Up To The Mountain

A couple of months ago, I was feeling discouraged..you know what I mean...life can be tough sometimes and you feel the weight of many burdens that can all the sudden be overwhelming.

I happened to go out with a friend for dinner during this time of heaviness...and shared some of my private feelings on this matter with her. 

I went out to dinner with her again last night....Cheesecake Factory...yum!  Pumpkin Cheesecake for me!  :)  At the end of our time before we went our separate ways, she said, "Carolyn, remember how you felt several weeks ago that life sometimes seems like it can be so overwhelming and you get tired?  Well, this song is perfect for you!"  Please listen to the song below ...if you are feeling discouraged and it seems to be a constant uphill battle, you will be blessed.  :D  I promise!

Be sure and turn up the volume!


~Up To The Mountain lyrics  Songwriters: Griffin, Patricia J.;

"I went up to the mountain because you asked me to

Up over the clouds to where the sky was blue

I could see all around me everywhere

I could see all around me everywhere



Sometimes I feel like I've never been nothing but tired

And I'll be walking till the day I expire

So sometimes I just lay me down, no more can I do

But then I go on again because you ask me to



Some days I look down afraid, afraid I will fall

And though the sun shines I see nothing, nothing at all

Then I hear your, your sweet voice, ooh

Come and then go, come and then go

Lord, telling me softly you love me so!"


Ahhhh!  He makes life worth the living...even during the tough times....because He loves me so!  :D

Galatians 6:9
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

(That was several weeks ago that I was feeling a little blah....I feel happy and wonderful today!  I just wanted to share this special song sung by Susan Boyle because maybe you are finding yourself feeling a little blah today.  BTW, Excel training is coming right along (see previous post)!  PTL! Thank you for all of your words of encouragement!  So so appreciated!)
Linking with Spiritual Sunday...click on the little birds to be inspired and blessed!

Psalm 28:7

Zippity doo dah, Zippity AYE!

Zippity doo dah, Zippity aye,

My oh my what a wonderful day

Plenty of sunshine coming my way,

Zippity doo dah, Zippity aye.

Mister blue bird's on my shoulder,

it's the truth,

it's actual,

everything's satisfactual!

Zippity doo dah,

zippity aye,

zippity doo dah,

zippity aye!

I love children's songs....I really do! There is so much happiness and fun in the lyrics...also brings back tons of memories of childhood play! Do you know that when my children were little, I tried to see EVERYTHING through their eyes...all of the awe and wonder.

You know what happened?    .....It became a habit!  Everything became refreshed and new to me.  I somewhat, I guess you could say, was able to become a child again! It is such a joy to look at things with "new" eyes! There is so much wonder around us ....but often we allow the burdens of adulthood weigh us down; blinding us of wonder and God's beautiful creation...all the simple pleasures everywhere around us if we can take the blinders off.

Words of pondering that allows the blinders to come off:

Ephesians 4:26;29-32 (New International Version)
 26... Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry ...29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.





Remember this song?  I loved this little movie from many years ago!  :)
I will be away for a few days but one last verse I want to leave to you....

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more." 

                                           ~ Psalm 16:11

I am joining all the other amazing bloggers over at Spiritual Sunday...click on the little birds below so you may be blessed!  :)



May you have "eyes" of children today!  :)

Psalm 28:7

Better than a Hallelujah! :D

Amy Grant's beautiful song "Better than a Hallelujah!" reminds me of my father.  He drank excessively and there were times after I became a teenager that I would try to talk to him ....at the right times, of course.  I wanted him to go to church and leave alcohol behind and get his heart right with God.  He would tell me that I was right.....but he had to "clean up his act first...he was too sinful now."  I would tell him, "Oh no, Dad, it doesn't work that way!  You go to Jesus and He will clean you up!  No sin is too dark that He will not accept you!" 

May you today KNOW that our Father in heaven loves you just as you are....come to Him and He will make you whole!  I hope you have a chance to go to church this Sunday!  :)

Amy Grant's Better than a Hallelujah

God loves a lullaby

In a mothers tears in the dead of night

Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

God loves a drunkards cry,

The soldiers plea not to let him die

Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah

The woman holding on for life,

The dying man giving up the fight

Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes

The tears of shame for what's been done,

The silence when the words won't come

Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah

Better than a church bell ringing,

Better than a choir singing out,singing out.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah

Repeat Chorus

To listen and enjoy this song go: HERE

Have a wonderful, blessed Sunday!  I am linking today with Spiritual Sundays   ....please visit them and be truly blessed by all the others joining the Sunday party!

