Home is in the Little Things

I've felt most welcome in a home where, after a few visits, they put me up against the door jamb to measure my height, marked it and wrote my name and the date. As a teenager who was longing to feel love, that one gesture made me feel like I was part of the family.

Fifty Million Dollars

So this week, thirteen people won almost $50,000,000.00 in a lottery. I'm glad it was a group at least, instead of an individual. That would be an obscene amount of money for one person. The Lottery Corporation should break up those big jackpots. They could easily make 50 people millionaires instead. That's enough of a life changing experience.
I don't buy lottery tickets, but something like this always gets me wondering what I would do with a jackpot like that. At my workplace, they buy a ticket each week. I suppose if they win, I'll be the only one left working...
But to consider winning such a vast sum, even for a few moments, is staggering. You would begin getting calls from strangers, since your name is made public. Everyone would offer to be your financial advisor. Friends and family who never gave you the time of day would come out of the woodwork, expecting a handout, telling you a dollar amount that they think is reasonable, and cursing you if you refuse them.
You'd have to worry about security for your kids, and sleep would not come as easily, as you would have a whole new set of worries, like sheltering your money from taxes, and making it grow. Because if you gave away one million, then you'd only have 49 million, and who could live on that?!
Unfortunately, you can be selfish and greedy whether you're rich or poor. Proverbs says, "The sleep of a labouring man is sweet." I think that's true. If you work hard, can pay your bills and provide for your family, know that you've earned your money honestly, you don't have as many worries keeping you awake at night. One thing I love about my job is that, even though I work hard while I'm there, I don't have to bring it home with me. I have no "homework" or stresses that keep me from sleeping. My sleep is sweet.
I have to laugh whenever I hear a mega-lottery winner say they'll keep working. It's absurd. They must have no clue about how much money they've actually won. (You could buy a small island.) I love my job, but I would leave it in a moment. If I found out at work, I'd finish my shift, since I wouldn't want to be charged with abandoning my patients, but I wouldn't feel obligated to give two weeks' notice. Do they give you two weeks' notice when they lay you off?
But to ponder such an event is an interesting exercise, because how you spend your time and money reveals things about what's important to you. I know I would have a hard time giving lottery winnings to a charity, because they may have ethical issues about it. So let's assume instead, a large inheritance from the proverbial rich uncle who considered you their favourite niece or nephew. Here's what I would do; not necessarily in this order.
Take a vacation and think and pray about it and make some decisions.
Quit work.
Consult a lawyer, accountant, financial planner. Update wills, etc.
Pay off mortgage and other outstanding debts.
Buy a vehicle for everyone in our immediate family.
Make some goals/review my bucket list.
Keep our house, renovate and refurnish it. Make it available for missionary
families on furlough to use.
Give money to my local church to fix up our church to prepare to sell it, and purchase land to build a new one.
Research Christian organizations that I would like to support and arrange to
support projects or people.
Consult an architect and begin to plan to build our dream house.
Plan four trips per year.
Invest the money so it grows.
Give money to relatives.
Have a big celebration.
Buy houses for my children.
Set up trust funds for my children.
Take courses.
Write full time.

Then what? You'd still have over 30 million dollars left. See, most people have no clue. It's way too much money to spend on yourself. You'd have to become a professional philanthropist and look for things to spend it on. It's a big, needy world out there, and it's not all about you, or me.
So, since I DON'T have a rich uncle who will leave me a vast sum of money, I'll try to keep working hard, and practice contentment and thankfulness, because "Godliness with contentment is great gain," and "What do you have that has not been given to you?" and "We brought nothing into this world, it is CERTAIN we will bring nothing out," and "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his own soul?"
I may only have a bungalow in Toronto, but I have a mansion in the skies. My sins are forgiven and I'm saved from hell. Those are true riches.

