A measure of trials is necessary
(John Newton's Letters)

A measure of trials is necessary for the exercise and manifestation of your graces; to give you a more convincing proof of the truth and sweetness of the promises made to a time of affliction; to mortify the body of sin; and to wean you more effectually from the world.

Faith upholds a Christian under all trials, by assuring him that every painful dispensation is under the direction of his Lord; that chastisements are a token of His love; that the season, measure, and continuance of his sufferings, are appointed by Infinite Wisdom, and designed to work for his everlasting good; and that grace and strength shall be afforded him, according to his need.

God Moves In Mysterious Ways

William Cowper, 1774


God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
With blessing on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain!

From Daily Light, Sept. 12, Evening portion

The Lord taketh my part.

The Lord heareth thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; send thee help from the sanctuary and strengthen thee out of Zion. We will rejoice in thy savation, and in th name of our God we will set up our banners. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright.

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him---There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be temted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

If God be for us, who shall be against us?-- The LORD is on my side, I will not fear.
Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us...he will deliver us.

Ps 118:7, Ps. 20:1-2,5,7-8; Isa. 59:19--ICor.10:13; Rom 8:31--Ps. 118:6; Dan. 3:17

News, News, News!!!!!

I'M PREGNANT!!!!!!

I found out yesterday that we're expecting again! I'm so excited!

Pray for Steven and I and this little one inside of me that the Lord would be merciful and gracious through the next eight months.

Psalm 139:14
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

3 Steps to Marriage

Ok, so I thought I would visit this theme, aided by my father, Pat Horner...Short thoughts on courtship and marriage...how long does "courtship" last?

Taken from the biblical account of Isaac and Rebekah--

1. Help her get off the camel.

2. Say I do.

3. Take her into the tent.

Is it the Lord's will for me to be with this person? If the answer is yes, them marry them already!!!

Thanks, Dad, for letting me share your advice to all those out there comtemplating marriage!

Any thoughts, people??

ALL THAT I NEED

Based on The Valley of Vision prayer "Fullness"

By Stephen Altrogge

In you is strength to sustain me,

And wisdom enough to guide my hand.
Mercy enough to forgive me,

And power to finish what You began.

All that I need is in You, Jesus,

The fountain of grace that overflows.

All that I need is in You, Jesus.

You are my only hope.

You are my only hope

In You is fullness of gladness,

And fullness of grace for every need,
Rest for the ones who are weary,

And beauty surpassing all that we've seen.

All that I need is in You, Jesus,

The fountain of grace that overflows.

All that I need is in You, Jesus.

You are my only hope.

You are my only hope.

You satisfy my heart.

You satisfy my soul.

Oh, help me always know

All that I need is in You, Jesus,

The fountain of grace that overflows.

All that I need is in You, Jesus.

You are my only hope.

You are my only hope!

Welcome to the Dawsons!!!!! Shaunna and Blake have joined the wonderful world of blogging. Check it out, people, and leave them some love!

Btw, I have no idea what's going on with that space in my favorites...it's not there in my template, so who knows what the kink is this time with our wonderful Blogger!!!! :)

Gleanings from my reading today...

Luke 12: 29 - 32

Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of a doubtful mind.

For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

But rather, seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Romans 8: 14-17

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The Spirit itself bearing witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

For I reckon the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.

My Testimony

I realized recently that I have never shared my personal testimony or anything really personal about my life. Here is a short version of my salvation and the events leading up to God's true work in my life.

I will try to write more on a personal level when I post in the future. There are always so many thoughts in my mind that I could put together as a post, but finding the time and the quiet to put it all together...that's another story! I'm hoping though that as things fall into a routine again for me that I will be able to write more often, with more meaningful posts.

I hope you enjoy reading about what the Lord did in my life over four years ago. Maybe I'll get the chance to write in more detail about it later.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I grew up in church, in a Christian family with a father who was a pastor. I’ve been taught the doctrines of grace for as long as I can remember.

When I was 13, I made a profession of faith. For a long time, I really thought I was saved, but by the time I was 17, almost 18, I realized that I wasn’t a true Christian. Many people ask me why wasn’t I saved at 13, and the only thing I can say is that I was trying to be and act as everyone expected me to act. Though I truly believed that I was saved, I think I “made a profession” to be what I thought was expected of me.

Shortly before graduating from high school, Steven and I started seeing each other. He proposed the following February, and we planned a June wedding! I was sure that marriage and the hope of children would keep me happy, but the Lord had other plans for me!

Our marriage was wonderful, but my lost condition only made me more and more unhappy, no matter how wonderful a life I was leading. In June 2001, almost a year after we were married, I went through my first miscarriage. Two months later, I was pregnant again, but lost that baby in October.

Between these two miscarriages, we bought the house here in Coleman, and as a result, Steven was let go from his job. Though the Lord did provide a temporary job for him, we moved in with his parents because he could not find a job here in Coleman. We had to put moving on hold.

The Lord used the stress of the miscarriages and our having to live with Steven’s parents to bring me to the end of myself. I finally came to the place that no matter what anyone thought, I had to get right with God.

