Monday, May 15, 2006
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Mother's Day
Mother's Day comes with mixed emotions for me this year. As many of you know, I had a "different" relationship with my mother growing up...the kind that Hallmark doesn't really make a card for, and as an adult I work to maintain a relationship with my mother, and I do truly love her, but I have come to accept that there are some things that no matter how much I want or need them will just not come from her and that's just that. So when I got married, I longed for my relationship with my mother-in-law to fill in some of those wants and needs that I mentioned earlier, and while I value my relationship with mother-in-law, it just isn't that way. In fact, I find these days that I am generally the one doing a dance to try and meet both my mother's needs. There's a lot to be said for inter-family dynamics, you know (?!), but nevertheless I love both of them.
So I'm sure it would come as no surprise to you that long ago I had vowed to myself to be a different sort of mother to my own children and that I would fulfill those wants and needs I've mentioned in their lives....
...and by God's grace, today I'm blessed to be the mother of an eleven year old daughter that I gave birth to when she was seven. Now giving birth to a seven year old isn't as easy as you might think, but I am her mother by love (just not blood). And I adore her, but there have definitely been some bumps in the road of late and it's been so hard on me to sometimes have to give her what she needs (but doesn't necessarily want)...and there has been some attitude in return, which does not sit well with my heart. Don't get me wrong, Amanda is such a good child, bright, creative and sensitive. And I suppose what we've been going through is completely normal, but it doesn't always feel very good to me. It is tempting at times to give in, but God assures me that she needs a mother not another friend and that her character is worth fighting for...and I just love her too much to settle for anything less.
So, given this all, I come into this Mother's Day a little bit weary. I was teary-eyed through much of the Church service last night, and again several times this morning, but still, God has found a way to pull me from my busy-ness this morning and find some time for me, and it has been good:)
Les headed off to work very early this morning, and since I wasn't sleepy, I asked him if he thought it would be ok if I headed out for a bike-ride around the neighbourhood while Amanda slept. He did, so off I went, without guilt. I explored gardens and parks, found new perenniels I want to plant and felt great in the sunshine and breeze. I did a bit of gardening when I got home and admired the blooms on our ornamental apple tree. Then I sat on the deck with my coffee and flipped through a magazine (an actual magazine?!...don't know when I last did that...cover to cover, even!) until Amanda got up. I had her come out on the deck with me for her breakfast and listened to her dreams from last night. When she headed off to watch a program, I made a cake for small group tomorrow night, but kept being tempted to head back out into the sun, so I took a cup of tea, a scone and a book I've been meaning to look at for more than a year and went back out onto the deck. The songs of the birds really struck me... You know birds never wake up and decide not to sing for a day...they never decide to just pull down the shades and stay in their nest...they sing every day. All the sights and scents I experienced this morning on my bike ride and in the yard just made me so thankful to God for His love and creation, and I remembered something that Graham Kendrick once said... He said that all of creation was made to worship the Creator, but only we were given a voice to give it words... So here's a song about that...Happy Mother's Day!
Creation's King (sheet music is here)
All creation is a song
Waiting to be sung
All of nature like a prayer
Waiting for a tongue
For who will give it voice
And make its anthem ring
Or rise to lead a choir
Of all created things?
Lord hear your people sing
Blessing honour glory power
To Creations' King
Songs of earth and songs of heaven
Join as one to bring
Blessing honour glory power
To Creations' King
All the nations are a song
Waiting to be sung
Every instrument and voice
Created for the One
The Maker of all things
The Majesty above
Who bought us back from death
With such a costly love
What praise could be enough?
Paul Baloche & Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 2005 Integrity's Hosanna! Music 1000 Cody Road, Mobile, AL 36695 and Make Way Music, PO Box 263, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 5AP, UK.
