How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him

Who brings good news, good news
Announcing peace proclaiming news of happiness
Our God reigns, our God reigns


Our God reigns, our God reigns!
Our God reigns, our God reigns!


He had no stately form, He had no majesty
That we should be drawn to Him
He was despised and we took no account of Him
Yet now He reigns with the Most High

Our God reigns, our God reigns!
Our God reigns, our reigns!

Just so you know....

I did not join the maddening crowds of shoppers at 4:00 this morning. At that time of the morning I was sound asleep and thankful to be so. I did not join the crowds at 6:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. either. I have kept myself in the house, doing a bit of Christmas decorating, a bit of laundry, a bit of inside window washing and a bit of resting. All in all this has been a wonderfully normal day and for that I am thankful to Almighty God. I have however, thought of Pat and her family, and prayed for them and for others who are having a difficult time.

This may sound overly simple to many of you, but it dawned on me last evening that sometimes all I can do to help people is pray for them. I so want things to be better for those I love but I cannot make that happen; only God has that power. The thought then came to me: Am I expecting Him to use that power when He answers my prayers? Am I expecting Him to answer as He sees fit and according to His will in the matter? Am I willing to patiently wait for Him ... to trust Him explicitly to move in the hearts and lives of people? I want to! And beginning today, Lord willing, I will do just that. Tell Him what's bothering me; tell Him what He already knows about the folks I love and, as Sara said recently in a post, ask Him to "fix them". Only He can do what needs doing in the lives of people. Only He knows what holds them in bondage and only He is the bondage breaker. I am to ask, seek and knock and look to Him to give answer, let us find Him, and open doors.

Happy, Blessed Thanksgiving to All

Thinking of Pat

As I begin my daily routine for a Wednesday, my thoughts are with Pat and her family as her Mom is to be taken home from the hospital today. It is sheer God-goodness and grace that He allows us to be in one place and yet possess the ability to pray for others when they are miles away. Thankfully, God isn't limited to anything and I know He is with those who are hurting. We serve an awesome Saviour and He is good, all the time. Even in our pain and distress He brings peace and calm. His precious Holy Spirit lives within His children and He is our Comforter.

Father, I come to You and I lift to You my sisters and brothers in Christ ... Pat & Hal; Sara & Dean & their sons; Amy & Rob; Trish & Tom & their girls, and others I've not met ... Lord, You know just what they're thinking and feeling this day. Let them know that You are with them ... that You knew of this day years before any of them were born and You will graciously walk with them through whatever the days may hold. You are an awesomely good and gracious God and nothing is too hard for You. Be their Peace. Their Comfort. Their Calm. Draw them close into You and allow them to weep there. Give them assurance that this is but a Home-going for one who has been loved and who loved deeply those You gave to her. Allow them to rejoice that they will live with her for Eternity!

For those of us who know and love these people, let us, as we go about about our day, think of them often and lift their names to You in precious prayer. Thank You that they are as close as our thoughts and You span the miles between us. Thank You that we can come to You and ask all these things in the mighty, precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

Thank You!

I thank You O Lord, for the gift of life and re-birth.
I thank You that from the depths of sin You reached down and pulled me to safety in You.
I thank You that nothing surpasses Your mighty wisdom and knowledge.
I thank You that at any place and at any time, Your people have the awesome privilege of coming to You.
I thank You that You are mighty to save, no one is beyond Your grasp.
I thank You for mercy that is new every morning.
I thank You that we are given the opportunity to lift our voices and give you praise.
I thank You that You hear us even when words are not spoken.
I thank You that You order the steps of Your children and You direct our paths.
I thank You that You've given us brothers and sisters to walk with while on this earth.
I thank You for the unblemished, Holy Word of God that is sharper than any two-edged sword.
I thank You that You will not leave us to ourselves.
I thank You for creating all things for Your glory.
I thank You that You allow mere human beings to partake of Your glory.
I thank You for the ability to speak and to write and to understand.
I thank You that Your thoughts are higher than man's.
I thank You that You sent Your Son to take the wrath of sin upon Himself and in so doing, allowed me the freedom to live in Your presence.
I thank You for a grateful heart ... You put it within me, it was none of my doing.
I thank You that You are everywhere present, none can hide from You.
I thank You that You are the same, yesterday, today and forever.
I thank You for what awaits me in heaven and on the new earth.
I thank You for the many provisions and blessings You've given me here!
I thank You that You trust me to invest what You've me into the lives of others.
I thank You for trusting me to be a steward of my time, talents and all possessions.
I thank You that every good gift comes from You.
I thank You for grace. What a blessed word ... Grace. Thank You!
I thank You for wisdom and discernment, it is mine for the asking.
I thank You for the fruits of the Spirit ... may they flourish in my life to honor the Giver.
I thank You for the gifts of Your Spirit ... may they be used to edify others and to glorify You.
I thank You for redeeming my life and making it useful to Your kingdom.
I thank You for peace that passes understanding.
I thank You for joy that no one can take from me.
I thank You for contentment that is only found in Christ Jesus.
I thank You for allowing me to come to You this morning ... just to thank You.

Today Fred & I celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. And 'they' said it wouldn't last!

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul