So, today I was looking through my favorite old journal,
Today's choice is not too "revealing", but it is a time of praise and thankfulness out of the abundance of my overflowing heart. So here goes:
Saturday, November 2, 1985
"Today was a good day. Our church has been growing so wonderfully~God has really blessed. A member of our church wanted to do something to help, so he donated new pews to the church. Today was "moving the pews" day, so a good number of people were there for a work day~not only moving pews, but raking leaves and cleaning around the church. There was such a good spirit there~it was a real blessing. I can't wait to see everyone there tomorrow "packing the pews."
"We praise Thee oh, God, for the Son of Thy love...
For Jesus who died and is now gone above.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory, Hallelujah, Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory, Revive us again!"
(Hymn: "Revive Us Again", written by William P. Mackay, 1839-1885)
Tomorrow is also Communion Sunday, a time of uniting our hearts in remembrance of what Christ did for us on Calvary~it should really be a great day in the house of the Lord.
"God is so good, God is so good,
God is so good, He's so good to me."
(chorus, unknown origin)
Thank you, Lord, for Your answers to prayer. We know that You are on the throne, and that nothing is impossible with Thee. We are anxiously looking forward to what You are going to do next!
Thank you, Jesus. Amen."
Here it is 29 years later...(can it really be that long, Lord?), and I can honestly say that I am still praising our heavenly Father for His infinite goodness to us. I am happy that I stumbled across this "random" journal entry today. It reminded me of the ways that God has never forsaken or forgotten us throughout these many years since. He continues to answer prayers and blesses us above and beyond all we could ever ask or think. If He did that for us in the past, I know He will continue to do so in the future. No matter what this old world may throw at us. God is still so good...He's so good to me!
Now, go here to see what other fellow bloggers are writing about this time!
Some of my favorite but most exhausting days as a pastor's wife were the "Church Work Days" when everyone would spend the day cleaning and working around the building. Sometimes I was sure I could have done better on my own, but many hands usually did make the work lighter.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, and it helped to build relationships and "body-life", sharing the spirit of working together for the common good of all. There was such a feeling of accomplishment and contentment after spending a day together getting the job done. Wish it was always that good and peaceful.
DeleteHow beautiful that you have a journal from 1985, and I got goosebumps of joy reading your selection here. Pew moving day, a growing church, and you sharing how "God is so good, He is so good to us."
ReplyDeleteThis was a very happy memory of a growing time in our lives...and in the life of that little church. God was at work in the midst, changing lives and hearts. It's good to remember the good times. Thank you for your thoughts today.
Delete"Pew-moving day..." I had to chuckle a little. It made me think of all the times we plop ourselves down in precisely the same pew every single Sunday. The idea of moving pews--moving ourselves!--to a different spot and to change perspective, have new 'neighbors,' and see what happens in the body. That's all a pretty amazing thought. And I think of the pew I have in my dining room that came out of the church I grew up in. Oh, the seats that have sat in it! What God might have done in those bodies as they sat there. See how my mind went on a tangent from your pew-moving? Nevertheless, I resonate with your, "God is SO good!" truth. IN all ways.
ReplyDeleteHi JeskMom, I was just thinking about you and wondering where you were. I need to go check out your blog. Yes, isn't it interesting to think about how many different people might have sat in that pew over the years...and what God was teaching them, and how they responded? The lives that were changed for eternity...oh yes...what a thought! And yes...God IS so Good...in ALL ways. Thank you.
DeletePam, I love that last image of your open journal on the bed! Is that a handmade quilt? I so love handmade quilts. It is wonderful to look back in our journals and discover memories we may have forgotten had they not been recorded! That is one of the best parts of journal keeping I dare say! THanks for your beautiful post and sharing your love for HIm and open heart here in those pages and on this blog today!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a handmade quilt, given to us by the ladies of one of our churches that we served. Actually, I guess it was the very last one now that I think of it. And yes, I am glad that I recorded these happy memories of that day. It brought back pleasant thoughts about a time that in the main wasn't always that pleasant, so it was wonderful to be reminded of God's goodness to us in a time that may have been turbulent overall...but that was a "good day". Thank you for your love.
DeletePam: I like this entry. We all have times when we feel the Lord blessing us. God has been good to you and yours. I recently had to tell God, "I can't do this by myself." I had to start a gluten-free diet. No wheat, barley,or rye. That was on a Sunday morning before church. I had the best worship that day. I still find myself saying "God, I can't do this by myself." And He comes through.
ReplyDeleteI think God especially wants us to come to Him in those "I can't do this myself" times of life, just so He can show us that "I can do ALL things through CHRIST, who strengthens me!" (Philippians 4:13). We are never on our own with God on our side.
DeleteHi Pam! I have to commend you for revealing journal entries. My writings are often 'whine-fests' and unloading my emotions. Better left unrevealed!
ReplyDeleteReading about your praises though really makes me happy. That you can so clearly see God moving and blessing in your life at that time, and you are still praising too! What a wonderful example of thanksgiving. Loved it.
Ceil