Cover of His Presence

a bit of honesty about a growing ache . . .

In the core of my being, I ache for something pure. A genuine encounter with the LORD that feels sacred and other worldly. The simple response of my heart to His Person or His Word that is not impacted by any thought of what I might write about it.

I honestly don’t know what that might look like. But I long for it. I want to find out what might happen if I step away from my online spaces for a while and simply seek His face.

This growing whisper of invitation holds my attention. The voice is quiet, not insistent. It is soft and gentle, but unwavering. His beckoning is one I don’t want to ignore, I can’t ignore.

And so, this post is a signing-off, of sorts. I’m tucking away with Him again. But, I also feel confident I will be back! As He leads, I am excited to think that fresh discoveries from this time alone with Him will find words and the perfect time to share them . . . after a while.

Happy new year, friends! As I step away for a bit, I pray that you, too, will be captivated by the LORD JESUS in fresh new ways. May each of us continue to be awed by His Person, steadied by His truth, and wrapped in His love!

Read the full blog post here: https://coverofHisPresence.com/2022/01/29/an-ache-for-whats-pure/

(9 of 9) top breakfast “psalms” from 2021 … as we look forward to embracing our new home in Fairhaven, MA, full-time by this summer (LORD willing), it is sweet to revisit this tender time in the early days of our transition . .

We put our house in south Florida on the market this week. The swirl of bittersweet emotions as we close one chapter and embark on a new one is very real and present! [Navigating the fast-paced housing market is no joke either – we are praying for the LORD’s clear direction and provision as we make critical decisions.]

This is the place I never wanted to call home. The place where the LORD gently but persistently drew my heart to redefine my concept of “home.” The place where He brought me to full surrender, to embrace His best plan, whatever that might be. Now as He is leading us away from this place, it is surprising to feel the waves of sadness rise in me as a new sense of loss grips me. How precious a place can become when it has been the fertile ground from which the deep realities of GOD could be known and treasured!

This much will always remain: He holds my heart. He will never leave my side. He will faithfully lead us forward. His best will never be disappointing. He will forever draw us closer and closer to His own heart.

These verses from Daily Light met me in the tender moments this week. I pray they will touch and encourage you as well… 🌿

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵.⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 ⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘺 𝘎𝘖𝘋, 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩,⁣
𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘮 𝘐 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵, 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥.⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥⁣
𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.⁣
𝘏𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴.⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘨𝘦,⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴.⁣
𝘚𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘢𝘺,⁣
𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘦𝘳,⁣
𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳.⁣
𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘎𝘖𝘋, 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋?⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘬, 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘖𝘋?⁣
𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩,⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵.⁣
⁣
𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟖:𝟏𝟖 • 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟖:𝟐 • 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟑𝟒:𝟕, 𝟏𝟕 •
𝐃𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝟑𝟑:𝟐𝟕 • 𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟏𝟑:𝟔 • 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟖:𝟑𝟏-𝟑𝟐

(8 of 9) top breakfast “psalms” from 2021 … this one is so good for me to revisit, personally, and often! . .

When things don’t unfold quite the way we imagined, hoped, or even meticulously planned, it can be unnerving at best. We humans like control, and the truth is, we rest a whole lot easier when we realize it was never ours to hold!

This week, I’ve had to face the harsh reality that I’ve been holding on too tightly to a few ideals. My prayer wrestling has been peppered with questions like, “Are you willing to trust Me? Am I not trustworthy? Is not My best truly best? Will you (again) surrender your own plans to stand still and watch Mine unfold?”

There have been deep sighs of agreement mixed with honest struggle to let go. “Yes, LORD, I believe, help my unbelief! Save me from my own white-knuckled grip!”

At my core, I long to rest in the confidence that the story is already written, its end is secure, and its Orchestrator never misses a beat. He never gets it wrong! I know, with the LORD’s help, I will find my steady place in Him (again).

I pray these few ramblings and today’s breakfast psalm will encourage hearts today: 🌿

𝘋𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 ⁣
𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘎𝘖𝘋.⁣
𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋, 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘮 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘦 𝘨𝘰? ⁣
𝘠𝘰𝘶 (𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦) 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵. ⁣
𝘏𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦.⁣
𝘏𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘏𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦.⁣
𝘐 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘮𝘦 ⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴.⁣
𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶!⁣
𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦 ⁣
𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳.⁣
⁣
𝟏 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝟑𝟎:𝟔 • 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟔:𝟔𝟖 • 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟖:𝟏𝟖-𝟏𝟗⁣
• 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟑𝟒:𝟒 • 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟏𝟎:𝟔

(7 of 9) top breakfast “psalms” from 2021 . .

