Thursday, October 3, 2024

September Bible Journaling Hymns

 

SEPTEMBER BIBLE JOURNALING HYMNS

Week 1 9/14/24

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His loving kindness to a thousandth generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (NASB)

Old hymns familiar to us as well as the stories that inspired the lyrics and scriptures that go along with the lyrics.

“GREAT IS THEY FAITHFULNESS” good reminder when things are tough, future seems uncertain.  “All I have needed the hand has provided, Great is thy faithfulness Lord unto me – God does not change, He is faithful generation after generation.  At, the heart of the hymn is a simple but powerful truth God is faithful just as He says He is.  The Hymn opens with this powerful declaration, “GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS” no just a poetic line, but profound acknowledgement, a fundamental aspect of who God is.  His faithfulness isn’t just leading or occasional it is constant and unchanging.  That is the nature of the word FAITHFULNESS.  Even when life gets challenging, and our circumstances feel overwhelming Gods faithfulness remains.   TRUE OVER AND OVER IN EACH OF OUR LIVES.

This story begins in the 20th century written by Charles Chisolm in 1856 in a log cabin in KY.  Chisolm was a teacher, preacher who had a deep appreciation for Gods faithfulness.   He struggled all his life with health issues through his struggles he found the strength, experienced first by the hand of God.  

In 1923 He wrote the hymn inspired by

*Lamentations 3:22- 23 22 The Lords acts of mercy indeed do not end,
For His compassions do not fail. 23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

The lyrics reflected his personal journey and the unwavering trust in Gods reliability and grace.  In the 1950s the hymn grew in popularity by the Billy Graham Crusade, and it became a favorite because it is straight forward and has very a profound message about Gods unchanging faithfulness and love.  The Hymn complicity and depth make it relative.

*Think about the message in the hymn, your church service anytime you hear it.  Listen, with your heart and be encouraged be Gods truth.



SEPTEMBER BIBLE JOURNALING HYMNS

Week 2 Isaiah 12:2” Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD God is my strength and song, and He has become my Salvation.

Being able to experience Gods faithfulness over time, then developing a deep abiding trust in Him, such a valuable foundation for our faith in these difficult times an expression trust in God can be found in the hymn we sing often TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

Louisa Stead in 1882 life was marked by her profound loss yet had unwavering faith – deeply influenced the inspiration of this hymn-that became familiar to so many.  In 1880 Louisa and her family were at a picnic by the sea, where a very tragic event happened, a young girl was drowning in the ocean, Louisa’s husband saw the struggling child and ran to rescue her in the process, he was swept away by the waves, where he drowned.  In the wake of her loss Louisa was left with a very young daughter, Louisa faced a future filled with uncertainties, grief.  Despite the tragedy she chose to cling to her faith in her profound personal struggle.

The day she lost her husband is when she penned the words to “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” chorus Jesus, Jesus How I trust Him, How I’ve proved it o’er and o’er captures the essence of faith that has been tested by strength and through trials that happened in the past.  This hymn is a testament to faith and assurance that we can find in trusting God even when life’s way seems infralabial.  The fact that Louisa wrote the song so soon after her husband’s death, she already has a prone foundation of trust in God that had been built over time, The verse/hymn and recognize God as our salvation and our strength.

Circumstances may change, trials may come faithfulness remains constant.  Trusting Him means leaning on His promises rather than our own understanding – instead of the circumstances going on around us, as women we often juggle multiple rolls – significant life transition, empty nest syndrome, career shift, health issues, loss of loved ones, each of these challenges can stir feelings of uncertainty.  I, encourage you when you’re feeling anxiety, fear, depression, sadness remember the verse Isaiah 12:2*See top* Let Gods faithfulness be your foundation, trust His hand at work in your life, allow His strength to become your song.  Embrace the message of not only the verse but also the hymn as a reminder of the sweetness that comes from unwavering trust in God an incredible tool for our tool box encouragement for our hearts and strength over and over *God can be trusted* He is faithful every season, Joy, Hardship, trust His provision and guidance, His love, faithfulness will see you through and His strength will power us to face each day with confidence.



