The Cross He Gave May be Heavy

Greetings friends! I hope you are well and joyfully resting in the power and love of Jesus Christ. I hope you all have been having a good week . . . even if you are going through great difficulties, it is my prayer that you are finding strength to continue pressing heavenward. I am well; life has been quite busy lately since I started school again. Something I believe Momma taught while home-schooling is a love for learning. I do love challenging my mind and figuring out things; after taking a break from school (of which I am very thankful for), I am more than ready to tackle some brain-challenging subject. :o) 

Today, I came across a hymn written by Ballington Booth. “The Cross He Gave May be Heavy” is very neat (pardon my understatement!). It was quite convicting and encouraging. Convicting in that the trials I often claim are so small and pitiful compared to the trials, burdens, and sufferings Christ bore for me. Encouraging because the sufferings and toil we endure bring others to Christ and bring us, if we let them, closer to our Heavenly Father. Truly, the Christian life is a blessed one. I hope you are blessed and encouraged! If you would like to hear the tune of this hymn, please click on this link.

The cross that He gave may be heavy,
  But it ne'er outweighs His grace;
The storm that I feared may surround me,
  But it ne'er excludes His face.

Chorus:

The cross is not greater than His grace,
The storm cannot hide His blessed face;
  I am satisfied to know
  That with Jesus here below,
    I can conquer every foe.

The thorns in my path are not sharper
  Than composed His crown for me;
The cup that I drink not more bitter
  Than He drank in Gethsemane.

The light of His love shineth brighter,
  As it falls on paths of woe;
The toil of my work groweth lighter,
  As I stoop to raise the low.

His will I have joy in fulfilling,
  As I'm walking in His sight;
My trials more blessings are bringing,
  Christ in them is my delight.

May the Savior bless you as you endevour to follow Him! He is the Way, the Truth, and the Light!!

Your sister in Christ,

Frannie

Sources: Hymn: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/722#ixzz1CG65xH00

Clipart: antiqueclipart.com

You are Invited to . . . my Party!

Greetings dear friends! I hope this finds you all very well! I am doing very well; these last few weeks seem to have flown by for me! But along with the business comes many blessings one of which involves my Momma beginning a new venture. Momma is beginning to sell Proverbs 31, a very neat business which specializes in cute purses, useful totes, and other great items! If you would like to see some of the products please visit the Proverbs 31 Winter Magazine. A very exciting part of Mommy’s new venture is that I am able to be hostess to one of her first parties! Yay! And that is where you ladies come in . . . I would like to invite you to my party! While I know you will not be able to come physically (which would be oh so fun!), you are able to join my party and shop online if you would like! If this is something you would like to do, please click HERE! How exciting! :)

The Demi Purse @ $42.00

Cinch Sac @ $20.00

Mini Organizer @ $15.00

Large Utility Tote @ $30.00

Thermal Zipper Tote (similar to a lunch box) @ $10.00

*Notice the personalized embroidery on several of the products? Cute, eh?*

If this is something you would like to do, please leave a comment below. Simply so I can keep track! May the Lord bless each of you with His wisdom, grace, and sweet humility!

With much love,

Frannie

P.S. Give-away coming soon! :)

 

A Lovely Wintry Trip

Hello friends! I hope this finds you all very well. As you may recall from my last post, I just spent a few days camping. As I prepared for the trip, I imagined cold winter nights, swampy camp coffee, and, well . . . frigidity. :o) While some of those things were true, I must say that the trip was quite lovely. Here are a few of the details:

WHO: Myself, Allie, and Tom (Allie’s boyfriend). While my official title and purpose was chaperone, that did not stop me from thoroughly enjoying myself!

WHY: For two dear-hearts to visit without having to traverse many miles of U.S. highways. :)

WHERE: Jean Petit State Park

What We Saw:

Beautiful sandstone rocks.

Lovely winter shrubbery.

20th century graffiti. :) Mr. Hamilton carved his name in 1916.

Bear Cave and unique rock structures. While walking about this area, I was amazed at the evident power and creativity of God.

Genuine Native American artwork.

Amazing trees and great heights.

Monkeys? :)

And so much more!

“Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.” Psalms 104:1-4

The Outcome:

If armed with good company, plenty of blankets, an electric heater, a fine fire pit, panty-hose stuffed with coffee, helpful hands, indoor plumbing, and good humor . . .

winter camping can be a lovely time! :)

May you all have a blessed week!

With love,

Frannie

An Award!

Greetings friends! I hope this finds you all quite well! I was blessed to be given an award by Kelsey from Butterfly Dreams! Thank you Kelsey for your sweet thoughtfulness. There are a few obligations with this award and they are:

 1. Thank and link back the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 10 recently discovered great bloggers.

Hmm . . . seven things about myself?

1. I thoroughly enjoy reading the book of Proverbs. I have been trying to memorize Proverbs 12:3 which reads, “A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.”

2. I am going on a camping trip tomorrow! (Yes, you read that correctly, tomorrow)! Please keep myself and my fellow campers in your prayers as we brave (and have fun doing so) the cold! :)

3. I greatly enjoy the song “You are my Sunshine” by Jimmie Davis!

4. My favorite season is winter.

5. I hope to become a teacher and help inspire young souls toward godly living through teaching right living and thinking.

6. My now favorite hymn is “Be Still my Soul.”

7. God has been using the story of David lately in my life; specifically, He is reminding me that it is best to have “A heart after God.” A lovely lesson.

