Stay Strong In Your Prayers

"Faith gathers strength by waiting and praying."

E. M Bounds, 1835-1913

These snaps are from last year. I hope to find some again this year as I go out in the early morning on my fawn spotting drives.

Many of you are familiar with the song "The Ninety and Nine." The poem was written by Eloizabeth Clephane in the 1800s. Ira Sankey, music director for evangelist Dwight L. Moody, wrote the music. Folklore claims that Elizabeth wrote "The Ninety and Nine" for her brother who had "returned to the flock" only a short time before his death. The song is based on Jesus' parable in Luke 15 below.

"Then Jesus told them this parable: 'Suppose one of you has a hundred sleep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

Sankey spotted the words in a British newspaper while on an evangelism tour in Scotland with Dwight Moody. He tore the poem from the paper, put it in his pocket, and forgot about it. Later that day, at the end of their service in Edinburgh, Moody asked Sankey for a closing song. Ira was caught by surprise, but the Holy Spirit reminded him of the poem in his pocket. He brought it out, said a prayer, then composed the tune as he sang. Thus, was born 'The Ninety and Nine.' This was Sankey's first attempt at writing a hymn.

Who is your sheep who is lost? Jesus will search for your sheep who is crying and lost. And there will be great rejoicing, not only in your heart, but by the angels in heaven. Consider the words once again, or for the first time:

"There were ninety and nine that safely lay, In the shelter of the fold.

But one was out on the hills away, Far off from the gates of gold.

Away on the mountains wild and bare, Away from the tender Shepherd’s care,

Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.

“Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine; Are they not enough for Thee?”

But the Shepherd made answer: 'This of Mine, Has wandered away from Me;

And although the road be rough and steep, I go to the desert to find My sheep, I go to the desert to find My sheep.'

"But none of the ransomed ever knew, How deep were the waters crossed;

Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed through, Ere He found His sheep that was lost.

Out in the desert He heard its cry, Sick and helpless and ready to die;

Sick and helpless and ready to die.

“Lord, whence are those blood drops all the way, That mark out the mountain’s track?

They were shed for one who had gone astray, Ere the Shepherd could bring him back.

Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn? They are pierced tonight by many a thorn;

They are pierced tonight by many a thorn.

"And all through the mountains, thunder riven, And up from the rocky steep,

There arose a glad cry to the gate of Heaven, 'Rejoice! I have found My sheep!'

And the angels echoed around the throne, 'Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!

Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!'"

Never give up hope. Our God is faithful. To all of us who believe, our own little sheep is worth our time on our knees. Our God not only hears prayer but also loves to hear them. Your little sheep is very important to Him.

 "When you pray for unconverted people, you do so on the assumption that it is in God's power to bring them to faith. You entreat Him to do that very thing, and your confidence rests on the certainty that He is able to do what you ask."

J. J. Packer, 1926-2020

By His Grace . . . 

For Thee

"John Q. Citizen will never be convinced about the credibility of the Christian faith until he becomes personally acquainted with someone who lives out the Christian life."

Erwin Lutzer, 1941 - 

Queen Anne Lace is dotting the byways of PA with its lovely white flowers and its greenery.

One of the reasons I enjoy reading through a hymnal is reading inspiring words from hymns I'm unfamiliar with. In my 40+ years as a Christian, I know many hymns in the hymnal, but there's many I don't know.

The other morning, I read the following two hymns and I had to stop and consider the words.They are a reminder of what we, as Christians, are here for on this earth. 

We are the example many people will see of our faith and our Lord. Am I a good imitation of my Lord?Am I praying for someone who hasn't found Jesus? Consider the words of these two hymns as they apply to your own life.

"Do not underestimate the role you may play in clearing the obstacles in someone's spiritual journey."

Ravi Zacharias, 1946-2020

Let Others See Jesus in You

"While passing through this world of sin, And others your life shall view,

Be clean and pure without, within, Let others see Jesus in you.

"Your life's a book before their eyes, They're reading it through and through;

Say, does it point them to the skies, Do others see Jesus in you?

