Wednesday, May 31, 2006

A time to paint...


After finishing a bit of planting this morning, we moved on to painting this afternoon. T was great help getting in some of the corners. And C couldn't be left out, so he helped out his mom with the drawers.

Monday, May 29, 2006

A time to plant...


Today was all about landscaping. My sister has a green thumb. She loves plants and has great ideas when it comes to landscaping. I gave her a budget and told her some of my thoughts and let her have at it. She brought everything we needed to get started. I would not have thought about all the soil additives and stuff she brought with her. Of course, she brought some great help with her, the kids, her husband and the dog, Anna.




Sunday, May 28, 2006

Dear Lord, Remember Me

Dear Lord, remember me,
a sinner weak and vile
Full of impiety,
and fraught with sin and guile
I cannot hope but in Thy blood
Remember me, O Lord, for good

Unable to depend
on nature-strength and power
Jesus, my soul befriend,
teach me to trust Thee more
Save me from sin and all its smart
O save me from my treacherous heart

Upon Thy oath I rest
my feeble soul secure
By sin I am oppressed,
but Thy salvation's sure
Though like a bottle in the smoke
I know Thy vessels can't be broke

'Tis true, dear Lord,
I am a sinner vile indeed!
Yet hoping in the Lamb,
Who deigned for such to bleed
And while the Spirit seals my heart
My soul believes we ne'er shall part

Christ ever will defend
the people of His choice
He loves them without end,
and in them does rejoice
For them He shed His precious blood
And will present them all to God

Words by John Stevens (1776-1847)

Thursday, May 25, 2006

House Update

You may be wondering what in the world I could be doing since I am not posting. Well here is the answer...

A bit of painting with some help from my sister.

While the painting is happening in the house, Hubby is busy working outside.

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Count Your Blessings

When upon life's billows You are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged Thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings Name them one by one,
And it will surprise you What the Lord hath done.

Chorus:
Count your blessings Name them one by one.
Count your blessings See what God hath done.
Count your blessings Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings See what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care,
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear.
Count your many blessings every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing As the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised You His wealth untold.
Count your many blessings Money cannot buy,
Your reward in heaven Nor your home on high.

So amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged God is over all.
Count your many blessings Angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Words by Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1856-1922

This hymn certainly ranks as one of the most familiar numbers in our hymnals. It is one of the songs that many of us first sang with gusto during our early Sunday School days, yet one that we still enjoy singing in our gospel type of services. Rev. Johnson Oatman, Jr., was one of the important and prolific gospel song writers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He was born near Medford, New Jersey, on April 21, 1856. As a child he became acquainted with the hymns of the church through the singing talents of his father. At the age of nineteen Oatman joined the Methodist Church and several years later was granted a license to preach in local Methodist congregations. Though he wrote over 5,000 hymn texts, Oatman was busily engaged throughout his life in a mercantile business and later as an administrator for a large insurance company in New Jersey. Other gospel favorites by Johnson Oatman include "Higher Ground", and "No, Not One!"

"Count Your Blessings" is generally considered to be Oatman's finest hymn. It first appeared in Songs for Young People, compiled and published by Edwin O. Excell in 1897. It has been sung all over the world. One writer has stated, "Like a beam of sunlight it has brightened up the dark places of the earth." Perhaps no American was ever received with such enthusiasm in Great Britian as this hymn. The London Daily, in giving an account of a meeting presided over by Gypsy Smith, reported, "Mr. Smith announced the hymn 'Count Your Blessings.' Said he, 'In South London the men sing it, the boys whistle it, and the women rock their babies to sleep on this hymn.'" During the great revival in Wales it was one of the hymns sung at every service along with such Welsh favorites as "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" and "O That Will be Glory". The composer of the music, E. O. Excell, is a well-known name in early gospel hymnody. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, on December 13, 1851. At the age of twenty he became a singing teacher, traveling around the country establishing singing schools. For twenty years he was associated with Sam Jones, a well-known Southern revivalist. Excell was recognized as one of the finest song leaders of his day. In addition to writing and composing more than 2,000 gospel songs as well as publishing about fifty songbooks, he administered a successful music publishing business in Chicago. While assisting Gypsy Smith in an evangelistic campaign in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1921, he was suddenly stricken at the age of seventy and taken home to join the immortal heavenly chorus.

Hat Tip: Dr. Chadwick’s Hymn Backgrounds

Friday, May 19, 2006

Sucker for Quizzes




Your Eyes Should Be Brown



Your eyes reflect: Depth and wisdom

What's hidden behind your eyes: A tender heart






You Are Jan Brady



Brainy and a little introverted, you tend to think life is a lot worse than it actually is.

And while you may think you're a little goofy looking, most people consider you to be a major babe.






