wild melody

random photos from thansgiving at mum's parents with her sister and fam. be warned, there's nothing artistic. the kid table grandpa, bre & nate grandma with her "scarf" florida weather hungry {crazy} sisters n goofing off, joe, bre, mum the original thanksgiving folks grandpa's mug. (see, it's in the genes) lots of hilarious quotes from this game:"that's unfair! i'm a boy, how am i going to know how to draw mascara!? redraw!" i love my fam. they're hilarious. i was especially grateful for: 1. grandpa's "new leg" . he was free from his wheelchair and able to walk this year. 2. grandma's willingness to have the whole noisy crew over, and cook; depsite having chemo wednesday. i'm so blessed: 3 sets of grandparents. 2 parents. 3 siblings. godly friends in fl, tx, va, nc, new orleans, canada, and wales. God is good.

"Thou Creator, Upholder , Proprietor of all things, I cannot escape from thy presence or control, nor do I desire to do so. My privilege is to be under the agency of omnipotence, righteousness, wisdom, patience, mercy, grace. Thou art love with more than parental affection... It is the discovery of thy goodness alone that can banish my fear, allure me into thy presence, help me to bewail and confess my sins. When I review my past guilt and am conscious of my present unworthiness I tremble to come to thee, I whose foundation is in the dust, I who have condemned thy goodness, defied thy power, trampled upon thy love, rendered myself worthy of eternal death. But my recovery cannot spring from any cause in me, I can destroy but not save myself . Yet thou hast laid help on One that is mighty, for there is mercy with thee, exceeding riches in thy kindness through Jesus. May I always feel my need of Him . Let thy restored joy be my strength; May it keep me from lusting after the world, ...

Shout for joy to God , all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Come and see what God has done : he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened ; he has attended to the voice of my prayer . Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! ~from psalm 66 {i'm housesitting all week, so there will be few if any posts.}

To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing... Why do you say, O Jacob ..."My way is hidden from the LORD... Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, Creator of the ends of the earth . He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable . He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary... but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength ; they shall mount up with wings like eagles ; they shall run and not be weary ; they shall walk and not faint. ~Isaiah 40.25-31 I know I've shared this before. But it describes my current season of waiting on God so well. There are temptations to be weary. Temptations for my heart to wonder or wander. ...

A few days ago, I saw a glimpse into my heart. I was shocked. My words revealed a part of me that did NOT say "whatever my God ordains is right." I was praying for a certain circumstance. As I prayed Romans 8.28 I couldn't believe what words came out: "God, may this be for our sooner good." Oh how easily sin hides! I'm ashamed to admit I'd think that. While I was praying, no less! The words themselves are not sinful, but what they reveal about my heart. I know my sin shouldn't surprise me. Too often it does. It hides itself well, and I'm too willing to let it stay hidden. God is not. Nor is He shocked. He knows what I'm capable of--even more than I do. Yet He willingly forgives. He sent His Son to take my just punishment. Fully knowing every sin I'd ever commit...What relieving freedom! Freedom that lessens the gravity of sin? By no means! Nor does it hinder sorrow over my sin. It provides a freedom to receive grace. Mine is a salvation b...

Last week I swung through Starbuck s en route to the doctor . I can't say much for the state of my heart...I certainly wasn't viewing doctors as a means of grace. The barista must have seen "sin of ungratefulness" emanating from me. I think she said "would you like some conviction with that?" Anyway, later as I sat in the room of perpetual anticipation I read the following: " The Way I See It #196 The greatest leader is a servant. Don't be a boss. Be a real leader, a servant leader. A servant leader is a winner . Even when he loses everything, even when he loses his life , a servant leader wins it all. --Pat Williams " Even though it doesn't say "Christ died for sinners" it immediately brought the gospel to mind. I was convicted in my non-rejoicing attitude . Doctors are a gift. An undeserved one. How kind of Him to interrupt my little grumbling fest, and in such a lighthearted way. I laughed. God is so kind. Who says He doe...