"What joy 'twill be at set of sun, In mansions beyond the blue,

To find some souls that you have won; Let others see Jesus in you.

"Then live for Christ both day and night, Be faithful, be brave, and true,

And lead the lost to life and light; Let others see Jesus in you."

"Let others see Jesus in you

Let others see Jesus in you;

Keep telling the story, be faith and true,

Let others see Jesus in you"

B. B. Mckinney, 1886-1952

Peonies and Queen Anne Lace

"The life-saving strategy of Jesus is based on ordinary people showing and telling about Him in ordinary places."

"Ron Hutchcraft, 1971- 

Lord, Lay Some Soul Upon My Heart

"Lord. lay some soul upon my heart, And love that soul thru' me;

An may I bravely do my part To win that soul for Thee.

Lord, lead me to some soul in sin, And grant that I may be

Imbued with pow'r and love to win That soul, dear Lord, for Thee.

"To win that soul for Thee alone Will be my constant prayer;

That when I've reached my heav'nly home I'll meet that dear one there."

"Some soul for Thee, some soul for Thee.

This is my earnest plea;

Help me each day, on life's highway

To win some soul for Thee."

Anonymous verse 1

Mack Weaver, verse 2, 3

B. B. Mckinney, 1886-1952 

You can see a few Queen Anne Lace to the right with the joy of wildflowers!

"The changed life of a Christian is the only way that most unbelieving people will encounter Christianity."
Elmer Towns, 1932 - 

By His Grace . . . 

Those Old Emotions

 “My faith is the same faith which is found in every believer. It has been increased little by little for the last 26 years. Many times when I could have gone insane from worry, I was at peace because my soul believed the truth of God’s promises. God’s Word, together with the whole character of God, as He has revealed Himself, settles all questions. His unchangeable love and His infinite wisdom calmed me . . . It is written, ‘He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things.'"

George Mueller, 1805-1898

My second baby fawn of the season! Mom and twin went fastly into the brush, but this explorer was about 25 yards away from them. Didn't know what to do so posed for me a few minutes and then slowly walked away. 

Recently I've let emotions, anxiousness and negative feelings get in the way of decisions. I've carried this habit all through my life. I'm sure some of you relate.

God made me extremely emotional. I'm the one that cries at any mention of emotions. 

A current devotion I read helped me make a decision that had become a burden because of the shadows of my emotions and negative feelings. Following are the words I read:

“We let our emotions be the guide. In other words, we do what we want to do, and pride and feelings rule . . . God transcends our feelings, and when we elevate them above His wisdom, we are placing ourselves on the throne of our own heart—where only He belongs. Emotional guidance is a disastrous way to live . . . God’s prescription for our wisdom is to find His . . . He is deeply rooted in reality—the way things really are . . . His wisdom is everything our emotions are not . . . A believer who forsakes his or her own feelings for the much more reliable guidance of the eternal God has become wise . . . God created us for emotional fulfillment. But we are much more fulfilled when He fills us . . . 'We must walk by faith, not sight.'"  2nd Corinthians 5:7                                                                                                                                                              Chris Tiegreen, The One Year Devotional Walk With God, May 26^th

^{Many of us are very familiar with, "We live by faith, not by sight.”}

Hoping to see more scenes like this one taken last year. 

Charles Spurgeon also shared words that same morning that relate. The Scripture verse he spoke on: “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.” Psalm 55:22

“ . . . for the very essence of anxious care reveals the idea that we think we are wiser than God and are putting ourselves in His place to do for Him what He has promised to do for us . . . This obvious disobedience to His clear directive, this unbelief of His Word, and this presumptive intrusion upon His providence is all sinful . . . Someone who cannot calmly leave his cares and concerns in God’s hands, but carries his own burdens, is likely to be tempted to pursue sinful means to help himself . This sin will lead to forsaking God as his counselor and resorting instead of human wisdom . . . If through simple faith in His promises we will cast each burden upon Him as it comes to us and will ‘not be anxious about anything.’ Philippians 4:6, because He has promised to care for us . . . ‘You will keep in perfect peace Him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.’ Isa. 26:3

There's a head and a tail I see!

