Heart Choices: 2010-10-17 -->

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TSMSS ~ Lord I Believe in You



I'm so glad it's Then Sings My Soul Saturday when I link up with Amy of Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

Have you ever had a moment when a song ministered to you?

Yesterday, I was driving into town (I used to live in town but now it takes me 45 minutes).  So much has been going on lately and I was just so weary.  I turned on the CD and listened to this song over and over again. 

The Brooklyn Tabernacle choir is awesome!  I've attended church services while in NYC several times and so I had the opportunity to hear them in person.  This song is called "Lord I Believe in You".  I added the lyrics below and some of them are in Spanish.  It's like getting a little a glimpse into the heavenly choir  with people from all tribes and nations.



Lord I Believe in You ~ Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Though I can't see, your Holy Face
And your throne in heaven above,
it seems so far away.
And though I can't touch, can't touch your nail scarred hands,
I have a deep unspeakable joy that makes my faith to stand.

Chorus

Lord I believe in You
I'll always believe in You.
Though I can't see You with my eyes,
Deep in my heart your presence I find.

Lord I believe in you, And I'll keep my trust in you,
Let this whole world, say what they may, no one can take
This joy away, Lord I believe.

Enviado del cielo Eres aquel escojido por Dios
Eres el unico y cierto camino
Hasta su corazón
Moriste en la cruz Resucitaste y hoy vives en mí
Venciste al pecado y la muerte
¡Y ahora soy libre al fin!

Coro
Cristo yo creo en ti Yo siempre creeré en ti
Aunque no puede verte Señor,
Eres real en mi corazón!
Cristo yo creo en ti.
Por siempre creeré en ti.
Aunque se nigue el mundo a creer
No dejaré mi gozo perder Yo creo en ti

Lord I believe

I believe, Chorus
Happy Saturday!

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Faith & Happiness


Jam with the Faith Barista
I'm jamming with Bonnie Gray AKA The Faith Barista and I'm a bit late.  Life has been a bit hectic and uncertain for me but I didn't want to miss out on our topic for this week.

Today’s topic: How Does Your Faith Connect To Your Happiness?

Have I been happy lately?  Well, in all honesty ...NO!

You see life isn't always perfect and lovely and how I would like things to be BUT ...
  • I don't know how I would get by without my faith.
  • My current circumstances are temporary.
  • There are important lessons to be learned in the midst of challenges.
  • I have a joy in my heart as I learn to trust God in all things.
  • When I can't see where I'm going, I'm learning to take His hand and allow Him to lead me.
I was reading from a devotional this morning called "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young.

Listen to this as if Jesus were speaking to you:

Stephanie and Eric: Photo by Tina
"The best response to losses or thwarted hopes is praise: The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord.  Remember that all good things -- your possessions, your family and friends, your health and abilities, your time -- are gifts from Me.  Instead of feeling entitled to all these blessings, respond to them with gratitude.  Be prepared to let go of anything I take from you, but never let go of My hand!"

I love to remember that Hebrews 13:5 says: "...never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

If you'd like to join in this jam session, be sure to link up at the Faith Barista.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Are You Trusting God With Today?


In Other Words Tuesday

I’m hosting In Other Words Tuesday this week.  I choose the quote we get to write about.  It’s a good one or at least I think so. 

Here it is:
“The spirit of complaint is born out of an unwillingness to trust God with today. Like the Israelites, it means you are spending your time looking back toward Egypt or wishing for the future, all the while missing what God is doing right now.”
From: One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer

I choose this quote some time ago. But little did I realize how much I would need to be reminded of this important truth now.

The Israelites were under a yoke of slavery in Egypt and Moses was called to lead them out.  They wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before finally entering in to the Promised Land.  During those 40 years, there was much complaining and looking back at what they left behind.  I guess they forgot they were slaves, right?  But the food had been good and they were bored with manna; morning, noon and night.


I was living right where I wanted to live for almost 12 years.  But circumstances occurred that were beyond my control and I had to leave my 'Egypt'.   I hadn't been a slave and frankly would have loved to stay for many more years.

But now I'm in the wilderness.  This is not where I plan to stay and yet I don't know what the future will be.  And I like to know and plan so it's frustrating to be in this situation. 

The in between time can be so challenging.

How easy it is to complain and look back at what I lost. 

How easy it is to dream of what may be in the future.

But I don't want to miss out on what the Lord is teaching me today.

What am I learning during my wilderness time?
  • God is my strength and my source of hope.
  • God is trustworthy and will never leave me nor forsake me.
  • I really don't need much stuff to be happy and content.
  • I have more of an understanding for others who are going through difficult circumstances.
  • I'm less inclined to judge a situation, especially when I don't know all the facts.
  • I have friends who love me and care for me no matter where I live.
  • I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
I don't want to miss out on anything God has for me today.  So I'm making the choice to trust Him with my today's and tomorrows.  How about you?

