New Every Morning

Yea, "new every morning," though we may awake,
Our hearts with old sorrow beginning to ache;
With old work unfinished when night stayed our hand,
With new duties waiting, unknown and unplanned;
With old care still pressing, to fret and to vex,
With new problems rising, ours minds to perplex;
In ways long familiar, in paths yet untrod,
Oh, new every morning the mercies of God!

His faithfulness fails not; it meets each new day
With guidance for every new step of the way;
New grace for new trials, new trust for old fears,
New patience for bearing the wrongs of the years,
New strength for new burdens, new courage for old,
New faith for whatever the day may unfold;
As fresh for each need as the dew on the sod;
Oh, new every morning the mercies of God!
By Annie Johnson Flint

Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Gentle Savior

this song is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I'm grateful that my Savior leads me gently. I'm thankful for His tender, loving care. It makes all the difference as I stumble through this wilderness of life.

Hope in He who brings the rain

Jeremiah 14:22

Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are you not he, O Lord our God? We set our hope on you, for you do all these things.

Ten Looks at God's grace

1. i'm grateful that God saved me from drugs, sex and alcohol at age 25 instead of age 52 (or not at all).

2. i'm grateful that God's grace was so evident in my friend's lives that day at Carowinds (amusement park) that I saw the gospel being lived out in evident ways - ways that made God's kindness appealing! thanks guys! I love you!!!

3. i'm grateful for the love that my church family sacrificially displayed to me time and time again when i used to come to church with hangovers.

4. i'm grateful that, by God's grace alone, I no longer do come to church with hangovers but instead am in a place where I can serve and love my friends who serve and love me with such excellence.

5. i'm grateful that the Britt family chose to move to my town and plant a church and share with me the wondrous love displayed by Jesus on the Cross.

6. i'm grateful for the greatest place on earth (my church -Sov. Grace church in Greenville SC). I could write a book about this one.

7. i'm grateful for my Bible. (make that Bibles - I have 5!). I'm grateful for William Tyndale and the work He did in translating it so that I have an English copy. I'm grateful for Martin Luther and the work He did too so that I can have a copy in German too!

8. i'm grateful that God has given us the ability to love Him.

9. i'm grateful for the trials from the past 6 months that God has graciously and lovingly carried me through. i'm grateful for His evident grace that has been there each step of the painful way.

10. i'm grateful for the admonition of Stephen to think of 10 ways we're grateful. what a great way to start my day! thank you!

Gratitude (part one)

I was challenged this morning to take the next two weeks offering up thanks to God for how He has abundantly and lavishly cared for me this past year.

Here is post one... (more thoughts will follow over the next few days)

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

(my paraphrase of James 1:2-18)
Rejoice, my friends, when your life is full of trials and tests. Those trials are being used in your life to grow your faith in God. That faith will result in a more steadfast trust in Him as your Provider, and the end result of that is you being most perfectly changed to reflect the glory of His image.

When life doesn’t make sense, ask God for wisdom. He lavishly gives without reservation to those who ask. But don’t doubt His goodness, or you will find your emotions being tossed on the sea of trials. When this happens, you lose your stability and look around hopelessly for an answer.

When God has brought you to the end of yourself, rejoice. When you are rich in blessings, look to Him as the Answer because your physical blessings will pass away like grass. When the next trial of heat comes, that gift could be gone. If you live for temporary answers, they will fade away like flowers in a drought.

But if you remain trusting in the Lord in the midst of trials, you will be blessed. The result of your faith will be a beautiful, unfading crown of life that God promised to those who actively pursue and love Him. Don’t look at your trials as temptation from God. Don’t accuse God of tempting you, but rather, acknowledge that your own heart is what is drawing you away from your True Love. Your heart will deceive you subtly but will ultimately bring death.

Don’t allow your heart to deceive you like this. Every good and perfect gift is from God. He does not change like the seasons do. He brought you to life and has given you an inheritance far beyond what your deceitful heart promises.


