My Absolutely All Time Favorite Time Of The Year ~ It Has Arrived

It’s here. It is finally here. The first day of Spring. I’m blogging from the southern most part of Kentucky this morning ~ and it is so beautiful here. The grass is green, the daffodils are a brilliant yellow, the pear trees are adoring their delicate blooms, the forsythia are everywhere, the robins are singing their songs. Spring has definitely sprung.

I’ve wondered before why Spring is my most favorite of seasons over the warm and sunny weather of summer or the beautiful array of colors in the fall. Spring represents new beginnings to me. In April of 1971 I walked the aisle in a little Baptist church to take Christ as my Savior. I was only 12 years old. There was a Spring revival at our church ~ and at the time of the invitation my momma walked up into the church choir loft where I was sitting ~ she whispered into my ear with tears in her throat ~ "Cathy, if you died tonight do you know that you would go to Heaven?" I immediately began to cry ~ knowing I was bound for a devil’s hell ~ I came down from the choir loft and knelt at the altar begging God to forgive me of my sins and to save my soul. It was ~ hands down ~ the most wonderful life-changing experience ever.

Spring represents "new beginnings" in so many ways ~ for the land which has been laying dormant all winter ~ for the wildlife as they began their new families ~ and the most important new beginning of all ~ my second birth into the family of God. Spring has definitely sprung - isn’t it wonderful!

The Twelve Days of Christmas Origin - Maybe.....

Last Christmas season I received an email about the origin of The Twelve Days of Christmas (Author Unknown). I tried to check it out ~ some believe in its authenticity ~ while others do not. No matter whether it is truth or an urban legend, I really liked it. If it isn't the origin of that old song, maybe it should have been. Read on and enjoy.

You're all familiar with the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." To most it's a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. But it had a quite serious purpose when it was written. During the period of 1558 to 1829, Parliament had finally emancipated Catholics in England, and they were prohibited from ANY practice of their faith by law - private OR public. It was a crime to BE a Catholic. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith. It was a secret memory aid ~ for to be caught with anything in *writing* indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could lead to imprisonment or even worse ~ they could be hung (shortened by a head as they called it).

The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! (Luke 13:34).

The other symbols stand for the following:

2 Turtle Doves ~ The Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens ~ Faith, Hope and Charity, the three virtues

4 Calling Birds ~ The Four Gospels

5 Golden Rings ~ The first Five Books of the Old Testament

6 Geese A-laying ~ The six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming ~ The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

8 Maids A-milking ~ The eight beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing ~ The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping ~ The Ten Commandments

11 Pipers Piping ~ The eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming ~ The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

So there you have it. True or not ~ I don't know ~ but an interesting read nonetheless. Merry Christmas

My "Thankful" List

Tonight a friend sent me a message that led me to one blog, which led me to another, and then another ~ you know how that is. Anyway, the gist of it all was about showing gratitude to God ~ finding Him in ALL things. The idea is to simply keep a Thanksgiving Journal ~ not just at this time of year but all year long. As I hopped from blog to blog I was finding those who were actually keeping their list online for others to read.

So I decided to follow suit and take the time to truly count my blessings ~ listing them as God lays them on my heart and brings them to my attention. And in so doing, I believe I will be a more thankful person ~ a person more enthusiastic in the harder times of life ~ and hopefully be an encouragement to others that they might count their blessings as well. So here goes....

I am thankful for ~

1. My salvation

2. God's Word

3. Three wonderful daughters that love the Lord

4. A warm bed to sleep in each night

5. Hot cocoa on a cold day

6. My calico cats Callie, Fluffy, and Camie.

7. America

8. Fresh green beans from the garden

9. My mother who led me to the Lord

10. My sister Jo Carol who makes me feel special

11. A beautiful sunrise

12. A rainbow of colors at sunset

I think I will stop there and start again tomorrow. Why don't you try this along with me ~ simply counting your blessings. As the old hymn says "Count your many blessings name them one by one and it might surprise you what the Lord hath done." Amen to that.

God's Will Was Done

As I started out early this morning knowing full-and-well that I would encounter some folk who were pretty happy about the election results this past Tuesday, I noticed I was giving myself a pep talk. You see I didn’t want to seem upset or unhappy should I be drawn into a "post-election-conversation" ~ but, rather, I wanted to show a peace and resolve.

As with everything else in life, if we take our eyes off the Savior and put them on the circumstances we will invariably find ourselves sinking as Peter was that day on the Sea of Galilee when he saw Christ walking on the water. Matthew 14: 25-31 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?


