Sing to him a new song;play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the Lord is right and true;he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice;the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Ps.33.3-5

 He put a new song in my mouth,a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

Ps.40.3

 Sing to the Lord a new song;sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name;proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations,his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Ps.96.1-3

 Sing to the Lord a new song,for he has done marvelous things;his right hand and his holy arm have a worked salvation for him.

Ps.98.1

 Praise the Lord.Sing to the Lord a new song,his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

Ps.149.1

 Sing to the Lord a new song,his praise from the ends of the earth,you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,you islands, and all who live in them.

Isa.42.10

 …. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Eph.5.18b-20

 And they sang a new song, saying:“You are worthy to take the scrolland to open its seals,because you were slain,and with your blood you purchased for Good persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Rev.5.9

 

A gentle book….

 

A gentle book…

“Theo of Golden is the endearing story of a curious old man who quietly moves into a southern city and, for reasons unknown to anyone but himself, undertakes a campaign of anonymous generosity. 

Theo’s love for people, combined with his fondness for books, art, birds, and story, unite in a colorful expression of outreach and affection. 

Stories are shared, friendships are born, and lives, in response to his inexplicable kindness, are affirmed and transformed. 

The old man, no stranger to sadness and loss, quickly becomes a welcome presence in the community but his new friends and neighbors wonder, who is Theo? And why is he here? 

Beautifully written stories of kindness and neighborliness are always timely, but perhaps especially so now. 

Meet Theo of Golden. He’s happy to meet you”….

I friend sent this book to me…I didn’t know I needed it until 

I started reading…it is not a great theological book, it is a simple gentle book….that is the only way I can describe it and it speaks to my heart that I need right now…I need that gentleness, that encouragement that comes through the pages….how we can be gentle, caring of others…speaking  words of encouragement to people’s hearts…looking at their soul and encouraging that fruit of the spirit to the forefront in other’s lives…….encouragement to show how God is working in the lives of others….

  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matt.11.29

 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Eph.4.2,Eph.4.3,Eph.4.4,Eph.4.6,Eph.4.29,Eph.4.30,Eph.4.31,Eph.4.32

 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Phil.4.5

 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. 

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Col.3.12-14

 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

1Pet.3.4,1Pet.3.15

Thank YOU…

Gentle Shepherd….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw0WLM85aW4

Instrumental….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVuf6ldrFgk

 

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John.14.1,John.14.27

Hardened hearts…

 Hardened hearts….

 Today, if only you would hear his voice, 

“Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness….

Ps.95.7b-8

Meribah means quarreling…

Massage means testing….

Do we see ourselves in either of these circumstances?   Hardening of our hearts results in so much…I will let the word speak for itself…

 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Prov.28.14

 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.

Dan.5.20

 because they all saw him and were terrified.Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Mark.6.50-52

 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 

This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:“Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 

For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,so they can neither see with their eyes,nor understand with their hearts,nor turn—and I would heal them.” 

Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him. 

Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. 

But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

John.12.37-43

 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

Eph.4.18

do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion,during the time of testing in the wilderness, 

As has just been said:“Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” 

This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:“Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts.”

Heb.3.8,Heb.3.15,Heb.4.7

I would rather be blessed than have a hardened heart as the Word speaks about so aptly…

Bible study notes…

“A hardened heart is as useless as a lump of clay, or a hardened loaf of bread. Nothing can restore it r make it useful……when someone’s heart is hardened that person is so stubbornly set in his ways that he or she cannot turn to God….” Useless, worthless as old stale bread or hardened clay…

Our goal should be useful in God’s world, moldable…

Thank YOU…

Have thine own way…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERT7d_HF2Lk

Trunk ….3…

 Trunk…..3…

So what was in the trunk…memories…good ones at that….

1. A 54 year old wedding veil…

2. 8 Hand crocheted lace on a pillowcases…

3. An old “ Night Before Christmas” that my dad read every year, I had to finally frame it as it was falling apart…

4. My college diploma and graduation 👩‍🎓 hat…

5. Letters from one of my grandparents…

6. A 49 year old sweater and bonnet…

7. A 61 year old souvenir from Alaska…

8. A 53 year old hand embroidered bib

9. A 55 year old towel from my grandma Clara, given on their 50th anniversary…..

All sitting on a antique rocking chair that one of my grandmothers refinished and did needlepoint work on the back and seat…

Now they go back into the trunk, not sure for what….

