Gifts Within the Gift

This gift You've given, Father
Crafted by Your love.
Valued beyond measure
Sent from Heaven above.

Wrapped in chords of mercy,
Sealed by precious blood.
Waiting to be taken
Asking naught but love.

When this gift is opened
With trembling heart and hand,
We find our gifts within the gift
The ones we can return.

They come uniquely fashioned
for service, not for fame.
When given back, with humble heart,
Bring glory to His Name.

linking to Emily's imperfect prose today

Blessings,
Linda

picture: my crown of thorns plant - reminding me of the cost

Let's Pretend

Step back with me in time. Let's pretend for a moment that we are young men - men called out of our ordinary lives to walk with the heaven-sent One. For three and a half years we've followed Him, listening spellbound to His words, watching in awe as people were healed, delivered, raised from the dead. We have come to know Him intimately and yet, there is so much about Him we still cannot comprehend.

It is a dark moonless night, and we stand with Him in a garden. There is something in the air, something different about this night, but we cannot quite understand what it is. He has celebrated the Passover with us, washed our feet and led us to this place where He has prayed with such anguish. He is suffering, and we are at a loss as to what we should do.

Standing there, feeling helpless and inadequate, we see the lights of torches flickering through the trees. We look to Him with trusting eyes as Judas steps out of the shadows. The kiss of betrayal and the mob steps forward.

Instinctively we draw close to Him. When He asks who they are seeking, and the answer comes back, "Jesus of Nazareth," our hearts begin to race. He answers, "I am He," and before our astonished eyes they drop back and fall to the ground.

Again He asks them who it is they seek. "Jesus the Nazarene." The answer comes, "I told you that I am He; if therefore you seek Me, let these go their way."*

At that moment I am catapulted forward in time. I stand, not before an unruly mob, but before the Lord of creation. I see myself there, dressed in filthy rags, heart pounding, eyes cast down. Once again He steps forward and stands in my place. He takes His robe of righteousness and places it gently around my shoulders. I am His own. He has endured the punishment I rightly deserved and secured eternity for me. The great heart of love that sheltered and protected the disciples beats for me too.

"Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not."
I John 3:1

*John 18:7,8

I am linking this post to two others today - Ann's (where a scholarship is being offered) and the She Speaks Conference website. It is a conference about "women connecting the hearts of women to the heart of our Father God" something it has been my hearts' desire to do here on my humble little spot in the blogisphere.

Blessings,
Linda

One Thousand Gifts

Looking through the prism of gratitude at the blessings that flow from the Father's heart and hands:

133 - prayer
134 - a little bird teetering on the edge of the birdbath, trying to get a drink
135 - patches of lovely pink Evening Primrose scattered in green fields
136 - phone calls from family
137 - answered prayer
138 - walking to a chorus of birdsong
139 - the old oaks faithfully putting out new leaves
140 - hugs
141 - a good book
142 - sitting around the table with Mom and Dad - good coffee and conversation
143 - the enormous full moon - the heavens declare His glory
144 - seeing God's mercy and grace in the hard places
145 - pictures - preserving precious moments
146 - knitting
147 - a surprise in the mail
148 - the abundance of His provision
149 - the smell of Mountain Laurel filling the air
150 - little donkey waiting for a treat


Blessings,
Linda

I have changed my comment box a bit. I'm going to enable comment moderation for now. I've been getting a few comments I'm just not sure about.

"Draw Me Nearer"

I woke up with a hymn on my heart this morning. When that happens, I believe that the Father has placed it there, so even though I've already done a hymn by Fanny Crosby, I'm going to share this one too.

I found a lovely article by Bill Dagle on the origin of this hymn and will borrow a bit from him so that you can have a bit of background.

Although blind from birth, Fanny could see things in a way that those of us blessed with good vision cannot. She had a grandmother who spent countless hours teaching her and a Savior she loved deeply. Over the course of her lifetime she wrote over 8000 hymns.

One of Fanny's dear friends was William Doane, a factory president and active Baptist layman.

He shared Fanny's love for music and wrote the music to many of her hymns as well as over 2000 gospel songs of his own.