 


SEPTEMBER BIBLE JOURNALING HYMNS

Week 3 Isaiah 26:3 The steadfast of mind You will keep perfect in peace, because he trusts in You.

“It is Well With My Soul” grief/loss profound experiences can shake us to the core, challenge our since of peace and stability  that we are going to face challenges, loss of a loved one, health challenges, loss of income, other significant life changes even in the moments of uncertainty, whatever the circumstances may be, God promises a perfect peace that is available to us that transcends understanding todays verse “KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE whose mindset is on You because he trust in You.  This promise of peace is not just a comforting idea, but a profound reality, we can experience even in the darkest times.

This hymn “It is Well with My Soul” was written by Horatio Spafford in the late 19th century.  This story beautifully demonstrates how God seems to detain us even through grief.  Horatio was a successful lawyer and devout Christian.  Chicago 1871 he experienced severe personal tragedy, when the fire of Chicago destroyed much of his real estate buildings causing severe financial set back, but despite this major setback Spafford remained steadfast to his faith, little did he know his tragedies weren’t over with yet.  In 1873 there was a family planned trip to Europe intended on his family to meet up with family friends who were vacationing there.   

 Due to last minute an urgent business matter Spafford couldn’t go on trip and decided to send his family on ahead and he would catch up with them in Europe.  While crossing the Atlantic the ship his family was on collided with another ship and sank.   All 4 daughters died in the disaster his wife Anna survived, she spent him a heart-breaking telegram that only had 2 words “SAVED ALONE” Spafford then got on a ship to join his mourning wife in Europe as the ship passed near where his daughters drowned, Spafford found himself contemplating the depths of his loss during this moment profound sorrow that he penned the words “It is Well with my Soul”  Peace like a river attended my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll.  Whatever my lot, through has taught me to say “It is well with my soul.  These words powerfully capture the essence of finding peace in God even in the middle of the most heart-breaking circumstances the hymn echoes todays verse ISAIAH 26:3 Peace comes from focusing our minds on God, trusting Him even when our minds are weary.   The availability of writing this in the tragedy of such a loss is a testament to Gods perfect peace that He provides & Spafford experienced it as we face our grief/loss now or future/past when we remember /relieving grief and other challenges.  Gods promise of peace is not contingent on the absence of suffering.  But His presence even in the middle of by keeping our minds focused on Him and trusting in His goodness we can experience a peace that surpasses all understanding.  Gods’ peace is not a pleading feeling but a deep seat of assurance that He is with His guiding/comforting us through whatever it is that we have and walk through.  Because of Him we can embrace His peace and let it be our anchor in the midst of life’s greatest challenges.



SEPTEMBER BIBLE JOURNALING HMNS

Week 4:   Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer.

What A Friend We Have in Jesus   sometimes in our lives we get to busy (in the demands) that life puts on us in our responsibilities. It is easy to overlook the most profound aspect of our Christian journey, our friendship with Christ, and the power of prayer.  All who are juggling careers, their families, personal health, everything.   We often find ourselves in need of steady encouragement the verse today is sort of a roadmap, reminder, embrace hope, practice patience, stay consistent in our prayer life, our friendship with Jesus is really the heart of this journey.

Christ invites us into this deep personal relationship, He is NOT just a distant figure, He is a TRUE friend who walks along beside us.  So much RICHNESS in that friendship.

Joseph Scriven was an Irish man who wrote “What A Friend We Have in Jesus” experienced profound personal loss and heartache that developed a true and personal relationship with Christ, and eventually wrote the hymn.   1844 after he completed college, he returned home to marry his sweetheart, as he was on his way to meet her, the day before their wedding he came across a horrible scene, his fiancĂ© was laying covered in water in a creek bed, after falling off her horse.  Scriven later moved to Canada, where he eventually fell in love again, only to experience devastation all over again.  Scriven’s fiancĂ© became ill suddenly and died just weeks before their wedding.  This was the second time he felt overwhelming grief and loss.  In, 1855 while still living in Ontario, Canada Scriven wrote the hymn “What A Friend We Have in Jesus” as a personal expression of his own faith and hope.   

