Some Quotes on a Sunday

"The bigger your view of God, the smaller your problems will seem to you."  (John Lindell, James River Assembly)


"You can do more than pray after you've prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed." (John Bunyan, quoted by John Lindell in his sermon on Nehemiah)

"We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties."  (Oswald Chambers)


"Heaven is full of answers to prayers for which no one ever bothered to ask." (Billy Graham)


And a saying my daughter, Tiffany, quotes all the time: "Everything you were born to do is impossible....without God."
(Christine Caine)


Lord, help me and teach me to pray.  


A quote from the Apostle Paul:  "Do not be anxious for anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Reflectors of His Glory

 "Arise and shine, for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.  For behold darkness shall cover the earth, and great darkness shall cover the people; but the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you" (Isaiah 60:1,2).

When I graduated from LIFE Bible College "back in the day," each year the graduating class would choose a name and verse. The class name we chose was "Reflectors of His Glory" which came from Isaiah 60:1,2. People were invited to write a song that would correspond with our class theme and verse and the winning song was sung by the class at graduation.

I simply put Isaiah 60:1-2 to music with a slight variation of the words in the verses and used "We are reflectors of His glory" in the chorus.  My song was not chosen by our class but my husband loved that little song.  

As we went into ministry, we pastored in Colorado and Missouri and then went into the Air Force Chaplaincy.  Every now and then Lonnie would preach a sermon that would include this passage of Scripture in it:  "Arise and shine, for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold darkness shall cover the earth...but the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you."

He would come up to me at some point during the week before and ask something like this, "Chrissy, would you mind playing and singing your song 'Reflectors of His Glory' for service on Sunday? I just think it would be a great way to end the sermon during the invitation." 


He was always so sweet about it and my simple little song would be sung once more, much to his delight. I think he liked to give me opportunity to minister alongside him and I love him for that. We moved 11 times by the time our youngest daughter was 17 years old, so he could include this little song a few times in our military ministry and it was never a repeat for the congregations.  

Yesterday I was reading my Life Journal scriptures (I am on my own two-year You Version plan where I push the catch-me-up button when I get behind) and I came to Isaiah 60 and memories flooded back. I wish I could somehow relate the love my husband had for His Savior and his desire to shine forth His Light. It was what he was all about (that and his love for me and our family).


My hope and prayer is that I will reflect the light and glory of the Lord as I continue this journey. I wish Lonnie were here to sing my little song with me...but he's singing alongside the heavenly hosts instead!

Overwhelmed by Our Shepherd's Love

He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom and gently lead those that are with young. 

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him His counsel? Whom did He consult, and who made Him understand? Who taught Him the path of justice and taught Him knowledge and showed Him the way of understanding? 

Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing. 

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:11-14, 26, 28-31 ESV) 

I have read and reread this passage of Scripture over this past month and I am made aware again and again of what an awesome God we have! I have been captivated by these words. Our God knows all, understands all, created all and He is never weary and does not grow faint. He renews our strength as we wait upon Him. 

Our God is with us; He is our rock, our sure foundation. This awesome God who created the stars and the oceans and the mountains desires to be our Shepherd.    

I love this picture of the Shepherd with His sheep, taking care of them and guiding them to where they should go for that day. Daily He is with us, He loves us and cares for us. Daily our amazing Creator God shows His gentleness and love to us and desires to guide us where we should go and to become who He desires us to be. 

The Lord is my Shepherd. I am overwhelmed. 

Why Us, God?

On March 28, 2011, my title for my post was No Limits. I wanted to share it again and also add an update at the end:

(From March 28, 2011) "The other morning I woke up with this prayer on my lips, 'Oh Lord, I hope I never did anything to limit or stifle the dreams you put in my precious husband's life. Please forgive me if I did.' I reflect on different aspects of our life together daily. We would often discuss possibilities and we had many dreams for the future and thoughts of what we would do when he retired from the Air Force. My prayer continued, "Please don't let me stifle or bring limitations to what You would do in our lives."

Shortly after that, a precious person called me and told me of an opportunity that she and her husband were pursuing which included an amazing blessing but also great commitment. I knew that the Lord had dealt with my heart earlier in the day. I believe God was preparing my heart for this news and my response. I would not want to limit what God would do in this person's life even though it will involve great dedication, unselfish love, perseverance and sacrifice.

When God calls us to something, may we pursue Him with all that we are, knowing He will do what He wants to do through us and most of all, make us who He wants us to be. We have no idea where it may lead, but let's allow Him to surprise us and be 'confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ' (Phil 1:6)."

Ruby and her big brother Isaiah

Update, January 2012: I was referring to our Tiffany's phone call in the above post. She and Zach were praying regarding the adoption of a precious little girl and she was letting me know of this after they had already prayed and fasted together as a couple. I am thankful the Lord prepared me for this by reminding me of my prayer not to stifle or put limitations on His work. I joined them in prayer as did other family members and friends. I am so excited that they followed hard after the Lord and let Him lead their decisions and steps. We are thrilled that Ruby is home! 


While Tiffany was in Taiwan, she sent the following sentiments in an e-mail to the family: "There are so many incredible spiritual things happening, so many stories of God's grace in this situation. We need to record all the stories, completely miraculous. Zach and I just sit and say, 'God, why us? How do we deserve this huge blessing?' We know it is all His grace. God has worked in mighty ways."


I am praying in this new year that I will remember not to put my limits on God's work in my life and the lives of my family and friends. Why would I want to limit His Hand! Father God, help me to follow hard after You and not be afraid, for You are with me. No Limits!