He Strengthens Us

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. ~2 Chronicles 16:9

The eyes of the Lord are always on us. He knows our hearts and He sees when we're weak. It's not His will for us to cave in when difficulties confront us. He wants us to be strong. If we're committed to Him, He'll give us the strength we need to face whatever comes our way. As we rely on His strength, our souls will become stronger and more conformed to His image. The more we become like Him, the closer we'll be to the center of His will.

Commit Now All Your Griefs

Commit thou all thy griefs

And ways into His hands;

To His sure truth and tender care,

Who earth and heav'n commands.

Who points the clouds their course,

Whom winds and seas obey,

He shall direct thy wandering feet,

He shall prepare thy way.

Give to the winds thy fears;

Hope, and be undismayed;

God hears thy sighs, and counts thy tears,

God shall lift up thy head.

What though thou rulest not?

Yet heav'n and earth and hell

Proclaim, God sitteth on the throne,

And ruleth all things well.

Leave to His sovereign sway

To choose and to command;

So shalt thou wond'ring own, His way

How wise, how strong His hand!

Paul Gerhardt and John Wesley

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this." Psalm 37:5

5 "Different" Things About Me

I've been tagged by my friend "Nanna" over at "Nanna's Reflections"! Here are some "quirky" things about me you might not have known. :) Or maybe some of you already know.

1. I hate the sound of styrofoam, the feelt of it, everything! It gives me goosebumps every time. Just thinking about the sound or feel of it gives me shivers. So now you know one of my biggest pet peeves!

2. I'm terrified of clowns! Even ones that look "happy"- I just don't like them. Period.

3. When I was little, I used to never want to throw anything out, like used-up cleaning bottles, because I thought they were real, and would be very hurt if thrown away! I know, very silly.

4. I don't remember this, or maybe I've blocked it out of my mind, but my family tells me that when I was younger, I used to walk around with my hands over my ears and hum for no reason at all. I really don't remember this, and thankfully I don't do it anymore! :D

5. Here's another "when I was little" story. At my cousins' old house, they had a spiral staircase in the middle of one of their rooms. It was a really easy staircase to fall down, and that's just what I did! But instead of falling down the stairs, I slipped off the edge of the floor where the staircase was, and fell straight down to the floor! My parents were in the room below, and when I plopped down on the floor, my dad spilled all his coffee on the rug! I had no broken bones or anything, so I know God was really watching over me. Still, everyone looks back and just laughs over the incident (even though it was scary at the time!) because of the way I went flying down!

I tag Kaysie, Laura, Rachel, and whoever else wants to have fun with this!

More Love to Thee

More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee! Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee. This is my earnest plea: more love, O Christ, to Thee; more love to Thee, more love to Thee!

This is the prayer of 2 very special people I know. Their names are Mark and Beka. Beka has a beautiful blog titled More Love to Thee . I have really enjoyed getting to know Beka better in person, and also through her writings, which really reflect her heart. These two dear people are going through a trial- but are seeking the Lord's strength in all they do. Please read this post of Beka's. I have cried through Mark and Beka's trials, but rejoiced with them as they have experienced the comfort and joy that only God's presence can bestow. Please keep them in your prayers as they go through these hardships. They are such wonderful examples to me as a young person.

There is also something else I would like to share with you. Kaysie and Beverly have sweetly tagged me with the "blogging with a purpose" award. Thank you so much both of you! I always have trouble not tagging the person who's tagged me! Kaysie has two very beautiful blogs (Alabaster Box and In Love with Christ) and I learn something new every time I go to visit her. Beverly also has two blogs that are an encouragement- one is especially targeted towards young ladies(The Girl Inside and The High Calling). I've chosen five bloggers who are very special.

1. Beka's blog, More Love to Thee. Girls, please read this testimony she has shared. I don't know if I ever told you Beka, but I was brought to tears by this- I was so touched by your honesty and the way God beautifully worked through both Mark and your lives.

2. Nanna's Reflections- this is another dear friend's blog I love to visit. She posts many hymns and has cute pictures and funny stories that she shares as well. Take some time to visit Nanna- you would be blessed! Also look at some of her other devotional blogs while you're there.

3. Take My Life- I know you've been tagged a couple of times now Neesie, but I love your blog, and I couldn't pass by yours! Thank you for sharing your heart, and for taking a stand for the Lord.

4. Midnight Inspiration-And yes, I know you've been tagged as well Laura. But I would like to thank you as well for your blog- you have a heart that truly desires to serve the Lord. There is no hypocrisy in you- you are so honest in all your posts. More Christians, including myself, need to be this way.






5. Byrd of the Heavens- I have really enjoyed getting to know you through your beautiful blog Rachel! Thank you for the poems, hymns, cute pictures of your cats, and encouraging thoughts that you have on your site. I just wish I had more time to sit down and really read everything- school really takes up a large chunk of our time, doesn't it?

Keep up the good work!! Thank you for encouraging me- I have been so blessed by all of you! I could only tag five, but I enjoy reading even more blogs, so I appreciate all of you who aren't on the list as well.


In Christ Alone,
Sara