Have I an Object, Lord, Below?

Have I an object, Lord, below

Which would divide my heart with Thee;

Which would divert its even flow

In answer to Thy constancy?

Oh teach me quickly to return,

And cause my heart afresh to burn.

Have I a hope, however dear,

Which would defer Thy coming, Lord!

Which would detain my spirit here

(Where naught can lasting joy afford)?

From it, my Saviour, set me free,

To look, and long, and wait for Thee. 

Be Thou the object bright and fair

To fill and satisfy the heart;

My hope to meet Thee in the air,

And nevermore from Thee to part:

That I may undistracted be

To follow, serve and wait for Thee.

I have recently come to the conclusion that I lack a lot when it comes to memorization and storing away in my mind. I became aware of that when, as I sang to Bia through the day and its tasks, I saw that my repertoire was very limited.

Therefore I have made it a personal project to memorize hymns and verses. I do a considerable amount of work in the kitchen, and as there are kitchen cupboards on the walls, I got a clothes hanger with clips, snapped the hymnbook in and hung the improvisation from the cupboards' handles. Now, as I wash the dishes or cook, I work on memorizing whatever is hanging by either singing it or reciting it to Baby as she sits in her chair. So far I've learnt "Great is Thy Faithfulness". Now I am working on this one, which, as an  added thought, is one of my very favourite hymns. So beautiful! 

Next will be "How Great Thou Art"

Thought on Two Verses in Luke 11

"And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

"But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."

Luke 11:27-28 

"The spiritual link formed by the Word is more intimate and enduring than any link formed in the flesh."

F. B. Hole, New Testament Commentary on Luke chapter 11 

What I Know

'Tis what I know of Thee, my Lord and God,

That fills my soul with peace, my lips with song;

Thou art my health, my joy, my staff, my rod;

Leaning on Thee, in weakness I am strong.

- H. Boner 

It Is Well With My Soul

This hymn is a favourite of mine, mainly because of what it says. The lyrics are very beautiful and full of meaning as to the right attitude towards life. In all things we should rest in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father watches over us and that

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.

Seashells and Thoughts

On Friday we took advantage of the beautiful weather and drove to the beach for a walk with my dear Aunt, who is visiting us from England. While there I had time to think, and once home I wrote down the summary of my thoughts.

Excerpt from my book:

I used that opportunity to check for seashells for a project I have in mind. It is quite difficult and discouraging during this time of the year because I need a very specific type, size and shape of seashell, and there aren't that many around (perhaps I found three that met the conditions). (...) 

As I was searching among the piles and groups of shells, I saw several broken ones to which I didn't glance a second time. I was alone, a bit behind the rest of the group, so I had time to think. As I searched and checked for good samples, I realized that during my long "career" as a seashell collector, I had always discarded those shells which were broken or had some imperfection (unless that added to its "interestingness", which was seldom). Immediately I thought of that verse in Isaiah 42:3, the first part of which runs, 

"A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench."

I was so thankful that moment for the Lord's mercy, for God's love and care towards me in spite of my brokenness and utter imperfection! If He were to follow that other attitude, who would yet live? For "there is none that doeth good, no, not one"! (Psalm 14:3, second part). But praises be to the Father who loved us enough as to send His only Son, who, "by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:14). We may be broken, full of flaws and sin, but through our Lord's sacrifice we are made perfect!

What love!!! 

I just thought I would share that part of my journal with you... [smile].

God of Wonders

"When I see thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and stars, which thou hast established; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"

Psalm 8:3-4

Every time I watch this documentary on God's wonderful creation and how He reveals himself in everything that surrounds us I am awed, amazed, intimidated, overwhelmed at how incredibly incredible He is. He is so out of our human understanding! Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Even so, God still loves us and cherishes our love! He provided a way through our Lord Jesus so that we could have a personal relationship with Him! What a wonderful thought!
Click HERE for more information about the documentary.

Candles

"Jesus bids us shine with a pure clear light, like a little candle burning in the night! In this world of darkness we must shine, you in your small corner, and I in mine!"

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16

Your Servant Loves It

"Your word is very pure; therefore your servant loves it."

Psalm 119:140

When school started I started a habit which I am very thankful for. We have more or less a half an hour of drive to where I go to shcool, and during that time I always read some Psalms, as many as I can fit into a half an hour of thinking about what I'm reading and pondering on the chapters I read. I find that when someone's in need, especially emotionally (in my situation, in any case), the Psalms are very good and bring plenty of comfort.

I kicked off with Psalm 119, which speaks about God's words and His commandments. I loved the way David continually talks about the delight he finds in God's word, the pleasure he finds in keeping His commandments! It was very encouraging.