You Are 44% Abnormal



You are at medium risk for being a psychopath. It is somewhat likely that you have no soul.

You are at medium risk for having a borderline personality. It is somewhat likely that you are a chaotic mess.

You are at medium risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is somewhat likely that you are in love with your own reflection.

You are at medium risk for having a social phobia. It is somewhat likely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement.

You are at low risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is unlikely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer.






You Are Lemon Meringue Pie



You're the perfect combo of sassy and sweet

Those who like you have well refined tastes






You Are Likely a First Born



At your darkest moments, you feel guilty.

At work and school, you do best when you're researching.

When you love someone, you tend to agree with them often.

In friendship, you are considerate and compromising.

Your ideal careers are: business, research, counseling, promotion, and speaking.

You will leave your mark on the world with discoveries, new information, and teaching people to dream.






Your Blogging Type is Confident and Insightful



You've got a ton of brain power, and you leverage it into brilliant blog.

Both creative and logical, you come up with amazing ideas and insights.

A total perfectionist, you find yourself revising and rewriting posts a lot of the time.

You blog for yourself - and you don't care how popular (or unpopular) your blog is!






Your Five Factor Personality Profile



Extroversion:

You have medium extroversion.

You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party.

Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences.

But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time."

Conscientiousness:

You have medium conscientiousness.

You're generally good at balancing work and play.

When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done.

But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it.

Agreeableness:

You have high agreeableness.

You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly.

Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone.

You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance.

Neuroticism:

You have low neuroticism.

You are very emotionally stable and mentally together.

Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly.

Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure.

Openness to experience:

Your openness to new experiences is medium.

You are generally broad minded when it come to new things.

But if something crosses a moral line, there's no way you'll approve of it.

You are suspicious of anything too wacky, though you do still consider creativity a virtue.


HELP! I've started doing quizzes and I can't stop!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, May 18, 2006

The little girl grew up...

The little girl that just graduated is going to get married. She grew up somewhere along the way when I wasn't looking. Many congratulations and best wishes to Crystal and Seth!

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Just a bit busy...

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Between fixing up the house, working and taking a required class for the business, I haven't had much time for writing. So, here are a couple of pictures of exciting events.

A hitting lesson for one of the kids Hubby is coaching.

Some pictures of a walk in the arboretum. I love the new growth on the evergreens each Spring. It is so soft and bright. The last picture is of a Birch Bark Cherry Tree. I thought it was gorgeous.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

My Mother



The Example

Each morning in prayer,
My mother spoke with God
Asking I would escape the devil's lair
And travel the path He, Himself had trod.

Each morning in prayer,
She knelt beside her bed
Not asking for material things
Seeking the wisdom of God instead.

Each morning in prayer,
I now kneel beside my bed
Following her faithful example,
Seeking the strength to be led.



Teaching me how to smile,
Showing me how to walk the extra mile,
Giving me love all the while,
My mother prayed for me.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

On to the next step...

The house is ours now. It is time to get busy--building a deck, putting up a fence, stretching carpet, painting, moving, etc. Then it is on to getting the business licensed and the bureaucracy it entails.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Anywhere With Jesus

Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go;
Anywhere He leads me in this world below;
Anywhere without Him dearest joys would fade;
Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid.

Refrain:
Anywhere! Anywhere! Fear I cannot know;
Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go.

Anywhere with Jesus I need fear no ill,
Tho' temptations gather round my pathway still;
He Himself was tempted that He might help me;
Anywhere with Jesus I may victor be.

Anywhere with Jesus I am not alone;
Other friends may fail me, He is still my own;
Tho' His hand may lead me over dreary ways,
Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise.

Anywhere with Jesus over land and sea,
Telling souls in darkness of salvation free;
Ready as He summons me to go or stay,
Anywhere with Jesus when He points the way.

Anywhere with Jesus I can go to sleep,
When the dark'ning shadows round about me creep;
Knowing I shall waken, never more to roam,
Anywhere with Jesus will be home, sweet home.

By Jessie H. Brown

Jessie H. Brown, an American woman from Cleveland, Ohio, wrote this hymn in 1886. Between 1910 and 1920 two other stanzas were added by Helen Cadbury Alexander, daughter of the famous Richard Cadbury, a Quaker philanthropist.

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Graduation

This little girl, my niece, graduated from college this morning. Okay, she isn’t this little anymore, but this is how I remember her. She was valedictorian and graduated summa cum laude. At least now I know where the brains went in the family! I remember the day she was born. I was there when her parents took her home from the hospital. It is hard to believe that was so many years ago. Now she heads into “real” life. Congratulations to her for a job well done! Click here to see a picture of her now.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Salvation

If you ever wondered how to demonstrate salvation, read this. It is an amazing example of what Christ did for us in a real world simple story.