O Father You are Sovereign

O Father You are sovereign
In all the worlds you made
Your mighty Word was spoken
And light and life obeyed
Your voice commands the seasons
And bounds the ocean's shore
Sets stars within their courses
And still the tempests' roar.

O Father you are sovereign
In all affairs of man
No powers of death or darkness
Can thwart your perfect plan
All chance and change transcending 
Supreme in time and space
You hold your trusting children
Secure in your embrace.

O Father you are sovereign
The Lord of human pain
Transmuting earthly sorrows
To gold of heavenly gain
All evil overruling
As none but Conqueror could
Your love pursues its purpose
Our souls' eternal good.

O Father you are sovereign
We see you dimly now
But soon before your triumph
Earth's every knee shall bow
With this glad hope before us
Our faith springs forth anew
Our Sovereign Lord and Savior
We trust and worship You!

--Margaret Clarkson

Humility, Pride, Fellowship, and Division

Humility is the secret of fellowship, 

and pride the secret of division.

--Robert C. Chapman

I Know Who Holds My Hand

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day. 
I don’t borrow from its sunshine, 
For its skies may turn to gray. 
I don’t worry o’er the future 
For I know what Jesus said; 
And today I’ll walk beside Him, 
For He knows what lies ahead. 

Many things about tomorrow 
I don’t seem to understand; 
But I know who holds tomorrow, 
And I know who holds my hand. 

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden’s getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shinning,
There no tear will dim the eye,
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow 
I don’t seem to understand; 
But I know who holds tomorrow, 
And I know who holds my hand.

I don’t know about tomorrow, 
It may bring me poverty; 
But the One who feeds the sparrow 
Is the One who stands by me. 
And the path that is my portion, 
It may be through flame or flood; 
But His presence goes before me 
And I’m covered with His blood! 

Many things about tomorrow 
I don’t seem to understand; 
But I know who holds tomorrow, 
And I know who holds my hand. 

--Ira F. Stanphill

Satire on Legalisms

Thank you to satirical Babylon Bee for their Hershey’s Replaces ‘Kisses’ With More Pure ‘Sidehugs’ For Christian Market:

"...In a new attempt to court the Christian market, 
the Hershey Company unveiled Monday 
its brand-new “Hershey’s Sidehugs™️,” 
a Kiss™️-like chocolate that promises to be more pure 
and only slightly less fulfilling...

...the new chocolate treats “far more appropriate for brothers and sisters in the Lord”..."

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That Beautiful Name

I know of a name,

A beautiful name,

That angels brought down to earth;

They whispered it low,

One night long ago,

To a maiden of lowly birth.

That beautiful Name,

That beautiful Name,

From sin has power to free us!

That beautiful Name,

That wonderful Name,

That matchless Name is Jesus!

I know of a Name,

A beautiful Name,

That unto a Babe was given;

The stars glittered bright

Throughout that glad night,

And angels praised God in Heav'n.

That beautiful Name,

That beautiful Name,

From sin has power to free us!

That beautiful Name,

That wonderful Name,

That matchless Name is Jesus!

The One of that Name,

My Savior became,

My Savior of Calvary.

My sins nailed Him there;

My burdens He bare.

He suffered all this for me.

That beautiful Name,

That beautiful Name,

From sin has power to free us!

That beautiful Name,

That wonderful Name,

That matchless Name is Jesus!

I love that blest Name,

that wonderful Name,

Made higher than all in Heav'n

'Twas whispered, 
I know,
In my heart long ago

To Jesus my life I've giv’n.

That beautiful Name,

That beautiful Name,

From sin has power to free us!

That beautiful Name,

That wonderful Name,

That matchless Name is Jesus!

--Mabel Johnston Camp

A Classic Child's Picture Book

This classic book written sixty-two years ago by Margaret Wise Brown with beautiful illustrations by Garth Williams is a family treasure.  

Our book is a large size so the pictures are like opening up the world of a bunny. The landscapes are realistically filled with native woodland flowers all the while the little rabbit is finding a home. Perfect for reading to little ones and beautiful for any age.

Use Discernment

Salt and sugar look the same--

Be careful who you trust.

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Psalm 50:7

Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me

Psalm 144:7-8

Stretch forth Your hand from on high;

Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters,

Out of the hand of aliens

Whose mouths speak deceit,

And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

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No One Understands Like Jesus

No one understands like Jesus;
He's a Friend beyond compare.
Meet Him at the throne of mercy;
He is waiting for You there.

