Daily Quiet Times-Feasting with the Lord

There are many ways I have wrongly looked at my daily quiet times with the Lord. Sometimes I see them as a thing to do...part of my "good Christian check-list." Some days they are sadly neglected. Other times, if I have missed the "ideal time" to do them, I am consumed with guilt about missing it, yet feel like it is too late to pause and spend time in God's Word. Praise the Lord that not all my days are bad examples. There are some times I can go to God's word and not want to leave.
Those are joyous days!

Technology really can be a blessing, and on my iPhone, I have the Spurgeon's Daily. I have heard these writings of Spurgeon referred to more commonly as "Morning and Evening:Daily Readings." I wanted to share the reading from the evening of June 19th. I pray it draws you to spend time "feasting with the Lord." I pray it does for me as well.

You can read the Morning and Evening entries online here.

Evening, June 19

“My Beloved is mine, and I am His: He feedeth among the lilies. Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my Beloved, and be Thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.”

Song of Solomon 2:16, 17

SURELY if there be a happy verse in the Bible, it is this—“My Beloved is mine, and I am His.” So peaceful, so full of assurance, so overrunning with happiness and contentment is it, that it might well have been written by the same hand which penned the twenty-third Psalm. The verse savors of Him who, an hour before He went to Gethsemane, said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Let us ring the silver bell again, for its notes are exquisitely sweet: “My Beloved is mine, and I am His: He feedeth among the lilies.” And yet there is a shadow. Though the prospect is exceeding fair and lovely,—earth cannot show its superior,—it is not entirely a sunlit landscape. There is a cloud in the sky which casts a shadow over the scene; though it does not dim it, for everything is clear, and stands out sharply and brightly—“My Beloved is mine, and I am His.” That is clear enough, yet it is not althgether sunlight. Listen: “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away.”

There is a word, too, about the “mountains of Bether,” or, “the mountains of division,” and to our love anything like division is bitterness. I see here a paschal lamb, but I see bitter herbs with it: I see the lily, but I perceive that it is still among the thorns. Beloved, this may be your present state of mind; you do not doubt your salvation; you know that He is yours, but you are not feasting with Him. You understand your vital interest in Him, so that you have no shadow of a doubt of your being His, and of His being yours; but still His left hand is not under your head, nor doth His right hand embrace you. A shade of sadness is cast over your heart, perhaps by affliction, certainly by the temporary absence of your Lord; so even while exclaiming, “I am His,” you are forced to take to your knees, and to pray, “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my Beloved.”

“Where is He?” asks the soul. And the answer comes, “He feedeth among the lilies.” The worldling cares are not where Christ is, but that is the Christian’s one subject of thought. Jesus is gone among those snow-white lilies which bloom in the pastures of heaven, those golden lilies which are round the throne. Oh, when shall we be with Him, and partake of His glory? Our impatient spirit yearns for the hour when our marriage shall be consummated and our bliss complete. He is among His lilies here below, those virgin souls who, —

“Whithersoever the Lamb doth lead, From His footsteps ne’er depart,

If we would find Christ, we must get into communion with His people; we must come to the ordinances with His saints. Though He does not feed on the lilies, He feeds among them, and there mayhap, we may meet with Him. Oh, for an evening glimpse of Him! Oh, to sup with him tonight! My Lord, by all Thy love to me, deign at this hour to visit me in Thy kindness, and to give me the dawn of heaven in my soul. How quickly can He come to me! No fee of roe are half so swift. In a moment He can cheer me with His delightful presence. Come, Lord Jesus, and abide with me forever.

“When wilt Thou come unto me, Lord?

Oh, come, my Lord most dear!

Come near, come nearer, nearer still;

I’m blest when Thou art near.”

Knock, Knock....anyone there?

Apparently I have a blog, and it seems I've been on a blogging break? A lot of things are going on right now. I am still undergoing fertility treatments. We continue to pray that God will give us a child. I am in month four of treatments, which really isn't that long of a time. I've gone through a lot of ups and downs. Dallas has as well. Lately, I just been feeling so much peace about it all. I'm so thankful for that peace. I know that God has given it to me.

