psalm 126; His and mine . . .

A pilgrim song

It seemed like a dream, too good to be true, when GOD returned Zion's exiles.

We laughed, we sang, we couldn't believe our good fortune.
We were the talk of the nations--"GOD was wonderful to them!"

GOD was wonderful to us; we are one happy people.

And now, GOD, do it again -- bring rains to our drought-stricken lives

So those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest,

So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing,
with armloads of blessing.

* * * * * * * * *

Denise's song

There I stood -- giddy with excitement, awe and wonder.

I couldn't believe I was standing next to this man I loved, ready to marry him!

GOD, You were so wonderful to me, to join me with my husband, in such an
incredible way, using such fantastic means.

And now I look ahead; remembering and holding on to
Your goodness from before;

Do it again, LORD! I can't wait to see Your goodness
and faithfulness displayed in my life!

I know I will reap the harvest, if I persevere and wait on You.

Let me not weary in doing good, for at the proper time,
I will reap a harvest if I don't give up!

Amen.

:)

praise Him, praise Him . . .

If GOD hadn't been for us -- all together now, Israel, sing out! --

If GOD hadn't been for us when everyone went against us,

We would have been swallowed alive by their violent anger,

Swept away by the flood of rage, drowned in the torrent;

We would have lost our lives, in the wild, raging water.

Oh, blessed be GOD! He didn't go off and leave us. He didn't abandon us defenseless, helpless as a rabbit in a pack of snarling dogs.

We've flown free from their fangs, free of their traps, free as a bird. Their grip is broken; we're free as a bird in flight.

GOD's strong name is our help, the same GOD who made heaven and earth.


Psalm 124 (The Message)

faith in the face of adversity . . .

How much longer, LORD, will You forget about me?
Will it be forever? how long will You hide?

How long must I be confused and miserable all day?
How long will my enemies keep beating me down?

Please listen, LORD God, and answer my prayers.
Make my eyes sparkle again, or else I will fall into the sleep of death.

My enemies will say, "Now we've won!"
They will be greatly pleased when I am defeated.

I trust Your love, and I feel like celebrating
because You rescued me.

You have been good to me, LORD,
and I will sing about You.

Psalm 13 (CEV)

new news . . .

I do a couple of things during my morning quiet times. Our pastor is teaching through the book of Romans right now, so I've been studying it on my own, too. For the last two weeks, I've been studying Romans 12. There is so much there! I also do a daily devotional for women, which offers a passage of Scripture to read in connection with the daily devotion "for deeper study". Today's passage was Philippians 2:1-12. I do a couple of other things and switch it up from time-to-time, but it was the Romans 12 and the Philippians passage that really spoke to me this morning.

Specifically, Romans 12:16:

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

and Philippians 2:2,3:

Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important that yourselves;

It caught my attention that two passages I was reading this morning talked about how not to regard myself. And that I was to be of the same mind -- or united -- with my brothers and sisters in Christ. In fact, these two passages cross-reference each other. And here they landed in my lap this morning.

So I've been contemplating them; rolling them over in my mind today; pondering their challenge to me. Do I walk in humility? Do I live in harmony with others? Do I tend to be snobbish or look down my nose at those I belief are 'beneath' me? Am I contentious or selfish? Do I think of others as better than myself? Do I adjust myself to my surroundings, so I'm able to give God the glory?

If I never got beyond those three verses, I could spend my life working on living up to Paul's directives. It's tough (for me, anyway) and takes persistent and purposeful practice.

But I don't believe in coincidences; it was for some good reason that God brought these verses to my attention; He's still working on me, preparing me!

So all this is rolling around in my mind, and I get a text from Todd that simply reads, "email". I acknowledge his text, but I'm in the middle of something and can't read my e-mail right away. As I'm walking back from the snail-mailbox, later one, I remember I have e-mail and check it right away. Sure enough, there's one from Todd, so I pull it up. It's an e-mail he actually received and has forwarded to me. The body reads:

Dear Todd and Denise:

Greetings and blessings from the North American Mission Board.

Your application has been approved by our Trustees and you are now eligible for assignment and service as a Mission Service Corps Missionary. Soon you will be receiving your formal placement letter reflecting the pertinent information regarding your ministry.

[ . . . ]

Congratulations! You are responding to God's call in your life. May He continue to bless you through years of missionary service with the North American Mission Board.

Isn't that awesome?!? I'm so excited! And perhaps, just perhaps, the Scripture that so caught my heart this morning, is a the directive by which we're (I'm) to fulfill our new appointment. How cool is this?

Still in awe. God is good!

:)

this and that . . .

