It couldn't be more perfect :)

When God is the Master Weaver of our days
When we allow our Lord to rule
It couldn't be more perfect.


A few days ago I knelt to pray and you know how people always say that you need to make sure that you are listening to as well as talking to the Lord...well I knelt to pray and immediately something that I needed to do popped into my head. I usually disregard such "to do" items as distractions from my prayers but that night I knew it was the Lord prompting me. I got up, wrote the email I needed to write, and went to bed knowing that I had done what I was supposed to do. 
A few days later I got a response back from that email and it said "I just wanted you to know that the Lord has gone before you in this." I cried right then and there in front of my computer screen and praised the Lord who makes straight our paths. 


When the Lord is Ruler of my days
When He is the Potter and I am the clay. 
It couldn't be more perfect. 


Thank -full tonight for:
 the joy of cooking---oh I have so much fun making dinner!
 the wonders of modern technology-
 the peace of knowing that He leadeth me
 early am walks in the country
 small girls picking dandelion bouquets

Judge not...

  So often I am so quick to see the faults in others. Without even being consciously aware of it I make snap judgments; I believe stereotypes; and I self-righteously think of myself more highly than I ought. 
  And then the Lord stops me in my tracks, put me in front of the Mirror of His word, and says "what do you see?" To my shame I see my own wickedness. I see the ugliness of my self-righteousness. I see myself and with Paul I cry out "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death!(Romans 7:24)" And if the Scripture stopped there what a mess I would be in.
  But it does not stop there, Paul goes on in verse 25 "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" He has delivered me!
  

This picture is from Jerusalem... 

at the place where some scholars believe that Jesus bore the nails for me. 

Directly to the left of this photo is the garden tomb with this blessed truth  there inscribed 

"He is not here! He is risen!"

   As I bow the knee, dear Lord, confessing my sins again..
Unkindness, self-righteousness, self-centeredness, 
Forgive me Lord I pray
I thank you Lord that Your mercies are new every morning
that your forgiveness never ends. 
Thank you for loving me on the basis of who You are not because of who I am. 
Thank you Lord that I am kept by grace!

Grace

This painting has been one of my favorites for years. It hung in my grandma's kitchen and as a child I remember it being the one constant about her house. My grandma moved a lot and no matter where she lived this painting hung in a prominent place. I loved this painting. Perhaps because the man looked so kind. Perhaps because in my child-mind I associated him with the grandfather I never knew. And perhaps because I loved the image of work-a-day faith--praying to the Lord as a habitual thing; more important than the breakfast before him. 

I saw this picture displayed tonight where else but my favorite blog: A Holy Experience and decided that it was time that I look it up. I found a website immediately dedicated solely to this one painting. And what I found encouraged my heart and I hope it does yours. This painting is entitled "Grace." 

The word grace is often used to simply describe the prayer that is said before a meal and while this may have been the artist's intent in naming this painting "Grace" I submit that this painting speaks of a deeper and higher Grace. The Grace of knowing the Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of life; Friend of Sinners and Savior of the world. To have free access into the Most Holy Place--to bring our prayers and petitions before a Holy and Righteous God and to know that He hears and He cares is a piece of this Amazing Grace. 

One of my favorite hymns listed below:

Unbounded Grace

Unbounded Grace it reached to me

When hope was Gone from view;

In my Despair Christ came to me,

as He alone could do.

Grace was for me the only way

My guilt could find relief;

My destiny was changed that day

I reached out in belief

God's grace does not on me depend

It's God who is my Stay

His love is offered without end, 

He walks with me each day

The Universe with joy will ring

when grace has won the day;

As all creation joins to sing

"Praise God, who paid the way!."

Jealousy

Jealousy is a word with bad connotations. But I heard it explained tonight in a new light and thought I would share. We were talking about characteristics of God and one of them is jealousy. Admittedly it is one that I am not too comfortable with because in my mind jealousy is a sin so how can it be a characteristic of God? The preacher defined it this way: Jealousy is "to possessively guard what is exclusively yours." What a beautiful explanation of how God feels about us: His church, His bride.

I am from...

I am from homemade quilts, and corn bags, and attic bedrooms

I am from wide open spaces, and raw unspoiled beauty and freshly plowed earth beneath my feet

I am from a daddy with grease-covered hands, and a family that loves old trucks, and do-it-yourself projects.

