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 

El Oscuro Rincón

"Heme aquí instalado de nuevo en el oscuro rincón del cual salí por un momento para tener el gusto de estrecharos la mano una vez más, (...) marchar un poco y recordar las agradables aunque inquietas horas de mi antigua vida. Cuando se deja una ciudad por otra, particularmente hoy que todos los grandes centros de población se parecen, apenas se percibe el aislamiento en que nos encontramos, antojándosenos al ver la identidad de los edificios, los trajes y las costumbres, que al volver la primera esquina vamos a hallar la casa a que concurríamos, las personas que estimábamos, las gentes a quienes teníamos costumbres de ver y hablar de continuo."

- Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, Desde mi celda, Carta I

Our Wisdom

"Our wisdom is to know that we can do nothing without the Lord Jesus - with Him, everything that is according to His will." 

- J. N. Darby, Collected Writings 

Beginnings Matter

As I listened to a favourite piece of music I studied my reaction to it and realized that with that specific one the beginning was the part which gave me the goosebumps and took my breath away (literally). Mostly in other songs the middle part is the one where I find all the character, and there are some others where the end is the part that I wait for throughout the piece. But when it comes to beginnings...

Thinking about it, only two pieces came to mind in which the beginning is what I love most about the piece (make sure your volume is turned up!):

Daniel and I went to a Johann Strauss New Year's Concert in Barcelona in 2014, and one of the last pieces they played was The Blue Danube. As I live and breathe today, I tell you that when the lights turned down low and in the expectant silence the first violin notes were heard I got such a lump in my throat I couldn't breathe, and I got goosebumps all over. 

Beginnings matter!

The Power of Prayer

   There is an eye that never sleeps
Beneath the wing of night;
There is an ear that never shuts
When sink the beams of light.

   There is an arm that never tires,
When human strength gives way;
There is a love that never fails,
When earthly loves decay.

   That eye is fixed on seraph throngs;
That arm upholds the sky;
That ear is filled with heavenly songs;
That love is throned on high.

   But there's a power which faith can wield,
When mortal aid is vain,
That eye, that arm, that love to reach,
That listening ear to gain. 

   That power is prayer, which soars on high,
Through (the Lord) Jesus to the throne,
And moves the hand which moves the world
To bring deliverance down.

- Author Unknown

Quote For The Day

"It is the small temptations which undermine integrity unless we watch and pray and never think them too trivial to be resisted"

- Uncle Alec in Rose in Bloom by L. M. Alcott 

"Little Irène" - Mlle Irene Cahen d'Anvers

Little Irene by Pierre Auguste Renoir, 1880. Impressionism.

I've had a small printed picture of this portrait of Mlle Irene Cahen d'Anvers since before I was a teenager. One day my family received a promotional pamphlet of some kind of art magazine subscription, and one of the artists featured was Renoir. I was familiar with his more known works (such as The Piano Lesson, A Girl With A Watering Can, etc.), but had never seen this one, which was one of the three paintings that accompanied the mini-article about Renoir.

The moment my eyes fell on it I was so taken by it that I begged my Mum to allow me to cut it out and keep it for myself. It is a fascinating portrait! The girl's expression, the smoothness of her skin, her incredibly beautiful hair, the detail of the bow... I could look and study this painting for hours if I had the time.

Irène's father, Louis Raphael Cahen d’Anvers, was a wealthy Jewish banker. In 1880 he commissioned Pierre Auguste Renior three portraits, one of each of his daughters. Irène's was the first to be done, but the family didn't like it, and asked Renoir to do a second portrait of the two other girls together (the result was Pink and Blue). That didn't please the parents, either, and after paying Renoir a mere 1,500 francs the portraits were hung in the servants' quarters. That obviously upset Renoir.

The history of this painting is a little complex due to WWII, and accounts differ from one another. However, it is presently exhibited at the Foundation E.G. Bührle in Zurich, and open to the public. What I'd give to see it in real life some day. [smile] For now my little version stands on my cork board and is admired every day.

We Have This Moment Today

Today, as I hung the laundry and sung along in harmony to a song by one of my friends and her family, I have been reminded of what a gift we have in the moment of NOW!

Originally written by Bill Gaither, this song has the capacity of sending thrills down my spine and giving me goose bumps every single time I listen to it. It's a song that challenges you to appreciate the small things of life, to enjoy, live and make the most of the present, because that's what we get - now. Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come.

This is the only decent version I have found on the Internet. There are plenty of others, but they had speeches or they were live. This version does not convey the feeling to me as my friends' version, but it is still sung lovely:



We Have This Moment Today

Hold tight to the sound of the music of living,
Happy songs from the laughter of children at play;
Hold my hand as we run through the sweet fragrant meadows,
Making mem'ries of what was today.

Chorus:
We have this moment to hold in our hands
and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand;
Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come,
But we have this moment today.

Tiny voice that I hear is my little girl calling,
For Daddy to hear just what she has to say;
And my little son running there by the hillside,
May never be quite like today.

