Shown Mercy

Every once in awhile, I enjoy dusting off the hymnal, playing through its pages, and occasionally discovering new or unfamiliar tunes.  This past Saturday was one of those times.  I sat down to play and began to flip through the pages in order to reflect on the events surrounding the celebration of Easter weekend.  Positioned under an old favorite, I found this gem written by James Montgomery in 1820,  Go to Dark Gethsemane. Below is an explanation of the hymn's format ( emphasis mine ): ( http://www.hymnary.org/text/go_to_dark_gethsemane ) Each of the four stanzas of this hymn describes a scene from the story of Christ's Passion: the temptation in the Garden of Gethsemane, the mock trial and scourging, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection (though this last stanza is often omitted from hymnals).  The first three stanzas each conclude with a lesson we can learn from Christ in that scene:  - how to pray - how to suffer silently - how to die ...

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.  For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy."  Psalm 92:1-4 One on one time is so important for relationships, particularly with your children.  It can be easy to get lost in the shuffle of things while in a full house. I am definitely guilty of this.  Going for a walks has become a favorite activity for one of my daughters.  I absolutely love this time together.  Of course, the budding of spring time makes this an even more enjoyable experience. The other day, while on one of our walks, I decided to ask a few difficult questions.  The questions went something to this effect:  Do you struggle with the idea of your adoption?   How does it make you feel...

My Hope Rests in Him... " For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.   On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God... " Psalm 62:5-7 The year 2016 has taken off quickly.  The month of February has particularly been busy with five events on top of our regularly busied life.  My plan is to share a little about those opportunities in the coming weeks, as I attempt to reenter the bloggersphere.  Those are my plans.  Time will tell... "The heart of man plans his way but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9 By God's grace, when the busyness of February came to an end, I was able to retreat to the beach with a few friends for rest.  What a sweet time of much laughter, deep talks, and eating chocolate. The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every ...