Surprises

May 18, 2009

Outside my window...a sunny, but cool day. We got a lot of yard work done today.
I am thinking...that no one is more surprised than me that the on-line registrations for Carey Conference are going so smoothly. I was very skeptical and I'm amazed at how all the info I need gets bumped into the appropriate lists. Also, many of the people who are usually last-minute registrants are now the first. I'm sorry I was so obstinate. It really is an improvement, and whoever takes over from us will have it so much easier.
I am thankful for...our delayed Mother's Day dinner at Memories of Japan. It's one of my favourite restaurants. They cook at your table, the price is reasonable, and the food is tasty and fresh.
From the kitchen...homemade burgers from the BBQ.
I am wearing...beige capris and a brown and white top.
I am reading...Consent to Kill by Vince Flynn. It's a political thriller about a CIA assassin whose family gets caught in the crossfire.
I am hoping...this is a true end to the civil war in Sri Lanka.
I am hearing...the Bachelorette. It's mindless I know, and I'll probably only see this first episode where they introduce the 25 men. This time the Bachelorette is a Canadian.
Around the house...my oldest daughter tried to do a temporary hair colour and it turned purplish instead. Surprise! Last time it was greenish. I guess she'll learn after the third attempt.
One of my favourite things...a live soccer game. We've only been able to secure one set of tickets to a TFC game this summer. They're more popular than expected, and sell out right away. They should have built a bigger stadium.
A few plans for the week...work three nights, go to the Sovereign Grace youth retreat next weekend.We're bringing nine from our church, which I think is a record. I'll be renting a car. We're also bringing along a potential replacement for ourselves. We've been youth leaders for 25 years, since we were dating, and we're getting too old for this. The thing I'm looking forward to, other than the excellent preaching of Steve West, is seeing our friends again, who are youth leaders from Trinity Baptist Church.

San Antonio, Texas

Remembering the Alamo

Our trip to Texas for the ONS Oncology Nursing Conference was great. I like Texas even better than Florida. The city of San Antonio is very clean and nice. It is roughly the size of Toronto (>2 million people). The thing I liked best about it was the Riverwalk, which is a man-made canal, built one story below street level. It meanders through nine city blocks in a circuit, and offers barge tour cruises and a cobblestone walkway along both sides. Along a large stretch of it, there are restaurants with outdoor patios. We ate outside for almost every meal. I can’t say there’s as much variety of restaurants along the Riverwalk as in Toronto, or in the rest of San Antonio, probably, but there is enough variety for a few days. We had Mexican food, real Texas BBQ, Italian, steak and seafood. The portions are huge. Everything’s bigger in Texas. Our cabbie told us that San Antonio has the largest number of overweight Americans in the country. I ordered an APPETIZER portion of ribs and could barely finish it. Imagine the all-you-can-eat size.

Travel

We travelled by Southwest Airlines from Buffalo, with a layover in Baltimore, Maryland. We had a long drive to Buffalo. My daughter wanted to prove to me that she could drive safely on the 401 so she drove to the border. She did a good job. Then Kathy drove to the Buffalo airport since she’d been there before. On the way back, Kathy drove the whole way back. Southwest Airlines doesn’t have a lot of extras, like meals, or music or movies, or convenient ways to buy things. The flight attendants are very casual, but they are known for their sense of humour. Apparently, during their interviews, they are asked how they used humour to make a bad situation better. As we were landing, in place of the usually landing announcements, the pilot broke out in song, saying something like, “Thank you for flying Southwest, We’re the best. Ladies, if you marry me, you can fly for free.” Then he added, “Applications now being accepted, pending a background check.” It was totally unexpected.

Conference

The conference itself was good, although I didn’t attend as many classes as last year since my Mom and oldest daughter were along for the trip. I took long lunches and lounged by the pool. I did catch a few interesting classes though, on Pancreatic cancer, Sarcoma, and Humour in Oncology, which explored the appropriate uses of humour with patients who use it to cope. The speaker for our class on sexuality and cancer was very funny, as was the keynote speaker, who authored a book called, “Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy.” Overall, I got a good chunk of my yearly required continuing education hours, to keep my Oncology Nursing Certification. I need 100 hours in 5 years, or 20 per year. Otherwise, I’d have to rewrite the national exam, and once was enough. I studied for four months, after taking the required courses.
There was also an international processional on the first morning. About 10-12 “foreign” countries were represented. We were all given little flags and paraded up the aisle to our choice seats. It felt like we were in the Olympics. The Dutch nurses all wore orange t-shirts and were quite rowdy. I guess if you’re not Dutch, you’re not much.