I am from homegrown garden produce, and Squeezo-straino freezer jam, and hours of raspberry picking.

I am from the tall white farm house, not large but large enough as it grew to expand to spread the love that was nurtured there.

I am from summers spent in Camp service, loving children to Jesus and learning to love Him more; from Choose the Right Door! And black light gospel presentations, and “It only takes a spark” and “ I have decided to follow Jesus”

I am from the white blossomed over-grown cherry trees, and the raphiki tree whose strong limbs held us all.

I’m from Little Lost Kids, and tree fort adventures; from dress-up clothes, and sleep-over birthdays.

I’m from the story of the Wordless Book,  that led me to the Word made flesh, the sweetest Name I’ve ever heard.

I am from prayer at the flag pole, and high school Bible study, and Christian t-shirts, a zeal for bearing the light.

I am from “quit ritchin’ around” and “there is no such word as cain’t” and People need the Lord.

I am from Friday night pizza, and smilin’ Irish eyes, from my parents and my siblings who I love so dear.

I’m from a momma who prays with me, who models motherhood and service to the Lord as a beautiful tapestry, not a frantic race.

I'm from my daddy who loves me; whose love for the Lord, and for His people, is evident to all who meet him.

I am from Good News Clubs in the public schools, and VBS at my local church, and “Stand up and Shout it if you love my Jesus.”

I’m from laughing long and loud, and teasing, and talking about bodily functions at the dinner table.

I’m from “it’s time to climb the golden stair” and “quit your cryin’ or I’ll give you something to cry about” and “Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever”

I’m from “Is God good and can you trust Him?" From burying my friends who now share with Him in glory. From learning lessons I thought I was too young to grasp.

I’m from October camping in the Adirondacks and fireside readings of the Cremation of Sam McGee.

I’m from North Chili, and Irish potato farmers, and Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonites, and pecan pie and sticky buns.

I’m from  a coal-shoveling Irishman aboard the doomed Titanic who rowed others to their coming rescue and later wrote his tale in a gospel tract pointing the dying world to the One who alone can save them.

I am from Friday nights watching Planet Earth, and cultivating orchids and a household of science nerds “Did you know…?”

I am from “Don’t be bad,” “Have fun storming the castle” and “The more we get together, together.”

I am from cousin sleepovers, and Sunrise services, and the annual Haggan “Easter Parade”

I am from Townie Times, whether snuggled together on one bed to watch a movie, or a dance party in the living room, from telling secrets and bearing our souls, 

I am from the memories of camping trips, of family times whether elaborate or simple, living and loving one another on our journey here on earth.

Most of all I am from the Lord who knows me and loves me, who gives grace for each moment and joy for the journey;

I am from the One Who makes beauty from ashes, Whose promises are true, and Whose faithfulness will carry me thru.

When I am weak...

This song by Alison Krauss says it all 

listen here

I am thankful for the Lord's constant presence with me today. 

I am thankful for the strength that He gives to those who are weak.

I am thankful that He knows my frame and remembers that I am but dust.

I am thankful that His grace is sufficient for me.

Praise to the Lord who brings rain upon the earth!

Sometimes thankfulness comes easily and other times it comes hardly at all. May each day start "with a grateful prayer and a thankful heart!"

   Sunsets are made more beautiful by the clouds--there is beauty in imperfection

I am thankful for so many things tonight!
For the gift of hospitality, both to the giver and the receiver.
For the gift of genuine fellowship with God's people--talking about all the things that really matter most...
For the gift of family working together in a seamless harmony of grace
For the gift of food and fun and laughter
For the sweetness and the ache of change--the wonder of metamorphosis 
For the comfort of hometown scenes and hometown flavors
For the encouragement of friends
For the blessing of hard work--the benefit it is to self and others
For short naps on rainy days
For my sister who loves me anyways...

without excuse

"Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places."

Habakukk 3:17-19

There is no excuse for un-joyfulness. I will rejoice because God is...my strength, my salvation, my Lord!

Thankful tonight for small gifts

Surprise morning hug from my brother to start my day.

Safety on the roads

a car that runs

the trust of a small child

The glory of God's love

The encouragement of the saints

The sweetness of prayer to our God

Sunshine

warm weather

music & memory

pain--a refiner, a safety measure

Ice cream sandwiches on homemade chocolate chip cookies

blooming flowers

kitchen science experiments

5 loaves & 2 Fish

* the above image is "St.Peter's fish" caught fresh from the Sea of Galilee. A similar fish may have been a part of the boy's lunch that was offered to the Lord.

