“… Jesus said,
Suffer little children
and forbid them not,
to come unto me:
for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
~ Matthew 19: 14
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(Photo credit: my photographically talented, missions-hearted, husband)
*****
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1Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
2My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew,
as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
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3Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
4He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment:
a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
~Deuteronomy 32: 1-4
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“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.”
~Psalm 134:2
He doesn’t just approve of it.
HE COMMANDS IT.
::
Questions to ponder:
What is the International Sign of Surrender?
Isn’t raising your hand the same as shouting “Amen”?
What are you going to do next time, while in the midst of a song that is really speaking to your heart?
Got any thoughts on this subject? I’d love to hear them in the comments below.
It has been a very long time since I posted my gratitude list.
A few things have come into focus in the last few weeks.
1. Gift listing does keep depression at bay. When I avoid the hunt for small elephant-sized grace gifts He bestows each and every day, I notice a difference.
2. My journey through The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions
has brought into focus the harsh reality that I have been choosing bitterness over trusting and resting in His peace.
3. There are wounds that have never healed, that are much deeper than I ever realized. But He can heal even those.
::
NOW- I choose to refocus my lens, get back on the gratitude trail, and continue my listing.
(the first few on this list are rather “old” having been written in my gratitude journal back in the beginning of August.)
926. cooler weather
927. listening to them all chatter about all the fun they are having with their cousins and grandparents
928. waterlilies blooming
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929. birds of paradise
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930. humming birds
931. the smell of fresh cut grass
932. He had new shoes for me, that actually fit!
933. new glass doors on the church in Malagamot
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(what it looked like when we left)
934. he values us…
935. … and took time out of a busy trip
936. … to go meet Pastor Ortiz
937. … and see the crop growing there
938. … from seeds God allowed us to plant
939. His Grace being extended to us through them
940. … at times it is overwhelming and reduces me to tears,
…it’s been such a long time since I have felt love like that from a church family.
941. crisp fall air
942. her soft kiss on my cheek…
943. … followed by, “you’re the bestest mommy in the whole world”
944. The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions
945. Pastor Dennis Gray
946. women who took time to pray for me
947. gray overcast skies giving way to brilliant blue
948. led by the Spirit, I gave her One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are
949. …she writes that she is now counting her blessings, one by one
950. the heat of the sun on my skin
951. How Deep the Father’s Love for Us ME (my favorite version)
952. listening to her giggle…
953. … and tell me of the fun she is having with my parents
954. Ann’s words
955. a sister who offered me a shoulder to weep on and whispered prayer in my behalf
956. another sister that texts me that she’s praying for me
957. the loud honking of Canadian geese flying low overhead, seeking warmer temperatures
958. the warmth of Mango sitting on my feet
959. the aroma of blueberry coffee brewing, filling the house
960. ~ 964. encouraging texts messages sent by one whom God has brought along to hike with me for a while, to lead me on the trail to healing
965. “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.” Psalm 134:2
Linking up over at Ann’s today.
*****
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
and why art thou disquieted within me?
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hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him,
who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”
~Psalm 42:11
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Hiking Toward Home