Praising His Name

Our annual children's camp was last week and on the second to last day I found myself sitting behind one of the cabins.  Just me and nature.  We were having a a scavenger hunt and I was one of the "clue-holders".  The children had to find me.  Well, considering the fact that I was going to camp and am always quite busy I, of course, didn't bring along any busy work.  I wasn't expecting to have down time.  So I grabbed my Bible, notebook, cell phone, an Austen book that one of my sisters had brought, a chair, and some bug spray and I took off to my assigned cabin hiding spot.  I sent a few texts, and wasn't really in an Austen mood so I picked up my notebook and started paging through it. It contains a conglomeration of poems, paragraphs from books, notes from church, songs, and random scribblings and thoughts.  Lots of thoughts were running through my head when I turned the page and my eyes fell on these words.

I worship you with singing
I worship you with all of my heart
I worship you I cannot be silent
Lord I will praise your name

For you alone are more than worthy
You are great and you dwell in my praise
I lift you up that you receive glory
I worship you in this place

You see, one of my jobs at camp is choir.  I spend a couple hours every morning teaching the children songs in 2 part harmony, tricks to reading music, and I hope a love for music and a desire to serve and worship God when they sing.  After I read the words it was mostly all I could think about between groups.  You see, that is the cry of my heart, to love God so much to let him be such a part of my life that I cannot be silent.  That everything that I do would praise and worship his name.

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Quote from John Newton

"I know 2 things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior." ~John Newton (Author of Amazing Grace)

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
then when we've first begun.

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Bring On the Rain

I'm not a big fan of Country music, never have been, probably never will be. But, there are a few Country songs I like and enjoy listening to.  This is probably my favorite.  Every time I hear it it makes me think.  It reminds me that no matter what happens. No matter how far I am buried under the pile of things I have to do, or the discouragements or happenings of everyday life.  No matter what happens to just keep pressing on.  I might be in the torrential downpour of life. But I need to rain that comes from heaven and refreshes my soggy soul.   I need to remember that no matter what happens to keep looking up. To not worry and fret.  To stand still, hold out my arms and allow the goodness, peace and love of God to rain on me.

Bring on the Rain - Jo Dee Messina
Another day has almost come and gone
Cant imagine what else could wrong
Sometimes I'd like to hide away somewhere and lock the door
A single battle lost but not the war


Tomorrow's another day
And I'm thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain


Its almost like the hard times circle round
A couple drops and they all start coming down
Yeah, I might feel defeated,
I might hang my head
I might be barely breathing - but I'm not dead


Tomorrow's another day
And I'm thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain


I'm not gonna let it get me down
I'm not gonna cry
And I'm not gonna lose any sleep tonight

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The Gift

~ The Gift~

Matt Hoffland

On the day that she was born
A gift was given to her
A package neatly wrapped in white
With a bow so gold and pure
Set gently by her crib,
The note on top did say;
"Don't open up this present please,
Until your wedding day.
For this box contains a prize that dear and true
A gift that only I can give to you.
So guard this sacred treasure
Where your purity is stored
Until that day love awakens
By the power of the Lord."



Through the years she gazed upon that box
She'd been blessed with long ago,
Wanting to know the contents
Of the prize beneath that bow,
Temptations rose to open up that gift beside her bed .
Then she happened on the note again
And this is what she read.
"This box contains a prize that's dear and true,
A gift that only I can give to you.
So guard this sacred treasure
Where your purity is stored,
Until that day love awakens
By the power of the Lord."

The day did come when a gentle man
Had come into her life.
His love for her was so strong
That he took her as his wife.
On their wedding night she took the box
From where it sat so long,
And as she laid it in his gentle hands
She sang this little song.
Oh, this box contains a prize that's dear and true,
A gift that only I can give to you.
I've keep this sacred treasure
Where my purity is stored
Until this day love awakened
By the power of the Lord.
So, awaken now and claim your gift,
That was promised by the Lord.

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Christmas Carols with a twist!

It's hard to believe that Christmas is less than a week away.  This year the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas seemed to just fly.  I thought we could start this week out with a little Christmas humor. The following Christmas songs were rewritten by our very own Deb.  They are only for the purpose of a joke, and not to be used for bashing guys, as an aid in pity parties, or to blame men for our singleness, or encourage lack of trust in the Lord, or hold marriage up as the answer to everything.  They are merely and only a joke and a lot of fun, so laugh away!!