All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission
Mother's Day comes with mixed emotions for me this year. As many of you know, I had a "different" relationship with my mother growing up...the kind that Hallmark doesn't really make a card for, and as an adult I work to maintain a relationship with my mother, and I do truly love her, but I have come to accept that there are some things that no matter how much I want or need them will just not come from her and that's just that. So when I got married, I longed for my relationship with my mother-in-law to fill in some of those wants and needs that I mentioned earlier, and while I value my relationship with mother-in-law, it just isn't that way. In fact, I find these days that I am generally the one doing a dance to try and meet both my mother's needs. There's a lot to be said for inter-family dynamics, you know (?!), but nevertheless I love both of them.
So I'm sure it would come as no surprise to you that long ago I had vowed to myself to be a different sort of mother to my own children and that I would fulfill those wants and needs I've mentioned in their lives....
...and by God's grace, today I'm blessed to be the mother of an eleven year old daughter that I gave birth to when she was seven. Now giving birth to a seven year old isn't as easy as you might think, but I am her mother by love (just not blood). And I adore her, but there have definitely been some bumps in the road of late and it's been so hard on me to sometimes have to give her what she needs (but doesn't necessarily want)...and there has been some attitude in return, which does not sit well with my heart. Don't get me wrong, Amanda is such a good child, bright, creative and sensitive. And I suppose what we've been going through is completely normal, but it doesn't always feel very good to me. It is tempting at times to give in, but God assures me that she needs a mother not another friend and that her character is worth fighting for...and I just love her too much to settle for anything less.
So, given this all, I come into this Mother's Day a little bit weary. I was teary-eyed through much of the Church service last night, and again several times this morning, but still, God has found a way to pull me from my busy-ness this morning and find some time for me, and it has been good:)
Les headed off to work very early this morning, and since I wasn't sleepy, I asked him if he thought it would be ok if I headed out for a bike-ride around the neighbourhood while Amanda slept. He did, so off I went, without guilt. I explored gardens and parks, found new perenniels I want to plant and felt great in the sunshine and breeze. I did a bit of gardening when I got home and admired the blooms on our ornamental apple tree. Then I sat on the deck with my coffee and flipped through a magazine (an actual magazine?!...don't know when I last did that...cover to cover, even!) until Amanda got up. I had her come out on the deck with me for her breakfast and listened to her dreams from last night. When she headed off to watch a program, I made a cake for small group tomorrow night, but kept being tempted to head back out into the sun, so I took a cup of tea, a scone and a book I've been meaning to look at for more than a year and went back out onto the deck. The songs of the birds really struck me... You know birds never wake up and decide not to sing for a day...they never decide to just pull down the shades and stay in their nest...they sing every day. All the sights and scents I experienced this morning on my bike ride and in the yard just made me so thankful to God for His love and creation, and I remembered something that Graham Kendrick once said... He said that all of creation was made to worship the Creator, but only we were given a voice to give it words... So here's a song about that...Happy Mother's Day!
Creation's King (sheet music is here)
All creation is a song
Waiting to be sung
All of nature like a prayer
Waiting for a tongue
For who will give it voice
And make its anthem ring
Or rise to lead a choir
Of all created things?
Lord hear your people sing
Blessing honour glory power
To Creations' King
Songs of earth and songs of heaven
Join as one to bring
Blessing honour glory power
To Creations' King
All the nations are a song
Waiting to be sung
Every instrument and voice
Created for the One
The Maker of all things
The Majesty above
Who bought us back from death
With such a costly love
What praise could be enough?
Paul Baloche & Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 2005 Integrity's Hosanna! Music 1000 Cody Road, Mobile, AL 36695 and Make Way Music, PO Box 263, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 5AP, UK.