As the days passed on I finished reading chapter 119, and went on reading. In the mornings I usually pray, among other things, for God to give me strength to live through that day and overcome any challenge that comes my way. It is incredible the way He's answered me up until now... that is, through a verse from one of the Psalms I will have read on a certain day. On that day I would read some chapters in Psalms, and a certain verse would stand out to me with a promise or an encouragement, and I would cling to that verse the whole day, repeating it to myself and thinking it over in my head whenever I felt I was lacking enough strength, joy or even perseverence.

I am weak, but He is strong. Through His strength I am strong.

All this story comes from wanting to share with whoever reads this blog today's verse. I was discouraged today, because I am sick. When I'm physically weak, it is even easier for me to be emotionally weak, and so this morning I started worrying about today. When my Mum drove us to school, I started reading in the Psalms. How wonderful it was to read this verse!

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."

Psalm 139:14

He created me. He knows me better than anyone else in this world. He knows my weaknesses and my strengths. He knows my needs even before I come to know them. He prepares whatever it is I will need before I come to need it. His works are marvelous, incredible, amazing, out of my understanding. I most definitely know that, and for that, I will praise Him! How thankful I was today when I thought about this verse, and I can assure you it helped me through the never-ending six hours of school this morning.

Mountains

As I was going through some pictures I took last summer on Friday night, I found these mountain photos from a family meeting we had in late August. For some reason I thought about that Psalm which says "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork." (Psalm 19:1), and started wondering about how many verses in the Psalms mention the mountains in such a way. Therefore I started searching. It was an encouragement to me (Friday was a tough day!), and thought I would share the pictures and the verses with you.

"Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep;" Psalm 36:6

"(He) who established the mountains by His strength, being clothed with power" Psalm 56:6 

"As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever." Psalm 125:2

Isn't creation beautiful?

Deuteronomy 10:21

"He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen."

Deuteronomy 10:21

Cada Momento

"En mis angustias me ayudas, Jesús,

Sobre mi alma derramas tu luz;

Todos los días consuelo me das,

Cada momento conmigo Tú estás.

Cada momento me guardas, Señor,

Cada momento en tu gracia y tu amor;

Vida abundante yo tengo en Ti,

Cada momento Tú vives en mí.

¡Cristo, mi roca, mi libertador!

Tú eres mi escudo, mi gran defensor;

En mi conflicto yo te miraré

Cada momento, y salvado seré."

- Cada momento, 1, coro y 4

Dudo mucho que leas esto... pero me ha hecho pensar en ti. ♥

Mysteries

The misteries of serving a God like Him...

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" 

Isaiah 55:8-9

Have you ever wondered why on earth something happened to you, or why did you meet such and such a person, or... something you don't understand why it happened?

One of my favourite quotes runs...:

"We're not always meant to understand"

Clark Davis, Love's Abiding Joy

Today I marvel at how God works in my life. He is definitely the most awesome God! I'm so glad He chose me as one of His daughters! ♥

Ponderings

Yesterday night I couldn't sleep. It was half past twelve a.m. and I kept tossing and turning in my bed.
So I climbed down my top bunkbed and decided to read the Bible for a while, because there was something I'd read in prayer meeting I wanted to check.
We had read 2 Peter, chapter 1. These are the parts that were highlighted:

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Verses 5 to 8

Then I continued reading on my own, and read, 

"But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins" 

Verse 9

And I started to think... and realised I have to work on that, because, more than anything, I know I lack in perseverance (although it would make it clearer if I said that it's translated as "patience" in the Spanish version). But that wasn't the point I wanted to make. What really stood out to me were the following verses:

"So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things."

Verses 12 to 15

The last verse stood out to me especially, and later that night, while I couldn't sleep, I opened the Bible again to that verse, and thought for a while.

I wondered if Peter had any idea of the way we would be reminded of his words... If he had any idea of how we would always remember these things, the things he had written, such a long time after his departure from this world.

And I marveled at God's awesomeness because, after such a long time (Peter wrote that about 2000 years ago), after so many persecutions and after all that Christianity has suffered... we still have a Bible in our hands, with true words spoken and written years and years ago.

