The Battle I Want To Win

The battle I want to win is the one that I fight every day in my own mind. The one where I am fretting with
furrowed brow, tense in my shoulders and my stomach in knots. The battle that just will not let me relax. Why is that? I have all I  could ask for. My children woke up healthy this morning. My husband is working, he still has a job. Another day has dawned, fresh with a beautiful sunrise. Autumn breezes are teasing me. The little one sings songs to Jesus at the top of her lungs. I AM BLESSED. {Why do I stress?} All I can figure is the enemy is trying to steal my joy through my own imagined fears and I strap the saddle on and let him ride me until I am weak and angry.

This makes me tired. And yet, I really can't figure out why I can't let it go.  The only thing I can pinpoint is that I am not praying as much as I am fretting. Yesterday we sang "Living By Faith"

It goes like this:

" I care not today what the morrow may bring, if shadows or sunshine or rain. The Lord I know ruleth over everything and all of my worry is vain."

We all, the entire congregation, sang it like there was no tomorrow.

What a hypocrite. I can sing it. I just can't live it.

I care not today what the morrow may bring,
If shadow or sunshine or rain,
The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything,
And all of my worries are vain.

Refrain

Living by faith in Jesus above,
Trusting, confiding in His great love;
From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,
I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.


Though tempests may blow 

and the storm clouds arise,

Obscuring the brightness of life,

I’m never alarmed at the overcast skies—

The Master looks on at the strife.

Refrain

I know that He safely will carry me through,

No matter what evils betide;

Why should I then care though the tempest may blow,

If Jesus walks close to my side.

Refrain

Our Lord will return for His loved ones some day,
Our troubles will then all be o’er;
The Master so gently will lead us away,
Beyond that blest heavenly shore.

Refrain

I have had sweet reprieves from this and it was most often when I was actively  counting my gifts.

Today, I will purpose to fight. When the enemy tries to steal my joy I will count. When he causes me to load my back with the weight of fear, I will remind him that I serve the one who knows my future. I can trust Jesus.

Counting

- Those sweet souls who call me Mom and wake me with kisses

- The Lord who, although He knew me, still died for me

- The man who loves me with his whole heart and never loses faith in me

- that I have come far enough to know I don't have to believe the lies of the enemy 

-sweet autumn breezes

-helpful older children when I wake with a sick headache

-faithful friends

- mercy, new every morning

-I still love homeschooling

- www :)

- I am stronger when I pray

- "I love you mom" whispered in the middle of the night by that sweet 2 year old

-little girls swinging

- young lady of mine, learning to drive (really?)

-sweet young man who rubs my aching head 

-wonderful cup of coffee hand crafted by that sweet young lady and brought to me with a kiss (in this mug) :)

Ahh...I feel better already!

Oh, one more.....the music on Ann's blog........

Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone

I am a song person. I love the old hymns. They have so much meaning and really speak to the soul. This old one has been on my heart all day.

Must Jesus bear the cross alone 

And all the world go free?

No, there's a cross for ev'ryone, 

And there's a cross for me. 

The consecrated cross I'll bear 

Till death shall set me free, 

And then go home my crown to wear, 

For there's a crown for me. 

Upon the crystal pavement, 

down At Jesus' pierced feet, 

With joy I'll cast my golden crown 

And His dear name repeat. 

 O precious cross! 

O glorious crown! 

O resurrection day! 

Ye angels, from the stars come down 

And bear my soul away.

Grace For Every Need~ A Hymn

Don't you love it when you wake with a song on your heart? It's like your spirit is telling you what you need before your head has time to interfere ~

Here is mine today~

A hymn that we still sing....and it never gets old.

page 56, red-back hymnal.....just across the page is #57 Amazing Grace.

Grace For Every Need

There is joy divine that is ever mine since the Lord has forgiven me....pardoned me.

And I work and sing for my blessed King who by grace now is keeping me.

There is grace for every need, grace for you, grace for me, keeping true, keeping free

Precious saving grace indeed, flowing from the throne above.

Grace to cover all my sins. Grace to all who believe, oh this grace now receive

full forgiveness, all may win

Yes there's grace in the Lords precious love

He will ever keep when the tempests sweeps, and hath grace for each trying hour....every hour.