This situation this morning was no different. I had to take my eyes off of those who might chastise me for my stand and look to the Lord for the answers. And there they were as He began to remind me of what His Word says ~ that He puts Kings and rulers into place; that He uses even bad situations and folk who don’t follow and obey His truths to bring glory unto Himself ~ that He is the victor ~ that He is with me all the way ~ that folk need to know the Lord ~ that I am called to tell them. And so as quickly as the doubts and fears came ~ they left. You know folk ~ no matter what ~ come what may ~ the Christians will always be the winners.

So I can’t help but break out into song "Isn’t It Wonderful To Be A Christian."

Isn’t it wonderful to be a Christian?
Isn’t it wonderful to know God’s Son?
Isn’t it wonderful to have my sins forgiven?
Isn’t it wonderful to be redeemed, justified, forever reconciled?

Lace Up Your Boot Straps And Dig In

Oh souls are you weary for the cause of Christ? It is hard isn’t it. Last night I went back to a time in the Bible when the Children of Israel wanted a king rather than a judge to lead them. It wasn’t God’s way but He allowed it. Over the years it was mayhem as God waited for His wayward children to return to Him. So many years passed; so many acts of sin occurred; it was truly a sad and dark time for God’s people.

And so we must stand fast. Weary days are ahead but we must not faint. There are still so many lost and dying souls going to a devil’s hell. You are the only Christian that someone knows. Make a decision to make a difference for the cause of Christ.

Do you know who wins this war? Do you know the final chapter of this story we are living in? Do you know who the victor is? If you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior you will win the war, you do know how it all ends, God is the victor and you, my friend, are the biggest winner of all ~ ETERNITY with our Savior. So lace up your boot straps and dig in ~ God WILL give you the strength you need to fight. You just have to ask.

The Crosswalk

This evening a friend sent me this series of pictures entitled "The Crosswalk." It is a wonderful story of how God is in complete control of our lives ~ and while we can't see the whole picture ~ thank God that He can!

The following inscription was at the bottom of the message ~

Whatever your cross,whatever your pain,
There will always be sunshine, after the rain
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall
But God's always ready, to answer your call
He knows every heartache, sees every tear
A word from His lips, can calm every fear
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night
But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above
To give you His grace, and send you His love.

Author ~ Unknown

I Surrender All

When I was a teenager, I remember going into the basement at home and trying to bang out a tune on our old upright piano. The one song I could play really well was I Surrender All.

I had always dreamed of being a concert pianist. So in my freshman year of college I decided to take piano lessons. I reckon it was already too late for me ~ kind of like teaching an old dog new tricks. I just couldn't seem to pick it up ~ except for that one song I Surrender All. I still have dreams of being a concert pianist but that is all they are ~ just dreams. And to this day, hearing the piano play is still one of my most favorite of things to listen to.

Recently when I was updating my music playlist for this blog I came across none other than my one song ~ that which you hear playing right now. It got me to thinking about that night long ago when I was just 12 years old when I surrendered my life to Jesus in an old time revival meeting.

How time flies. It seems like just yesterday when I walked the aisle in that little Baptist church in southern Kentucky and asked Jesus into my heart. Just like yesterday ~ but it wasn't just yesterday ~ it was nearly 38 years ago. And the highlight of my life has been surrendering my life to my Lord. I can't tell you that I've always walked the straight and narrow in the past or present. I can't tell you my life has been without heartache and disappointment. I can't tell you that I have done all I could for Him. But I can tell you I wouldn't change the journey for anything.

In closing, here's the words to my song ~

All to Jesus I surrender ~ All to Him I freely give

I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.

All to Jesus I surrender ~ Humbly at His feet I bow

Worldly pleasures all forsaken Take me, Jesus, take me now.

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to Jesus I surrender ~ I surrender all.

Wait ~ He Will Strengthen You

Oh soul are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see. There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free ~ the great words of Helen Lemmel who wrote this song in 1922 ~ Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus! Does it seem I often write about those who are weary and troubled? Well, there is a reason for that ~ because weariness and emptiness and loneliness are not respecters of persons ~ they plague Christians, non-Christians, people living for the Lord, people away from the Lord. We are ALWAYS going to know someone who is in the valley.

Right now I know of a dear sweet lady in the deepest of valleys. Sometimes the best thing we can do is have a broad shoulder, a listening ear, and then hit our knees in prayer and beg God’s mercy on their situation. I’m right there tonight ~ wishing I could wipe away the tears ~ yet knowing that the only One that can do that is my Lord. Below is a "repost" of Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. May it be an encouragement to us all.