Hotel

Our hotel was not one of the recommended hotels, but we got a good deal. It was called the St. Anthony, and was an historic, 100 year old building. They have upgraded the rooms to include air conditioning and more outlets. Mine and Kathy’s room looked like it had formerly been two rooms and they removed the centre wall. It had two queen sized four poster beds (so I felt like I was at home), two washrooms, and two closets. There was an outdoor pool on one of the floors and the water was very warm, too warm in fact, but it was a nice place to sit out in the sun and tan or read. The only complaint I would have about the hotel was that for the morning of my birthday I had ordered room service and planned my schedule around it. It never arrived because they failed to pick up the order form from the doorknob. When I informed them, they apologized and said they’d tell the Manager, but nothing was ever done to make up for it. Am I being too princessy?

Playing Tourist

For touristy things, we took a barge cruise. The canal is filled with very dirty water and is narrower than a city street. They said, “If you end up in the water…just stand up, and walk to the edge. It’s only three feet deep.” We shopped, but I didn’t find much, other than a few tacky souvenirs which my daughter asked for. I drew the line at Davey Crockett coon skin hats. It’s like Goofy hats at Disney or Mariachi hats in Mexico: they seem like a good idea at the time. We also went to the Alamo, took pictures, and heard the re-telling of the great battle. I had always heard, “Remember the Alamo”, but since I had no idea what it was, any lessons were lost on me. I learned that it was actually a battle that the Texans lost. They were fighting against Santa Ana and his Mexican troops. The Texans were outnumbered 50:1. They were waiting for reinforcements that came too late. There were only 200 soldiers, and women and children in the fort. Santa Ana stormed the fort, and the Texans succeeded in holding them back for a time and even causing losses for the Mexicans. On the third attempt the Alamo was breached and the men killed, including Bowie, Travis and Davey Crockett. They don’t let you take pictures inside the Alamo, since that was where the men died, and it is hallowed ground. Although Santa Ana swore he’d give no quarter, he did allow the women and children to go free. They went from city to city, telling the story of the battle of the Alamo, and building up an army of volunteers who then returned, defeated Santa Ana, and retook the Alamo. I like military history, so I enjoyed that a lot.
We also went to the Texas Ranger Museum, which was just a block from our hotel. The Texas Rangers (not the baseball team) were the original law men of Texas who sought to bring order to the Wild West. The museum featured an old Texas town with a saloon and a jail. I found myself on the wrong side of the bars. There were examples of chairs made out of all sizes of horns, and saddles made with beautifully intricate leather work. They also had about 1000 stuffed animals. By stuffed, I mean, by a taxidermist. The animals were from all over the world, unless elephants, giraffes, and woolly mammoths once roamed the Texas range. We took a few silly pictures there.

Church

On Sunday, we took a long cab ride to church. We thought we’d just hail a cab after breakfast, not realizing that 6,000 nurses were finished their conference and needed to get to the airport. We missed the singing, but arrived in time for the preaching. We went to Oak Hills Church to hear Max Lucado. The only other famous preacher in San Antonio was John Hegee, and I’m not about to listen to a man who said that Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah or that Jews would be saved another way. Anyway, this church has two services on Saturday night and three on Sunday morning, all exactly the same message, but no evening service. They have several pastors and so many people, but can’t manage an evening service? They have to clear out as soon as he’s finished preaching to make room for the next group. The surprising thing is that even after the final service, which we attended, no one seemed to stay around to chat. In our church, we’re there almost an hour after the lengthy sermon. Also, the sermon was okay, comparing popular Nero, with an obscure Paul, and showing who ultimately turned the world upside down. But I think we have more substantial and powerful preaching at Faith Baptist Church from Pastor Brian Robinson. (That was just a word from our sponsor. Now back to our story).
Afterwards, we waited for our cabbie to return for us. We visited their bookstore and I bought 5 books. I was surprised that none of his books was autographed, since the author was in-house. I’ve never bought any of his books before and came all the way to buy them from the source. Well, that’s what I would have done anyway. I bought, “He Chose the Nails.” I also bought “The Story”, which was what they were preaching through. It is the Bible, written chronologically, and excerpted to read like a novel. It also has sections in italics to summarize or fill in what happened between books. I’ve read the Bible as a Novel before. It was called, The Book of God, and has some merit, although I wouldn’t recommend it for study purposes.
The building was modern and impressive and everything ran smoothly, but even my Mom, who is unsaved, said she preferred our small church because everyone knew each other, the pastor knows who he’s preaching to, and he talks to you. Max Lucado disappeared as soon as he was done preaching.
One other interesting thing that happened there was that they did the Lord’s Supper, but since this was Texas in the middle of a swine flu scare, they used a disposable communion set. I don’t know where they purchased them, but the top of it said, “The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Transubstantiation?) It got my Protestant blood up. They also just told everyone to do it on their own. You peeled back the first layer to get a little wafer, and then peeled back the next layer to get the juice. It took away from the corporate feel of Communion and also from the solemnity of it, since they came around almost right away to collect the garbage. I know you can sometimes get set in your own ways of doing things, but I think some of my concerns were legitimate. I never realized that I liked how things were done in our church until I was exposed to something different.
Anyway, it was good to be back at my home church, even though our Pastor was away in a different part of Texas visiting his son’s family. We had great preaching by Mark Hudson and Dr. Michael Haykin. You can hear their sermons on our church website, www.faith-baptist.ca
Texans are very friendly and welcoming. The people of San Antonio love their city, and with good reason. One thing I thought was truly Texan was the sign on the door of McDonalds, telling you not to bring your guns inside. Only in Texas. There were also people who wore real cowboy hats. You could also get a ride in a horse drawn carriage.
I loved Texas, and would like to see more of it. I would definitely go back, if given the opportunity.