The song was meant to be an encouragement to his mother who was still living in Ireland who was suffering a terminal illness and later died.  

Hymns, verses, speak of encouragement and the support we can find in Jesus, particularly through the work of prayer, “Oh What Peace We Often Forfeit, Oh What Needless Pain to bear, All Because We Do Not Carry Everything to God in Prayer” word reiterate the essence of finding comfort/strength in our friendship with Christ.  By bringing our request to Him in prayer.  The songs message aligns beautifully with Romans 12:12 to be constant in prayer is to engage constantly with Jesus, sharing His guidance, everything that we go through, personal suffering can lead to richer understanding of Christs friendship and the trans-formatted power of prayer, how faith grows through those instances, interactions with Him.  Our lives are often filled with demands/responsibilities that can sometimes push our spiritual practices that we know we should be doing into the background, and, yet maintain a constant relationship with Him!  *Bible journaling to me is reminding me of Gods faithfulness, nurturing this deep relationship with Jesus and being faithful in prayer, you make His peace and guidance into every aspect of your lives.



 

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Thankful Thursday









Happy Thursday all!  How is it already going on the end of Sept? hard to believe that this year only has 3 months and 11 days or so.

I am sorry I have been off blogging of late, the depression bug bit me hard, both vehicles were broken down at the same time, both are fixed and running now.  

Today I am thankful for:

My Salvation, knowing that Jesus will never leave me, we have been getting cooler weather and a chance of rain tonight and tomorrow *please pray it does we need it desperately.  I am thankful for good reports at the pulmonologist last week, lungs are good!  I had to change my phone number, what a royal pain:  having to call SS, Medicare, Auto Insurance, Bank, Pharmacy, Dr's.  Up above you see both vehicle were broken at same time, the car broke a belt while I was in KS visiting my friends.  Thank GOD for AAA they rescued me and brought me home *I have the extended mileage* thankfully I wasn't on the road, the belt broke in my friends driveway.  Made for a really long day.   The SUV wasn't broken per say, the AC blower quit blowing, being asthmatic I need the air.  

I have food in my cabinets, a/c, unconditional love of my heavenly father and my fur babies, I have friends that "just check on me", my brothers and I are getting along, even getting to know some of my cousins again.

WE NEED TO PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY more so than ever before.  please pray for all the sick and afflicted.  We have 12 people at our little country church, please pray that God's blessing will pour down on us, and let our congregation grow.  We pray daily for this.  We all know someone who is going thru something, illness, financial, death of a loved one.   I have a couple of friends going thru cancer, one is terminal the other in remission.  I have decided my terminal friend is going to get something in the mail from me on a weekly basis, and maybe a little snack package as well.  Lets all try a little kindness, and make our country a better place again.

I truly hope each of you have a blessed weekend!   Do you Know my Jesus?

Do You Know My Jesus  if you do not know HIM I strongly encourage you to get to know HIM as your Savior today before it is too late.  This is the Pastor and his son singing.   


 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Wordless Wednesday

 


EZEKIEL 18:32

32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Hello Bloggie Friends and Thankful Thursday

 

Hi all my friends!  I hope that August has been good to you so far.   I had a bad week in July  My anniversary would have been the 14th,  Mom passed on 71721 then Gators bday would have been the 24th.   Now, we are in August, I Wish that I could skip August all together, however we know that isn't possible.   Why you ask? all 4 of my grandparents passed in August, one of my favorite uncles passed in August, and my dad passed in August.  there are many family birthdays that have helped me thru this month.  Last Wednesday I drove to KS to see my friend whom I was a BIG help on her getting off Meth.   My little car broke down while there, thankfully it happened in her yard, and wasn't in danger of being on the road.   *See Thankful Thursday!  Called AAA to see if they could tow me home, but to make sure I could ride along (Post covid they don't have to let you)  he said I have room for 1 rider  Thank You JESUS.  Get car home safely, to find the belt had broken, and no other  damage was done to my lil car.


