Dancing in the Caribbean

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD be praised"
Psalm 113:3
How amazing it was to return to the Caribbean to celebrate 35 years of marriage last week! Henry and I went to Paradise Island for our first honeymoon as newlyweds many moons ago. Now we had the blessing to have dinner at sunset and dance a rhumba under the stars in Aruba, more in love now then ever. We have endured difficult trials with the help of the LORD and the prayers of His people. We felt it was important to take time to celebrate the grace bestowed on our lives as we be continue to seek to serve our loving Heavenly Father. A wonderful milestone in our journey through life together.

Safe Pasture

Yesterday morning I spent time meditating on Psalm 37 which contrasts the way of the righteous from the way of the wicked. It is magnificent poetry by a Jewish shepherd boy who eventually becomes king over the nation of Israel.
"For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
They will be protected forever.
but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off."
Then yesterday evening Henry and I went to the film "Bright Star", a portrait of the tragic life of another incredible poet,
John Keats.
It was dark and rainy as we traveled home. We were intently discussing the movie when a locomotive engine and one car of a train commenced to cross the highway and the flashing lights of warning did NOT begin to flash until we were 3 seconds from being hit! Henry stomped on the brakes and we screeched to a halt, narrowly missing a collision. I was literally scared speechless for five minutes, then burst into tears realizing the protective hand of the Lord was upon us and His tender mercies preserved our lives!!
"Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture."
I skipped over this verse in the psalm yesterday morning, BUT this morning I am so thankful for being a lamb in the LORD's meadow.
"The LORD is my shepherd, Nada shall I want,
He makes me to lie down in green pastures"
Psalm 23 took on new meaning when I was in Mexico last February and again last night!

Singing with Strangers

Henry and I have the privilege of hosting an old friend, Diana, who is visiting from Ohio. She had two co-workers traveling with her, Jim and Michelle. It was amazing when last night we began singing old praise songs. Jim played the guitar and Henry played the mandolin. We went down "Memory Lane" as we lifted up our voices to the Lord singing "Pass it On", "He's Everything To Me" and "For Those Tears I Died" , just a few of the favorites we remembered . We laughed together as we realized we grew up in different parts of the country, yet all four of us learned these songs as teenagers. Seeking to serve the Lord Jesus bonded us together as we harmonized late into the evening. What a blessing to be a part of the Body of Christ!

Comforting Words

Sing everyday!
Whether it is simple as Jesus Loves Me
or as rich as this hymn, lift up your voice in praise!

Day by Day

Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here,
trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,I've no cause for worry or for fear,
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each day what HE DEEMS BEST-
LOVINGLY, its part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and REST.

Every day the LORD himself is near me with a special mercy for each hour;
all my cares he fain would bear, and cheer me, He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r.
The protection of His child and treasure is a charge that on himself he laid,
"As your days, your strength shall be in measure," this the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation so to trust your promises,O LORD,
that I lose not faith's sweet consolation offered me within your holy Word.
Help me, LORD,when toil and trouble meeting, e'er to take, as from a Father's hand,
one by one, the days, the moments fleeting, till I reach the promised land.


by Carolina Sandell Berg

When we go through various trials, it helps to sing truth to remind ourselves of God's love and faithfulness.

Eternal Hope

Our pastor spoke on the passage from John 11 today, where Lazarus is raised from the dead.

He pointed us to I Corinthians 15 that Jesus' resurrection is the first fruits of the dead so we can have hope of eternal life as we put our trust in Him.

Death is ruthless and inevitable, yet we can have hope in our trials and in our final future.

"Only because Jesus' triumphant death and resurrection are we free to hurt with hope." 

Here, Take This

I attended a women's meeting Thursday night where we went around the room and each person was given 90 seconds to "network" with the group by sharing your own personal passion.

When it was my turn, I spoke of working as a foster mother for Bethany Christian Services and the National Memorial for the Unborn.  I held up the book, EMPTY ARMS, which Ann Caldwell and I had the privilege of compiling the letters from people who regret their abortions and stories of foster babies who are adopted into Christian homes.

After the evening was over, a woman came up to me and asked if I thought the book would help her daughter.  She explained that her daughter had two abortions and now she thought she was going to hell.

I handed her the book.  She handed it back and asked me to write a note to her daughter.

"To ------

 May you realize that Jesus will forgive you and give you His peace."

"His love never ends" Jeremiah 31:3" and then I signed my name.

"Here take this book to your daughter," I said. " I know it will help, because we have heard that response many times before."

Ann and I are very thankful to have the opportunity to work with the National Memorial for the Unborn and see lives changed. 

Henry, the preacher

We were honored that the Union Chapel ( known affectionately as the Little Brown Church) invited Henry to preach for Homecoming Sunday, which is the last Sunday of the season.

The building,located on the back of Signal Mountain is not heated and cooled by fans, so it operates only Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Henry's text was from I Peter 4:7, "The end of all things is near." It was a inspiring talk laced with sweet memories of growing up in Summertown and the truth of being clear minded so we can pray. It is an act of service we all can participate in no matter our status. Henry shared that he encouraged some of his bedridden patients to consider prayer their gift to further God's kingdom.

Both of our parents kindly blessed us with their ongoing prayers.
Living a life that is drenched in prayers gives us a rich dimension we often forget to be thankful for as we face each new day.