(I actually have few antiques in my house, as there was lots of family to claim items and desire…but, lots of “antiques” by virtue that I still use things that I got at my wedding showers and early marriage, estate sales)

But these items aside…what does God put into our lives, our trunk? What can we put into it…new songs, proclaim Him to “all the people”, praise, peace, offerings, worship, His Truth, the Holy Spirit, comfort, provisions, salvation, righteousness, ….the Fruit of the Spirit, and so much more…

We are filled with abundance, sometimes we just have to sit down , open the lid of our minds and memories and contemplate them, thank HIM for them…

 Sing to the Lord a new song;sing to the Lord, all the earth. 

Sing to the Lord, praise his name;proclaim his salvation day after day. 

Declare his glory among the nations,his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Ps.96.1-3

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law. 

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Gal.5.22-25

 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. 

I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John.14.26-27

Thank YOU…

Gifts from God…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfLGfuINnG4

Psalm 94:18-19

 Psalm 94:8-19….

As I have said previously, I write notes in my Bible…not every page or verse, but those who are meaningful certain times, when I come    upon them again, they bring back the memories and the emotions…maybe some tears or laughter, thankfulness….

This morning it was …

 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. 

When anxiety was great within me,your consolation brought me joy.

Ps.94.18-19

Beside it was a star, a date…and the words “ I am moving away from Elko…” which meant I was moving g away from friends, my home, my church, the mountains…all of which I love…but moving to family and a new beginning as a widow, starting over in a new community, new church ….where I needed God’s support and consolation…..and I needed it badly…I cried in church the day before and my friends crowed around me and prayed peace and love for me…what a gift…and I walked away comforted, trying to count it all joy….

There are just times we need to write those words in our Bibles so we don’t forget what 

God has spoken to us …

 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything .

Jas.1.2-4

 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1Pet.5.7

Thank YOU….

Cast all my cares…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKM4NoTKLzo

Faith journeys…

 Faith journeys….

Our married life as far as finances went was one of feast and famine…we never missed a meal, we never missed house payments, we didn’t carry health insurance s it was too expensive for our budget, our children were fairly healthy, we shopped thrift stores, we always tithed and gave a little more, we hosted simple meals, we hosted missionaries…God provided what we needed…and sometimes wants, desires…

In the last verses of Psalm 90, He talks about “deeds be shown”,  or in psalm 44, “our ancestors have told us”, or in Hab., repeat your deeds…

I have written about my trunk from my ancestors….I would love to hear their stories of crossing the ocean, starting a new life from scratch, daily living, children, etc…what did they experience, how did God Provide….I find that I am guilty of not writing down our stories of feast and  famine, how God provided abundantly, at the last minute, by prayer and fasting, by surprise, helping through crisis and friends…etc….

Help us to remember….praise…stand in awe…

Thank YOU…

 If only we knew the power of your anger!

Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due. 

(  It is you alone who are to be feared.Who can stand before you when you are angry?

Ps.76.7)

Relent, Lord! How long will it be?

Have compassion on your servants. 

( My soul is in deep anguish.How long, Lord, how long?

Ps.6.3

 The Lord will vindicate his people and relent concerning his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free.

Deut.32.36

 For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.

Ps.135.14)

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,for as many years as we have seen trouble. 

May your deeds be shown to your servants,your splendor to their children.

( We have heard it with our ears, O God;our ancestors have told us what you did in their days,in days long ago.

Ps.44.1

 Lord, I have heard of your fame;I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.Repeat them in our day,in our time make them known;in wrath remember mercy.

Hab.3.2)

Ps.90.11,Ps.90.13,Ps.90.15,Ps.90.16

I stand in awe of You…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bypinON83r4&list=RDbypinON83r4&start_radio=1&pp=ygUVaSBzdGFuZCBpbiBhd2Ugb2YgeW91oAcB