Times of Faith

Do you remember this scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? The hero, Indiana Jones, is standing on the edge of a massive cavern. He must cross to find the grail and thereby saving his father's life. As he stand on the edge, he knows he must cross but he cannot see a way. It's a test of faith. Once he takes that first step, a bridge appears that he couldn't see before he took the step. He's able to cross and his father's life is saved in the end.

I think of this scene often...especially when it comes to matters of faith. Especially when I seem to be at a cross-road in life. I'm at one now. It's as if I can almost hear God asking me, "Are you going to trust me, Rebecca?" "I am enough. Just trust me." I know it but sometimes I have such a hard time taking that first step because I can't see what's before me.

I think, perhaps, one of the saddest portions of scripture I've ever read is at the end of John 6 when many of Jesus' disciples walked away. They literally followed Christ but when he called for them to take a step of faith they walked away...quit. I can imagine the disappointment in Jesus' eyes as he looks at the twelve and asked, "Will you leave too?" I believe that His disappointment was not in the fact that they had let him down but that He had so much to give them and they quit...they walked away instead of taking up their crosses and following Him.

I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, No turning back.

End of the School Year

As each school year comes to a close, we make the round of final choir concerts of the year for each of our kids. This year we had 3 to attend.

Jacob singing in a men's chorus. They sang a fun song and were quite entertaining!

Emily and the 7th & 8th grade choirs ending the concert with a rousing and fun Beach Boys Medley!

Josh performing with a 9-man singing group, "Open Road" and doing one of the things he loves most - singing gospel!!

Happy Memorial Day

An AMAZING song of Remembrance:

Heaven Holds The Ones I Love

Music by: David FosterLyrics by: Linda Thompson

I've spent my lifeBuilding castles of dreams

Reaching for each distant star

As tears clear my eyes I finally realize

Happiness is where you are

And I'm still a part of you And you're still a part of me

I swear I'll always celebrateYour memory

You'll live inside of me

Heaven holds the ones I love

I see your eyes twinkle in the skies above

My hopes are floating in the clouds

The wind repeats your name out loud

Oh Heaven holds the ones I love

At times I'm unsure

Why our hearts must endure

All the pain And such great loss

But look what I've gained

I feel your kiss in the rain

It's your smile I miss the most

But I'm still a part of you And you're still the biggest part of me

And I swear I'll always celebrateYour memory

And trust what's meant to be

Heaven holds the ones I love

I see your eyes twinkle in the skies above

My hopes are floating in the clouds

The wind repeats your name out loud

Oh Heaven holds the ones I love

And in my grief and disbelief

One thing I know is true

Every breath I take brings me that much closer to you

Heaven holds the ones I love

I see your eyes twinkle in the skies above

My hopes are floating in the clouds

The wind repeats your name out loud

Oh Heaven holds the ones I love

Great Book Finds

I have loved reading since I was a child and I'm still and avid reader today. I am, however, more selective about what I read more than I used to be. Primarily because I don't have large blocks of time to read away. I try to choose books that will grow me as a person and challenge me in areas where I need to learn, like work/ministry, faith, family, etc.

Here's a couple I've read so far this year that have blessed me!!

Ministry:

This book is wonderful for anyone who serves the Lord in any capacity. With years of experience and encouragement from the Scripture, Wiersbe challenges & encourages those who minister. I love the fact that it is comprised of 31 short, conversational chapters which I read one per day. I am making this book part of my daily reading. I plan to read it again and again!!

Faith:

Pastor Jim Cymbala, of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, opened up, for me, at least, a whole new aspect and excitement to prayer. I learned so much about the power of prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit. Our ladies prayer group is now currently going through this book. The teachings through Scripture are vital to the prayer life of any believer as well as the church.

Family:

I actually stumbled across this book at our local library. I have since learned of its popularity. I usually will NOT read marriage books but this one happened to catch my eye so I brought it home....and couldn't stop reading. Once again, Eggerichs uses the Scripture throughout this entire book and the lessons he draws out are so basic and so simple yet if applied, are life-chaning! I finished this book humbled by the way the Lord convicted my spirit and the lessons I learned and with an entire new understanding of my husband. I have since bought my own copy!!

