About time for dinner, yo! But briefly…as busy as today was, so the last hour has been wonderful. Walked down to EQ as the thunder gently rumbled and the sun shone down upon the earth. Enjoyed a beautiful time of reading on the porch. How wonderful is it to read Owen’s work on the Holy Spirit and be encouraged in learning more about sanctification and my progress toward holiness. It is not constant, nay. But it is certain. Oh how beautiful is it to be reminded of the fact that all that is good in me and of me is from Christ Jesus alone. Nothing good have I. And how wonderful is it to be reminded of the sovereignty of God. When I know not my future or even my present…I can rest in the arms of my Father and be assured that I am loved and that my future is written in the book that matters most. Remember this, my friends – if you know the love of God, nothing else matters. True joy comes from God and naught else. There are many lovely things in this world. But their loveliness is meaningless in the absence of the knowledge of the Creator. I think on that and bow in bliss that this Creator knows my name.
Tag: thanksgiving
To Sleep,
I sit at Starbucks right now with my mocha americano and I ponder the lovingkindesses of the Lord.
I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your doings;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
I stretch out my hands to You;
my soul longs for You, as a parched land.
Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails;
do not hide Your face from me,
or I will become like those who go down to the pit.
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
for I trust in You;
teach me the way in which I should walk;
for to You I lift up my soul.
-Psalm 143:5-8
Lovely words which I read this morning. I do still mean to read Hebrews at some point today, but my time flees, my time trickles away as sand in an hourglass. I’m excited to start reading Hebrews soon though, since in my OT reading I am going through Exodus(and soon Leviticus) so will be so intriguing to be reading the ceremonial and moral law of the Hebrews compared to the work and glories of the gospel as revealed in Christ by the author of the book of Hebrews! And seeing the faint glories of God that are proclaimed by the shadows of the past…praise be to God for the mysteries of the gospel that have been revealed through Jesus Christ our Lord and His tragic death and most shocking resurrection!!!
Now further – what shall I say? I did mean to write this entry to chronicle a bit of the past day and I suppose I can do that (but quickly!). Indeed yesterday was a marvelous day that was given to me by my Lord in which I was reminded of the love that is mine, both from my God and from my many dear friends with whom I have been blessed abundantly! And while it mostly consisted of work(but at least it was Friday, so duties were not overly onerous!), it was delightful to come back to my place at the end of the day and relish a weekend ahead. After my workout, I walked down to EQ and enjoyed an hour on the porch there, reading my new book(about mitochondria and their origins and function in the cell…yes I’m a nerd and yes I’m far too excited by the subject matter!! …still waiting for them to mention farandolae…) and then I walked home. Didn’t have any more free time then, for it was about time for Earnie and Peter to come over! I really meant not to plan anything last night, but both of them made mention of the fact that we should get together so I acquiesced and a delightful evening was had. Earnie brought drinks and Peter brought a cake(chocolate and vanilla with strawberries on top!!) and I picked up some Pizza Hut…and so we talked and ate and shared the highs and lows of our past year…and reminded ourselves of the goodness of the Lord in each other’s lives and it was beautiful. And so did I get the quiet night I had anticipated? No. Did I get the early night’s sleep I expected? A thousand times no, since I think I didn’t get to bed until after one! Was I blessed muchly by the events of the evening? A thousand times yes.
And then this morning, after a few hours sleep, I woke up and had a cup of coffee and a scant few minutes’ reading time…and then off to breakfast with Jake and Julian and Earnie…hours spent around a food-laden table, discussing our lives and our loves and the passion that fills our hearts to know Christ and to make Him known. To have such godly and loving friends as I do…I hesitate to say I deserve any of this, for I truly don’t. I only know that I treasure such moments, quiet morning talks with far too much coffee and an abundance of encouraging, uplifting and fruitful conversation.
Now I sit here at Starbucks. And as my mocha americano lingers on the tongue, memories of wistful eyes and dark brown curls linger in the mind. Yes yes, I shall not think over-long on this, but as Jake mentioned today about Katie being in his current bible study…she crossed my mind yet again. But hey – she is not for me and all is well with my soul.
About time to go do some shopping and errands…and then looking forward to a brunch with Jules – I know not what we will talk about, but I do know that our time will be lovely, as it always is. And tonight…Jared is coming over to hang out and watch the Lightning game together. Game 5 of Eastern Finals…go Tampa Bay!!! (Beat the Caps! – words I almost never say!!)