At the retreat this past weekend, we talked about “now I *know*…” moments - when a person realizes the LORD alone has carried them, made Himself real to them, accomplished what He alone can do.

They have seen the undeniable hand of GOD make an impression so deep within them that they cannot keep silent! In the core of their being, a personal encounter with the LORD has made His indelible mark!

He has given them a powerful story to tell of the reality of GOD. He brings a song from their lips that no one else can sing, but one that conveys wonder, joy, and undeterred conviction that draws others to know and trust Him too!

I believe today’s breakfast psalm is one of those songs! 🌿

𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘫𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘖𝘋, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩!⁣
𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦!⁣
𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴.⁣
⁣
𝘚𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘖𝘋, “𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘸𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴! 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘠𝘰𝘶; 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘴.”⁣
⁣
𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘸𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘏𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦!⁣
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𝘞𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘏𝘪𝘮. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘺 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘏𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳. 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴.⁣
⁣
𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦.⁣
⁣
𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘎𝘖𝘋, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘏𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘐 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘪𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘦. 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯! 𝘏𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳.⁣
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𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘦.⁣
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𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟔𝟔, 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴

(6 of 9) top breakfast “psalms” from 2021 . .

My heart is heavy this week… for dear friends who have lost a son, brother, husband, father, nephew, friend. It happened so quickly, in a matter of days. Unimaginably heartbreaking.

I was touched as I remembered these thoughts:

“There is a special kind of beauty in sorrow. It means we have felt deeply, loved deeply, and lost deeply. There is a depth of reality and certainty in sorrow. It is not fake or shallow, but raw and vulnerable. And it is in that tender place that the LORD’s Presence provides such precious awareness of who He is, how His comfort and strength come close when we need them most. There, we can catch a glimpse of His eternal plans for us, not just the fleeting moments. And it is only the things that touch us that deeply that will change us forever.”

I also found great comfort in these verses from Daily Light this week: 🌿

𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴.⁣
𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘔𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴 ⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧.⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘴 ⁣
𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.⁣
𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘑𝘌𝘚𝘜𝘚 𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨, ⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨, ⁣
𝘏𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵.⁣
𝘑𝘌𝘚𝘜𝘚 𝘸𝘦𝘱𝘵.⁣
𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦, ⁣
𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩.⁣
𝘐𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘥.⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.⁣
⁣
𝐄𝐱𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐬 𝟑:𝟕 • 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟓𝟑:𝟑 • 𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟒:𝟏𝟓⁣
𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟏:𝟑𝟑,𝟑𝟓 • 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟒𝟐:𝟑 • 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟔𝟑:𝟗

https://coverofHisPresence.com/2015/12/30/20/

(5 of 9) top breakfast “psalms” from 2021 . .

True confessions. The stress of recent months has not always brought out the best in me. (Moving and traveling can really stretch my limits!)

What comfort to know I can humbly own those moments and immediately release them, knowing they are covered by the blood of Christ. I am forgiven. I can rejoice in the GOD of my salvation!

I pray these same unchangeable truths in today’s breakfast “psalm” will bring comfort to your hearts too! 🌿

𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘦, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶. • 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘴.⁣
⁣
𝘉𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯, 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥.⁣
⁣
𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋, 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘎𝘖𝘋; 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.⁣
⁣
𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟒𝟒:𝟐𝟐 • 𝐙𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟑:𝟒 • 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟑𝟐:𝟏 • 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟔𝟏:𝟏𝟎

(4 of 9) top breakfast “psalms” from 2021 . .

It has been so amazing to trace the journey of Jacob, and now Joseph, through our BSF study of Genesis this year. Both men wrestled with GOD, struggled to understand all that GOD revealed to them, and ultimately acknowledged with full surrender that sovereign, Almighty GOD, can be trusted.

He calls us to walk through hard things, but He always has good purposes in mind - not the least of which are priceless glimpses of His heart along the way! And He never leaves anything unfinished. The road may be long, but there will be an end. There will come a day when each of us will look back, cherish the journey, and say with fresh clarity, “the LORD meant it for good.”

