Sweetest Name on Mortal Tongue!

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings and Merry Christmas to each of you!  What a most blessed time of the year!  Trust you are enjoying His Presence, what else matters so much?

Jon and I are continually recipients of His great grace, love, and care!  How we praise Him.  Going out lately has been an overwhelming struggle for us, but we are so content together in Him.  Our little tree glows reminding us that He is still THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!  Our ornaments remind us not only of Him, but the many memories of "Christmas Past," of family and friends.  The sounds of our Christmas carol cd's keep the real "Reason for the Season" ever in our minds.

Jon Abram's family is even now at closing for their new 2200 sq. ft home. We rejoice with them.  They have been crowded for so long.  Lord willing, the plans are for the family to gather Christmas Eve at their new home.!  God is good!

Today is our Melinda, Lyndy Lou's, 13 birthday!  Jon Abram and Margaret now have THREE TEENAGERS in there home!  Wow!!

Amy is recovering well from her surgery.  Last evening they were here, which is rather rare these days.  Amy was teaching JB his Bible verse for today.  As I sat, watched, and listened, my heart was overflowing.  As you know, JB has a speech impediment, but sweeter words never fell from a little fellow... 

"For unto us a child is born(JB cradles his arms,) unto us a son is given:(JB swoops his little arms out with an emphatic "giving you" motion),  and the government shall be upon his shoulder:(Here our little man thumps dramatically on his shoulders), and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace(Now JB points to his diadem).

Isaiah 9:6

Ahhhh...

"Sweetest note in seraph song,
 Sweetest name on mortal tongue;
 Sweetest carol ever sung,
 Jesus, blessèd Jesus."

And so down through the ages, from the OT prophets such as Isaiah, to the angels on that Holy Night, from the lips of Mary, to the early apostles, down through the church age, from days past to this present hour...that most holy of all names, still is being heralded from majestic church choirs, from the lips of babes.  It is truly the sweetest name on mortal tongue!

I wanted to burst forth with songs of praise as my little fellow quoted last evening: His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This morning, my heart was bursting with praise as I read the words, Emmanuel...God is with us!  Yes, little JB....GOD IS WITH US!!  We can face tomorrow, because HE CAME, AND HE LIVES!!!  He lives for me, for this generation....

Sweetest carol every sung!

Jesus, blessed Jesus!

Merry CHIRSTmas!

Love, Linda

SP'S

Today, Jon and I were too bad to go to church. I heated up Hubby some left overs, and made myself a tomato sandwich. I finished my sandwich and just sat  and looked at Jon and grinned and grinned and grinned.

I guess it was a little unnerving so finally he said, "Why are just grinning at me?"  My mind was rolling back , way back over the years to many years ago in the '60's.

In those days at Hobe Sound Bible College, your only date was a one hour supper date per week. Those dates were called SP's...Special Privileges. You can believe those were cherished moments!

So today, as I sat across from my forever Sweetheart, I was struck with the beautiful thought that after 41 years, it's still just as thrilling! I still cherish every moment with him! I still consider them "Special Privileges!"

The other day Erica was here and Papa and Nanny were having a moment of happiness, some little thing that made us laugh.

"Erica," I said, "you don't have to have riches, fame, or a lot to have a happy marriage........just God and one Godly man."

Thanking God today.....I'm so blessed!

Where Have All the Songbirds Gone?

Dear Ones,

Do you love birds?  My love for backyard songbirds has grown immensely over the last few years.

I love the glorious chorus they raise at daybreak.  Many mornings finds me, Bible and coffee cup in hand, on my back deck.  

Jon has placed several birdhouses around and the birds inhabit them year round.  I said, I guess they signed a lifetime lease.  In the fall we clean the houses out, repaint them, and the birds move right back in.

I love to see the birds play in the soft garden dirt, perch high on the shed's peaked roof, stretch long wriggly earth worms from the ground, and soar high to lofty tree tops.

Every morning and evenings, when it's cool enough, I sit outside. The yard is filled with the song and color of my many birds.  Cardinals, chickadees, titmice, gold finches, nuthatches, downy woodpeckers, mourning doves have all become my friends.

Once when the grand-kids happen to be sitting with me, I referred to the birds as "my birds." 

