Inspirational Scripture

"But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." 

 - I John 2:20

[unc-tion n., 4. "utterance that is fervent and earnest."

(Webster's New World Dictionary)

imagination

     Most of us have a specific time or place when our imagination seems to explode, or at least leak through. For me, it is most often in the evening. The day and all it's "to do's" are now finished and it is a time to reflect.

     I cannot nail to the floor a particular place in which I receive the most inspiration. And even if I could, I would not tell, lest it diminish the ambience of that cherished place. Speaking generally, it is often found, or realized, in the great outdoor spaces where there is "scope for the imagination."

     I must admit that those evenings when I feel creative and ambitious do not always have beneficial outcomes. I recall having the bright idea, and having been strongly encouraged by my younger sister, I cut myself some bangs. Bobby pins were my best friend that summer, as I would not be seen in public without them pinned up.  I also nearly bobbed my hair the other night, but remembered how my last expedition went. ^^ I think my prospects are looking up, though... both my wisdom teeth are surfacing on bottom. 

Inspirational poem

BEAUTIFUL THINGS

Beautiful faces are those that wear-

It matters little if dark or fair-

Whole-souled honesty printed there.

Beautiful eyes are those that show,

Like crystal panes where hearthfires glow,

Beautiful thoughts that burn below.

Beautiful lips are those whose words

Leap from the heart like songs of birds,

Yet whose utterance prudence girds.

Beautiful hands are those that do

Work that is honest and brave and true,

Moment by moment the long day through.

Beautiful feet are those that go

On kindly ministries to and fro,

Down lowliest ways, if God wills it so.

Beautiful shoulders are those that bear

Ceaseless burdens of homely care

With patient grace and daily prayer.

Beautiful lives are those that bless

Silent rivers of happiness,

Whose hidden fountains but few may guess.

Beautiful twilight at set of sun,

Beautiful goal with race well won,

Beautiful rest with work well done.

Beautiful graves where grasses creep,

Where brown leaves fall, where drifts lie deep

Over worn-out hands-oh! beautiful sleep!

                                    

                                        Ellen P. Allerton

Our Country's Foundation

While doing History with my sister yesterday, I came upon this excerpt of Rev. Nathanial Appleton's election sermon in 1742. It's a very inspiring exhortation; and yet at the same time, it's discouraging how far America has drifted from these Biblical convictions....

       "As for you my Fathers and Brethren in the Ministry... surely it concerns us to be ready Scribes, well instructed in the Law of our God, and in the Gospel of his Son... Surely then, it is absolutely necessary for the Ministers to be well acquainted with the holy Scriptures. Not only to have some certain Portions of Scripture by rote, to use upon all Occasions, but to understand the Meaning of Scripture, and to be able to give the Meaning of it to others -- And it was a Concern for a learned as well as godly Ministry, that stirred up such an early Care in our Fathers, to encourage Schools, and to erect a College, which has now for a Century of Years, conferred academical Honour upon the learned Youth, that have been trained up in it. God forbid, that an ignorant, and unlearned Ministry should ever rise up in this Land, especially a Ministry that should be ignorant of the Holy Scriptures; or that should think or speak disparagingly of them, or that should insinuate the Uselessness of them to unconverted Men;... And no less dangerous is it to insinuate, as if the Bible was not very necessary for the Saints, by Reason of their having the Spirit to enlighten and direct them... Accordingly we who are the Ministers of Christ, and have the Glorious Gospel committed to our Trust, should be upon the Watch-Tower, to spy out every Thing of such a dangerous Tendency, that we may give seasonable Warnings thereof."

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- America's Providential History by Mark A. Belies & Stephen K. McDowell

"To become a sentinel for the body of Christ demands a mind, a heart, and a body wholly set apart and consecrated for such sacred work. It demands rigorous loyalty of soul - a meticulous purity of heart and mind." - Eric Ludy

devotion from Oswald Chambers

             "Whatever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do."

