A New Blog!

For a while now,

I've wanted to start a 'nature blog'
where I would just share my phography of God's creation.
(Along with a few thoughts or so :)
I have officially started it HERE!




Please be sure to visit...
posting there may be more regular
than my posting has been here...
since all I'll be doing is adding photos. ;)
I've already added a few!!

Oh yes, He Cares!

The Lord is so good!
Sunday afternoon I was crying to the Lord
about how I've had physical ailments for so long.
I was telling Him how I felt that no one understood or cared
and I was getting quite discouraged!

But when we went back to church that evening,
He really uplifted my spirits and encouraged me
through the special music... the song 'Does Jesus Care'.

I thought I'd share the words to this beautiful song.
I, also, composed an arrangement of it on the piano today.
(You'll have to stop my blog background music, though.
And, please, excuse our untuned piano!)







Does Jesus Care?

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth and song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night-shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

(chorus)
Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares;
His heart is touched with my grief.
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Saviour cares.


Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong,
When for my deep grief I find no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I've said "good-bye"
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

(chorus)
Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares;
His heart is touched with my grief.
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Saviour cares.

Words by Frank E. Graeff


And it really amazes me that He cared so much about me
that He sent such encouragement
right when He knew I needed it!
He truly is a great Saviour!
So good to me and always gives me what I need!


"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
1 Peter 5:7

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;
and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous:
but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
Psalms 34:18-19

How Can I Smile?

How can I smile
when my heart aches
And I am lonely and sad?
Because my Saviour
has entered my life
And He can make me glad.

How can I smile when my life seems
A burden too great to bear?
Because my heavenly Father is here,
Awaiting my burdens to share.

How can I smile when I'm bereft
Of much that life holds dear?
Because, though earthly friends forsake,
My heavenly Father is near.

How can I smile when sorrow and pain
Are a part of my daily life?
Because a loving hand is stretched
To help me bear the strife.

How can I smile when home and love
Are taken away from me?
Because my Saviour send His Spirit
A comfort and guide to be.

And so I can smile from day to day
Though sorrow and loss I bear,
For Jesus, my Saviour, knows and loves;
I am ever in His care.

-Florence B. Hodgdon

Week In Review...

Busy, busy, busy!
Sorry I've missed the last Thursday post.

I thought this post could be of some pictures I've taken...
(You can click on the photos to view them larger!)

A few days ago I took some pictures of my babies...




Puff is now flying and likes to fly to the top of my canopy bed!




Fluff still needs training, so I keep her wings clipped!




When she's bad I have to grab her
with a glove because she bites.
She really doesn't like it
and makes the funniest expressions!




My dear singer, Puff, perches on the banjo and sings with me...




My friend, Stephani, has gotten a new pet as well...



She brings little Bell over every Friday now...



I've finally, somewhat, started my 12th grade year.
I'm still waiting for a few more books to come in.
So I've been busy working on that as well as
playing all my instruments and crocheting for Christmas gifts.
With all of that and additional household duties,
I've had a hard time getting on the computer :)

Here are some other photos that I took and edited online...


I love being able to get so close to the birds in our backyard!


This is in tribute to my Dad...



And here's a creepy bug I saw outside by our front rocker...


Oh yes, and last Saturday was my
dear sister, Beth's, 6th birthday!
It's so hard to watch all the younger siblings growing up so fast!
Especially when I remember holding them and changing diapers.
But I do enjoy seeing them get older in many ways!


Well, I thought I'd just post something
since it's the day after Thursday.

Before I go, I thought I'd share a picture of Suzie...




"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him..."
Psalm 37:7

Youthful Romance... Dangers of Dating... Part 3

(Please be sure to read part 1 and part 2...)



In 1 Corinthians 7:32b-34 we see,
“…He that is unmarried careth for the things
that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
But he that is married careth for the things
that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
There is difference also between a wife and a virgin.
The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord,
that she may be holy both in body and in spirit:
but she that is married careth for the things of the world,
how she may please her husband.”

Paul says how the married person needs to please their spouse,
but the single one is free to serve the Lord.
In our culture, we’ve completely turned that around!
Those who are unmarried have a great pressure
to be ‘on the make’, but once they get married
they can settle down and please the Lord.
We have it turned around!
God says (Ecc.12:1)
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…”
God has a better way!