All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
13 Movies I Love...
1. Walk the Line
2. The Mirror has Two Faces
3. Pride & Prejudice (both the new and the old)
4. You've Got Mail
5. While You Were Sleeping
6. Just Like Heaven
7. A Beautiful Mind
8. When Harry Met Sally
9. Little Women
10. Goodwill Hunting
11. Gidget
12. Elizabethtown
13. Bridget Jones
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)
* Sonya * Nikki * Lazy Daisy * Undercover Angel * Matt * Mandy * Janice * Mar * Cheryl * Tricia * Denise * Carmen * Nancy * Margaret * Nicole * Leanne * Wystful (it's her anniversary today, so go and wish her well:) * Heather * Pink Chihuahua Princess *
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Young Love
(Doll Reader Magazine, August 2003 cover)
This is what my husband had for me when I came home from work yesterday:) No, not a magazine, but the doll pictured. She's a Marie Osmond exclusive, hand numbered and signed by Marie herself. The title of the doll is 'Young Love' and has won awards and is no longer available for purchase. I've always loved dolls, but I never dreamed I would own one so exquisite...and it's even more special than that because it's from my love:)
(Doll Reader Magazine, August 2003 cover)This is what my husband had for me when I came home from work yesterday:) No, not a magazine, but the doll pictured. She's a Marie Osmond exclusive, hand numbered and signed by Marie herself. The title of the doll is 'Young Love' and has won awards and is no longer available for purchase. I've always loved dolls, but I never dreamed I would own one so exquisite...and it's even more special than that because it's from my love:)
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Shining God's light...
Last night at small group, we continued our study of Phillipians and at one point we were talking about shining God's light wherever he puts you...whether that be at a job that you like (or one that you don't like) or at home raising children or in chains as Paul was - and to see the possibilities God has for you where you are. Well, that led me to thinking (and sharing a bit) about a sermon I read a few years ago that really hit my heart right where I was at, so I dug back in my archives today to give it a re-read:
Last night at small group, we continued our study of Phillipians and at one point we were talking about shining God's light wherever he puts you...whether that be at a job that you like (or one that you don't like) or at home raising children or in chains as Paul was - and to see the possibilities God has for you where you are. Well, that led me to thinking (and sharing a bit) about a sermon I read a few years ago that really hit my heart right where I was at, so I dug back in my archives today to give it a re-read:
Whew! I just finished reading Pastor Dean's message from this weekend. Because Les & I were away, we missed it. But so many people have been saying good things about it, I had to go and read it, and it was GOOD! He was talking about marriage, and he started out by using Deut. 6 to explain that God's main plan to pass on His love, hope and grace to the world is through families. The thing that Dean said that really spoke to my heart the most though was this:
"Now folks, I want to be the 1st to tell you that, if you're married, the very best way you can help shine God's light on this earth, . . . is to have a strong marriage . . . the way to honor God the very most with your life, and the way you can get the most work done for God is this . . . by simply giving yourself fully to strengthening and developing your marriage over a lifetime because if your married . . . strengthening your marriage and family is what God has called you to do you don't even need to spend time looking for something else to do for God . . . until your marriage is strong and your family is growing spiritually . . . that's the work God has called you to do, and it is a huge responsibility and high calling . . . it is the centre piece for his strategy of saving the world!!
Got that - your marriage is not something that can take a back seat to anything - it must always be of the highest
priority . . . because working on your marriage is working on something for God
. . . and that is a really big deal . . . "
Dean's words were very affirming to me! You see, since I've been married I haven't been able to be involved in 'formal ministry' at the Church as much as I used to. There were times before when I would be at the Church or doing something for the Church almost every evening, but that is not possible now with a husband and daughter. Sometimes I feel inadequate because I can't do all the things I've done before, but I know that God has called me to make my husband a priority and our family. I know without a doubt that God created me to be Les' wife, and so the primary ministry God has called me to is Les and our children, and it is so encouraging to hear that affirmed by my Pastor:)
Monday, May 08, 2006
Well, I just couldn't resist and I did some planting this weekend. It was so beautiful out and I was aching to get my sunflower seeds in. I hadn't intended to plant any bedding plants, but we had picked some up on Friday and by Sunday they were looking so dry in their tiny containers (even though I'd watered them on Saturday), so I put some in the dirt. Now here's hoping that we don't dip down to freezing any night. When I looked at the weather forecast yesterday it all looked good, but now I see there is a possibility of hitting zero celcius overnight on Wednesday...hopefully they'll revise that in my favor or else I'll be moving pots in and covering beds up that evening. I know what some of you are thinking..."You don't plant before the May long weekend in Saskatchewan!" But what can I say...I couldn't resist!