I pray these few verses in today’s breakfast “psalm” will bring you a new wave of hope and courage to face any rough road you are walking . . . 🌿

𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘰 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘦!⁣
𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵,⁣
𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺,⁣
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘶.⁣
⁣
𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩.⁣
𝘔𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵.⁣
𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶⁣
𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦⁣
𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶.⁣
⁣
𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘯 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬⁣
𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘵.⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵⁣
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘮𝘦.⁣
𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶⁣
𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰⁣
𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦.⁣
⁣
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝟑𝟐:𝟐𝟔 • 𝐄𝐱𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐬 𝟑𝟑:𝟏𝟑 • 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟐𝟕:𝟓 •
𝐄𝐱𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐬 𝟑𝟑:𝟏𝟒 • 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝟐𝟖:𝟏𝟓 • 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏:𝟔 •
𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟑𝟖:𝟖 • 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟏𝟑

(3 of 9) top breakfast “psalms” from 2021 . .

It was without fanfare, without cake, without many of my favorite people (as we are still living in some level of quarantine), but this week I celebrated a birthday! It was a quiet, but deeply special day.

One of the sweetest gifts came in a string of thoughts from some early morning reading. For this week's breakfast "psalm" I'd like to share these precious words of encouragement: 🌿

𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 “𝘌𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘞𝘢𝘺𝘴,” 𝘣𝘺 𝘈𝘮𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘭:

𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟔𝟖:𝟐𝟖 ~ 𝐓𝐡𝐲 𝐆𝐎𝐃 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮.

“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴. ‘𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶.’ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥, ‘𝘔𝘺 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦’ (𝘗𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝟻𝟿:𝟷𝟶). 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 – 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥? 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘶𝘵𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘺, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘴, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵? 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥, 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.”

Isn't this just His way? To meet us exactly where we are, to reassure us of His love, to reveal more of Himself to strengthen us?

𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘺 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦:⁣
⁣
𝐄𝐱𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐬 𝟑𝟑:𝟏𝟑-𝟏𝟒 ~ 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐈 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐲, 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐮.

top breakfast “psalms” from 2021 - (2 of 9) . .

This morning, I discovered a precious follow-up to yesterday’s thoughts from TobyMac and Amy Carmichael ... today, from Albert Osborn in Choice Gleanings calendar:

“𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘌𝘚𝘜𝘚 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦,⁣
𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺,⁣
𝘖 𝘮𝘺 𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦,⁣
𝘛𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘌𝘚𝘜𝘚 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦.”

Amy’s desire was to always stay in a place where His beauty could be seen. To linger there. To treasure the beauties of the LORD. Psalm 27:4 in NLT words it this way: “delighting in the LORD’s perfections, meditating in His temple.”

How wondrous to imagine that the longer we stay in that place, captivated by Him, the more we will reflect the true heart of GOD, as JESUS, His Son does! His beauties can be seen 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦 !

Is there any greater endeavor in this new year? ✨



photo credit: Christie Purifoy, Writer

top breakfast “psalms” from 2021 - (1 of 9) . .

Love this image from TobyMac ... and these thoughts from Amy Carmichael in “Edges of His Ways”. . . ⁣
⁣
𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟗𝟎:𝟏𝟕 - Let the beauty of the LORD our GOD rest upon us.⁣
⁣
𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟐𝟕:𝟒 - One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD.⁣
⁣
𝐙𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟗:𝟏𝟕 - How great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty.⁣
⁣
“And this GOD is our GOD. Let us be glad in Him today, and stay where we can see His beauty.⁣
⁣
𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘐 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘮𝘺 𝘎𝘖𝘋, 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘦,⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬: 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦.⁣
⁣
𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯, 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘪𝘳;⁣
𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘦, 𝘖 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘢𝘪𝘳.⁣
⁣
𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋,⁣
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘮 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵’𝘴 𝘈𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥.”⁣
⁣

It is so interesting to look back through the year and see which breakfast “psalms” were especially meaningful to all of you! Over the next few weeks, I hope you will enjoy a revisit of these top 9 from 2021! 🌿 May our hearts be encouraged all over again as the LORD meets us where we are each day with fresh words from His heart to ours.



photo credit (1): TobyMac
photo credit (3): Christie Purifoy, Writer

𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟿 . . .

This glimpse behind a delicate curtain - of a table beautifully set, ready to welcome honored guests - reminded me of a precious invitation we receive every LORD’s Day morning. . .

He welcomes us to His table, to come aside from the craziness of life and the world spinning around us, to re-center ourselves around simple tokens, to remember Whose we are.