Hugs to you! 
Carolyn
Pslam 28:7

Delights!

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." 

Psalm 37:4

~

Did you know that if you give your worries and concerns over to Him, that He will take care of them? 

Yes, he sure does!  Really!

I have been looking and searching for a job for the past several weeks....giving up on real estate in this down economy.  Scary times to be looking for a job.  No guarantees and there are a lot of unemployed individuals to compete against.

I gave it over to the Lord.

Now I have quite a few offers for jobs!

I believe and know it is because I gave it to Him!  :)

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Sparrows

"His Eye is on the Sparrow"

Verse 1:

Why should I feel discouraged,

Why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely

And long for Heav'n and home,

When Jesus is my portion?

My constant Friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I'm happy,

I sing because I'm free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

Verse 2:

"Let not your heart be troubled,"

His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness,

I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth

But one step I may see:

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

Verse 3:

Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,

When hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him,

From care He sets me free:

I sing because I'm happy,
 I sing because I'm free 
His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

I enjoyed putting this post together and finding the sweet little pictures.  I love this song, His Eye is on The Sparrow.  I remember the first time I heard it as a young mother; I was at a Women's Seminar and we had an excellent speaker.  I remember thinking how loving God is....He cares so much for the sparrows.  One of the smallest, and used to be one of the least favorite birds because of the damage they can do.  But God cares for them.....and if He cares so much for them...you KNOW He cares for you!!!  What an encouraging song!  Puts a song in your heart!  :D

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Please join the other folks over at Spiritual Sunday and be truly blessed!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Cottage Musing

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.

Elizabeth Kubler Ross

May the light within you be the Light of Jesus!

You must visit the other gals over at Tracey's for more words of wisdom!
Hugs, Carolyn
Psalm 28:7

TGIF « Marketplace Leaders

TGIF « Marketplace Leaders


Today as I was strolling around in Blogland...I came across a friend that is really hurting. Seems life keeps delivering loads of tough struggles her way. Her struggles made me think of my quiet time this morning in God's Word.



I am going to share with you what the Lord showed me this morning. If you are feeling overwhelmed with difficulty and feel hopeless at times...and possibly feel at times you just don't understand all the hardships that come your way, I believe this might be of help!



I was reading a devotional that I received today which I receive every day in my email. It is from a wonderful teacher, Os Hillman, called "The Way of God". If you look at the attachment, it has the complete devotional from this morning.  There is also a place to receive these words of wisdom every morning in your own email.

Hugs, Carolyn
Psalm 28:7

I also would like to insert a link to an awesome, classic example of a loving Father who allows us to go through hardships---carries us through them....but has a blessing for us if we remain hopeful in Him.  We may be in the furnace and He is removing all the impurities, but He won't leave us there....there is a plan in all He does. The link I am going to insert here is from Marty from "A Stroll Thru Life" and once you read it, you will understand exactly what I mean and why I would love to include it in this post.  I am sure many of you have already read this beautiful post, but I also know there are many who might not have.

You are ALL Invited!! :)

Do you like to get together with other women and have a delightful, lively conversation on a subject that will never cease or run dry? Then I have a fellowship for you in your very own area that you will LOVE! It is called Bible Study Fellowship! It is an awesome, non-denominational study of the Bible that gives you an opportunity to study the Word and then get back together to discuss it! It all started many years ago by one little lady with her small, small group of ladies willing to learn! And today it is world-wide and loved by everyone! Do you have a Bible stuffed in a drawer or on a shelf gathering dust? Why not open it up and glean from God's wisdom and love? And the best way to do that is to gather with other beautiful women and talk, giggle, share, and maybe even shed a tear or two.... and well, as women, we do that well, don't we? :)

