A Name I Highly Treasure

And she shall bring forth a son, 

and thou shalt call his name JESUS: 

for he shall save his people from their sins.

{ Matthew 1:21 }

His name is Savior.  In one word, in the purest and sweetest of names, His entire purpose for coming to the earth is made known to the guilty sinner.  Jesus came to die a cruel death so that He could save us from our sins. Christ died for us even “while we were yet sinners” (Rom. 5:8).  He came not to save us in our sins; He does not merely save and leave us to remain under the power of sin. He came to absolutely deliver us from our sins. JESUS came to completely save from all that can destroy the spirit! By atoning Himself for the sins we committed, Jesus destroyed the power of and condemnation for sin. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Rom. 8:1-2) Praise God!

The way He made to redeem sinners is complete and permanent; nothing on earth, in hell, or in heaven “shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:39)  Since He is the One who purchased our salvation, He alone can do all of the saving.  Sinners could never do anything that could take the place of Jesus’ finished payment.  Salvation is received through the power God gives by simply believing on the name of JESUS, the Savior. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12).

The Merry Maid's Apron

I have long admired clothing of the past. Shawls from the Colonial period. Modest, graceful dresses from the Victorian days (no style of dress, I believe, could possibly be more feminine and lovely). Especially tidy-looking aprons from the Edwardian era. One day, watching The Masterpiece Theatre's absolutely perfect rendition of Pollyanna, I adamantly promised myself that I would one day find a pattern for and sew an apron from Edwardian era. Soon thereafter, when blissfully perusing Sense and Sensibility Patterns, I found it! And, a few weeks after I received my pattern in the mail, I created my very own Edwardian apron.

The sewing process was a delightful undertaking. It went together so quickly. And, oh -- it is the most comfortable apron I have ever donned! I despise aprons that tie around the neck. Whenever I wear such aprons I feel as though I'm in a perpetual tug of war. (chuckle) The Edwardian apron feels so natural, you wonder it's there. I have but one qualm regarding my particular apron, however. When I selected the material, it was in haste, and so I did not realize until later that it was a very lightweight cotton. Therefore, when I wear my apron over dark clothing (as in the photos below), it is very... obvious, shall we say. =) Ah, well. We do learn from our mistakes. (Such mistakes tend to drive perfectionists mad, however. =D) Nevertheless, I can say one thing I can say to the material's credit: wearing a long, full apron in the hot summer heat will be less oppressive.

Music and Praise

Why Music Is Not Amoral, Part 1

How somber our lives would be if the Creator had not placed music in the earth.  The fact that the Lord enjoys music is made apparent to me every time I hear a bird’s exultant song.  I can easily imagine the same notes blending with the rich harmony of a gentle wind, caressing a dense forest, with all united by a clear brook’s rhythmic gurgling. I do not believe any music mankind can create could rival such rich, melodious harmony. The Lord must love us very much indeed to fill His earth with such beauty for us to enjoy. But, more importantly, we must realize He created it for His pleasure. The Lord loves beautiful music. "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Rev. 4:11)

With sounds so melodious and sweet ringing through the air, one could nigh believe that all nature sings to the Lord His due praises. However, no soul participates in the rapturous sounds of the earth, and therefore God cannot possibly receive glory from such. The duty of praising the Lord with music belongs solely to those He has redeemed.

Songs of praise are a natural product of Christian growth. The singing of spiritual songs from a full heart is but one of the many evidences of a soul marvelously saved and transformed by Christ’s atoning blood. Music is one of the few forms of worship we can take part in on earth which will be in Heaven also. By worshiping the Lord in accordance to His Word, we can catch a glimpse of the exceeding great glory that awaits us in the heavenly courts.

Lord, You Deserve My Thanks for...

21. My sweet little friends who love playing in the snow. So fun! =)

22. The beautiful music of wind chimes -- it reminds me of spring. It causes me to anticipate the day when it will be warm enough to open the windows, allowing the clean spring air to cleanse our stuffy house and set the wind chimes singing! Forty-degree temperatures will feel glorious. I long to see water drip-dropping from roofs, creating crystal-clear puddles all around. And what joy 'twill be to hear the notes of songbirds as they break the winter silence! (thrilled sigh) Although the snow in the Arctic has not yet had even the slightest notion of melting, nor will it for many weeks more...

There is springtime in my soul today

For when the Lord is near,

The dove of peace sings in my heart,

The flow'rs of grace appear.