John 14:13

          

      "Am I fulfilling this ministry of the interior? There is no snare or any danger of infatuation or pride in intercession, it is a hidden ministry that brings forth fruit whereby the Father is glorified. Am I allowing my spiritual life to be frittered away, or am I bringing it all to one center - the Atonement of my Lord? Is Jesus Christ more and more dominating every interest in my life? If the one central point, the great exerting influence in my life is the Atonement of the Lord, then every phase of my life will bear fruit for Him. 

       I must take time to realize what is the central point of power. Do I give one minute out of sixty to concentrate upon it? 'If ye abide in Me' - continue to act and think and work from that center - 'ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.' Am I abiding? Am I taking time to abide? What is the greatest factor of power in my life? Is it work, service, sacrifice for others, or trying to work for God? The thing that ought to exert the greatest power in my life is the Atonement of the Lord. It is not the thing we spend the most time on that molds us most; the greatest element is the thing that exerts most power. We must determine to be limited and concentrate our affinities......."
     

       

Psalm 110:2-3

"The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; 

you will rule in the midst of your enemies.

Your troops will be willing

on your day of battle.

Arrayed in holy majesty,

from the womb of the dawn

you will receive the dew of your youth."

What every set apart girl should strive to become :

The Proverbs 31 Woman:
(Paraphrased)

                                             

Rare, uncommon, unusually excellent, unique, precious, matchless, honorable, chaste, praised, faithful, proactive, blessed, inspires confidence, loyal, willing to do repetitive work, honest, , enduring, diligent, unchanging, Trustworthy, industrious,  patient, frugal, fears the Lord, not wasteful, wise shopper, motivated, self-starter, wise, strong, energetic, enterprising, kind, active in business, compassionate, resourceful, physically fit, laborer, virtuous, consistent, considers value, dependable, merciful, generous, prepared, hospitable, hardworking, actively seeking those in need.

just another day....

Today was the first real "school day" for us. Being graduated myself, I have taken over the responsibility of teaching my younger sister - a freshman this year. We had a bit of a late start this morning, but all is completed. I've been inside too much on this beautiful day, so I think I'm going to take a walk to lover's lane and write a letter. Below is an excerpt from Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery - chapter 1

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  "It was so long since Emily had been out for a walk that she was half crazy with the joy of it. The winter had been so stormy and the snow so deep that she was never allowed out; April had been a month of rain and wind; so on this May evening she felt like a released prisoner. Where should she go? Down the brook - or over the fields to the spruce barrens? Emily chose the latter.

She loved the spruce barrens, away at the further end of the long, sloping pasture. That was a place where magic was made. She came more fully into her fairy birthright there than in any other place. Nobody who saw Emily skimming over the bare field would have envied her. She was little and pale and poorly clad; sometimes she shivered in her thin jacket; yet a queen might have gladly given a crown for her visions- her dreams of wonder."

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"Being rich of heart makes you wealthy beyond compare." - Rodney Williams

Simple things can give me such profound pleasure. Whether it is holding a clicky, inky pen and a piece of scratch notebook paper or walking through the dewy grass barefoot at 6:30 in the morning; I enjoy finding the hidden gifts each day in an ordinary life.... 


Making someone smile, waltzing with your pretended partner in an open field (hoping no one is watching), cooking in the kitchen with the inspiration of Julia Child (*note* this "inspiration" is not fool proof - you're still liable to burn your souffle), laughing off an embarrassing moment, re-arranging a cluttered space into an organized, accessible and aesthetically pleasing area, reading such an incredibly inspirational and profound Scripture passage that you want to share it with the whole world!, sitting at the piano composing a ballad which you'll soon forget, cleaning the house with vigor (*hint* for those of you who lack motivation, just pretend all your in-laws are coming over in 3 hrs - that should do it!), writing a letter, laying in the damp grass on a clear night and marveling at the LORD's beautiful stars (all of which are named and accounted for by Him) and the list goes on and on......

