Hymn by Anne Warner (1864)

My life goes on in endless song, above earth’s lamentations;
I hear the real, though far off hymn, that hails a new creation.

Above the tumult and the strife, I hear its music ringing;
it sounds an echo in my soul, how can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comforts die, the Lord my Savior liveth;
and though the darkness rounds me close,

songs in the night he giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,

how can I keep from singing?

I came across this on another blog this week. The beauty of the words and the depths of its message I found to be very moving. Joy in the heart of a Christian should be like a beach ball--just try holding it under the waters of suffering, but sooner or later it will thrust its way back to the surface.

Back on board

Sorry it has been so long--just under two months, actually. You know, I've found out that when you keep a blog, if you don't put things up, there isn't anything new! I won't even try to review what we have been up to other than by putting captions on the pictures. And for reasons of time, they will come up in whatever order the computer puts them up, not necessarily in chronological order. By the way, why always show the kids in that picture perfect smile? I'm including some "real life" shots as well!

Animals in the (empty) swimming pool--with sun in their eyes. (Note Sarah Beth's ubiquitous flip flops--she has about 3 pairs and they are everywhere but on her feet. She fears no bee!)


Brothers. Jacob was in a good mood, the camera just doesn't show it.

Brothers, part 2. Philip was in a good mood, but he often zones out like this.

Philip's two other mommies.

Watching Baby Einstein.

Sisters.

Brothers part 3.

Jacob and a stuffed black bear.

Lydia and a living turtle (red-eared slider).

The little scholar.

Engineers in training.

Cowsuits and cousins. (Chick-fil-A had free food for anyone in a cow costume on July 10.)

Our little four year old (July 9).



One of the reasons I haven't been posting lately. (My first business card--I'm working on a nicer one.) For those who don't know, about a year ago I started making pens and pencils on a wood lathe. I am planning to take scrap wood from work and turn it into items of usefulness and beauty. This will hopefully give me some extra income and allow me more time at home, maybe even working with the kids on these things. I hope to expand beyond "writing instruments" as they are called into other small things. The word agorazo is Greek, meaning "I redeem." I used the word to convey the idea of salvaging wood chipper fodder to make useful things. Secondarily, I hope to use it as a conversation starter about spiritual things. I have a small craft show coming up in October which will be my first foray into the business world.




I promise to post again before 2 months is up!

Thanks for reading.

(Thanks, Hilary, for asking me to get moving again.)

By the way, I came across this Spurgeon quote the other day and thought it was worth passing on. What a way he had with words--his imagery is moving.

We do not come in prayer only to a place where God dispenses His favors to the poor. Nor do we some to the back door of the house of mercy to receive scraps, though that is more than we deserve. When we pray, we are standing in the palace before God's throne. We are on the glittering floor of the great King's reception room, and thus we are place on advantaged ground.Shall we come with stunted requests and a narrow, contracted faith? No, for it does not become a King to be giving away pennies. Our God distributes pieces of broad gold. Oh that we always felt this way when we came before the throne of grace! Then He would do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think." (Eph.3:20)