Don't That Sound Like Heaven

(I realize that verse two isn't exactly accurate, but I love this song - it sounds familiar.)

I Need You More Today

Lately, on my early morning drive to work, I have been listening to the Christian radio station on Sirius Radio (67). I love the 7-8 am hour because the selection is more like old records & "christian country". This particular song is one of my favorites. I added a few pictures to create a movie since I was unable to find a music video. (You can turn the blog back ground music off by clicking the large pause button on the right hand side, halfway down the page.)

One of My Favorite Songs

You should never under-estimate the effect your actions have on your little child.

Whenever I sat on my daddy's knee as a baby/toddler, he would sing to me.

I wasn't very old because I can remember sitting in his hand, leaning in the crook of his arm.

He would sit and rock me in the Squeaky rocking chair. His voice would radiate outwards, I have never felt so warm , so safe in my life as when Dad would sing to me. I know from events that I was less than two years old. He would sing many songs (hymns), but two he sang more often than the rest: "Heaven Came Down" and "Open My Eyes". To this day these are my favorite.

I know them almost by heart. Funny thing is, even though I have tried to memorize these hymns completely, I always pull a blank at the same parts where he would forget the words. How I loved it when he sang and rocked me. The squeak always sang along. Because I always felt so warm and safe, whenever I am in need of warm safety I sing these songs. Here is "Heaven came down"

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O what a wonderful, wonderful day, day I will never forget;

After I'd wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Savior I met.

O what a tender, compassionate friend, He met the need of my heart;

Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart.

Chorus

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, (filled my soul)

When at the cross the Savior made me whole; (made me whole)

My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day,

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul! (filled my soul)

Born of the Spirit with life from above into God's family divine,

Justified fully thru Calvary's love, O what a standing is mine!

And the transaction so quickly was made, when as a sinner I came,

Took of the offer, of grace He did proffer, He saved me, O praise His dear name!

Now I've a hope that will surely endure after the passing of time;

I have a future in heaven for sure there in those mansions sublime.

And it's because of that wonderful day, when at the cross I believed;

Riches eternal and blessings supernal, from His precious hand I received.

No One Understands Like Jesus

No one understands like Jesus;

He's a Friend beyond compare.

Meet Him at the throne of mercy;

He is waiting for You there.

No one under-stands like Jesus

When the days are dark and grim.

No one is so near, so dear as Jesus;

Cast Your every care on Him.

No understands like Jesus;

Every woe He sees and feels.

Tenderly He whispers comfort,

And the broken heart He heals.

No one understands like Jesus

When the foes of life assail.

You should never be discouraged;

Jesus cares and will not fail.

No one understands like Jesus

When you falter on the way.

Though you fail Him, sadly fail Him,

He will pardon You today.

Reflections of the Master's Hand

I am certainly not the originator of this analogy, but somehow the reality of this sunk into my consciousness this time. I look at how little I am and how perfectly the trail of history behind me reflects His guidance.

Being held in the master's hand. I often revel in the pure security of being in His hand. God's hand. I can trust him, even when I don't trust him I am still in the security of the hand of God. How much greater is His plan than ours. I love looking back and seeing how what seemed to be so scary, perfectly fell into place, step by step. He has painted the picture that I can only see glimpses of... I can trust Him.

But perhaps you, like me, ask how can I trust others? God knows how I have struggled with trusting. Sometimes my fear has been so great it prompted instant and irrevocable decisions that hurt innocent people. "How can I trust others?" I ask."In light of what I know of Him, and his perfection and how little I trust Someone who deserves all my faith -- how can I trust others whom I know to be mere humans like myself?"

I do not have the answers, but this helped me understand...

The Memoirs of a Simple Violin

"I thought I felt like puddy in his hands. I realize now it is more like the feeling of being handled as a valuable violin in the hands of a musician taught by a master violinist. The musician's every motion was guided by the skill imparted to him by the Master. The Master who not only taught the musician , but the Master who made me --the simple violin that I am. How thankful I am that the musician is taught by the Master, for the Master loves me more than anyone.

The Master will always love this simple violin. He has a unique love for me because He made me--me the violin. The Master is teaching the musician to love me the way He loves me.

The musician sees the value of the violin, because it is the work of the Master. Any studied musician values a Stradivarius because of its sound, quality, beauty, and its name.

The Stradivarius bears the name of its maker, Antonio Stradivari. I am called my Master's name.

In the hands of the Master, I am formed and play, and move to my Master's music. In the hands of the Master I am completed and tried. I experience, through gentle, but sometimes painful, process. I don't always sing as I should. Sometimes I am out of tune.

Sometimes I squeak or grate in awkward sharp notes. My Master fine tunes me, tightens my strings, stretching my strings -- its uncomfortable. The Master made me for a purpose. Then the Master shows the musician, whom he made me for, how to tune and play the violin, so that I will sing for him too.....

....Sometimes, the musican makes mistakes and I vibrate with hurt. Pain. But I bravely quiver as the musican's bow catches on the stings. A loud I complain. "I AM not supposed to be played this way! This is not how my Master's music sounds!" .....

....I always marvel when my Master steps in. He gently takes the bow from the musician, and lifting me in His arms: He plays. Sweet the song of the Master.

I have seen many violins thrown or given away. A squeaky violin is not appreciated by a musician. I am always amazed when my complaints are graciously forgiven.

Cast off violins are often given to children to play with. A disobedient violin is of no use to the musician. The musician looks for one of greater value. But the Master always love the violin. Sometimes, although the Master loves the violin, He must put the stubborn violin in a different place. A stubborn violin can be of no use to the musician.

But a well-tuned violin is a beautiful and useful instrument. The Master places a fined tuned violin into the hands of a loving musician. The violin is loved by the Master and the musician alike....

...the orchestra, the conductor, and the audience love a violin made by the Master, played the the Master-taught musician. The violin cannot play itself. The violin must depend upon another.

We need others in our life. The Master made us. Can we not trust the Master to care for us even in the hands of others? The Master's love and wisdom is not limited. We can trust Him with the others in our lives. "

***

I really enjoyed the little picture of the violin. There was more to the story, which I didn't included. But the part that struck me in this story was this: I can not control what others do, but I can trust the God who made me.

1923

I have been listening to country lately, seem to be on a country trend--maybe its the scenic route I take to work or maybe just this time of summer. I was listening to the song I call "Wait for Me" although as I have just now found out, the song is really called "Love, Me". Anyways, the song reminded me of my 'adopted' great-grandpa, G.P. Taylor. Most know G.P. Taylor as an older preacher, he told us wild stories. One such story was very similar to this song, see, he and his-bride-to-be eloped when quite young, since her father didn't approve of the match. They hopped in his car and drove through one or two states until they found state where they could get married. The details of the story I have forgotten, but I will never forget him telling me the story. I think he was 98 at the time, and he laid on the couch chuckling to himself, and he kept interrupting himself with stories of his late wife, how good she was, how talented. I always loved when he told us stories. Anyway, enjoy. :)

(Since the blog music automatically plays, scroll down the page, click the pause button on the right hand side to stop the blog music.)

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.

~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

One Friend Left

I was pondering today :) ...perhaps that is typical....but until I have the time to post my ponderings... twas listening to this song, thought I'd share :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPnhSFrkpno

I Rich Man Am I

I loved this song as a kid....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNRyRD2TD5U