As far as the east is from the west...

Once again our BGT Dancers performed a piece that touched hearts and brought a few in our congregation to tears. Interpreting East To West by Casting Crowns, Meghan and the other kids demonstrated how being trapped in our sin makes us afraid we'll always stay there. Only Jesus can free us, lift the chains and deliver us. More importantly, we need to receive His forgiveness and gift of deliverance. We are victorious in Him!

"Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in Your 'Sea of Forgetfulness'

The chains of yesterday surround me

I yearn for peace and rest

I don't want to end up where You found me

And it echoes in my mind,

Keeps me awake tonight

I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west

And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned

But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away

From You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west?

'Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been

Rising up in me again

In the arms of Your mercy I find rest

'Cause You know just how far the east is from the west

From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin

Time and time Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in...

I know You've washed me white,

Turned my darkness into light

I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night

I can't live by what I feel,

but by the truth Your word reveals

I'm not holding onto You

But You're holding onto me

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west

I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again

In the arms of Your mercy I find rest

'cause You know just how far the east is from the west

From one scarred hand to the other

One scarred hand to the other

From one scarred hand to the other"

 

(more photos from the BGT Kids' Choir)

 

 

Thanks again, Mrs. Emma for your servant's heart and love for our kids!

 

What Makes Her Tick?

She turned fourteen, and I went looking through her ipics (as we call them) to capture a little taste of who my girl is at this time in her life. Here's what I found... this should give you an idea :)

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

 

 

Loving my girl and who she's become in a big, big way.

Meg, it wasn't long ago you looked like this!

Happy Birthday, amazing, beautiful, talented, Godly girl.

We love you!

xo

We've Been Watching For You

I clomped on the deck in my husband's large, rubber boots. The Weather Network said it was below zero but the morning sun warmed me anyway. With nyger seed under one arm and a bucket of black oil sunflower seeds under the other, I worked quickly so that my tiny winged friends wouldn't flutter too far. Suddenly, in my peripheral, I noticed a streak of orangey-red flash by me and alight in the tree across the yard. Could it be? Annie had texted this morning with the news. I dashed to the edge of the deck and leaned over the railing. Yes! The robins have returned. We've been watching for you--and all our migratory birds we miss so much. Welcome home, pudgy, feathery friend :)

Winter's Beauty=God's Power

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
 So that everyone he has made may know his work...

Job 37:5-7a

Sunshine Retreat

The salt sea in our hair, cool sand between our toes, clam shells in our pails, and the sun kissing our skin... this is where we fill our lungs with warmth and exhale long and happy.

Gratitude Post... Oh ya!

1300. the way a pail is so very important to a kid

1301. how these anhingas dried their wings after "showering" in the fountain near the pool

 

1302. how the great white egrets stayed close to us and were not afraid

 

1303. the way sand gives him a bit of that building experience he so desires

1304. how she always found a tiny flower wherever we went to present to me

 

1305. how he wanted to go higher and higher each time Daddy threw him

 

1306. dance silhouettes against the sunset of our favourite beach

 

1307. for her quiet way of getting lost in her own world

 

1308. waiting together for the "Bugle Man" to play Taps at sunset

 

1309. wading in my jeans to find shells

 

1310. shell seekers comparing their finds

 

1311. the way he always has to find a stick to hold

 

1312. "our" alligator who lives in the pond at our trailer resort

 

1313. watching her float on all those noodles :)

1314. my four little fish and their goggle faces

 

1315. how she works so hard to stretch into contortions I'll never know

 

1316. birds in flight with light in their wings

 

1317. ospreys in abundance this year

 

1318. the beauty of the common birds

 

1319. how she read while we walked along the beach and at the end of our walk announced she was done the book :)

 

1320. writing poems poolside

 

1321. spinning and playing at sunset

 

1322. Spiderman poses mid-air

1323. sitting on the new spot we discovered at the end of our beach

 

You made them (humans) rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:
 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

 

                                                                    Psalm 8:6-9
                                                             (brackets mine)