I’ve been quoting the words to that old hymn tonight - Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. There is a precious soul who’s heart is hurting. I told her, "Don’t look at the circumstances ~ look at your God. He is big. He loves you. He is much bigger than this which you are facing." Love her heart ~ why is it that in the midst of a huge trial that it can look so big and our faith can seem so small. And that is just the way satan wants it ~ not keeping our eyes looking upward ~ but rather focusing on the hardship and pain. The ole scoundrel lives to shackle Christians with disappointment. We’ve all been there, haven’t we..... In those valleys that seem so low and so deep. But God is so good and His mercies are new each morning. We must claim Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart, wait, I say, on the Lord. It will make all the difference.

I know all to well being in the deepest of valleys and seeing no way through it. But I can with all candidness say that though I still struggle with some pretty large obstacles in my life I am the happiest that I have ever been - short of the day I accepted Christ as my Savior. I am a walking testimony that it is possible to have a joy in your heart despite the giants looming around you. And God's Word is the key ~ the anedote ~ the cure. If you will let Him, His Word can come alive in your life in a way that is hard to put into words.

So keep looking up my friend. Look full in His wonderful face and these things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. Claim His Word, claim His promises!

Strong Crying And Tears

I have been preoccupied for the past few days ~ and when I am preoccupied I don’t seem to concentrate on the scripture as I ought. Eventually I put things into perspective (after much prayer and pleading to God) and then His Word becomes clearer. It’s kind of like the way I feel in the morning before I put on my glasses ~ things just become a whole lot clearer when I put them on.

Tonight I was reading in Hebrews 5. Verses 7-9 are speaking of Christ ~ Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared: Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation.

I reckon I don’t often think of my Lord as crying. I can always recall the account in John when he wept over Lazarus (John 11:35). But today, to my surprise, I read where Christ wept as he beheld the city of Jerusalem in Luke 19. How have I missed that after the many times I have read that book? And here again in Hebrews it mentions Christ crying.

I suppose when I have read that Christ wept I envisioned him with glistening tears on his face ~ moved for sure ~ but not out-in-out crying. That is ~ until tonight. Hebrews 5:7 says that He was praying with strong crying and tears. I know about strong crying while making supplication and petition to God. It seems I’ve been doing that quite a bit lately as I hear of Christian family after family coming under heavy attack by satan ~ in particular watching families being broken apart because of the presence of pornography in the home. Yep, I’ve had some strong crying lately as I have cried out to God to have mercy on these folk.

But when I read that my God ~ my Lord ~ cried strongly with tears it encouraged me. Yes, it encouraged me. Through out His Word it is mentioned that He knows our pain, He knows our infirmities, He can relate to what we are going through. And it isn’t that I doubted that, but when I read that verse I felt even closer to Him ~ at that moment the kindredness between us strengthened a bit more. It was a tiny nugget that God saw fit to share with me tonight because my mind was once again clear and on track. Thank you Lord!

The Incubation Period Is Over

It is official ~ for over 23 years I have lived in a type of cocoon, bubble, sheltered life ~ whatever you want to call it. In 1985 I left my teaching profession to stay home with our first baby. One baby led to two and then to three. Not long after the third child was born we embarked upon homeschooling. That was 15 years ago and the rest is history. Basically my life involved three areas ~ home, church, and the homeschooling group I direct. I was in a bubble, indeed.

That is until two years ago when I got a very part time job tutoring. But even then my bosses were awesome Christians and so easy to work for. So I guess you could say my "bubble-type" life continued ~ until this fall. I am still working part time but at a different place. And guess what ~ not everyone loves my Lord like I do! Yes, I did already know that ~ but when you are out in the world seeing it first hand it can be a hard pill to swallow. I have lived in an incubator of sorts ~ and now the rubber is meeting the road and it is time to truly rub shoulders with those who don’t know Jesus ~ even rub shoulders with some who don’t want to know him. We think "How could that be? How could anyone not want to know Jesus Christ?" And yet it is true more than we might realize. We are to be salt and light in this ole world. So here goes. I covet your prayers

God, Please Tell Me Why I Have To Walk This Road I Am On Right Now?

It is a question many folk have asked God at one time or another in their lives ~ especially when they have had to deal with a tremendous tragedy. When a child dies ~ when a loved one is diagnosed with an incurable disease ~ when all of one’s worldly possessions are destroyed in a fire ~ and the list could go on and on. Many folk have asked "Why?"