Back At It

May 8, 2009

Outside my window...a beautiful, spring day.
I am thinking...we went on-line with the Carey Conference registrations. So it begins for our final year of admin. I hope it goes smoothly. I'm a little nervous about it.
I am thankful for...the opportunity I had to go to San Antonio. We had a great trip. I'll write about it separately.
From the kitchen...Filipino take out; noodles, pork BBQ on a stick, spring rolls, and vegies and dip. It is Friday, after all, and we usually eat out or order in.
I am wearing...white capris, a brown and white top.
I am reading...Blinded by Travis Thrasher.
I am hoping...my mother-in-law's cardiac procedure has long lasting effects.
I am hearing...Flashpoint.
Around the house...my oldest daughter has been learning to cook, since she won't have a meal plan when she goes back to university in the fall. My husband is stressed, over-worked and not feeling well. Both girls are at church events tonight.
One of my favourite things...eating outside. When we were in Texas, we ate most of our meals on the Riverwalk.
A few plans for the week....the usual weekend stuff. We're going out for Mother's Day next weekend instead, to avoid the crowds. Then I have to work four nights. I'd like to find time to purchase the things we need for our bathroom renovation, but we'll see if that happens.

Will They Let Me In?

We're heading to Texas tomorrow! I'm so excited, even though it's a work-related trip. My friend, Kathy and I are going ot our second oncology nursing conference. Last year we went to Philadelphia. Now we're going to San Antonio. What's cool about it is that there are over 7,000 oncology nurses there from all over Canada and the U.S. Not just 7,000 nurses, but all oncology nurses. It's such a neat feeling of camaraderie. All the classes are work related and very interesting.
My mom and my oldest daughter are coming along as well, as a vacation. None of us has been to Texas before, except Kathy, although not to San Antonio. My daughter just finished her first year of university.
The reason my youngest is staying home is because she's still in high school. I'll take her with me another year. She also has to look forward to a concert in Toronto with her favourite band, so she'll be okay.
My husband is terribly busy with work and our annual meeting at church.
I would have preferred to take a direct flight from Toronto, for convenience, but we had to get a cheaper flight because of funding issues. There is a layover in Baltimore, and two and a half hour drive before and after the trip. I'm not looking forward to the drive since my "driver" is staying home. We're taking our van and parking at the airport. The price is reasonable.
We'll be gone five nights. We're staying at a historic, 100 year old hotel a few blocks from the conference centre and the Alamo. My daughter plans to make use of the rooftop pool to work on her tan.
My only concern is if they'll let me into the country. I was in Mexico six weeks ago, and now I have a cold. I was in the Yucatan, not Mexico city, and it was before the outbreak of the swine flu, which has got everyone so uptight about travel. It feels like a sinus cold. I don't have a fever. I didn't have a cough, until an hour ago, but I'm not really concerned. But the border patrol may be skittish. Who knows? I hope I'm not turned back. I've been looking forward to this trip for a while.
I also hope Kathy is not worried about sharing a hotel room with me. My mom and daughter will have their own room, since they can sleep in while we get up and go to our classes. Well, it's in God's hands.
I'm packed, lightly, even, so we can do some shopping. The weather is expected to be 27-33 all weekend. Nice.

Life Lessons at 45

Now that I’m half-way to 90, assuming I get there, I’ll share some of the things I’ve learned over my two score and five.