It was while Fanny was visiting the Doane home in Cincinnati that she was inspired to write the hymn "Draw Me Nearer." It was a late afternoon, and the family began describing to their blind friend the beauty of the sunset. They talked about the wonder of God's creation and the desire to live a life pleasing to Him.

Fanny asked Doane to write down the words to a poem that was forming in her mind and in just a short time the words to "Draw Me Nearer" were completed.

Mr.Dagle writes:

"Many will go through this life never seeing the things that blind Fanny did. In her blindness, she saw a loving Father and a caring Son who opened the door to heaven for those who would accept and believe. She also saw a day when, on the other side, all things would be made new, including her own eyes. Most of all, she saw a need for us today to draw nearer to the one who gave His all in all, and that one is Jesus Christ. Because of this, she would write:"

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Consecrate me now to Thy service Lord,
by the pow'r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!

There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.

Chorus:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou has died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious bleeding side.

It was this verse that Fanny had in mind when she wrote these words:
Hebrews 10:22
"let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."



This is a beautiful version with piano and violin.
Blessings,
Linda
Linda

Birdsong

I walk silently
the only sounds
my own breathing,
sandals hitting the pavement.
Softly it comes,
the sound of a
winged choir
Liquid notes
making melody
A multitude of
divergent chords
filling the background
Mixing together
to become praise
to the One
who has made all things.

May we join with creation in praise this weekend to One whose love never fails,
Linda

Five Minute Friday - Waking Up

I am joining Lisa-Jo today for Five Minute Friday. She has chosen "Waking Up" as this week's topic.

Here goes:

I have been sleep-walking through the days - burdened by things that only He can change. I have prayed and friends have prayed. I have waited. I have longed to hear His voice.

I have known that He is near. This morning, though, He "spoke" in a way that brought tears. I know it was Him. It was so personal, so exactly to the point.

It isn't that life is suddenly in crises. It is just, perhaps, that the burdens feel a bit heavier than usual. Everything dims and life loses its bright beauty.

Today, we took the long way home from down - meandering down country roads, soaking in the scenery. We passed a field that was covered with pink Evening Primrose - my favorite wild flower - and suddenly I saw the world in technicolor. I saw His hand touching earth and knew in my heart that all would be well. A gentle nudging awake....

stop -

To read more on waking up please visit Lisa-Jo's. You'll get to see her brand new baby daughter Zoe Grace too.

Blessings,
Linda

Just Yarning Along

From the very beginning of my blogging adventure I have loved reading Elizabeth's posts. Her gentle spirit, tender heart and unbounded love for the Lord draw me to her. I was delighted when she took her first tentative steps into knitting. She has persevered through the initial difficulties that every new knitter struggles with - those inadvertent mistakes, dropped stitches and confusing directions - just to name a few.

Now she has introduced me to "Yarn Along." Ginny has provided a place for knitters and crocheters to share the projects they are working on. Whether or not you enjoy handwork, you will enjoy seeing the beautiful work these women are doing. Such creativity!

Here is my humble contribution - a little afghan that is almost finished. My sister-in-law gave me the beautiful variegated y yarn, and I added the navy blue. It will be a bit smaller than the pattern suggests because I simply don't have quite enough yarn. I think it will be just big enough to cover up one's legs on a cold winter's night.

Please visit Ginny's lovely blog and get inspired!

Blessings,
Linda

Blessed Surprise

He promises:
When you call,
I will answer.
From the depths
of the heart
Come words unspoken.

Waiting with hope,
wavering between
doubt and faith.
The answer comes
And I am speechless
with surprise.

Why surprise
when He has promised?
Why speechless
when a look back
reveals His faithfulness?
My heart pours out
gratitude and praise
to the One whose
word never fails.

Blessings,
Linda

tulips - just because

One Day

J. Wilbur Chapman
1859-1918

“It is a very difficult thing to make a rule for another to live by. The rule which governs my life is this: anything that dims my vision of Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps me in my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me.; and I must, as a Christian, turn away from it.”

On June 17, 1859 John Wilbur Chapman was born into the home of a loving Christian couple who prepared him for a life in full-time ministry. He accepted Christ as his Savior but struggled with the assurance of his salvation. It was D.L. Moody who took the time to open the scriptures to him which gave him that full assurance.

