Hello Lovely people,
Hope you have had a blessed time so far?
I am very well...Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of my faith.
I'm grateful for every day/time/era of my life. There are times when I ask myself 'why me' or 'is it only me'? But I'm glad because even in these situations I learn something about life.
Yesterday what came into my mind was: I feel I do so much for others, pray so much for others that I'm totally drained. This statement I made to myself got me thinking?
What is/are my reason(s) for helping others?
Is it for selfish gain? or out of pure niceness? Am I putting others first to receive earthly praise or am I just structured the way I am? This got me thinking.
Most times when I do things for people or go out of my way for people I just do it so maybe the answer is: I am just nice. However there are times when sincerely I do what I have to so as to be recognised by others as being good: hence I like the earthly praise. Sometimes I go ahead to do what I do because I have it at the back of my mind that it will be of benefit to me one way or another: this is selfish gain.
It's hard not to think the way I do (I choose not to believe that I am the only one who feels this way). While pondering on this, yesterday I was described with an adjective I have disliked all my life as it had been used around a lot while I was growing up.
As usual I turned to God and asked for revelation because I felt a bit drained. Scratch that I felt totally drained.
Job 42:10 came to me early this morning: After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.
(We all know the story of Job and how his friends had told him to curse God and die. At this point God was angry with them but asked them to bring their burnt offering sacrifices. God had said He would only accept Job's prayer and not theirs.Even with the way they had scorned him in His affliction, Job still prayed for his friends.)
Job prayed for his friends in the midst of trials and gained double. I'm sure he did not pray with the mind set of 'when I pray for them I get double'. He prayed a SELFLESS prayer.
No matter how nice you are or how much you feel you are doing for others always do it Selflessly. Do it and freely and without thinking of any extra additives.
It is hard I must tell you. You have to constantly tell yourself that whatever you do is done and can not be taken back. Take it as an investment. Some investments you benefit from some you don't benefit from.
Now that I have this armed; I am going to work/walk with it and keep it as my mantra. Just do and don't think of the gain. Now I have got it right. There is only one answer to the question I asked myself and I am glad with God's help I have answered that question.
I hope this helps someone out there who feels drained of doing a whole lot. Remember: God's strength is more than sufficient for you and I.
Remain Blessed
VirtuousKelly
xxx
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Tuesday 15 November 2011
Hyms I Love: It is well with my Soul
Hello Darlings,
Its been too long...really.
This was not the plan I had and I really need to get back on track.
Please do forgive me. My current lack of a laptop as well as so many things going on around have prevented me from having access to here. Please do accept my apologies.
So many things have gone through my mind that I'd love to share but the only thing that comes to mind to write down today is one of my favourite hymns: It is well with my soul.
Why do I love this Hymn?
Now I have not gone through half of what the Writer/Hymnist Horatio Spafford went through, but I believe I and many of us have gone through a stage where you don't really know what else to do than to pray and say one of my favourite phrases 'It is Well' Well I currently had a little phase which I believe has passed now (Hallelujah) and I know this hymn crossed my mind a whole lot. The Phrase was repeated much more. And to be sincere it really did help!!! I usually say to myself sometimes when I feel too low to pray that I'd rather pray than not pray at all as at least with prayer I know results will come no matter how long it may take. Then I end up with the line (Yes you are right) 'It is well with my soul'.
Brief History:
This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871 at the age of four, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone". Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.
One thing that gives me joy is that after this Horatio Spafford and His wife Anna were able to pick themselves up together and eventually had 3 other children even though one died in infancy. The fact that through the pain they were still able to rely on each other and went on to form a mission in Jerusalem which helped the poor. TOGETHER. (Well that's a discussion for another day)
I prefer the original manuscript which reads 'know' at the end of the third line but most scripts read currently have 'say'
Here are the great lyrics.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)
And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)
That's it people. If you are a lover of hymns like I am please share your favourite hymn(s) with me as well.
Enjoy the rest of the week and don't forget no matter what that situation is or how big it may seem your God is bigger. It is well.
VirtuousKelly
xxx
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Is_Well_with_My_Soul
http://www.hymns.me.uk/when-peace-like-a-river-favorite-hymn.htm
Its been too long...really.
This was not the plan I had and I really need to get back on track.
Please do forgive me. My current lack of a laptop as well as so many things going on around have prevented me from having access to here. Please do accept my apologies.
So many things have gone through my mind that I'd love to share but the only thing that comes to mind to write down today is one of my favourite hymns: It is well with my soul.
Why do I love this Hymn?
Now I have not gone through half of what the Writer/Hymnist Horatio Spafford went through, but I believe I and many of us have gone through a stage where you don't really know what else to do than to pray and say one of my favourite phrases 'It is Well' Well I currently had a little phase which I believe has passed now (Hallelujah) and I know this hymn crossed my mind a whole lot. The Phrase was repeated much more. And to be sincere it really did help!!! I usually say to myself sometimes when I feel too low to pray that I'd rather pray than not pray at all as at least with prayer I know results will come no matter how long it may take. Then I end up with the line (Yes you are right) 'It is well with my soul'.
Brief History:
This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871 at the age of four, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone". Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.
One thing that gives me joy is that after this Horatio Spafford and His wife Anna were able to pick themselves up together and eventually had 3 other children even though one died in infancy. The fact that through the pain they were still able to rely on each other and went on to form a mission in Jerusalem which helped the poor. TOGETHER. (Well that's a discussion for another day)
I prefer the original manuscript which reads 'know' at the end of the third line but most scripts read currently have 'say'
Here are the great lyrics.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)
And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)
That's it people. If you are a lover of hymns like I am please share your favourite hymn(s) with me as well.
Enjoy the rest of the week and don't forget no matter what that situation is or how big it may seem your God is bigger. It is well.
VirtuousKelly
xxx
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Is_Well_with_My_Soul
http://www.hymns.me.uk/when-peace-like-a-river-favorite-hymn.htm
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