1.Kidney stone pain is worse than natural childbirth.
2.I will never have an hour-glass figure, no matter how much I wish it.
3.If there was only one spot on a life raft, my husband would give it to me.
4.When you talk to (read, yell at) your kids, you find yourself thinking, “Oh, no. I’ve become my mother.” One day they’ll do the same.
5.Marriage is worth the effort. Good marriages can become great marriages.
6.I’m a dreamer, but mixed up in those dreams are a few good ideas.
7.When I was young, I quit everything I started. Now, I finish what I start. That was a major change for me.
8.If your kids don’t laugh at your joke the first time, tell it again.
9.Things to remember during labour and delivery: A) Women have been doing this since Eve. B) It ends eventually. C) You have a better reward for your pain than a kidney stone. D) Epidurals are a girl’s best friend.
10.Women go through a mid-life crisis earlier than men. I was thirty. I’m SO over it.
11.Life is full of regrets. Live in today. (I’m still working on perfecting this one).
12.Entertain friends even if everything isn’t perfect in your home. Years from now, all they’ll remember is how they felt being with you, not what you served or if the dishes matched. Life is about moments like this.
13.Similar personalities clash more than opposites. My oldest daughter inherited her mother’s stubborn streak. Before we had kids, when my husband would be frustrated with me, he’d say, “I hope you have a daughter just like you!” He didn’t realize he was cursing himself.
14.Take heart. Not every teenager rebels.
15. Take a lot of pictures. Leave something lasting for the next generation. I always wished I had something my father had written so I could see his handwriting, and understand how he felt about things, or a video so I could hear his voice or see how he carried himself.
16.As you age, do what you’re comfortable with to feel better about yourself, i.e. hair colour, makeup, etc. T.T. Shields said, when asked whether women should wear makeup, “If the barn door needs painting, you should paint it.”
17.Secure the roof topper on your van when you go camping. Sleeping bags and air mattresses on the highway is not a pretty sight.
18.Get all the education you can get. It can never be taken from you.
19.Do what you love to do for a living, if you can. Life is too short to dread going to work.
20.Settle the big issues of life first; where you’ll spend eternity, who you’ll marry, what you’ll do for a living. After that, the small things settle out and run smoother.
21.Be thankful to God for all the blessings in your life.
22.Be a realist. You won’t always have your health, or your job, or your family around you. Hold on to the eternal things.
23.Learn how to balance a cheque book. I didn’t know how for the first six years we were married, and we lived like paupers. Then we discovered we actually had thousands of dollars due to my accounting finesse, and we used it as a downpayment on our house.
24.Always take carry-on luggage when you travel. People use our first cruise fiasco as an example of what NOT to do. We had NO luggage for 5 out of 7 days.
25.Never say never to God. He has a sense of humour. Remember Jonah? I said, “I’ll NEVER live in the neighbourhood near our church!” Guess where we’ve been for 16 years?

The Sands of Time Are Sinking

I love this verse in particular because it shows what our true priority will be in Heaven. I had told my husband I wanted this on my tombstone, but he said, "No way, you have to pay by the letter." So I said, "Okay, how about on the bulletin, or sing it at my funeral."

vs. 4

"The bride eyes not her garment,
But her dear bridegroom's face;
I will not gaze at glory,
But on my King of grace;
Not at the crown he gifteth,
But on his pierced hand;
The Lamb is all the glory
Of Emmanuel's land.

Anne R. Cousin

Endings and Beginnings

April 25, 2009

Outside my window...we had a beautiful, hot day. 25C and sunny, which changed rather suddenly to dark clouds, heavy winds and a downpour. When the weather is unstable like this, I start looking for tornadoes.
I am thinking...why are there pet stories in the first ten minutes of the news? Is there nothing more important happening in the country or the world?
I am thankful for...my daughter's successful completion of her first year of university. We drove to Hamilton last night to help her move out of her dorm room.
From the kitchen...bbq chicken, roasted potatoes, stir fried vegetables and ice cream.
I am wearing...white capri pants, red tank top, and white gauzy blouse. I'm thinking "summer".
I am reading...Till We Reach Home by Lynn Austin, about Swedish immigrants, and The Secret Life of Becky Miller by Sharon Hinck.
I am hoping...that they find that kidnapped girl, Tori Stafford, safe and sound. The mom seems too calm to me. Something is suspicious about this case.
I am hearing...Murdoch Mysteries, set in Toronto 100 years ago.
Around the house...the contents of my daughter's dorm room were in my livingroom and took hours to clean up, especially since my daughter left to go to a Scott Mission Camp reunion today. She'll be back tomorrow after singing one final time until September at the church in Oakville. My youngest had a haircut and came home sobbbing at the result. We were able to salvage it, though. She is attending a friends' baptism tomorrow. My mother-in-law has to have a procedure done on Wednesday to correct a heart rhythm problem.
One of my favourite things...the feeling at the beginning of twelve days off. Did I mention that I loved my job?
A few plans for the week...church tomorrow, errands on Monday, visit to mother-in-law, pack, travel to San Antonio on Wednesday. We're planning to hear Max Lucado on the Sunday we're in Texas.

