Only Me, on My Knees...

As I was posting items to Etsy, I was listening to random youtube music videos, when the playlist began to play "Holy" by Nichole Nordeman from the WOW 2003 Hits.  Can you believe how long ago that was?  I can't, I truly can't.  

Her voice brought so many memories flooding back, I remember sitting staring out my bedroom window, the pink flowered wallpaper contrasted the deep green foliage of the beautiful wild garden below.  I contemplating the lyrics, appreciating her perspective.

Today, I was arrested by one line "and all you wanted - only me, on my knees..."  she said "singing", I thought "praying".   Lost on the rabbit trails of my mind, I missed the remainder of the song to simply re-hear "somehow, all that matters now is ... you... and all you ever wanted, only me on my knees."

I realized that is what He wants.  He wants us to petition Him, to ask of Him, to kneel before Him in thanksgiving.  Do we really take prayer seriously?  How easy it is to forget!

Sweet hour of prayer!...That calls me from a world of care,

...In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief..

And oft escaped the tempter’s snare...with such I hasten to the place

Where God my Savior shows His face....And since He bids me seek His face,

...I’ll cast on Him my every care,

Untill,...I view my home and take my flight...And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

As Death Gives way to Victory

"...I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!"

Today, I was reading through the Daily Mail when I saw, and read, the most tragic report on Iraq.  The headline read "ISIS executes 19 girls for refusing to have sex with fighters."  I wanted to turn away, I wanted to close my eyes - I didn't want to read it. 

(read article here)

Yet, I couldn't turn a blind eye.

The article didn't specify how many, if any, of these girls were Christians, but the price list for buying a girl for such purposes, specifically mentions Christians.  I thought about those poor girls, so scared, so sickened, so alone.  I hope they all knew Christ as their Saviour.  Those who did are already with their Lord, their tears and sorrows have vanished, they are no longer dressed in earthly white robes, but in heavenly ones.  No one can touch them there.   

When I finished the article, I thought of the line of the hymn "As death gives way to Victory."  For those who are Christians, their death has turned to victory.  A Victory that ISIS can never comprehend.  A Victory that can never be lost.  

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Chorus

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

And then one day, I'll cross the river,

I'll fight life's final war with pain;

And then, as death gives way to victory,

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

My answer to 60 tips that will change a Girl's Life

One small step for girls, one giant leap for womankind.  My response to this blog post entitled 60 tips that can change a girls life.  

http://herrickalexisc1.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/60-little-tips-that-can-change-a-girls-life/

