So Thankful to Know You

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I am so thankful to know You

Day by day I’m learning Your heart

Moment by moment You are so real

I’m overwhelmed with all You impart

 

I think back to before I knew You

You seemed so far; miles above

I heard Your name but not Your heart

Hidden from me was Your wonderful love

 

I am so grateful I learned to pray

It’s incredible how You respond faithfully

When I share all my concerns and needs

Your answers delight and surprise me

 

Sometimes my circumstances change

And my problems seem to disappear

Practical solutions pour into my mind

And simplicity prevails, so dear

 

Other times my trials remain

And I cry to You in my distress

Your grace, comfort and peace amaze me

And no longer do I come under the stress

 

I praise You, Lord, for the Bible

Your Words are the only truth

They have become my life

As I ask You what I should do

 

No longer am I lonely

No longer am I sad

Time in prayer and Your Word

Transforms me, and I am glad

 

The heavenly principles I have learned

The pure wisdom You provide

A future full of joy and hope

In Your thoughts I choose to abide

 

Your Holy Spirit is my teacher

Your angels guard my every way

Jesus loves me and died for my sins

And He lives to help me each day

 

Oh, Heavenly Father, You summoned all heaven

To aid us here, in the enemy’s land

You loved us, so to rescue us

You made a sacrificial plan

 

I think of how someday I will live

In a beautiful home in the heavenly sky

Surrounded by Your safety and loving care

An ambassador to other worlds, I will fly

 

To tell those on far, far planets

What Jesus has done for me

He changed me and my life completely

Form every chain He sets me free

 

Dear God, how precious You are

I am in awe of everything You do

Your character is perfectly sweet

My thankful heart exclaims, I love You!

With Jesus’ help we will continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by telling others of the glory of His name [character].  Hebrews 13:15, The Living Bible

How Could He?

 

How could He leave the glories of heaven?

The light, the joy, the beauty?

How could He choose to come to earth

As a baby in the womb

So vulnerable and small?

The answer is love.

 

How could He live in Israel

After knowing the perfection of heaven?

Walking, not supernaturally flying

Conflict, not total peace

Weariness, not complete wholeness

Why live in such conditions?

The answer is love.

 

How could He bear with sinful humanity

After receiving the worship of angels?

Unbelief, violence, filth, selfishness

In comparison with heaven’s accord?

The answer is love.

 

How could He go to the Cross

Without fighting or fleeing for His life?

Silently, amazingly bearing abuse and pain

Why self-sacrifice for ungrateful people?

The answer is love.

 

How could He experience the horror

Of His loving Father allowing His death?

Total rejection from the One of all love

Receiving the agony of our punishment of

Breaking the holy Commandments

Why allow Himself to be thus treated?

The answer is love.

 

How could He forgive me

For my many sins and neglects

Of His love and grace?

Why put up with my struggles

And work so hard to help me

Be victorious over sin?

The answer is love.

 

So when others ask me

How could you be happy

Living as a Christian

And not as the world?

Why make such a change and sacrifice?

The answer is love.

 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.      John 3: 16

I Want To Be Pure

I want to be pure, Lord

Cleansed from the sins of the past

Renewed by faith in Your blood

The filth gone from my soul at last

 

I want to be holy, Lord

All Yours and no other gods within

I need new thoughts and motives

Recreated without inclinations to sin

 

I want to be right, Lord

Totally at peace with You

No walls between us

No hiding what I do

 

I want to be free, Lord

No more guilt or shame

Only joy and happiness

Free from inner blame

 

I want to be strong, Lord

Not giving in to enticing sin

Always seeking Your power

Always letting You work within

 

I want to be brave, Lord

Standing true to Your Word

Even when challenged and

Pressured to be like the world

 

I want to be like You, Lord

There’s no one else I can follow

No other is so faithful and true

Always the same today and tomorrow

 

I want so much to change, Lord

I surrender all that I am and will be

I confess all my transgressions

I depend on Your Word to transform me

 

For You spoke, and it was done

You commanded, and it stood fast

I trust You to do the same in me

So I can reflect You fully at last

 

“It is written, Be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1: 16

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Colossians 1: 27

“The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

John 6:63

Above All Other Loves

Above All Other Loves

Above all other loves you can experience
Is the love of Christ Jesus our Lord
His forgiveness, compassion and mercy
Are more than from any person in the world

His tender thoughts
His loving care
Are more and sweeter
Than from anywhere

How can you experience His great love for you?
Read His Words as a love letter to your heart
Pray and share with Him as your Best Friend
Then what you have learned to others impart

His amazing answers to prayer
His kind Words reaching deep in your heart
The swelling of joy when serving others
Will bind you to Him, heart to heart

Above all other loves
That you can know
Is the love of Jesus
On you to bestow

Resolve in your heart and mind
To pray and share with your Lord
To believe His loving promises
And you’ll have the most wonderful love in the world.

