite to have a happy ending. Many times I voice David's words in Psalm 55:6: "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest." Unfortunately, I don't have wings.

Accepting all that has happened to me doesn't mean I like everything, or I'm happy about everything. It means I've accepted my life and trust God. Whether it's good or bad, God picks up the pieces and continues to work in my life. He continues to work. He continues to work. Thankfully, He continues to work.

All that my life is, God has provided and directed, and I trust Him to bring me safely home to Him.

"When the Rain Falls . . . Things Begin to Grow." When I accept God's control over all the things that happen in my life, patience grows, understanding grows, humility grows, compassion grows, acceptance grows. Of course, if I don't accept God's control, bitterness grows, anger grows, indifference grows, hate grows, dissatisfaction grows.

Life sure is a journey. As I age, accepting God's control in my life and letting Him work, gets easier. It sure helps my day-to-day living when I accept His way. But I'm not perfect yet and still have a ways to go before my growing season is up.

Words by Melody Beattie on gratitude:

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order,

and confusion into clarity. It turns a meal into a feast,

a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense out of our past,

brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."

I believe I have accepted the course of my life, definitely not liking everything, but I can say: "Yes, I'm okay with it as long as God is in control." Father down in Psalm 55, my heart is expressed completely: "But as for me, I call to God." And that's definitely a reason to celebrate this Thanksgiving!

Two little titles brought quite a discussion in my mind. What about you? What if this is as good as it gets? Are you okay with it? I think it's worth your time to consider as you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.

God is the giver of all good things. "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together." 

Psalm 34:3

By His Grace . . .