Trusting God

Just a quick post because I'm a little down right now and I need something to raise my spirits and to share some things I'm learning.

I came upon an interesting situation, in fact it was a rather odd opportunity but I really didn't see that it could lead anywhere. But the Lord kept bringing to mind the idea of just saying "yes" to Him. Just being willing to give it a try and follow Him in this.
So I said yes and gave it a try, stepping out by faith. The reply came back a little discouraging to my heart. But the Lord seems to answer "keep trusting me?"

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. 2 Samuel 22:31

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Psalm 5:11

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalm 9:10

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:8

So...

I just keep trusting my Lord as I walk along
I just keep trusting my Lord and He gave a song
Tho the storm clouds darken the sky o’er heavenly trail
I just keep trusting my Lord He will never fail

He’s a faithful Friend Such a faithful Friend
I can count on Him to the very end
Tho the storm clouds darken the sky o’er heav’nly trail
I just keep trusting my Lord He will never fail.

-'I Just Keep Trusting The Lord'
Words and Music by John W. Peterson

The painting is 'Awaiting Her Love' by Morgan Weistling who has lovely old-fashioned style paintings.

It's been a bit of an emotional day as my friend/co-worker is moving away and I'll really miss her Christian fellowship as we care for others. I'm also in dire need of a day off, thankfully Friday is that day off and just in time to rest up for the weekend! I pray that your week has been a good one now that it's coming to a close. May the Lord richly bless you.

Mood:

Disappointed

Sunday Ponderings

Spent a lazy afternoon with my family with time to rest and reflect on the Lord and His blessings. Hope you all had a good Lord's day too!

This Sunday morning my pastor started a series in Sunday School on the book of Psalms and he was explaining some of the Hebrew words in the titles. One word in the title for Psalm 46 caught my attention and I decided to take a closer look.

Psalm 46

"To the chief Musician of the sons of Korah.
A song upon Alamoth"

So 'Alamoth' means that the Psalm is to be sung in a higher range by sopranos particularly by unmarried young ladies - virgins. That's what caught my attention and I wondered what the Lord through David had to say to virgins - what would He have me sing?

There are three Selahs, or points to rest and reflect on what has been sung before, so I'll break up the 'thoughts' into three sections.

1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

²Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

³Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Because God is my refuge and strength and my help I will not fear. Even though the earth be destroyed and all nature rile against me. Though the earth be in torment still I will trust in my Father.

⁴There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

⁵God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

⁶The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

⁷The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

I wasn't quite sure at first where this idea was going but I saw this picture: I am the river flowing pure and clean that makes Heaven ("the city of God") and my Father glad, pleased, proud.
When God is with me I shall not be moved, God will help me, come to my aid "right early", "when the morning appeareth". The heathen and kingdoms of this world are continually moving and changing - never constant. God is forever, He speaks and the earth answers Him and does what He commands. "The Lord of hosts is with us"; the same God who watched over and directed Jacob is my refuge. The faithful God is my help.

⁸Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

⁹He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

¹⁰Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

¹¹The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

"Come, behold the works of the Lord". what things He has brought to naught in the earth. He makes wars to cease, He breaks the weapons or the warrior and the enemy. Then one of my favorite verses: "Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." And again this comfort: the same God of Jacob and other heroes of the faith is my God and my refuge.

A good reminder to trust God with my everything, live my life pleasing to Him and listen to His voice speaking to me in the busyness of this world. When I am weak He is strong. He is my refuge and my strength when I feel discouraged and unable to bear what comes my way.

Thank you Lord for your many blessings and especially for your love. In you I find all my needs are met, my longings are fulfilled. Help me to live as a daughter who you can be proud of today and every day.

Selah - meditate on this. May the Lord bless you as you start your week.

