Ethel Waters is a big part of what drew me to Jesus as a young messed up teenager on a one-way road to self destruction. I fell in love with her the first time I saw her and I used to tune into those televised Billy Graham crusades just to get a glimpse of her. When I read her autobiography a few years later (which is sitting on your bookshelf, B'a), that cemented our relationship forever. She'll be one of the dear faces I'll be looking for in heaven. I can't wait to say, "Thank you". She'll be lookin' for me!
Wow....Haven't heard her in years!...but love her to bits because she just radiates the love of Jesus. You know this is my all time favourite song, don't you? B'a....you posted it one night in July of 2008....sung by Lauren Hill. It struck a chord in me then and lifted me out of deep waters. A few months later I found a painting of six sparrows perched on the branches of a tree with the words of the title of this song written on it.....a gift from God. It hangs in our spare room. I cherish it and think of you and that day in July...that black day in July....when the Spirit of God prompted you to post this song on your blog.
One Sunday morning, a little while ago, I noticed a woman I hadn't seen before and went to welcome her at the end of the service. I learned her name was Wendy, and I recognized her last name, McGenerty, from a church we attended in the early 1970s. It turned out that we had known part of her extended family. Wendy became a regular attendee and plunged into the church's life. She found ways to share her gifts as she loves sending handwritten cards or calling people who need encouragement. She found her niche so effectively that she became someone you never knew you missed until she showed up! Wendy's heart beats with gratitude, compassion, and courage that rises above challenging circumstances. Soon, Wendy and I discovered that we were both 1950 models and born within ten days of one another in June of that year, although separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Our physical proximity diminished when I came to Canada in 1969 as a 19-year-old new bride. I left behind my family, ...
By Belinda This beautiful Dutch carol was shared today by a friend of Dutch ancestry, on Facebook. I had never heard it before but absolutely loved it. It moved me deeply, especially at the end after the crowd leaves the church and then breaks into spontaneous singing again around a brazier, with the sound of chiming church bells in the background. Listen to it with headphones or a good speaker to get the full effect of the harmonies. And happy first Sunday in Advent!
I first posted this in 2009, a little show and tell about one of my favourite photographs. Back then it hung on a wall, but now it's in my bathroom where I see it every morning! I'd forgotten the history behind the story, researched when I first posted this and thought that current readers might enjoy it--a story from a time when this land was still being discovered, not so very long ago. This photograph was taken by Mary Schaffer; artist, photographer, writer and naturalist, in 1907. It is of a Stoney Indian named Samson Beaver, with his wife Leah and daughter, Frances Louise. I bought the photo on a postcard, on a trip to British Columbia and it hangs framed, on the wall I face when sitting at my laptop. I love it. Don't you just feel as if you could gather Frances Louise up in your arms and cuddle her? I get a deep sense of peace and happiness when I look at this family, sitting in the grass of a long ago fall. They are dressed in their best, beautiful c...
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