One night driving home alone, the Lord brought I John 1: 9 to my mind. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I realized that there wasn’t anything that I could do to “be better” outside of the Lord Jesus Christ. I cried out to the Lord right there, asking for His mercy and deliverance from my sinful state. I praise the Lord for hearing me and fulfilling that promise in my life that night!

I have not always been faithful to my Lord, but I am so thankful that He is always faithful to me and brings me back, forgiving me over and over, no matter what I do or say to offend Him. I can attest to the fact that no matter how I fail or what trials come into my life, Jesus Christ is with me and within me, helping me and keeping me day by day. I praise Him for His unfailing love that surrounds me, holds me and preserves me!

Another favorite

I've added a new link to my favorites. I intend to start checking this blog everyday as I do with many of the others.
I don't know Esther Ellis personally, but I was very blessed to read through her blog and see her heart to serve God and become more Christ-like.
After reading through her archives, I feel like I almost do know her and her family! :) I hope that each of you will check out "My World" when you have a few minutes.

Thanks

Hi, friends. I was very encouraged by the uplifting responses I've gotten over the past week. What a blessing it is to know that the brethren are praying for me and for my church. Nichole, thank you especially for all you've done to hold me up and be there for me the last few days.

The Lord is so gracious to His people! He knows that we need encouragement. He knows exactly when we are struggling and sends us just the right hope for that moment.

Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things! Jer. 33:3

Restful chaos

My world is in chaos.

Our nation is at war against an intrepid, crazed enemy. The Middle East is in an uproar. Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, N. Korea...anyone who's connected at all knows that we face a threat like no other at this time in our history. Whether this is WWIII, I am no authority to say, but I do know that the physical world around us is becoming more and more dangerous to Americans and to Christians everywhere.

On a closer plane, our personal life is stirred up.

We are without a home of our own, and though I GREATLY appreciate being able to stay at my parents home, there is an unrest in not having a place for my family to come apart from everyone else. I miss my own home, my own kitchen! :) I know many of you who read this can relate!

My family, my brothers, my in-laws...so many trials of life compass us right now!!! My husband and I both have a brother serving our country by fighting in this war in Iraq. How our hearts are burdened for their safety and return to us! My parents-in-law are going through great trials with their health. Another of my brothers is facing a difficult transition is his life.

Our church has just unexpectedly lost a precious, precious brother in Christ. His family, all of us who are his friends, we are all hurting and grieving. We just yesterday laid our brother's body to rest, knowing that already his spirit, his soul is eternally resting with our Saviour. We are all emotionally and physically worn from the events of this week.

Where can we find rest at times like this when the world around us is falling apart, our family is going through difficulties, and our church is facing such a loss?

Throughout my reading the past few days, there has been a theme of God's sovereignty, God's presence with His people and His care for us in the midst of the storms of life. Truly, the only peace I can find, the only trust I have is in this Almighty God I serve. This is the God that knows all these things-- from the greatest threat to the smallest hurt!

How can I despair when I know that God's hand is moving and controlling all things! He knows each moment, each day!
He knew what this week would hold for the Barker family.
He knew what this move would mean for me.
He knew what my brothers would face these past months.
And He alone knows what the future holds.

So, though there are times I feel that my world is coming apart and will never be "right" again, I have a place to turn. I have a Refuge in this storm.

I praise You, Lord, for your providences in my life! Thank you for holding me through all of it! Thank you that I can come to you through the blood of Christ and find all I need to face what each new day may bring. Thank you, my God, for choosing me, calling me out of my sin and restoring my soul! Help me to continue to see Your hand in my life and to continue trusting through whatever YOU bring my way. I love you, Lord!

But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Psalm 115:1

The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
Psalm 145:17

The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
Psalm 126:3

For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will lead us even unto death.
Psalm 47:14

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
Psalm 49:15

The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Psalm 145:8, 9

I will extol thee, my God, O King; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
Psalm 145:1

After a long silence...

Hey Blog world!! I'm still alive! I've survived packing and moving! haha...the Lord has been giving much grace.

I'll try to sit down and write a longer, more interesting post soon, but now, I'm off to do some housework!

Just thought I'd share

Morning and Evening
by Charles Spurgeon

June 27
Evening ...

I Corinthians 7:20
Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.


Some persons have the foolish notion that the only way in which they can live for God is by becoming ministers, missionaries, or Bible women. Alas! how many would be shut out from any opportunity of magnifying the Most High if this were the case. Beloved, it is not office, it is earnestness; it is not position, it is grace which will enable us to glorify God. God is most surely glorified in that cobbler's stall, where the godly worker, as he plies the awl, sings of the Saviour's love, ay, glorified far more than in many a prebendal stall where official religiousness performs its scanty duties. The name of Jesus is glorified by the poor unlearned carter as he drives his horse, and blesses his God, or speaks to his fellow labourer by the roadside, as much as by the popular divine who, throughout the country, like Boanerges, is thundering out the gospel. God is glorified by our serving Him in our proper vocations. Take care, dear reader, that you do not forsake the path of duty by leaving your occupation, and take care you do not dishonour your profession while in it. Think little of yourselves, but do not think too little of your callings. Every lawful trade may be sanctified by the gospel to noblest ends. Turn to the Bible, and you will find the most menial forms of labour connected either with most daring deeds of faith, or with persons whose lives have been illustrious for holiness. Therefore be not discontented with your calling. Whatever God has made your position, or your work, abide in that, unless you are quite sure that he calls you to something else. Let your first care be to glorify God to the utmost of your power where you are. Fill your present sphere to His praise, and if He needs you in another He will show it you. This evening lay aside vexatious ambition, and embrace peaceful content.