 

I would like to award the following ladies; their blogs are not only stylish, but most importantly, they are godly and encouraging places in which I urge you to visit! :)

  ♥ Sarah from Through the Lilac Bushes

♥ Rachel and Jessica from Under African Skies

♥ Mrs. Elizabeth from French Village Life

♥ Hannah from  At the Foot of the Heights

♥ Mrs. Barbara from Barbara's Bakin' N Bits

♥ Libby and Emmy from The Dutch Umbrella

♥ Anyone else who would like to carry on this award! ♥

May Jesus bless you!

Frannie

 

Secret Sin

Hello! I hope this finds you all well and trusting in Jesus Christ. I just found this poem and desire to share it with you; so often it is the “little” or secret sins which gain control over our hearts. Brothers and sisters, let us endeavor to turn to the light of Jesus Christ and allow Him to shine His love and grace on the hidden areas of our heart. Only then can we be free! Remember, sin will always take us farther and deeper than we intended.

Secret Sin

I let a little sinful thought
Dwell in my heart one day.
I meant to play with it awhile
And then send it away.

Of course I kept it hidden well
So none would ever know
That I had entertained a guest
Of character so low.

But do you know, that little thing
Just grew and grew until
It crowded out the good and true
And overcame my will.

No longer could I keep it hid
Nor could I bid it go;
Who would have thought that little thing
Could cause such bitter woe?

I had to take it to the cross,
To plead the Savior’s blood;
And then at last my weary soul
Regained its peace with God.

O watch the “little things,” dear child.
Like seeds they’re sure to grow,
Destroying true soul happiness—
How well, how well I know!

-Author unknown

May God bless you as you press on towards Him!

In Jesus name,

Frannie

P.S. While browsing Charity Ministries website I found this encouraging poem.

“How swift have flown to me thy girlish times,”

Greetings dear readers! I hope this finds you growing in Jesus and, if possible, enjoying a warm house as winter stirs about. Dear friends, I have a surprise--I have turned the the golden age of twenty-one! This year snuck up on me! Oh, how nice birthdays are; I feel they are God’s reminders of His utmost, constant care. Twenty-one years of living . . . I‘m not sure how I have felt about past birthdays, but this year I feel that God is real and “Has compassion on all He has made.” God has consistently shown Himself faithful to me this past year and I am so thankful! This past year Christ has . . .

~ Given me like-minded Christian fellowship. You will never realize how precious godly friends are till you do not have them! He also helped me keep dear, friendships with much loved childhood friends.

~ Kept me in the palm of His hand though I often fell and stumbled about.

~ Gave me the wonderful opportunity to work at a daycare (with a wonderful lady!).

~ Supported me through sad, heart-breaking moments—He always brought the sun back into view though the day was dark.

~ Lead me by the counsel and wisdom of my parents.

~ Brought me closer to my dear siblings.

~ Allowed me to attend youth Bible School again.

And so much more! God is so good!

Perhaps you will recall my love for good quotes. Well, I could not resist adding a few; I hope you will enjoy!

 

“Pleas'd look forward, pleas'd to look behind, And count each birthday with a grateful mind” -Alexander Pope

 

“Most of us can remember a time when a birthday - especially if it was one's own brightened the world as if a second sun has risen.” -Robert Lynd

“At twenty years of age, the will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgment.: - Benjamin Franklin

“How swift have flown
To me thy girlish times,
A woman grown beneath
My heedless eyes!
In vain I rack
My fancy to believe
The almanac,
That speaks thee twenty-one.”
- Charles Lamb

May Jesus bless you!! With love,

Frannie

Oh the Joys

Greetings! I hope this finds each of you well and rejoicing in the love of Jesus. These last few days have been quite full—a good full. And the business we have been experiencing in our household has me smiling with joy. Over what, you may ask? Over the joys of home making. I hope you will not mind, but I feel like creating a list containing the joyful aspects of being at and serving the home. Here I go!

Freshly mopped floors, pulling frozen desserts out of the freezer,

finding a special organized place for each object, washing windows and seeing a sparkle of sunshine enter,

sweeping the front porch on a chilly winter day, changing decorations to match the season,

coffee brewing, seeing the furniture fresh and smiling after a long-needed dusting,

making time to make cards,

candles giving comforting scents and light, white curtains in a feminine room full of morning rays, making time to read a good book,

being able to cook a good meal for a hungry family, being able to whip up no-bake cookies, :o)

resting with family members after a busy day, answering phone calls, an impromptu trip to the bakery with Mommy-dearest,

Christmas lights through a window, poinsettias on the hearth . . .

Have I said enough? :)

Oh, I know there are many struggles and difficulties with keeping a home, but can you not agree that there are also many simple, lovely blessings as well? Truly, God was kind and wise in making girls to be help-meets and, if He wills, keepers of the home?

What blessings do you enjoy when helping around your home? Would you like to share?

May Jesus bless you!

With love,

 Frannie

The lovely photo was found at graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

Walking with Vision

Greetings dear brothers and sisters in Christ! :o) I was truly blessed by the below verses and also the quote given by our pastor. In some ways the verses relate with our new year; in order to succeed this coming year we need a vision. To gain a vision we must look to Christ and accept His vision for us and then trust Him to help us walk accordingly. . .and then we must follow.

“And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight,

and they followed him.”

Matthew 20:29-34

“Without their vision they cried out to Him, With their vision they followed Him.What do we do?”

–A Paraphrase of Pastor Paul Hamm

May Jesus bless you as you use this new year to draw closer to Him! With love,

Frannie

P.S. “Light on the Word" was painted Henry John Dobson. It was found at this link.