Whatever God calls you to do, try and remember to stop letting your emotions and negative feelings be your guide. I'm going to try and remember that as new decisions arise in my life. In a recent Bible study, the teacher spoke words that she uses every day: "Jesus, help me!" And He will! Definitely worth remembering!

I also try and remember this quote that I read a long time ago. "God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called." So if He has called you, He will equip you!

By His Grace . . .

Buck Everywhere!

"Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

I came across one of my favorite stories the other day and decided to share it with you this week. One of those memories that make me smile and say thank you to God. This is when we lived in Maryland.

I love taking pictures of deer. I've seen many doe and fawn, but not many buck. They stay hidden most of the time. I've caught a few snaps over the years, but they're hard to find.

One year, in November, I asked God to bring me opportunities to take pictures of buck. I told him how much I enjoyed seeing them and want to take pictures of them. Life went on, and I forgot my prayer.

The next July, one summer morning, eight buck showed up at our back gate where we put out corn. Our neighbor had started putting out corn, and we always enjoyed seeing the deer that came up to eat

A few years sitting out in the evening and watching deer in her yard, Jerry suggested we put some out too. One of my first family pictures of doe and fawn was taken in Mt. Airy.

The buck came back again that evening, and every morning and evening until the middle of October. What a delight! My own herd of buck!

In August that year, I remembered my prayer to God. It gave me shivers when I realized what God had done for me. We had every size buck visit our yard. 

God loves to give us the desires of our heart. No matter how crazy it can be, God does what only He can do: Shower us with His love in exactly the way that will bring us joy. For me, it was a herd of buck.

I've seen buck every once in a while since that time, but the thrill of having a herd of buck in my backyard for three months I'll never forget.

 "Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies."

Charles Edward Jefferson, 1860-1937

By His Grace . . .

What's Important?

 "Be not forgetful of prayer. Every time you pray, if your prayer is sincere, there will be new feeling and new meaning in it, which will give you fresh courage, and you will understand that prayer is an education."

Fyodor Mikhaylovich Dostoyevski, 1821-1881

I love Magnolia blooms! Despite the freeze at night recently my Magnolia Tree is blooming. The blooms sure bring me a little bit of God's Hope during this special season.

Many years ago, a friend asked me if I would type a collection of poems that her grandfather wrote. He was not famous . . . just an average person who worked hard and was trustworthy. He lived his life for God and was my friend's hero.

One day as we traveled to Lancaster, I spotted this beautiful large tree full of Magnolia blooms. I had Jerry pull over so I could get a few snaps.

Of all the poems he wrote, my eyes and heart stayed with a simple poem. I call on it frequently to remind me of what's really important as we walk with God. It aways make me smile.

"How wonderful at evening to be able to say

What a day Lord! What a day! Because I could pray."

These words tell me that no matter what kind of day I've had, it's been a wonderful day because I can pray. Anytime. Anywhere. That I should be praying all through the day and enjoy communication with my Heavenly Father.

I believe I've confessed before on this blog that I don't pray enough, especially during the day. In the early morning my prayer and devotion time are set. In the evening before bed God hears my prayers. But during the day? Occasionally, but remembering to pray doesn't seem to come to my mind. 

I typed up a hundred some poems for my friend and enjoyed them all. But a simple two-line poem is what stuck in my mind. Sometimes the least said makes the most impression.

Oswald Chambers wrote, "The point of prayer is not to get answers from God but to have perfect and complete oneness with Him . . ." and when we pray, we communicate the pleasure of His presence . . . "better is one day in God's presence than a thousand elsewhere. (Psalm 84:10)"

Remember . . . He's always thee. We just have to call on Him. That's really important.

All Day Long

African Folk Hymn

2nd verse

"All day long I've talked with Jesus, It has been a glorious day.

It has moved me one step higher, On my walk along the King's highway."

By His Grace . . . 

Big or Small It All Matters

"Spiritual gifts are bestowed upon believers according to the purposes of God and distributed by the sovereign wisdom of God. Our spiritual gifts never belong to us, they're an expression of the Holy Spirit doing the Father's will."

