Step back in time with me as I walk through a Living Nativity…
Happy Birthday!
Happy 19th Birthday to my precious, Abbey!
Looking forward to spending the whole day together just celebrating
YOU!
Here is a page from Abbey’s baby book highlighting her 1st birthday.
It includes a prayer from a little pamphlet titled Dad, We Really Need You that Dr. James Dobson and his wife, Shirley prayed for their children and one that I have been compelled to pray for my own children through the years. I think it was published in 1980. Notice, I have inserted Abbey’s name in this prayer.
You can double click on the photo above to read or read below.
Excerpt of Dr. Dobson’s pamphlet:
…The second concept in my dad’s letter was the one that ended my parental complacency. He helped me realize that it is possible for mothers and fathers to love and revere God while systematically losing their children. You can go to church three times a week, serve on its governing board, attend the annual picnic, pay your tithes and make all the approved religious noises, yet somehow fail to communicate the real meaning of Christianity to the next generation.
This mission of introducing one’s children to the Christian faith can be likened to a three-man relay race. First, your father runs his lap around the track, carrying the baton, which represents the gospel of Jesus Christ. At the appropriate moment, he hands the baton to you, and you begin your journey around the track. Then finally, the time will come when you must get the baton safely in the hands of your child. But as any track coach will testify, relay races are won or lost in the transfer of the baton. There is a critical moment when all can be lost by a fumble or miscalculation. The baton is rarely dropped on the back side of the tract when the runner has it firmly in his grasp. If failure is to occur, it will likely happen in the exchange between generations!
According to the Christian values which govern my life, my most important reason for living is to get the baton–the gospel–safely in the hands of my children. Of course, I want to place it in as many other hands as possible, and I’m deeply devoted to the ministry to families that God has given me. Nevertheless, my number one responsibility is to evangelize my own children. In the words of my dad, everything else appears “pale and washed out” when compared with that fervent desire. Unless my son and daughter grasp the faith and take it with them around the track, it matters little how fast they run.
The urgency of this mission has taken Shirley and me to our knees since before the birth of our first child. That is why we find ourselves in prayer, week after week, uttering this familiar petition:
Lord, here we are again. You know what we need even before we ask, but let us say it one more time. When You consider the many requests we have made of You through the years… regarding our health and my ministry and the welfare of our loved ones… please put this supplication at the top of the list: keep the circle of our little family unbroken when we stand before You on the Day of Judgment. Compensate for our mistakes and failures as parents, and counteract the influences of an evil world that would undermine the faith of our children. And especially, Lord, we ask for Your involvement when our son and daughter stand at the crossroads, deciding whether or not to walk the Christian path. They will be beyond our care at that moment, and we humbly ask You to be there. Send a significant friend or leader to help them choose the right direction. They were Yours before they were born, and now we give them back to You in faith, knowing that You love them even more than we do.
 |
| Sweet baby girl |
Big sister, Erin (age 13) & baby Abbey
Relaxing
Sometimes it’s nice to be totally distracted from all our busyness.
One of our favorite ways is to become complete engrossed in a jigsaw puzzle.
Of course, the timing has to be right.
It can’t be when you are having company over because the puzzle will be sprawled out over the dining room table for a while.
It can’t be when little ones will be visiting because a lost piece is a very sad finish.
It can’t be when you have lots on your plate because you will find yourself spending way too many minutes every time you pass by looking for just one more piece.
But, a few times a year, we enjoy being hunched over the dining room table sorting end pieces from center ones, grouping similar looking pieces and searching for a particular shape or color. Then relishing the satisfaction each time we find a perfect fit and tap it into its place.
It’s kind of nice when things go together well and you can see the big picture getting clearer.
Life doesn’t always work that way.
That’s where faith and trust comes in.
~*~
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;
then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part;
then I shall know fully,
even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12
Now I know in part;
then I shall know fully,
even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12
A College Collage
No new outfit. No walking to the bus stop. No lunch boxes. None of that little girl first day of school stuff.
I’m lucky she let me snap a few pictures at the kitchen table.
This morning she’s about to drive herself to the local community college in her new (well, new to her 1996) car that she bought herself and pays insurance on, with her new drivers license and a satchel of pre-owned text books.
First class at 10 am, home by 4:20 pm, work at 6 to 12.
It’s starting to look like a grown-up world.
And this mom (and Dad) prays continually that God will put a hedge of protection around her and draw her ever closer to Him..
Lily of the Valley and Christ Is Poem
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. Song of Solomon 2:1
To the ARTIST He is the One Altogether Lovely.
To the ARCHITECT He is the Chief Corner Stone.
To the BAKER He is the Living Bread.
To the BANKER He is the Hidden Treasure.
To the BIOLOGIST He is the Life.
To the BUILDER He is the Sure Foundation.
To the CARPENTER He is the Door.
To the DOCTOR He is the Great Physician.
To the EDUCATOR He is the Great Teacher.
To the ENGINEER He is the New and Living Way.
To the FLORIST He is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.
To the GEOLOGIST He is the Rock of Ages.
To the HORTICULTURIST He is the True Vine.
To the JUDGE He is the Righteous Judge, Judge of All Men.
To the JEWELER He is the Pearl of Great Price.
To the LAWYER He is the Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Advocate.
To the NEWSPAPER He is the Good Tidings of Great Joy.
To the OCULIST He is the Light of the Eyes.