BTW...any and all advice/encouragement from you greenthumbs out there is appreciated:)
Oh, and I just wanted it to go on record that gardening can be an excellent workout...my thighes and buttocks are proof of that this morning!
BTW...any and all advice/encouragement from you greenthumbs out there is appreciated:)
Oh, and I just wanted it to go on record that gardening can be an excellent workout...my thighes and buttocks are proof of that this morning!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
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1. Friends coming over for a BBQ Thursday night (one of them being my dear friend, Lynn, who is expecting and who is in town from Chicago!) 2. The arrival of Lynn and Sandy's baby girl, Nevaeh (that's heaven spelt backwards)...expected on or around July 24th! 3. The date my debonair hubby is taking me on on Friday night (that is if we can find a replacement babysitter)! 4. The return of springtime weather (it actually snowed here on Wednesday?!) 5. My flower garden:) 6. A wedding this August for dear friends of our family! 7. Going to Starbucks with my honey on Friday between our running around. 8. Getting a chance to scrapbook some more (it's probably been more than 9 months since I've made time). 9. That elusive 'someday' when we'll actually head off on our belated honey-moon to Ireland:) 10. Taking Amanda to the movies (just she and I) next weekend. 11. Having a few days off of work. 12. Breakforth next year! 13. Growing our family...
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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Grace and Ice Cream
Last night at small group I heard grace be described a different way, and I liked the illustration used. It went something like this...
If your friend punches you in the face and you decide not to retaliate...that's MERCY.
If your friend punches you in the face and you decide not to retaliate and you tell him that it won't affect your friendship...that's FORGIVENESS.
If your friend punches you in the face and you decide not to retailiate and you tell him that it won't affect your friendship AND you buy him an ice cream cone...that's GRACE.
Last night at small group I heard grace be described a different way, and I liked the illustration used. It went something like this...
If your friend punches you in the face and you decide not to retaliate...that's MERCY.
If your friend punches you in the face and you decide not to retaliate and you tell him that it won't affect your friendship...that's FORGIVENESS.
If your friend punches you in the face and you decide not to retailiate and you tell him that it won't affect your friendship AND you buy him an ice cream cone...that's GRACE.
Monday, May 01, 2006
You know what's discouraging? I was at a shower yesterday (that was delightful not discouraging) with a bunch of women (again, delightful not discouraging) where punch and snacks were plentiful. And, as usual, I did not have hardly anything and tried to keep to my eating plan and limit and balance those carbs with protein. I didn't even have a sip of the punch that everyone raved about, knowing it's sugar content would just be too high (and as usual there were no lower sugar beverages available, not even water?!), and I felt horribly guilty when I had a sliver of the ice cream cake at the appointed time(even though I had tried to balance it with some protein from the snack table, which was hard to find). The shower was a Hawaiian theme and we were all given hula skirts to wear when we came in, and in my hula skirt I was painfully aware that I was the largest woman there (hula skirts aren't particularly flattering for the hips, you know?!) I envied the others as they enjoyed all the treats they wanted and as they talked about chocolate and candy fetishes that they shared, and I wondered for about the bazillionth time in my life, "Why can they eat that and I can't?" Sometimes it can be discouraging trying so hard...
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Twenty-two questions - here goes...
