Good Friday? Is it good for you??

"The liberating thing about Good Friday and Easter is that one’s thoughts turn far away from one’s personal fate toward the ultimate meaning of life, suffering, and everything that happens, and one clings to a great hope."  ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."  Romans 8:28

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."  Phil. 4:6

"Yes, I'm telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn't tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer."  John 16:4

Thursday Thoughts!

My thoughts...Perhaps these people only know it as Beethoven's 9th Symphony but they are singing along. The words were written by Henry J. van Dyke in 1907! 

Powerful indeed...

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.

Hop to It Hodgepodge

1. What are your plans for Easter? Are you cooking a big lunch or dinner?  Dyeing eggs? Attending a sun rise service?  Eating too much chocolate?

I'm traveling with my little family to visit my folks...and my Aunt Bev!  Bonus!!  We'll attend a Good Friday service and special Easter services.  I've yet to attend a "sunrise" service that actually IS at sunrise! 

2.  What is something you feel too young to do?

I'm probably over thinking this...I'm stuck.  I spend the majority of my time feeling like I'm considered too young to do anything of depth...but only the things people want done but don't want to do themselves.  I spend a lot of time reading...I Timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."  And doing my best to focus on pleasing God alone!

3.  "Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud...it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs..."  
Of the characteristics mentioned in the biblical definition of love which do you find most difficult to live out and why?

Love thinks no evil.

4. What's a springtime flower you associate with your childhood?

Lilacs...now that I write that I'm not so sure they're springtime flowers...but they were all over in Upstate NY where I grew up...in all shades...gloriously scented!

5.  Ever sung karaoke? If so, what's your go-to song? If not and you're given the opportunity, would you?

I have...it was sort of frustrating.  I must have the MUSIC, especially if a song is unfamiliar.  I enjoy singing specials at church...choir, duets, solos.  

6. What is something you keep in a basket?

Longaberger is a major decorating theme in my home.  What DON'T I keep in a basket is a better question...hahaha!  In plain sight as I type this...lifesavers on coffee table, tissues, Emma's writing materials in market basket, journals and assorted writing supplies in flower basket, tiny baby baskets on top bookshelf, red riding hood basket with my hand sewing, magazines and kid's bibles, extras (non-longaberger but interesting for display) on top of tv cabinet.  That's just this room!!

7.  When was the last time you felt foolish?
Uh, fun questions Joyce!  Sheesh...uh...well, I'm often embarrassed by my mouth.  The older I get the quieter I try to be...especially in larger groups and at church where it's more painful to appear foolish.  I'm with Mark Twain on this one, "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.  But to answer the question...the last time I felt foolish was at a Christmas party where someone I didn't know thought they'd put me in my place.  Although unfair...it sure made me feel foolish and I was quiet the rest of the time.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
 Sigh...I miss blogging often.  I probably have more time now...but I'm just using it for other things.  I'm so thankful for threads like this...for Joyce's love and hospitality...and the chance to pop in...or hop in!!

Snowy Springtime...

Although, perhaps best known from the adorable ditty sung in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"...this is actually Shakespeare...

"In Springtime, the only pretty ring time

Birds sing, hey ding

A ding, a ding

Sweet lovers love, the spring--"

~William Shakespeare

Five Minute Friday: Rest

Go.

So, I literally Laughed Out Loud when I read this prompt.  Ha! Okay, it was more of a soft chuckle.

Anyhew, I just took this picture on my phone last night.  I'm experiencing a God mandated rest...ie. I'm sick.  All I could manage from under my quilt was block building direction...and a gratefulness that they (for the most part) play well together. 

Rest should be a good thing...but my personality doesn't do REST well.  Right now I'm happier than I've ever been.  I'm so blessed, involved in ministries I LOVE, kids are at, dare I say, easier phases of life...Our marriage is caring and closer than it has been in forever...well, probably pre-kids.  HA! 

But I stress on things like God's timing...and I push and manipulate and whine and complain...and take on more without consulting THE ONE who knows all my whos, whats, whens, wheres, whys, and hows.  So, sometimes...I hear Him gently say..."Okay, so now you're sick...can you take this from My Hand?  Use this time to build up your reservoirs...get into My Word and fill up with what you need.  I'm in charge.  I'm always in charge!" 

So, I'll pause...and read...and pray...and take time to write...oh, cathartic muse.  *sigh*

STOP.

Sharing stains...

 

I'm noticing a pattern...I think, as bloggers many of us feel we should share reasons for our silences cuz we feel we owe it to our followers or it "might help someone"...and that's totally cool if you feel called to help others in that very vulnerable way.  The Bible does say, "Comfort as you're comforted."  

Maybe, you need the cathartic release the creative writing process gives.  I totally get that.

But sometimes life is PERSONAL.  

Sometimes this writing space just isn't safe enough...and the only place to share and get help is through PRAYER.  

If I'm not careful, I find myself seeking love from the great blogosphere VOID....all while God is PRESENT and knows my heart.  He is the ONE who's validation, encouragement and security I should seek.

Of course, I speak as one with a very few followers...but even if I had thousands...I don't want to feel obligated to share all my stains...at least not all the time.  The most important thing I ever want to share...is that I'm washed.

Isaiah 1:18, " Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool."

I find myself sharing less and less often. And sometimes it's better that way...for me.

Matthew 11:28,  

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."