Christmas Songs

Every year at Christmas time I look forward to many things, cards, decorating, baking, carols...and usually , for whatever reason there comes a song which becomes special to me ; provokes thoughts and feelings and at times enlightens me. Like I just heard it for the first time and I truly understand it.

This year the song that stands out for me is " I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, originally a poem.

!-- Copyright 1997-2007 The Cyber Hymnal --





I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.



I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along the unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.



And in despair I bowed my head:

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men."



Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."



Till, ringing singing, on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,

Of peace on earth, good will to men!



In the original text Mr Longfellow, stanzas 4 & 5(usually omitted in hymnals and not printed here, sorry), pertain to the American civil war in which his son was injured. This was too much, after having over time, endured the death of both his first and second wife.



I find that this song reminds me of the psalms, and how even if David was forlorn and downtrodden in the beginning, the end is always a turning from circumstance and his focus returns to God, His salvation His truth, His Grace; that God is the Almighty and David's trust remains with Him.

In the song above the despair and pain is very clear in the beginning yet the phrase"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep",turns it all around like the fog had lifted , and although his pain was still very real, the realization of who God is , that He is in control surpassed the author's circumstances and one can almost feel the shift , the pain being lifted.



Praise be to God who sits on the throne forever and ever!



" God is not dead , nor doth He sleep!"



Amen and Amen!

A New Slant on "Me Time"

Recently I have found myself distracted, overwhelmed, annoyed and frustrated. Things weren't "going" like I had planned for the school year or anything for that matter. We were doing school work of course but I felt like I was missing something. Trying to do major cleaning...adding renovations and then trying to be an encouragement to my husband when I am already frazzled. Did I mention that my eight year old is dealing with insomnia to boot!?!! Ahhhhhhhh.....

But lo and behold, even though I was having family Bible study time , I realized I had devoted none of my personal time to God.....sporadic devotions , quick prayers , falling asleep before I finished. I wasn't in God's Word, I wasn't basking in His presence...I was spiritually starving!

At church this past Sunday at a book table laid out, I see a book, " A Place of Quiet Rest" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It sparked my interest but yet I was unsure because so many times before these devotion type books are either severely lacking in any sound doctrine or become some sort of equation to a "better life"; then I end up not finishing it due to disappointment! But my friend tells me that another friend, whose opinion I respect, really appreciates this author --- so I take it.

This book has been enlightening; proclaiming from the beginning not to be a typical'devotion' book, but rather a guide to intimacy with God.
The scripture that has truly affected me from the book thus far is Mark 1:35 " Now in the morning , having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed."

Wow......I am a night person ...I cannot do that...'before daylight'??? But I have set my alarm and have tried devoting at least an hour to study and prayer in the presence of God. I have to say it is hard but I do look forward to it( I did stay up too late last night making it somewhat difficult to rise and concentrate properly this morning!). I like that I am not interrupted...it is quiet and I pray that God would continue to place this desire to commune with Him daily! Perhaps I will set the alarm earlier...:-D

I am learning a lot and am truly appreciating the words of encouragement and wisdom from Ms DeMoss. I am seeking my God, not as a superficial answer to make my day better, but to be in His presence...just Jesus and me!

Gianna Jessen Abortion Survivor in Australia Part 2

Gianna Jessen Abortion Survivor in Australia Part 1

Ponderings

As I continue plugging away cleaning , organizing and preparing for the school year to start, I have to sit back and ponder where all the time went! My oldest will be entering her twelfth year and my youngest will be doing grade three work! No more 'ABCs' and '123s'; this year has to be well thought out and organized. It has to be comprehensive and consistent...hmmmm I think I am beginning to feel somewhat overwhelmed! I want to do the very best I can at educating them and I always thank my God for giving me the strength to do this; to do what I feel we are called to do as a family, on the education front. People are often times telling me I must be 'Super Woman" or "I could never do that!". I know they mean well and perhaps want to compliment me or perhaps they do not know what to say; but I am only doing this by and through the grace and power of God. I am by no means and very far from "Super Woman"; and I could never do this without God!
So as I now go downstairs to continue planning and organizing I pray for the grace that I need. One day at a time, and I need to make each day count; to glorify my God in whatever I am doing .......we are never promised tomorrow so I must make it count!

John Piper :: "How will God respond to Atheism & Richard Dawkins?"

Really enjoyed this clip; truly worth watching, so I thought I would share!

Today........

" .....whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." James 4:14

So much sadness...as I ponder how I spend my time looking on the inside and "improving and doing ", with self and family, I have failed to look out; look out for lost souls. Saving , salvation , redemption is all God's working, however I feel like I have failed somehow today, as I watch my neighbor , suffer , once again , with loss. This time the loss of her husband.

I can only pray that I can be of some comfort to her, be there, listen, show the love of Jesus; mourn with she who mourns...as my heart breaks for her. May God prepare her to receive the only place of rest and comfort and peace that can come from only Him, through Christ.

I really don't know what to say.........let's not waste the day...."tomorrow is promised to no one..."