I AM: a wife and a mother
I WANT: to be loved
I WISH: I could go away on a trip with my husband
I HATE: the pressure I feel at work
I MISS: having more time for myself
I FEAR: that I'm just not good enough
I HEAR: my husband on his guitar
I WONDER: if I'm ever going to have a baby
I REGRET: not following my heart back in my university days
I AM NOT: objective
I DANCE: while I'm cooking and cleaning when no one is looking
I SING: most of the time
I CRY: when my feelings are hurt
I AM NOT ALWAYS: strong
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: meals for my family
I WRITE: when I can find the time
I CONFUSE: head and heart knowledge (I think I've learned something and then sometime later I realize that knowledge still hasn't made it to my heart)
I NEED: a date with my husband
I SHOULD: be changing clothes before we go to church
I START: smiling when I think of people I love
I FINISH: my work before I play
I TAG: whoever would like to do this
I AM: a wife and a mother
I WANT: to be loved
I WISH: I could go away on a trip with my husband
I HATE: the pressure I feel at work
I MISS: having more time for myself
I FEAR: that I'm just not good enough
I HEAR: my husband on his guitar
I WONDER: if I'm ever going to have a baby
I REGRET: not following my heart back in my university days
I AM NOT: objective
I DANCE: while I'm cooking and cleaning when no one is looking
I SING: most of the time
I CRY: when my feelings are hurt
I AM NOT ALWAYS: strong
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: meals for my family
I WRITE: when I can find the time
I CONFUSE: head and heart knowledge (I think I've learned something and then sometime later I realize that knowledge still hasn't made it to my heart)
I NEED: a date with my husband
I SHOULD: be changing clothes before we go to church
I START: smiling when I think of people I love
I FINISH: my work before I play
I TAG: whoever would like to do this
Friday, April 28, 2006
It's Spring!!
Whew! I just got back from my first bike-ride of the season, and it felt GREAT! At first I was kind of pleased with myself...pedalling seemed so easy, 'I must be fitter than last year,' I thought... But as the ride progressed that old feeling of exertion clicked in and I definitely feel like I had a good workout. There is definitely a little something extra when I'm riding my bike versus working out on my exercise equipment in the house. I'm definitely more spent when I'm done. I'm sure it has to do with balance and momentum or something like that. All I know is I AM spent, but it feels good!
I also got the chance to do my first gardening of the year this morning. We had done yard clean-up a couple of weeks ago, and Les has already been fiddling with the lawn, so this morning I went out and trimmed our hedges and checked on the progress of my tulips (which are almost ready to bloom!) and my perrenials...well, they're Les' too, but I don't think he thinks of them that way and since I do most of the fussing there, I know he wouldn't mind me calling them mine, just so long as I refer to the lawn that he fusses over as his! ;) Anyway, my perenniels are looking really good...I think for the first time, most of them survived the winter!!!! And my rose bush, well it not only survived but I think I'm seeing a few buds on it!! The hard part now will be waiting to plant more flowers. I know you're supposed to wait until the long weekend in May here in Saskatchewan, but it's so nice right now, I want to do it sooner...any advice?! At the very least, I'm thinking it should be safe to plant my sunflower seeds in the sunniest corner of the backyard pretty soon, right? Oh, I can hardly wait...beds full of flowers, pots and hanging plants, scents and colours galour! Yahhh, spring! :)
Whew! I just got back from my first bike-ride of the season, and it felt GREAT! At first I was kind of pleased with myself...pedalling seemed so easy, 'I must be fitter than last year,' I thought... But as the ride progressed that old feeling of exertion clicked in and I definitely feel like I had a good workout. There is definitely a little something extra when I'm riding my bike versus working out on my exercise equipment in the house. I'm definitely more spent when I'm done. I'm sure it has to do with balance and momentum or something like that. All I know is I AM spent, but it feels good!
I also got the chance to do my first gardening of the year this morning. We had done yard clean-up a couple of weeks ago, and Les has already been fiddling with the lawn, so this morning I went out and trimmed our hedges and checked on the progress of my tulips (which are almost ready to bloom!) and my perrenials...well, they're Les' too, but I don't think he thinks of them that way and since I do most of the fussing there, I know he wouldn't mind me calling them mine, just so long as I refer to the lawn that he fusses over as his! ;) Anyway, my perenniels are looking really good...I think for the first time, most of them survived the winter!!!! And my rose bush, well it not only survived but I think I'm seeing a few buds on it!! The hard part now will be waiting to plant more flowers. I know you're supposed to wait until the long weekend in May here in Saskatchewan, but it's so nice right now, I want to do it sooner...any advice?! At the very least, I'm thinking it should be safe to plant my sunflower seeds in the sunniest corner of the backyard pretty soon, right? Oh, I can hardly wait...beds full of flowers, pots and hanging plants, scents and colours galour! Yahhh, spring! :)
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
2. And the 'F' in there is really BIG (ie. feeler...I get almost no thinking points...apparently it doesn't mean that I don't think, just that I make decisions based on personal values rather than pure logic).
