All posts by steph

Sabbath Rest – Be Thou My Vision

When St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday, it only seems right to find an Irish hymn to share today. And what better hymn to share than Be Thou My Vision, performed by Kristen Getty – with a definite Irish flair!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee, and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight
Be Thou my Armor, and be Thou my Light
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r
Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art

High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all

Traditional Irish Hymn; Arranged by Keith Getty, Ben Shive and Fionán de Barra © ARR © 2021 Getty Music Publishing (BMI) / Fionán de Barra (BMI) / Getty Music Hymns and Songs (ASCAP) / Junkbox Music (ASCAP) / adm at MusicServices.org

From the plane to the party

No –  really.
Gary picked me up from the airport after my trip north, and we drove right to the 2024 SOWER Florida Rally/Reunion. He’d already moved Lizzie to the reunion site (Groveland, FL – west of Orlando) and the party was well underway by the time we arrived. In fact, we arrived just in time for the group picture!
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While what we both really wanted was a nap (I’d been up since 4:30 am to catch that 6:30 am flight home), we decided instead to give the cornhole tournament a try.
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We lost the first game, but (surprisingly) won the next two, and somehow became the first-place winners of the losers. Who knew there was such a thing? Our prize was being one of the first couples through the dinner line! Whooohoo!
The reunion party did not disappoint! We loved catching up with some of our old  dear SOWER friends, and we also loved meeting some brand-new couples! Two couples hadn’t even been on their first project!! I love to see the excitement as these new folks are beginning a journey that has meant so much to us!

We were inspired to “Stay Strong in Today’s World”,
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and enjoyed a musical evening with Dane Bailey,  the Singing Auctioneer,
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(who then did a grand job the next day being an actual auctioneer!).
We also enjoyed several meals together – all excellent, and all lots of fun!
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Someone just couldn’t resist!
We did manage to sneak in a much-needed nap, but it was just a quick power nap because we didn’t want to miss the wonderful fellowship with friends old and new that these SOWER Reunions afford.   We’re so thankful for the team that put all of this wonderfulness together! And for all the love that was in the air the whole time!

Almost caught up!
Steph

Sabbath Rest – Before the Throne of God Above

How thankful I am that when I come before the throne of the Almighty God I will not be relying on my own merits – for they are but rubble! Ah, but I have a great High Priest who pleads for me!

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heav’n He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart

VERSE 2
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

VERSE 3

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless Righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God

Better get started

on getting caught up before another week gets away from me! So I’ll start with my trip to PA, two weekends ago!

The reason for my trip north was to attend the funeral of my dear friend Connie. That day was special beyond words.  Reconnecting with old friends who also loved Connie, hugging and weeping with her beautiful daughters, remembering and reflecting on what a Godly, gracious, and very fun friend she was – well, those moments were priceless. I’m so very thankful I was able to be there. Too much hugging for pictures – they are all just beautiful memories.

But to make that part of the weekend work, I needed to solicit the help of my sister and her daughter, Abby.   (Airport pick-ups and drop-offs, accommodations, driving me about – you know, that kind of stuff!)
Such a fun way to start the visit – here’s Joie with three of her grands-
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and Fitz with the littlest one.
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It was a lovely start to the weekend!
Once we made it to Joie’s we got to work sorting through our Mom’s hope chest and a variety of other family history items.
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Look at this cute little family!
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Awww…
At the bottom of that trunk was this doll –
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dressed in a replica of my mother’s dress from her 1947 wedding.
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How very special! But what to do with it?? The doll was in some disrepair – the head showed some previous repair work and was no longer attached (but the eyes still worked!) and the legs and arms were quite cracked.
We’re hoping to put the dress along with a photo or two into a shadow box and maybe someone from the next generation will be interested in it. But right now we’re looking for a home for the doll. The one doll hospital I contacted said they already had plenty of these dolls (apparently she’s an early ‘Patsy Effanbee” doll). So we’re still on the lookout for someone to care for her! (Let me know in the comments if you’re interested or know someone who might be!)
It was a wonderful weekend! Another set of Joie’s kids came by on Sunday, and then on Monday we were on our way back towards Abby’s for my early Tuesday return to Tampa. Being able to sneak in some unexpected sister time this winter was a huge blessing.
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Thanks for stopping by – and for your patience with my erratic blogging these days.  Have a blessed Sabbath!
Steph

Sabbath Rest – I love to tell the story

It was just a week ago that I was privileged to attend the funeral service for my dear friend, Connie Breyer.  The service was filled with scripture and hymns and tears and most of all, love. Both of her daughters shared many wonderful stories about their precious mother, all of them grounded in her deep love for them but overarched by her steadfast love for her Savior, Jesus.  One of their most cherished memories was how she would sing them this hymn before bed each night.  I found this version of just a single voice singing this hymn, and while I’m pretty sure Connie didn’t sing all six verses, I can certainly imagine her tucking in her girls to the sweet refrain –

I love to tell the story;

’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

Connie, you will be forever missed. But as your daughter shared – “Losing you was the worst day in my life.  But it was the BEST day of yours!” We can only imagine what a day that was for you!

 

I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story
because I know it’s true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else can do.

Refrain:
I love to tell the story;
’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when in scenes of glory
I sing the new, new song,
’twill be the old, old story
that I have loved so long. [Refrain]

An angel brought glad tidings:
“Send all your fears away,
for Christ, your Lord and Savior,
is born for you this day.”
Then many other angels
sang praise for Jesus’ birth:
“To God on high be glory,
and peace to all the earth.” [Refrain]

Christ Jesus, pure and holy,
without a spot or stain,
by wicked hands was taken,
was crucified and slain!
And now the word is finished,
the sinner’s debt is paid,
because on Christ the Righteous
the sin of all was laid. [Refrain]

O wonderful redemption!
The price for sin is paid,
salvation is accomplished,
my heart is unafraid,
for God has raised Christ Jesus
to show the work was done;
his glorious resurrection
declared the vict’ry won! [Refrain]

The Savior of all people
has brought his peace to you;
now go and tell the story,
for others need it too.
To ev’ry land and nation
ring out the gospel call;
proclaim that Christ is risen
and grants his peace to all. [Refrain]

Source: Christian Worship: Hymnal #746