If you are looking for any Summer reading, I heartily recommend any of these. I'm always on the look-out for good books and if you have any suggestions for me, I'd LOVE to hear them!!

Fun & Pretty Stuff

My two dogs...as different as night and day. One a boy, one a girl; one big, one little; one black fur, one white...and yet the best of friends!!

A friend of ours gave Cliff their grill when they got a new one. He spent an entire afternoon cleaning it out. Before we could even get a new propane tank on it, we discovered a nest with 4 little blue eggs. Just a few days later, this is what you see when you open the lid. (We gave up & bought a new grill!)

The people who owned our house before us planted some amazing plants. Each spring, I'm anxious for the peonies & iris' to bloom. Joshua was my expert gardener and my landscaping is hurting a bit without his green thumb!!!

**I borrowed the following photo from my sister, Elizabeth's blog. You can see more photos there.

Grandpa's funeral was such a testament to the kind of man he was and the life he lived. I'm sure when he chose to give his life to Christ those many years ago and live his life by that choice, that he had no idea how many many people through the years would be impacted...all because he followed after Christ faithfully.

As I reflected back on the events of this day, a song has kept running through my head....

"Another Soldier's Coming Home" written/composed by Janet Paschal

His back is bent and weary His voice is tired and low His sword is worn from battle And his steps have gotten slow But he used to walk on water Or it seemed that way to me I know he moved some mountains And never left his knees

Strike up the band Assemble the choir Another soldier's coming home Another warrior hears the call he's waited for so long He'll battle no more But he's won his wars Make sure Heaven's table has room for at least one more Sing a welcome song Another soldier's coming home

He faced the winds of sorrow But his heart knew no retreat He walked in narrow places Knowing Christ knew no defeat But now his steps turn homeward So much closer to the prize He's sounding kind of homesick And there's a longing in his eyes.

Strike up the band Assemble the choir Another soldier's coming home Another warrior hears the call he's waited for so long He'll battle no more But he's won his wars Make sure Heaven's table has room for at least one more Sing a welcome song Another soldier's coming home.

Well Done, Thou Good and Faithful Servant!

**Just in case you want to hear this beautiful song...

***Part of this post is from an earlier post in Dec. 2007....

When I was 5, my parents moved to upstate New York. We lived in New York until I was married. I then lived in Maryland, Florida, and now Kansas. When I was a kid, going to see my grandparents was the highlight of my year! There was NOTHING like it. I LOVED spending time with them. As I've previously mentioned, they were such special people to me. We would pile in the car and from NY, it was a good 12 hour drive. Finally, we would be in OH and finally I would see this sign...
When I saw this sign, I would get so excited because I knew that right around the bend, my grandparents were waiting for our arrival!! After I got married, I came for the 50th anniversary part in 1989 and again in 1991 or 1992. I then wasn't able to get back until Sarah's wedding in 2004. 12 years later!! As an adult, coming down that road and seeing this sign, I still got all excited because I knew my grandparents were just around the bend waiting for me.

This week we will travel to Ohio. I'll see that sign again. But they are not there waiting any longer. It's sad. I'm sad. But praise God, the story doesn't end there. Because they ARE waiting for me....just in a different home. In my mind, I could see the joyful reunion between my grandmother and grandfather as he entered the gates of heaven. I pictured my Aunt Sue in the crowd who gathered to welcome my grandpa home.

The tears are flowing as I picture this beautiful scene. Our family has suffered a loss. Donald & Anna Mae's legacies will continue on. This world is a better place because of their lives and heaven is all the sweeter because they are there.

Memory Album Memories

This post and the following post are from pages of my scrapbooks. I'm posting these today in memory and in honor of my Grandpa, Donald Eugene Benzing who passed away last evening. I am so thankful he is in the presence of his Beloved Savior and together again with my grandma.

Journaling:

"Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Psalm 119:33-34

May Day

Today is May 1st. 26 years ago today, I met this boy...

We went on our first day here...

Which led to this...

Which led to this...