Don't wait until a tragedy touches your life to learn His powerful Word. You might be too devastated to draw much strength from it.....prepare today. We will all suffer at some point in our lives and usually for most of us, suffering arrives at our doorstep more than once in our journey in life. It is wise to learn who this Father is and His character before that day of pain arrives....usually it sneaks up behind you and throws you for a loop and knocks the wind out of you. Then it is too painful to do anything but cry. I have learned that it is critical to KNOW this source of strength before that dreadful day comes. Life is fragile, you know. When my father passed away in 1994, I was devastated because it was a tragic death. No good-byes...no special final words to depart with him. My sister gave me a pretty little wall hanging with the words, "Life is fragile, Handle with care"....not anything super clever until you do go through a dark valley, and then you realize how profound those words are. I have reflected on the words many times since his death. We are fragile human beings and it is important to have an anchor that we can cling to and trust. And, my friend, I want you to know that I don't know how I would have made it in life without my Anchor to cling to and carry me. There is power in his Word....but you can't draw from that source of strength if you don't open your Bible and learn who He is! :)

LOL! I have gone on and on this morning! :) As I had my quiet time this morning with my Father, I had an overwhelming desire to share my excitement for BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) starting up soon (it runs just like a school year, starting in the fall and stopping in the spring...and if you have children, don't let that stop you, as there is a children's program as well). Oh and don't worry that you can't understand the Bible or have never opened it up before to know what it is all about....there are many ladies who are in the same boat. The women who are more familiar with the Word are very helpful too.

Go here to check out more for your area: Bible Study Fellowship

Have a beautiful blessed day! :)
Hugs, Carolyn
Psalm 28:7

Cottage Musing ~ Week 6

"Unless the Lord builds the house,

its builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the watchmen stand guard in vain.

In vain you rise early and stay up late,

toiling for food to eat--

for He grants sleep to those He loves.

~

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,

who walk in His ways.

You will eat the fruit of your labor;

blessings and prosperity will be yours."

Psalm 127:1-2 & Psalm 128:1-2

~

I just recently had a modification in my job...I am now working full time as a realtor. Well, we all know how the real estate market has been going recently.

I was working as a pend-to-close agent for our real estate team and received salary plus bonus' for the past year to weather out this storm.

I remember before the pend-to-close agent position how I strived to work beyond the normal hours, working feverishly to make-up for the slowdown in the market...pay is commission only.

This time...I will not work in my own strength.

~

I have learned the above passage and have learned it well. :)

His strength, not mine.

His hours, not mine.

His provisions, not mine.

Praise Him that I have learned this lesson and have a renewed trust!

~

Today I am linking with Words to Live By with Tracey

and also,

Spiritual Sundays with Charlotte & Ginger!

Have a blessed Sunday!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

In The Eye of the Storm

In The Eye of the Storm

“Storms come. They come quickly. They pounce ferociously. If you are in one, then you know what I mean. If you’re not in one today, you know as well as I – one may be in tomorrow’s forecast.”

“Faith is often the child of fear.”
“Great acts of faith are seldom born out of calm calculation.”
“Faith that begins with fear will end up nearer the Father.”

“Faith is a desperate dive out of the sinking boat of human effort and a prayer that God will be there to pull us out of the water. …just as Peter walked on the water to Jesus.”

“Peter was terrified of the storm—terrified enough to send him out of the boat to go to Jesus. But out of this fear would be born an act of faith for faith is often the child of fear. If Peter saw Jesus walking on the water on a calm peaceful day, do you think that he would have walked out to Him?”

“Give a man a choice between sure death and a crazy chance, he will take the chance…every time.”

“Salvation is God’s sudden, calming presence during the stormy seas of our lives. We hear His voice, we take the step.”

~ This has all come from an excellent little book by Max Lucado, “The Eye of the Storm”
~
I am finding myself in an unexpected “eye of the storm” today. So I have chosen to take the day off work and meditate on His Word. I know as I have also experienced in the past, He will allow me to walk on the water to Him…as long as I keep my eyes on Him. Not my strength, but His. As I scribbled notes as I am reading on this cold, dreary spring day (after 3 days of consistent rain), I thought I would share my notes on my blog. Maybe someone else is in the eye of the storm and Max’s words would be a comfort to them too.

Happy Easter!

I will wish you a wonderful Easter weekend today as I will be celebrating this glorious holiday with my family!

Matthew 28:6 "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said."

Hugs! Carolyn ~Psalm 28:7

Cottage Musing

"What we perceive as dark periods in our lives are designed to be treasures from God."

~ Os Hillman

"I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."

~Isaiah 45:3