This evening in prayer meeting we had a closer look at the hymns we sing in church, how they came about, what prompted the song writer and his faith in God. They come with such deep meaning, you can tell the song writer had such a close walk with God. I have experienced in other church's how they have gotton away from using the old hymn's but I did notice that when they used and old hymn in the music that was when God's presence could be felt. I am not saying new music is wrong when it comes from a heart fully surrendered to God but there is so much to say for the wonderful songs that, Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts and so many more wrote. Just think of these titles, "It is well with my soul", "Just a Closer Walk With Thee", "Stand up, Stand Up, for Jesus" just to name a few. You can tell the desires of the heart from these songs and we can sing them with the same assurance. "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, oh what a fortaste of glory devine. Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born in the spirit washed in his blood. This is my story, this is my song, praising saviour all the day long. This is my story this is my song praising my saviour all the day long", I like how the song also says " Perfect submission all is at rest, I in my Saviour am happy and blessed. Watching and waiting looking above filled with his goodness lost in his love." Isn't that beautiful. Sometimes in church when I am singing along with these wonderful songs God's presence can be felt and he fills me with his blessed assurance. I hopeyour experience with God has brought you to a place where your walk is right beside Jesus, like so many of these song writers. They didn't write for noteriety or to win awards but they did become some of greatest gospel song writers this world will ever know. And as another songs says "God be with you till we meet again" whether it be on this earth or at the day of judgement I can only hope and pray that it will only to be welcomed my Christ our Lord into his kingdom for eternity.

The kids had a fun day yesterday at Totter's Otterville, a really great place with lots of things to do for the kids. We went there with friends to help celebrate a birthday. My Camera ran out of juice or else I would've had more pictures. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

The slideshow below is pictures of various family and my children while we were at the my Uncle David's Funeral. Although we were sad to let him go we also had a nice time visiting. Many of our family lives so far away and when we get to together for whatever reason we try to enjoy ourselves. It also makes it easier when your loved that has died was a saint of God.



The kids had fun playing with cousins they don 't see to often and also climbing on my cousin Stephen. I think him and his fiance Bri(I don't know if that is the correct spelling) were a little overwelmed with how energetic the kids were. Well I know Stephen used to be just as energetic as a child.



I did get to see my mom too which was an added bonus and we shared a hotel room which proved interesting because the first night the kids would not let me sleep anywhere else but with them. Four of us in a double bed not fun, I don't think I got much sleep that night and was very tired the next day. The next night I told them it was either one of them sleep with Grandma or I was so it ended up being Grandma, Alex and Me which proved much more comfortable because Alex is little and does not take much space. I managed to get more sleep that night


I hope enjoy the picture as you can see the kids were enjoying themselves. Well I will post more later. Life has been so busy that I haven't had much time to blog lately. Keep true to Jesus.

Peace . . .

When you think of the word "peace", what does it mean to you? Recently in church and other local meetings I have been to, I have been hearing alot about peace, and surrender. When I started thinking about it they go hand in hand. If you surrender to God you have peace and but with out that surrender you cannot have peace. In his morning message today Bro. Stetler said "peace is a condition of the heart on the inside and comes from God", and then he continued to say " if we stop the conflict or rebellion with God, when the battle with God is over then we will have peace." I know for me that was a turning point in my life, because I had to be willing to do what God wanted me to do. I could not say what I thought or what I believed it had to come from God. He had to direct my paths and I had to do his will. Is it always easy, no it is not because everything I do goes against the grain of what my husband believes or does not believe. I am not refering to me causing conflict in our marriage but it has to do with just following the Ten Commandment, and because of my Love for God has made me into a person who has lost an appetite for things of this world. I do not want to be associated with anything of this world, but I do want to show love to the people of this world so that they can see the love of Jesus. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you not as the world giveth, give I unto you, let not your be troubled." John 14:27 In this verse Jesus tells us his peace does not come from the world and I know this to be a fact because when I was of this world I had not peace and was quite miserable all the time and since letting Jesus take control of the my life I now have a peace in my heart that the world cannot take away. I could be in the worst of situations and still have this peace. "These things I have spoken "unto you that in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 Here are a couple other verses that I love that speak about peace. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3 "And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. I believe in God's peace and I know that it is attainable but there are times when I become overwelmed and feel like I am struggling. I also have a great support system at church who ask me how I am doing and they help me pray about the things I struggle with. I am greatful for this and appreciate all the wonderful people at Burlington Bible Methodist. God is helping me and giving me the grace to go through my trials.

We received sad news yesterday that my Uncle David Gray passed away. It was somewhat sudden and unexpected although he suffered from diabetes and renal failure. He was an uncle who was always fun to be around when I was a child. He would tell us funny stories and had a great imagination. My heart goes out to his children, my cousins, Naomi, Elizabeth, Stephen and Rachel. I know the pain of losing your father is great at this time. I do know that trusting in God's help is the only way to get through and the support of your family helps too. Please help me in lifting them up in prayer at this time. I am sure my Aunt Diana would also appreciate the prayers too, I know she has a lot of long lonely days ahead of her. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Just A Weaver
by Benjamine Malachi Franklin
My life is but a weaving, between my God and me,I do not choose the colors, He worketh steadily.
Ofttimes he weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish prideForget He sees the upper, and I the underside.Not till the loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly,Will God unroll the canvas, and explain the reasons whyThe dark threads are as needful in the skillful weaver's handAs threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

Just A Weaver
by Benjamine Malachi Franklin
My life is but a weaving, between my God and me,I do not choose the colors, He worketh steadily.
Ofttimes he weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish prideForget He sees the upper, and I the underside.Not till the loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly,Will God unroll the canvas, and explain the reasons whyThe dark threads are as needful in the skillful weaver's handAs threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

This mornings service was wonderful, God's presence was so strong. I am so glad that I am child of God so that I can enjoy this wonderful fullness that he has given. The key verse of this mornings message was, Eph. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us iwth the spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. He brought out that our true blessing are not things although they are blessing in themselves, but we could be without all the things we have and as long we belong to Christ we have all the blessing we need. I know for me since the Lord saw fit to save me I have realized that I can do without so many things I thought was necessary. I know that I have found contentment in Jesus. The things of this world hold no appeal for me. The magazines I used to find interestesting are no longer something I care to read, I don't care to watch television anymore, when I do I am amazed at how much sin is the the shows that are displayed. Even the commercials display sensual and seductive natures putting unclean thoughts in the minds of those who watch them. I am thankful that I have been blessed by the Holy Spirit dwelling within me, for that is truly all I need.