Right now I am in the DFW area visiting my family. I have had such a GREAT time playing with my 8 month old niece, Abigail. I am thankful that God has placed her in my life. I'm enjoying spending time with my Mom as well. She was recently diagnosed with Crohn's disease, and has been very sick for a long time. I pray that I am a blessing to her while I'm here.

Also, Dallas and I are contemplating some big life changes. I'll share more with you later. Speaking of readers, I wonder if my husband is the only one that reads this? Anyone still out there? :o) We aren't totally sure of the direction to head, but are confident that God will go with us the whole way. Like Hebrews 13:5b-6 says, " for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" We've been reading a great book by Kevin DeYoung too. It was recommended to us by our worship leader's wife and our pastor, Josh Harris, wrote the forward.

Finally, I had the wonderful blessing to conduct a small children's choir on the latest Sovereign Grace Music CD. The choir sang on 6 of the songs, and another small choir, led by Vicki Cook, sang on the other 6 songs. My part was so very small, but my life has been blessed so very much by these songs. The new CD will be coming out soon. It is a Children's CD called "To Be Like Jesus." If you are looking for theologically rich Children's music that points children to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I HIGHLY recommend this CD. All the songs are so very wonderful. You can listen to a sample of the songs here. Sovereign Grace Music puts out so many wonderful praise and worship CD's, so take time to browse their other CD's as well. I know they will bless your life and remind you of Biblical truths like they have done for me.

Thanks for reading and good to "see" you again! :o)

A Grand Legacy

White as Snow

I interrupt this inconsistent blogging for some pictures of snow!

There are those who work and those who play....I chose to play.

Above you see my fearless husband preparing to shovel the very long sidewalk. He chose to work.

Boy did I play in the snow!
(okay...I helped too, but there aren't pictures of that)

I think I was pretending to be Mary Tyler Moore here.

A God-glorifying Funeral

Dallas and I went to my Uncle Jon McMahan's funeral. It is only through the grace of God that I am able to share that is was an amazing, God-glorifying funeral. That description does not seem to go with the event, but it was. Uncle Jon loved the Lord, his family and his job. He was a fire Chief and paramedic. He was National Paramedic of the year in 2001. According to the state paper, he wrote a grant that gave the city 2.3 million to form a Bomb squad. My Uncle started the first Bomb squad in the state and he excelled at maneuvering the remote-controlled robotic vehicle that would diffuse bombs. He trained many firefighters and had a huge effect on so many lives. I continued to hear that there will not be another like him from his co-workers and friends. He did all this and still had time to fix my car at the fire station when I was in college. I wish I could accurately describe to you how amazing it was to see around 500 people honor my uncle. While uncle Jon used the gifts God had given him to serve so many, I have confidence that God will use his untimely death too. He died of Gastric cancer at the very young age of 45. He and my Aunt Lana recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. They were high school sweethearts and God was truly glorified in their marriage. My uncle came to know the Lord, Jesus Christ, as his Savior when he was an adult. He continued to share with those that came to see him, that his cancer and eventual death, was God's will. He was confident in that, and while we all grieve the loss of someone so unbelievably special, we know that he is with his Savior. That is far better than this life, but so hard for those left behind.
The funeral was a fireman's funeral for sure. The fireman's honor guard was such a respectful display. The entire city fire department was at the funeral and many from outside of the city had traveled to show their respect and love for him. Those that spoke of Jon shared of his great humor...he was always telling funny stories. They spoke of his numerous accomplishments, and they spoke of his love for the Lord and his family. After the funeral, his casket was carried out by his 6 nephews and then lifted up onto a firetruck by the fire honor guard, all while a bagpipe played Amazing grace. We all got into our cars and joined the procession that I was told was around 3 miles long. The procession went around the portion of the city where his fire station was located and then to burial site. I saw so many people pulled over on the side of the ride, saluting or covering their heart with their hand as we drove by. The outpouring of respect and honor from so many in the city was powerful. At the burial ground, the firemen all stood at attention while the family came onto the green for the final goodbyes. They rang the fire bell 3,3,5 for my uncle. Then, broadcasting over a speaker, you heard the fire dispatch announce that Jon McMahan had answered his last call. I wish I had a recording of that. It was so amazing to hear. But the best thing I heard at both the funeral and the burial, was the Gospel of Jesus. As I looked around at the fireman and paramedics shedding tears, I realized that Jon's death allowed for so many to hear of Jesus Christ. I am thankful that my uncle loved and served so many in life, and I pray that his death may also serve God well. May many that heard the message of Jesus Christ be eternally transformed like my uncle was. May his death save more than his life did. May God continue to be glorified through the story of my Uncle Jon.

