Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart

Voyage of Life

By Lorraine

During a recent trip to our daughter Jill’s home, we visited the Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute in Utica, NY, especially to see the Voyage of Life series. Here in the sky-lit atrium, our daughter, Abbey examines a Jackson Pollock painting on canvas using aluminum paint and duco (an automobile paint produced by DuPont). Abbey makes museum visits so interesting because of her art knowledge and familiarity acquired from her many art history classes. Continue Reading

because he cares for you

By Lorraine

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”
Charles Spurgeon
1 Peter 5:6 is one of my favorite bible verses and hope it speaks to your heart too!

“As you walk through the valley of the unknown, you will find the footprints of Jesus both in front of you and beside you.”
Charles Stanley

Great is Thy Faithfulness

By Lorraine

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
 Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960) with music composed by William M. Runyan (1870–1957)

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

My Soul Finds Rest

By Lorraine

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:26-28
We’ve faced much sadness these past weeks yet we take hold of the hope set before us and we are greatly encouraged.

 

Our longtime friend and the mother of our son-in-law lost her battle with cancer. A precious lady who loved the Lord with all of her heart and left a beautiful legacy not only with her family but with all that knew her.
Those who went to the cemetery were given a small envelope containing a butterfly. They were released after pastor spoke. Someone placed a butterfly on the flower headband worn by baby Joelle. Jamie posted this on fb:
This little sweetheart is the niece of our other son-in-law.  This 14-month beautiful girl was recently diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and has begun chemo to shrink the mass before surgery to remove it. Prayers for Emma and her Mommy and Daddy are greatly appreciated!
The only sibling of  Abbey’s best friend lost his life in a car accident. Just 20 years old, Dan was to be Abbey’s escort at his sister Vicki’s wedding next year. I can’t imaging the difficult journey this family now must walk.
Friday night we made a hard decision. As Raider’s Sick Sinus Syndrome had progressed, he began having labored, rapid breathing and became tuckered out even with little exertion. On Thursday, he laid on me and I rocked him, silently thinking in my heart that he would just stop breathing and his heart would cease beating and he would die peacefully. We talked with the veterinarian and learned that his breathing difficulties would not be peaceful and left it that we would contact her Sunday morning.  As we were getting ready for bed Friday night, it was apparent he was in distress and prolonging his life made no sense so we left for a final car ride just as we did 14 years ago with our dog, Scotty. 
We returned home with an empty collar and a sweet paw print that was made for us by the veterinarian staff and a heart full of memories of my sweet boy.
Even amid all of the heartache, the Lord never leaves us and pours out his mercy and grace.
Here are some happy moments from the past few weeks.
Jill, Brad and family visited for a week. They returned home and then Jill and two of the kids came back for the funeral.
Cambrie lost her two front teeth
Silas celebrated his 10th birthday
Keri received an Excellence in Character award
Braden loved hand feeding Raider
Keri went to Take your child to work day with her PopPop
My  daughter, Jill (one of the twins) took me to dinner for Mother’s Day Monday evening. It was super special to spend time just with her! 
 
 And Abbey and I enjoyed a great lunch after church on Mother’s Day.
May 15th is the 10th anniversary of my dad’s passing.  I am so thankful for his sincere response to the call of the Lord to be his savior.
Finally, in my near future, I will be having a total hip replacement. Not scheduled yet because I have had too much on my plate. It takes 6-8 weeks to prepare for surgery and you can be sure I will be requesting prayer for this!
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Psalm 62:5

then sings my soul!

By Lorraine

Happy Sunday!
all words to How Great Thou Art below 

the following from Wikipedia:
“How Great Thou Art” is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish traditional melody and a poem written by Carl Gustav Boberg (1859–1940) in Mönsterås, Sweden in 1885. It was translated into German and then into Russian and became a hymn. It was translated into English from the Russian by English missionary Stuart K. Hine, who also added two original verses of his own. The composition was set to a Russian melody. It was popularized by George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows during the Billy Graham crusades. It was voted the United Kingdom’s favorite hymn by BBC’s Songs of Praise. “How Great Thou Art” was ranked second (after “Amazing Grace”) on a list of the favorite hymns of all time in a survey by Today’s Christian magazine in 2001. Wikipedia 

The inspiration for the poem came when Boberg was walking home from church near Kronobäck, Sweden, and listening to church bells. A sudden storm got Boberg’s attention, and then just as suddenly as it had made its appearance, it subsided to a peaceful calm which Boberg observed over Mönsterås Bay. 
According to J. Irving Erickson:
Carl Boberg and some friends were returning home to Mönsterås from Kronobäck, where they had participated in an afternoon service. Presently a thundercloud appeared on the horizon, and soon lightning flashed across the sky. Strong winds swept over the meadows and billowing fields of grain. The thunder pealed in loud claps. Then rain came in cool fresh showers. In a little while the storm was over, and a rainbow appeared.
When Boberg arrived home, he opened the window and saw the bay of Mönsterås like a mirror before him. From the woods on the other side of the bay, he heard the song of a thrush. The church bells were tolling in the quiet evening. It was this series of sights, sounds, and experiences that inspired the writing of the song.
According to Boberg’s great-nephew, Bud Boberg, “My dad’s story of its origin was that it was a paraphrase of Psalm 8 and was used in the ‘underground church’ in Sweden in the late 1800s when the Baptists and Mission Friends were persecuted.”
The author, Carl Boberg himself gave the following information about the inspiration behind his poem: “It was that time of year when everything seemed to be in its richest colouring; the birds were singing in trees and everywhere. It was very warm; a thunderstorm appeared on the horizon and soon there was thunder and lightning. We had to hurry to shelter. But the storm was soon over and the clear sky appeared.
“When I came home I opened my window toward the sea. There evidently had been a funeral and the bells were playing the tune of ‘When eternity’s clock calls my saved soul to its Sabbath rest.’ That evening, I wrote the song, ‘O Store Gud.’ Wikipedia
How Great Thou Art
by Carl Boberg
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Refrain:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Refrain
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Refrain
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Refrain
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
Refrain
photo source

thankful

By Lorraine

snug in her PopPop’s arms
and perfectly protected in the Heavenly Father’s care

Jamie was involved in a car accident this week with the three youngest after dropping the older kids off at school. The door was pushed in right up to the seat holding the baby car seat. Pretty scary. But no one was injured.
 Home, bathed, safe and sound
 enjoying a warm afternoon with thankful parents
sharing a precious, contented smile
❤

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 

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