I must fly, but as is noted in the many words above, I have been given far too much. I am unworthy and unholy in oh so many ways. But in the way that matters most, I am holy for I am forgiven. I know a God who is far too beautiful for my mind to truly comprehend. But I do strive to know Him yet more and more. And I am known by a God who is far too beautiful to me. It is a wonderous thing that I would be called a child of God. And such I am.
Deepest peace and truest love.
Perchance
A wonderfully delightful Friday morning thus far! I’ve already talked to Mom & Dad on phone…received texts from Maryanne & Laura and various others…and then as I drove in earlier this morning and changed to my next CD in rotation, it turned out to be my Owl City mix CD – songs I’ve not heard in some years but that immediately cheered my soul with their quirky romanticism and luscious soundscapes…mmm loveliness. And now I enjoy my creamy mocha and sigh in gratitude at the thought of all that my God has done for me these past 31 years.
Peace and love.
Clarissa
So I am really quite sleepy and I am definitely going to bed soon(well, after I write this. Oh and after I read some of my book as well). But thought it was proper that I write at least a few words(seriously, very few!!) I write this as I currently sit(well, sit/lie) on my bed in my room here at home in Tampa…glorious. This bed is super comfy, I gotta say – hence why I have no idea how long I’ll stay awake.
Today was a wonderful day here with the fam…from waking up not-as-early-as-normal and having an encouraing reading/coffee time….to chocolate chip pancake time with Dad and Laura and Caisson and Mom and talking about love and life and the blessings of the Lord…to mall adventures involving many fragrant roses on display and cheeky express shopping with expert Mom assistance and chicken meal consumption with again – Laura/Caisson/Mom – and just laughingly good times at the old classic Citrus Park…to attempted car-fixing-adventure-but-sadly-failing with Caisson…and then attempted rose-mulching-adventure-and-actually succeeding with Caisson…to getting far too many birthday half-presents from the parents and Laura and Caisson…finally dinner with the fam – mmm roast beef and buttery potatoes and tender carrots and onions – and then enjoying the perfectly delectable chocolate sheet cake while we watched the classic and inspiring and truly beautiful Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, in which Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur are simply magnificent…and finally more talking and relaxing times with Laura and Caisson while me and Laura gave each other back massages…and now it really should be bedtime because I have half-perused this current sentence/paragraph and oh dear it is a mess.
Apparently I really like ellipses and hyphens when I’m sleepy?? But hey – I shall let this stand as a memorial stone to this wonderful day that my God has granted me. Being with my wonderful family is a gift I shall always treasure – may I never cease to thank my Lord for blessing me so. I wish Maryanne could have been here too…but apart from her not being here, today was perfect. Truly.
Now time to close this computer and think and meditate on how good it is to abide in Christ, for in Him is my great love. Forever and always. Peace and love, my friends. Peace and love.
Shards of Honor
Good afternoon friends!! It is a most fine Sunday afternoon here. And I have not long to write, as soon I will be off to Julien and Kelsey’s for a fine roast dinner. Most looking forward to that, as delightful conversation and encouraging times await. But for now, I can only sit and thank the Lord for the beautiful day He has granted me. A wonderful morning at church with my dear brothers and sisters. A relaxing few hours at home in which to eat lunch and do other various domestic chores. And then…a lovely walk down to EQ and a few hours on the porch there, soaking up the sunlight and reading a lovely book. Oh what a gift was granted me by my Lord, that few hours of reading in the glorious sunshine. Few things are better than that. But…one of those things better came soon after…as I walked home, called home and talked to mom and dad…enjoying sweet chat with them…of Lightning victorious and other sundry things. Again. Few things are bettter than that.
And now…I really don’t think I can say much else without resorting to poetic anthem, and I feel it is not time for that this day. Some other day, perhaps. For now, I will sign off and think of the gratitude and love that fills my heart this day. I still feel the touch of the sun on my skin and the touch of that song on my soul.
Peace and love, one and all.
Coffee and the Tea
Good morning friends, and happy Thursday!! A brief few words…
I’ve much enjoyed this morning – sub-fifty temperatures for (maybe?) the last time this year. Oh how I love a good cold morning!! Now sitting here at my desk with a nice cup of black coffee(honey-sweetened, of course) and since my heart is full, I suppose I thought it was a good idea to write at least a little bit, before my day heats up drastically.