With every broken piece of bread, we remember that our Savior was broken for us so that we can be whole. With every sip of the cup we remember that our Savior drank it all for us so we can be His.

He speaks to us faithfully and lovingly each time, “I choose you – do you choose Me in return?”

Maybe the Lord’s Supper is not just what He asks of us, but something He longs to give to us – all that He is and all that He has. He longs for us to rejoice in Who He is and what He has accomplished for us – to have eyes only for Him!

coverofHisPresence.com/2017/3/30/seeing-only-Him-part-2
🌟

A quiet south Florida sunrise set a sacred hush over my run this morning. Song after song on Pandora rang out a fresh version of the familiar “silent night.”

Although this one was released several years ago, I heard it for the first time today. I can’t help but wonder … in all that weighs heavy right now, if someone might need these words on this Christmas Eve?

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
by Casting Crowns

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nT-5cP4BeoI

“𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵⁣
𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵⁣ . .⁣
𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵⁣
𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨
𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥⁣
𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥⁣
𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶⁣
𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵⁣
𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘸⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘨𝘰⁣
𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘺'𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭⁣
𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱⁣
𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭⁣
𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥⁣
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭⁣ . .⁣
𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵⁣
𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥⁣
𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵⁣
𝘌𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦⁣
𝘏𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵⁣
𝘏𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦⁣
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘏𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦⁣
𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵⁣
𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥⁣
𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶⁣
𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶”

𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘸 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘰 (𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟾)… 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳…

and then it all falls quiet . .
the last exam turned in, the last meeting adjourned, gifts exchanged with friends over brunch, cookies shared with neighbors over smiles and shared stories in the middle of the street, festive evenings drawn to a sleepy close . .
the calendar slows, a hush falls over the house, and I notice this favorite new snowman with his cheery round self and quirky smile, as if he has been patiently standing by for all of us to come home and rest, gather around our own table and be still in the beauty of this season . .
I’ve battled sadness that this year we are by ourselves - no travel, no visitors, no family close by - but I’m beginning to wrap my heart around this quiet Christmas, to treasure lazy conversations and unplanned days . .
may our hearts be drawn to one holy night, when a Child was given to bring us all Home, to enjoy LIFE and PEACE and REST and JOY - forever with Him! . .
🎄 💕
✨

𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟷 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 – 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘛𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵⁣
⁣
(𝟏𝟐): 𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐀

The little we know about Tabitha (Dorcas) makes me think that I would love spending time with her, puttering around the kitchen with her, or just listening to her stories over coffee. I would enjoy watching her in action, seeing her hands and feet in motion to express her heart for GOD through her care for others, especially widows. What a joy and privilege!

read the full post here: https://coverofHisPresence.com/2021/12/07/a-life-for-others/

photo credit: Magnolia

another revisit from December 2019 . . .

from Choice Gleanings this morning:
“My meditation of Him shall be sweet.”
Psalm 104:34

“Our initial thought might be the determination to create a sweet meditation. But the psalmist anticipates that the Object of his meditation would yield only sweetness. No matter our meditation of the altogether lovely One, a fragrance like no other fills the heart and ascends to the very presence of GOD. We determine to meditate, He alone delivers the fragrance.” ~ D.J.Reed

“To all our prayers and praises,
CHRIST adds His sweet perfume,
And love the censor raises,
These odors to consume.”
~ Mary B. Peters

It always staggers me to realize I have the ability to delight the Savior, to touch the Father’s heart with sweet thoughts of His dear Son. May this not only be a tender moment on this LORD’s Day, as we remember Him, but the tenor of this whole season, as we rejoice in His coming! And not just during this season, but in every season - for He is worthy!! ✨

from December 2020 … still so timely 🌟

Just days away from Winter Solstice, the darkest day on the calendar, I feel the heaviness of another extraordinary year. Festive decorations and myriad lights buoy our spirits. But our hearts still ache. The burdens still weigh. Fear and uncertainty still lurk at every turn.

When it all threatens to undo us and overwhelm us, we need to LOOK UP! May we cry out of the darkness for the true LIGHT to reignite our faith, illuminate our path, surround us with the warmth of His embrace, and put a glow back in our cheeks, emboldening our steps toward Home.

The night may seem endless, but we can rest assured He has never left our side! He is with us and He will show us the way! 🌟

I hope this little breakfast “psalm” will help us to rejoice in our Savior, our one true LIGHT!