God has been working OT in my heart this past year. When I look back, it is hard to believe that Na07 was only a year ago – it feels like 5 years! I believe that God has been working through me to display His power. I think in order to do this, He had to make me weak first though. That’s not a fun process, and I feel like every day I go through the same thing over again. But He promises that His power is made perfect in weakness. He’s been showing me that my weakness is not merely a suggestion, but that He designed me to be that way. His plan for me is to be nothing on my own so that He can be everything through me. His desire is that my desires match His instead of seeking my own self-advancement (aka idolatry). But He’s also been reminding me that He is loving. That He is good and kind and delights when I come to Him needy and desiring Him to fill me. It brings Him joy to answer that prayer.

God's blessings today in my life:
A really cool roommate. :) God has really changed the friendship between Christa and I from the apartment days where we didn’t understand each other and tolerated or made fun of each other’s differences to one where we really enjoy each other. Its been a subtle shift but dramatic nonetheless. God has used her in so many areas of my life – teaching me what discipline and grace motivated change looks like, to see what steadfast trust and hope-filled faith looks like. I’ve enjoyed seeing the world through a different perspective (if we look at the same thing we always come away with two vastly different views). Its been helpful as I work through areas in my own life, seek to serve others and seek to love all my friends more.

I will miss the Thomas family when I move on. When I moved in there, it was because I needed a place to go and they had a room available. How that has changed. I am grateful for Lucia’s input as she pours into my life. I’m thankful for Rick’s caring leadership and sensitivity to my weaknesses. I’m actually having fun with the kids too!

More blessings later…

Taste and See

Your words were found and I ate them, and they became a delight to me and a joy to my soul...

For I lead the blind in ways that they do not know... I do not forsake them.

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good...


I enjoy good cuisine. I enjoy beautiful scenery. But nothing compares to tasting and seeing God's goodness. Nothing compares to the magnificence of His blessing. Nothing so adequately defines my weakness as when I see God's power on display. Nothing makes me desire God more than when I see a glimpse of Him as all desirable.

My friends, I'm overwhelmed. I've cried all day. This morning, I was yawning and exhaustedly limping into work. Then God fed me richly with Psalm 62 (I've "bolded" the words that He specifically used this morning)

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.

Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.

The first thought I had when I read that last verse was "I'm glad that's not true. I deserve hell. He's not going to render to me what I deserved. Because of the cross, because of the substitutionary perfect life of Christ, He looks at me with acceptance and pleasure. What grace! How that is undeserved!

Little did I know the roller coaster was about to take another flip - except this time it was behind my back and I couldn't see it coming...

One of the managers at work came to my desk and mentioned that he needed to talk to me when I was off the phone (I was fighting with the insurance company about the $1404 that they say I owe them from my MRI). I got off the phone and Siggi (my boss) reminded me that I needed to go talk to Jeff.
Weird.

So, I went over to Jeff (one of the manager's that is equal with my boss but I don't really work for him though I do work with him some and help him out as needed). He mentioned that he wanted to talk to me, and could we go in the conference room. He then told Siggi that we were going to meet and could he join us. The 45 seconds it took us to walk to the room, I was wondering what this was about but I wasn't nervous.

We sat down and Jeff says "are you nervous yet?" =)
I said "why, should I be??" =)

That's when he proceeded to tell me that what he was about to tell me was that he wants to offer me a position in program planning. That is the department that looks at the requirements from assembly and plans how the cars are going to be organized (by discussing with other departments in Germany and an overall view of how the plant functions and what would be the best steps to take). Basically, easily explained, look at the big picture, break it down to the itty bitty parts and then like a puzzle, put it back together in the best way possible.

Honestly, it is one of those jobs I always thought would be a great job but never thought I could get. There are only 11 people in that department and there were no planned openings anytime in the next 5 years.

Um, can you say overwhelmed?? Tina (who will be my boss) hand picked me because she has been watching my work now for months and has been working on getting this approved for literally 6 months! I'm blown away. I'm SO excited.

That's the cake...

...here's the icing...

Someone contacted the church office today (aka Jess) and wanted to register me for the Worship God conference.

WHAT?!!?#$$#(*$? :) Are you kidding me?

Psalm 62 was what God reminded me this morning. He rewards those who trust in Him. He is faithful. He is 2 things: powerful and steadfastly loving.

He is ridiculously amazing if you ask me.

There are no words to describe it. I don't deserve this. I don't deserve yet another blessing - I fail to trust Him. I doubt His goodness. I question His ways. I complain about my current state. And He says wait, hope, rest and trust while you are pouring out your heart to Me.

