my lips shall praise thee. 

The flowers are beautiful right now.  The weather is warm.  The sun is shining.  The wind wisps through the trees.  Thank you Father for the world around me that you created for my enjoyment, and ultimately to bring You glory as it reflects your greatness and amazing creativity.

Justin & I had such a wonderful time celebrating our Savior’s victory over sin on Sunday; it was a blessing to attend both the Good Friday and Sunday morning services at church.  We sang many great hymns of the faith as we reflected on Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.  Later in the day, Justin also played our keyboard at home and let me pick some of my favorite Easter hymns to sing.  It was a sweet time spent together. 

The weather was lovely and we cherished the opportunity to enjoy the afternoon with family. 

It’s a tradition that has now become a part of the Brown family.  Justin and I have set aside Thursday nights to have family night/date night.  We use the terms somewhat interchangeably.  The meaning is the same.  It’s a night where work, seminary, house cleaning, etc. are set aside and we cherish each moment of the evening– just the two of us. 

Together we recently started reading  a portion of The Diary and Journal of David Brainerd (edited by Jonathan Edwards) each week during family night.  It’s so good; makes us even more excited about missions with each page we read.  We were both nearly in tears last week as he recounted with such obvious earnestness his pursuit of saving faith by works.  For years he made this his utmost pursuit, knowing all the while that it was hopeless.  What joy to hear how Mr. Brainerd finally came to realize that salvation is a free gift and not something he could ever effect in his own life.  I’m so looking forward to reading more.

Something that my mom would often say when I was younger was, “do the next thing.”  This was a quote she remembered and held onto from an Elizabeth Elliot book she had read.  She explained that when you don’t know what to do, you just do the next thing, and trust the Lord for the rest.  This wise council echoes Matthew 6:33-34.

   “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

I pray that next time these thoughts come, I will not become overwhelmed.  Rather, by God’s grace, may I be faithful and obedient in that moment.  Really, that’s what this life is made up of: thousands of moments.  As I look ahead to a life-time of serving my Savior may I be faithful in this moment trusting Him for the many to come. 

And now I shall return to what this moment holds for me as I do the next thing– cleaning the shower and making dinner :)

Knowing that I deserve nothing but eternal seperation from a holy God, I rejoice not only in my salvation but in every moment of His common grace throughout my day.

Justin and I had such a blessed time with our families on Thanksgiving day.  We enjoyed a huge meal that was contributed to by many hands, and then spent a special time sharing the things we thank the Lord for when reflecting on the past year. 

Here are some of the things that were on my list:

-the lovingkindness of my Savior (Psalm 63:3)

-my salvation; so undeserved

-my wonderful husband who loves me, leads our home, and is my best friend

-our church and the opportunity to grow, learn, and minister in the body of Christ

-new friends the Lord has blessed us with over the past year

-God’s provision of so many “little things” I often take for granted– hot water, cars, plenty of food etc.

-getting to spend Thanksgiving with both of our families and an uncle, aunt, cousin and grandma too :)

While thinking about them, I took a bite from the tip of a big, sweet, juicy strawberry we got at a fruit stand.  It was delicious.

The phrase “wondrous things” brought my mind first to Calvary where my Savior gave His life, that I may have life.  The most amazing thing of all!  But then, I thought about all the seemingly ‘little things” that He does & gives which are wondrous too- juicy strawberries, the sparkling formations in a remote cave we saw last week, cool breezes in the summer… and the list could go on and on.  The Lord God is indeed the only One who does wondrous things.  What a daily example of His grace and love that He created so many sights, smells, sounds, and tastes for us to enjoy, experience, and savor. 

I obviously enjoy sweet strawberries in the summer time and display that fact to others through my smile, words of delight, and the way in which I always go back for more.  Is my Heavenly Father as easily visible through my words, delight, time, and joy-filled demeanor?  Is He displayed as glorious and the most enjoyed One in my life? 

Friday found us facing the crowds and taking part in a day-after-Thanksgiving shopping adventure. We had a blast and enjoyed some nice warm coffee and bagles with lots of laughter (after a good four hours of shopping).

I love taking pictures that capture fond memories to look back upon as I think of all the blessings God has placed in my life.

Shout Jofully to the Lord, all the earth. 

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before Him with joyful singing.

Know that the Lord Himself is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

And His courts with praise

Give thanks to Him, Bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His lovingkindness is everlasting

And His faithfulness to all generations.

Justin and I are really looking forward to spending this week of Thanksgiving with our families.  May this Psalm be our prayer and our focus as we place our affections on our loving Heavenly Father.  He has blessed us beyond all we could ask or imagine.   

A little while ago Justin and I got our umbrella out of the closet, dusted it off, and went for a walk on a long-awaited rainy day. What fun to hear the rain splashing down all around us and to breathe in its clean scent. We watched as the sky changed so many brilliant colors while we wandered around the streets of Tujunga. It was amazing!

I blinked back joyfilled tears as I contemplated the God of all creation who had made this day for our enjoyment. Everywhere we turned, the beauty surrounding us spoke of His handiwork. It was with awe that I contemplated this same God who has saved me and called me His own.

I love the lyrics of the Casting Crowns song entitled Who Am I? It has been stuck in my head as I have continued to think about how the King of the Universe could possibly “care to know my name.” Although my life is a quickly vanishing vapor, it is my prayer that I will use it to worship the One who deserves all praise and honor.

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done
Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You’re

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I’m calling
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling
And You’ve told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
‘Cause I am Yours
I am Yours