Life is a Journey

I found myself saying this week that certainly one cannot know all there is to know about a topic.

Thankfully God has allowed each of us to have similar as well as different passions and interests so that we can come together and share the varying degrees of knowledge that we have with each other in order to solve problems and gain wisdom as we move forward in time!

Two cases in point –

1) Automobiles and how they are wired! – I most certainly am a youngin’ in this area. :) So very thankful to have a father who knows a thing or two about them as well as an incredibly patient mechanic who assists me with my car needs at the drop of a hat. I recommend his business services to everyone in my area!

2) Christianity and how God has wired us to grow in relation to Him! – Have learned so much in the last month about how much God loves us and how were are destined to emulate his character so that the Holy Spirit shines brighter and brighter each day.

I purchased a copy of the book called “The Release of the Spirit” from my church bookstore and would encourage all to read its contents. It is written by this gentleman – Watchman Nee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchman_Nee

http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/nee/5f00.0638/5f00.0638.c.htm


Peace and joy to you on this lovely Spring day! Happy growing :)

I love chocolate!

My favorite chocolate bar brand at the moment is Chocolove.

Bonus – Poems about L-O-V-E are printed inside the wrapper!

http://www.chocolove.com/

Here is the excerpt that was included on my recent purchase of Cherries & Almonds in Dark Chocolate.

3

Love is not love until love's vulnerable. She slowed to sigh, in that long interval. A small bird flew in circles where we stood; The deer came down, out of the dappled wood.

All who remember, doubt. Who calls that strange? I tossed a stone, and listened to its plunge. She knew the grammar of least motion, she Lent me one virtue, and I live thereby.

4

She held her body steady in the wind; Our shadows met, and slowly swung around; She turned the field into a glittering sea; I played in flame and water like a boy

And I swayed out beyond the white seafoam; Like a wet log, I sang within a flame. In that last while, eternity's confine, I came to love, I came into my own.


- Theodore Roethke


The entire poem is featured on this web site:
http://www.canopicpublishing.com/poets/RoethkeDream.htm


Happy Spring!

Who Taught the Sun...?

I have been blessed with the ability to teach, communicating ideas to others in person, in written or in verbal form. However, I don’t hold a candle to the greatest teacher of all:
Jesus Christ / Our Lord God / The Holy Spirit – 3 in 1. It is hard for us to comprehend fully, but those who accept Christ as their Savior won’t have all the answers until we are in God’s presence.

Have you been seeking God faithfully in order to learn more about your life and the path that you are taking? If not, talk to God today and ask for guidance. He loves you so much and wants to communicate with you regularly!

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
- Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

Despite the complicated circumstances that exist on the planet today, did you know that the Creator of the Universe has everything under control and has a plan?! He is aware of it all. He is Awesome in Power, showering us with love, grace and mercy as no human could ever supply no matter how they might try.

To learn more, read the Holy Bible. It is sold in a variety of stores including Dollar Tree! Or, if you prefer digit data, there are many web sites with searchable versions of this everlasting text including these: Biblegateway.com, Heartlight.org and Carm.org.

Amazing concepts: God knew our names before we were born and thus planned in advance exactly what talents or gifts we might share with our fellow man. Do you know what yours are?

Here is a link to a site that will help you find out:
http://www.mypersonality.info/spiritual-gifts/

My favorite song that honors our great Creator is called My Redeemer Lives.
It features God’s Talents, His Skills and His Works.

Here are the lyrics:

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?

And who told the ocean you can only come this far?

And who showed the moon where to hide till evening?

Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Chorus:

Well I know my Redeemer lives

I know my Redeemer lives

All of creation testifies

This life within me cries

I know my Redeemer lives

Ye-e-eah

The very same God

That spins things in orbit

Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak

And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken

They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know, my Redeemer lives

I know my Redeemer lives

Let all creation testify

Let this life within me cry

I-I-I know

My Redeemer

He lives

To take away my shame

And He lives

Forever I'll proclaim

That the payment for my sins

Was the precious life He gave

And now He's alive and

There's an empty

Grave!

And I know

My Redeemer lives

He lives

I know

My Redeemer lives

Let all creation testify

Let this life within me cry

I-I-I know my Redeemer

I know

My Redeemer lives

*I know my Redeemer lives*

*I know, That I know, that I know, that I know, that I know

He lives*my redeemer lives**

Because He lives I can face tomorrow

He lives*I know, I know*He lives*

I spoke with Him this morning!*

He lives*The tomb is empty*

He lives*He Lives! I'm going to tell everybody!!*

Check on this link for an mp3 download of the song :)

http://www.amazon.com/My-Redeemer-Lives/dp/B00137ILW8

Trust God

I came across a neat little book called Footprints - Journal.

Inside and opposite the title page, it says:

“As one of the most cherished poems of the last century, Footprints has been lovingly handed down from one generation to the next. It stands as a timeless reminder that God never leaves us, that He is as close as breathing.
As you journey through the poem… and the accompanying quotes and Scriptures, let this journal inspire you to express your thoughts, record your prayers, and walk with God. And during those times when the journey is especially trying, let this be a reminder that you can trust God to carry you – often before you even ask.”

On the back cover of the text, it says:

“In these pages, the symbolism of the much-loved poem (Footprints) has been expanded into a timeless message of encouragement. Scripture and quotes accompany passages from the classic poem to lead you, one reassuring footstep at a time, on a journey of hope. Write down your concerns, and then ask God to carry them for you.”

Here is a wonderful quote from the text:

We are to simply trust God. While we trust, God can work.
Worry prevents Him from doing anything for us…
The peace of God must quiet our minds and rest our hearts.
We must put our hand in the hand of God like a little child,
And let Him lead us out into the bright sunshine of His love.
He knows the way out of the woods. Let us climb up into His arms,
And trust Him to take us out by the shortest and surest road.

- Pardington

Excerpts above are from the book called Footprints Journal ISBN – 160936-2349

The photo in this blog entry was taken by me last weekend at a nearby park. :)

Enjoy!

Christian Poet - Annie Johnson Flint

There is a small historic town not too far away that
has a wonderful Antique shop that I enjoy perusing.

Downstairs there is a vendor with a round-about wooden display case
whose slats are filled with delightful postcards from by-gone eras.

In the midst of them I recently discovered some postcards that were inserted, I believe, in old Bibles residing in the pews of big city churches or small town parishes.
There was not a lot of illustration, only text printed on them.

Here is an example of one of the cards that features beautiful poetic truth:

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

- Annie Johnson Flint
Casterline Cards, Orchard Park, N.Y. 5510

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http://latestlinesfromlaura.blogspot.com

Remember Rocker Bryan Adams?

Bryan Adams wrote a lovely song called - (Everything I Do) I Do It For You.

As I was listening to the cassette tape this week (believe it or not, my car actually has a mechanism to play them :) I realized that the words explained exactly how Christ feels about his Children and how he hopes we feel about Him.

May we all feel this way about the ones we love!

Lyrics:

Look into my eyes, you will see

What you mean to me

Search your heart, search your soul

And when you find me there

you'll search no more

Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for

You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for

You know it's true

Everything I do, I do it for you

Look into your heart, you will find

There's nothin' there to hide

Take me as I am, take my life

I would give it all, I would sacrifice

Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for

I can't help it, there's nothin' I want more

You know it's true

Everything I do, I do it for you

Oh yeah - There's no love, like your love

And no other, could give more love

There's nowhere, unless you're there

All the time

Wishing you a day filled with much joy, laughter, peace and of course L-O-V-E. :)