Blastocystis Hominis

The Blastocystis Hominis is a single-celled parasite that attacks human's intestinal tract. The symptoms can be many, and varied, including fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea...
Eleven years ago, about two years after my brother was born, my Mother started having serious dygestion problems. She felt very ill whenever she ate certain things, and after a while, the doctors decided the problem was that she had a "lazy digestion".
She also noticed that whenever she ate milk or eggs, it made her feel even more worse, so she cut it out from her diet. After that, it seemed like she was getting better.
Five years ago, the symptoms came back and she started feeling ill again. Also, my sister appeared to have the same problem, and she, too, started to follow my Mother's diet.
At that time the doctors decided to try with Mamma a gastroscopy; they found an inflamation in her stomach, but said it was "nothing". A little later, she had a barium meal test, and nothing new was found.
By that time, they decided to cut out meat from their diet too. Then, three years ago, after severe ear infections, our uncle and her brother advised her to "give up calcium". That meant, besides milk and eggs and all that contained them, some vegetables, various meats (because of their many additives), all dried fruit, as well as some fresh fruit, citrics, and many, many other things. Mamma also started drinking special calcium-free water.
Till then, she'd visited 7 different digestion specialists, who all came to the conclusion that she needed a psychiatrist.
Then, it happened. A little more than two years ago, I started having stomach problems also, when I ate some things. I either doubled up with a terrible pain in my tummy, or I threw up what I had eaten. At first we were a little lost, but after some time, my Mother realised that I was having the same symptoms as she had. So it was decided that I was to follow the same diet, and eventually, I felt better.
This event also drove us to think that it might be something hereditary, because my Granny had, apparently, had the same problems we were having.
After cutting out the calcium in our diet, we started feeling better, but after a while, we got our problems again and got worse. Not even calcium free food felt better, and even drinking water hurt me.
At the beggining of last September, my Mummy made an apointment with a new digestion specialist from Argentina, who after a talk, decided to do a test for a parasite. He was specialised in tropical infections, and his very words were, "This sounds so much like a parasite!" So once the tests were done, we had to wait a month for the results. To me, it felt like an endless wait.
But the day came, and after a very bad day at school, I went home to a hurrying Mummy, who said, "Hurry up and eat your lunch, dear. I have to go to the hospital for the test results!"
Mamma went on her own, and I went to my homework. But when she came back, you can believe me when I say I rushed down the stairs and almost shouted, "So what did he say?¿?"
Mamma hugged me and said, "We're going to get better! We have a parasite!"
And we started to cry. What a great answer to our prayers! Yes, I can say that this illness was hard for me, because I enjoyed eating all the things I couldn't. And I also enjoyed staying up late, and I couldn't. I enjoyed being crazy and running, and swimming, and I couldn't. At first I had rebelled and was stubbornly determined that I wouldn't let this... problem, condition my life, and I had a hard time accepting it as part of God's plan for me... but...
Right now, and after the treatement, my Mummy and I are starting to eat normally, and gaining all the weight we had lost, as well as our strength. I am enjoying every bite of whatever I eat, and many friends say that they'll invite me to a drink such as horchata or milk&chocolate.
I am so grateful to God for answering my prayers on this matter, and for all the strength and help He gave me these past two years.
And I am sure, my friends, that God sent this illness my way so I would learn patience... and I'm not jokin.

Those Two Reviews

I mentioned before two reviews I had written on some books I had read, and said that I would post them here. So here you go!

The Stonwycke Trilogy by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella (The Heather Hills of Stonewycke, Flight From Stonwycke and The Lady of Stonewycke)
As a started, I must say that it's a good thing that I had the whole trilogy to read instead of only one book, or even two. The three books are so attached it would be near to impossible to read only one of them. Except for the last book (obviously), all books finish abruptly, leaving you in a terribly intriguing way with the ended book in your hands.
On the other hand, you wouldn't even have to finish the book to be intrigued. Chapters would often finish leaving you to wonder what was going to happen, and when you continued with the next chapter, this one would start with a totally different subject that kept you reading till the end to know what happened after the last chapter.
Let's say that these books were written to be read from start to end.
I have enjoyed reading these books, but I noticed a couple of things that weren't to my taste: one was that the author made the hero/heroine go through every trouble, disgrace and problem that could be dreamed up. It wasn't like that something happened and the he/she had to face and solve it. No, everything bad happened; it was even exaggerated, and it drove me up the wall the way all the nasty things piled on them.
Truth be said, though, that I really live books and spent half the time crying, so maybe it's just my way of seeing things.
Another thing I didn't altogether like was the speed with which everything gets solved. Meaning, there have been all these problems and disgraces that are actually the whole content of the three books, and then in the third and last one everything gets solved in just a few pages. No development of what happens when they actually solve everything. Only one scene is properly described to my taste on this subject.
There are many things in the books that I did enjoy, though. One thing that really caught my attention was the way forgiveness was pictured in the Trilogy. In all three books there is a part where one main character turns to God for forgiveness, and after some time learns to forgive those who have caused his/her grief, and even has to learn to forgive himself. It really made me ponder about the play forgiveness took on these books, and I did finally see that once we are forgiven, we are saved, but if we also learn to forgive we find His peace. With hate and bitterness against someone in our hearts we aren't capable to enjoy His love in its full measure.
A beautiful lesson can be learnt from these books.
And of course... I couldn't miss it... I find that I must mention the love story that takes part in the plot... a story of unconditional love, a patient love, a love that waits for ever. A love that protects and believes. (Spoiler) Even after nearly thirty years of believing each other dead, they still cling to their love for each other, and when they finally find out that both are alive, they have their reward for their patience and trust in God.
I can say nothing more that wouldn't spoil the story for those who want to read it... but all in all, I recommend the read of these books. Out of five starts, I'd give three and a half.