Below is a selection of lovely Scripture verses which I pray will delight your heart as they do mine. May they encourage and strengthen your relationship with our precious Savior, is my heartfelt prayer for you!

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me,saying,Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31: 3

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5: 7, Amplified Bible

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows]. Psalm 147: 3, Amplified Bible

Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6, 7

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 38, 39

But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5: 8

God is love. 1 John 4: 8

The King of King’s Plans

The King of King’s Plans

Even before the world began
Before ever the earth was made
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Plans for His children He laid

Christ rejoiced to make His sons
Handsome, courageous, inventive, thoughtful and strong
He also formed with joy His daughters
Lovely, tender, caring, with wisdom and patience long

But first before the Lord created
The dear children of His great love
He carefully made light, land, sky, and sea
Plants and animals—from beneath to above

Everything His children would need
For their life, happiness and learning
Nature their teacher, nature their home
And always God’s presence, no shadow of turning

Thank You Heavenly Father, thank You Jesus
For Your wonderful love and grace
Every time I look on a beautiful flower, tree or sky
I see the radiant love on Your kind face

For You made us a lovely home
A place to live and work for You
Even before we were born and grown
You loved us unconditionally and true

Even though we make mistakes
As even good sons and daughters do
You love us, forgive us, cleanse us
And through the Holy Spirit make our hearts new

Although all around us we see the imperfections
Sin has left its mark on nature’s face
But soon Jesus will come to pierce the sky
And restore the Garden of Eden to its rightful place

Help us, Lord, as we start a new year
To remember Your love, to see in creation Your care
For before time began You planned our life’s blueprint and provided our needs
And showed us Your love and life’s lessons in nature everywhere

Copyright 2015

Life has come

Life Has Come

Life has come
He was born to bring you eternal life

The King has come
“He is the King of Glory!” the angels sing

Messiah has come
The One long promised will save you

Light has come
He will take away all your darkness

Love has come
He loves you tenderly with an everlasting love

Grace has come
Every spiritual favor and blessing He has to give

Peace has come
He can quiet all your fears and anxiety

Joy has come
In blessing others, you will experience His joy

Hope has come
For with God nothing is impossible

Faith has come
Believe the Word of God and you will have faith

Good has come
For there is only one good, and that is God

Truth has come
His every promise is sure

The Way has come
He will lead and guide you perfectly

Strength has come
When you are weak, He is strong

Forgiveness has come
By His death, the penalty of the broken Law is paid

The Lamb has come
His blood cleanses you from all sin

The Father has come
For Christ and His Father are One

Victory has come
Through Him you can overcome every temptation and keep every commandment

The Creator has come
He will re-create in you a new heart and mind

The Great Physician has come
He has all power to heal—ask Him, and follow His leading

The Resurrection has come
In Christ, you and your loved ones will live again

The One True God has come
Only through Him can you enter heaven

Heaven has come
For heaven begins in His presence

Jesus is here.
He is everything you need now and forevermore.

Copyright 2014

Each day:
Ask Jesus Christ to forgive your faults and sins
Give yourself wholly to Him
Stay connected to Him and depend on Him through constant prayer
Prayerfully study the Bible to learn truth—His character and His principles of life

Christmas Prayers, by Henry Bacon

“That God Should Become a Man”

Several years ago, as I meditated upon Christ and His incarnation and birth, a phrase kept coming to mind: “That God should become a man.” This poem just seemed to pour out of my heart and hand as I thought on the Lord’s glorious journey of grace. Truly when we give our heart to our Lord of love, He pours blessings into us to encourage others and ourselves!

