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Sunday, June 24, 2012

Homesick for Heaven

by Henry de Fluiter

So dear to my heart is the promise of God,
A home with the pure and blest;
Where earth weary pilgrims, strangers here below,
Will find their eternal rest.

I'm homesick for heaven, seems I cannot wait,
Yearning to enter Zion's pearly gate;
There, never a heartache, never a care,
I long for my home over there.

'Tis Eden, fair Eden, I long to behold,
Where naught can despoil that's fair;
Where saints of all ages, hold communion sweet,
The glories of heaven share.

I'm homesick for heaven, seems I cannot wait,
Yearning to enter Zion's pearly gate;
There, never a heartache, never a care,
I long for my home over there.

But chiefest of all is the thought that enthralls,
That I shall behold my King;
Rejoice in His presence, revel in His grace,
And ever His praises sing.

I'm homesick for heaven, seems I cannot wait,
Yearning to enter Zion's pearly gate;
There, never a heartache, never a care,
I long for my home over there.



Thursday, June 21, 2012

They Come and Go


Seasons
June 21, 2012

bird song
bright flower
green grows all around
soft grass
warm dirt
showers fall on the ground

blue sky
hot sun
wind kicks up the dust
cherries red
lemonade
ice cubes are a must

clouds come
leaves fall
mornings fresh and cold
apples ripe
wet rain
snow is yet foretold

frost forms
blizzard blows
children go and play
snow men
cozy fire
early end of day

they come and go
round and round
for some intended reason
passing by
it never stops:
the turning of the seasons



About One Year Ago...

The Edge
June 19, 2011 

Close to the edge
But not close enough to see
Hard to imagine
What will there be?

I step a little closer
Hesitant to even peek
A knowledge of the other side
Not sure I want to seek

I peer from a safe distance
Into the great unknown
Too blurry, it hurts the eyes
And I turn. I'm not alone.

Twenty-five pairs of eyes
All return my gaze
Look out there; look at each other
As if we're in a daze

We step a little closer
Catch a glimpse of what lies ahead
Expecting to see 26 together
Realizing we'll be apart, instead

A dull ache begins to grow
Excitement, sadness, fear
I quickly shut my eyes
Must not shed the first tear

We think of all the memories --
Of how the Lord, our Guide
Brought us here, once just a class
Now a Family, close and tried

Hand in hand, we look again
Out to the world beyond
A spark has lit within our hearts
In Christ we'll keep this bond

We must not let the spider web
Of not too long ago
Ever break, though time and space
May come between. Do not let go.

And we'll go forth, beyond the edge
To greater heights unknown
We'll trust each other to the Lord
And pray, for it's been shown
That a people, a class who puts Him first
Shall reap a great reward
Though we are sad to leave each other
It's a price we can afford

For God is eagerly waiting
Preparing our home in Heaven
To welcome our Family into His
The Class of 2011


Monday, June 18, 2012

Thoughts After a Year...

I currently have three other posts in draft form...they are coming, I assure you!

Life is crazy busy around here as the year is rolling down. Grad is only in 6 days! Already a whole year since I graduated...

And it makes me think.

What has happened since I graduated?
What have I accomplished?
Where am I now?
Who am I now?

It can be sobering to think back on the first year after your graduation. Sometimes it seems as no time at all has gone by. But almost 365 days have passed. 

Was each day worth it? 

Did I live according to the ideals and goals I had when I walked down the aisle?
Did I continue to seek God as my first and highest passion?
Did I take advantage of every circumstance He provided to bless or to grow,
or were my days characterized 
by missed opportunities?
by victories or defeat? 
by lessons learned?

Did I make a difference? 

Am I different?

All these questions...all these thoughts after a year. The answers are between me and God. 
But I can see that though I have had 
many missed opportunities, 
many apparent defeats,
and many lessons slowly and agonizingly learned—
though I have not always been faithful—

God is faithful. 

He steadfastly led me step by step, 
pausing too often to wait as I became distracted with worries and temptations, 
gently picking me up and dusting me off when I fell, 
and lifting my head once again to focus on the narrow way, 
pointing to the light at the end. 

It fills me with utter gratitude that He is merciful.
And though I am not worthy, He is still using me to bless others.

And He has brought me here. He has made me who I am.

I am confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in [me] will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6


What about you?



Friday, June 1, 2012

Watch His Purpose, Watch His Ways...

WHEN GOD WANTS A MAN
(Anonymous)

When God wants to drill a man and thrill a man and skill a man...
When God wants to mold a man to play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart to create so great and bold a man that all the world shall praise...
Watch His methods;
Watch His ways!

How He ruthlessly perfects whom He royally elects...
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into frail shapes of clay that only God understands. How his tortured heart is crying and he lifts beseeching hands...
How he bends but never breaks when His good he undertakes.
How He uses whom He chooses...with every purpose fuses him;
By every art induces him to try His splendour out...
God knows what He's about!

When God wants to take a man and shake a man and wake a man...
When God wants to make a man to do the future’s will;
He tries with all His skill...
When He yearns with all His soul to create him large and whole...
With what cunning He prepares him...
How He goads and never spares him! How He whets him and He frets him and in poverty begets him...
How often He disappoints whom He sacredly anoints!
With what wisdom He will hide him;
Never minding what betide him...
Though his genius sob with slighting and his pride may not forget;
Bids him struggle harder yet!
Makes him lonely so that only God's high messages shall reach him...
So that He may surely teach him what the hierarchy planned;
And though he may not understand...
Gives him passions to command.
How remorselessly He spurs him...
With terrific ardour stirs him
When He poignantly prefers him.

When God wants to name a man and fame a man and tame a man...
When God wants to shame a man to do His Heavenly best;
When He tries the highest test that His reckoning may bring...
When He wants a [god] or king;
How He reins him and restrains him so his body scarce contains him...
While He fires him and inspires him…
Keeps him yearning, ever burning for that tantalizing goal.
Lures and lacerates his soul...
Sets a challenge for his spirit;
Draws it highest then he's near it!
Makes a jungle that he clear it;
Makes a desert that he fear it...and subdue it, if he can -
So doth God make a man!

Then
To test his spirit's wrath
Throw a mountain in his path;
Puts a bitter choice before him and relentlessly stands o'er him...
Climb or perish, so He says...
But, watch His purpose, watch His ways.
God's plan is wondrous kind - could we understand His mind?
Fools are they who call His blind!

When his feet are torn and bleeding;
Yet his spirit mounts unheeding...
Blazing newer paths and finds;
When the Force that is Divine leaps to challenge every failure,
And His ardour still is sweet -
And love and hope are burning in the presence of defeat!

Lo the crisis, Lo the shouts that would call the leader out...
When the people need salvation doth he rise to lead the nation;
Then doth God show His plan...
And the world has found a man!


GSL: Spring - Filming Days 4 and 5

Here are the next two days of filming Spring for God So Loved the World. They were also our last two days of filming the songs. It was a lot of fun, cold, music, and water!



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