After graduation from Seminary, he was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. He married three times, losing his first wife Irene one month after the birth of their first child. His second wife also passed away. He married his third wife in 1910.

In 1893 he began evangelistic work, preaching with D.L. Moody at the World's Fair. He went on to conduct many meetings on his own, hiring a young man named Billy Sunday to be his "advance man."

He returned to the Pastorate in 1895 and was appointed Corresponding Secretary of the Presbyterian General Assembly's Committee on Evangelism. As Secretary he directed the activities of fifty-one evangelists in 470 cities and authored numerous books.

He then went on to organize city-wide evangelistic campaigns in the United States and around the world.

In May 1918 he was elected Moderator by the Presbyterian General Assembly. The work this required of him, coupled by the energy he had expended in organizing the many evangelistic campaigns took a toll on his health. He died on December 25, 1918 after emergency gall bladder surgery.

Dr. Chapman is also the author of this beautiful hymn:

One Day

Verse 1
One day when heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men; my example is He!

Chorus:
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever;
One day He's coming, O glorious day!

Verse 2
One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain,
One day they nailed Him to die on the tree,
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected,
Bearing our sins; my Redeemer is He!

Chorus:

Verse 3
One day they left Him alone in the garden,
One day He rested, from suffering free;
Angels came down o'er His tomb to keep vigil;
Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He!

Chorus:

Verse 4
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore!

Chorus:

Verse 5
One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
One day the skies with His glory will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!

Chorus:

Blessings,
Linda

Simplifying Sunday

Several years ago we began attending our church's Saturday evening service. For this girl, brought up in a church where there were rather a lot of rules, it seemed somehow "wrong." After all, weren't we supposed to worship on the sabbath (which in my mind had always been Sunday)? I felt guilty taking my walk on Sunday mornings and watching the cars go by, filled with families heading to church. I secretly wished for a tee shirt that stated in no uncertain terms, "I Attend Saturday Evening Service!"

However, in time I got over it and have come to love the relaxed atmosphere of worship on a Saturday evening and the gift of a whole Sunday stretching out before me.

At first I thought it would be a good day to quietly do the things I have little time for during the week. Perhaps write a letter or two or a visit with my parents; do some reading or quietly work on handwork. The one thing that kept getting in the way of those good intentions was my laptop. A decision to "just check email" inevitably ended with so much time spent online there was little left to do those other things.

At one point I decided I just wouldn't turn the computer on on Sunday. It was, I'm ashamed to admit, difficult. I kept thinking about all the things I might be missing. I did it for a few weeks and then gradually worked my way right back to where I had been to begin with.

It has been an on-going struggle ever since I began blogging - this attempt to find balance. There is no question that the Lord has been speaking to me about the amount of time I spend here. That still, small voice has been working over-time on this stubborn heart. Then the other day I read this and knew I had to make a change.

I am joining Holley in observing Cyber Sabbath. I want you to hold me accountable! If you see me here on Sundays, you may give me a cyber-wrap on the knuckles. I must at least begin with this (I am embarrassed to think of the number of posts of written declaring that I would be spending less time blogging, all to no avail!).

I am sure this will simplify my Sabbath and relieve the guilt that comes with knowing I am not using the gift of time wisely.

Linking to Cheryl's Simplify post.



Blessings and a blessed sabbath,
Linda

His Gentle Whisper

At the last moment I picked up the little book of spiral index cards filled with memory verses and stepped outside to begin my walk. I was walking alone, so I decided to start at the very beginning and recite as many as could out loud. I think the neighbors are used to seeing me talking to myself as I walk along our little country road. They wave anyway.

There are some verses that, meaningful at the time, still hit my heart with great force. I am reminded once again of my Father's faithfulness and unfailing love - the way He never fails to meet me right where I am.

Walking down the little hill toward home I came to I Kings 19: 11,12. The words, spoken out loud, caused my heart to beat just a little faster. I felt the tears start. They came in answer to questions my heart had been asking. Questions about devastating earthquakes, tsunamis, unimaginable suffering and where are You Father in all of that?

"...and as Elijah stood there the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And the after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper."