Last night at mid-week service I heard an awesome sermon on "When We Ask God Why." Pastor Dan said, "If we are not careful we will let the "why" question control our mind and we will forget to ask "how" and "what." He went on to say that why focuses on the problem at hand. It does not focus on how to deal with it. He encouraged us to set the whys aside and start addressing how to overcome the situation ~ how to glorify God through it all ~ and then ask God what can I do to make it through this hard time in my life. In this way, we focus on victory instead of despair. We focus on the solution to the problem rather than the devastation of the problem itself.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

A Light In The Darkness

After reposting "A Sweeter Journey" just this morning, my being willing to praise God in all things has been put to a test in a huge way. It is so hard, isn’t it, when something happens that is bigger than life. Just yesterday some home school friends of mine mentioned several prayer requests and they were all so serious and "big" ~ some of those which make you feel there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Well, that is the category this one is in this evening. Oh that I was at liberty to share specifics so that you could know the horridness that has befallen a Christian family ~ for I do believe it would cause you to pray for sure.

Sometimes this world can be so stinky to live in. Things happen to good people and it is hard to accept. It is hard to be thankful. It is hard to praise God anyway. But we have to, don’t we.

O Soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

A Sweeter Journey - Part I

I’m writing from a little country town in southern Kentucky where I was born and raised. The pace is slow here ~ and that’s just what I was in need of. Everyone goes through stages in their lives when they need to do some soul searching. Life tends to crowd out the voice of reason and it seems the only practical thing to do is to steal away to a quiet place ~ and my hometown has been just that.

While my trip is already more than half over, I’ve had many opportunities already to pray and study on God’s Word ~ and as I said “do some soul searching.” I’ve just really needed some affirmation that God is with me all the way ~ in all things ~ and that no matter what journey this life will take me on ~ that if I remain close to Christ and continue seeking His will for my life ~ that He will see me through the thick and the thin ~ that He will see me through seemingly impossible situations.

Since I arrived here I have been reading an old Catherine Marshall book that I found on my mother’s bookshelf. It is entitled Something More, and I must say it is seems to be just what the Great Physician ordered. Lately I have been discouraged about things in my life and in the lives of others. I admit that I have at times wondered what God planned to do about these “things.” You know the “things” I refer to, don’t you? They are spoken of in I Thessalonians 5:18 In every THING give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Yep, those “things.” Catherine Marshall writes “Unless we do accept God in an all-inclusive “every thing” we can have no contentment.” She goes on to say “The news is that there is no situation ~ no breakage, no loss, no grief, no sin, no mess ~ so dreadful that out of it God cannot bring good, total good, not just “spiritual” good, if we will allow Him to.

I know it is true. I’ve preached it innumerable times to my children, my friends, and my colleagues when they’ve hit a rough spot in the road of life. But I’ve needed someone to remind me ~ that there is nothing that can happen to me without God’s knowledge, without God’s consent, without God’s participation as Savior. I suppose I have had a level of rebellion within my spirit as I have been dealing with these “things.” But God does not want me to harbor rebellion. We wants me to “lay down my arms”~ so-to-speak ~ at His feet. There must be a full surrender on my part ~ acknowledging that Christ is in complete control and that He has complete authority in all areas of my life ~ in particular these “things” that I need to be thankful for even though it is most difficult to be thankful for them.

It isn’t going to be easy but I greatly desire contentment in my life come what may. Are you struggling with something ~ carrying a weight that you shouldn’t ~ responding with a rebellious spirit. Take it from me my friend – it will only prolong the agony. When God is trying to get our attention we must lay it all down at His feet – all the hurt and the pain, all the agitation and disappointment ~ and let Him do His perfect work.

Don't Sweat The Small Things In Life

Years ago the story to follow was sent to me via email. It is a "word picture" about not sweating the small things in life. When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions--and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else--the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend." God wants us to give every need and care to him. In Matthew 11: 28 it says Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. And in I Peter 5:7 it says "Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you." There is so much that we, as Christians, carry around on our shoulders. And it isn't even necessary. What I have taught my girls to do is visualize the problem ~ whether it is a person or a situation ~ and pick up and carry it to the feet of Jesus. The girls and I have carried many a person to the Lord ~ leaving them at His feet ~ and saying "I can't do this anymore, I can't handle this situation anymore, I can't deal with this person anymore. I give this to you." And guess what? It works. It is a beautiful picture of taking the weights of this life and putting them on Christ's shoulders ~ shoulders that are more than broad enough to carry everyone's load.