More than Conquerors

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
~ Romans 8:37

Confidence in Trials

"The wounded heart cannot by its own unaided power avail itself of the promise though it be evidently adapted to its need.  Instead of grasping consolation, the soul refuses to be comforted.  Nor can the most loving of ministers apply the balm; awakened consciences are usually more cunning at putting from them the reasons for hope than we are in applying them.  They think us flatterers when we bring them cheering news.  It will even happen that when a gracious word seems to strike them and to stick upon their minds,  they will with a cruel diligence and suicidal resolution tear it off lest it should work their cure.... Therefore, O Lord, doth my soul love Thee because Thou didst not only provide a salvation for me, but Thou didst also apply it to me; and at this hour Thou dost not only lay up comfort in store for me, but Thou dost actually cheer and sustain my spirit.  Thou art ... all in all.
~Matthew Henry

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
 Philippians 1:6

My First Tophatter Auction Lot

 This is going up for auction on Tophatter.com next Tuesday evening (May 8th) - 5 PM Pacific Time.  Bidding starts at $1, with $5 shipping to the US, and $7 to Canada.

 http://tophatter.com/lots/105236

Hot Pink and Black Tatted Lace Necklace with Heart Drop

Ships within 1-2 days of payment.

This unique tatted lace necklace is bright with the ever popular combination of hot pink and black, with a touch of sparkle in the glass beads. Perfect for teenage girls!

(The pink is a little brighter than the photos indicate - my camera was acting up and I didn't know how to fix it.)

The heart measures 1.5 inches across, the lace top is 3.5 inches across, and the necklace measures about 4 inches from the top of the lace strip to the bottom of the heart. The narrow ribbon ties add an additional 18 inches to each side. 

Of course, if the auction gets above $16, I'll add a free hair clip (like the one above) to the purchase, and if it goes above $30, I'll add a pair of free hot pink and black earrings, too!

Happy bidding, everyone!

Commission

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:18-20

Quick preview of all the different things I've been working on the last couple of weeks!

The Lesson of the Titanic

Have you ever stopped to consider the tragedy of HMS Titanic?  Did you know that it was said of that ship, "Not even God Himself could sink her!"  The Lord is jealous for His own honor.  It is a far more serious thing to incur God's wrath than it is to stir up any man or woman's anger.  Yes, there were Christians on board the Titanic.  Yes, many died.  Yes, the call was, "Women and Children First!"  Many, many men gave up their places on the lifeboats for women, even rich men for poor women and children.  The biggest thing we need to remember today is to seek to serve the Lord's honor and glory, because this is the job that we have been given.  This is the purpose of our lives!

Psalm 2:1-12

Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing?  The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His anointed, saying, "Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!"  He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them.  Then He will speak to them in His anger, and will terrify them in His fury, saying, "But as for Me, I have installed My King, Upon Zion, My holy mountain."  "I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 'Ask of me, and I will surely give you the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession.  You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.'" Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth.  Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling.  Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled.  How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

Blessings,

~Alana

God's Gentleness

Five ewe lambs thus far!

Psalm 18:35

You also have given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand upholds me; and Your gentleness makes me great.

The words are capable of being translated, "thy goodness hath made me great." David gratefully ascribed all his greatness not to his own goodness, but the goodness of God. "Thy providence," is another reading; and providence is nothing more than goodness in action. Goodness is the bud of which providence is the flower, or goodness is the seed of which providence is the harvest. Some render it, "thy help," which is but another word for providence; providence being the firm ally of the saints, aiding them in the service of their Lord. Or again, "thy humility hath made me great." "Thy condescension" may, perhaps, serve as a comprehensive reading, combining the ideas mentioned, including that of humility. It is God's making himself little which is the cause of our being made great. We are so little, that if God should manifest his greatness without condescension, we should be trampled under his feet; but God, who must stoop to view the skies, and bow to see what angels do, turns his eye yet lower, and looks to the lowly and contrite, and makes them great. There are yet other readings, as for instance, the Septuagint, which reads, "thy discipline"--thy fatherly correction--"hath made me great;" while the Chaldee paraphrase reads, "thy word hath increased me." Still the idea is the same. David ascribes all his own greatness to the condescending goodness of his Father in heaven. May this sentiment be echoed in our hearts this evening while we cast our crowns at Jesus' feet, and cry, "thy gentleness hath made me great." How marvellous has been our experience of God's gentleness! How gentle have been his corrections! How gentle his forbearance! How gentle his teachings! How gentle his drawings! Meditate upon this theme, O believer. Let gratitude be awakened; let humility be deepened; let love be quickened ere thou fallest asleep tonight.
 ~ Charles Spurgeon

Spring Lambs and God's Goodness

 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 

He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me;

    Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil;  my cup overflows.

Surly goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23