And still, I fail there. I don't wait with excellence. I don't rest without trying to plan out the next 23 steps. I don't trust without questioning "what if." I pour out my heart to my laptop and fail to do so to my Jesus.

Yet He still chooses to bless. I don't get it. I don't deserve such kindness. Doesn't He know I didn't perfectly believe He really would bless?

Yet, still He chooses to.

Taste and See...

Taste through those words that were found.
See because He brings sight to the blind as He leads and as they pour out their hearts.

What a feast! What a view!
What a God!

Unexpected Answers

So, I'm sitting here (in my favorite spot on the floor leaning up against my recliner) with a melancholy rejoicing in my heart. Melancholy is not always a bad thing - sometimes rejocing just doesn't look like "yippee - jumping up and down and squealing with overwhelming joy" - sometimes its a calm contentedness or a quiet peace in the rain.

I believe that just like God works in different means in our lives drawing our hearts to Him, our sacrifices of praise can and should look different at varied times throughout our lives.

Today the song in my heart is a minor key. If I had to pick a soundtrack, it would either be The Chronicles of Narnia or Amazing Grace - both are ominious and melancholy with undeniable themes of hope throughout. But enough about music and on to the real reason for this post...

I "stumbled" across a verse today. A verse that God used to deeply encourage me and to build my faith in Him as my Provider. Psalm 68:6a says "God sets the solitary in a home (the lonely in families)"

This was encouraging to me because at a time when I've been struggling with "limbo" (aka - singleness, job, family and health questions, etc), God brought this reminder across my path.

He lovingly reminded me through those Living Words that He has sovereignly placed me with a family from my church, with 3 young kids who often by mistake call me "mom." He has allowed me to "practice" parenting on them and has allowed me to view daily a stellar example of a a faithful patient husband and dad as well as a submissive, caring, loving wife and mother.

What a work of grace God has given me. He's not only given me a place to stay, He's set me in a place that is my home. He's placed me in a family. Me - a solitary stupid little sheep that continually goes astray - I have a "fold" to return to. I have people around me that care enough to run and catch me when I go astray. I belong to something so much greater than just myself.

It seems almost laughable that I would struggle with not having a family or a home. Look around, Emily! Your family and home is here. You are a part of the greatest place on earth!

How kind of God to open my eyes to the blessing right in front of my face. I so often miss those blessings as I look forward to future blessings. But as I've been reminded lately, God doesn't provide grace for future worries. And in His lovingkindness, He doesn't simply dangle a carrot in front of us, that we are always striving for but never attaining it. He currently provides grace upon grace. Mercy ever-abundant. Blessings and peace, not because of our worthiness, but because of His infinite worth.

It wasn't quite the answer I was expecting. But its vastly richer than a new job that pays 25% more. This is part of my eternal inheritance - and its just a glimpse. Its a surprising and unexpected glimpse, but I'm grateful.

p.s. i'm still praying for the husband I'll have one day, the new job I'll hopefully get eventually and my own home that I'll decorate and invite others into though! :)

Overflowing

My heart is full to the point of overflowing right now. I love our church. I love my friends. Tonight's care group was so encouraging to me on so many levels. Here are a few...


1. My cake turned out and was a big hit. I know this is just a little thing, but I was simply hoping to make something that would bless my friends. I'd been looking forward to making that cake for about 3 months now (vanilla butter cream cake with a thin vanilla frosting between the layers and on the top and sides and then a godiva 60% bittersweet dark chocolate ganache. Can you say "yum"?) :) Hearing Matt who doesn't like cake, say he enjoyed it; watching Willy eat spoonful after spoonful of the leftover ganache until I'm convinced he'll be sick tomorrow... seeing Jessica sad because there were no seconds left... Such a little thing, but for me, it was a reminder of God's delight in bringing us joy. I enjoyed making that cake, and seeing them enjoy eating it brought joy to my heart and made me thank God for that little blessing.

2. We talked about the gospel. Talk about a topic to encourage a weary heart... Christ died for you. He paid the price you could not pay for your sins. Through the work of regeneration, He has changed your nature. You're dead to sin. Baptism is a public display of humbly submitting to Christ in all areas of your life. I'm looking forward to being baptized on May 18th. I hope its warm that day (since the baptisms will be outside!)