5. I'm a huge romantic.
6. I like personality tools because I like to understand other people better.
7. I'm not as big of an extrovert as some people think, and indeed I've become more introverted since getting married.
8. I'm shy.
11. I see the potential in other people but can be critical of myself, particularly under stress.
12. People and relationships matter...and I'd prefer to know a few people intimately rather than know more people on the surface.
13. I see the world very much the way it 'should be'.
Credit for the cute banner goes to Kelly!
Leave your link in comments; I’ll add you here!
* Feedscott * Carmen * Yellow Rose * Daisy * Red Queen * TNChick * Eph2810 * Ames * Chilady * Ardice * Jane * Tanya *
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Jung Theory
My friend Caroline sent me this quote today:
"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." - Carl Jung
Heart is a BIG thing to me, so I definitely like what Jung is saying...from my own 'feeling' perspective anyway;)
My friend Caroline sent me this quote today:
"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." - Carl Jung
Heart is a BIG thing to me, so I definitely like what Jung is saying...from my own 'feeling' perspective anyway;)
Monday, April 24, 2006
I caught a bit of Jane Fonda on Larry King Live this weekend. She was talking about her recent book, her faith and other life lessons. One thing I really identified with that she spoke about was that she grew up feeling like you had to be perfect to be loved. She then made a statement of what she's learned through her life and her faith about that, and it has been running through my mind ever since: "We're to strive for completion, not perfection." What do you think?
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Thirteen indulgences that make me feel special:
1. My husband's words and affection...whether it be his holding my hand on the couch or putting his arm around me at a movie or at church, his touch and his words mean SO much to me! :)
2. A cup of tea served in a proper teacup :)
3. A trip to Starbucks :)
4. Being able to sleep late on a weekend morning (ahhh, this is but a rare pleasure these days) :)
5. Finding special little notes left for me by my daughter :)
6. A pedicure :)
7. Going out on a date with my hubby :)
8. Having some quiet time to read a good book :)
9. Receiving flowers (especially roses!) :)
10. A sweet comment from a friend/acquaintance :)
11. A foot rub...or massage of any kind :)
12. Chocolate :)
13. A break from cooking or housework (though I love cooking and caring for my family, a break every so often is nice!) :)
Credit for the cute banner goes to Kelly!
Leave your link in comments; I’ll add you here!
* Eph2810 * Carmen * TNChick * Feathers * Wystful * Dorothy * Pink Chihuahua * Denise * Courtney * Ames * Karin * Ardice * Green * Kelly * Tanya * Flip Flop * Elle *
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
What Can I Do
Paul Baloche has a new worship cd out and on it is this song that he wrote with Graham Kendrick that I just love! I first learned it back in January at Breakforth where I worshiped with Graham Kendrick. You can give it a listen here, or get the leadsheet to play it here or just read the words below...
When I see the beauty of the sunset’s glory
Amazing artistry across the evening sky
When I feel the mystery of a distant galaxy
It awes and humbles me to be loved by a God so high
What can I do but thank You
What can I do but give my life to You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
What can I do by praise You
Everyday make everything I do
A Hallelujah, a Hallelujah
Hallelujah
When I hear the story of a God of mercy
Who shared humanity and suffered by our side
Of the cross they nailed You to that could not hold You
Now You’re making all things new by the pow’r of Your risen life
What can I do but thank You
What can I do but give my life to You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
What can I do by praise You
Everyday make everything I do
A Hallelujah, a Hallelujah,
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Paul Baloche has a new worship cd out and on it is this song that he wrote with Graham Kendrick that I just love! I first learned it back in January at Breakforth where I worshiped with Graham Kendrick. You can give it a listen here, or get the leadsheet to play it here or just read the words below...