No one understands like Jesus
When the days are dark and grim.
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus;
Cast your every care on Him.

No understands like Jesus;
Every woe He sees and feels.
Tenderly He whispers comfort,
And the broken heart He heals.

No one understands like Jesus
When the days are dark and grim.
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus;
Cast your every care on Him.

No one understands like Jesus
When the foes of life assail.
You should never be discouraged;
Jesus cares and will not fail.

No one understands like Jesus
When the days are dark and grim.
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus;
Cast your every care on Him.

No one understands like Jesus
When you falter on the way.
Though you fail Him, sadly fail Him,
He will pardon You today.

No one understands like Jesus
When the days are dark and grim.
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus;
Cast your every care on Him.

by John W. Peterson

God was God, and there was work to do.

She Waited for the Call That Never Came

She waited for the call that never came;
searched every mail for a letter, or a note, or card,
that bore his name; 
and on her knees at night, 
and on her feet all day, 
she stormed Heaven’s gate in his behalf;
she pled for him in Heaven’s high court.

“Be still, and wait; and see”—
the word God gave; then she 
knew that He would do in and for and with him,
that which she never could.

So doubts ignored
she went about her chores
with joy—
knowing, though spurned,
His word was true.

The prodigal had not returned, 
but God was God,
and there was work to do.

By Ruth Bell Graham

O taste and see that the Lord is good

Here in the Midwest, like in many parts of our country, we are having a lengthened winter season, especially as it is officially spring.  I was driving into the city today where the bleak, brown-grey terrain was made even more unwelcoming with the bright, dingy overcast.  I saw no trees or bushes budding and even the evergreens lacked the luster they usually have.

Meanwhile, people everywhere talk about spring; “Why isn’t it here? When will it begin?...”

As I drove I was thinking about everything in its season, in its time.  I knew that if I had stopped the car anywhere along the road I would have found at the side of the road, or in the woodlands, little plants emerging if I was to have poked around a bit. I certainly find much tiny greens growing  in my own yard. Spring is beginning, it is arriving in its time.

The same goes for our lives.  We do what is before us, and yet we tend to think way beyond “today,” not necessarily being thankful for what we have today.  Our thoughts revolve around what we do not have yet: a diploma, a car, a family, the right house, a job, this event or that vacation…

Yes, there will always be things in our future for which we can look forward to without obsessing about them, while being thankful and satisfied with the “now”.

What is life about? Why are we here? What should we do next? How can I stop obsessing? How can I find calmness in my inner person? How can I find peace?

Psalm 119:161-168
Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your words.

I rejoice at Your word,
As one who finds great spoil.

I hate and despise falsehood,
But I love Your law.

Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous ordinances.

Those who love Your law have great peace,
And nothing causes them to stumble.

I hope for Your salvation, O Lord,
And do Your commandments.

My soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly.

I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my ways are before You.

The Lord God is our calmness and our peace if we would only learn to run to Him with all of our situations, good or bad.  As we learn to come to Him in all things, we learn to trust Him more; we draw closer to Him. We read His Word and learn of Him more and more; we draw closer to Him. 

We need to come to Him all the time when life is fun and easy so that when life goes bad, crazy, and chaos reigns, it will be second nature for us to run to Him.  He is our answer right now, not later.

Sometimes a priority in what we need to learn from Him is to realize that He is in charge-- not us.  We need to know that God is working in His timing, which is the best for us.  We need to allow the Lord to work in us in all things. 

Psalm 119 is FULL of encouragements from a writer who sounds much like us. The 176 verses are divided into 8 verse sections which are easy to read and reread.  Each section points you right to the Lord for His help and guidance, plus reminding us to always be thankful for Him and His Word. 

Winter weather is still affecting us and so maybe it has become a bother to you, or maybe your life is full of struggles which look like chaos on the horizon. So if you are “worn  out” from this winter, if you are “worn out” from just living, I encourage you to open His Word and read it. 

Take the time to taste and see that the Lord God Almighty is good, and He is good all the time no matter if life is going great or just terrible.

Psalm 34
I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.


My soul will make its boast in the Lord;

The humble will hear it and rejoice.


O magnify the Lord with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

I sought the Lord, and He answered me,

And delivered me from all my fears.


They looked to Him and were radiant,

And their faces will never be ashamed.


This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

And saved him out of all his troubles.


The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,

And rescues them.

O taste and see that the Lord is good;

How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!


O fear the Lord, you His saints;

For to those who fear Him there is no want.


The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;

But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.


Come, you children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the Lord.


