Thankful Thoughts

This year during the Macy's
Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Oh the difference a year can make...

This vary moment, I sit by a sleeping beautiful 10 month old baby girl. I'm watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. She watched for a little bit. Then it was nap time for her :) A year ago, I watched the parade with her. But, that was when she was, as I will describe as, ON THE INSIDE :)  

This year, I sit in the downstairs family room with our daughter (her sleeping baby), our son & his girlfriend and the LOML watching the parade. Last year, it was the same group joined by Uncle Greg & Aunt Justine. AND, we were ALL watching from our master bedroom... with the FOUR ADULTS sitting in the king sized bed.

Last year during the Macy's
Thanksgiving Day Parade!

This year, our home dynamic includes an adult daughter & her baby living with us. Last year, we were entering into the land of the unknown.

This year, we don't really know what the future holds for our new little family member or any of us. Last year, we didn't know either.

Two things which remain the same.... we have no idea what the future will bring & we have no fear for the future. I guess I'm only officially authorized to speak for myself. My hope is in the One who hangs the stars and holds me in the palm of His hand. A verse in the Bible perfectly describes how I feel...

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast... Hebrews 6:19

One of my favorite lines I've spoken while playing various characters in A Christmas Carol at our church is...

There's always HOPE!

This year marks our 21st year of production of the classic Dicken's tale. Wish you could come see it. I happen to think that Bob Cratchit this year is so handsome!!!

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...

In A Moment

Today I awoke with a yearning to be by myself - just me & God for some quiet time. I imagined myself looking out from the side of a tall mountain - just admiring God's beauty from that perch. I opted to miss a wonderful weekly gathering of women at our church - a Bible study called RefresHer. I'm ministered to by being there. But, the yearning to be silent won out. And, I began to talk with God... and write.

I'm feeling a bit withdrawn today... thinking about friends with whom I've lost touch... some due to long distances between us in location... others due to reasons I do not understand. I'm missing ones who've gone on to be with God.

I've begun 4 posts already today -- each with words spilling out from my heart almost faster than I can type them. I've limited my time online and checked only from time to time for specific things. As I hopped over to Facebook to copy one of my pics to use for a post I'd begun, the top status in the feed was from a young woman of God in our church...

California Baptist sang this song at my church two years ago. Gives me chills every time! He's making all things new!

I clicked on the YouTube link provided. I listened and, I worshiped. I was refreshed, renewed, encouraged. I was challenged to let people see my story... to proclaim where I find my strength & hope.

It's a 6-minute video. But, if you're weary, hurting or seeking help today, take a listen. If you long to be with loved ones who've gone on, take a listen. If you want to be reminded of His promises, take a listen. If you want to be reminded of that day when all things are made new, take a listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO2vFbYY8qw

Here are the lyrics taken from In A Moment by Rebecca St. James & as it's sung by the California Baptist University choir:

In a moment everyone falls silent to hear the mighty trumpet split the eastern sky.
Just imagine, the King of all creation riding through the heavens returning for His bride.

Gloria! Gloria! Hear the sound of heaven ring.
Gloria! Gloria! All the earth will bow & sing. 

All the broken, they're no longer broken as they dance before Him a radiant debut. 
And the lion walks beside the lamb and all is well again. He's making all things new. 

Gloria! Gloria! Hear the sound of heaven ring. 

Gloria! Gloria! All the earth will bow & sing. 

Gloria, Gloria, Gloria!

Sing Glory, Sing Glory, Sing Gloria!

Gloria, Sing Gloria!
Hear the sound of the crowd sing Gloria!

Face down, on the ground, sing Gloria! 

Gloria! Gloria! Hear the sound of heaven ring. 

Gloria! Gloria! All the earth will bow & sing. 

In a moment everyone falls silent.

All is well again.

He's making all things new.

I'm encouraged by this song & God's Word... promising brokenness being replaced with dancing... promising the lion & the lamb walking side by side... promising overwhelming awe, JOY & celebration!