In my own simple way (which may certainly be lacking in sound theology) I heard the Spirit say that the Lord is there in Japan, His gentle whisper speaking, as only He can, to those who are suffering in unimaginable ways. He moves quietly, lovingly with tender mercy and grace. And gently He calls us to reach out in love that He might touch lives through us.



Linking to Emily's imperfect prose today.

Blessings,
Linda

Words

I know the words
say the words
hide them
in my heart.
Study the words
discuss the words
sing them
with my heart.
Dream the words
write the words
And share them
from my heart.

It comes to me
through His hands;
bends me to my knees.
Believe the words?
Live the words?
Is what He asks of me.

My poem for One Stop Poetry.

Blessings,
Linda

Knit Together

I am a knitter. My Aunt Fannie taught me to knit when I was just a little girl. From time to time I do other kinds of handwork, but there is something about knitting that always draws me back. A peace settles over me as the needles pass through the yarn, clicking softly, forming stitches. There is a sense of fulfillment as the stitches begin to form themselves into a pattern and the project takes shape...

The rest of this little story is over at Laced With Grace this morning. I would be so honored to meet you over there.

Blessings,

Linda

Gains and Losses: Giving Thanks

Counting the gifts and in the process discovering that everything that comes to me comes directly from the Father's hands.

There have been moments when I've questioned that. Everything? Directly? Even the new cell phone (for which I am so grateful)? Well yes - even that. He was the one who gifted someone with the ability to dream up something so innovative. He provided the way for the dream to take form. He supplied the resources for me to be able to purchase it.

They are sometimes like tangled balls of yarn, these gifts. I work at the knots and twists, stretching out the strands and find they all lead straight back to the Father's hands. Hands that open wide to draw me in, and I run to Him. I embrace the gifts.

But what of those things that don't seem like gifts at all? Those things that bring pain and sorrow and loss. Is it possible that these too pass through the hands of a loving God? I take up these balls of yarn and with trembling hands work at the mess that has brought me to the depths of despair. The thread plays out, and I find myself standing before those outstretched hands.

I am faced with a choice. Will I embrace these as gifts too? Will I believe that He is good and loving? Will I trust that His word is true and that He will somehow weave these threads into something beautiful? Or will I turn and walk away, refusing to acknowledge that He is trustworthy?

I have been in that place. I have had a season of walking away. I have learned that there is, for me, no other place to go. I have turned around, stepped into that embrace and found that He is love. He has taken the gifts I scorned and turned them into priceless treasure. They have not changed in outward appearance, but they have given birth to something in my heart that could only come from His hands.

He gives good gifts - always, and I embrace them:

77- delicate flowers on the Crown of Thorns plant - a reminder that there are different kinds of
gifts
78- Leonard - a timid, gentle dog who likes nothing better than to just be with the family


79 - deer, deer everywhere!



80-sparkling lake set between rolling hills
81-the wind whipping up white caps

82- wild plum trees blooming - brilliant splash of purple


83-a crisp, clear sunny day - the humidity all blown away
84- Lisa home safely from Paris
85- Mom and Dad back to their Sunday School class and feeling well
86- He dipped His brush and painted the sky in every shade of blue imaginable, then added a
few wisps of white around the edges
87- medicine delivered in just two days - a little miracle in answer to prayer
88- the grace and patience of my dear piano teacher
89- windows open to fresh breezes
90- the smell of fresh air filling the house
91- brilliant stars on a black cloth spread across heaven
92- a little bit of rain
93- heavy winds in the night; safely cocooned in the RV
94- evening walks
95- a new knitting project
96- the gift of beautiful yarn
97- taking family to our church
98- dinner with family and friends
99- granddaughters' birthdays
100- discovering a new yarn shop - all the beautiful yarn!
101- eating lunch outdoors at a little restaurant
102- listening to my sister-in-law tell stories - a master story-teller
103- overwhelming need and a God who is sufficient
104- husband doing the vacuuming and power-washing the house to a sparkling white
105- the comfort of home and my own bed
106- devastating tragedy; knowing God is in control
107- when there is nothing I can do - prayer
108- a brilliant sliver of moon
109- new beginnings
110- the Savior who connects our hearts
111- a "real" letter in the mailbox
112- encouragement
113- filling folders with music
114- perfect spring days
115- the way His word speaks to my heart
116- seeing the things that need to change and knowing there is grace
117- a pretty silk scarf
118- love and grace extended when there could have been anger and resentment
119- getting the wrong day for an appointment and being graciously seen anyway
120- sitting by the fire at our favorite little restaurant for lunch
121- colorful little rugs for the kitchen and hall
122- new piano music - hymns!
123- the sun room
124- new cell phone
125- sitting on the front porch with my sister-in-law
126- little birds coming to the birdbath for a drink and a little bath
127- butterflies dancing
128- birdsong
129- the click of knitting needles
130- Mountain Laurel blooming
131- oak leaves raining down, covering the lawn - the old making way for the new
132- blowing my diet (oh those French cookies!); a new start today

