God Will Make A Way

Thursday evening, I had the opportunity to play “God Will Make A Way” on piano for Back To The Bible’s annual talent night. You might be familiar with Dr. Woodrow Kroll’s radio program and ministry. Each year, Dr. Kroll brings a group to Willowbank Hotel for a week of both relaxation and spiritual refreshing. We first met him last year and we were pleased to be able to meet with many of the same people who visited last year.

Sara filmed me playing so I can share it with all of you. Thanks, Sara! And Mom {in the green blouse} came up with me to turn the sheet music. Thanks, Mom!

I hope that all of you are enjoying this wonderful day that God has made!

Blessings!

Be Still

I’ve been wanting to get a video recording of me playing the grand piano in the hotel’s lounge for a while. So I was delighted when Sara agreed to film me this afternoon.

I’ve been working on this song for quite awhile, and I still don’t have it perfect but I thought you might all enjoy it. :)

Here are the lyrics:

Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am God

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.

Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am God

Therefore, we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed
and all the mountains be carried into
the midst of the sea.

~Written & Composed by Nancy Gordon

Summer With A Purpose: Week Nine

Another week, and another SWAP post! Summer has been flying by oh-so-fast! I’m happy that I’ve been able to make these hot summer months, productive too!

This morning I looked at the list of summer goals I set three weeks ago. And I was encouraged to see that I have been making progress! This week I spent a lot of time resting, as per the doctor’s orders. If I do too much activity, my mouth gets sore again so I have to relax a lot…definitely easier said than done for such an active person like me! ;-)

Here’s how I’ve been making progress with each goal:

{1} I decided to organize a knit & crochet-along for a Christian orphanage in Romania. So far I have five participants (including my sister and I!). Hopefully more people will sign up so we can meet our goal and be able to bless these children with warm clothing for the winter. I have four knitted hats completed and ready to be shipped out to the orphanage and Sara might make some scarves to match!

{2} Sorry to admit it but, I haven’t made much headway with the friendship afghan. I haven’t been in the “crocheting” mood lately, if you know what I mean! I’m still trying to slowly ease myself back into a “normal routine” after my surgery two weeks ago. But I’m sure I’ll be knitting and crocheting before long! I’m organizing my yarn today so I can see which yarns would make great squares and maybe find some cool patterns too!

{3} One thing I’ve been doing this week is practicing piano. Playing piano is always fun for me and I’ve been working on some challenging songs this week. This morning, Sara took this video of me playing and singing one of my favorite worship songs, Here I Am To Worship:

{4} I didn’t do much sewing this week. But I did make a new skirt  just a couple of weeks ago and I’m planning my next project –a new handbag! So look out for details and pictures sometime next week!

{5} When I set my new goals three weeks ago, I decided to read at least three more books before the end of summer. Since then, I finished reading both Ships of Mercy and In the Presence of My Enemies. Now I’m reading through Shadow of the Almighty. by Elisabeth Elliot. The book is a biography about her husband, Jim Elliot who was killed as he and 4 other missionaries tried to make contact with a remote South American tribe. He’s life is truly inspiring and I’ve enjoyed reading through it! 

I’ve also been studying the GED test prep book…the work hasn’t been difficult –it’s  just lots of review so I’ve been doing it while resting. 

Even though it seems like I didn’t do much this week, I’ve been making progress toward my goals. I can’t believe there’s just one more week of SWAP! It’s been so much fun being productive this summer and actually get things done!

Did you set some goals for this summer? How are you making progress?

Praying that all of you have a blessed weekend!

Where He Leads Me

A few months ago I came across this song while browsing YouTube's praise and worship songs. It was such a blessing to me, and I feel encouraged whenever I listen to this video. It's one of those songs that just touch your heart and leave you feeling refreshed. I thought to share it with all of you, hopefully you'll find it a blessing too!

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 

~ Psalm 139: 9,10

Will you follow the Savior where He leads you? Will you hear Him when He calls?

*This is a scheduled blog post that I wrote last week. I'm currently on a mini-blog break but I'm still moderating comments so feel free to leave one below! Thanks!*

Press On!

I've been listening to Selah's music on YouTube. I love their music and most of their songs are my favorites!

Here's one song that I listen to a lot:

Press On

When the mountain is steep
when the valley is deep
when the body is weary
when we stumble and fall

When the choices are hard
when we're battered and scarred
when we've spent our resource
when we've given our all

In Jesus name we press on
In Jesus name we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
clear before our eyes
we find the strength to press on!

May we all press on as we seek to know Christ in a deeper way! Hope you all are having a blessed day!

He Is Risen!

Today as we think about Jesus' resurrection, may we be ever grateful for the Gift that God sent to us, for Jesus choosing to die for sinful mankind, and for that bright and glorious morning when our Savior rose from the dead --forever defeating death! Hallelujah!!

Here is one of my favorite worship songs. These are the lyrics and you can listen to on a YouTube video I inserted below.

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

~Stuart Townend

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Blessings!

Have Faith in God

While practicing the piano and playing my favorite hymns, I found this beautiful hymn. I never heard it before but the words are encouraging.  After some practicing, I was able to sing and play it. :-) Click here to listen to me sing and play it on the piano. (You may have to turn up your speakers).

Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely;

He sees and knows all the way you have trod.

Never alone are the least of His children;

Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God; He's on His throne. 

Have faith in God; He watches o'er His own.

He cannot fail! He must prevail!

Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God when your pray'rs are unanswered;

Your earnest plea He will never forget.

Wait on the Lord; trust His Word and be patient.

Have faith in God; He'll answer yet.

Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow;

His heart is touched with your grief and despair.

Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him;

And leave them there, O leave them there.

Have faith in God tho' all else fail about you.
Have faith in God; He provides for His own.

He cannot fail tho' all kingdoms shall perish;

He rules, He reigns upon His throne.

Blessings,

Singing at Willowbank's Talent Night

Last week, Back to the Bible (a Christian ministry led by Dr. Woodrow Kroll) brought a group to Willowbank and there were several evening programs. We were blessed with the opportunity to sing at Wednesday evening's talent night. Although we were given short notice, we were able to learn and sing "Days of Elijah". Everyone enjoyed it and we were glad to be able to bless others with our singing. Mom and the kids sang, I also played piano.

~Sara, Leah, and Jude (Left-Right)~

~Eden & Mom (Left-Right)~

Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power. Psalms 21:13

P.S. If you would like to know more about Back to the Bible's ministry, please visit their website at: http://www.backtothebible.org/