Spring has Sprung

Shades of green in leaves and grass.
Budding and blooming flowers.
Spring rains to wash away the filth of the earth and turn over leaves for new life.

I have enjoyed watching the Spring season take full bloom in the last few week- signs of new life! :)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. {John 5:24}

Do you have life in Him? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and you too can have a new life in Him.

For those who have life in Him: Pray with me for the many gospel outreaches going on around the world that there will be blessing of restoration and salvation- new lives.

I am not skilled to understand

While this song has been in the Believer's Hymn Book (#251) originally written by Dorothy Greenwell- 1873, I have never heard it sung before. However, this song has been on the radio frequently on my trips to and from school. Leaving all of the music aside, the lyrics have been particularly significant to me.
The song begins:

I am not skilled to understand

What God has willed, what God has planned

I only know at His right hand

Stands one who is my Savior

I take Him at His word and deed

"Christ died for sinners"; this I read

And in my heart I find a need

Of Him to be my Savior

To listen to a music recording by Aaron Shust and for the full lyrics: 

Video link

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. {Romans 8:28}

What's buzzin... Sunday School Treat

Black, white, and yellow... and bees

The theme of this year's treat for the Sunday School treat

Games were a hit. 

Food was abundant. 

Lesson was good. 

Prizes brought the concluding smiles! :)

The following are some of the pictures from the event: 

*NOTE: If you would like picture(s) in the original size or want a picture from a particular part of the day I did not post all of the pictures, so I will try my best to get you whatever pictures you would like to have. Also- if there is something you would like removed- just let me know*

The centerpieces turned prizes for the ladies attending :)

Yes- even black, white, & yellow M&Ms to enjoy!

The welcoming sign!

 The day happened to be on Sarah's birthday- her sisters did a very cute cake that fit right in!! 

Happy Bee-day!

While the older kids started off the day with some soccer outside...

The little ones were chaperoned by Suzy to inside ball activities!

 

 The aunt showing the nephew how it is done

Soccer... Omaha style led by Danny showing them how it should be done!

The busy bees getting the food ready: hamburgers, brats, & hotdogs- oh my!

And the hanging colored decorations! :)

 The games Part II: 

Thanks to David for his great work on the games!

 Relays #1- 2 legged races

 Partners in crime: skirts in their pockets to dominate the race :)

Relay #2: 2 legged race while kicking a soccer ball

 Danny giving his teammates some encouragement before the race starts-- cheaters cough cough

Winners of the relay races 1 & 2 :)

 The winning team's bag... and they were proud of it

 Relay #3: Jump rope relay across the parking lot

 Game 4: Scavenger hunt

Suzy's team's way of carrying all the items (skirt)

 Maria & Michael's team transportation for their items (sled & wheelchair)

Lesson given by Conductor (Grandpa) Jesse & Engineer Tim! :)

Thanks for the message... both children and adults were captivated and listening... train, whistle and all!

 The prizes awaited tempting the children throughout the day! :)

The regular Sunday School students receiving their hard-earned prizes.

The yellow bags were also awarded to any child in attendance! :)

The yellow soap... well there were some ladies who were awarded with them and the plants for their attendance!

A final picture capturing much of the crowd.

It was a great day- thanks to everyone for pitching in to help make the day a success! 

Thank you to David and (Mom) Beth for you diligence and faithfulness to the students in teaching them the truths of the Bible. Your hard work will be rewarded one day soon. 

Off to catch some ZZZs after a buzzzzy day, 

-Amanda :)

When you have a few moments, please take the time to watch this short, yet convicting video from Bravehearted thots. 

What am I doing for Him today?

Am I willing to give up the comforts of life to serve [my] King? (E. Ludy)

Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: 

for consider how great things he hath done for you. {1 Samuel 12:24}

May you enjoy the lyrics and I have been this evening-

The Power of the Cross

Keith and Kristyn Getty

 

This, the pow'r of the cross:

Christ became sin for us;

Took the blame, bore the wrath-

We stand forgiven at the cross.

