Fifth Day Morning - The Giver

CREATOR, UPHOLDER AND PROPRIETOR OF ALL THINGS,

We cannot escape from thy presence and control,

nor do we desire to do so.

Our privilege is to be under the agency of thy omnipotence,

righteousness, wisdom, patience, mercy and grace;

For thou art Love with more than parental affection.

We admire thy goodness,

stand in awe of thy power,

abuse ourselves before thy purity.

It is the discovery of thy goodness alone

that can banish our fear

allure us into thy presence,

help us to bewail and confess our sins.

We review our past guilt

and are conscious of present unworthiness.

We bless thee that thy steadfast love and attributes

are essential to our happiness and hope;

Thou hast witnessed to us thy grace and mercy

in the bounties of nature,

in the fullness of thy providence,

in the revelations of Scripture,

in the gift of thy Son,

in the proclamation of the gospel.

Make us willing to be saved in thy own way,

perceiving nothing in ourselves but all in Jesus.

Help us not only to receive him

but to walk in him,

depend upon him,

commune with him,

follow him as dear children,

imperfect, but still pressing forward,

not complaining of labour, but valuing rest,

not murmuring under trials, but thankful for our state.

And by so doing let us silence the ignorance of foolish men.

~Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions 

(p. 215, emphasis mine)

What's on My Nightstand - July

Although summer days are long, they don't leave much time for reading. I carefully select a few books to keep me company when I can no longer bear the heat. Limited time causes me to be more discriminating in my choices, which makes reading more enjoyable and beneficial.

Since last month,

I've completed:

~March (audio). Exquisite prose is the mark of this captivating story. I was hooked from the first pages.

~A Place for Weakness: Preparing Yourself for Suffering (Kindle). Michael Horton's insight on suffering and what it means for the Christian is outstanding.

~Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board.  CJ wanted me to read this with her. An encouraging story, to say the least. Bethany Hamilton is a strong role model for young women.

~The Organized Heart: A Woman's Guide to Conquering Chaos (Kindle) This is a powerful book that is far from the ordinary "how to" organizing fare. Staci Eastin has spoken directly to my heart. While I've done much to improve the organization in my home the past few years, I've learned there are still some heart issues to be addressed.

I've tried:

~The Rural Life. I liked this book. I put it down because it's one that's easy to come back to.  For some reason, I think of it as more of an Autumn read.

I've picked up:


~What Is a Healthy Church Member? (IX Marks).  A short, but impressive read.

~Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. I'm just getting into this one.

I'll soon be starting:

~Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption (Audio). Just waiting for the library to get it to me!

~The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion. I'm pretty sure this one is going to be worth my while.

~The Help. I'm probably one of the last women in the country to read this book. I'm finally going to get around to it.

Visit 5 Minutes for Books to see what others are reading.

Thankful Thursday

This week, I am particularly thankful for:

~The wonderful group of college women in my church family. They are beautiful inside and out, and I've thoroughly enjoyed leading them in Bible study and just hanging out with them.

~Garden bounty and the local farmer's market. Preserving it all requires quite a bit of work, but I know we'll be enjoying it for months to come.

~Air conditioning.  Temperatures here are expected to reach triple digits this week.

~Extended periods of feeling better.  I'm still not 100%, but I have hope that I will be.

Falling

It's been a while since you posted on your blog, my husband remarked.

My posting has been sporadic, at best. Perhaps I'm growing tired of my tiny corner of the internet. Perhaps I'm hiding from guilt of knowing that the life I portray here is more often the woman I want to be rather than who I actually am.  I long to be an authentic worshiper of my Sovereign God, a woman who thinks deeply and loves fiercely.

I fall so terribly short.

I read what other women write, and I am ashamed that I cannot speak with the same knowledge and eloquence. Even my comments are not particularly thoughtful. Words, which have long been my friend, are no longer easily found.

I fall silent.

My hands are occupied with pursuits beyond the keyboard. Turning the pages of a good book. Teaching 5-year olds in Vacation Bible School. Preserving the fruits of our garden labor. Splashing my girl in the pool. Clapping to cheer my man on in softball.

I fall into bed exhausted.

Yet in all this falling, I'm grateful my life is shored up by the One who will never let me fall from His grasp.

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
~Psalm 63:5-8