When I see the beauty of the sunset’s glory
Amazing artistry across the evening sky
When I feel the mystery of a distant galaxy
It awes and humbles me to be loved by a God so high
What can I do but thank You
What can I do but give my life to You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
What can I do by praise You
Everyday make everything I do
A Hallelujah, a Hallelujah
Hallelujah
When I hear the story of a God of mercy
Who shared humanity and suffered by our side
Of the cross they nailed You to that could not hold You
Now You’re making all things new by the pow’r of Your risen life
What can I do but thank You
What can I do but give my life to You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
What can I do by praise You
Everyday make everything I do
A Hallelujah, a Hallelujah,
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Monday, April 17, 2006
That's WEIRD! I've Been TAGGED by Wystful... :)
I have to come up with 6 things that are weird about myself...so let's see...
1. OK, I'll admit it, I still like Marie Osmond, and I still have my Marie Osmond barbie from when I was little.
2. I like German toast...it's like French toast but without the sweetness. I first tasted it at my best friend's house when I was a little girl...you whisk up some eggs, add some milk, add a bit of seasoning salt (so, kind of like a scrambled eggs mixture), then you dip bread into it and cook it like french toast, but since it's more savory than sweet (no sugar or vanilla in here), you put ketchup on top of it when you eat it. (Don't say "ew!"...have you tasted it?!)
3. Since I workout at home, I often don't bother with workout-wear, especially in the morning, I just put my workout bra on under my jammies and then put on my runners and whoila! (I'm sure I'm quite a sight?!)
4. I'm not tall enough to reach things on the high shelves in my cupboards, but instead of getting a chair every time I need something, I often get a cooking utensil and stand on my toes and maneuver what I want into my hand. (I didn't take ballet as an adult for nothing, you know?!)
5. I know the words to an unreal amount of songs (according to my husband and several friends), and EVERYTHING reminds me of a song...so, it's not unsual to have me break out into a song in the middle of a conversation:)
6. I'm still afraid of needles even though I'm an adult. As a very small child they poked like 15 times once to try to get blood because my veins wander, and it tramatized me! It's a very BIG deal to me when I have to go for blood work and I have to work myself up for it carefully. It can take me two or three weeks from seeing the doctor to going in for the blood work that she requests because I just have such a hard time. It's not that I'm worried about the results (I usually get good news), I'm just a real baby around needles!
Well there, now that you all have a taste of how weird I am, go ahead and laugh at my expense and then share your own adventures in weirdness. I'm running out of time this morning, so I'm not going to tag anyone specifically, but I'd encourage anyone reading this with a blog to 'consider yourself tagged' and share 6 things that are weird about you. If you leave me a link to your list in my comments, I will visit your your site and link to you here... Weirdness loves company:)
I have to come up with 6 things that are weird about myself...so let's see...
1. OK, I'll admit it, I still like Marie Osmond, and I still have my Marie Osmond barbie from when I was little.
2. I like German toast...it's like French toast but without the sweetness. I first tasted it at my best friend's house when I was a little girl...you whisk up some eggs, add some milk, add a bit of seasoning salt (so, kind of like a scrambled eggs mixture), then you dip bread into it and cook it like french toast, but since it's more savory than sweet (no sugar or vanilla in here), you put ketchup on top of it when you eat it. (Don't say "ew!"...have you tasted it?!)
3. Since I workout at home, I often don't bother with workout-wear, especially in the morning, I just put my workout bra on under my jammies and then put on my runners and whoila! (I'm sure I'm quite a sight?!)
4. I'm not tall enough to reach things on the high shelves in my cupboards, but instead of getting a chair every time I need something, I often get a cooking utensil and stand on my toes and maneuver what I want into my hand. (I didn't take ballet as an adult for nothing, you know?!)