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord. Come and quench this thirsting of my soul. Bread of Heaven feed me till I want no more, fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

The Lord does answers my cry, he fills me up to overflowing. He does it especially when I am obedient to him and listen to his gentle leading. I want to be open to his voice so that I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am on the right path. I thank the Lord for his faithfulnes to me. There are times when my human nature kicks in and I start to question myself and whether or not I am doing the right thing by following this straight and narrow way. God comes and reasures me and lets me know that I am doing the right thing. Satan tries to work his way into my mind but God is far greater then he and He has power of him and as long as I keep my eyes on Jesus he will lead in the way that I should go.

Mommy Talk

Children are a gift from God. I love my children dearly and do consider them a gift but there are times when I want to pull my hair out when they seem not to hear, or understand what I have just told them. When it comes to getting them to clean there room it can take hours. They complain that the other isn't cleaning or come out of there room constantly to see what I am doing. They also go to the bathroom a million times. As I am writing this I remember a day not so long ago when I was a child cleaning my room with my sister and yes we did the same thing, I suddenly feel sorry for my parents and what we put them through. I am sure as I do, my mom prayed for wisdom, grace, strength and anything God could give her to help her through each day. I am not writing this complain, I am writing to say that God is giving me victory over these little people who want so much to be adults and in control of there own lives. I pray sometimes all day for wisdom, and yes he gives me wisdom, grace and strength. I see the results in how I am better able to handle the struggles both mental and physical at times. God is giving me so much grace, I find myself more patient, and less stressed out when they do misbehave. Before I became a christian, I would get so frustrated at the lack of knowledge I had that I have in my possession several child rearing books, with many different methods of discipline in them from passive to firm. When I started looking to God he led me in the way he wanted me to go. Since I have started following in his steps he has changed the way my children think and even how they act at times. They are still children learning to control their behavior and I know I have many years to go before they will even understand what all goes into parenting, probably not until they have their own. I believe that the most important thing I can teach my children is that if we live our lives the way Jesus wants us to and love him with our whole hearts we will do the right thing. That is my thought for the day. I hope you find encouragement in knowing another mom out there has her struggles too, but God is able.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say on the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Having fun with Uncle Tim and Aunt Christal

The Sabbath

Growing up my parents always made sure we honored God in keeping the sabbath holy by doing quiet things and we never went out to eat or went shopping and we went to church twice, morning and evening. I have since learned to appreciate that in the fact I am now trying to teach those same things to my children now. I also am amazed at how much the Bible has to say about that very thing. We have been studying the Ten Commandments in sunday school and the devotional book that goes along with it has helped in leading me to verses that talk about the specifics that God expects for us on the Sabbath. Isaiah 58:13, 14 If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words. then shalt thou delight thyself to the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father, for the mout of the Lord hath spoken it. So many have forgotton what the sabbath is they are more interested in things of this world and finding pleasure for themselves. The sabbath is not for us, it is for the Lord. He will give us blessings for honouring his day. Nehemiah 13:15 In those days say I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbeth day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. According The American Heritage Dictionary, victuals means ; food fit for human consumption. So if its in the Bible that we should not be buying or selling food on Sunday what do you think we should do. If the Word of God is eternal then we can't really say well that applied to that particular time in which they were in, we live in a diffrent world now. I just don't believe that it is any different. In our country we may not have slaves or servents but a waiter or waitress provides a "service", and a unessessary one I might add.

Sunday is not just another day of the week, it is a day set apart from our week. It has a whole other purpose and we should not take it lightly. I hope you will honour God by keeping the Sabbath holy.

Have you ever heard a "helicopter" fly over your house only to realize it was your washing machinge during spin cycle. Well mine has been like that for about 2 months now. We have done everything to try to level it. I would go to get clothes out of the wash to find it had moved several inches and started turn itself, it would even get its own legs off. We have done battle many times, the wash machine and I, me trying to lift it and put the legs back on and so on. Well right before Christmas I was at my wits end and I prayed that God would touch my washing machine and the I once again put the legs back on it and did notice that it was very un-level towards the left, I put a load of wash in and went back up-stairs. After sometime I notice how quiet it was and went to check on it, well it was quietly doing the wash and no walking, rocking or thumping was heard. I praised God, because I new he had extended the life of my poor old washing machine. Shortly after the new year it started back up again with its banging and helicoptor sounds, I called the appliance repair man and they told me it probably was not worth it to fix since it was 12 years old. I would say I have sadly said goodbye to my friend who has done many loads of wash, but I now have a beautiful new front load wash machine, from the scratch and dent section (much cheaper that way) that will save us loads of money(I am told), because it uses much less water and energy. The moral of the story is God can help even in the most simplest ways as letting your much needed appliance make it through the holidays. I do want to say I am not joking when I say it sounded like a helicopter even my husband wondered what the sound was. Have a good night. And remember God cares about the sometimes, seemingly, mundane things in our life.