Who is the man who desires life

And loves length of days that he may see good?


Keep your tongue from evil

And your lips from speaking deceit.


Depart from evil and do good;

Seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous

And His ears are open to their cry.


The face of the Lord is against evildoers,

To cut off the memory of them from the earth.


The righteous cry, and the Lord hears

And delivers them out of all their troubles.


The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.


He keeps all his bones, 
Not one of them is broken.


Evil shall slay the wicked,

And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.


The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,

And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

The walking wounded are among us

Thank you to Charles Schulz for understanding the joys and the struggles of real life, and for being able to put it in a form we can relate to in his Peanuts comic strip---and then, hopefully learn from it.

May you find solace and hope in the Lord in this Psalm. Glory to God!

Psalm 3
O Lord, how my adversaries have increased!

Many are rising up against me.

Many are saying of my soul,

“There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah.

But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,

My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

I was crying to the Lord with my voice,

And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.


I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people

Who have set themselves against me round about.
Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!

For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;

You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.

Salvation belongs to the Lord;

Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord,

Lead me home.

When my way grows drear,

Precious Lord, linger near,

When my life is almost gone,

Hear my cry, hear my call,

Hold my hand lest I fall:
Take my hand, precious Lord,

Lead me home.

When the darkness appears

And the night draws near,

And the day is past and gone,

At the river I stand,

Guide my feet, hold my hand:
Take my hand, precious Lord,

Lead me home.

--Thomas A. Dorsey

Sweet Helen Sweetstory

Draw on God each day

"The Lord does take pleasure in those that hope in His mercy!"

"I can't store up good feelings and behavior --- 
but only draw them fresh from God each day.

--Corrie ten Boom

from Tramp for the LORD

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"Consider it all joy, my brethren, 
when you encounter various trials, 
knowing that the testing of your faith 
produces endurance."

James 1:2-3

Praising the LORD in agonies

Psalm 124

“Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,
”
Let Israel now say,

“Had it not been the Lord who was on our side

When men rose up against us,

Then they would have swallowed us alive,

When their anger was kindled against us;

Then the waters would have engulfed us,

The stream would have swept over our soul;

Then the raging waters would have swept over our soul.”
Blessed be the Lord,

Who has not given us to be torn by their teeth.
Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper;

The snare is broken and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

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Sisters in Christ - when you are struggling in whatever comes into your lives, remember that the LORD will help you, He give you strength, He will lift your head even in your darkest hours.

Get into His Word and learn about His character.  Our God is the same God of Israel. Remember that "Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth!"

You know each heart, each hidden wound, each scar...

I Bring Those Whom I Love

I bring those whom I love to You, 
commit each to Your loving care: 
then carry them way again nor leave them there: 
forgetting You Who lived to die (and rose again!) care more than I.

So back I come with my heart’s load, 
confessing my lack of faith in You alone, 
addressing all I cannot understand to You Who do.

You know each heart, each hidden wound, each scar, 
each one who played a part in making those we bring 
to You the ones they are (and dearer to You than us, by far),

So—now I give them to Your loving care, with thankful heart,
—and leave them there.

By Ruth Bell Graham

Linus: a future Christian Apologist

Peanuts, by Charles Schulz

Don’t let them change YOU

A good lesson for us all, in all things, as we live our lives for the LORD:

"A just man comes to Sodom hoping to save the city. 

He pickets. 

What else can he do? 

He goes from street to street, from marketplace to marketplace, shouting, “Men and women, repent. What you are doing is wrong. It will kill you; it will destroy you.” 

They laugh, but he goes on shouting, until one day a child stops him. 

“Poor stranger, don’t you see it’s useless?” 

“Yes,” the just man replies. 

“Then why do you go on?” the child asks. 

“In the beginning,” he says, “I was convinced that I would change them. 

Now I go on shouting because I don’t want them to change me.”

Elie Wiesel.  Cited by Hope MacDonald, 
The Flip Side of Liberation: A Call to Traditional Values, 
pg.117-118

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For His glory!

A sweet picture book favorite for Spring

One of my favorite stories from my childhood as well as for my own children. 
Bill Peet had a wonderful way of telling his stories.

Huge Harold begins like this:  

When Harold the rabbit was tiny and small
His feet started growing and that's about all.
"Oh gracious!" his mother exclaimed in surprise.
"They're two times too big for a rabbit your size!"
"That's a sign," said his father, "he'll grow to great height."
And Father's prediction turned out to be right.

His wounds have paid my ransom!

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

-Stuart Townend

Glory to God!