Wednesday, December 31, 2014

I'll Trust In Him by Ira Stanphill

I'd just like to post the lyrics to a favorite song that has meant a lot to me. I pray it will be a blessing to you.

I’ll Trust In Him
Words and Music by Ira Stanphill

Verse 1
Sometimes there’s heartache, sometimes there’s burden
Sometimes there’s sorrow, too hard to bear.
But in the stillness I hear Him whisper,
Just talk it over with me in prayer.
For there’s a balm in Gilead for your sorrow
And there’s an oil of gladness in His hand
And until midnight turns to brightest morrow
I’ll trust in Him tho’ I don’t understand.

Verse 2
Tho’ discontented, tho’ disappointed
Tho’ sad bereavement, may cloud my day,
I’ll still be faithful to Him forever
And keep on walking the narrow way.
He bore the cross and walked the path before me
They pierced His side and nails were in His hand
And until death or rapture I’ll be faithful
And trust in Him tho’ I don’t understand.

Verse 3
Content with Jesus, content He leads us,
Content to follow my Lord each day,
And seeking treasures beyond tomorrow
Denying pleasures for just today.
Tho’ trials make the journey rough and rugged
And teardrops fall this side of Beulah land.
I’ll bear the cross to wear a crown of glory
And trust in Him tho’ I don’t understand.

(c) 1950 by Ira Stanphill
No. 2 Heartwarming Songs—Ira Stanphill and John T. Benson, p.70

Happy New Year!

Has this year been filled with more challenges than ever before? Then that must mean there have been more opportunities than ever before, because whenever we face a new challenge, we have yet one more opportunity to prove God faithful. It’s an opportunity to flex our spiritual muscles and become stronger in our faith. 

The key is where we place our focus—on our circumstances or on our God. “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). The fact is, God is greater than any problem we have. 

It’s not our job to try and figure out the why. It’s our job to trust God. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3). Let’s rest confidently in the peace of God as we face this new year.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Why do bad things happen to good people?

God Is Just Not Fair by Jennifer Rothschild
I was so tired of being blind. I wanted to quit more than I wanted to keep trying.

I desperately needed to know God was enough when my life was a mess.

I questioned everything I had ever believed about God.

I needed real hope because I had real pain and real questions.

I wrote this book because I am not the only one who has felt those feelings. 

When I most wanted to quit, God carried me and showed me how much He cared and that He could do in me and for me what I can't do for myself.

Your pain matters; your questions matter...you matter. Learn more.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Thursday, May 1, 2014

May 1—National Day of Prayer


"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." —2 Chronicles 7:14
www.nationaldayofprayer.org

Friday, February 21, 2014

Do you find yourself slipping back?

Whenever you find yourself slipping back, simply return to the Christian life fundamentals: Prayer. A daily time in God’s Word. Praise and worship. Attending church. Serving a church body. Giving.

You won't always feel like you're having a great day in your Christian walk. The key is to remember we don't walk by feeling; we walk by faith. Make a decision to just keep on doing what you know you need to do. Soon you will feel Jesus' sweet presence again.

Don't be so hard on yourself. God's capacity to forgive is infinitely larger than our capacity to accept his forgiveness. God is FOR you. He's not against you. He loves you far more than a human mind could ever imagine.

For more help, I recommend you read Success and the Christian by A. W. Tozer.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

The Dying Ember

The dying ember
Over the years, I've had people tell me, "I don't need to go to church. I can sit right here in my comfortable chair and have church." How I wish I could somehow get it across to them how much they're missing out!

Many times I listened to my dad give a sermon illustration that explained it better than anything I'd ever heard. Well, I recently ran across the same story Dad used to tell. I share it here with permission from the site where I found it.

A member of a certain church, who had been attending services regularly for quite some time, all of sudden stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to pay the man a visit. It was a very cold evening and when the pastor arrived at the man's home he found him sitting alone before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed the pastor and led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace. The man then sat down in his chair and waited for the pastor to speak. Settling himself in the chair, the pastor said nothing. In silence, he contemplated the flames dancing around the burning logs. Several minutes passed. Then, the pastor took a pair of fire tongs and carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it on one side of the hearth—all alone.

Again, the pastor settled silently in his chair. Without a word, the man watched. Before long, the one lone ember flickered and then with a final momentary glow, the flame went out. Soon the ember lay cold and dead on the hearth. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.

Glancing at his watch, the pastor realized it was time to leave. Slowly he stood up, taking hold of the fire tongs picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

At the door, the host clasped the pastor’s hand. With tears coursing down his cheeks, the host said, "Thank you, thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon! I will be back in church next Sunday."

The only difference is, when Dad told this story, he said the pastor left without a word. Next Sunday, he found the man seated in church.

If you would like to learn more about this topic, I recommend reading The Importance of Church Attendance.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Witness Wristbands Spreading the Good News!


Witness Wristbands How encouraging to hear how a retired missionary continues to spread the Gospel while in her absence!
A few days ago, I heard from a former missionary to Papua New Guinea. Even in her senior years, she tells me she's found a way to continue to spread the Good News throughout the mission field where she served as a Bible translator. 
The nationals love to wear Witness Wristbands that she sends to them. When others ask them what the symbols mean, they are able to tell the story of Jesus and explain how to be saved, showing through each symbol how He came, how He died, how He arose, how He ascended, and how He's coming back. 
She was so happy to find the wristbands on our store and be able to buy them in bulk. What a unique way to spread the Good News!