I Have Set the Lord – A Poem by Annie Johnson Flint

I Have Set the Lord

Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

I set Thy love between the world and me,
O Lord, its cruelty, its wrong, its scorn;
They cannot reach me through Thy tenderness
That once for me their worst has known and borne.

I set Thy cross between my sins and me,
That so their shadow darken not my days,
Nor rob my nights of rest.  Thy blood blots out
The long indictment from my shrinking gaze.

I set Thy prayers between my doubts and me,
That so my faith shall fail not, but abide,
Though tried and tested sore; that shield shall serve
All fiery darts to quench or turn aside.

I set Thy strength between my foes and me,
And walk, so guarded, panoplied and girt,
Through dangers seen and unseen, unafraid;
Through flames unscorched and raging waves unhurt.

I set Thy thoughts between my thoughts and me,
The calm, pure visions of Thy holy mind,
Till nothing that disturbs me or defiles,
Into my heart or soul can entrance find.

I set Thy self between my self and me,
And losing mine, Thy life abundant gain;
Take Thy sufficiency for my deep need,
And to Thy perfect stature so attain.

Annie Johnson Filnt

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Sew Happy Saturday – Vintage Handwork Recycled Into An Apron

 

Here is a cute little apron that a friend of mine has hanging in her kitchen.

This apron was made using a vintage embroidered dresser scarf/table runner that had been spoiled by at least one stain.  The lady who made this cut the dresser scarf up, pieced it together avoiding or covering the stains, added a few embellishments (crocheted butterflies – which might be covering spots), and added ties.  Isn’t it a cute way to use up an old marred piece?  Really the embroidery on it is too beautiful to throw away, so this was a great way to recycle it.  My friend thought it too pretty to wear, so she made this sweet arrangement including a vintage crocheted potholder, a wooden spoon, and an old family recipe for biscuits. :-)

Do you have a piece of vintage embroidery or handwork that has been marred with a stain?  Maybe you could figure out a way to transform it into something “new”.  It’s a great way to shop your own stuff.  I have an old pillowcase with some lovely embroidery along the edge that I’d like to recycle into another project – a sofa cushion cover, worked into a quilt or garment…something.  If I get it done I’ll try to remember to post about it. :-)

Thousand Word Project – Yellow Blaze

 

A Hard Week – Boston and Other Things

 

The last week or so has been a hard week what with the Boston Marathon bombing and the Texas fertilizer plant explosion, followed by the manhunt - again in Boston - and then the flooding in the Midwest.  Some readers may wonder why I haven’t mentioned anything here.

For one thing, my posts were all scheduled a couple of weeks in advance since we have had company.  But, the main reason is that I expressed my thoughts on some of these situations at the time of the Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut.  Rather than repeat myself, I will just give a link to that article and let you reapply it as it may fit.

Hard Questions:  What Is the "Right" Response to this Tragedy?

Kitchen Happening – Check Before Using, You’re In Texas Now

 

In my rural Texas kitchen it is pretty important to check the insides of pans and mugs before using them.  Here’s why:

This second scorpion was still alive!  He wasn’t very lively, but possibly enough to sting. 

As you might guess, it’s a bit shocking to find these critters in my kitchen cupboards!  I don’t know why, but something about scorpions really freaks me out.  We have had a little less of this since the chickens are free ranging more right up around our house.  But, as long as there are bugs to eat they are still around, so look before you use and don’t grab mugs with your thumb inside!

Oh, and watch for small piles of dead bugs where there is no obvious spider web.  In such cases it is likely you’ll find a scorpion lurking about.

What Do We Really Sing?

 

These altered titles of hymns and spiritual songs are a commentary on what some people seem to be really singing.  What about you?  Is there something here that applies – either specifically or in the spirit of the thing?  Some of them are humorous, but probably most of us should stop and think about what we do “sing” about in our daily conversations, motives and thought life.

1 Corinthians 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

 

* Spirit of the Living God, Fall Somewhere Near Me

* My Faith Looks Around for Thee

* I'm Fairly Certain that My Redeemer Liveth

* A Comfy Sofa Is Our God

* When We All Get To Burger King

* My Sins Are Blotted Out I Hope

* We're Marching To Epcot

* Sitting In the Premises

* I Surrender Some

* There Shall Be Sprinkles of Blessings

* Fill My Spoon, Lord

* Oh, How I Like Jesus

* Heaven Came Down and Swindol Filled My Soul

* He's Quite a Bit to Me

* Soldiers of Christ Recline

* I Love to Talk About Telling the Story

* Take My Life and Let Me Be

* It is My Secret What God Can Do

* All Hail the Power of Calvin's Name

* Where He Leads Me, I Might Follow

* Haven of Romance

* Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me

* When Peace Like a Trickle

* Is It the Dividend Day?

* Blest Be the Tie that Doesn't Cramp My Style

* I Need Thee Once A Year

* Send the Funds

* The Road Leads to Mc Donald's

* Something for Me

* I Am Bound for the Real Estate Office

* Jesus Loves Me This I Kind of Know

* Lead On, Oh C.H. Spurgeon

* Tell Me the Stories of Hunting

* Why Worry When You Can Charge It?

* I Believe the Answer's Gone Away

* I Am Still On the Throne

* Great Is My Faithlessness

* Dare To Be A Good Ol' Boy

* I Wonder Have I Done My Best for BJU?

* I Stand Amazed In the Presence of Trinity Broadcasting Network

* True Hearted, Half Hearted

* Go Ye Into All the Pews and Read the Hymnals

* I Am Resolved A Little Longer To Linger

* Ye Might Not Be Born Again

* Turn Your Eyes Upon Television

* God Might Take Care of You

* O Could I Speak the Matchless Self

* My Work Alone, Oh Savior

* No One Understands Like Rick Warren

* Jesus Paid It Mostly

* I'd Rather Have Blue Jeans and Silver and Gold

* Nearer My Broker To Thee

* Something Between

* My Sirloin First of All

* Every Day With Barley Green Is Sweeter Than the Day Before          

* Do You Know My Boyfriend?

* Elvis Is the Sweetest Name I Know

* Oh Sacred Pride Now Wounded

* Always Take Time to Shave

* I Need Chocolate

* Ring the Bells of Quitting Time

* I've Reached the Land of Joy Online

Just for Fun – The Three Bars

 

An old picture I noticed when going through photos recently. :-)