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julietwaite
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Country: United States
State: Illinois
Metro: Chicago
Birthday: 7/22/1981
Gender: Female
Interests: Friends and Fun. One or the other but never a combination of both.
Expertise: Working for very little money.
Message: message meEmail: email me
Member Since:
8/1/2005
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| Another Year is Dawning (A Hymn)
Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879
Samuel S. Wesley, 1810-1876
Another year is dawning:
Dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with Thee;
Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days;
Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness
In the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning
Upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting,
Of quiet, happy rest;
Another year of service,
Of witness for Thy love;
Another year of training
For holier work above.
Another year is dawning:
Dear Father, let it be,
On earth or else in heaven,
Another year for Thee. | | |
| We have a huge elm tree in front of our house. It is a beautiful, old tree but needs some trimming, so we've been calling a few tree specialists to come out and give us quotes. Today as Isaiah and I were playing in the living room, I noticed a guy walking around our tree with a notepad. After a few minutes of inspection, he finally approached the front door and rang the door bell. I put the baby down, tried to quiet Ralphie (the dog) down, and opened the door. The man asked,
"Hi. [Glancing around me into the house]. Are your parents home? Can I talk to them?"
It took me a few seconds to realize why he was asking for my parents. Then I just laughed (outwardly). And laughed and laughed (inwardly).
Anyway, I explained to the man that I was one of the owners of the house and he apologized. I was heartily amused that this man probably thought I was too young to own a house and assumed that I must be living with my parents. I suppose after turning 27 this past week and experiencing mom-hood for the first time this year, being mistaken for a teenager or college student home for the summer should just be taken as a compliment.
And just for fun, here is a pic of me when I truly was a teenager. Yes, I had bangs.
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Happy 3-Year Anniversary! A lot has happened in these three years, and I wouldn't have wanted to experience any of it without you, Sheldini. | | |
| I was reflecting today over the broad range of people whom God calls to Himself in Scripture. My small group has been studying the book of Acts this past year, and we recently studied the passage about Cornelius and Peter. Cornelius is described as a "righteous and God-fearing" man. In fact, his whole family is described as devout and God-fearing. Cornelius and his family knew a lot about Jesus, according to Peter's words to them. But Peter goes on to proclaim, "He (Jesus) commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit came on all of those who were listening, and they responded in praise.
Now these were people who already feared God, and from what we can tell, knew at least a little bit about Jesus already. All it took was Peter's obedience to the Lord to go to this family and preach the gospel, and they immediately believed. Perhaps from the evangelist's perspective, they were "easy" people to whom one could witness. It seems that most of the work had already been done in their hearts, and they just needed some one to come and preach to them. Perhaps this is what Jesus was referring to when he said, "Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest."
But then we also have encounters in Scripture where the most unlikely person comes to faith. I think of Simon the sorcerer--some one who was actively practicing sorcery when the disciples encountered him! I think of Jesus and his encounters with people who were infamous "sinners." I think of the woman at the well in John 4. Not only was she a Samaritan--outcasts in the eyes of the Jewish people, but she was probably an outcast in the eyes of her own Samaritan people. Five husbands so far...and currently living with another man with whom she was co-habitating. Not a "likely" candidate to become a Christian, some one might have said. And yet not only does she come to know Jesus, but she invites her whole town to come see and believe in him as well.
From the predictable to the unpredictable, God draws all sorts of people to Himself in Scripture. I think of the unlikely people in my life...the ones who I honestly just can't ever see being changed. Whether they are regular church-attenders or people who have never set foot inside of one...do I believe that the Spirit has the power to give them new life? I rejoice at the news of some one who has been praying for 10...15...20 years for a family member or a friend, and who is finally able to see the fruit of those prayers when that person comes to faith, but when I consider loves ones in my life who are not believers, do I have any hope? Maybe not. At least, not usually. But reflecting over these passages today encouraged me to have faith in a God who is powerful, and the Spirit who is unpredictable, and doesn't conform to my low expectations. | | |
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