Please continue to pray for my Aunt Lana and cousins, Ashley and Adam. Their pain and loss is great, but our Lord is able to meet their needs. Please pray that the peace of Christ be with them daily.

Goodbye Uncster

John 14:1-6 (English Standard Version)

¹ "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ²In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. ⁴And you know the way to where I am going." ⁵ Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" ⁶Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
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This morning at 8:30am my uncle Jon joined his Savior who had a place prepared for him. Because of Jesus sacrifice on the cross, my uncle is now in the Place God had prepared for him. He now rejoices at the feet of his great Physician. Only because of my faith am I able to rejoice at such a sad time as this. The flag is flying at half-staff at the fire stations. There are wreaths with flowers out in his honor. All night a fire honor guard stood outside his door. This was a special thing. They wanted him to know how loved and respected he was. They will continue to stand guard till the end. Please pray for my Aunt Lana and her children, Adam and Ashley. Dallas and I will soon travel to be with our family, so we also pray that we can be great servants of the Lord.
Thank you so very much for your prayers.

Prayers Needed

My Uncle Jon rescues a puppy from a fire.

Isaiah 53: 5 " But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

My Uncle Jon has Cancer.
Cancer had been discovered and we thought it had been beaten. He had been cancer-free for around 7 years. He is very sick in the hospital and it is my understanding that he is very near death. I have cried, I can't sleep and I am in constant prayer for his healing. There are many times I am at peace, and many times I am very emotional.

Let me tell you about my uncle. He is a Christian. He is a husband to my mother's youngest sister, Lana. He is a father to my two cousins, Adam and Ashley. He is a Captain at the fire station and a Paramedic. Jon is unique in so many ways. He is so very funny. He loves to tell stories and has such a joyful spirit. He loves his job as fire Captain, and works as an EMT for fun. He saves lives...and it is his JOY to serve others in this way. I am amazed by that. I cringe at the sight of a needle, but Jon sees a car wreck and wants to go help. God made him unique in these and many other ways. Everybody in our family loves Jon. He has this outgoing personality that is contagious. You can't help but like him. It is so hard for me to think about such a strong, courageous and humble man, suffering from such a horrible disease.

Please join me in praying for my Uncle's healing. Please pray for his wife, Lana. They have such a strong and loving relationship, and she needs God's strength to get by each minute of the day. Please pray for his children. Adam is at Jon's side, caring for him. Adam dropped out of college to go home and care for his mother and father. Please pray for him to have the strength to care for his mother and sister. Please pray for dear Ashley. She is the "baby" of all the cousins. I can remember holding her when I young and she was such a small baby. She is in college now, and such a beautiful young woman. Please pray that she is comforted by the Lord. Jon is very aware of his condition and has expressed his confidence that God is in control. He is ready to meet his Lord, but how we desire to keep him here with us. Please pray for our whole family. He has had such an amazing impact on us all, and to loose him will be a deep loss for us all. Thank you so much for your prayers.

The "Uncster" (he likes to think he is the "cool" Uncle)

He was chosen as National Paramedic of the Year.


(Pictures were taken from different articles in the Log Cabin Democrat)