In Loving Memory

I wrote this several months back...but it sat in my drafts for a long time. 

"Recently I came away from visiting a lady for the last time who was special to me...my sister's mother-in-law. She was lovingly known as "Gramma" by her grandchildren.   Over the years that I was able to get to know her, maybe because I never was able to have a close relationship with either of my Grandmothers, she seemed to fill that place for me. She radiated joy and love to others...but most of all to the Lord. She was very often speaking of the Lord Jesus her Saviour. Some of the very last words I got to hear her say while she lay there in bed, declining rapidly with only a matter of days left to live, and struggling to have the strength to speak were about the Lord her Saviour. 

This happened as I went on one of my visits to her, bringing along one of her granddaughters with me. Her 12 year old granddaughter (my niece) took her hand and said to her "You've always been such a good example to us." Her Gramma was very weak, and lay there a short time before responding "All because of Jesus!", with an expression of perfect peace on her face. 

As I left her that day and was driving back to my sister's place, her words "All because of Jesus!" kept ringing in my mind. They began to take the form of a short poem that I jotted down afterwards: 

All because of Jesus,

My sins are all forgiv'n!

All because of Jesus, 

I have a home in Heav'n. 

All because of Jesus,

My joys are now so sweet - 

All because of Him! 

All because of Jesus, 

I've grace for ev'ry trial.

All because of Jesus, 

I face them with a smile. 

All because of Jesus,

My tears are wiped away--

All because of Him! 

I added these words the morning after I heard she had passed away...

All because of Jesus,

Our loved one now has gone

Where she'll live forever,

In her eternal home! 

All because of Jesus,

Her joys are now complete--

All because of Him!

© 2023. All rights reserved.

Later, I added this melody to it:  

I miss her...she was always someone with a listening ear and ready heart to help, and willing to give of her time to pray for others.  As I've thought about her passing on to be with the Lord, and it seems that the thought of the swiftness of eternity coming for each one of us is so often on my mind, and the thought of those who do not know the Lord is heavy on my heart today...I wonder, do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Will you be able, just as peacefully as she did, to pass from this world to the next when it's your time to go? We should never be afraid to seriously ask ourselves this question....whether we've considered ourselves to be saved for five years, ten years, or 40 years. Is it real? Do you really know the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you trusted in Him, and let go of all self-righteousness?" 

It's not a prayer that will save you. 
It's not reforming your life that will save you. 
It's not having morals and right principles. 

One may have all of these, and still be lost.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. 

   "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." -John 14:6

   "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." -Acts 4:12

How do we come to Him? By faith. This faith is not a head knowledge of certain facts...but a genuine trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. According to God's Word, this faith will have fruit...evidenced by contrition over sin.  It is good to pray, but one might pray over and again in sinful unbelief, without trusting in Christ, and still be lost.  "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:18.  "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." If you have not this faith, and contrition over your own sinfulness, will you begin asking the Lord for it? 

"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." -Luke 11:9-10

"And...should there be any present who are not yet believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, 

they should give themselves no rest in asking God to show them that they are sinners, and that they need the Saviour; and when they are brought to know this, then to ask God to enable them to put their trust in Jesus. And what they will obtain will be the forgiveness of their sins, and peace to their souls, and hatred of sin and love for holiness. God grant this blessing to all of us, for Christ's sake." -George Mueller

The Lord has promised to be good to those who seek Him! (See Lamentations 3:25). He has been very good to me when I sought Him, and He was found of me...and I humbly ask you, if you have not already - will you seek Him with all your heart too? You will find Him if you do, for He has promised. 

Are you trusting in Him, and in Him alone? Have you experienced the wonderful change of becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus? This faith will have evidence!

"You may know the true grace of God by this — it brings salvation, and teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. My fellow-sinner, have You received salvation? Have you experienced a change of heart, and a change of life? Nothing but the grace of God can bring you to Heaven, and it only brings those there who possess it. To be in a graceless state, is to be in a hopeless state; and to be in a hopeless state, is to be in a most dreadful state."- James Smith, 1842

"Here is Divine consolation. Christ pronounces "blessed" not those who are full of righteousness, but those who "hunger and thirst" after it." -selected

"It is not the absence of sin, but the grieving over it which distinguishes the child of God from empty professors." -A.W. Pink 

Have you ever known what it is to hunger and thirst after righteousness? Or what it is to mourn over your own inward corruptions? If not...will you ask the Lord to show you your sins, and give you a truly contrite heart? 

   "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." -Psalms 34:18

 "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." -Matthew 5:4

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." 
-Matthew 5:6

  "Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." -Acts 3:26

"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freeely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;" - Romans 3:19-25

Have your sins been washed away, and have you been made white by the precious blood of the Lamb? (See Revelation 7:14). 

