A City No Longer Forsaken

by Jamie Barnes

How can we stay silent

When the noise of praise has gone?

Our tongues can’t dare keep quiet

Til His Righteousness shines like the dawn

How can we grow tired

When his return is nigh?

The skyline will burn bright again

Like a diadem on the crown of Christ

A brand new name,

Straight from the mouth of God,

The orphaned ones now take

Through the waning years He preserves His own

In a City No Longer forsaken

How can we not clear the way

With such open grace ?

How can we withhold our prayers

To the God who spares all who His seek His face?

A brand new land

Tilled by his tender hand

the thorns and thistles break

From the desert sand the harvest comes

In a city no longer forsaken

Unbend the road, the Savior rides!

Send up the signal high

Over the gravel waste, His highway runs

In a city no longer forsaken

Every door will be stained with Salvation’s name

In a City no Longer Forsaken

CCLI Song #5918948
CCLI License #1888971

http://www.sojournmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/A-City-No-Longer-Forsaken-1.pdf

http://sojournmusic.bandcamp.com/track/a-city-no-longer-forsaken

Rock of Ages

Text: Augusts M. Toplady,
Music: Thomas Hasting, Brooks Ritter

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From thy wounded side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure;

Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labors of my hands

Can fulfill thy law's commands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

All for sin could not atone;

Thou must save, and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,

Simply to the cross I cling;

Naked, come to thee for dress;

Helpless, look to thee for grace;

Foul, I to the fountain fly;

Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,

When mine eyes shall close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown,

See thee on thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in thee.

(Repeat) 

http://www.sojournmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/Rock-of-Ages-Brooks-Ritter1.pdf

Really Moving

After the roller coaster weekend we received the Real green light and will be hopefully moving in tomorrow! It has been quite a long adventure. At this point it almost does not seem real. But it is. What a blessing and our God has seen us through it all.

Blessings I can remember from the weekend

81. Homeschool material arrived!

82. Many people praying for and encouraging us

83. Great first service in our new church building at St. Vincent's cathedral

84. Wonderful Biblical teaching

85. Getting the green light to move

86. Celebrating life at a friends 1st birthday party

87. Meeting new brothers and sisters

88. Jen coming to help move many boxes

89. Getting a decent amount moved over to the house today

90. Watching the boys play together at the playground

91. Jamey helping Lillian with a puzzle

92. 3 Kids napping at the same time today

93. Becca cleaning some of the apartment today

94. Life in Christ

95. Several big kisses from Reuben

96. Lillian wanting to snuggle with me before bed

97. Becca brushing my hair

98. A God who cares about all of me and can relate to me

99. Double Bonus at work

100. Ice Cream and pizza rolls 

Coupons

I made a brief mention of my couponing conquests a few days ago. It's been awhile since I sought out the coupon deals as it has been a crazy season with little ones, being pregnant and preparing to move. But we were in need of a couple things that I can usually get less than a dollar and sometimes free. So last week I began again, looking for deals on the things we needed and anything else that might give me a good return of money. I succeeded and it payed off quite well this week.

I will work backward as Rite Aid was where I spent the most money.
At Rite Aide I spent $15.06 but I received $22 in Up Rewards.
At Target with all of my coupons I only spent $1.30. They do not have a rewards program so I got nothing back, but I did save $16.44.
CVS I felt like I robbed the store. With all my coupons and a gift card I spent no money, I had $1.23 left on my gift card and received $13.

It has been awhile since I had days like that, but it was nice! Such a blessing.

Dealing with Disappointment

So we are not getting to move this weekend. The inspection that was scheduled to be done on Wednesday still has not happened. This is sad and disappointing. This house process feels like it has been going on forever and a day. But the one thing God is reiterating to me over and over is that He is in control and that even this house is in His hands. It is a gift from Him to even be given the responsibility to own a home. So we count it all joy and learn how to keep going in the midst of frustrations. It has been such a helpful reminder to remember what all Jesus suffered for me when little things like this get me upset. It's all perspective. God uses all things to bring Him glory and for my good. He will do/allow what it takes to make us more like His Son, Jesus Christ, even if it makes us uncomfortable or brings pain. This is good.

Current Blessings

66. When saying bedtime prayers Jamey starts, "Thank You, God, for Jesus"
67. Lillian also prayed tonight quoting from one of her favorite books, "Thank You, God, for our neighbors who always say 'hi'"
68. Many friends who stepped up to help us out tomorrow
69. SWI classes started back last night
70. Talking with a kindred spirit about writing and self-publishing
71. Jim getting off work at 7pm tonight
72. Getting most of what we own in boxes
73. The Lord is still working on me
74. Reuben holding my hand when blessing the food before eating a couple times
75. Getting to journal today
76. Have not packed our Wii
77. Still have internet and bunny ears
78. A good fiction book to read with a few moments to read it
79. Ice cream
80. Homeschool Material is on its way!

Busy Busy

It has been a crazy couple of days as we anticipate moving this week. This afternoon we were told we should be able to move into our house this weekend! We have packed a lot and pack more all the time. It is exciting that our limbo will be ending soon!

Blessings from the last few days (that I can remember)

49. Yesterday before nap Reuben gave me a big 30 second hug
50. Getting a move forward confirmation!
51. Many people willing to help us
52. Sitting with Jamey and Lillian with all of us "reading" our Bibles
53. Dark Chocolate ice cream
54. Chocolate chip cookies
55. An evening with a friend I have not been able to spend much time with in our complex
56. Village Manor Recess
57. Meeting people who can give insight
58. Sleeping until 7! (2 days in a row)
59. Learning to hear the Lord's voice
60. Being reminded that I am accepted and loved by the King of the universe
61. Fun colored nail polish
62. Spending about $18 at 3 stores and getting more than that back!!!!! (Go coupons)
63. Leaving one store without having to pay anything!
64. People who encourage me in what the Lord is doing in my life
65. Getting to spend some time with Jim

Hospitality

This morning at church we talked about hospitality and what that looks like for Christians. It was so encouraging to me! I want to be hospitable, I really do. But I had such a mixed up idea of what hospitality looked like. I had this idea of grand dinners with dessert and coffee, perfectly neat house with lots of space and everything going "just right". But as I was reminded today, this is "entertaining" not practicing hospitality. Hospitality is creating a safe place where others are welcomed or making room. The literal translation from Greek means "welcoming strangers". This means that ANYONE can do it. Whether a poor college student or a billionaire, a Christian can show hospitality.
The other aspect that hit me today is that hospitality is about pursuing people not just waiting for people to come to you. I would tell people come by anytime. I meant it and still mean it, but that's not usually what gets people into your home. As a Christian God has lovingly pursued me and called me into relationship with Him. I then am to lovingly pursue others and draw them into relationship. I am still learning how to do this, but by the grace of God I will learn how to have a revolving door home.

Today's Blessings
42. God has pursued me and called me to Himself
43. Realizing that I don't have to be a perfect homemaker to be hospitable
44. Spending the evening with family and friends
45. Watching Jim let go and have fun with the kids
46. Seeing Asmaa and Sarah
47. Meeting a woman from Russia
48. Getting a decent amount of the kitchen packed