Henry and Mel Blackaby

A post from July 2010 . . .

When I would give my “Note Writing” talks, I’d share a story about a little hearts-ease. I didn’t know what a hearts-ease was when I first read the story so I looked it up in the dictionary. I found out that it is a variety of violets and pansies, especially Johnny Jump-Ups. It also means peace of mind and tranquility.

Some little hearts-ease.

The story is found in “Streams in the Desert” Volume 1, compiled by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. An older women who I sat next to in choir many years ago gave me a copy of the book. Jeanne has now passed along, but this little book she gave me has stayed with me 40 years.

The story is about a "King who went into his gardens and found every tree and flower sick of life and discouraged because they couldn’t be someone else. That is until he came across a hearts-ease. He found it’s bright face lifted as cheery as ever and asked it why. The hearts-ease told the king, 'No, I am not of much account, but I thought that if you wanted an oak, or a pine, or a peach tree, or a lilac, you would have planted one; but as I knew you wanted a hearts-ease, I am determined to be the best little hearts-ease that I can.'”

What a happy yard!

I like that story. I know many times I’ve complained that I couldn’t be like someone else who, in my eyes, has it all together and is recognized for the gifts that they have. Yet, I know, we all have our own gifts and they are all important in God’s mind.

"Our gifts and talents are the things people celebrate about us, but we find to be no big deal, because the ability comes naturally to us. That is why it is called a gift."

Michelle McKinney Hammond

I was reminded of this again after reading the June 21 devotion in the same book. Here’s an excerpt from it: “If your place in God’s ranks is a hidden and secluded one, beloved, do not murmur, do not complain, do not seek to get out of God’s will if He has placed you there . . . The day will come when Jesus will give the rewards, and He makes no mistakes, although some people may wonder how you came to merit such a reward, as they had never heard of you before.”

And that’s the way it should be. The only one who needs to know what you are doing is the Lord Himself. We are called to be faithful, whether our service is big or small. So I’ll just go on doing what God has called me to do and you do the same. Thank Him for the gift(s) He’s given to you and be faithful for His Kingdom. Big or small, when we work for our Lord it's all BIG in His eyes!

I'm hoping to start seeing babies soon. 

"Whether your gift is mighty or humble, whether you exercise it in the marketplace or at the podium . . . your main task or gift or ministry is to be a light in a dark world."

Gigi Graham Tchividjian

By His Grace . . .

Powerful Words

"Words are not just letters strung together. Words are the incarnation of emotions and the stimulators of emotions. A word can be a balm or a bomb. A positive word makes you feel good. A negative word leaves you feeling depressed and defeated. Words release energy. A single word can turn you on, or it can turn you off. A negative word can defuse your enthusiasm for a project. A positive word releases positive energy and becomes a creative force."

Robert Harold Schuller, 1926-2015

Spring brings new life, new hope and cute baby animals!

I love reading words by faithful men and women. I keep journals of quotes that encourage and inspire my heart. Paper and pen are beside me whenever I read so I can jot down words that cause me to ponder.

One quote that stays in my mind was written by George MacDonald. MacDonald was a Scottish author, poet and Christian minister. MacDonald wrote several works of Christian theology, including several collections of sermons.

 

Standing in the buttercups!

 

I was recently reminded of this quote and want to share it with you now. They are powerful words.

"Few are needed to do the out-of-the-way tasks which startle the world, and one may be most useful just doing common place duties, and leaving the issue with God. And when it is all over, and our feet will run no more, and our hands are helpless, and we have scarcely strength to murmur a last prayer, then we shall see that, instead of needing a larger field, we have left untilled many corners of our single acre, and that none of it is fit for our Master's eye were it not for the softening shadow of the cross."  George MacDonald 

 

 Seconds after I took this snap mom went down over the gosling.

 

We all want to do our best for our Lord and we all fall short. Our eyes need to focus on everyday happenings and close associations.  Many of us have a single acre that needs tending. Those words are powerful!

Doubles!

"Little keys can open big locks. Simple words can express great thought."

William Arthur Adams, 1838-1882

By His Grace . . .