Have you truly believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and has He therefore become precious to you?

"Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:" -1 Peter 2:7a 

I posted this poem once before awhile back...but I would just like to share it again: 

Come and See! 

If there is anyone reading this who does not know the Lord Jesus Christ, 

I pray that you, too, will "come and see" as Philip once said to Nathanael. 

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing 

come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 

John 1:46

Oh friend, I'd like to tell you

Of One so dear to me.

He is the only Saviour;

Oh, won't you "come and see"?

I cannot taste for you

Forgiveness full and free;

But, Oh! I'd like to urge you,

My friend, to "come and see"!

You'll find in Him a Refuge

If you will only seek

With all your heart and mind and soul

The Shepherd of the sheep.

Don't linger at the portals

But flee to Him Who died!

He rose again, and now you'll find

A Refuge in His side.

His blood was shed, the debt to pay

For all those who believe;

Each one of those who comes to Him

Eternal life receives.

"And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, 

and love one another, as he gave us commandment." -1John 3:23

The Lord Jesus said: 

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." -Matthew 11:28-30

Here, in my sister's mother-in-law's very own handwriting, is the question I know she would want you to ask yourself: 

Careful and troubled?

I found this poem a long time back... It has been such a help to me that I thought I should share it here, to hopefully help and encourage others as well. 

"CAREFUL AND TROUBLED?"

By: Unknown Author

"Careful and troubled," Is that true of thee?

"Careful and troubled," Why should'st thou be!

Faith in His wisdom, thy Savior desires;

Trust in His guidance, He always requires.

"Careful and troubled," but that is not "trust";

"Trust" means to leave it all, happen what must

"Trust" means to live free from worrying care,

Casting on Jesus thy burden to bear.

"Careful and troubled" dishonors His love;

Do not His past dealings all faithful prove?

"Careful and troubled," dishonors His power;

Will not His strength hold out, hour after hour?

"Careful and troubled" just means "unbelief";

Thou wilt not trust Him, and that gives Him grief.

"Careful and troubled" just means "disobey";

"Bring here thy burden!" "I will not," you say.

And yet "He careth, He careth for you";

Have you not tried it, and found it is true?

Have you known one of His promises fail?

Have you not proved that His Strength does Prevail?

Alter thy motto: then, "trouble" no more;

Go to the Old Book of heavenly stores.

"Careful for nothing," there written I see,

Savior, I thank Thee; make that true of me.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. -Philippians 4:6

Rest and Hope

 

And we know that all things work together for good to them 

that love God,  to them that are the called 

according to His purpose. 

Romans 8:28

The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, 

to the soul that seeketh Him.  It is good that a man 

should both hope and quietly wait for the 

salvation of the LORD.

-Lamentations 3:25

Sure Stepping Stones for Life (Part Two)

 I was not intending to make a part two of my last post "Sure Stepping Stones for Life", but it turns out that I was searching for this quote that I wanted while making my last post...but was unable to locate it. I found it a few days later by accident, and decided perhaps since it didn't make it into the post I intended it to...I should use it to make a second part! 

“One word of God can do more than ten thousand words of men to relieve a distressed soul.” John Flavel, England 1627-1691

"Blessed the man who is not staggered by God's delay or silence or apparent refusal, but 

is strong in faith giving glory to God. Such faith perseveres, importunately, if need be, and cannot 

fail to inherit the blessing. " -Andrew Murray

Hebrews 6:11   And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

  Hebrews 6:12   That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

"Trials make the promise sweet; Trials give new life to prayer; Trials bring me to His feet, Lay me low, and keep me there." 

"Trials make the promise sweet."

One there is above all others, 

O how He loves! 

His is love beyond a brother's, 

O how He loves! 

Earthly friends may fail or leave us, 

One day kind, the next deceive us;

But this Friend will never leave us, 

O how He loves! 

Tis eternal life to know Him,

O how He loves! 

With His precious blood He bought us, 

In the wilderness He sought us, 

To His fold He safely brought us, 

O how He loves!

We have found a friend in Jesus, 

O how He loves!

How our hearts delight to hear Him,

Bid us dwell in safety near Him;

Why should we distrust or fear Him? 

O how He loves!

Blessed Jesus, wouldst thou know Him? 

O how He loves!

Give thyself this moment to Him, 

O how He loves!

Best of blessings He'll provide thee, 

Naught but good shall e'er betide thee, 

Safe to Glory He will guide thee, 

O how He loves!