I haven't referenced my new, healthy lifestyle in several days, and I think it's worth a mention. I'm so excited at how relatively easy it's been! I think, for me, the no sugar, no breads (starches) has really paid off in these first two weeks. The cravings have noticeably gotten less maddening, and the time between them increases. Yes!! The vending machine has not had any pull on me this week, even when I was stressed. That, my friends, is of God! As is the weight loss . . . and it's happening! Whoohoo! That's definitely His; I'm giving Him the glory for it all.

Speaking of which, I shared a couple of weeks ago my desire to be involved with the women's ministry at our church. Sure enough, they brought me on board. And what's first?? I had to laugh, God does have such a sense of humor . . . they asked me to lead or co-lead a Bible study on weight loss! I'm not quite sure what it's called; just that I've been called. :)

My camera broke. Pooh. Luckily, when we bought it, we went ahead and got the extended warranty! So Tuesday evening I ran it over to Best Buy, where they told me it would be 2-3 weeks before I'd get it back. Pooh again. There have been so many things I'd have gotten pictures of in the past couple of days! Yesterday morning, for example, in the platform bird feeder out the picture window, there was a blue jay, a cardinal, and a goldfinch! All *three* primary colors in one feeder!! That is incredibly rare and I would have loved to have shared the moment with you. Alas.

I also *really* wanted to take it with me this weekend!!! Joc and I are going on a ROAD TRIP!! Tomorrow evening we're headed to Woodstock, Georgia (right outside of Atlanta) for a Beth Moore conference, So Long Insecurity! I have *never* been to a live Bible study of hers--although she did make a personal appearance with Kay Arthur and Priscilla Shirer when we went to see a simulcast of them--but this is *different*! I believe she is filming this one for a new weekend Bible study. Yay!

The event itself is long sold out, according the website, but it's being simulcast all over the place. Joc & I are going down Friday night and staying overnight so that we can be out there bright and early when the doors open, so we can get great seats! I'm so very excited. I got the book when it was released and read a long through it with the LPM's Blog Bible study.

So anyway, big things planned, no camera to post photos, life goes on . . .

:)

what day is it?!?!

It's already Wednesday!!!

What a busy week it's been! Sunday, after church, Jocelyn & Jason and Kim & James came over and helped Todd & I celebrate my birthday! Hooray! It was so much fun. We had carryout Chinese for dinner, and Todd got me a cake from Peggy Ann's Bakery! It was *so* pretty -- it had a teapot on it! And it was from Peggy Ann's! Which is one of my favorite cake-baking-places in the whole world! And then, after we had cake & ice cream, I opened presents! Whoohoo! James and Kim got me a six month subscription to The Quilt Show! Isn't that fun!?! I'm so excited! I've already watched a show or two! This will come in very handy, I'm sure! Then, Joc & Jason gave me an pink iPod and the NASB on CD. I can't wait to use it! What a happy, happy birthday! And the best part? It's not over! Todd is taking me away on Saturday for a surprise birthday trip!

Then on Monday, I just spend a quiet day doing things . . . tidying, watching old movies, laundry, the treadmill, etc. I got the rooster, weather vane, and letters cut and adhered to the wall-hanging. It looks so cute! I still need to outline stitch them, but the hard part is done. I'll post a picture of it later. I'm still not quite sure what to do with the corners . . .

Tuesday was back to work. It was a busy day, which is great, it makes the time fly! Mom called me late in the afternoon to let me know she'd received her package. Yay! She was pleased to have Grand Hands back, and loved the topper and towel, so that makes me smile! I headed from work to work, and took care of Derrick's books. While I was there I caught up with Karen and Kelly and got to hear about their lovely time in Disney! From the Stuckey's, I headed over to Jeff's to give him his check. I stayed and chatted with him and his family (whom I dearly love) for a bit. Then I headed HOME! It was a dark, rainy evening, and I don't like driving in those conditions. Yuck! I finally got home and guess what was in the mail?????

The other part of my prize package from Jenny of Elefantz in Australia!!!!!!! What fun! Plus a couple more happy birthday cards, too! I love making my birthday go on and on and on! I know that technically, the prize package wasn't a birthday present, per se, but when I opened yesterday's parcel, it was wrapped in tissue, tied with ribbon, and had a card . . . if that doesn't scream HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I don't know what does! :)

Today it was back to work again, and tonight it's on to church! Tomorrow is the monthly guild meeting and I'm meeting the Stitcher's Group for dinner beforehand at McAllister's Deli. Then I'm helping as a mentor, if there are any new members or visitors, and then I'm going to model a clown costume that was a ribbon winner at the Fanfare Quilt show! I'll share more about that later.

We're getting closer to the weekend Bible study -- I sent out notice to each of the ladies this morning; I hope to hear back from folks soon! I have heard from my darling Kim. One down, six to go! This will be a great time. I'm looking forward to it!

Time to make haste . . .

Manana!

:)