Pleiades & Orion

He who made the Pleiades and Orion,
    who turns midnight into dawn
    and darkens day into night,
who calls for the waters of the sea
    and pours them out over the face of the land—
    the Lord is his name.
~Amos 5:7-15

 

Stop & Listen

Father, we know You are sovereign over all the earth, and over all our lives. Yet we live in such a fragile, broken, unjust mess of a world. Remind us that You have indeed overcome this world, that the victory IS ALREADY yours, Jesus! We pray Your kingdom come swiftly, LORD Jesus, and reign both in us and on this earth. We also acknowledge the mercy delivered so lovingly from Your very hand, mercy that is giving us time to repent and turn towards You, the One who loves us and knows us so intimately. Grant Your people peace and the fire of justice burning in their hearts. Help us love You and ALL others well, through and by Your grace. Amen.

Bethany Dillon "The Kingdom"

"Why are some women barren
While the wicked's house is full
The stories never seem to end
Give me evidence I'm not alone
You said the weak would be lifted up
But maybe just not yet
So while I wait in this flesh and blood
I'll learn to lean in

Help me see the light
I'm reaching through the fight
Yahweh, show me the Kingdom
Arms open wide
Death swallowed up by life
Yahweh, show me the Kingdom"
- "The Kingdom"

Starfield "Reign In Us"

"Oh Great and Mighty One, with one desire we come
That you would reign, that you would reign in us
We're offering up our lives, a living sacrifice
That you would reign, that you would reign in us"
-Reign In Us

Just Another Birthday

Video by Casting Crowns

How Can I Say

How can I say that I love the LORD,
whom I've never, ever seen before;
and forget to say that I love the one
whom I walk beside each and e'vry day?
How can I look upon your face and ignore God's love?
You I must embrace!
You're my brother,
you're my sister:
and I love you with the love of my LORD.

"How Can I Say I Love the LORD" by V. Michael McKay

He'll Carry Me

Today my pastor asked me if I have any go-to passages of Scripture or praise songs that I run to when I need hope, healing, renewal, and restored joy. I admittedly couldn't think of any for the particular situation I have been struggling through lately, but as I was walking in the glorious sunshine today- the song came on. It has been an encouraging anthem for me several other times in my life, but today it took on a new meaning. The song is called "Carry Me" by Audrey Assad, and the lyrics cut right to the heart each time I listen to it.

There is an especially striking line in the song that speaks to me especially in this season of painful pruning- though the hope of a fruitful harvest lies just ahead. Enjoy the lyrics, and I have emphasized that particular line. I pray that you are also encouraged that He is with you, bearing the weight of whatever burden or burdens you carry today, friend.

Pain is a forest we all get lost in
Between the branches hope can be so hard to see
And in the darkness we've all got questions
We're all just trying to make sense out of suffering but

You say I am blessed because of this
So, I choose to believe
As I carry this cross, You'll carry me
Help me believe it

Fear is a current we all get caught in
And in its motion faith can be so hard to find
And we all falter 'cause we're all broken
We're all just trying to turn the shadows into light but

You get glory in the midst of this
And You're walking with me
And you say I am blessed because of this
So, I choose to believe
As I carry this cross, You'll carry me

And I know Your promises are faithful
And God, I've seen Your goodness in my life
And oh, I've found Your mercy is a river
Your love is an ocean wide

You say I am blessed because of this
You get glory in the midst of this
And You're walking with me

And You say I am blessed because of this
So, I choose to believe
As I carry this cross, as I carry this cross
'Cause as I carry this cross, You'll carry me

You'll carry me, God
You'll carry me
And Your love is an ocean wide

So, this song was stuck in my head.....

"Gift of Finest Wheat"

refrain:
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.

As when the shepherd calls his sheep, they know and heed his voice;
So when You call Your family Lord, we follow and rejoice.

refrain

With joyful lips we sing to You, our praise and gratitude,
That You should count us worthy Lord, to share this heavenly food.

refrain

The mystery of Your presence Lord, no mortal tongue can tell;
Whom all the world cannot contain comes in our hearts to dwell.

Bless my homeland forever.....

Edelweiss

Edelweiss, Edelweiss, every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright,
You look happy to meet me

Blossom of snow, may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever,
Edelweiss, Edelweiss, bless my homeland forever

-----------------------------------------------------

I still can't believe that it is all over. I have had a blast during musical. I made so many new friends, re-established previous friendships, stretched my voice, laughed a lot, rediscovered the joy of spring and early spring sunshine, and lived my life with a new kind of energy. I miss it. All the inside jokes, the comraderie of the cast, the intimacy and family-like feel, despite the sheer number of people involved. It's sad.

This was also the first "mini-death" in the series of "mini-deaths" leading up to graduation, and the goodbye to my senior pals who I have bonded with over the past three years, who have been there for every single step of my high school experience so far.

It's not really that I have nothing to do with myself now, because I definitely do. It's the relationships that will now be forcibly squashed in between classes and trying to make it to school on time and managing the rest of my life all at once. I will miss the freedom of hanging out with them all the time, doing our own thing in between scenes and call times, and goofing off and laughing with them. The conversations, jokes, and serious talks. The card games, meals, lounge times, and creative outings. It's a sad end. It also doesn't help that now I have college and career decisions looming over my head, and a busy and cram-packed summer ahead of me, all focused on trying to graduate on time.

* Sigh. * I will never forget that moment: all of us sitting around, singing in one voice:
"Edelweiss, Edelweiss, bless my homeland forever........"
<3
abby

It Must Be Grace.....

Why...no matter how far I run, do you pursue me?
Why, when I fall time after time, do you still love me, what could make you love me?

I, I don't understand! What is it you see in the heart of someone like me?
When I let you down, but you still believe! And prove your love time and again, and again....
All I can say, is it must be grace.....
~Women of Faith Worship Song

Grateful for His Grace,
Abby