Wisedom with Words:

Proverbs 10:

19: When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 17: 

27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Encouragement that never ends....

Matthew 6: 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Luke 12: 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Psalm 121: I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;

he who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, he who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;

the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;

he will keep your life.

8 The Lord will keep

your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore.

Jesus I am resting, resting

Here is a tune I don't know but isn't the photography excellent!

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

Refrain

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Refrain

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!

Refrain

Ever lift Thy face upon me
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.

Refrain

At calvary

1. Years I spent in vanity and pride,
   Caring not my Lord was crucified,
   Knowing not it was for me He died
     On Calvary.
• Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
  Pardon there was multiplied to me;
  There my burdened soul found liberty,
      At Calvary.
2. By God's Word at last my sin I learned;
   Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,
   Till my guilty soul imploring turned
     To Calvary.
3. Now I've giv'n to Jesus everything,
   Now I gladly own Him as my King,
   Now my raptured soul can only sing
     Of Calvary.
4. Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!
   Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
   Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
     At Calvary!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/342#ixzz1XMjMKYQV

In Christ Alone

In Christ Alone lyrics

Stuart Townend, Keith Getty

Support this site by buying Stuart Townend, Keith Getty CD's

Thanks to Martin Lamb for requesting these lyrics.

Lyrics:

In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; this Cornerstone, this solid Ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand. In Christ alone! who took on flesh Fulness of God in helpless babe! This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones he came to save: Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied - For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live. There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave he rose again! And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me, For I am His and He is mine - Bought with the precious blood of Christ. No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me; From life's first cry to final breath. Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand; Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Link to 'In Christ Alone'

Lyrics taken from http://www.ap0s7le.com/list/song/1181/Stuart_Townend,_Keith_Getty/In_Christ_Alone/

How deep the Father's Love for us.

How Deep The Father's Love For Us lyrics http://www.ap0s7le.com/list/song/28/Stuart_Townend/How_Deep_The_Father%27s_Love_For_Us/

Stuart Townend

Support this site by buying Stuart Townend CD's

Added by Staff

Lyrics:

How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss, The Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the chosen One, Bring many sons to glory Behold the Man upon a cross, My sin upon His shoulders Ashamed I hear my mocking voice, Call out among the scoffers It was my sin that left Him there Until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life I know that it is finished I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom (REPEAT)

It is well with my Soul by Horatio G. Spafford

Here is the story behind this hymn: 

http://www.hymns.net/stories/spafford.htm

1.  When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   • Refrain:
     It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

Make me a captive, Lord by George Matheson 1842- 1906

Here is some of the background to the author http://lu.softxs.ch/mackay/Couples7/C201237.html

Here is a lovely tune for this hymn 

1. Make me a captive, Lord, 
 and then I shall be free. 
 Force me to render up my sword, 
 and I shall conqueror be. 
 I sink in life's alarms 
 when by myself I stand; 
 imprison me within thine arms, 
 and strong shall be my hand. 

2. My heart is weak and poor 
 until it master find; 
 it has no spring of action sure, 
 it varies with the wind. 
 It cannot freely move 
 till thou hast wrought its chain; 
 enslave it with thy matchless love, 
 and deathless it shall reign. 

3. My power is faint and low 
 till I have learned to serve; 
 it lacks the needed fire to glow, 
 it lacks the breeze to nerve. 
 It cannot drive the world 
 until itself be driven; 
 its flag can only be unfurled 
 when thou shalt breathe from heaven. 

4. My will is not my own 
 till thou hast made it thine; 
 if it would reach a monarch's throne, 
 it must its crown resign. 
 It only stands unbent 
 amid the clashing strife, 
 when on thy bosom it has leant, 
 and found in thee its life. 

Words from 

http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh421.sht 

I've found a friend, oh such a friend:

 

1 I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend! He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love, and thus He bound me to Him;
And round my heart still closely twine those ties which naught can sever,
For I am His, and He is mine, for ever and for ever.

2 I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend! He bled, He died to save me;
And not alone the gift of life, but His own Self He gave me!
Naught that I have mine own I call, I’ll hold it for the Giver,
My heart, my strength, my life, my all are His, and His forever.

3 I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend! All pow’r to Him is given,
To guard me on my onward course, and bring me safe to heaven.
The eternal glories gleam afar, to nerve my faint endeavor;
So now to watch, to work, to war, and then to rest forever.