This morning as I was slowly waking up, I had the half-conscious thought/prayer, “Lord I am trying so hard”. Don’t ask me what it was in relation to – in total honesty, I can’t quite remember – only I know that it’s a sigh of the heart that I often have – do you not sometimes pray and not even know what you’re praying? Anyways immediately some words came to mind that much encouraged me – “It is not the man who wills or the man who runs, but the Lord who has mercy.” That stunned me – because again I was sorta half asleep at the time – and I felt much blessed that God should grant me these words from my past reading of the Word. I couldn’t quite remember the reference at first(first I thought it was Isaiah…then Romans. Had to be somewhere in my recent reading, right?), but eventually(i.e., right now) I looked this up and found it is indeed Romans 9:16, which I read sometime in the past week or so. Anyways – I say all this not to prop myself up, for surely that goes against the very spirit and words of that verse, but just to remark upon the graciousness of God and to encourage you all to make reading the Word a priority. How much of a blessing was it for my self-centered, erroneous words of prayer to be immediately corrected and for myself to be much uplifted by these words of Scripture. Truly a work of the Holy Spirit. All praise be to God!! My human effort and vain attempts at justifying myself are as nothing. Dust in the wind. Yet the grace and merciful lovingkindness of the Lord is sufficient for me. For me! Think on the wondrous mercy and love of our Lord. Behold our God!
And a few brief more verses that are some of my very favourites that I do not think on often enough:
When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within,
then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
With Your counsel You will guide me,
and afterward receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And beside You, I desire nothing on earth.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
that I may tell of all Your works.
-Psalm 73:21-28
Las Locas
…it is a lovely(grey) morning here in H-town. And as my day begins(the best way possible – with peppermint mocha and yummy breakfast tacos), I just wanted to wish you all a happy Friday! It is true that not all seems bright and cheery in this world, but nevertheless, we shall – I shall! – rejoice and be glad in the knowledge that I am a child of the living God. The world is surely dark and filled with terrors yet above the stretching clouds of doom the stars glimmer with promises of glory. And inward sings the testimony of the most sacred Witness. Be still, my soul.
Wolfpack
A gorgeous grey, rainy Saturday. And after a lovely walk, a few shots of espresso and good chats with John at home and MJ at Red…I’m now enjoying this Saturday in the best way I know how…grilled cheese, tomato soup and basketball on the tv – NC State vs. UNC. Thanks be to God for this beautiful day which He has made!!
that Danish charm
So this is a bit of a cruel post…just sitting here on the couch(watching Vikes/Eagles NFC championship game!) as my dinner cooks on the stove. Creamy chicken and vegetables(carrots, onions, parsley and mushrooms!) with mashed potatoes is the plan for this evening. Bit of a new recipe, but I felt in the mood for a nice hearty, warming meal…and I think this will suffice! Mmm, my mouth waters. Alright, I really have nothing more to say. Hope your Sunday has been peaceful and filled with joy. Love you all, dear friends!
White and Grey and Love Unbounded
Happy Saturday friends!!! I have but a few minutes before I need to start getting ready for wedding, but…thought I could write a few words! I’m currently here in the Frozen North, which deserves its capital letters because it truly is Frozen up here in Calgary right now. -17 F(-27 C) and snow flakes slowly whirl past the window of my hotel room…
Of course you may ask – why am I in Canada right now? Well…Robbie is getting married!!! Such a dear friend, even though I haven’t been able to hang out with him as much as I wish I could. But we’ve had many adventures – from Isle of Man to Boston to Vancouver! And now…he’s beginning one of the biggest adventures of all…marriage to his soon-to-be wife, Natasha. So I shall soon witness this glorious wedding and it shall be wonderful indeed! And while I rejoice with Robbie and Natasha…I do look forward to the day that shall be more glorious than all others – that day when we shall sit down at the wedding supper of the Lamb. Oh for that beautiful day!! Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
And now…I suppose I should start getting dressed for wedding. Had a nice little breakfast here in hotel, and then because I was tired of staying indoors, braved the wintry blast of outside and walked down to Tim Hortons and got a nice yummy chocolate donut and blissfully hot coffee. Mmm so good. Now in my hotel room warming my toes and enjoying looking out at the white blanket upon this city of Calgary. Frozen outside and warm and cozy inside. This world so often seems cold and dark…remember the light and rejoice in the love of our God.
Peace and love.