I’ve had many people say, “If you don’t date,
how are you going to know if that person is God’s will?”
First of all, I fully believe that God
speaks to us in a still small voice.
Also, I believe the Lord has a different way for each person.
But He will let a person know (ideally the young man),
with the help and guidance of parents.
Parental involvement is very important!

You can tell of a person’s character without dating…
through observing, maybe even someone suggesting;
I believe God has a special way of letting
each person know that what is His will!
Pray with your parents
if a specific person has caught your attention.
And if all 3-
the young person (ideally the young man),
the father, and mother-
really feel the Lord speaking and saying “that’s the one”;
and there is no doubt of it being God’s will,
then the young man should go to the lady’s parents.
They should pray about it and if they have every assurance
of it being God’s will, then they let the lady know.
She then needs to pray about it
and feel, without a doubt, it’s God’s perfect will.
Prayer is the main tool here while searching out God’s will!
In this way, 6 people will be hearing from God
and seeking His will:
And if one of them doesn’t feel it’s right,
it may not be God’s will… or His timing.

God WILL reveal it to them if it is His perfect will!
After coming to the conclusion that 2 people are
God’s perfect will for each other,
then social interaction can take place!
They need to commit to being married
before really ‘getting to know each other’.
Some say now they can ‘date’…
that would still be giving occasion to the flesh.
They’re not married, so they have no right to act like they are!

The other concern people have is love.
People say, “You marry the one you love.”
NO!
You love the one you marry! Love is a choice!
It’s not an ‘ooey gooey’ feeling (as my pastor says!);
it isn’t uncontrollable- you choose to love someone!
The expression “fell in love” is absurd!
It seems to indicate you fall in love like you fall into a ditch!
You can just as easily fall out!
No, you don’t accidentally love someone!
You choose to love that person!

If we are truly seeking God and are serving Him in His will,
He will bless us and let us know who His chosen spouse is for us.
Just as He created Eve especially for Adam,
He has created a partner especially for each person today-
if we’re willing to seek it and submit to His will.

After all, the whole design of marriage was for
a picture of the church’s relationship with Christ.
The Lord says, continually, He has betrothed the church to Him.
We need to make sure we, personally, have a deep and sincere
relationship with Christ before we move to marriage.

Notice also, that God the Father betrothed Christ to the church.
(He, also, uses the word ‘espoused’ sometimes)
This, in itself, clearly states that God’s will and way is betrothal-
He never once mentions dating or courtship!
And if an exhaustive study was to be done,
it would prove that dating is a sin...
in every way it is NOT God’s will!
If only people were more willing to open their eyes!
So many people harden their hearts to such an idea
because it may not be what they want or what they think.
But with all that God refers to in romantic relationships,
if one were to be completely open and willing to submit to God,
they would see how God really looks
at the world’s idea of dating.

Please note this is not just my opinion-
nor was it, I admit, my first choice or desire
when I first studied it,
but I am very thankful the Lord really softened my heart
and opened my eyes on the subject!
And I know now that I’m not the only one!
There are, I know for a fact, many Christians who believe this…
but many more who don’t.
Now I’m not at all saying that God can’t use dating
to bring His will of people together-
but I do believe that dating is His permissive will
and, certainly, not His perfect will in marriage.

In His Goodness, He works with what we give Him,
even if we’re holding back more.
But wouldn’t it be so precious to Him (and us)
if we surrendered that area as well
and really trusted Him to bring our marriage about,
not only with His chosen person,
but His time and way of bringing it about?

I challenge you today, to risk the criticism and the sacrifice,
by being totally commited to
God’s absolute best and perfect will in this area.
I know from experience that people
will mock, criticize, and disagree;
friends, family, even other Christians and church members,
but there comes a great peace in knowing that you are in
God's perfect will and are resting and trusting in Him!
And the rewards will be eternal,
as well as wonderful here on earth!

“And this I speak for your own profit;
not that I may cast a snare upon you,
but for that which is comely,
and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.”
1 Corinthians 7:35