I started today wanting to be left alone. No reason in particular. No event or stress that I can lay my finger on that made me want to slip into my quiet corner at the office and talk to no one. But of course being left alone in a helping profession is impossible and today was one of those days where everyone wanted a piece of me.

Jesus had days like this. In Matthew's gospel chapter 14 we see recorded "a day in the life" of the Lord Jesus. He has just heard about the execution of his cousin John the Baptist. He gets in a boat and tries to get away but the crowds follow Him. And what does Jesus do? Does He lose His cool? Does He ask them to go away? Does He plead for their mercy on His heavy heart? No, it says "He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick."

Do I see the interruptions in my day with the eyes of Jesus? Am I moved with compassion? The answer, all to often is, No. Rather I see the interruptions as inconvenience, frustrations in my way of accomplishing my plan. Lord give me Your eyes that I may see! And Lord, may I daily be reminded to surrender all.

Or maybe I am like the disciples in the next part of the story. I see the crowds. I even understand their needs. But when the Lord asks me to help them, I say "Lord, all I have is 5 loaves and 2 fish." And sometimes I stop right there. I assume my inadequacies disqualify me for service. Lord, I don't know how to _______; I am not smart enough for ________; All I have is ______! The Lord knows our weakness. He remembers that we are but dust. So let me turn my 5 loaves and 2 fish over to Him and see what mighty things God can do!

Thankful Thoughts for this evening:

Making someone else's day with simple gifts and homemade cake on their birthday

Advocating for someone else's best interest and succeeding

We sang "He is Lord!" and those words make everything right!

Singing "Immanuel."

Practicing openness & honesty with my sisters in the Lord

Sharing cake with friends

Reading these words on my lunch break: "Peace is My continual gift to you... I have designed you to need Me moment by moment."

Reading this blog www.aholyexperience.com

Having the joy of eating lunch with a fellow believer

Grace is for the imperfections

God's graces to me today

Strength to carry me thru the day despite how I feel

Surprise! Caffeine hidden in my Vitamin water (who knew?) helpful after a too late night

Knowing that with Him I am never misunderstood

Understanding co-workers

Talking to someone who shared creative ways to bless the homeless

hearing the Holy Spirit's nudge to call a friend and just say "i love you and I am praying for you"

Finding special bread that my roommate can eat!

Watching my shamrock plant awake with the rising day

A concert of praise; hearing my dear sister Lydia's senior recital

See God open doors for me to bless those around me; doing things that I have been longing to do and lacked the opportunity.

Being wrapped up and ready for tomorrow...in time to go to bed reasonably earlier than last night :)

living too long in Hollywood

I am reading an interesting novel right now entitled: Heartland, by Davis Bunn. Without going into too much detail it takes place in the sub-culture of Hollywood. One little line jumped out at me as I read today. "He was a man well accustomed to the Hollywood usage of truth, as in, change it to suit your purpose." Today I felt like this man-- and I fulfilled this saying, much to my shame.

In an effort to try not to offend, and perhaps in an effort to not be perceived as a prude, I told some one an untruth, a lie. I could have spoken the truth and still not offended but my fear pulled the words from me before I had time to catch them. I am 26 years old and lying is something that I know is wrong and yet here I am catching myself in it again. It may not be the premeditated lying of my youth--reading after I had been sent to bed and then snapping off the light when I heard my parents footfall on the stairs. But it is lying none the less. It is a lie whether it comes out of my mouth or not; every time I act to please man and not My Father. I allow fear of what others think, fear of failure, to bind me up in a web of deceit. Because I think if you really knew me you probably would think less of me.

Father God-- I know that I cannot live this lie--Lord forgive me for the times I have lied, with my lips, and with my actions. Father, free me from this deceit and fill me with Your truth. Lord thank you that the freeing work was already accomplished on Calvary! I am free! Thank you, Lord Jesus--may I live in the reality of that truth and bear the fruit of the Vine.

I am amazed by His Grace! That is why this blog is entitled Kept by Grace. Because the most amazing thing about my salvation is that the God who saves did so knowing full well that I would do the majority of my sinning after I was saved! Truly we serve an amazing God!

