The Lord's Day

A Sabbath well spent brings a week of content, and health for the toils of tomorrow,
but a Sabbath profaned whate’er may be gained is a certain forerunner of sorrow.
-Sir Matthew Hale

Make the Lord’s Day the market for thy soul.
-John Bunyan

There is nothing in which I would recommend you to be more strictly resolute than in keeping the Sabbath holy. I can truly declare that to me the institution of the Sabbath has been invaluable.
-William Wilberforce

Just read this interesting short article, which basically goes along with what I believe concerning the Sabbath, though I'm still learning and thinking about it. I don't know that the verse in Hebrews applies the way they said (if you think so, explain it to me, please!), but otherwise it's pretty good and inspiring.

'Open rebuke is better
Than love carefully concealed.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb,
But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.'
-Proverbs 27:5-7

As hard as criticism can be, sometimes it is necessary, loving, and helpful. Have I finally learned this? Thanks to God, I have experienced some of it this last week, though I'm sure I won't always take rebuke well or listen to sound advice (neither did I take this well in every respect). It is both hard to give and receive reproof.

If you look up the word "rebuke" on someplace like www.biblegateway.com, you will find many references in relation to the wisdom of taking advice, especially in the Proverbs.

I hope I continue to listen, learn, and put into practice what I have heard and learned this week and always! God has been so good to put these people in my life, and to open my eyes to things I had not seen before in His law!

Quotes

Well, I've gotten off my little schedule idea, but that's okay. Maybe I'll get back into it, maybe not.

I've read a few good quotes in The Treasury of David book, lately.

Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me, lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. - Psalm 28:1

(I'm shortening this section. I'd recommend the whole section, if you have the book.)
'Verse 1.--"Unto thee do I cry." Dear reader, in the time of your trouble, do not roam; do not send out your sighs into vacancy; do not let your thoughts wander, as though they were looking for some one on whom to fix; for some one to whom you could tell the story of your heart's need and desolation. Fix your heart as the Psalmist did, and say, 'Unto thee will I cry." . . . Oh! how happy is that man, who feels and knows that when trouble comes, he cannot be bewildered and confused by the stroke, no matter how heavy it may be. Sorrow-stricken he will be, but he has his resource, and he knows it, and will avail himself of it. His is no vague theory of the general sympathy of God for man; his is a knowledge of God, as a personal and feeling God; he says with the Psalmist, "Unto thee will I cry." - Phillip Bennett Power.

'Verse 1.--"My rock. One day a female friend called on the Rev. William Evans, a pious minister in England, and asked how he felt himself. "I am weakness itself," he replied; "but I am on the Rock. I do not experience those transports which some have expressed in the view of death; but my dependence is on the mercy of God in Christ. Here my religion began, and here it must end."'

Feelin' Feminine Challenge - Days 2-6

I guess I missed a day, but here are the ones I took pictures of. I wasn't very creative with hair-styles; just rotated through two or three that I usually do.

Day 2 (blue top from T.J. Maxx, skirt thrifted, shoes from Target):

Day 3 (skirt thrifted, blue top and layering shell ??, shoes given to me, but they're "Earth Shoes"):
Day 4 (at a museum, not the best pic, I know--skirt thrifted, shoes same as day before, lavender top, which has puffed sleeves and a belt from Bealls Outlet or J.C. Penny?, and jacket from Target?):
Day 5 (My mom, sister, and I all dressed in similar outfits for church--without even meaning to! My outfit is from Ross, I believe, and Annie's purple blouse is from T.J. Maxx, her black skirt is from Cato and shoes from Khol's):
Day 6 (dress bought from an online friend, shoes Target, and headband ??--I wore a blue outfit that evening, but didn't get a good picture of it):

Sale at Vision Forum

Looking for an inspiring gift for someone, or something for yourself? There are lots of good books, CDs, and such here which are on clearance from now through tomorrow!

Vision Forum Sale

Feelin' Feminine Challenge - Day 1

If you want to take part, click HERE to read more about it, and both HERE and HERE to link to your blog.