Sure Stepping Stones For Life

  "What is a better tonic against discouragement than the 

promises of God, His faithfulness, and a glimpse at what we truly have in Christ forevermore?"

Be still, my heart, for faithful is your Lord, 
And pure and true and tried is His Holy Word; 
Through stormy flood that rages as the sea,
His promises your stepping-stones shall be. 

I will not seek to know the future years,
Nor cloud today with dark tomorrow's fears;
I will but ask a light from heaven to show
How, step by step, my pilgrimage should go. 

-Author Unknown

"Regarding all the numberless promises which God has been pleased to make...we

have to exercise faith concerning them; and the comfort, support, and blessing intended 

by them to our hearts, will be enjoyed by us." -George Mueller

"Hence, let us learn, my brethren, the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore miss its comfort." -C.H. Spurgeon

  "These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, 

and that your joy might be full." -John 15:11

"The reason why the children of God are so frequently overpowered by difficulties

and trials is, because they attempt to carry their burden themselves, instead of casting it upon God, as He not only graciously allows them to do, but commands them to do; and therefore they lose the promise which is coupled with the command; they find themselves not sustained."

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee." This does not mean simply to pray to God in our trials and afflictions, but that we should exercise faith in the power and willingness of God to help us under our trials; and by this we know whether we have only used words in prayer, or whether we have in believing prayer, exercising faith in God, spoken to Him about our trials. If the latter was the case, then, though the trial lasts, the burden thereof is gone, because we have laid it upon God...but if we have not exercised faith in God, we are still carrying the burden ourselves. 

All these matters are so deeply important, because if we do not walk by faith we cannot be happy in God, and therefore cannot bear such a testimony for God as we should bear were we indeed happy. Our very countenances should testify of our peace and joy in God, in order that the unconverted may be stirred up to seek for themselves after that which makes the children of God so happy." - George Mueller

"Let me cheerfully submit to affliction, and carefully endeavor to be profited thereby."

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." -Hebrews 12:11

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." -Romans 5:3-5

"Beloved, "It is well!" 

God's ways are always right, 

And perfect love is o'er them all

Tho' far above our sight." 

-G. Doane, 1833

                                                        

These are all quotes that I saved or wrote down because they were what I have needed to remind myself of during hard times I've been going through. They have been such an encouragement to me to continually take my burdens to the Lord, and find comfort from His promises and rest in the Lord, that I wanted to share them here with the hope and prayer they bless someone else as much as they have me. 

Doubt not the Lord when tempted and tried;

Worlds pass away, His Word shall abide!

He is almighty, in Him you may hide, 

Keep on believing in the promises of God. 

Tho' you should walk in darkness awhile,

Over the thorns for many a mile, 

Watch for the dawning, and sing with a smile, 

Keep on believing in the promises of God. 

"His promises your stepping stones shall be."

Some of my favorite promises

"Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." -John 16:24

"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us:" -1 John 5:14

"He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him." 

"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." 1 Peter 3:12

"O fear the LORD, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him." -Psalm 37:

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." -Romans 8:28

"But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." -1 Peter 5:10

At all times

At All Times Praise the Lord

By Johann S. Howson

 

At all times praise the Lord;

His promises are sure;

What if thou doubt? His steadfast Word

Unchanging shall endure.

Praise Him when skies are bright,

And gladness fills thy days;

Heav’n shames thee with its glorious light,

And calls thee to His praise.

Praise Him when clouds are dark;

True faith waits not to prove;

Tho’ hope no bright’ning gleam may mark,

His meaning still is love.

Praise Him when drear and lone

The shadows ’round thee fall,

No eye upon thy sins but One—

Fear not, He pardons all.

Praise Him when home is sweet,

As tho’ we ne’er should part;

But pray—while kindred spirits meet—

Pray for a thoughtful heart.

Praise Him when far away

On mountain or on sea;

Each place is home to them who pray;

The Father guardeth thee.

Praise Him when joyful songs

The saints on earth unite,

In sacred chorus, with the throngs

Of angels in the height.

At all times praise the Lord;

His promises are sure;

Fear not, doubt not; His steadfast Word

Unchanging shall endure.

"I will bless the Lord at all times: 

His praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Psalm 134:1

All These Things...

 

  "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  -Matthew 6:33

A friend of mine was reminding me of this promise recently...and it was such an encouragement to me to be reminded of. I hope it might be a blessing to someone else today as well. 

God Meant it Unto Good Poem

 GEN. 1. 20

“God meant it unto good,”—O blest assurance

Falling like sunshine all across life’s way,

Touching with heaven’s gold earth’s darkest storm clouds,

Bringing fresh peace and comfort day by day.