Gods perfect end to a perfect day

Thankful Thursday  I know it is early but wanted it posted.

I am thankful for my Salvation!

I am so thankful for AAA expanded mileage.

Much needed rain, we haven't had any rain since July 4th this 3/4" soaked in no time

cooler temps for a few days

A/C for this awful heat today it was 94 heat index of 114.

Food in the cabinets/fridge

Friends who call or text, just to say they are checking on you

The unconditional love of my pets



I Beleive  please listen  I have been working on singing it at church



Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Happy Birthday America

Happy Birthday America This is a great song  RIP Toby Keith

 July 4 is celebrated because that's the day in 1776 when the country declared its freedom from British rule by signing the Declaration of Independence. True history buffs will know that only John Hancock penned his signature on July 4th.  248 yrs ago

July 4th isn't about all the fireworks, and hoopla, it is about our freedom.  Our very freedom that 248 yrs is growing less and less each day.  We as a nation need to bring God back, He is the only one that can fix the continuously growing issues with out country.

If you are going to be out celebrating the 4th please be safe, don't forget your pets, there are more pets lost during this time than any other, stay hydrated, wear loose and light weight clothing.  Take lots of photos and make those memories count.

 





Oh beautiful for heroes provedIn liberating strifeWho more than self, their country lovedAnd mercy more than life
America, America may God thy gold refine'Til all success be noblenessAnd every gain divined
And you know when I was in schoolWe used to sing it something like this, listen here
Oh beautiful, for spacious skiesFor amber waves of grainFor purple mountain majestiesAbove the fruited plain
But now wait a minute, I'm talking aboutAmerica, sweet AmericaYou know, God done shed his grace on theeHe crowned thy good, yes he did, in brotherhoodFrom sea to shining sea
You know, I wish I had somebody to help me sing this(America, America, God shed his grace on thee)America, I love you America, you seeMy God he done shed his grace on theeAnd you oughta love him for it'Cause he, he, he, he crowned thy goodHe told me he would, with brotherhood(From sea to shining Sea)Oh Lord, oh Lord, I thank you Lord(Shining sea)

Sunday, June 30, 2024

Yellow flowers

These sunflowers came up from the wild bird seeds that I feed the birds


Black eyed Susans



Plains Coreopsis

hope everyone is having a great summer so far.  Here it has been in the upper 90's with heat index of 115 already, its TOO early for this heat.  We do not usually see these temps until  the end of July to middle of August.   We have been dodging storms like crazy.  THANK you Jesus for not letting us be hurt, or our places destroyed.

hope everyone has a blessed week ahead:  stay hydrated, check your elderly neighbors, your pets and disabled neighbors

 

Thursday, May 30, 2024

thankful Thursday

 Happy Thursday!  I hope you all have had a blessed week, and that you were safe over the weekend.   Saturday night, the town I do most of my shopping was torn up pretty bad by and Ef3/4 tornado.  This town is only 19 miles from where I live, all I knew todo was to pray God's angels of protection around me and my pets, we didn't even get a rain drop.  Thank you Lord for always being my shield in the storm.   

This week I am thankful for no storms, my sister in VA she is such a blessing to me, and that my belt on my vehicle didn't break and leave me stranded on the road.  For my Salvation, and that Jesus no matter the situation He is always there for me,  believe me I keep my guardian angels busy.    I am thankful for food in the cabinets, a/c for the warmer temps, dependable transportation, my friends,  my sister in law who sends me daily devotionals now, for the longest time we didn't like each other.  God is working miracles in/around me.  I am thankful for the beautiful art work the Master gives me to photograph.

Please continue to pray for our country, the sick and afflicted, our little church 12 members, that we can grow, storms to stay away, my friend who has severe R/A in both arms is in so much pain, she has a complete knee surgery coming up also.

I hope and pray each of you have a blessed weekend and week ahead.