1. Download a banking app, better yet, download a budget app. (See budget options here) 
2. Drink more herbal tea. Agreed, it certainly relaxes you and is so healthy.  
3. Making your own coffee/tea instead of buying it will make you a rich woman. Most definitely.
4. Always have at least 2 open chapsticks, and one closed at home (too many tend to waste)
5. Check out thrift stores. Ah! I buy so many of my skirt at thrift shops. (See thrift shopping here)
6. Buy good jeans at a good price.  While cheaply made jeans wear out, you don't need to pay alot for jeans.  (See Cool places to shop) 
7. Buy cheap sunglasses instead.  So true, as long as they are UV protected.
8. Don’t chase boys!!!!!!!!!  
9. Wear slippers when you have to drive in heels, a pair of soft slippers in a slipper bag is a good idea.
10. Wear layers! i.e., carry a sweater or hoodie if you are wearing a t-shirt, and layer winter clothes, so you can remove your sweater if it gets to warm in a room. ( Even in summer? You could fill a novella with the times I ended up at a bonfire in the summer wanting my hoodie and not having it. )
11. Not so big on slippers so:  Smile wherever you go
12. Say a kind word whenever you possibly can (without being akward :P )
13. "Spend a little extra money on your make up?" well, I do and don't.  I buy any eye makeup at the dollar store, because I both rarely use it and find it works fine.  But, I spend money on good concealer and blush, my sensitive skin loves it. 
14. Get running sneakers that are actually effective and not just cute.
15. NEVER go to bed with your make up on.
16. "Get like a thousand packs of make up wipes, because they work the best." Haha, very true, but 1,000? really?  A couple packs from the dollar store is usually good.
17. Have a bottle of water on hand, a water bottle is 
18. Don't always be listening to music, take time to walk and think, or if you have the earphones, listen to the audio Bible - You Version App for android is really good!
19. Don't choose girls vs guys, its way more fun to mingle.  Girl time is good, boyfriend time is good, but as Christians we should fellowship with each other. Besides, why are you dating a guy that you figure will be gone in a bit?!
20. Get a bra that fits well, and maybe a bra butterfly to tie back the straps.  
21. Wash your face.
22. THE DOLLAR TREE is ABSOLUTELY great.  So is Dollar Tree - know your merchandise.
23. Never feel you have to paint your nails to feel beautiful, clean nails are nice nails.  If you paint, be sure its for fun, not a crutch. 
24. Eat something healthy for breakfast - example a smoothie or an apple or a orange....best yet half of a grapefruit :) 
25. Make a summer playlist for when you need to walk in the cold and start actually getting depressed. Hymns are wonderful anti-depressants :)
26. Get a super awesome coffee mug. :D
27. Realize that you don't need any lipstick.  You are beautiful
28. Don't even date a guy who doesn't know better than to take you such places as a dingy resturant or bar - Seriously!
29. Never try dieting pills or fads. It’s all a bunch of garbage, just be healthy, or better yet, "moderation in all things".
30. Call your mom when you need help. Yes indeed. 
31. Forget name brands. No one really cares, and you will have three times the wardrobe to choose from if you shop at Tj Maxx and Marshalls first. - Actually, try Target, the second hand store, and Outlet stores - they often beat both TJMaxx and Marshalls. 
32. Your friends don't need to like your favorite TV show - friends should be friends because you care about them and they about you!
33. See Above, your friends are individuals and one of my best friends is gluten intolerant and I love bread.  See?  would be ridiculous to have to have a friend who ate what you eat
34. There is this amazing invention called “boob tape” to wear with strapless dresses ... ah yes, apparently it works great most of the time - wear straps?  Modesty and comfort are more valuable
35. Ask for a white coat underneath the color when you get your nails done and the color you wanted looks so much more vibrant. hmmm interesting....not sure as I haven't tried it.  
36. Never spend too much time crying over a boy.  Definitely, God is in control, take comfort that He knows best and wants to save you from making the wrong decision.
37. Order the dressing or sauce on the side ladies. You’d be amazed at the difference.
38. Always try clothing on before you buy it. Don’t even try to reason with yourself, “Well I don’t need to try this on”, yes you do.
39. Drink as much water as humanly possible.
40. One foundation does not fit all. Your skin is unique; so spend the time to get a foundation that doesn’t look like you just smudged your face with paint.
41. Use your iCalendar or google calendar on your phone for reminders. It sends you emails and will give you instant organization.
42. Get a microwaveable heat pad. Your cramps and back will thank you for the rest of your days. Or take a warm bath with Epsom salts :)
43. The best remedy for a broken heart is taking it to the Lord.  He is the healer of broken hearts Psalms 147:3
44. Stock your car, desk, and bags with hand sanitizer.
45. Keep Advil in your purse for your every day headaches.
46. Band-Aids too, heels are beautiful little monsters.
47. Befriend store associates because they actually will help you. Most of the time. But don't buy it if you are feeling unsure - they also work on commission. 
48. Just go with butter popcorn .... 
49. Exercise when you’re stressed out.
50. You can and will never have too many pairs of underwear. Welll.... we get the point, but ah, yes, you can have too many.
51. Find the perfect moisturizer.
52. Accessories are great fun.
53. Take bubble baths with Epsom salts, but only take the bubbles if you can handle standard soap in delicate regions.
54. Have a granola bar on hand at all times.
55. Read as much as you can for your own enjoyment. And don't forget to read your Bible.
56. Look natural in photos and smile with your teeth. Don’t do that weird grimace smile; your teeth are perfect just the way they are.
57. If you are sick you need a doctor or dentist. It’s incredibly important to take care of your body and to know the difference of when you need help and when you don't.
58. Get your beauty sleep.
59. Use hand lotion.
60. Make chocolate chip pancakes when ever possible.  haha or muffins ;)

Grapefruit, Life, & all such news

So, lately many people have been asking me how life is going, how we are, how our marriage is, etc... sometimes into strange awkward questions, or those looks that are "looking deeper". :)
I know they all mean well, and I have been guilty of the same  - if not actually asking, definitely thinking it.  Yet, it always seems they are assuming the answer isn't going to be positive.  Makes me almost chuckle.  Yes, we are fine, happy, busy, and in general enjoying life.