One of the grand-kids responded with, "they're not YOUR birds, Nanny, they're just wild birds."

"Yes, they are MY birds," I answered. "I feed them and house them, I care for them. Each one is special to me.  More important, God has filled my backyard with them to bless me. To remind me of God's great handiwork. They fill the yard with beauty and song, they remind me to lift my voice in praise to God as well."

After a little thought on this, the said grandkid agreed that maybe they just might be "Nanny's birds" after all.  Ha ha...

Jon and I especially enjoyed the Carolina Wrens(we named them Caroline and Kirk), that built their nest in our hanging Begonia.  We missed them so after they shoved their young from the nest and took flight.  

About four days ago, I began to notice something unusual, my yard seemed to be eerie. I couldn't quite put my finger on it.  It soon struck me that....my birds were gone!  And I do mean gone!  No birds....  Even our permanent "residents" in our bird houses had disappeared.  I could never remember this happening before.  

I called Jon out to sit with me.  It was so  strange.  This went on for three days. In desperation, I Googled the words,"Where have my backyard birds gone?"  I was surprised at what I found.  There were comments from others, some who had feed birds as many as 28 years, that had had similar experiences.

The author of the article mentioned several possibilities.  Perhaps a predator,such as a hawk, had taken up residence in our back yard.  Perhaps, the heat or drought had driven them away. Or maybe, some neighbor had offered them a "finer fare."  At any rate, the article assured me, it was ONLY temporary and they WOULD return.

I thought about the "songbirds" of my soul. Have you ever realized suddenly that your heart doesn't seem to be "singing" anymore?  It can be a subtle thing, for sure.

Without one's awareness, a "predator" may be lurking to steal one's song.  The Enemy often comes as an "angel of shinning light" and is not so easily recognized.  He loves to rob us of our joy, of the song in our soul. "My soul be on thou guard against 10,000 foes.."

Sometimes the "heat and drought" takes a toll on our soul's music.  The intense pressures of life, that consume all our energy can drag us to a slow, steady crawl.  Dryness can smother ones song. The "outward daily perishing" must be renewed by the "inner man."  Only from His Word, and through communing with Him, can our thirst be satisfied!

Ah......... and then there's the possibility of "finer fare" elsewhere!  I think this might be the most dangerous.  Friends, entertainment, food, gadgets....more, more, more!!!!!! What absorbs my love, demands my attention, steals my affection?

Last evening, I couldn't bear to sit on the deck. I guess I hadn't really realized just how much the birds lifted my spirits and blessed my life.  They were just so much a part of what I call "MY Cathedral," the spot where I so much love to worship.  So this morning, rather than go to the deck, I went to my recliner and picked up my Bible for devotions.  After a few moments, something kept nagging at the back of my mind.  The sound finally came into focus...IT WAS A BIRD SINGING!  "Jon!," I exclaimed,"do you hear that? It's a bird singing."  I took my Bible and moved to the deck. Sure enough!  There were the black throated sparrows.  Soon a cardinal landed briefly in our tree. Then there were the sparrows lined up on the shed peaked roof.  After a while, I noticed birds perched on the garden posts, dust bathing in the driveway, and returning to the feeder.  Soon Jon came out and sat with me. I guess you can't really imagine what a difference it made.  After a little while the sparrows landed by the old newspaper box by the grapevines, they were busily working on a new nest.

I was just about to come in when I heard a familiar song. It was Caroline!  Jon and I both sat with widened eyes.  Yes, there she was on her "jumping off" spot, the shepherds hook.  We sat breathless...  She took one big spring off flight and dived into the hanging Begonia!  I felt like cheering!!!

If this sounds a little childish, maybe you should consider "taking time to smell the roses."   Well, my songbirds are back, and I'm refreshed!

Lord, keep the "songbirds of my soul" singing!  Don't let me succumb to "predators," drought and heat, or "finer fare."  Keep me aware of Your Presence!  May there ever be a "song in my heart."

Singing His song,

Linda

Power Source!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

Wishing you all a wonderful 4th.  Hope your day is blessed. Mine already has been.