Joining the gratitude community at Ann's to give thanks to the One who loves us lavishly.



Blessings,
Linda

"The Old Rugged Cross"

"I was praying for a full understanding for the cross and its plan in
Christianity. I read and studied and prayed. I saw Christ and the Cross
inseparably. The Christ of the Cross became more than a symbol… it was like
seeing John 3:16 (For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.") leave the printed page, take form and act out on the meaning of
redemption. While watching this scene with my mind's eye, the theme of the
song came to me, and with it the melody." —Rev. George Bennard

George Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio on February 4, 1873. He was saved while attending a revival meeting sponsored by the Salvation Army. At the age of sixteen, after the death of his father, George assumed the responsibility for his mother and four sisters.

When those responsibilities lessened he married. Both he and his wife served as officers in the Salvation Army until the time George felt the call to evangelism. He became a traveling evangelist for the Methodist church and traveled throughout Canada and North and Central America preaching the good news of the gospel.

It was during this time that he wrote the hymn "The Old Rugged Cross." It was first published in 1915. After it's publication, which was received with great enthusiasm, George went on to preach for forty more years. He died in 1958 at the age of eighty-five.

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Oh, that old rugged cross so despised by the world
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above,
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
Where his glory forever I'll share.

So I'll cherish the rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down'
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.




Blessings,
Linda

This Day

We stood in the driveway this morning waving good-bye as the big RV pulled out and headed north. We will see them one more time before they begin the journey home, but good-byes are always sad.

Just an hour or so before they left we heard the news about the terrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan. An unimaginable disaster coming suddenly in the middle of an ordinary day. A day that must have seemed like any other. No need to mark the minutes or do the one thing you would regret leaving undone; no need to say the things that pressed most heavily on your heart. There would be time enough.

As the RV made the turn out of sight I thought about the time we had spent together. In light of the tragedy in Japan, those hours took the form of a precious gift. The conversations around the kitchen table, the long walks, the laughter - all priceless treasure.

I am learning to walk more slowly through my days, to cherish the ordinary moments. I am given this one day. If I have eyes to see, with my focus more outward than inward; if I listen more than I speak; if my heart is turned toward Him, I will live it to its fullest.

Blessings,
Linda

Unchanging

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Hebrews 13:8

They are the first to arrive every spring. One morning the lawn looks just as it has all winter, brown and dry, and the next morning there they are all dressed in purple and white. Quietly in the dark night hours they poked tiny heads up through the sleeping soil to announce the changing of the seasons.

Every year my spirit fills with joy to see them. They are a sweet reminder of the faithfulness and unchanging character of God.

Winter may last for a season, but spring will always follow. My circumstances may grow dark and heavy, but His promises never fail. As surely as these tiny bits of life bloom every spring - so will He faithfully be all He has promised to be in our lives. He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He has good plans for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). He loves us (John 17:23). His grace is sufficient (II Cor. 12:9). He will never change (Hebrews 13:8).

I don't like change. It underlines the truth that I am not in control of things. Of course I'm not, but there is One who is, and He is faithful. I look with joy at these little bundles of life. They are reminders that my Father will always take very good care of me.

"Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!"*

*"Great Is Thy Faithfulness"
Thomas Chisholm

Blessings,
Linda

I will be gone for about a week. Company's comin'!!