For me, home is the place where most of this takes place. It is the warm, inviting glow of the kitchen chandelier which is a bit too dim because only two of the light bulbs are currently employed; the rough, unfinished hardwood floors which turn my bare feet two shades too dark; the sunlight shining through the south windows onto my desk; our creaky steps (after skipping the third one to the bottom, take two at a time and you'll reach the top without waking the whole house), etc... 


A small house is actually a blessing. The five occupants of it are forced to get along and enjoy each other's company. After all, it would be foolish to be enemies with someone you run into every four minutes. But that's where the great outdoors come into the picture - I often escape to the barn loft or take a walk down "lover's lane" (My version of Anne's dubbed path). Perhaps it's my Father coming out in me. He'll say that the woods are calling him and then he's off, on what he calls, a "walk-about." I often get the same irresistible urge.

Some may think me a strange, sentimental fool for treasuring such things.... but then again, "If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom." ~Audra Foveo

"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." ~ Mark 8:34

Hymns

I've lately been expanding my musical repertoire by working on hymns. They are an amazing work of art. They are encouraging, comforting and inspiring.

Sitting down to the piano and playing through the hymnal is already a favorite activity of mine. It is so enjoyable, that I tend to slack a bit with my other books, since it is those that actually seem like "practice." Not necessarily because they're hard, but they seem dull and tedious in comparison. Besides, when I play hymns, not only am I practicing, but at the same time spending time with God and worshiping Him! I wonder if my teacher will buy that excuse?....Well, I think not. So, I will continue to practice my tedious Hanon exercises.

I am constantly distracted while practicing the hymns, because I love the verses so much I have to write them down in my journal. 

Here are some of my favorite that I've written down:

"Have fear and doubt come against your mind?

Has your faith been sorely tired?

Lift up your eyes - here cometh your help!

It is Jesus - for you He has died"

 - "Rise and Be Healed"

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"O for a faith that will not shrink,

Tho' pressed by every foe,

That will not tremble on the brink

Of any earthly foe"

- "O for a Faith That Will Not Shrink"

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"May the mind of Christ, my Savior,

Live in me day to day,

By His love and pow'r controlling

All I do and say"

- "May the Mind of Christ, My Savior" 

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 "I give all my future to You,

I give all my future to You;

No matter the cost or what others do,

I give all my future to You"

- "I Give All to You"

    

Psalm 94

 ¹ O LORD, the God who avenges,
       O God who avenges, shine forth.

 ² Rise up, O Judge of the earth;
       pay back to the proud what they deserve.

 ³ How long will the wicked, O LORD,
       how long will the wicked be jubilant?

 ⁴ They pour out arrogant words;
       all the evildoers are full of boasting.

 ⁵ They crush your people, O LORD;
       they oppress your inheritance.

 ⁶ They slay the widow and the alien;
       they murder the fatherless.

 ⁷ They say, "The LORD does not see;
       the God of Jacob pays no heed."

 ⁸ Take heed, you senseless ones among the people;
       you fools, when will you become wise?

 ⁹ Does he who implanted the ear not hear?
       Does he who formed the eye not see?

 ¹⁰ Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
       Does he who teaches man lack knowledge?

 ¹¹ The LORD knows the thoughts of man;
       he knows that they are futile.

 ¹² Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD,
       the man you teach from your law;

 ¹³ you grant him relief from days of trouble,
       till a pit is dug for the wicked.

 ¹⁴ For the LORD will not reject his people;
       he will never forsake his inheritance.

 ¹⁵ Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,
       and all the upright in heart will follow it.

 ¹⁶ Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
       Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?

 ¹⁷ Unless the LORD had given me help,
       I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.

 ¹⁸ When I said, "My foot is slipping,"
       your love, O LORD, supported me.

 ¹⁹ When anxiety was great within me,
       your consolation brought joy to my soul.

 ²⁰ Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—
       one that brings on misery by its decrees?

 ²¹ They band together against the righteous
       and condemn the innocent to death.

 ²² But the LORD has become my fortress,
       and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

 ²³ He will repay them for their sins
       and destroy them for their wickedness;
       the LORD our God will destroy them.