The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8

Here are some promises that will NEVER be broken:

"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." Revelation 21:5

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

"The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life." Revelation 22:17

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...

Remembrances - November 11th

On this day, November 11th, we North Americans remember, celebrate & honor those who serve our country and have served in the past. Many people have given their lives so that we could live free from oppression. I see a lot of American flags posted online. The memorial park I pass daily had American flags lining the main entry road as I drove by today. My email inbox was filled with mail about Veteran's Day sales. In our area, many homes are flying the American flag today. Our hearts swell with pride & thanksgiving for those who chose to serve our country. My grandfather was a veteran. My father served in the Reserves. My niece is training to be a chaplain. One of our daughter's best friends serves in the military at this time. Several of my children's peers serve. I appreciate their service & their sacrifices! 

Today, scrolling past all the flags & posts honoring Veteran's Day, I came across a status talking of the birth of a beautiful baby girl. Her birth weight was 6 pounds & 4 ounces. She measured 20" long. She entered this world in silence -- to be held by weeping parents, aunts, uncles & grandparents. As this tiny child grew in the womb of her mother, she became loved by those around her. As the due date approached, the doctors saw signs of distress. Despite the prayers of numerous loved ones & the expert care of medical personnel, the sweet baby girl died in utero before her parents could even hear a first cry for breath. 

While one year from today, I'll once again remember & honor those who have served this country, November 11th will never be the same for my friends. They will wake up from now on thinking of what could have been with that tiny baby who was birthed on November 11th and whom they held tightly and kissed good bye.

Photo Credit to
Devotionals Daily

Life is a precious thing. Hold on to those near & dear - even if only in your thoughts & prayers. Try to look at everyone through the eyes of a mother & father. Each child holds so much potential. Each person holds so much potential. Use your days to the fullest. Make your time here count!

Please join me as I lift this young family in prayer. Pray that they hold on to HOPE that comes from the one who laid down his life for us so that we could have eternal life. 

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...

Remembrances - November 11th
11/11/13
http://stuck-in-indiana.blogspot.com/2013/11/remembrances-november-11th.html

Alone Time, Yes Please

Even grown-up ladies, like me,
enjoy laying in the fall leaves
and looking up to the sky.
Alone time, YES PLEASE!

As a very young child, I remember going off alone to have quiet time. I'd lay on my back on the grass or climb a tree in our back yard to look at the clouds & daydream. Or, I'd grab a book & lay on the floor behind the big couch in the family room. Sometimes I'd build a fort out of blankets & pretend that I was alone on the side of a mountain.

When I was in elementary school, one of our church leaders at a summer day camp would have us sit down in the middle of a huge field at our church camp, close our eyes & listen quietly (and intently). When a certain time was up, we'd share what we had heard. I'd often do that on my own - listening to the crickets or birds around me. I loved time alone out in nature.

In our current study series at church, One by One, one week the study title was "Intimate Conversations With God." I was reminded of how easy it is to have superficial conversations with God when we pray. It's also easy to parrot prayers we have heard others offer... and to offer prayers using the big words or phrases we've gathered from listening to speakers & evangelists. It's not always easy to cry out to God in vulnerability or sit before Him speechless or speak of the sins we wish to hide -- even hide from ourselves. It's only in the open, brokenness of our prayers that we have true communion with God. One of my favorite songs is an "oldie goldie" and talks of time spent with God. It was written in 1912.

In The Garden

written by C. Austin Miles, 1912

I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

I’d stay in the garden with Him

Though the night around me be falling,

But He bids me go; through the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

I love to come to God alone. In those times, He discloses so much to me. And, in the alone times with God, I learn more about Him & about myself.

Another great song, sung by Larnelle Harris, tells of God sitting on a bench in a garden waiting for time with His beloved child. Take a listen to I Miss My Time With You. 

Don't miss out on what God wants to whisper to you in the times you sit alone with him. Don't be too busy to spend quality time with God! Take time to meet with Him daily.

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...