And there you have it.  As dear Anne remarked in Anne of Green Gables, quoting that famous poem by Browning: 

“Anne's horizons had closed in since the night she had sat there after coming home from Queen's; but if the path set before her feet was to be narrow she knew that flowers of quiet happiness would bloom along it. The joy of sincere work and worthy aspiration and congenial friendship were to be hers; nothing could rob her of her birthright of fancy or her ideal world of dreams. And there was always the bend in the road!"`God's in his heaven, all's right with the world,'" whispered Anne softly."

You may be wondering at the grapefruit.  Well, this morning we were eating large pink flesh grapefruits for breakfast and I was thinking how utterly delicious the round yellow fruit was, when I realized.  I am content, wonderfully content, no more and more less content than before I was married. Just content, enjoying simple things that afore generations may not have had the privilege.
(Grapefruit wasn't a Upper Canada breakfast in 1802.)

I am not sure if Anne was ever mentioned of having eaten grapefruit in the books, but if she could have tasted my, I am sure she would have pronounced some lovely exclamation.

Our Wedding

"Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one's life with pomp and blare,... perhaps it crept to one's side like an old friend through quiet ways;... perhaps. . . perhaps. . .love unfolded naturally out of a beautiful friendship, as a golden-hearted rose slipping from its green sheath.
                                 ~ L. M. Montgomery

While reading the "Anne" books as a young girl, I remember thinking that if ever I had the choice, that I would like to fall in love in the above manner.  Although I assumed I would meet the dark, mysterious stranger and after a whirlwind romance be carried off into the sunset, I harboured hope of a long time friendship.  Today, I look on recently past years and smile how that very hope became a reality, and it did creep to my side.  Love & romance come in different ways and diverse manners, but for me it unfolded in a manner that best suited us.  I am thankful to be married to my best friend. 

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Tonight, Tonight may all be well

Dusk has fallen, clouds cloak the darkened sky, a raindrop splatters and silently continues down the pane. As a hilltop gives view of the landsceap, my view is not far different.  Tonight is a night that novels hold for tears, but real life seldom holds to novels, and tonight we are warm.

There is a warm and gentle atmosphere

About the form of one we love, and thus

As in a tender mist our spirits are

Wrapped in the of that which is to us

The health of life’s own life--

~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Is 41:10

Yesterday.  Just one more of those days that feel like weight hanging around your neck.

When a friend of mine texted me this verse, I held back tears.  How much I needed to remember!

I think the part I noticed most strongly was "for I am thy God". 

~ Fear thou not.~

While You Sing Over Me

Look out my heart the wind is blowing again

It´s time to batten down the broken parts

Look out my heart debris is flying around

Confusion wants to shake your solid ground

Storms may come along and winds may blow

Raging tempest will come and go

But I´ll hide in the shadow of Your wings

I´ll hide in the shadow of Your wings

And listen while You sing

I´ll hide in the shadow of Your wings

And listen while You sing over me

Sing over me (2x)

Sing over me oh Lord, sing over me...

As I´ll hide in the shadow of Your wings

And listen while You sing

I´ll hide in the shadow of Your wings

And listen while You sing over me

Look out my heart

The wind is blowing again...

Under the Wire

I waited patiently for the LORD;

and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Ps 40:1

Today at the end of morning meeting, a short word of ministry was given on Ps 40:1-3. The message hit home for me, so I've decided to share it.

The speaker opened by reading Psalms 40:1-3. Then he looked at the rest of us, and said "Listen to this verse" and promptly mis quoted it. It jarred me. He quoted "I waited for the Lord, and he inclined unto me." I waited for him to correct himself, but he didn't.

He continued to say how he likes to "slip under the wire" when it comes to this verse. Slipping in under the "I waited" and failing to "Wait PATIENTLY". He said that we know God will work his perfect work regardless of us, and it will be in his timing, ultimately. So, "I have to wait, I have no choice, but am I waiting patiently."

Ah, my mom once said to me when I was about 11 or so, "Be careful, if you don't learn patience now, God will teach it to you eventually. And the lessons we fail to learn the first time, seem to be a lot longer later on. " Truthfully, I shrugged it off, I'd be patient eventually, but it did nag at me for a long time thereafter.