I cried when I read Ann Voskamp's post for today @ www.aholyexperience.com She says this:

"Heaven and earth both know I am a miserable mess away from perfect. This is exactly why the bruised knees just have to bend at the table of communion, and say, yes, please.

I need Jesus.

I need His life.

I need the perfect, sinless sacrifice of Jesus Christ who can take all the broken messes and make them into mosaics of Grace."

Amen & Amen

Today was Monday and I went back to work after a truly beautiful weekend. I left work today and I thought "Why is thankfulness so easy on the weekends?" because as I drove home I wasn't sure what I had to be thankful for. I was struggling with guilt over my lying tongue and falling prey to the lie that I am unusable by God. And then I recall "My Grace is sufficient for you." Thank you, Lord. And as I thanked Him the gifts kept coming to mind.

A coffee drink that doesn't wreck my stomach!

Bran muffins stuffed with dates

Enjoying a yummy lunch someone else made because it is Meeting Monday

80 degree whether on days when in years past we have had snow

News that an old co-worker is joining our team!

Dinner at home with family

Dessert and discussions with my sister!

Forgiveness granted by a friend.

The funny fact that my little brother is learning to drive and my parents won't let him drive with me or my sister yet (ages 26 & 21 respectively). If that doesn't make you smile I don't know what will.

Finding one of my favorite hymns sung by one of my favorite groups here

Words of love

The Harmony of Worship this morning

"O Lord--we know it matters not, How sweet the song may be, no heart but of the Spirit taught makes melody to Thee."

"Hark my soul! Thy Savior sings; Catch the joy that music brings, and with that sweet flood of song, pour thy whispering praise along."

Esther 2:14 : "She would not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for her by name."

Zephaniah 3:17

"The Lord your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

"Thou hast by blood made sinners meet, as saints in light to come, and worship at the mercy seat before the eternal throne."

Isaiah 62:4

You shall no more be termed Forsaken,

and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,

But you shall be called My Delight is in Her

and your land Married;

for the Lord delights in you,

and your land shall be married."

What a beautiful truth that the King of glory delights in me! He has called me by name and I am His!

Enjoying walks in this beautiful corner of God's green earth--watching as "resurrection" comes to the earth that was once bound by winter's grasp

Worshiping with His people

Teaching from the Word "without birth there is no life" John 3

Lunch with friends

Forgiveness and reconciliation

Life is Beautiful

I love this song---I know that it is a love song, but there is something in it that speaks to me of more than just the relationship between a man and woman. Hear these words "Life is beautiful, life is wondrous and every star above is shining just for us. Life is beautiful on a stormy night 'cuz somewhere in the world hope is shining bright." I hear in these words the testimony of the Creator God to His bride, the church--He made this world and all that is in it so that we might seek Him. (Acts 17:24-28). And His promise is--"I will never leave you nor forsake you." Even when the storms of life beat on us we can trust in the fact that Jesus Christ died and is risen and the hope that shines bright in this world is that gospel truth. You see, there is never any darkness so dark that it can drown out the light! My prayer for myself is that I would be a reflection of the Light of the World; bearing testimony that the light shines bright even in the storms of life!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI_GNu8jaSA

Today was a glorious day!

Spent time with my sister

Shopped at my two favorite stores, Wegmans and Goodwill

Enjoyed devos this morning from James 2--Faith without works is dead.

Challenged by my friend's thoughts about James 2--Abraham & Rahab--their faith was demonstrated by an act of sacrifice!

Did laundry and finished it! Yeah for clean clothes

Made whoopie pies for youth group tomorrow! Yum and so easy with a Duncan Hines whoopie pie kit!

Made dinner with my sister and her boyfriend--we rocked that homemade pizza! Barbecue ham with provolone, mushroom & broccoli with feta, chili & cheddar foldover!

Watched Remember the Titans

Praise the Lord for His goodness!

Choosing Joy

Since I was in college this phrase "Choose Joy" has run through my mind. I first saw it in the notes that my RA sent us from time to time to encourage us in the midst of a hard semester. I believe that these words are true--Joy is a choice. I can choose to see the mud on my feet and the rain pouring down or I can choose to see the rainbow breaking through the clouds. But more than that I can thank God for the rain, and praise Him for the mud--giving thanks in all circumstances!

This blog-- I hope, and pray, will be my way to practice the discipline of choosing Joy. In the Lord Jesus I have glorious access to the real Joy-giver and I want to know Him more.

^{Philippians 2: 14-15} Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world