Dana's Valley by Janette Oke
This book was extremely emotional. My parents gave me permission to stay up late one night, and I settled down with the book at about half past ten p.m. At about half past one or quarter to two a.m. I had finished reading it, and had cried all through the book. Really, it was a very challenging book to keep on reading, and heart-breaking.
Dana was a young teenager who was suddenly diagnosed with leukaemia (I say suddenly because they had told her first that she had lupus, a common yet dangerous illness in teenage girls). She was one of four in a Christian family, but even in a book, it was ripping to read about the kids' struggles and pains as the family battles along with Dana during her illness.
Dana's patience and growing faith was astonishing, but also a big contrast to Erin (the main character) and her wavering and weakening faith as her world and dreams crumple around her because of her sister's illness, and to Brett's own situation as he struggles along his late teen years without his parents' attention; consequently, both turn away from God's ways and refuse to believe Him in control of the situation.
Corey was the only one who somewhat kept everyone going on with his childlike view of the situation and six-year-old faith, diligently praying every day.
Janette Oke's writing really is to my pleasing. I really like the way in which this book finished, and the way she developed the end. How Erin talked to her Mother and Father, how she thought about her relationship with her Christian friends, especially Graham's, the pastor's son, and how Dana served to her as an example to turn again to God for help and comfort and starts praying again; how Brett considered his situation and his friends (he had gotten into skateboarding and had not very good friends from the skate-park), how he had gone to live on his own after leaving High School, how he thought about his role as the older brother of a dying girl; the end of this book really pleased me, though I cried all the more when it ended because of Dana's death.
When I closed the book after finishing it, I couldn't help but close my eyes and pray. This book was a challenge, but yet it was beautiful to read. The way God mends souls! He is far so much greater than what we can imagine Him to be.
I also recommend this book!

First Things First

Before starting to get updated on your blogs and start commenting, I would like to share with you all some verses I read this morning in our family Bible Study on Proverbs. Thinking too about Lauren Ann...

"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If though seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."

Proverbs 2:1-6

This passage helped me in two ways: one way was in the upcoming start of school. I know it is not meant for worldly wisdom, it says so in the passage, "Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.", but it helped me all the same because it proved to me that God can help me and give me strength in my struggles to understand Physics and Chemistry, and furthermore, that He will help me.
The second way was that it gave me hunger to know more of this awesome God I follow. It encouraged me to read more my Bible, to study more intently His word, to pray more and talk to Him continually. It gives me peace. HE gives me peace. And in this peace I pray for Him to bless you all daily. Your welcome warmed my heart and I am so thankful to all of you for making blogging worth it!

The Heavens Declare The Glory Of God

Well, people, here are the pictures I promised! I took these after the storm, but it was more or less the same during the storm.

Yellow clouds of an electric storm... such cracks after huge lightning!

It was awesome because during the whole storm the other end of the valley kept clear and we had such a beautiful sunset.

More stormy clouds...

I really enjoy storms, they give such a feeling of... activity!

The Excellence Of Wisdom

"But where shall wisdom be found?, and where is the place of understanding?
"Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.
"The depth saith, It is not in me; and the sea saith, It is not with me.
"It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
"It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
"The gold and the crystal cannot equal it; and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.
"No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls; for the price of wisdom is above rubies.
"The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shal it be valued with pure gold.
"Whence then cometh wisdom?, and where is the place of understanding?"

"God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof."

Job 28:12-20, 23

Ours...

"I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."

John 20:17

What privilege and joy it is that, through His grace, we are able to call Him our Father, our God!

Some Verses

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Romans 8:26

If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Romans 8:32

It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Romans 8:34

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulations, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 8:35

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angles nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
Nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

While I was reading this chapter in Romans, these verses called my attention especially, and made me think a lot. I hope they are a blessing to all of you as they were to me.