Not too many years later, I began to see what she meant. Patience is not an easy thing to learn. But I was encouraged today by the ministry. Encouraged to wait patiently, because the Lord will incline unto me. This is the idea of a King on his throne, learning forward in interest, interested in what you have to say, listening. Wait Patiently, don't try to slip in under the wire.

Thank God that He listens!

Come Out From

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1Pe 1:16

For I am the LORD your God:

ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves,

and ye shall be holy; for I am holy:

Lev 11:44

Time has past since we would journey to Florida as a whole family by car. The three day trek to Florida seemed like an eternity to us kids, helped mostly by the eager anticipation to play in the sand and "our" pool --namely the resort's pool. We felt like we owned Florida!

Looking back I can imagine how trying we children were to Dad. "Are we there yet?" "How many more days?" "How many more hours?" "Dad, are bald headed eagles really bald?" "Dad, I feel seasick! No, I'm NOT car sick, I am SEA sick, I feel sea sick." "Dad.." "Dad..."

I am sure my parents wonder if these long trips were even worth the effort. I wonder if they ever realized what an impact these trips had on us.

You see, we had a favorite "tape" (cassette tape -- or rather tapes): Don Francisco's tapes. We could sing every song by memory. These songs made a huge impact on our minds, on our life. And no wonder, we listened to them the whole way down and the whole way home (this was before we discovered the Odyssey series.)

I was thinking today of one of these songs in particular. The song is "Holiness", and it is the chorus that stands out to me even now.

Holiness, Holiness

It's the Lord's command

Not the Lord's request

How true this is! I don't believe we understand the significance of such a command. Above I have listed the verses that come to mind whenever I heard this song. IF only we could grasp the importance of being holy, our lives would be changed.

"How should we then live?

Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Eze 33:10, 11"

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord"

2Co 6:17

(to turn off blog music, just scroll down on the left side, click the big pause button)

Consider

Love this song :)

The Measure of A Man

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments

of comfort and convenience, but where he stands

at times of challenge and controversy."

~

I am not sure what originally brought the phrase to mind, but the phrase has haunted my mind for a few days now. The measure of a man. Was it a verse? Was it a quote? Where had I heard it? Why do I know there is more to the phrase? Thus it had been haunting me.

After pondering the phrase for quite awhile, I finally dropped it into google. (When in doubt --google, right?) Well, I really shouldn't have bothered with googling it. For the random selection from our favorite search engine was mind boggling and wasted much of my time. Of course, I strayed wayyyy off track. I did find one good quote (not the quote I seeking.)

The quote , attributed to Martin Luther King Jr., I have pasted above. I like this quote-- holds a lot of significance to it, especially, in view of who spoke the words. However, the part that struck me most was the phrase "at times of challenge".

I started to wonder on the "challenge". Specifically, challenge as in when one person's ideas are specifically challenged. I am not interested in "taking of a challenge", "the mountain hike was a challenge", or " I challenge you to a dual." I am merely interested in the following concept.

How do you react when who you are and your ideas are challenged?

Martin Luther King Jr declared the measure of a man to be where he stands at times of challenge. Perhaps, he is right. However, I was still not satisfied in my search. I think I would like to know the true "measure of a man." I think the concept would vary from person to person, or country to country. The media seems to portray the measure of a man by his strength or perhaps courage. Of course, in many aspects this appeals to us, and that is why the concept works so well for propaganda. But, no, not getting into propaganda at this point.

Some days passed before I searched the phrase in e-sword. (E-sword is an amazing program, if you are not familiar with the program, I heartily advise you to download it. Providing you have a relatively newer computer with enough memory space.)

Well, E-sword was successful. One verse. Correct number of beats/syllables. (I could only remember the rhythm.) And this was the verse:

And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits,

according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

Rev 21:17

And what does it mean? I laughed when the realization dawned on me that all this pondering lead to a rather off beat little verse that was merely describing the length of a wall! Yes, technically, I understand what the verse is saying. But what I am still wondering is --why?

Why does God specify that the measurement was according to man's measurement system, then clarifying that in reference to the angel? Why the play on words, accidental, coincidence?

I suppose it's simple, if He had said "normal measurement", we's have asked what is normal? If He had said "according to the angel's measuring stick", we'd have said we don't have an angel measuring stick. If He had said according to a man's standard measurement, we have imperial and metric arguments.

Or would we? Maybe we wouldn't even notice.

God took the time to write it, I wonder why?

