Live much in Heaven

From Grace Gems

(Mary Winslow, "Life in Jesus")

"Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated
 at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above,
 not on earthly things." Colossians 3:1-2

Live much in Heaven--and earth will grow less attractive.

Jesus, You are my chief joy, my life, my all. Without You
this world would be wretchedness itself. Keep, oh keep me
near Yourself, nearer, nearer still; and allow no earthly
idol to occupy Your place in my heart.

The Lord has kept us in times of trouble, blessed be the name of the Lord!

Oh greatly is He to be praised, for He has answered the prayers of my heart.....this week I have been singing Psalm 67 to my own little tune (similar to the tune used in Fiddler on the Roof, at the beginning of their Sabbath meal), praying the Lord's blessing and protection on my family!

EJ has come out of hospital this week, having been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, we will try and keep you updated here: http://mannafordiabetesmanagement.blogspot.com.au/ 

Last night Douglas was visiting the kids at my parents place. My Hi Ace was parked forward and his vehicle parked so that there was a car space in between. Jonathan had just arrived and had in God's gracious providence parked in the driveway, not between the two vehicles. As he arrived at the front door a Ute(Bakkie) came screaming down the road and smashed into Doug's car which smashed into mine. The poor driver is in hospital. Doug's car is a write off, mine is not too bad, I don't know if it is fixable, but I think so - depends on the impact damage on the underneath of the vehicle. The Hi Ace was pushed forward more than it's length. Praise God Jon did not parallel park, it would have taken longer and he may still have been in the vehicle or worse still been locking up when the accident happened - the Lord spared him. Thanks be to God. Thank the Lord that the children and I were inside and Douglas too. 

Oh pray that we would all seek His face and know His closeness. Blessed be the name of the Lord for He is good.

Psalm 67 May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face to shine upon us, Selah

2 that your way may be known on earth,

your saving power among all nations.

3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you!

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you judge the peoples with equity

and guide the nations upon earth. Selah

5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you!

6 The earth has yielded its increase;

God, our God, shall bless us.

7 God shall bless us;

let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Significant modifications made to this vehicle!

I do have to giggle a bit, the old van was kindly fixed up by some church friends and I got a text an hour before the accident to say that it had been sold! :-) LOL! Note the tow bar is shoved right under the car, you can't see the guts hanging our further under the car.

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Spurgeon’s Morning, January 6

    It is a happy way of soothing sorrow when we can feel--"HE careth for

   me." Christian! Do not dishonour religion by always wearing a brow of

   care; come, cast your burden upon your Lord. You are staggering beneath

   a weight which your Father would not feel. What seems to you a crushing

   burden, would be to him but as the small dust of the balance. Nothing

   is so sweet as to 

   "Lie passive in God's hands,

   And know no will but his."

   O child of suffering, be thou patient; God has not passed thee over in

   his providence. He who is the feeder of sparrows, will also furnish you

   with what you need. Sit not down in despair; hope on, hope ever. Take

   up the arms of faith against a sea of trouble, and your opposition

   shall yet end your distresses. There is One who careth for you. His eye

   is fixed on you, his heart beats with pity for your woe, and his hand

   omnipotent shall yet bring you the needed help. The darkest cloud shall

   scatter itself in showers of mercy. The blackest gloom shall give place

   to the morning. He, if thou art one of his family, will bind up thy

   wounds, and heal thy broken heart. Doubt not his grace because of thy

   tribulation, but believe that he loveth thee as much in seasons of

   trouble as in times of happiness. What a serene and quiet life might

   you lead if you would leave providing to the God of providence! With a

   little oil in the cruse, and a handful of meal in the barrel, Elijah

   outlived the famine, and you will do the same. If God cares for you,

   why need you care too? Can you trust him for your soul, and not for

   your body? He has never refused to bear your burdens, he has never

   fainted under their weight. Come, then, soul! Have done with fretful

   care, and leave all thy concerns in the hand of a gracious God.

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