5. I know the words to an unreal amount of songs (according to my husband and several friends), and EVERYTHING reminds me of a song...so, it's not unsual to have me break out into a song in the middle of a conversation:)
6. I'm still afraid of needles even though I'm an adult. As a very small child they poked like 15 times once to try to get blood because my veins wander, and it tramatized me! It's a very BIG deal to me when I have to go for blood work and I have to work myself up for it carefully. It can take me two or three weeks from seeing the doctor to going in for the blood work that she requests because I just have such a hard time. It's not that I'm worried about the results (I usually get good news), I'm just a real baby around needles!
Well there, now that you all have a taste of how weird I am, go ahead and laugh at my expense and then share your own adventures in weirdness. I'm running out of time this morning, so I'm not going to tag anyone specifically, but I'd encourage anyone reading this with a blog to 'consider yourself tagged' and share 6 things that are weird about you. If you leave me a link to your list in my comments, I will visit your your site and link to you here... Weirdness loves company:)
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Thirteen Things that are happening this Easter:
1. For the first time since we've been married, Les doesn't work Easter Sunday!
2. On Good Friday our family will be going through the Stations of the Cross at Church together.
3. This will possibly be followed by a trip to Starbucks:)
4. Les is playing at Church on Easter Sunday.
5. Both Les' folks and my own along with my brother will be our guests for Easter dinner.
6. We will probably colour eggs Easter Saturday (any cool ideas people?)
7. The weather for this weekend looks like it will be amazing:)
8. Our tulips might actually bloom (which is amazing given that just a few days ago we still had some snow!)
9. We'll finish the Easter week devotional we've been doing.
10. Amanda will wear her new fancy purple dress for the first time.
11. During Amanda's Easter break she'll have her friends over for a Hilary Duff movie party.
12. I don't have to work Easter Monday...yah! :)
13. We'll celebrate what our Savior did for us...thank YOU, Amen.
*****
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Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Another Song
Another song that has been playing around in my head is YOU by Tim Hughes. I've been listening to it on the way to work most mornings and it stays with me all the day...
You
Bigger than the air I breathe
Deeper than the ocean deep
Higher than the stars above You are
Brighter than the blazing sun
Louder than the screaming crowd
Stronger than the power of death You are
In the heavens, on the earth
There is no one like you God
And these words are not enough
To tell of who You are
Who can know the mind of God?
Who can understand Your ways?
And these words are not enough
To tell of Your great name
Your love can melt the hardest heart
Your words can bring the dead to life
Nothing is impossible for You
Awesome God, Humble King
You terrify yet welcome in
Your glory echoes all around the world
In the heavens, on the earth
There is no one like you God
And these words are not enough
To tell of who You are
Who can know the mind of God?
Who can understand Your ways?
And these words are not enough
To tell of Your great name
Another song that has been playing around in my head is YOU by Tim Hughes. I've been listening to it on the way to work most mornings and it stays with me all the day...
You
Bigger than the air I breathe
Deeper than the ocean deep
Higher than the stars above You are
Brighter than the blazing sun
Louder than the screaming crowd
Stronger than the power of death You are
In the heavens, on the earth
There is no one like you God
And these words are not enough
To tell of who You are
Who can know the mind of God?
Who can understand Your ways?
And these words are not enough
To tell of Your great name
Your love can melt the hardest heart
Your words can bring the dead to life
Nothing is impossible for You
Awesome God, Humble King
You terrify yet welcome in
Your glory echoes all around the world
In the heavens, on the earth
There is no one like you God
And these words are not enough
To tell of who You are
Who can know the mind of God?
Who can understand Your ways?
And these words are not enough
To tell of Your great name
Sunday, April 09, 2006
This Is My Father's World
...I love the words to this old hymn (and the newer arrangement done by AG a couple of years ago:)
This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This Is My Father's World
This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!
This is my Father's world: He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
...I love the words to this old hymn (and the newer arrangement done by AG a couple of years ago:)
This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This Is My Father's World
This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!
This is my Father's world: He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
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