One verse...well, half a verse really!

I thought that in the midst of all my hectic, moving craziness, I'd stop a moment and share a verse the Lord put on my heart from my reading last night before I fell into exhausted sleep!

Proverbs 10:3a ~
The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famine:

In all the business (read: busy-ness!) of packing, sorting, moving and storing, this verse encouraged me that even though I can only grab 15 minutes here or 5 minutes there to stop and read a chapter of Scripture, God will keep my soul! Thank you, Lord!!!

I'm sad!

Well, I no longer have a living room. I have boxes instead! No more pictures on my walls. No more pretty candles setting on tables. No more cookbooks in my kitchen. I'm a little sad...Ok, a lot sad. This house we're leaving is our very first house to buy and decorate and love! It's hard to leave so many memories behind, but I know we will keep them locked in our hearts no matter where we end up next! As I have cleaned out closets, taken pictures down, wrapped candles in towels to keep them safe in the move, I have reflected on all that we love about living in this house and all the wonderful things that happened here!

We prepared the extra room for our daughter. What love and excitement there was as my mom and I sewed the bed covers and the valances for the windows! We came home from the hospital that March day without her and grieved for her in this house! How I remember that room covered with condolence flowers rather than diapers and pink little girl stuff!

A year and three months later, we brought our son home to this house! What a wonderful, joyful day that was!!! I was exhausted, but so very happy to finally hold that little boy I had waited for those nine months. I've watched him accomplish all his "firsts" in this house. In that room that's now covered with his little boy toys- hammers, wrenches, tool table, bat, balls, gloves, cars, stuffed animals. The whole room shouts, " A little boy lives here!" It's been a memorable two years, watching Ryan change from a newborn baby to the active two year old he is today.

Steven and I have faced so many things together. We had this house to come home to, to be together here when the world was too much, when things weren't going the way we had envisioned them. We will miss our first house!!

But with all the changes, there is an anticipation of what the future holds. We know that things won't always be easy over the next few months without a home of our own, but we will treasure the time we have with my parents and use this time to prepare for our future and help our family. The Lord has been good to us, and I know He will continue to guide our steps as we embark on this new journey in our lives!

My brother

My younger brother will be leaving by the end of this month to fight for our country. As far as we know right now, he will not be home again until after Christmas. Please pray that the Lord would keep His hand of protection over Stephen, and in mercy, bring him home safely.

Confessions from my heart

Do you ever struggle with fear of the future?
Do you ever struggle with not being in "control" of every detail of your life?

For the last few months, I have been struggling with these things. You would think that with all the Lord has brought me through to this point, I would have already learned to rest in Him and wait on Him for His perfect will to be worked out in my life!!! But, no, I seem to constantly have to be reminded of these things!

Only a few nights ago, the Lord showed me once again how I was in need of repentance and cleansing for the sins I had allowed in my life--pride, selfishness, disobedience. Even idolatry, for I had taken my eyes, my focus, off of Christ alone and had placed it instead on myself and my "needs." I was to the point where I was no longer making God's Word a priority in my life. This is an area where I struggle often--daily time with the Lord, reading and praying.

It amazes me how Christ refuses to let me go! Even with my inward refusals to try to read His Word, He used the novels I was engrossed in to bring my mind to His word anyway!!! Every book I picked up spoke about a Christian struggling to walk with the Lord and keep their mind on Christ. The verses and prayers that those fictional characters uttered spoke to my rebellious heart. I knew that the Spirit was speaking to me, even in my sinful willfulness, to draw me once again to the cross.

I am so thankful that though my falls may be great or may be often, Jesus will never leave me! He will never let me go back to the pit! He promises to hear my cries and pick me up again and bring me back into the fold.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1

I can say today that though I'm surrounded by uncertainties, I am once again resting on Christ. Maybe this time, I will learn to daily ask for His grace and daily keep my eyes on my Saviour! Please pray for me that His will would be my focus, that His will would be my desire. May our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be glorified in me and through me!

Praise You In This Storm

I want to dedicate this song to Abigail's memory and to my father-in-law, Casey Walker. May we all learn to praise our loving, sovereign God in the midst of the storms of life. "You are Who You are, no matter where I am!"


I'll Praise You In This Storm
Casting Crowns


I was sure by now,
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away.

I'll praise You in this storm,
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm!

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind.
You heard my cry;
You raised me up again.
My strength is almost gone.
How can I carry on
If I can't find You?

But as the thunder rolls,
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you."
And as Your mercy falls,
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away.

I'll praise You in this storm,
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am.
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand.
You never left my side,
And though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm!


I lift my eyes unto the hills.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of Heaven and Earth!