---

This, the pow'r of the cross:

Son of God- slain for us;

What a love! What a cost!

We stand forgiven at the cross. 

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. {Romans 5: 8-11}

I am taking a break from blogging for a short while to catch up on some things that need tending too.


I'll leave you with this verse that I was enjoying this morning:

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

{2 Timothy 1:7}

I hope that this verse will be as helpful to you today, as it has been to me. 

Amazing love

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour's blood?
Dies He for me who caused His pain?
For me who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

'Tis mystery all: th'Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father's throne above
So free, so infinite His grace--
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race:
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray--
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

{words: charles wesley, 1738}

{music: thomas campbell,  1825}

no fear in love

There is no fear in love,
but perfect love casteth out fear:
because fear hath torment.
He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
-1 John 4:18-

The LORD did not set his love upon you... 

because ye were more in number than any people... 

But because the LORD loved you. 

{Deuteronomy 7:7-8}

God loved Israel simply because he loved them. Nothing past or present is good in me that would be deserving of God's mercy, but He love me in spite of everything I have ever done and all my sin. He loved me so much that he sent his only Son to die for me- what an amazing love!

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us.

I John 3:16

From Choice Gleanings 2012
"Love is powerful. It is attractive. Everyone longs for it. Yet for all the attention it is given, defining love is difficult. But when our definitions fail, God points is to the personification of love, Christ laid down His life for us. .. Take a moment and by faith perceive again that scene at Calvary. Refresh yourself with a view of love in its purest distillation." S. McEachern

To Calvary, Lord, in Spirit now our grateful souls repair;
To dwell upon Thy dying love, and taste its sweetness there. (E. Denny)

1 John 4

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

No man hath seen God at any time. 

If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

{1 John 4:11-12}

What. love! 

Amados, si Dios nos amado así, debemos también nosotros amarnos unos a otros. 

Nadie ha visto jamás a Dios. 

Si nos amamos unos a otros, Dios permanece en nosotros,

 y su amor se ha perfeccionado en nosotros. 

{I Juan 4:11-12}

Love through me, Love of God

Love through me, Love of God;

There is no love in me. 

O Fire of love, light Thou the love

That burns perpetually. 

Flow through me, Peace of God;

Calm River, flow until

No wind can blow, no current stir

A ripple of self-will. 

Shine through me, Joy of God; 

Make me like Thy clear air

That Thou dost pour Thy colors through, 

As though it were not there. 

O blessed Love of God,

That all may taste and see

How good Thou art, once more I pray:

Love through me--even me.

{amy carmichael}

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
{1 John 3:1}

Christ died for us

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

{Romans 5:8}

Do you know your sins forgiven and that you are on the way to heaven? God loved the world so much that He sent His ONLY Son into the world to died for us. There is no love and truth greater than this assurance. 

Greater love hath no man than this

{John 15: 9-14}

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

He loves me anyway

I am the thorn in Your crown,
But you love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow,
But you love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist,
But you love me anyway
I am Judas' kiss,
But you love me anyway

See I am the man who yellow out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking ground
Yes, then I turned away with this smile on my face,
With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace
Yes, then alone in the night,
I still call out to You,
So ashamed of my life,
But You love me anyway... O God, how You love me
Yes, You love me.

Sidewalk Prophets- You Love Me Anyway video link

What a great God we have- One who despite all that we have done still loves us. To Him I give thanks. 

For God is LOVE {1 John 4:8}

Valentines Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! 

<3

*an e-card for you*

Dayspring card

I hope you have a wonderful Valentines Day and that you will remember the One who first loved you! :)

He who loved me

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

{Galatians 2:20}

*I can't help it... the trees were nothing but beautiful with the covering of snow on the branches!*

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. 

{Psalm  63:3}


*a glimpse of the beauty of last week's snow*

God commended his love

But God commendeth his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Do you know your sins forgiven and that you on the way to heaven? It is a blessed hope and knowing that Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins, without a cost from us! :)