Here's my outfit for the day. I'm not very good at hair-styles, and I usually leave mine down or in a pony-tail, but I'll try to do better in the next few days.

I almost always wear skirts, so that part won't be hard for me, but I wanted to join in and encourage others to participate. Wearing skirts and feminine clothing has been enjoyable for me throughout my life, and perhaps has made me feel more like a lady, too.

Weekly Update & A Quote

This week has been full of blessings, as always. And yet my heart quakes with fear at my own apathy and sin. Yet I believe God is my Savior, truly all the hope I have. May God be gracious to me, a sinner, and renew me in Christ. (And may the Lord bless you all, as well!)

We had a wonderful time with some friends from church this week--Mrs. H. and her daughter. They brought some homemade sauces along to share, and we had a great time talking and learning from one another.

May this verse and quote be encouraging to you, from The Treasury of David on Psalm 27 verse 14. ('Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.')

'Think not that the government is out of Christ's hand, when men are doing many sad things, and giving many heavy blows to the work of God. No, no; men are but his hand; and it is the hand of God that justly and righteously is lying heavy upon his people. Look above men, then; you have not to do with them: there is a turn of matters, just as he pleased to turn his hand.' - Ralph Erskine, 1685-1752

Schumann on Saturday

Here are four short movements from "Scenes from Childhood" by Schumann. Hope you enjoy!

Blind Man's Bluff

Pleading Child

Perfectly Contented

Important Event

Of Long Life and God's Gifts

I just read an interesting article HERE, that might be helpful health-wise. Maybe I should stop eating supper....Of course, true long life (everlasting life!) comes through Jesus Christ. And other things in the Bible are mentioned in connection with long life.

'Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.' - Deuteronomy 5:16

'My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.'
-Proverbs 3:1, 2

Are these speaking of long life on earth, or everlasting life, or both? I really am not sure. Long life on the earth is not the most important, as 1 Kings 3 and Proverbs testify. Wisdom, fear of God, is the principal thing.

'Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.'
-Proverbs 4:7

~~
Today I started a journal for thanksgiving and prayers and answers. Like the song "Count Your Blessings" says, if you count them, it will surprise you what the Lord has done--how much you really are blessed.

Coming Home

Coming Home by Melissa M. (9-18-09)

So many things take our hearts and affections,
Distractions abound.
But nothing fulfills like the Word of God,
His grace will surround.
When wandering to wells deep but broken,
We drink empty foam.
Learning about Jesus, God in the flesh,
Is like coming home.

From Another Sore Fit by Anne Bradstreet

In my distress I sought the Lord 

When naught on earth could comfort give, 

And when my soul these things abhorred,

 Then, Lord, Thou said’st unto me, “Live.”

Thou knowest the sorrows that I felt; 

My plaints and groans were heard of Thee, 

And how in sweat I seemed to melt 

Thou help’st and Thou regardest me.

 

My wasted flesh Thou didst restore, 

My feeble loins didst gird with strength, 

Yea, when I was most low and poor, 

I said I shall praise Thee at length.

 

What shall I render to my God 

For all His bounty showed to me? 

Even for His mercies in His rod, 

Where pity most of all I see.

 

My heart, I wholly give to Thee; 

O make it fruitful, faithful Lord. 

My life shall dedicated be 

To praise in thought, in deed, in word.

 

Thou know’st no life I did require 

Longer than still Thy name to praise, 

Nor ought on earth worthy desire, 

In drawing out these wretched days.

 

Thy name and praise to celebrate, 

O Lord, for aye is my request. 

O grant I do it in this state, 

And then with Thee, which is the best.

 

' “ Therefore I will yet bring charges against you,” says the LORD, “And against your children’s children I will bring charges. For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, Send to Kedar and consider diligently, And see if there has been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit. Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the LORD. “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.' -Jeremiah 2:9-13

(Paintings by Benjamin Leader and James Tissot)