𝘈𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱.⁣
𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦,⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘮𝘦.⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘐 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘐 𝘴𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴,⁣
𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦.⁣
⁣
𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴,⁣
𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶;⁣
𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘖𝘋,⁣
𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘴𝘳𝘢𝘦𝘭,⁣
𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘳.⁣
⁣
𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺⁣
𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸⁣
𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘴⁣
𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯.⁣
𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮,⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.⁣
⁣
𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘐𝘎𝘏𝘛,⁣
𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦,⁣
𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥.⁣
⁣
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐡 𝟕:𝟕-𝟖 • 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟒𝟑:𝟐-𝟑 •
𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟒𝟐:𝟏𝟔 • 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏:𝟗

In the Living Loved Group today, we are pondering the fruit of the Spirit given to us as JOY. 🌿 For me, there is a richness and depth to JOY I struggle to adequately express, but here are the thoughts I shared:

JOY

When I think about JOY, what comes to mind? . . . To be honest, I believe true joy is a reality only fully realized in “deep waters.”

As frail humans, we are prone to confuse a few things. We interpose good with easy. We think joy means happiness.

If these are not happy days, how can we know joy? If this season is not easy, how can we call it good? More tragic yet, we begin to wonder … if GOD is sovereign over all things, and we can’t trace the meaning in what grieves us, how can we call Him good? How do we begin to understand Him as the Author and Giver of JOY?

Real questions. Answers that don’t come easily or quickly. Unlike the pretty wreath in this image, it can all feel tangled and illusive. These are the wrestlings that send us pillowing into His embrace, desperate for any glimmer of light or hope in the dark.

But GOD. His Truth is lived out in our lives and our hearts again and again that genuine, inexplicable, triumphant JOY can and does rise over our hardest days! Maybe it isn’t as tangled as we think, but woven, meticulously orchestrated from a heart of grace!?

It is in prayers from the depths, songs from the dungeon, letters from prison.

It is in His ear that hears. It is in His touch so tender. It is in His power that overrules. It is in His Presence that enwraps us, almost tangibly.

Almighty GOD, Creator of the universe, comes close to *me* to offer Himself as *my* Savior! He has already secured victory for me over sin and death, but He doesn’t stop there. He is ready and willing and able to rescue me from all that threatens to undo and bury me!

The fresh realization staggers me in awestruck wonder. Tears start to roll. My spirit warms and rises to receive His intimate care. My shoulders relax in a rest-filled exhale. He is near. He holds me secure. He takes my hand in His, and whispers again, “you are Mine, all is well.”

He opens my eyes to see beauty in the broken, even as He speaks a fresh word of redemption over all that seems hopeless.

My heart overflows is grateful praise. My soul rejoices in GOD *my* Savior! Awed by His Person. Steadied by His Truth. Wrapped in His Love. All of the above eternally unchangeable. This is J•O•Y!

I hardly know how to frame it or explain it, yet hearts who know grace cannot keep silent.

We woke to a foggy morning, grey and overhung. Hard to see too far ahead, thick dew drenching me on my morning run.

But the whole scene felt hushed and beautifully pensive too. Some days seem just like this thick cloud. We struggle to hold fast to the faith we profess. But it is His Spirit that draws us into the quiet to make Himself real to us - again. And our strength is renewed.

As often happens, it is sweet to see these thoughts reflected in today’s breakfast psalm 🌿

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴, “𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘔𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘸 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯… 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯.”⁣
⁣
𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝟏𝟓:𝟒,𝟓,𝟖⁣
⁣
“𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 … 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘔𝘺 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘺 𝘔𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘴. … 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 [𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴] 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋, 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥. 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘺.”⁣
⁣
𝐄𝐳𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝟑𝟔:𝟐𝟔,𝟐𝟕,𝟑𝟔

𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝⁣
⁣
𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟷 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴: 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘛𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵⁣ - ( #𝟏𝟏): 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐒

Do you have any concrete thinkers in your life? I do! And with those loved ones in mind, my heart goes out to Thomas, who is often looked down upon because of his doubt.

He had a lot of questions. He needed details. Facts. Something solid and tangible to grasp. A picture he could piece together with his own mind. And much that JESUS described simply escaped him.

I don’t believe JESUS ever rebuked Thomas’ questions. He was sad that Thomas failed to understand and rest in truth. But I wonder if He appeared in the upper room that second time just to meet Thomas where he was? To give him whatever he needed to be confident in the reality of the risen Savior!

