In The Valley

If you are in a valley of suffering right now, whether it be physical, spiritual, financial, emotional or any other struggle please know there is One who understands and desires to be with you.
I know of so many dear ones who are fighting for their lives from cancer and it would seem not a day goes by when you don't hear about someone losing their home or a loved one. My heart is burdened to pray for those in need. As I walked today, I listened to the following song and thought how relevant it is today although it was taken from a book of Puritan Prayers decades ago.
May it be a healing balm to your heart this day.

When You lead me to the valley of vision
I can see You in the heights
And though my humbling wouldn't be my decision
It's here Your glory shines so bright
So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown
To be low is to be high
That the valley's where You make me more like Christ.

Let me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You're near with every breath
In the valley

In the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that I go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light
So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the valley's where Your power is revealed.

Sovereign Grace Praise

For those without Hope, without any certainty, know that He is near to all who call upon Him.
He is Faithful and will not let you down.
Please let me know if you need prayer.
Because He first loved us, Noreen

Ouch

Sunday afternoon our little Faith, age 4, was playing horse with her dad and two big brothers. I got a phone call a bit later that Faith had fallen off the horse and landed on her arm, thus necessitating a trip to Urgent Care. She had now joined the ranks of her two brothers with trips to the E.R. and is wearing a neon hot pink cast. Initially, a soft cast was put on her arm until she could get to the specialists today. She is doing well and adjusting to this big bulky thing on her arm. She broke her bone right above the elbow; we are praying that it heals without a need for pins. What a trooper she is and I think she has earned a badge of courage.

Hugs to you, Noreen

Happy Monday Friends~ I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I got most of the baby quilt top done and just have to add on one more border today and then begin to sandwich it...yippee.
I am not a big fan of watching sports on t.v. Never have been but yesterday we watched the Super Bowl. All I can say is "What about those Saints"....what a game and I actually enjoyed watching it.
Part of the reason I watched the entire game is that my dear sil asked us to fill out a research questionnaire on the ads and of course we would do anything for her. So I loved the game but was so disappointed in this years ads. In the past I've loved the Coke ads as well as the Bud ads-not for the beverage but because they always have done such touching ads. This year there was only one Bud ad that I said "ahh" to and the coke ads weren't much better. So all in all I think the advertisers dropped the ball this year. The half time show was a disappointment as well. Somehow watching grandpas act like they did 30 yrs ago doesn't seem to appealing to me.
Having said all this I was very excited for the Saints though-their city needs encouragement after all they've been through since Katrina.
Have a wonderful day today and stay warm. We've got snow on the ground and hopefully no more will fall today.
Hugs, Noreen

No More Going Through The Motions

Happy Friday to you all. Yesterday we had a dusting of snow but today is clear with promises of sunshine and warmth. As I was driving yesterday one of my all time favorite contemporary songs came on the radio and I ended up singing it all day including last night as I drifted off to sleep. I'm sure those drivers around me wondered about the lady rocking out in her car and singing...I'm sure I make quite the site. You know I just love to sing and worship so often when I'm alone in the car you'll find me singing very loud(usually the windows are rolled up)because even though I sang in a coffee house in high school I'm not very good. Amazing what youth will do to a person and what maturity does. Today's song isn't a light fun song but one that is heart felt and with all that is going on in the world this sums up my desires most. I tried to find it on playlist so I could add it to my songs in case you haven't heard it but sadly they didn't have it; if you have a newer computer just google it and then listen to it.

No More Going Through The Motions by Matthew West

The Motions
This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)
take me all the way ('cause I don't wanna go through the motions)
take me all the way (I know I'm finally feeling something real)
take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)
take me all the way (I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go)
take me all the way (through the motions)
take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions.

Have a blessed weekend friends!
Hugs, Noreen

Just wanted to let you all know that the vet visit with our old guy turned out informative and helpful. Actually, it wasn't as bad as I feared; it would seem that dogs can get IBS or irritated intestines which causes other problems. I really appreciate our vet how understands financial constraints and respects our decisions. We came home with pro-biotics and antibiotics for our Reggie; this will get him back on the mend quickly. He has always been a nervous dog and sensitive to food and stress which are two things that can cause these problems. Hopefully he will turn around totally within a day or two. Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

Good morning friends~ It's Wednesday already and I was thinking about the assembling together with other believers and what a rich time one can have, whether in a church service, bible study or just having a good time together. This past weekend some friends came up for dinner and games. We had such a good time with them, we always do. Then yesterday morning our ladies group took another sweet friend out to breakfast for her birthday. Can you believe that out of four other gals there, three of us got her flowers to enjoy now and plant later. I guess we are all missing warmer weather and longing for spring. Our friend, the birthday girl, is also battling invasive breast cancer so we were able to just love on her and have lots of fun. It is so important to women to have time with other gals-to build each other up and encourage one another. I truly believe that is why the Word tells us not to forsake coming together. Today we are making another trip to the vet, our little guy hasn't been the same since he got his flu shot last week. Unfortunately, the kennel we board at requires this now. I'm beginning to wonder if all the cancer in our pets is partially due to immunizations and I know of one vet in Ca. who believes this. Hopefully, our guy will be back to normal today and it won't be any bad news.
Have a joyous day, stay warm inside and out.
Smiles, Noreen

From The Library

Happy Monday All~Oh what a glorious day it is; to be alive in a time such as this and what hope we have in Jesus. When I was a young christian, a friend had an incredible home library and I was able to read so many christian classics by such greats as Amy Carmichael, Corrie ten Boom, Hannah Hurnard and biographies of great men and women of faith. These books influenced my faith and strengthened me. Last week when I was at my oldest daughter's house, I borrowed a book that I hadn't read on Corrie ten Boom entitled "NOT I, BUT CHRIST". Most of the chapters were taken from Corrie's radio messages from the late 1960's. For those of you who may not know who Corrie is, she was a prisoner in Revensbruck concentration camp run by Hitler's army. The horror that she lived through was beyond what many of us know or will ever experience but she, through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Spirit, was able to forgive one of the guards from the camp. This book so reflects Corrie's great love for God and His being Victor over all.
I am not quite through half of this book but it is so refreshing and helps one to really put things in perspective. If you haven't read any of her books, a good place to start would be Tramp For The Lord and I'm sure most library's have it.
It is very cold and foggy here this morning so I plan on staying inside for a bit until it warms up.
Have a wonderful day and keep your eyes looking heavenward.
Blessings, Noreen