Be Thou My Vision

                                      ....More is said than done. It's true isn't it? Words are cheap. We make resolutions that don't survive the week. Some claim to live by the Ten Commandments or by the Golden Rule. How do we do? The first commandment demands that we love God with all our heart, mind, and soul. Has there been one month of your life when you did? One week? One day? The second command requires that we love our neighbor as ourselves. If you're in a group photo, whose face do you look for first? If, heading home, you hear a fire truck racing into your area, do you think, "I hope it's not my neighbor's"? Isn't it amazing that men still see themselves as basically good? In spite of world wars, concentration camps, Viet Nam, sixty-six million Russians exterminated, the slaughter under Mao-just in this century! Mankind's history is written in blood and tears: "The hearts ...

"The Piano" Short Film Animation by  Aidan Gibbons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTvaTOL5Lms

The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:8-9  “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the  First and the Last.” Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. Revelation 22:12-15 In the beginning of the Word of God there is the tree of life, on earth. At the end of the Word of God, there is the tree of life, this time in heaven.

This January, I saw the first two lines of this hymn engraved on a tombstone in Newton Abbot, Devon, England. I had first discovered the hymn a few years ago, but had forgotten about it. Cemeteries are serious places, my maternal Grandpa is buried in this certain cemetery. I am looking forward to meeting him for the first time when I reach Heaven! Most of all, I cannot wait for the moment I will see my Saviour's face for the first time. I do not deserve to even look into His  eyes or be in His presence, yet He loves me and fights and intercedes daily for me. He walked on this earth, and knows what we experience. His grace is sufficient for me. He has put my sin away as far as the east is from the west, He chooses to not remember it. He paid the terrible price for my sin, so I can go free. He gives me peace and joy.  Do you know my Lord Jesus Christ? If you do not know Him as your Saviour and Lord, please change your "relationship status" as soon as possible. Man is ...

I first heard this beautiful song on January 1, 2018. It is called "Land of the Living" and is written by Roo (Andrew) Panes. You can hear the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay80nO7xzSo I looked up the verse where it mentions "land of the living".... it is from Psalms 27. I would have lost heart, unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Psalm 27:13 

"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Beautiful words..... honor Him delight consolation good hope grace comfort  establish  every word every work  But these words are meaningless without the precious Person behind them, Jesus Christ. This world may try to offer comfort, but it does not last or prove itself to be established. The Lord's comfort and consolation is everlasting for those who believe in His work at Calvary.  At the end of the day, we each say and do what we desire. Are our desires in line with God's word, or are they things we want to do? At first glance, what this verse in Isaiah says seems impossible, you mean, even my words cannot be my own? But we each have a custom yoke that Jesus Christ gives us. I remember hearing that ca...

Boats on Brixham Harbor.  (photo credit: Sarah) (photo credit: Sarah)                                   Brixham, England. (photo credit: Sarah)  (photo credit: Sarah )  One day, we walked around Brixham harbor. It was chilly and windy. The seagulls provided a nice soundtrack. After our walk, we sat down at the lovely Old Market House and had coffee and juice. https://www.oldmarkethousebrixham.co.uk       (photo credit: Elizabeth)       I am not drinking caffeine right now, so I ordered juice. I like how they named the brand J2O. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden."    Matthew 5:14 (NKJV)  Back at Grandma's cozy house. Unique tile design  Rain drops on Grandma's kitchen window. “It shall...

Some of my family were able to go to England for Christmas this year. It was a new experience being there in the winter, because usually we visit in the summer or springtime. We had a good trip there and were able to see some of Mum's childhood school-friends and spend time with our Grandma, cousins, uncle and aunt.          Views from the plane on the 9 hour flight from Houston, TX to Heathrow, England.                              (photo credit for these two pictures: Sarah)      In Grandma's livingroom (all other photos credit: Elizabeth)   How is there green grass in December? I guess because of all the rain. In Oklahoma we had dry,  brown grass. Flowers still blooming in December!  At my Uncle's home in the countryside. Christmas lights in Devon, England.    Rainbow after a shower of ra...