3. God gave me a picture for a friend and it seemed to encourage her. I pray it continues to do so. She seems weary and burdened down with the cares of this life. I want her to know confidently the freedom that is found in her weakness. The joy that is found in her utter inability to do anything. I want her to rejoice that the fruit in her life does not come from her ability to make it; rather, it comes through the life flowing through her. I want that to bring the much needed rest for my sweet dear friend.

4. My back is not hurting! I can't even explain what this means. My back and shoulders have hurt for years, but especially in the past few months. Physical relief is such a blessed gift.

5. I feel at home. At home with the Thomas's; at home with my church family. Simply resting. Its a beautiful thing and I'm just beginning to experience that. Honestly, in so many ways, I can't imagine life getting better than it is right now.

6. I have running buddies now - Wendy for hiking adventures. Jennifer for after work motivation. Yippee! Hurray for not having to run by myself (not that I don't like the solitude with me, my ipod, and the road - I do, but its nice to have someone else with me for safety).

7. I love Matt and Julie. They are a blessing from God. I love Matt's excitement about little things like the salty smell from opening a bag of Original Lays chips. I love his humility and sensitivity for others' concerns and needs. I love his passion for Jesus. And I love his wife. Julie brightens the room simply by being there. I love her excitement and humor. I love her down to earth approach on life. I love her discipline as portrayed through raising her children and losing weight. She is an example I long to be like. I want my husband to be blessed with a godly wife like Julie. I want to learn more from that life.

8. Talking to George tonight was great. I have a greater desire to read and study the Psalms more. I want to memorize more and glorify God through my creativity more. I want to grow in songwriting . I want to grow in the gift of encouragement. He encouraged me tonight. I want to do that same honor to others.

9. Ending the night with "Have your full way" was so appropriate. By God's grace, I was able to sing "thank you for my trial, it was designed by your own hand to perfect a good work in me."

Isn't He good?
Isn't He kind?
Hasn't He blessed us?
Time after Time?

There is no answer but "yes."

My God is good.

He's been very good to me.

A Gift

I've been reminded in the past few days what a special gift I've been given by God. I've been given the gift of friendship. I love my friends. They are such an encouragement and I believe they bring God much glory through their little "unnoticed" acts of service.

They pray for me and pray with me. Sometimes they call me while I'm walking through the produce section of Publix just to pray. Other times they call me when they are weak and need encouragement and then we talk for 57 minutes about God's goodness despite what our hearts tell us to feel. Then at other times, they send verses to remind me of God's intimate care in my life. Sometimes they drive me to the doctor or to singles events to help me save money. Sometimes they are "randomly" introduced to me through mutual struggles and we become prayer warriors and co-laborers together. Other times, they share a song of encouragemnt, or make me a cup of tea, or bring me a random bouquet of flowers simply because ...

I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends. Friends that not only care for my physical needs but friends that more importantly care for my soul too. That is a rare gift. I'm grateful. God is so overwhelmingly kind.

... just another of one of the "fringes" of His amazing ways ...

Overflowing

I'm overflowing. God is good. Overwhelmingly good. And to think... these are just mere fringes...

The Flame Shall Not Hurt You

How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said,
to you that for refuge to Jesus have fled?

Fear not, I am with you; O be not dismayed!
For I am your God, and will still give you aid;
I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,.
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.

When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply;
the flame shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake.

Not Forgotten

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
LUKE 12:6

Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
MATTHEW 10:31

The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon which He hath planted; where the birds make their nests; as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
PSALMS 104:16,17

IT was a beautiful sight to see the herons come home, rising into the golden sunlight above the hills I could not tell from whence, and sailing on the glorious arches of their wings, on and on--always alone, and each as he came down with outstretched neck and pendent legs ready to settle, taking one last sweep down, then up, on to the summit of the tall Scotch fir, to take a survey of the realm, and, as another approached, plunging into the thick heads of lower trees with a loud good-night to his neighbors, and to all the fair land and water round about him, and a Deo Gratias for all his day's happiness, pleasant unto the ear of his dear God, if not consciously addressed to Him. MY HEAVENLY FATHER CARETH FOR THEM, I AM OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY HERONS.
EDWARD WHITE BENSON