So I go in love to this Friend above ever trusting His grace and pow'r.

There is grace for every need, grace for you, grace for me, keeping true, keeping free

Precious saving grace indeed, flowing from the throne above.

Grace to cover all my sins. Grace to all who believe, oh this grace now receive

full forgiveness, all may win

Yes there's grace in the Lords precious love

O this wondrous grace is for all the race. It is boundless and full and free.

...full and free

And I trust and cling to my blessed king Who by grace now is keeping me.

There is grace for every need, grace for you, grace for me, keeping true, keeping free

Precious saving grace indeed, flowing from the throne above.

Grace to cover all my sins. Grace to all who believe, oh this grace now receive

full forgiveness, all may win

Yes there's grace in the Lords precious love

Worthy Is Your Name

Been singing this all day long. Had never heard this beautiful rendition. Wow, even the Eden String Quartet!

Yes, worthy is Your Name!

Some Words to Live By

For a few weeks it seems that most of my thoughts have been how to be more full of grace. For someone who can be very sarcastic at times, I know that to be more pleasing to the Lord I should become more like Him. And although He had times when the circumstances He found Himself in demanded that He take action and confront sin, I am sure that it was not on an hourly basis that he became angry or cynical or short tempered. I am sure he was not continually harsh with the ones He loved the best. I mean if I had been the Lord I know that I would have been a little more sarcastic with that Doubting Thomas, you know, make him feel a little dumb and inferior with a cutting remark! And I am almost certain that I would not have been so quick to ask "Peter, Do you love me?"   I don't want to render my faith useless to my children by being a grump standing in judgment of every one else while I act like a "mule eating briers", as my husband would say. But, sadly I have had days like that.  I want to be more gracious and patient and kind to those in my life. It just makes me feel better at the end of the day. I've been humming this song for days. It's a good old hymn that we still sing pretty regular at church. Words to live by.

A Beautiful Life

Each day I’ll do....A golden deed

By helping those....Who are in need

My life on earth....Is but a span

And so I’ll do....The best I can

Chorus:

Life’s evening sun....Is sinking low

A few more days....And I must go

To meet the deed....That I have done

Where there will be....No setting sun

2

To be a child....Of God each day

My light must shine....Along the way

I’ll sing His praise....While ages roll

And try to help....Some troubled soul

3

While going down....Life’s weary road

I’ll try to lift....Some traveler’s load

I’ll try to turn....The nights to day

Make flowers bloom....Along the way

4

The only life....That will endure

Is one that kind......and good and pure. 

And so for God......I'll take my stand

Each day I'll lend.....A helping hand.

5

I'll help someone......in time of need.

And journey on.....with rapid speed.

I'll help the sick.....the poor and weak.

And words of kindness.....to them speak.

The Potter Knows the Clay

Love this song and Kelsy does a wonderful job on it.



Update the post to include the lyrics, as requested, enjoy!

 The Potter Knows the Clay

by: The Perry's

I know you are going through the fire/
Its getting hard to stand the heat/
But even harder is the wondering/
Is God’s hand still on me/
Its lonely in the flames/
When you’re counting days of pain/
Chorus
But the Potter knows the clay/
How much pressure it can take/
How many times around the wheel/
‘Til there’s submission to His will/
he’s planned a beautiful design/
but it’ll take some fire and time/
its gonna be okay/
‘cause the Potter knows the clay/

Friend I just came through that fire/
Not too very long ago/
And looking back I can see why/
And that my God was in control/
But on the hottest days I’d cry/
Oh Lord, isn’t it about time/

chorus 

A Song on my Heart

This song has been on my heart for a couple of days. It is so beautiful.

Promises
Dottie Rambo

He didn't promise that I would never stumble,
But He did say He'd be there if I fall
He didn't tell me He'd hear complaints I whispered,
But He did say He'd hear me if I call.

Cho:
Promises, promises, and all of them true.
He's done exactly what He said He would do.
He didn't promise my heart would not be broken,
But He did say He'd mend it again.

He didn't promise my cross would not be heavy,
But He did say that He my load would bear,
He didn't tell me He'd grant my hopes and wishes,
But He did say He'd hear my earnest prayer.