I sat on the deck this morning and continued my reading through Luke.  I'm so enjoying afresh and anew, the revelations of Christ's ministry.  This morning the story of the woman who touched Christ's garment spoke to my heart in a new real way.  Jesus's response just gripped my thoughts, " Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."

Okay.......... as the disciples pointed out, many people were milling around Christ.  Many had touched Him, but only one had touched Him in total faith and expectation.

I thought about prayer.  I wondered how often I've "milled around" Jesus.  How many times do I go through my prayer list, knowing that God answers prayer but........

What really gripped me was the thought that "power went from Him.'   When Christ answers my prayers He doesn't wave a magic wand over me.  HE GIVES OF HIMSELF!!!!!!!!  What an amazing thought.  What a source we have to draw upon!

I thought of our Little Buddy. We call him the "Battery King."  He adores batteries. Makes no difference if they're dead.  He carries around heavy pockets full of batteries.  His Uncle Brother brings him airplane batteries. He'd never part with even a dead one. The other day he was carrying one around, hugging it tightly to himself as though it were some great treasure(which indeed to him it was).

Without being sacrilegious, I though of my BATTERY KING.  All power in Heaven and earth is given unto Him. And when He hears and answers my prayers, He gives of Himself!  So true to His character, Calvary was the ultimate gift!  And He keeps on giving!!!

Why don't I trust Him more?  I just can't seem to wrap my arms around the enormity of this thought.  That God Himself, hears my prayers and gives of Himself, when my faith is as simple and trusting as this little insignificant woman.

I am humbled this morning.  What a great God!  What a source of power!  What a promise of strength!  Father, please help me to touch you this morning.  Help me when I pray to know that You are so willing to give of Yourself!  I'm so glad you are indeed the King, and Your power never "runs dry or runs out."  No dead batteries here!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You, for Your precious Word.

I won't be attending any fireworks this evening, but I praise God for the fresh "fireworks" burning in my soul!!

Love, Linda 

Feeling, Faith, and Fact

Dear Friends and Family,

Trust you're all well. We're still thanking God for His protection from the 62 tornadoes that sat down in our stateon Sat.  At the same time we're grieving and praying for other Tar Heels that have lost precious loved ones.

It's been a busy week. Jon and I planted a few squash and tomato plants. Margaret and two of the girls came inon Friday and Amy's crew was here as well. Girls fixed us an awesome supper. Grandkids played in the yard.

It has been a glorious week as I've buried myself in the story of the cross.  So rich...every word has lived afresh and anew.  "I may never know, why He should love me so........"

Erica was saved in a chapel service this week. When JB heard that one could be a child of God, his response was, "Hey, why no one tell me dat?"  He called Nanny and told her about his new amazing revelation. I asked him if he wanted to pray. He responded with, "Nanny, I need to go to church to be saved." When Nanny assured him that he could be  saved anywhere, his words were, "But, Nanny, I only six." Once again, Nanny assured him that he could be saved at "only six." He wanted Nanny to pray with him, By the end of his simple prayer, he was bawling.  He put down the phone and cried and danced around the room, hollering, "I'm a child of God!!!" He wanted to call everyone and tell them. He couldn't wait to get to prayer meeting that night.

So...after such a special week, you can imagine my feeling by Palm Sunday morning. After reveling in the music of BBN all week with it's songs of the cross, I awoke Sunday morning feeling totally emotionless.  I know that 3 days of pain had drained me completely. My physical had demanded everything and seemingly left me with nothing.  Hey, this is Palm Sunday!  I've looked forward to it all week!!!

So glad that our salvation doesn't depend on emotion. It's so much more than that!!!

  

Three men were walking on a wall,

Feeling, Faith, and Fact,

Feeling got an awful fall, and faith was taken back,

So close was faith to feeling, he stumbled and fell too, 

But fact remained and pulled faith back,

and faith brought feeling too.

Nothing has changed. My commitment to Christ is the same.  The cross still stands. The tomb's still empty!!  I started to testify in church, because I didn't "feel "like it.  It's okay to testify when the emotions are high.  But I wanted to testify that when the feelings are gone and one feels "dead" that God hasn't changed!!!

In Jesus high priestly prayer right before His arrest, he stated that He had given His disciples His Word!!! It is enough!!!  Christ the incarnate, Christ the Word.