To the PHILANTHROPIST He is the Unspeakable Gift.
To the PHILOSOPHER He is the Wisdom of God.
To the PREACHER He is the Word of God.
To the SCULPTOR He is the Living Stone.
To the SERVANT He is the Good Master.
To the STATESMAN He is the Desire of All Nations.
To the STUDENT He is the Incarnate Truth.
To the THEOLOGIAN He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith.
To the TOILER He is the Giver of Rest.
To the SINNER He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World.
To the CHRISTIAN He is the Son of the Living God, the Savior, the Redeemer and the Lord!
~~~~~***~~~~~
April in Review
Church Tower and A Mightly Forteess is Our God Hymn
This tower is attached to the church we were married in.We took a couple of our grandchildren by to show them where their
Mom-Mom & Pop-Pop were married.
After posting, a fellow blogger reminded me of this fitting hymn:
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Martin Luther
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10
With a Grateful Prayer…
…and a Thankful Heart. Yes, that is the name of my blog and it is also how we are feeling as an answer to a long awaited prayer has come. We are most grateful and thankful to the One whose promises never fail.
God… acts on behalf of those who wait for him
Isaiah 64:4
Isaiah 64:4
♥
I so resonate with this song by Tenth Avenue North. I have had many moments with the same plea as we waited.
Even when it didn’t feel like it, He continued to
I so resonate with this song by Tenth Avenue North. I have had many moments with the same plea as we waited.
Even when it didn’t feel like it, He continued to
Hold My Heart
“There are times when things look very dark to me — so dark that I have to wait even for hope. A long-deferred fulfillment carries its own pain, but to wait for hope, to see no glimmer of a prospect & yet refuse to despair; to have nothing but night before the casement & yet to keep the casement open for possible stars; to have a vacant place in my heart & yet to allow that place to be filled by no inferior presence — that is the grandest patience in the universe.
George Matheson
March 27, 1842 – August 28, 1906
Joining Mary @Little Red House for Mosaic Monday!
(The pretty hydrangea in the mosaic above was a Valentine’s Day gift from my husband)
A Savior Has Been Born
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:6Born that man no more may die
Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:6
~*~
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”
~*~
{this white Nativity is one of my most cherished Christmas items and is placed every year on the table in my foyer that I might not forget, in all of my busyness, why I celebrate this day}
Joining Cindy @ My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday.
Praise You in the Storm
Storm on the Sea of Galilee, by RembrandtI posted this Casting Crowns song Praise You in the Storm a while back but because it is such a powerful and heart moving one, I felt inclined to post it again.
Take notice of the Bible verses at the end of the video…
Take notice of the Bible verses at the end of the video…
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
and he brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
and he guided them to their desired haven.
Psalm 107:28-30
May you be blessed and encouraged by this once again.
♥
His Eye is on the Sparrow
I’m sure I am not the only one to have a bird build a nest and take up residence on or near your front door. Peeking into the nest I saw these beautiful little eggs and immediately thought of the old hymn, His Eye is on the Sparrow.Continue Reading
The Blessings of Adult Children
The Blessings of Adult Children. I loved and immensely enjoyed every day with our children when they were little . When I see old photographs of them I passionately want to scoop them out of the picture and squeeze them to pieces. I miss their giggles. I miss braiding their hair. I miss the chatter around the dinner table and so many more things about their childhood. Continue Reading
There’s A New Name Written Down In Glory…
…and it’s Ryan’s!
The kids were in the tub and Ryan (age 6) and Brenna (almost 5) were talking about heaven with each other. Jill (their mom) asked if they remembered how to get to heaven. Ryan explained that after you die you ask Jesus into your heart. Jill gently corrected that you need to ask Jesus into your heart before you die.
With great excitement, Ryan responded,
“Does that mean I can ask Him into my heart right NOW?”
So, after his bath was finished, and spending time with his daddy answering some questions to determine his understanding about such an important decision, Ryan prayed to His Savior.
The next morning at breakfast, Ryan asked Brenna if she wanted to go to heaven and if so, he would tell her how and help her to pray 🙂
Shaela, Ryan and Brenna
Ryan in Ocean City, NJ this past August
A new Name In Glory I was once a sinner, but I came Pardon to receive from my Lord: This was freely given, and I found That He always kept His word. Chorus There’s a new name written down in glory, And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine! And the white robed angels sing the story, “A sinner has come home.” For there’s a new name written down in glory, And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine! With my sins forgiven I am bound for Heaven, Never more to roam. I was humbly kneeling at the cross, Fearing naught but God’s angry frown; When the heavens opened and I saw That my name was written down! Chorus There’s a new name written down in glory, And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine! And the white robed angels sing the story, “A sinner has come home.” For there’s a new name written down in glory, And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine! With my sins forgiven I am bound for Heaven, Never more to roam. In the Book ’tis written, “Saved by Grace,” O the joy that came to my soul! Now I am forgiven, and I know By the blood I am made whole! Chorus There’s a new name written down in glory, And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine! And the white robed angels sing the story, “A sinner has come home.” For there’s a new name written down in glory, And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine! With my sins forgiven I am bound for Heaven, Never more to roam.
If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
Romans 10:9-10
Perseverance
Needing some encouragement today? This poem is from my devotional reading this morning. A lesson in Perseverance from Christopher Columbus concerning continuing on in the face of tremendous difficulties.Continue Reading