I encourage you to take this quote and write about it on your blog.  You are invited to link up here and visit others who are also participating.  I love how we can each write on the same quote and yet have different thoughts about it. 

Blessings and love,

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QuickEdit

Breast Cancer Awareness Month


Breast cancer awareness
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. 

I’m so glad there’s such an awareness as PINK seems to be THE COLOR of the month.  This is good!

paradise bakery breast cancer awarenessparadise bakery

Arizona’s Paradise Bakery is baking special pink sugar cookies and all proceeds go to the Phoenix Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  This is good!

boston proper sparkle tee

Boston Proper has a special PINK t-shirt that they offer to increase awareness.  This is good!

I’ve had many friends and even relatives impacted by this disease.  As many of you know, we have blogging friends who are currently dealing with this horrible disease.

When I was a kid on Long Island, they used to have trucks that drove around our neighborhoods openly spraying bug spray.  Usually, it was during the summer time when the mosquitos were present.  The visible white spray would come out the back.  Kids would ride their bicycles behind the truck for fun!

Can you believe that?

I’ve often wondered if any of those chemicals caused cancer since there seem to be so many impacted.
I lost a wonderful friend several years ago to breast cancer.  Maria and I were friends since high school. 


Maria Debbie

She even spent time with me in Arizona after she'd been diagnosed. 


Maria was with me when I got the dreaded phone call when my mother died.  She was there beside me offering comfort.  Little did I know that she would be gone a little over a year later.

breast cancer lori of internet cafe devotions

I especially loved this graphic that was included in an article written by Lori Macmath on the Internet Café site.  It was called “Just Taking Care of the Temple”.  I recommend you hop over and read it for yourself. 


It's a good reminder and reason why we should pay attention!
So, in case you’re not getting this message loud and clear …get your mammograms and do your monthly breast exams.

Is there anything you are doing to get the word out to raise awareness for breast cancer this month? 



Have you been impacted by this disease or have loved ones who are?

Let’s do all we can to end this disease, OK?!

Blessings and love,
P.S. I experimented with this blog post using Windows Live Writer and I'm still trying to figure out a few things yet, like spacing!
QuickEdit

Seven Questions


I was tagged by Melanie of Mel's Coffee Break

She gave me 7 questions to answer.

So here goes:

1.  What is your life slogan / verse / motto?

  Matthew 5:16 "...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

2.  What one piece of advice would you give to your "younger" self is you could?

Sin is fun 'for a time' but there are consequences.  Instead follow God and don't get sidetracked.

3.  What do you enjoy most about blogging?

That's easy; it's getting to know my blogging friends.  During this season of my life, I've not been able to be out socializing very much.  Having blogging friends has been a joy and an encouragement. And I've even met a few in person.

4.  Do you have any dreams that have been on the back-burner that you still would like to achieve?

I'd love to write a nonfiction book called "Heart Choices" and speak.

5.  What is something new you would like to learn?

I'd love to learn to kayak.  I have good upper body strength so I think I could do this.  Oh and one more ...

I'd also like to learn to speak Norwegian fluently.  I know some but not enough to carry on a conversation.  I use Google translate to communicate with my Norwegian relatives.

6.  What is something about you that we would be surprised to learn?

I'm afraid of heights.  Greg took me skiing on our honeymoon and I freaked out after getting off the ski lift.  I once had to sit on the floor of a gondola because it was windy and we were so high up.  I couldn't look out at the view even though we were in Norway.

7.  If you found $100 bill, (lucky you!) what would you buy?

Right now, I'd give it to someone in need.  I've not been able to do that much lately and I love to help others.  OR maybe I'd get my hair cut?  :)

OK ...so now I have 7 questions to ask the following bloggers (and btw, if you don't like to participate in this that's fine):

1.  Janette of Janette's Sage
2.  Tammi of A Vessel in the Potter's Hand
3.  Amanda of My Secret Garden
4.  Lea of CiCi's Corner
5.  Jocelyn (Godsgalnj) of His Kindness Yet Pursues Me
6.  Sonja of bits and pieces
7.  Cindy of Letters from Midlife

Here are your 7 questions:

1.  If you could travel anywhere with no thought to cost, where would you choose to go?
2.  What song would you choose for someone to sing at  your funeral? 
3.  If you could spend a day with anyone, (dead or alive) who would you choose?
4.  What do you want people to remember you by?  (since I got a bit morbid) 
5.  Are you a early morning person or a night owl?
6.  What is your favorite meal to prepare?
7.  What would a perfect day be like for you?

I'm looking forward to reading your anwers!  And no pressure to post immediately ...

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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