While on Sunday, I didn't feel any emotion, I did feel a deep bedrock assurance that "my anchor holds!" Praise His name. Did I mention that this morning, sitting on my deck, reading His Word, contemplating Calvary....that feeling came sweeping in?

I love emotions, but one can't live on the mountain.  It's in the valley where we grow and are strengthened in Christ.  It's hard when we don't feel Him. But that's when there is only "one set of footprints in the sand." He carries us.

I pray that each of us will worship Him this week!!  In music, in His Word, in His Presence..........

The Passion Week..........

My Savior, My Lord, My Lamb, My Redeemer, My Soon Coming King........

I worship You!!!!!!!!!

Linda

A Sinner Such As I...

I'm "stuck" on this verse this morning!!!!!!!!  Too overwhelmed to go on....

John 1:12

But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name!

Power to become the Sons of God!  Even me!!! This song says it all, and is filling my soul....and bursting forth with praise!

That God should love a sinner such as I,
Should yearn to change my sorrow into bliss,
Nor rest till He had planned to bring me nigh,
How wonderful is love like this!


That Christ should join so freely in the plan,
Although it meant His death on Calvary,
Was ever nobler theme sung by the tongue of man
Than love divine that ransomed me?


That for a willful outcast such as I,
The Father planned, the Savior bled and died;
Redemption for a worthless slave to buy,
Who long had law and grace defied.


And now He takes me to His heart—a son,
He asks me not to fill a servant's place;
The "Far-off country" wand'rings all are done,
Wide open are His arms of grace!


CHORUS:
Such love, such wondrous love,
Such love, such wondrous love,
That God should love a sinner such as I,
How wonderful is love like this!

Basking in the Son!!!!!!!!!

It's Him!!!!!!!!

I am redeemed!!!!!!!!!!!

Linda

And He Stood

Dear Friends and Family,

It's a cold cloudy morning here in NC. But at least we're not buried under 2 feet of snow! Yesterday it was in the 60's.

Yesterday I read several more news articles of the death of the American missionary, Nancy Davis. This event made world news. As I've mentioned before Jon and I went to college with her husband, Sam.  I was reading some of the comments that others had emailed in at the bottom of some of the articles. I was shocked at the flood of hate mail!! Nancy was labeled as stupid, one of those ignorant Christians, etc.. Some considered she got what she deserved. Such is the world's view of those who fulfill Christ's Great Commision, who are wholefully surrendered to Him.  They are labeled "fanatics."

This morning I heard a news clip about "fans" at the super bowl. It was a medical article about how many heart attacks happen during, or follow those events.  These are folks who are whole heartedly in love with the sport. These are folks who sometimes travel many miles, brave the harsh elements of the weather, and spend lots of money to devote themselves to the "love of their life."  Winning the game is so important to them, that it seriously affects their hearts. Sometimes costing them their lives.

Where do my interests, loyalities, and commitments lie? What or who is the "love of my life?" Does it affect "my heart?"  Am I a fan, or a fanatic? Guess that depends upon who is the judge, doesn't it?

I thought this morning, of the great sacrifice that Nancy made for the Mexican people that she loved so dearly.  A lot of the hate mail was targeted at these people as well. But you can be sure, Nancy loved them even unto death.

I was reminded of the first martyr, Stephen.  He was considered a fanatic as well. Such hate that was unleashed upon him. And yet through Stephen's death, Saul became the great apostle Paul. Paul became the great Evangelist to the Gentiles, who were considered dogs by the Jews. So many of our beautiful books of the NT were penned by this great man, as inspired by the Holy Spirit.

As Stephen breathed his last breath, he looked up toward Heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God!!  Christ in all His Heavenly glory, arose to welcome Stephen home!!!

I wonder how Nancy was ushered into His Presence?  Did the Son of God stand? Who knows? Maybe...... One thing for sure, there must have been great rejoicing!  Through the many years of Nancy's faithful service, many souls were born into the family of God.  I suppose some of those redeemed ones were on the welcoming committee as well....

In I Corinthians 2, Paul penned these words:   

⁸ None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ However, as it is written:

   “What no eye has seen,
   what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”
   the things God has prepared for those who love him—

 ¹⁰ these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

Rejoicing to be His,

Linda