Resurrection Sunday

Staring at a starry night sky...
having just finished watching the conclusion of the Bible...on the History Channel...
I will say that it was very well done. Artistic license was used, but did not, in my opinion, compromise any of the Story.
I felt I was there, in the Room...with the Disciples and the Early Christians...I knew the story. I have known this story for almost all of my life.
I knew what would happen next.
But it was made so fresh and real...as my imagination and my own (though still limited) understanding of the Scriptures and what was going on filled in the gaps.
So real, that I FELT the zeal those early Christians had for telling the world, nay, even screaming, "HE IS REAL!!! HE LIVES!! Oh, hear me, you people hearing and seeing His-Story for the first time- this ISN'T just a History Channel special, IT'S REAL!! He LIVES! Even THIS day, He is here, and you can KNOW HIM and the Power of His Resurrection!!"

What would happen, O fellow believers, if we grew as bold as they?
The Holy Spirit is just as HERE, NOW, as He was the Day He CAME, Is He not?
Equipped by His Power in us, who knows but that He would move so greatly in even us, that the world would watch in wonder and long to know our joy!! The deep and abiding joy we have in CHRIST JESUS!!

 We must awaken, listen - hear His voice, break from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life! Break from the world- not to look like it, or talk like it, or smell of it!
Our citizenship is in Heaven, we must set our hearts on that country, and seek after the treasure of Heaven, mining the precious jewels- those Souls that are His that have not yet heard, not yet come!
Redeem the time! We know not when He will come again - we must work while we wait!
And who can know what He will do with hearts that are seeking, listening, and prepared to do His Will, for His Glory?

Sweetness in Trials

This and the next two fresh reviving thoughts
Remind me of a truth I once knew well
The holy life with trial is often fraught
But sweetest songs from fires often swell

We must be grateful ere the trial strikes
Before the first sharp pain is even dimmed
So greatly must we trust Him with our lives
And know this faith is glorifying Him

The day I broke my ankle at Cowboy Camp
http://bethjoy.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-look-at-gratitude-and-my-familys.html
 was one of the sweetest, holiest days of my life.
I have never since then or before known a greater sense of God's Presence
And His purpose in my life than within that first hour.
I cried, yes. Felt it deeply that all my beautiful dreams for that week were dashed.
But I would make the exchange again in a heartbeat
For the breathtaking peace I felt deep within my soul that day.
I had been reading "Choosing Gratitude" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, earlier that week.
So I knew what to do.
I said "Thank You."
It hurt terribly; my ankle and my heart,
But I decided to see His Hand in it and be THANKFUL for it,
Even though I didn't know why He sent it,
or what good would come out of it.
Immediately His peace poured over my soul,
The kind that passes all understanding.
I've never known a sweeter time.
Turns out, the good that came out of it
Was in my heart- a greater blessing and a sweeter song
Than I could've dreamed.
As you can see, its sweetness lingers still in my memory.

I had forgotten, this last round of trials,
That all I can see for now is the back of this cross-stitch puzzle,
That our loving Heavenly Father is making of our lives.
He sees the beautiful pattern, and ever orchestrates its interweaving
For our good and His glory.

We must have faith, and trust the work of His hands.
 He works all these things for our good, Romans 8:28
He remembers our frame, that we are but dust. Psalm 103:14
His grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in weakness
2 Corinthians 12:9-11
Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

Blessings,
  Beth <3 p="">

Hi! I'm Back Again! :)

Dear blogging friends,
    I am attempting to squeeze blogging back into my life, as I can. At some point I may fill in some more of whats been going on in my life since I last blogged, but for now: We started a business. Dad was finally able to quit his job, and we're building that business full time right now.
   We are selling our house, and looking to move (yes, we're moving again) closer to where our main business is. I am our bookkeeper, and have been working part time as a motel desk clerk, as well as helping a lot around the house so that my mom (our main secretary) can work in our home office. Busy, busy, busy!
    But God is so good, and so many things we've only ever dreamed about are coming true. :)
     So here I am again! :) I am going to try to post more, short posts instead of a long one every blue moon...:)
I hope you enjoy them! Thanks for reading! :)