Mercy Unto Our Children

Serve the LORD thy God - Mercy unto our children. What a wonderful promise.

Exodus 20: 5-6 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

We Have a God of Promises

Psalm 91
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

My God is Good

My heart is full and yet it is heavy. My God is good in all things! We don't always understand what He is doing but He is always faithful. I have promises from my Father and I trust Him to keep EVERYONE ONE OF THEM!

Happy Birthday Savannah!

“My Savannah Smiles”

She loves everybody and everybody loves her.
She will do anything to make you laugh.
Her freckles make her eyes sparkle.
She is as bright as a star.
She would rather be a girl than anything else.
She does not have an athletic bone in her body.
She can be very clumsy at times.
She has a very submissive spirit.
She is full of compassion.
She is obedient.
She is eager to learn.
She hates to do anything clerical.
She loves busy work and planning.
She honors her parents.
She has many friends.
She knows everyone in our little town.
She is very talented.
She is faithful.
She is honest.
She loves God and she knows what Jesus did for her.
She is sold out for God!
She has always been special.
Her Mama loves her very much!

Happy 25th Birthday Savannah

Virtue and Wisdom

Proverbs 31:10 reminds us of the value of a virtuous woman. Proverbs 8:11 reads "For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." Both the virtuous woman and Wisdom are compared to the value of rubies. In Proverbs 31, this woman has arrived, she has accomplished many things in her life. These scriptures do not tell us how she became a virtuous woman but we can be sure that there were many trials, struggles and even storms that she went through in order to obtain virtue (Strong's says that virtue is an army, wealth, valor, or strength). We should look on the verses in Proverbs 31 as things to strive for in our character and in doing so we must embrace the trials and sufferings that God uses to shape us and mold us into this woman.

Proverbs 31:26 reads "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." My prayer is, "God use whatever trials, struggles or even storms that are needed to make me a woman of Wisdom."

Just a small town girl in an up town world!

New York twice in one month! Yes, Savannah is going to see Kevin, AGAIN. She plans to leave this Thursday night and return on Monday - Monday is her birthday (more on that later)! Kevin's mom surprised him with the trip - she wanted to do something special for her special son (I mean that in the kindest way, I promise) because he will be ordained this Sunday and then commissioned next Sunday at First Bible Baptist Church in Rochester. She must be the proudest mom in Rochester right about now and she should be.

You never know what's next when you trust God. Last Wednesday, Savannah told Kevin goodbye for what she thought would be a very long time, today she is planning another trip to New York. If God has spoiled children, I would say these two are spoiled rotten! This story just keeps unfolding and promises to be a great testimony of how God is eager to give His children their heart's desire. Our Father is faithful to His promises.

What's Next?

That seems to be everyone's question. Only God knows; the rest of us are just having to wait and be still. I have had to be still in the past but it was just me...this time is different. Not only am I waiting but those I love are experiencing the same wait. From March to November 2005, I kept the following under my keyboard at work, I read it more than once every day. I held on to it's promise. God answered my prayers and that wait ended. He will answer my prayers this time too.

March 2, 2005
March 4, 2005 - Vicky's thoughts
*******************
Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
Don’t do anything.
Nor deem these days -- these waiting days -- as ill!
And don’t assume that since it’s been a long wait that the outcome will be bad.
The One who loves thee best, who plans thy way,
Your God who loves you and has the best plan for you
Hath not forgotten thy great need today!
Has not forgotten your distress.
And if He waits, 'tis sure He waits to prove
And through your wait He will prove
To thee, His tender child, His heart's deep love.
His great love for you.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
Don’t do anything.
What higher service could'st thou for Him fill?
This is the best thing He’d have you do.
'Tis hard, 'tis true! But then -- He giveth grace
It is hard to wait but He will give you grace
To count the hardest spot the sweetest place.
To turn the waiting into a blessing.

--J. Danson Smith
--Vicky Smith

Be still, My child and know that I am God!
Wait though patiently---I know the path you trod.
So falter not, nor fear, nor think to run and hide.
For I, thy hope and strength, am waiting by thy side........Hein

Savannah in Rochester

She left New Orleans Saturday night. She will be in Rochester through tomorrow. I've hardly spoken to my Vannah since she left. That's a good thing, I know that if she was not having fun she would want to talk to her Mama. She called for just a few minutes Sunday morning; sounded as nervous as I have ever heard her. Monday morning she called again but it was obvious that she was not in the mood to talk; she couldn't stop describing the snow outside her window. We don't have snow like that in Mississippi. She met a lot of Kevin's family and friends and loved them all. This morning I received another five minute call...apparently she is having fun. The forecast is predicting a winter storm in the New York area, I don't think she will mind if her flight home is delayed. I just hope it is delayed in Rochester and not at JFK; she would not want to be stranded by herself knowing that she could have stayed a few more hours with Kevin. Only God knows the outcome of their relationship and I trust that He has only the best for my Vannah.

This is the day that the Lord hath made.

The first day of a brand new year. 2007 is over and today we have a clean slate for 2008. When the year ends, what will be written? What will you remember about this new year? What will others remember? I heard two important messages from God last night at our Watch Night Service. The first message reminded us that we must grow as a Christian. Hebrews 6:1-6 tells us that we must always be maturing and learning to teach and learning to lead. God expects "more" from His own children. We will grow only if we love God, if we are obedient to God and if we live a separated life from the things of the world. The second message was from my pastor so I know that it was meant especially for me and pray that I will heed it during this new year. It is our (my) job to do the work of God. God is bigger than any excuse I have for not doing BIG things for His honor and His glory. Remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength and if the devil witnesses that joy he will leave. Satan can not influence you when you are strong. Keep your eyes on Jesus and look up to see the great army of God that surrounds you and your life. What does God see? If we could only see what He sees. 1) Do not use the excuse of your circumstances. 2) Do not think it is ever too late. 3) Do not count the costs; God owns it all. 4) Do not think your gifts and talents are too small. 5) Do not look at how big the job is. Do your part and allow God to do BIG things in and through you and your life for His honor and His glory!