Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart

we still do

By Lorraine

celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary today
♥
I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine
Song of Solomon 6:3

(click play at bottom of post to listen to this song)
I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
I still believe the words we said
Forever will ring true 
Love is certain, love is kind
Love is yours and love is mine
But it isn’t something that we find
It’s something that we do
It’s holding tight, lettin’ go
It’s flying high and laying low
Let your strongest feelings show
And your weakness, too
It’s a little and a lot to ask
An endless and a welcome task
 Love isn’t something that we have
It’s something that we do
We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that we can’t tell where I end and where you start
 It gives me heart remembering how
We started with a simple vow
There’s so much to look back on now
Still it feels brand-new
We’re on a road that has no end
And each day we begin again
Love’s not just something that we’re in
It’s something that we do

We help to make each other all that we can be
We can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that we can’t tell where I end and where you start

 Love is wide, love is long
Love is deep and love is strong
Love is why I love this song
And I hope you love it too
 I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
 Love isn’t just those words we said
It’s something that we do
 There’s no request too big or small
We give ourselves, we give our all
 Love isn’t someplace that we fall
It’s something that we do
Something that we do
Songwriters  Donald Ewing II / Clint Black
Photo Credits for all anniversary photos to very sweet, very talented Karis @ AriRaePhotography
who captured so much more than I hoped for of our 40th wedding anniversary.
Thank you dear, Karis


Above all, giving thanks to God, who brought us to faith in Christ, is forever faithful to us, forgives us when we sin, loves us when we aren’t so lovable, encourages us when it’s hard, remembers us when we forget him, leads when we’re lost and guides us through the sunshine and storms.

Christ be all around me

By Lorraine

Autumn brings the most brilliant sunrises that last but moments.
The words of this song is the prayer of my heart.
I just love the chorus too. You can listen below.

Christ Be All Around Me
by Michael W. Smith | from the album Sovereign
As I rise, strength of God
Go before, lift me up
As I wake, eyes of God
Look upon, be my sight (yeah)

As I wait, heart of God
Satisfy and sustain
As I hear, voice of God
Lead me on, and be my guide
Oh, be my guide

Chorus:
Above and below me
Before and behind me
In ev’ry eye that sees me
Christ be all around me
Above and below me
Before and behind me
In ev’ry eye that sees me
Christ be all around me (yeah)
Whoa Whoa
Christ be all around me (yeah)

As I go, hand of God
My defense, by my side
As I rest, breath of God
Fall upon, bring me peace
Bring me peace

Bridge
Your life, Your death 
Your blood was shed
For ev’ry moment
Ev’ry moment

Your life, Your death 
Your blood was shed
For ev’ry moment
Ev’ry moment

Chorus:
Above and below me
Before and behind me
In ev’ry eye that sees me
Christ be all around me
Above and below me
Before and behind me
In ev’ry eye that sees me
Christ be all around me

Whoa Whoa
Christ be all around me (yeah)
Whoa Whoa
Christ be all around me

Hold Unswervingly to Hope

By Lorraine

…for he who promised is faithful
aren’t those the best words!

Sharing an old hymn and a newer video that will uplift and encourage
~Thinking of you all this Sunday~
Standing on the Promises
Russell K. Carter, pub.1886
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

Sharing a beautiful video full of encouraging bible verses and photos with music from
“Who Can Compare (Live)” by Mary Kat Ehrenzeller (Google Play • AmazonMP3 • iTunes)

Hard to 

Path of Life

By Lorraine

Jared and a group of his buddies recently hiked 11 miles through the New Jersey Pine Barrens. His friend, bringing up the rear, snapped a photo that he let me use.

This Bible verse is so fitting as these young men are beginning their senior year of high school.
A fine group of guys, they also hiked Pinnacle Peak in Bucks County, PA
Though dismissed in our culture, I believe Gods ways are best and pray for our youth,
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word
Psalm 119:9

 As a last hurrah, a few of us relaxed around a chiminea Labor Day evening. John picked up a rusted chiminea at a garage sale for five bucks.  He wire-brushed it and spray painted with heat resistant paint. Eleven dollars later it now looks great and worked perfectly as we roasted marshmallows for making S’mores. 
The patio fan has been installed and all of the repairs and painting is finally complete!
Well, a little brick work remains but is it a small job.
Over the winter, I will try to decide what I will plant where the boxwood bushes once grew and tackle that in the spring.
It won’t be long before the furniture is stored in the shed and the racks full of firewood take its place.
This year has zoomed by an breakneck speed.

Green Pastures

By Lorraine

Wishing you a peaceful and relaxed Sunday
Psalm 23
A psalm of David
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

‘Tis So Sweet

By Lorraine

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him
Proverbs 30:5

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
Louisa M. R. Stead, 1882
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Fatherless to Fatherfull

By Lorraine

Fatherfull…
isn’t that the sweetest word

I am so thankful for my own dad and father-in-law who now reside in heaven.
I am so proud of my husband and the love he has for our children and grandchildren.
I am so grateful for our son-in-laws as they endeavor to love their wives and raise their children.
And, I am amazed that God calls me His child.
Click on this short video and listen as precious Levi and Lia tell their adoption story in a most endearing way. God is good!
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15


Fatherless to Fatherfull (Levi and Lia)-DaySpringLevi and Lia tell the story of their journey from fatherless to fatherfull. Their parents are in the process of adopting a third child. He is from Eastern Europe, and his name will be Luca. If you would like to find out more about Luca’s adoption or donate to Luca’s adoption fund, visit: youcaring.com/andlucamakes5If you would like to see other recent videos from Levi and Lia, check out:1. “That Tomb is Still Empty” Easter video:www.fb.com/video.php?v=101554813144551652. “Luca’s Lessons” video – Levi and Lia share all the things they want to teach Luca when he joins our family:www.fb.com/video.php?v=101556042329551653. “Happy Dance” adoption announcement video:www.fb.com/video.php?v=10155414365600165

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Fatherless to Fatherfull (Levi and Lia)-DaySpringLevi and Lia tell the story of their journey from fatherless to…
Posted by International Christian Concern on Sunday, June 14, 2015

Day by Day

By Lorraine

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. 

I was reminded of this beautiful hymn in a book I am currently reading.  It has been far too long since I have heard it or sang it. I did not know the history behind the hymn nor the author, Carolina Sandell.
When she was 26, Carolina–or Lina (pronounced Lie-nah) as she liked to be called–experienced a tragedy which profoundly affected the course of her life. She was with her father, a Lutheran pastor, crossing a Swedish lake. Suddenly the ship lurched, and before her eyes, her father was thrown overboard and drowned. Lina had written hymns before, but now she poured out her broken heart in an endless stream of beautiful songs. Her hymns mightily influenced the revival that swept across Scandanavia after l850.

Day by Day and with Each Passing Hour
Carolina Sandell 1832-1903
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.
Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.

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