Choose Faith

"Wherefore, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us; looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb. 12:1-2

The Lord blessed me from the reading of Hebrews chapter 11 today, "the faith chapter". The old testament saints endured cruelties and trials and they stepped out by faith to face them. God reminded me that there is nothing that can come into my life that has not been faced by someone else at one time or another and that His hand is over all things that come my way. The first several verses in chapter 12 are what my reaction to the facts of chapter 11 should be. Jesus, Himself, endured the ultimate trial for me. He had to be separated from His Father for the first time, because of my sin! What a wonderful relationship was made possible because of our Lord's sacrifice. He is the only bridge that can carry us back to the Creator, God. He has reconciled any who will believe and accept the gift of salvation. I'm so glad that God loved us this much, even though we were sinning against Him, aren't you?

As I read about the early saints who wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, dwelling in caves and rocks of the earth. Some were sawn asunder for their faith, not accepting deliverance. What rest we can have in the Lord! I face nothing like these early saints did. If I have a mouse run across my floor, I don't rest until it's dead. If my tub leaks (like last week) over my kitchen counter I think the house is falling apart. If we do not have enough money coming in to have the taxes paid up by September, I worry until the payment is made (God always provides it). How foolish and petty most of my little "trials" are. I am glad that the Lord is patient with me and remembers that I am dust. I picture a loving face, smiling and saying, "I love you, Cyndy; now trust Me and keep believing that I will see you through." Believing Him is a choice. "Choose you this day whom ye will serve..." (Joshua 24:15). I am reminded to profess to Him what my answer will be. "I will be loyal; I will serve Thee." I read another interesting quote (though it is a side-note), "Will to be loyal-and give other people credit for being loyal too". ~Chambers

Psalm 37 is one of my very favorite chapters from the Psalms. Each verse addresses some different area of life. Listen to the verbs; fret not, delight, commit, trust, cease from, rest... The Bible covers all areas of life. I am thankful that it is a Living Book and it never gets old!

I'm so glad you visited Darling Hill today. I'll leave you with some pictures of "rest". I hope that you, personally, have true rest in your soul.

"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way..." Psalm 37:6

Honoring A Dear Saint

A very short post today, as our internet at home is still giving trouble. Since we had it "fixed" we have only been online about three times (almost two weeks).

We had a wonderful weekend as our 94 year old friend Eddy Grant came down from Maine. He has lived here all his life but has stayed with daughters for the Winter. As I said in the last post, he was going to ride in the "Mule" with me for the big parade (about 1/2 mile long). As we got to the largest groups of people, many said, "Hey, there's Eddy" and "HI Eddy!!" and they would clap their hands. He was thrilled and it was the response was very honoring to him. The sign above his head reads, "Vershire's oldest Veteran, Edward C. Grant (Eddy)". The mule was decorated to honor the Lord, Veterans and those serving our country at this time. A big sign on the back said "Support our Troops/Honor our Veterans" with a large yellow ribbon attached.

Many of Eddy's family members came to the parade and all wanted their photo taken with "Gramps". One of his young great-granddaughters was working up at his home on Sunday afternoon, painting. She had brought a dress to change into, just to be able to wear it for her picture with Eddy. He was also able to visit with lots of friends throughout the day on Saturday.

We are grateful for the testimony that this dear friend has been to us and to our entire family through the years that we have known him (all my life). He was quite a few years younger than my grandfather and lived on the neighboring farm. Eddy has known the Lord Jesus for many, many years and is a true testimony of God's grace. We love him. Our church family was blessed to have him with us all of Sunday, to share fellowship in the Bible, singing and meals together.

Thank you for stopping by the hill today. This post is brief and I wanted to include a Scripture verse with it but I'm not in a place where I have my Bible and do not want to misquote, so will not at this time. You all, take care. I have heard a report that there is some rain coming down in parts of the midwest and west. This is such an answer to prayer and will keep praying for gentle rains to fall. We all do need God's gentle rains to fall on us often, don't we? both physically and spiritually.