O Wondrous Love

As we enter the Christmas season, I'd like to share with you one of my favorite songs that begins to express the depth of God's love for us.

O Wondrous Love

O wondrous love that will not let me go
I cling to You with all my strength and soul
Yet if my hold should ever fail
This wondrous love will never let me go

O wondrous love that’s come to dwell in me
Lord who am I that I should come to know
Your tender voice assuring me
This wondrous love will never let me go

I’m resting in the everlasting arms
In the ever faithful heart
The Shepherd of my life
You’ll carry me on Your mighty wings of grace
Keeping me until the day
I look into Your eyes

O wondrous love that sings of Calvary
The sweetest sound this sinner’s ever known
The song of Your redeeming Son
Whose wondrous love will never let me go

O wondrous love that rushes over me
I can’t escape this river’s glorious flow
You overwhelm my days with good
Your wondrous love will never let me go


© 2001 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)

Equal Standing - Women in Luke - Part 8

The woman with the discharge of blood
- she had had her medical problem 12 years
- she had spent all her money (or living) seeking treatment
- no doctor had been able to help her
- she touched the hem of Jesus' garment and was healed instantly
- Jesus made sure her story was known publicly
- Jesus declared that her faith had made her whole
- Jesus told her to go in peace

I can only imagine the emotions she experienced in those few short moments.  Joy and relief that she was healed.  Panic.  Mortification.  Shame.  Reassurance.  Joy renewed.

30-Day Giving Challenge 2011 - Week 4

Here's my recap of the 30 Day Giving Challenge week 4:

Monday - made a donation to a Christian camp
Tuesday - volunteered at a local library
Wednesday - dropped off clothes at a local thrift store
Thursday - helped out a friend with some computer problems
Friday - left a Christmas Jar for a neighbor
Saturday - donated toys through Dollar Tree's Operation Homefront
Sunday - helped out with my church's music ministry

I have found this month to be a very full month, and to be honest, at times I wondered if I was going to be able to carry out my plan to give in specific ways each day of the month. However, so far so good!

What I'm Reading this Week - November 25

To those of you living in the U.S., I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  One of the things I'm thankful for this year is you readers.  Thanks for your support.
Enjoy this week's finds!

I love this cute business card display!

Truly, it is all because of His grace.

If you freelance at all, take a look at this list of great tools.  Plus, many of them are available for free.

If you're into social media, you can also connect with me on twitter and pinterest.

Equal Standing - Women in Luke - Part 7

The women who traveled with Jesus:

They were women who had been been healed of evil spirits and infirmities

Some of them by name:
- Mary called Magdalene - seven demons had been sent out of her
- Joanna - the wife of Chuza (Chuza was Herod's steward)
- Susanne

We are told there were also many others.

What they did: They ministered to Jesus (and presumably also His disciples) from what they had.

I can just see them making sure that meals are ready. That everyone has a place to stay. That wherever they are staying things are tidy.  And in all of that, they are hanging on every word that their Savior says.

30-Day Giving Challenge 2011 - Week 3

Here's my recap of the 30 Day Giving Challenge week 3:

Monday - made some baked goods for some friends
Tuesday - paid for coffee for the person after me in the drive-thru
Wednesday - helped with my church's Wednesday evening kids' program
Thursday - paid for coffee for the person after me in the drive-thru
Friday - wrote a note of encouragement to one my friends
Saturday - helped with my church's English classes for immigrants in our community
Sunday - sent out cards for service members through Holiday Mail

One of my favorite things to do during the 30 Day Giving Challenge is to buy coffee for the person behind me in the drive-thru.  I think the reaction of the baristas is the best part.

What I'm Reading this Week - November 18

Here are this week's finds and readings.  Enjoy!

Teacher Vision lists some of their favorite education apps for the classroom.

Are you still looking for some ideas for the 30-Day Giving Challenge?  Then get out to Staples and order 20 free (!) Christmas cards and then send the cards out to our service members through the Red Cross' Holiday Mail.

This one's for you students and teachers.  If you write research papers, check out this free app!  It nicely packages up your references, and all you have to do is scan the barcode of the book with your iPhone's camera.

Equal Standing - Women in Luke - Part 6

The women who was a sinner
- her reputation as a sinner was known
- she brought an alabaster box of ointment and anointed Jesus' feet with it
she washed Jesus' feet with her tears and wiped His feet clean and dry with her hair
- Jesus made known that her faith had saved her
- He also told her to go in peace

My favorite part about this story is how gently Jesus deals with this women who is very obviously used to public ridicule and shame.  Our Savior is a gentle Savior.

30-Day Giving Challenge 2011 - Week 2

I can't believe how quickly November is flying by.  This past week concluded week 2 of the 30-Day Giving Challenge.

Here's my summary for this past week:
Monday - wrote cards for Holiday Mail
Tuesday - volunteered at a local library
Wednesday - helped with my church's Wednesday evening kids' program; helped with my church's music ministry
Thursday - wrote a note of encouragement to one of my fellow teachers
Friday - wrote a note of encouragement to one my friends
Saturday - helped with my church's English classes for immigrants in our community
Sunday - helped with my church's music ministry

I've had a really busy week, but I'm still thankful for the opportunity to participate in this challenge.

What I'm Reading this Week - November 11

Start your weekend with these freebies!

Free Writing Books | Writer's Digest
Are you a writer?  Do you teach a writing class?  Writer's Digest is offering some writing books for free until November 12th.

100 Free Business Cards | Ink Garden
You'll have to pay for shipping, but these are still a great deal.  And, they can be used for more than just business cards.  Use them for giving others your contact information, make personalized gift tags, or put an inspirational quote on them and use them as encoragements.  Get creative!

"Reels: Paddy on the Turnpike / The Scholar" by Tony DeMarco and Fionn Ó Lochlainn from the album "The Sligo Indians"
Get this free track of some incredible fiddle music.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Equal Standing - Women in Luke - Part 5

The Widow of Nain
- a widow
- her only son died
note: this means that her only provider had just died
- Jesus had compassion on her
- Jesus raised her son from the dead

30-Day Giving Challenge 2011 - Week 1

Last week, the 30-Day Giving Challenge began.

Here's my summary for this past week:
Tuesday - volunteered at a local library
Wednesday - dropped off non-perishables for the food drive my church was holding for students of a local seminary; helped out with my church's Wednesday evening kids' program
Thursday - wrote a note of encouragement to one of my fellow teachers
Friday - wrote a note of encouragement to one my friends
Saturday - helped with my church's English classes for immigrants in our community
Sunday - taught junior church

I've enjoyed having a renewed focus on others this week.  And, I'm looking forward to seeing what new opportunities arise this week and the rest of the month.

What I'm Reading this Week - November 4

Here are this week's links. Enjoy!

8 Things You Should Include In Your Terms of Service Agreement | Freelance Switch
If you freelance, this article is invaluable!

Taking Payment with PayPal, Escrow and other Online Options | Freelance Switch
So, you want to freelance. Great! But, what about getting paid? This article covers a whole bunch of your options and the pros and cons for each.

My Portable Office | See Jane Work
Don't have a set office? Are you always on the go? Or, do you like to get your work done in front of the TV? Then check out this great idea!

Free Classical Download: Vivaldi Mandolin Concerto
Enjoy some of Vivaldi's music for free with this download.

As announced previously, I am spending the month of November focusing on giving to others. Check back on Monday to read about my experiences during the first week.

Equal Standing - Women in Luke - Part 4

Peter's Mother-in-Law
- sick with a high fever
- healed by Jesus
- appears to have been healed completely and immediately, since she got up and started serving them