by Kimberly | Nov 9, 2011 | Worship
My husband put in a CD this morning as we were finishing our time in the Word. It was one we have both listened to many times and we love it because friends of ours sing on it. One of the songs especially stuck with me this morning (as it had done in the past) and I thought I would pass it along to yall here and reflect some on it:
Glory is Certain is an “old” hymn by Henry Lyte and David Ward, a friend of EC’s put new music and additional lyrics to it. I’ve been singing it all morning.
“My rest is in heaven, my rest is not here, then why do I worry when trials are near? Be hushed my dark spirit, the worst that can come but shortens your journey, and hastens you home!
I dare not be seeking my comfort and bliss, or building my hopes in a place such as this; I look for the city God promised and built, where Jesus has banished my sin and its guilt.
I have died to this world, and am hidden with Christ so my mind will be set on this: glory is certain for Christ is in me, glory is certain, for Christ is in me.
Afflictions may press me but cannot destroy, one glimpse of His love turns them all into joy. The tears of a lifetime will vanish away when he stoops to dry them on that coming day. so let Satan’s army assail me full force, their plans cannot help but to steady my course. Come joys or come sorrows, whatever may befall an hour with my Savior will sweeten them all.
I have died to this world, and am hidden with Christ so my mind will be set on this: glory is certain for Christ is in me, glory is certain for Christ is in me.”
Many verses come to my mind:
Philippians 3
Hebrews 12:1-3
Matthew 6
John 14
Romans 8 – let me camp out there: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. for those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? (28-32)
God is so gracious. I can let cares and clutter of this world choke the life out of me, the ministry that God has given me, and my marriage. Or, I can rest. I can rest in the grace of God and my certainty. Not much is certain in this world. Glory is certain. This song sings of Justification by faith alone – not self-justification.
Rest, friends. Declutter and rest in the fact that Christ has already worked for you. It is done.
by Kimberly | Nov 9, 2011 | Uncategorized
Number one place on my bucket list has now been marked off – and I would return tomorrow or any other day. Well worth the drive, friends.
Prince Edward Island, also known as the Gentle Island, or the home of Anne of Green Gables, was the longest stay on our two week road trip of a honeymoon. I have always wanted to go and can’t believe I got to spend 3 days there in a lovely place with my husband.
I got excited everytime I saw a sign that said the island was coming and especially when we were driving over the Confederation Bridge. Such an experience. Then to catch my first glimpse of the red sands and Charlottetown. Breathtaking. I was so giddy. Poor EC.
Yes, I wanted to go for all of the Anne of Green Gables I could see, and was disappointed when we learned that much of it is filmed in another Canadian province (can we say another road trip?). But, I gained much more from these three days…
Anne of Green Gables was written by Lucy Maud Montgomery – who lived on PEI in Cavendish (I do believe). We went to her homestead and walked around, read quotes, walked through the garden, saw a well, walked down the same paths, walked the Haunted Woods and Lovers Lane (which she used to be inspired to write parts of the novels). We took a tour through the house that inspired Anne of “Green Gables”. We drove up to White Sands Hotel (where Anne met Morgan in the movie) which is really called Dalvay-by-the-Sea. Everywhere you looked you saw rolling hills, gorgeous countrysides, beautiful sunsets, red sands, cliffs, amazing beauty.
We ate mostly in Charlottetown for some really good fish and chips and ice cream and PEI burgers (see honeymoon eats a few posts down).
We stayed at Stanhope Beach and Conference Center and got the honeymoon suite (301) which was situated on the corner of the island and had a back and front deck, spa tub, living room, and front windows that overlooked the water. I could live there forever and never get sick of it. And yes, I mean that.
So, if you ever need a trip – and I mean a trip – go in the off season and enjoy the most relaxation (and hiking and food and water) on the Gentle Island.
by Kimberly | Nov 8, 2011 | Quotes
In light of Thanksgiving:
“Through common grace God reveals His love to all people, though not in a saving way. God’s common grace includes the water we drink, food we eat, sun we enjoy, and rain we need.”
(Mark Driscoll, Doctrine, pg 39)
by Kimberly | Nov 8, 2011 | flowers, photo shoot
There are some amazing cities in this country that I call home. One of those is the nation’s Home city: Washington, DC. I took most of these on our honeymoon where we spent almost two days there, but I have spent other times there as well. Its historic buildings, candid history, and beautiful flowers all entice me to stay a little while longer, would love to move to its suburbs, and cozy up in one of its many local coffee shops.
by Kimberly | Nov 8, 2011 | Uncategorized
Here it is – our one month anniversary and I’m just not getting around to posting this! Thanks for being patient ( I told some folks it was coming, it was coming)! Let me give props to my husband – he planned this whole trip. That is initiative and it was a wonderful blessing to us both.
We stayed in Durham for two days before we left on a 12-day road trip. Those two days were spectacular, so glad that it was close to home and a place that is very dear to both of us. My husband did a wonderful job picking out the location!
Next we were on our way to DC. Yes, our nation’s top city. We both love DC and had not been there together, so we did some sight-seeing (disclaimer: we had watched National Treasure with the Finnlings on July 4 since it rained and we were laughing about one day seeing some of the places). We got to eat great food at the Taste of DC event. My husband knows that I am a foodie and he planned well for this trip. Then we hit bucket list item #2: see something at the Kennedy Center. Maybe the best one moment of our trip for me was walking into the Kennedy Center, dressed up, husband holding my hand, looking at the grandeur of that building. We saw Les Miserables in the Opera House. Even though I wasn’t feeling well – it was spectacular. The lead character is a believer so that made his role so much more commanding. It was stellar.
Finishing up in DC – we went to Old Alexandria and Georgetown – for some quiet moments in the word, some good breakfast, and a cupcake (gotta have a cupcake)! TLC was filming at Georgetown Cupcake so that was fun to watch.
NYC (New York Bigger) was our next stop. Again, one of the cities that both of us and we had not been able to share together. It was a great memory. Our second dress up event was to see the NY Philharmonic at the Lincoln Center. I had never even seen the building and it was beautiful – especially at night with the signage, the fountain, the skyline, and the chandeliers. My husband is very good to me. His friend is as well. I sent a text to a friend of ours and she used her “strings” to get us into the Green Room and we got different seats for the second half. They were playing Mozart and Debussy that night. They were amazing to listen to (both from the second tier and from the M row in the orchestra seating).
We then stayed next door (our window view) to Gillette stadium in Foxboro. One of the funnest and low-key meals we shared was Olive Garden in our room. The restaurant was completely packed for a Friday night and it was raining so we didn’t want to wait. So, we brought it back to our room. One of the good things about sharing a hotel room! We drove into Boston the following day and got our exercise by enjoying the Freedom Trail. Neither of us had done that before either even though both of us had been to Boston. Great way to see the city, get exercise, and learn about history. So pretty – and both of us enjoyed taking pictures (as my husband has married a stop everywhere to take pictures person). We got mouth-watering crab cakes as well for a late lunch. Filling and fresh.
Our last stop before our “half-way” point was Bangor, Maine. Eric had been to Maine before but I hadn’t. Both of us loved the gorgeous views and the virtual emptiness of the state. It is beautiful and very peaceful and quiet. Would love to return there. We just stopped in there for a break of traveling and then hopped in the car for our “”furtherst north point” of the honeymoon.
Stay tuned…
My husband put in a CD this morning as we were finishing our time in the Word. It was one we have both listened to many times and we love it because friends of ours sing on it. One of the songs especially stuck with me this morning (as it had done in the past) and I thought I would pass it along to yall here and reflect some on it:
