Saturday, April 18, 2009

Wonderful Maker

I'm joining with Amy today for "Then Sings My Soul Saturday". Please stop by and visit her to see all the participants who are sharing the songs that are soaring through their hearts today.

I woke up earlier than usual (1:30 a.m.!), made my coffee and went outside to sit on the deck to drink my first cup.

It is dark. The sky is filled with stars, and the moon is shining and reflecting upon the water of the creek. I hear ducks quacking as they swim along their way, and I wonder where they are headed this early in the morning.

There is a gentle breeze, and my wind chimes are combining with my neighbors to fill the air with the sound of a soft, quiet music.

And my heart and mind are quieted and stilled with this song, which is somewhat amazing considering the fact that I have not heard this in over two years.

Again, God speaking to me through music: I'm here, all is well, I have it all under control. I created all of this, I control the universe. You can go back to bed and rest and know that everything is in My more than capable hands.

Please remember to pause my playlist in the sidebar!




Beth


Please stop by The Power of Your Love for "Saturday Steps of Faith".

Thursday, April 16, 2009

ABC's of the Word

I'm joining with Pam at Grey Like Snuffie today for the ABC's of the Word. This week we're using the letter:


The verse I've chosen happens to be one of my very favorite verses:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit....Romans 15:13

These are some powerful words!!


I know that there are many times that I feel like I'm running on a half-tank or even empty trying to meet the demands of my daily life.

And yet, here--in this verse--Paul is telling the believers in Rome that it is possible to overflow with hope as God fills us with all joy and peace

OVERFLOW???

How do we get to the overflow with joy and peace and trust and hope?

Oh, I want to overflow--feel full to the point of brimming--not empty, not even half-full!!

I want to be the person whose joy can light up a room, whose peace is felt by those around me even in the toughest of situations.

HOW?

Let's reread the verse carefully and we can see--

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.

And here it is--this joy, peace, and hope has everything to do with the power of the Holy Spirit, the trust that no matter what the situation God has the power and strength to guide and see us through.

Throughout the Book of Romans, Paul time and time again quotes the Old Testament--passages about praising God, worshiping Him, singing to Him, rejoicing in Him.

I'm thinking that the way to this joy is through praise--praise to God no matter what our circumstances are--praise for the good times, praise for the bad times, praise for even the smallest thing we may notice in our daily lives.


It is difficult to praise God for hard times, but I have found that these are the times that God works the most in my life, brings me to new understandings of His power, might and strength, makes me lean harder and harder upon Him and less upon myself.



Yes, I want to overflow with joy, so I will praise God--even in t
hose storms--for everything!



Phil Ware--Heartlight


My Father,

I come to You this morning. My heart is full of many things all of which You know and understand. I have no understanding of some of the circumstances that You have given me, but I rest in the trust that You have greater plans and purposes for each of these situations.

Help me to praise You always, especially in the most difficult of times. Open my eyes, my heart and my mind so that Your Holy Spirit may work through me and in me so that I may overflow with joy in You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen







Monday, April 13, 2009

What's Been Going On in Beth's World?

I've not been posting regularly--many, many things happening in the world of Beth!!

I just posted the Weekly Memory Verse on The Power of Your Love, and I realized that I have a situation right in my own home that I'm not listening to God's voice about--a situation that needs to be covered in prayer by many.

I wish I had pictures of some of these things, but I discovered yesterday that my batteries in my camera are exhausted and I have no new ones!

Oh, there are many things going on here--I planted some portulaca seeds in a planter on the window sill--Miles dug out all the dirt--no portulaca for me on the window sill!!

Scout has discovered the deck and escapes outside to lay in the sunshine every chance she gets. She loves it there, and so do I!!

There is a table and chairs outside on my deck now--again thanks to Josh! He purchased a new set for himself and just loaded up his set that he no longer needed, and I came home to a patio set on my deck! I can't wait to eat dinner outside by the creek.

But the biggest and most exciting news that definitely needs to be covered in prayer is this:


I'M GOING TO BE A GRANDMA!!



I was planning on keeping this news to myself until a few weeks down the road when I felt that things were going along smoothly. But, I realized this morning, that this is a situation that needs to be covered in prayer, and I am asking all of you to think of us and remember us in your prayers.

My daughter, Cara, is expecting her first little one towards the end of November. She is considered to be a high risk pregnancy due to the fact that she has asthma and is diabetic.

Add this to the fact that she lost her job, Ryan is working third shift as many hours as he possibly can, their apartment building was purchased by someone who is renovating the entire thing and they had to move with nowhere to go--well, the list could go on and on--and it does.

But, we are all excited at the prospect of a new little one in our lives!!

Wow!! God provided me with this home, and it is now packed to the max!! Cara and Ryan are now living here also until they can get back on their feet.

There are boxes everywhere (again!)!! Just when I thought I had everything organized, too!!

All I can say is that I can see God working in our lives, in Cara and Ryan's lives--His hand touching them in many new and different ways every day--drawing them closer to Him.

Cara is right where she needs to be for the moment. She is very hormonal--a little crying here and there for no reason, a little snappy for no reason--and we're all trying to be very understanding and supportive.

Here is my child--who was far from me for a time--and she is back in my life in a big way!! Here is my opportunity to shine Jesus' love for her so that she can see and feel His presence in her life.

So, please remember us in your prayer time.

Beth

Friday, April 10, 2009

Thursday, April 9, 2009

ABC's of the Word


Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts the ABC's of the word each week. Today we're exploring the letter:

"I"

There are many verses in the Bible with the letter "I", and I definitely had trouble choosing one.





Courtesy of Ben Steed, Heartlight

Many thoughts are running through my head this week, the week before celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. I have been spending a lot of time pondering, reflecting upon what Jesus did for me, did for all of us. I was rescued from a life of destruction, violence, turmoil and because of Jesus I have found peace, hope, joy and love.

My hope is only in Him.

My heart is full, I cry from time to time thinking of His anguish--and yet He is my guiding light--guiding me out of the darkness time and time again--leading me on.

I seek the light wanting to stay fully connected with Him. I want to be alone with Him, talk with Him, thank Him, praise Him, just be with Him.

I need God in my life, not just here or there--not just on Sundays--but always--every moment. I need to follow the light and be a light so that others may see me shining God's Glory and come to Him. This is God's hope--that ALL come to Him and be saved through His Son, Jesus Christ, the light of the world.






Make sure to visit Pam and all the others who are exploring the letter "I" this week. Maybe this is the week that you'll join us!!


Beth

Thursday, April 2, 2009

ABC's of the Word


Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC's of the Word every week--a fun way to explore the Bible using the alphabet. Be sure and visit Pam to enjoy all the participants who are using the letter:



Hard to believe that we're at "H" already!!

The word I have chosen is:

HEAR

And the verse that I love with this word is:

Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD will hear when I call to Him.....Psalm 4:3

What blessed assurance knowing that the LORD hears us when we have the faith to know that He is there and listening for us!!







Have a wonderful day in HIM!

Beth