In the end, the very presence of JESUS was enough to satisfy Thomas. He didn’t need to touch or handle the wounds that confirmed our Savior’s victory over sin and death. JESUS appeared to His disciples, spoke to Thomas directly, and Thomas responded, “my LORD and my GOD!”

How precious that our LORD JESUS doesn’t leave us floundering in unbelief. He meets us in the questions, the baby steps of wonder, and finds a way to confirm the reality of Himself to us.

The LORD JESUS knows exactly how we are wired, what makes us tick, how to win our hearts. I am so humbly grateful that He is a Savior who stops at nothing to pursue our hearts and bring us to a place of confident belief!

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦: 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 𝟷𝟺:𝟷-𝟷𝟷, 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 𝟸𝟶:𝟸𝟺-𝟸𝟿, 𝘏𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝟷𝟶:𝟹𝟼-𝟹𝟿, 𝘏𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝟷𝟷:𝟷-𝟸

photo credit: Janine Urbaniak Reid, faithgateway.com

still this.
(Facebook memory from 2018)

sitting at the bus stop, with only this sliver of moon and one single star, and "Only JESUS" playing on the radio from
no matter what may crowd the last three weeks of the semester ... no matter when we will clean or bake or shop or wrap ... no matter the distance that separates those we long to be near ... no matter the decisions we make about which traditions to hold, which to create, which to forego ... or who we might welcome into our home to slow to a sweet pause over coffee, to the swell of carols that exalt and rejoice in the coming of our Savior
only J E S U S
and only this... "did I live the truth to the ones I love, was my life the proof that there is only One Whose Name will last forever? ... I've only got one life to live, I'll let every second point to Him... only JESUS"
🌟

Tonight, as another LORD’s Day draws to a close and the swirl of our daily routine awaits us in the morning, I find myself grateful for the truths expressed in one other verse from this morning’s hymn:

𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐥’𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝⁣
Anne Ross Cousin (1824-1906)⁣
⁣
𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 ⁣
𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘣 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘷𝘦,⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘺𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸 ⁣
𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦.⁣
𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥, ⁣
𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘥,⁣
𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘩, ⁣
𝘪𝘯 𝘐𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘭’𝘴 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥.

Whatever tomorrow holds, it has been woven by the Savior’s love. I can rest tonight, knowing that His hand will guide me through any new day.

I will certainly thank Him when I see the whole story from the perspective of eternity. But, I can thank Him now, too!

I may not be able to see even the very next step. But I am fully confident in the One who has planned the whole journey! I trust His judgment. I am grateful for His mercy. I am held in His love.

Are there hymns that hold a special place in your heart? This one always touches and softens mine. Especially when shared at the beginning of LORD’s Supper, these words draw my thoughts to the One who claims me as His own.

𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐥’𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝⁣
Anne Ross Cousin (1824-1906)⁣
⁣
𝘖 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯, ⁣
𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦!⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥,⁣
𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘷𝘦.⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, ⁣
𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘥.⁣
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺, 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘩 ⁣
𝘪𝘯 𝘐𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘭’𝘴 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥.⁣
⁣
𝘖𝘩! 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘮𝘺 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥’𝘴, ⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥’𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦!⁣
𝘏𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 ⁣
𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘦!⁣
𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵. ⁣
𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥,⁣
𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦’𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘩 ⁣
𝘪𝘯 𝘐𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘭’𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥.⁣
⁣
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, ⁣
𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮’𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦;⁣
𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘢𝘻𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺, ⁣
𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 –⁣
𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘏𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘵𝘩, ⁣
𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴;⁣
𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘮𝘣 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺 ⁣
𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘭’𝘴 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥.

The pure and unfailing love of our LORD JESUS causes all other thoughts, concerns, or even delights, to fall away. In those moments, I am simply captivated by Him and I can say with His disciples, “it is good for me to be here.” (Matthew 17:4)

My mind is also transported to a future day, when I will see Him face to face, when His glory will engulf my whole view. In that place, the fullness of IMMANUEL (GOD with us) will be realized. It will be no less staggering to me that on no merit of my own I will stand on heaven’s shore (or more appropriately fall to my knees!) and offer praise from a glorified and finally undivided heart.

This morning, as we look back and look forward, may these few thoughts fix our gaze upon our Savior and draw our hearts to offer fresh thanksgiving to the Father for the love of His dear Son.