~

I Can Trust You

Rebecca St. James' Song I Can Trust You

I Can Trust You

I often struggle with letting go and trusting, this song has long been a favorite and a good reminder to trust and let go of the desire to control.

"Oh! That...." The 10 "O thats" of Job

*There are at least 3 more such exclamations listed in the book of Job in the KJV, but none of those 3 are of the same Hebrew word.

O that God...

The Hebrew word מי , pronounced "me", used in direct exclamation is found 10 times in the book of Job. Athough this is often an interrogative pronoun, asking who, it is also a by oblique construction, a colloquial idom meaning "Would to God!..." Commonly phrased as "Oh that..."

The deepest yearnings of our soul are known only to God and are kept by Him.

Dare we entrust our yearnings to God, which knoweth the hearts?

The 10"O thats"of Job

1. Oh that I might have my request

2. Oh that God might speak

3. Oh that ye would hold thy peace

4. Oh that Thou wouldest hid me

5. Oh that my words were written

6. Oh that my words were printed in a book

7. Oh that I knew

8. Oh that I were

9. Oh that we had

10. Oh that One would hear

Do any of these sound familiar to you? Oh too familiar to me.

"I wish I had, God speak to me, everyone else be quiet, hide me o God, if only my words were written, if only what i had to say mattered, if only i knew, i wish i was ..., if only we had, oh that some ONE would listen"

The 10 "O that"s of Job. Job wasn't wrong to question, but he was genuinely longing for God to answer. Are we longing for God's answer, or are our exclamations really just exaggerated complaints?

Can we trust God to satisfy our need? Do we trust Him?

Job 6:8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

Job 11:5 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

Job 13:5 O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.

Job 14:13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!

Job 19:23a Oh that my words were now written!

Job 19:23b Oh that they were printed in a book!

Job 23:3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!

Job 29:2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;

Job 31:31 If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

Job 31:35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.

A Hidden God

I found it interesting today to learn that God hides himself. I had never really associated hiding with my concept of who God is. I often wonder how very little I know of Him. How deep He feels? Fathomless--and how we grieve Him. Why does He hide himself? I don't know. But this I love, about this verse: the subject line is "thou art a God that hidest thyself the Saviour".

Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.

Isa 45:15

"She shall not be moved"

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,-- though the earth be removed,

and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,

though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

Selah.

There is a river,

the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,

the holy place

of the tabernacles of the most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:

God shall help her, and that right early.

The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen,

I will be exalted in the earth. "

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Psalm 46

Finding

Seek the LORD and his strength,

seek his face continually.

1 Ch 16:11

But they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

Ps 34:10

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;

break up your fallow ground:

for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Hos 10:12

Behold, I go forward,

but he is not there;

and backward,

but I cannot perceive him:

On the left hand, where he doth work,

but I cannot behold him:

he hideth himself on the right hand,

that I cannot see him:

But

He knoweth

the way that I take:

when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job 23:8-10

Seek the LORD, and ye shall live.

Amos 5:6

Tomorrow

I don't know about tomorrow;

I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from its sunshine

For its skies may turn to grey.

I don't worry o'er the future,

For I know what Jesus said.

And today I'll walk beside Him,

For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter

As the golden stairs I climb;

Every burden's getting lighter,

Every cloud is silver-lined.

There the sun is always shining,

There no tear will dim the eye;

At the ending of the rainbow

Where the mountains touch the sky.

I don't know about tomorrow;

It may bring me poverty.

But the one who feeds the sparrow,

Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that is my portion

May be through the flame or flood;

But His presence goes before me

And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHhtWs5j2l8&feature=related

~You Are My Hiding Place~

You are my hiding place,

You always fill my heart,

With songs of deliverance,

Whenever I am afraid,

I will trust in You --

I will trust in You,

Let the weak say I am strong,

In the strength of the Lord,

I will trust in You.

You are My Hiding Place

Blessings for Today

So, today, I was awaken by my sister who asked me "Are you supposed to be leaving for work?" or maybe she asked "Have you left for work?" or maybe she said something else....I can't remember what exactly she said, but I awoke to:

• being fully dressed (from the day before)
• between the wrong blankets (not the sheets)
• AND my cell phone (my alarm) in my hand

Anyways, a long story short, I made it to work in time, but it made me think of how very good the Lord was to wake me up. (Funny thing was, my brother hadn't waken either.)

For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness:

thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. Psa 21:3