Don't Rest You Merry Gentlemen
(to the tune of God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen)
Don't rest, you merry gentlemen, for we are in dismay,
Remember girls are waiting, been waiting everyday.
Oh save us from the Old-Maid's tower, we beg you, and we say,
"Bring tidings of courtship dear boy,
We employ! Bring tidings of courtship dear boy."

For others walked the aisle, and to the altar came,
My friend's engaged, and I'd love to bring tidings of the same!
Oh show so I can leave Old-Maidhood, and change my last name.
"Bring tidings of courtship dear boy,
We employ! Bring tidings of courtship dear boy."


Single Girls
(to the tune of Jingle Bells)
Single girls, single girls, single everyday.
Waiting oh so anxiously
For some young man to say,
"Marry me, marry me,
Nothing less will do!"
How I wish those single men
Would hurry with their move!

Dashing strong and tall,
With bright and smiling eyes,
My dreams are sure to fall,
If he won't make up his mind.
I guess I'll have to wait,
Until he comes forth bold,
What fun to be a blushing bride
At forty-five years old! Ohhhhh

Single girls, single girls, single everyday.
Waiting oh so anxiously
For some young man to say,
"Marry me, marry me,
Nothing less will do!"
How I wish those single men
Would hurry with their move!

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Happiness Is The Lord

I first came across this song early in the summer while preparing to teach choir at a children's camp our church holds every year.  Since that time it has been a huge blessing to me.  Whenever I think or sing it, I smile.  It's one of those songs that is impossible to frown about.

Happiness is to know the Savior,
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord.
Happiness is a new creation,
Jesus and me in close relation,
Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord.

Real joy is mine, no matter if teardrops start;
I've found the secret, it's Jesus in my heart!

Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that's worth the living,
Taking a trip that leads to Heaven,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord!

 Words and Music by Ira F. Stanphill
© 1968 - All rights reserved 

Go here to listen to Midi

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What If?

What if NOTHING ever existed.
A hard thought to grasp.
What if GOD never existed.
If you're a Christian, you believe that if God never existed, nothing ever existed.
Without God, there is nothing. God made everything.
What if you weren't a Christian, or let's say that regardless of God, life had a beginning, and somehow, this earth, and its people, and the universe came to being.
What if God wasn't a part of it? What if there was NO ONE in control of everything.
What if there was no one to turn to when you feel like nobody else understands.
I just thought about all that for a few minutes, and I am SO GLAD I have such a wise God.
Anyway, these are just some things I was pondering earlier. Any thoughts?

Yes, definite thoughts!

What if there was no one to turn to when you felt like no one understood. Scary! Isn't that what pushes people to suicide? When all along there is a God who understands, cares, and loves you. Instead, he gets push him away, ignored; the understanding, the love, the help, it's all rejected. Exchanged for a life of freedom, what I want, when I want it, not answering to anyone, misunderstanding, loneliness, and depression.

Yes, being a Christian isn't easy, but hey, if all else fails I'll never be lonely. I've had times where I felt alone, misunderstood, and in despair. I very clearly remember one day curled up in a ball, sobbing my heart out and asking God, why? Where are you? Why do I feel so alone? I clearly remember God speaking and saying "It's o.k. I'm here." I knew at that moment that I wasn't alone, and I never would be, that God was holding me like a little baby, comforting me, all I had to do was look at his face and realize it. Do you know the joy, and love that comes flooding into your soul at that moment. It picks you up off the ground and you fly on the wings of the love of God. I don't remember the reference but the Bible says "I will never leave you or forsake you. O.k. o.k I'm looking it up, Hebrews 13:5. It also reminds me of something I read it a book once.
You can never be where God is not. There is no place where you can out distance Him.
No dark corner where He is not already there waiting for your arrival. No deep recess of your heart and soul that He does not know of. No secret that He does not share. And he does have power, to change, to keep, to do the impossible....for without Him, nothing of importance is possible. We can only fumble and stumble in darkness. But with Him there is light, even in the hardest (I would include darkest) of time.

One more thought before signing off. These are the words to the song "What If" by Nicole Nordeman:

What if you're right
He was just another nice guy
What if you're right
What if it's true
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it's true
What if He takes His place in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love, and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then

*But what if you're wrong
What if there's more
What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for
What if you jump
Just close your eyes
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise
What if He's more than enough
What if it's love

What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions down inside
That's all you find
What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more than folklore that must be told
And retold

*Repeat

'Cause you've been running as fast as you can
You've been looking for a place you can land
For so long
But what if you're wrong
What if you jump
Just close your eyes
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise
What if He's more than enough
What if it's love
What if it's love

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