‘Twas not by chance the hands of faithless brethren

Sold Joseph captive to a foreign land;

Nor was it chance which, after years of suffering,

Brought him before the monarch’s throne to stand.

One Eye all-seeing saw the need of thousands,

And planned to meet it through that one lone soul;

And, through the weary days of prison bondage,

Was working towards the great and glorious goal.

As yet the end was hidden from the captive,

The iron entered even to his soul:

His eye could scan the present path of sorrow,

Not yet his gaze might rest upon the whole.

Faith failed not through those long dark hours of waiting

His trust in God was recompensed at last;

The moment came when God led forth His servant

To succor many, all his sufferings past.

“It was not you, but God that sent me hither,”

Witnessed triumphant faith in after days;

“God meant it unto good” no second causes

Mingled their discord with his song of praise.

“God means it unto good” for thee, beloved;

The God of Joseph is the same today,

His love permits afflictions strange and bitter:

His hand is guiding through the unknown way.

The Lord, who sees the end from the beginning,

Hath purposes for thee of love untold;

Then place thy hand in His and follow fearless,

Till thou the riches of His grace behold.

Then when thou standest in the Home of glory,

And all life’s path lies open to thy gaze,

Thine eyes shall see the hand which now thou trustest,

And magnify His love through endless days.

F. H. A.

Nothing Between

 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

I've posted this short poem before...but it is on my mind so I will share it again (I am unsure who the author is):

Lord, search my soul, try ev'ry thought,

Though my own heart accuse me not

Of walking in disguise--

I beg the trial of Thine eyes. 

Doth secret mischief lurk within?

Do I indulge some unknown sin?

O turn my feet whene'er I stray, 

And lead me in that Heavenly way. 

It's been awhile...

 It's been awhile since I've posted on here, so I figured it was about time I try to put together a post again! It's been a fairly busy summer for me - one of the most recent things that was keeping me busy is watching our neighbor's dog while they were away. She is a lively dog that gave me a good workout each day whenever I took her out for a walk. : ) 

Here she is...sitting still for once only because I was luring her to sit and stay with some treats. lol 

Last week I was excited to see that some monarch butterflies were passing through again on their migration south. Some of you may remember my post about this last year, where hundreds of monarch butterflies were flying through our yard, and clustering in our trees. I wasn't sure if I would see any again this year, but am happy to see that some are coming through again! 

I planted quite a variety of flowers this year, and have really enjoyed seeing their bright colors around the yard. I grew most of the common ones like Marigolds, Zinnias, Pansies, Cosmos, Sunflowers, Black-eyed Susans, Celosia and Petunias, and a few less common ones including Lisianthus, Freesia, and Ranunculus. 

One of my Lisianthus flowers. (The picture does not do it justice). 

 I have to say that even though Lisianthus are a bit of a challenge to get growing at the start...they are such a gorgeous flower that lasts such a long time as a cut flower that I definitely want to try growing them again! I almost didn't try them because so many people online were saying how hard they are to grow...but after my first time growing them this year, I would say it's mostly just a trial of patience to grow them than anything, lol. They are extremely slow growing when they first start out. When they first sprout and come up, their first two leaves are so tiny it is almost difficult to see them. Mine stayed really tiny for probably a couple months or more! 

Oh yes, and I grew one of my favorites - Snapdragons. I loved the "Berry Blend" colors I purchased from Johnny's Seeds. There were so many pretty shades of pinks and reds. 

These Morning Glories came up on their own and climbed a pole that was in our flower garden. Even though they kind of took over the area, I thought they looked pretty so I decided to let them stay. Blue flowers are another favorite of mine! I am not often an early morning person, but I found myself wanting to go outside earlier than usual just so I could see them before they closed every once in awhile. :) 

We have this path mowed around one section of our yard that I've been enjoying taking walks on often. Sometimes when I'm just feeling overwhelmed with various things it's been relaxing to just take time to walk out here to have some time alone to think and pray. I discovered a dove's nest along the edge of the woods here one day while on one of my walks - I'm always so thankful to see the birds and other wildlife God has made for us to enjoy! 

A fellow-blogger posted the hymn, "I Need Thee Every Hour", recently, and it was a blessing to me so I thought I'd share part of it in my post. This verse in particular stood out to me: 

I need Thee every hour, teach me Thy will; 

And Thy rich promises in me fulfill. 
I need thee, oh, I need thee; Every hour I need thee;

Oh, bless me now, my Savior! I come to thee.

Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. 

-Psalms 143:10

 

This is a instrumental hymn that I've enjoyed listening to lately. I hope it's a blessing to you all too.
I hope all of you have been doing well. :)