Mood:

Optimistic

A Virtuous Young Woman

I've lived in a rather secluded and protected world being home schooled and my best friends were always from church or our home school group. Now that I'm grown and working "in the world" things I've only known about are happening to girls my age who I know and see on a daily basis. Why only this past week one girl learned she's pregnant out of wedlock, another girl caught her boyfriend cheating on her, and another has serious drinking problems. I confess that I do not know what to say to them because they don't know my Lord or have my standards. I am in plain fact a virgin who is guarding her heart and mind, I've never dated and I've never touched addictive substances in my life. The truth is I am proud and grateful for these virtues and the life I've lived but in some ways I don't know how to relate to the rest of the world, I can't just preach at them about what they should and shouldn't do in their hour of need. Compassion, understanding and patience is rather to be desired.

The scribblings below are some things I was thinking about and hope I'm not being too indelicate by mentioning them here.

"I'm not sure if I've told anyone how highly I value purity. I see purity as definitely being separate from virginity though the two should go hand in hand. Virginity is the fragile and simple up keeping of abstinence from the physical act of intimacy. Purity is much more delicate and easily broken and is really a standard of living.
I believe that a pure young woman does not loose her purity when she marries - instead her purity is guarded and protected by her husband. Neither does a young woman loose her virginity when she marries - instead she gives it to her husband just as she has given her heart.
Purity works far deeper than the physical though it does encompass that too, it mostly refers to the heart and mind. In Christ our hearts are bathed in His righteousness and purity and we seek His pure and perfect will for us. Philippians 4:18 tells us to think on 'whatsoever things are pure'.... The mind is the most amazing part of the body and the biggest battlefield for the Christian. This is the area I struggle in the most - the place I most often fail.
But there is hope. According to Hebrews 4:15 Jesus struggled with this same thing and area of purity. But I take comfort in the statement "yet without sin" - Jesus overcame so why can't I? The excuse that he was fully God as well as being fully man doesn't hold that much weight because with my new nature of the Holy Spirit living inside us we have the power to move mountains if it is the Lord's will - and it is always His will that we overcome sin. In Christ I have the largest possible hope of succeeding if I will but try. I praise the Lord for His love and power. Purity is a high standard but the Lord is on our side - our help and our guide!"

Sweet stream that winds through yonder glade,
Apt emblem of a virtuous maid -
Silent and chaste she steals along,
Far from the world's gay busy throng;
With gentle, yet prevailing force
Intent upon her destined course;
Graceful and useful all she does,
Blessing and bless'd where'ere she goes,
Pure-bosom'd as that wat'ry glass,
And Heav'n reflected in her face.
~William Cowper

A beautiful young woman is not always pretty on the outside. True beauty shines from the inside out in the sweetness of her spirit. Her kindness, humbleness, and caring touch the lives around her and you can find evidence of her modesty and purity in every aspect of her life.

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. - I Peter 3:3-4

Mood:

Working

Catching Up on a May Day

Just a quick post to wish you all a very happy day and to let you all know that I haven't fallen off the face of the earth...yet. ;)
I've been very busy with work and taking a class so I can be certified to pass out medications at work. It's an interesting class but there is so much to learn and remember!

Anyway...there's new pictures of the newest Emma adaptation available. Some have been out for a while while others are brand new.
There's photos of Emma & Miss Taylor looking very smart in their bonnets and spencers.
Our first look at Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley...or is that just an older Edmund Bertram?
And it certainly looks like Ramola Garai is putting her all into this film and enjoying it very much!



In other news I purchased my own copies of the newest Sense & Sensibility, Little Dorrit miniseries and Miramax Emma movie soundtrack all of which I love.
I hardly ever do this but I decided to watch S&S with the commentary on and I really enjoyed all of the cast and crew's inputs and the things you never see. It really takes quite a bit of work to make a film!


And the other night my family and I watched the last two episodes of Little Dorrit and boy didn't I just bawl all over the place! If you've never seen it you really must. My absolute favorite scene is the one where John Chivery cries. He really was such a wonderful touch to the story line.
I've also rewatched Miss Austen Regrets which is on the S&S DVD as a special feature! I forgot how much I enjoyed it the first time, it really is so much like Jane Austen.

Anyway, I have to go to work now. My schedule is so busy lately! I'm also trying to figure out how to celebrate my mommy this weekend.
God Bless, Laurie :)

Mood:

Rushed