4 I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend! So kind and true and tender,
So wise a Counselor and Guide, so mighty a Defender!
From Him who loves me now so well what power my soul can sever?
Shall life or death, shall earth or hell? No! I am His forever.

Taken from http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/v/ivefound.htm

He talks to us....

And He gives us roses to smell. And with us does He, His whole creation share. He gives us friends who care with prayer and in so many, many other ways. And He hears our cries and preserves us for, by His grace, we love Him...for He is our perfect Abba Father.

 

 Here are some of the bountiful words that He gives us in His precious word. Indeed, He talks to us...

Psalm 3:2-5

2 Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah

3  But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

4  I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah

5  I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.

Psalm 34:4,8-9

 4      I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

 8     Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

 9      Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him

Psalm 142:  

1 With my voice I cry out to the Lord;

with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.

2 I pour out my complaint before him;

I tell my trouble before him.

3 When my spirit faints within me,

you know my way!

I cry to you, O Lord;

I say, “You are my refuge,

my portion in the land of the living.”

6 Attend to my cry,

for I am brought very low!

Deliver me from my persecutors,

for they are too strong for me!

7 Bring me out of prison,

that I may give thanks to your name!

The righteous will surround me,

for you will deal bountifully with me.

Psalm 145: 1 I will extol you, my God and King,

and bless your name forever and ever.

2 Every day I will bless you

and praise your name forever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,

and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall commend your works to another,

and shall declare your mighty acts.

5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,

and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,

and I will declare your greatness.

7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness

and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 The Lord is good to all,

and his mercy is over all that he has made.

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,

and all your saints shall bless you!

11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom

and tell of your power,

12 to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

[The Lord is faithful in all his words

and kind in all his works.]

14 The Lord upholds all who are falling

and raises up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you,

and you give them their food in due season.

16 You open your hand;

you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways

and kind in all his works.

18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,

to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;

he also hears their cry and saves them.

20 The Lord preserves all who love him,

but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,

and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

 Here is the new hut that the kids have made recently! Such fun!

 A second wash line was heaven sent, some dear, dear friends put it for us, so that we can hang all our washing out and not have to rely on the tumble dryer any more. It makes hanging out much more fun as I remember their kindness!  And thank God for their love! As you can see we have not yet managed to plant grass since the landscaping was done, but Jarryn is muttering like Pooh Bear in the background, "tut tut it looks like rain" so maybe we will get a chance yet, to plant soon.  
A ready to warm up meal for a big family is no small feat...but they have been coming as such a blessing from our church family and with much gratitude from us.

Fascinating African Wildlife

South Africa's Weaver Bird:

 

Some of my most pleasurable childhood memories come from my preschool days in Hammenskraal where my Father was working at the then Mission Hospital, Jubilee. (It is now a public hospital.) We continue to have a link with Hammanskraal today as we follow the lives of a RB couple who have 'retired' there in order to look after children See http://www.tshepo.org/need.php

My Mother used to tell my sister and I her own stories when we were little; how we loved them. I in turn tell my own children stories too; some repeated or adapted, some new. Recently I have been telling Jarryn some stories about a weaver bird, and so I have been looking for information for him to go alongside. 

 

The Weaver Birds in South Africa are fascinating creatures, marvelously made.  And as clever as can be...they live as a community and remind me of a well functioning church, who work together to protect and nurture it's beloved  people.  And who also love to sing praises to God together. 

I am also reminded too of how well God cares for these little birds, in Matthew 10:29 it tells that a little sparrow, sold for just about nothing, will not fall to the ground without the Heavenly Father knowing...how much more does our Heavenly Father love us and care for us! 

 

Do you know why a weaver bird has it's entrance below the bulb of the nest? So that snakes can't steal their babies or eggs! Do you know what colour a weaver birds egg is.....I am told blue, but I do not recall seeing this for myself - if ever I go back to Africa, one of the very first things I would like to do is watch weaver birds make their nests, listen to their noise and take a peek at their eggs!

 

Matthew 10:29 

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

Below is a different weaver colony, the social weaver found in the Namibian Dessert, very far North of the Cape. David Attenborough shows how a snake manages to get to eat a baby bird.

child development

Here is a good web site! http://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/about-me.html