Tender words, gentle touch and a good cup of coffee,
And someone who loves me and wants me to stay;
Hold them near while they're here and don't wait for tomorrow
To look back and wish for today. 

Take the blue of the sky and the green of the forest,
And the gold and the brown of the freshly mown hay;
Add the pale shades of spring and the circus of autumn,
And weave you a lovely today.

Do we truly appreciate what we have been given? Do we recognize our happy family moments and small daily details as a gift and enjoy them in the moment?

Happy New Year!

To all and everyone, near and far... happy new 2015 to you and your loved ones!

Late Wanderings

As things start to pile up and it seems like I can't accomplish everything because I lack time - planning for the future, helping Mum around the house, studying, working as a teacher every day, finishing project and starting new ones... the list goes on - there is always some thought or verse or poem that comes to mind and keeps me going on, encouraged once more.

I was just now working on an origami project (more to come on this subject soon). I doggedly folded and pressed and folded again, aware of the fact that it was late and that my head was starting to ache because of my sleepiness. However, I had previously told myself that I was going finish this today. I would have done quite some time ago, but one of the pieces of the project broke because of a weak fold, and so I had to start that part all over again.

My patience was running thin... I was thinking of my warm, comfy bed, of the hot chamomile infusion waiting for me on my bedside table, of reading a couple of chapters of my current book, all before letting the sweet waves of sleepiness submerge me in delightful, restful, peacefully dark oblivion. That much needed sleep.

*Shakes head* That won't do, girl. Not good.

And so the poem came to mind - a favourite of mine, which has walked by me many a late night:

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

-Robert Frost 

And, even though there are many things that are calling me sweetly, I have miles to go before I sleep.

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.

Peace

“Peace … which passeth all understanding.” 

Philippians 4:7

Jehovah, how many are they that trouble me, many they that rise up against me! (...) But thou, Jehovah, art a shield about me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head. With my voice will I call to Jehovah, and he will answer me from the hill of his holiness. I laid me down and slept; I awaked, for Jehovah sustaineth me.

Psalm 3:1,3-5

Does all trouble find your heart so resting on God as your Father, that when it is multiplied, it leaves your spirit at rest, your sleep sweet, lying down sleeping, and rising as if all was peace around you, because you know God is, and disposes of all things? Is He thus between you and your troubles and troublers? And if He is, what can reach you?

 Pilgrim Portions, selected from the Writings, Hymns, Letters, etc., of J. N. Darby

What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who against us?

Romans 8:31 

December 1st

Written on Sunday 1st December 2013:

December is a month I love... it's finally cold, it makes time at home precious and cozy, and yet, when you go out, you get to use hats and scarves!

At the same time you look forward to a new year coming up soon, you can look back to the beautiful one you've lived, yet another blessed one to add to your life, lived and walked with the Lord.

It is such a combination of quiet and awed thankfulness and bubbly excitement! I can imagine my eyes shining with the feeling of both. How perfect life is! 

How do you feel about December?

Where God Is

Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

Deuteronomy 4:39

Where is God? Unbelievers sometimes ask it contemptuously, while believers ask it when overwhelmed by tragedy, trial and sorrow. Where is God? Let the Bible tell you.

God is above His people:  "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."

Psalm 91:1-4

Beneath His people: "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them."

Deuteronomy 33:27

Before His people: "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night."

Exodus 13:21

Behind His people: "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left"

 Isaiah 30:21

Around His people: "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."

Psalm 34:7

With His people: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Isaiah 41:10

"(...) and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Matthew 28:20

And within His people: "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

John 14:23

Be assured that whatever your circumstance God is above, beneath, before, behind, around, with, and within you.

-W. Ross Rainey

Through days of toil when heart doth fail,

God will take care of you. -Civilla D. Martin

For a very long time this November 25th's Daily Reading (I have no idea from what year... 2008-2009 or so, I think) has been kept in my Bible as a reminder of the Lord's care for us and His presence in a believer's life. As an added thought, I penned down back then Acts 17:28, the first part of which says, "For in him we live, and move, and have our being." I read this small piece of paper about a week ago again, and was so very encouraged by it that I told myself I should share it.

I hope it may also be of use and encouragement to any reader that happens to be visiting!

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].

Sonet VII

Sonet read by Marianne to Elinor
in Sense&Sensibility.

Is love a fancy, or a feeling? No.

It is immortal as immaculate Truth, 

'Tis not a blossom shed as soon as youth, 

Drops from the stem of life--for it will grow, 

In barren regions, where no waters flow, 

Nor rays of promise cheats the pensive gloom. 

 - Hartley Coleridge 

On Politeness

For those who don't understand Italian,

A coffee - 3,00€
A coffee, please - 2,00€
Good morning, may I have a coffee, please? - 1,00€

As a friend said, "It pays (literally) to be polite!"

Favourite Lullabies

These are just three. I keep listening to songs and thinking, "When I'm married and expecting, I'll learn this song by heart so that I can sing it to my baby when it's time to sleep!"

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.