“That God Should Become a Man”

“That God should become a man”
O glorious, blessed thought from above
That the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords
The Creator of the Universe, the God of Love

Would allow Himself, the only begotten Son,
To leave His Father’s palace, the Heavenly throne
Where He was loved, worshipped and adored
To become as a tiny seed in Mary’s womb

To grow in darkness
And be born into this poor world
Leaving behind angelic and Divine light
Instead surrounded by sinner’s plight

“That God should become a man”
But first He must learn and grow
From human teachers—His parents
And nature lessons to show

The Creator of all, the Supplier of all needs
He must live and learn as we all do
To depend on God through the Holy Spirit
For daily heart-filling anew

So that the unseen Enemy can be fought
And conquered in God’s power
For Jesus hid His majestic force
And instead was victor hour by hour

Through the power of the Word, Scripture alone
Enabled Him to live, and later die
A Man of faith, prayer, courage and hope
Oh dear friends, let us strive

To follow the Lamb wherever He goes
To surrender all to our wonderful King
And receive a new heart, mind and will
And praise Him till the heavens ring

With joyful songs and thankful hearts
For our Heavenly Father had a perfect plan
Devised through eternal love and grace
“That God should become a man.”

Copyright 2014

Sweet Petunia’s Granola

Happy (fortunate and to be envied) are you, O land, when your king is a free man and of noble birth and character and when your officials feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness!

Ecclesiastes 10: 17, Amplified Version

This recipe for granola is my precious husband’s favorite breakfast because it keeps him strong and satisfied until lunch. 🙂

Sweet Petunia’s Granola

Makes 14 cups

8 cups rolled oats (I use old-fashioned, but quick oats can be used)
1 cup pecans, raw, chopped
1 cup sunflower seeds, raw
1 cup pumpkin seeds, raw
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes or shreds
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup raisins
1/4 cup oil (olive or your choice)
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 175 F.
In a very large bowl, mix oats, nuts and seeds.
In a jar or pitcher, mix oil, syrup, and water.
Pour liquid mixture onto the dry ingredients in the bowl.
Stir to coat as evenly as possible.
Spoon into two or more baking pans with sides (I use casserole dishes meant for lasagna), about an inch or so high.
Bake at 175 F overnight or for several hours until the oats are dry but not too crispy.
After removing from oven, let cool a bit.
Add coconut, dried cranberries and raisins.
Store in a cool place in an airtight container, away from light (to preserve nutrients).

Please note:
I add the coconut and dried fruit after to keep from getting too dried out when baking.

Variation: Any chopped nuts, seeds or dried fruit that you prefer may be used.

One Day a Year Is Not Enough

One Day a Year Is Not Enough

One day a year is not enough
To say “Thank You” for all You’ve done
One day a year is not enough
To share with others our appreciation

One day a year in not enough
To count our blessings of the past
One day a year is not enough
To tell what the Lord’s done the year last

One day a year is not enough
Each day has gifts anew
From our loving Heavenly Father
Who cares for each one of you

Every day, every hour, in abundance
Heavenly love, grace and help are given
Jesus is constantly watching our needs
And sending His aid from heaven

There is so much to be thankful for
So much we receive without praise
The Lord is the One who provides
Everything we have, all our days

Whether spoken or in writing
Let us thank our generous Lord
And remember the gifts He bestows
To be encouraged when times are hard

We need to learn to say thanks
To our great God above
Who is there for us every moment
Protecting and caring with His love

As we learn to quickly recognize
His sweet presence and kind intervention
The more heartfelt joy we will have
The more constant our heavenly connection

So let us persevere and develop the habit
Even though some days it is tough
Let us many times a day thank Him
For one day a year is not enough

Copyright 2014

Sweet Petunia’s Pumpkin-Apple Soup

After praying recently for Jesus’ creative assistance with new recipes, here is one that my husband and I have enjoyed several times.

There are two versions:  a quick-and-easy one and a buy-fresh-and-cook-yourself one.

Sweet Petunia’s Pumpkin-Apple Soup

1 can of plain pumpkin puree (without spices) OR 2 cups cooked pumpkin

1 cup of natural applesauce OR 1 cup stewed, peeled apples

1/8 tsp salt or to taste

Sweetener of your choice to taste  (I used stevia to equal 2 tsp sugar)

Enough water to blend

Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Heat in a saucepan on medium heat.

If too thick, add a bit more water, stir, and reheat.

Serve heated.