Experience

"Experience is a hard teacher
because she gives the test first,
the lesson afterwards."


Vernon Saunders Law

Earth Day/Neo-Paganism

I can't believe the hype over Earth Day. Well, in a sense, yes, I can. They say that when Christianity is pushed out of a culture, it only takes one generation for paganism to step into the vacuum.
In public schools, children are taught to sing hymns in praise of Mother Earth, thanking her for providing for them. It's neo-paganism in cheap disguise.
As a Christian, I believe we should be good stewards of the planet, but I won't jump on every bandwagon to be politically correct (who decides that anyway?)
I also think we don't need to worry that we will somehow, inadvertently destroy the planet before its' time. God is sovereign, and the only global warming to be concerned about will be when "the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10

Easiest Shortbread Cookie Recipe

I'm not big on Christmas baking, but this has become a yearly tradition since our girls were young. They had a great time rolling, cutting and decorating these melt-in-your-mouth cookies. And they're soooo easy, only four ingredients.

Cream 1 lb. butter
1 cup icing sugar
1 cup rice flour
3 cups all purpose flour

Mix together by hand. Roll into a ball and flatten with rolling pin. Use cookie cutter. Make depth ¼ inch. Decorate with sprinkles. Bake at 325 F for 40 minutes: should still be a pale colour.

This recipe can be halved or doubled as needed.

Stress Plus

April 17, 2009

Outside my window...21 C today. The warmest day of the year so far.
I am thinking...I can't believe how directionally challenged I am. I drove my daughter to Hamilton on Tuesday and got lost twice on the way. How pathetic is that? Maybe it's time to invest in a GPS.
I am thankful for...a friend who has started typing up my stories. She told me she's enjoying them, which is encouraging me to finish them up.
From the kitchen...we bbq'd chicken, vegies, and garlic shrimp skewers.
I am wearing...my black and white polka dot dress. It feels like summer to me.
I am reading...Fireproof by Eric Wilson. It's about making your marriage better. It's also a movie starring Kirk Cameron. It's often shown in churches because it is evangelistic.
I am hoping...that my daughter gets caught up with her homework and my eldest does well in her exams. I can't believe her first year of university is almost over.
I am hearing...Ice Road Truckers. I don't know why I find this show so fascinating. Big rigs drive over a road made on icy lakes in the Arctic.
Around the house...This has been a very stressful week for my husband and daughter. They are very much alike in temperament, and often have insomnia. My daughter actually broke out in hives because of the stress of all the assignments due at the same time.
One of my favourite things...bacon. It tastes as good as it smells.
A few plans for the week...shop, clean, finish our Carey admin stuff so we can mail out the brochures by the end of the month. We're having a luncheon at church on Sunday. Then I'll be working four nights before being off again for twelve days to go to Texas.

Stop the Revolving Door

From bondage to spiritual faith
From spiritual faith to great courage
From great courage to strength
From strength to liberty
From liberty to abundance
From abundance to leisure
From leisure to selfishness
From selfishness to complacency
From complacency to apathy
From apathy to dependence
From dependence to weakness
From weakness back to bondage


Charles R. Swindoll, Come Before Winter, 500.

The Love of God

This hymn by Frederick M. Lehman has beautiful poetry, particularly this third verse.

"Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made,
Where every stalk on earth a quill
And ev'ry man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Tho stretched from sky to sky."

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

This is a lovely hymn by Elizabeth C. Clephane.
I love this verse especially.

"Upon the cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me.
And from my stricken heart with tears
Two wonders I confess,
The wonders of redeeming love
And my own worthlessness."