Grace Thoughts

June 19, 2013 Wait.  Fearful heart, be still and see  The wondrous love of God for Thee  Let not by striving, faith's joy be lost  But fix your all upon the cross.  Wait.  Find in life's storms, the place to hide  Forsaking all to be at Christ's side  Forgetting the past, pressing on for the goal  Entrusting to Christ the growth of your soul.  Wait.

  Hidden in folds of darkness; Sparkling like jewels in the night: The promises of our Savior, Shine forth from His Word as our light. The heavens and earth now are passing, But the Word of our God stands secure. From everlasting to everlasting, Christ's promises remain ever sure. So let us behold---the beauty of the Lord As we are still before His precious Word Radiant in light is the love of God that shines From the wounds of the Lord Jesus Christ

Remembering when we were still waiting to welcome Alethia Gabriella! Now she is 4 months old!    

Though the night be deep with darkness Though my sorrows be filled with pain I will hope in the Lord forever I count all as loss but the cross is my gain Though I walk through the Valley of shadows Though my heart be lonely and tried I will look to you Lord, and remember you always And in your glorious presence shall hide. Alone Your nearness is my GOOD ONLY Alone Your love satisfies my soul's desire Alone You are my light in darkness Alone Your Joy is my strength through the fire Alone Your Word is my SOLID GROUND Alone Your name is my fortress to hide Alone You are my peace and rest Alone Your presence is where I abide.

Once upon a time, a delicately fashioned leaf clung to the branch of a towering oak tree. The fresh light of spring dawned over the rolling hills dotted with grazing cows. Thick forests shadowed the edges of the grassy fields. As a soft breeze drifted by, a young leaf spread open her bright green folds and basked in the dazzling, morning sun. Glorious beams of sunshine splashed over the trees dotting up and down the lane. The young leaf felt a surge of excitement as she noticed all the golden leaves twirling on the tree branches around her. How she longed to see her own green edges sparkle with golden light. She longed to be like the sun, and she felt encouraged by all the leaves around her shimmering and dancing in their brilliant coats. She decided that one day, she too would shine like the sun. As the warm days of spring melted into each other, the green leaf studied the other leaves as she tried to discover the secret to how they shone like the sun. She felt hopeful that soon she t

 A stroke of golden sunlight To pierce the world in dark To open up the sky of night As songs of HOPE rise up from the lark •          •          •          •         •           •          • And so one glimpse of Christ's face Pierces the heart chained in gloom And opens up the eyes to grace Like new life rising from the tomb •          •          •          •          •          •          • For in Christ's death---sin was conquered In Christ's rising---the vict'ry won Now the Gospel light is heard Declaring the salvation of the Son

 How fun to look back through the corridors of time at the memories God has given us together as a family. In just a moment of pause and reflection, we see how much we have grown by God's grace, how much God has blessed us with love and laughter, and how much we have to look forward to because of God's future grace that is ours in Christ. All these bursting thoughts from a fun day at the river!