Meekness

"Meekness is the ability to react wisely when provoked." John Coblentz

What a challenge wouldn't you say?  I know that when I heard him say this, I was marvelled to discouragement! Not in a bad way really, just humbly, I guess that would be the best way to describe how I felt.  I just had to think, "Wow, I fail at that!"  But I know we all fail and fall short, but this one hit home p-retty hard! 

We all know that Moses was considered to be the meekest man on to ever live... John Coblentz gave a suggestion to do a study of the life of Moses through the books of Exodus through Numbers. As I thought on what I know off the top of my head there were two particular instances that I could think of that Moses gave way to his temper.

The first was of course when he killed the Egyptian guard while still in Egypt and the second was when God told him to speak to the rock and he smote it.  Every other instance that I could think of he prayed for those ever complaining Isrealites. 

Do I pray for my enemies? Do I look at them with a heart of love and compassion even when they are being down right mean to me?

That was the example that Moses gave... He was provoked from every side, yet he trusted in God.
What a challenge for me...

Until next time,
Jean

How Sweet The Sound of Jesus Name

This is a song we sang in church yesterday... with my hearts notes in italics...

"How Sweet The Name Of Jesus Sounds", by Mendoto-Dublin

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wonds,
And drives away his fear... And drives away his fear.

As fears rise into my soul and worries trouble my mind,
I look up into the Heaven's and I know He is by my side...

It makes the wonded spirit whole,
And calms he troubled breast;
'Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary rest... And to the weary rest.

When I am so weary from the day and it's trials, I love to hear His name,
I look to Him in all my cares and He is never far from me....

Dear Name! the Rock on which I build,
My shield and hiding place;
My never failing treasure, filled
With boundless stores of grace... With boundless stores of grace.

As I look at my life and realize He is the Rock on which I must build,
I know as I turn to Him in all things, He will be my all...

Jesus! my Shepherb, Husband, Friend,
My Prophet, Priest and King;
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring... Accept the praise I bring.

He is all I need... He is all you need... He supplies my every need,
Jesus is my saviour and saviour to all He would be...
if only allowed...

Weak is the effort of my heart,
And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art,
I'll praise Thee as I ought... I'll praise Thee as I ought.

As the hart panteth after the water brooks,
so my soul longeth after Thee...

Till then I would Thy love proclaim
With evry fleeting breath;
And may the music of Thy name
Refresh my soul in death... Refresh my soul in death.

My hearts prayer will always be that I can glorify Your love and
Your work in my life and that even though I fail so often,
You will keep picking me up and leading the way...
Oh that my soul could fly with Thee...
Come Lord Jesus, come...

Until next time,
Jean

Lies

Why do people lie... seriously, I just can't figure it out...
You think you are friends with someone and then you come to find out they are total liers...

I don't quite get it to be honest... especially when they are a professing Christian.
I don't think that Christians are excempt from sinning or never make mistakes,
but the Bible is so clear on lieing...
noone can say it's a 'legalistic' law or rule on that one.

I thought this photo was interesting...
You got the dogs that are going to go no matter what it takes...
Then you got the ones that say this looks too hard...

Life is like that.
Telling the truth isn't always the easiest thing to do,
but it is always the best thing to do.

Until next time,
Jean

My Heart & Soul

The Lord's day is so special to me... it allows me time to reflect on things... the everyday things of life... what's important and what's not... my family and the time we spend together... where things are going and stalling... to just be...

Today's sermon talked a bit on the ark... the minister was comparing the raven and the dove... it was quite enlightening to me... I had never really thought about some things that he pointed out.

First Noah sent the raven and it just roamed to and fro but never returned to the ark for safty... 
Then Noah sent out the dove... it flew and found 'no rest for it's soles...' and it returned to the ark of safty...  then it was released again and this time it brought back an olive branch... life... but it still returned to the ark... then the third time it didn't come back... it was able to survive in the new life found on the earth...

In the New Testament satan is said to roam to and fro across the earth looking for what he can devour... a raven is a 'devouring' bird... it's hunts for carnage... dead things...
A dove is often a symbol of Christianity, peace and gentleness... like Jesus... the dove went out and sought life...

There is only true life in in living for Jesus and His salvation...

A hymn we sang at church...

Holy Jesus, lovely Lamb,

Thine and only Thine I am;

Take my body, spirit, soul,

Only Thou possess the whole.

Thou my dearest object be,

Let me ever cleave to Thee;

Let me choose the better part,

Let me give Thee all my heart.

Whom have I on earth below?

Only Thee I wish to know;

Whom have I in heaven but Thee?

Thou art all in all to me.

All my treasure is above,

My best portion is Thy love;

Who the worth of love can tell?

Infinite unsearchable!

Nothing else may I require;

Let me Thee alone desire;

Pleased with what Thy love provides,

Weaned from all the world besides.

Until next time,
Jean

The Beauty Of Spring

"Biltmore Conservatory" in North Carolina April 2005, photo by Marilyn Lennis, used with permission.

Spring is forgiveness... spring is rebirth... spring is a new start... spring is beautiful!

Thursday it rained and rained... the boys noticed a full rainbow lighting the sky... they called us over to see it... such majesty in it... such a beautiful promise from Him in it...
and into the night it still rained... the rain descended steady and straight giving a refreshing drink to the world...

Friday morning I woke up... got a cup of coffee and sat on the porch... the sky was blue... the air was crisp and it smelled so clean... the robin was singing a song that just sounded victorious... praising God for the rain and the lush green world around us... the peepers were singing so loudly... it's not often you hear them in the day... they usually welcome in the evening to all the eager listeners...

I just sat... and breathed... and praised Him for the beauty... the earthy sounds... the refreshing smells of rain...

God is in Heaven... everything is alright...
Until next time,
Jean

He Is Faithful...



"Picket Fence" by, Jean Smith
I made this little picket fence using twine and small branches.  This was part of my front garden at one of our other homes.



Here is a poem that a dear friend gave to us...

When you are the neediest, He is the most sufficient.
When you are completely helpless, He is the most helpful.
When you feel totally dependent, He is absolutely dependable.
When you are the weakest, He is the most able.
Ween you are the most alone, He is intimately present.
When you feel the most useless, He is preparing you.
When it is the darkest, He is the only Light you need.
When you feel the least secure, He is your rock and fortress.
When you are the most humble, He is most gracious.
When you can't, He can.

 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Philippians 4:13 KJV

Until next time,
Jean

The Beauty Of A Sunrise

Photograph by Daniel Miller, used with permission, Copyright 2006
"Sunrise at Oscoda, Michigan on the AuSable River"

Have you ever just sat totally still and quiet and watched a sunrise come up over the calm of the water...
It's almost reverant... it feels like a holy moment... God shining His light upon the day...
Gracing us with another moment in time that only He can give...
... the sounds of the morning birds calling out to any that will listen...
good morning they call


Life is so short and we don't know what the day will hold for any of us.
I heard a furneral sermon once where the minister pondered the question of..
"would I be ready when the head lights shine in front of my face?..."

will we?

Until next time,
Jean