It is well with my soul...

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

 Horatio G. Spafford penned this hymn in 1873 after loosing his 4 daughters in a shipwreck. I don't know why I - but I cannot get this hymn out of my head this morning....it is one of my favorites. Life can be very hard, but God is so good. At the end of 2011 - looking forward to 2012 - I must say, "Thank you, Lord, for your tender mercies, for your blessings and watch-care over me." Horatio G. Spafford's life is an example of his love and commitment to the Lord and his compassion for his fellow man. He looked beyond his own suffering and selflessly served others - showing the love of Christ throughout his life. What a great example and inspiration to keep up the fight - to run the race - to persevere through life's struggles and to help who you can along the way.

The Power of Prayer

James 5:16 tells us that there is power is prayer - and I so believe it. Prayer for me is a continual conversation with the Lord.
Tonight I am in prayer for family members - one at the hospital, two on the road....I'm reminded of the nights I would come home from a date or from some late night school event to find my mother on her knees praying for my safety. There were times I had a "close call" while driving and she would be standing in the living room when I walked in asking, "What happened?". This was before cellular phones.....
I'd ask her how she knew and she always said that she'd been impressed to pray for my safety because I was in danger. She'd pray until a peace would fall on her and she'd know I was okay - then she'd wait for me to drive in the driveway. Never underestimate the power of prayer....

It's Just Too Hot...

I planted some sunflowers along my front porch this year. I took this picture of the last surviving plant still struggling to grow in this crazy Texas heat. We've had too many consecutive 100+ days without rain...it's just too hot!

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."  Psalm 121:1-2

I Being In The Way....

Genesis 24:27 is the reference verse for this graphic. It is the story of Abraham's servant sent to find a wife for Isaac. It is a beautiful story of loyalty, faith and trust in the Lord. I love verse 27 - where the servant worships the Lord for leading him to the well and Rebekah. 

"And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren."

It reminds me that my attitude should be, "I being in the way...God used me..." I should remember that every life that touches mine was put there for a reason. I need to open my eyes and look around - see those around me, smile, be kind and ready to encourage. So much of the time I am lost in my own little world, concerned with my own problems and I don't see anything or anyone else. I'm learning that grandchildren are a blessing sent from the Lord to remind me that life is precious and the time we have with those we love is so short...I being in the way....the Lord blessed me.

The Lord's Provision - I need the reminder....

I created this graphic after listening to one of my husbands sermon's on the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath found in I Kings 17: 8-24. It reminds me that the Lord does provide - it may not be the way we want Him to - it may not be easy - it may not be without pain, struggle, sacrifice or sorrow - but He's way is always best for everyone involved....everyone. It's a good reminder for me - I tend to focus on things that are close and very personal. This story reminds me to take a step back, look up and trust that God will provide.

The Wind Blows Where It Pleases....

I love this verse from the Bible, John 3:8. I created this peace for my daughter's graduation announcements a few years back. She loves sailing and nautical navigational wind roses. It seems an appropriate piece to begin my very first blog, "My Blue Tie".

I must give coo does to someone I've never met, but who's work and words have been very significant in inspiring me to go through with this....Mary Carroll, author of "In A Soft Light"  http://www.inasoftlight.blogspot.com/  Wow, what beautiful photography - you must visit her site to appreciate her eye. I found Mary's blog through the magazine "Artful Blogging", you'll see it referenced on Mary's blog. Thank you for your inspiration and keep it up!