One Thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To Behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
In the midst of the dishes and the commute to work,
Or on a hilltop gazing at the stars.
In the fray of the busy and the strain of the frazzle...
On the jogging trail in an early morning's run.
In the tears and the laughter,
And at the bottom of the laundry pile.
In highest accolades,
And hidden in lonely,dustiness.
In the striving and the resting,
In our hearts desires and dreams,
And in our entertainments.
In our giftings and our failures,
Before our family and in our friendships.
In what we build up and choose to tear down.
In together times,
And in the Secret Place.
In one Life's footprint on this blue world,
Going around and around SO fast.
There is a question that follows us into every moment and place.
What is the Measure of Man?
It is simple but vital questions to answer,
"Where was your gaze?"
"To Whom did you give your Heart?"
"Did you KNOW the One Who MADE Love?"
And, "Did you Learn to Love from Him?"
"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
The measure of a man is the measure of his heart
The measure of a man is the measure of his love
[x2]
You don't measure me like man may see
You're looking at my heart, the core of me
Your eyes of fire see differently
Keep me in the gaze of love
The measure of a man is the measure of his heart
The measure of a man is the measure of his love
[x2]
When it's all been said, when it's all been done
When the race is run, well it all comes down to love
Did you learn to love? That's what You will ask of me
Did you learn to love? Not about my ministry
Did you learn to love? Not about my money
Did you learn to love? Did you learn to love?
We were going through the evening routine when the subject of marriage came up. :)
Jack, all business announces, "Marriage, yeah..."He saunters over to his lower bunk and swings himself in... "I've got that ALL figured out."
"Oh, really?" I laugh :)
"YEAH!" Bruik peeks out of his covers, Big almond eyes shining with excitement,
"ME TOO!"...He exhales....I'm going to be
RICH.
(oh,NO, I'm thinking....we've got alot of training to do here!!)
But he stands up on his covers and declares,
"Yeah, I'm gonna be RICH cause I'm going to marry my wife and we are going to take care of hundreds of babies"
"Yep,...me too" Jack still so matter of fact..."gonna adopt alot of kids and take care of them."
Bigger bother chimes in from the top bunk...
"Well, I'm making a list...I may not know her YET...but maybe I MIGHT..." He stuffs his head into his pillow while his brothers explode with OHHHHHhhhhhh noises and reved up laughter
...bigger brother turns a shade of light red....
He stuffs his head in the pillow to not reveal any more sound of heartstrings playing...and we hear "Well, I am making a list."
They all calm for a second in the midst of some hyper giggles to each give sweet lists of who they pray God will pick for them in their future wife...
And I am thankful, honored to be sitting a bottom bunk in the midst of lego creations,army men, books, and paper airplanes...suddenly not so rushed to keep to the schedule...we dream of courting and dates, and beautiful ladies who are kind and generous, who love Jesus with all their hearts, and who love my boys...
And I am thankful I get to be their girl first...
They listen to sappy stories...about how Daddy and I first met ....and how we "knew"
They grin ...my junior knights...
How blessed three fair maidens will be one day...
The moment is mist --in just a moment laughing returns
and body noises replace deep heart sharing...:)
Yep, time to get these guys tucked in...
But to go off to pray and wonder over precious destinies of the boys I get to steward...
The weight of the day has all fallen off in the past minutes...what glory can surprise us in our every day moments!!
Blessings to the boys in your camp!!
Treasure Em :)
Take it from a mama who now buys shaving cream for her oldest son
It "all" is over...in just
Moments...
Treasure them
Love, Gillian
Remember me
In a Bible cracked and faded by the years
Remember me
In a santuary filled with silent prayers
CHORUS:
And age to age
And heart to heart
Bound by grace and peace
Child of wonder, Child of God
I'll remember you
Remember Me
Remember me
When the color of the sunset fills the sky
Remember me
When you pray and the tears of joy
fall from your eyes
CHORUS
Remember me
When the children leave
their Sunday school with smiles
Remember me
When they're old enough to teach
Old enough to preach
Old enough to leave
CHORUS
Age to age and heart to heart
Child of wonder child of God
Remember me
Age to age and heart to heart
Child of wonder child of God
Love is the river than flows through
Love is the arms that are holding you
Love is the place you will fly to
Love never fails you
Love is not proud
Love does not boast
Love after all
Matters the most
Love does not run
Love does not hide
Love does not keep
Locked inside
Love is the river that flows through
Love never fails you
Love will sustain
Love will provide
Love will not cease
At the end of time
Love will protect
Love always hopes
Love still believes
When you don’t
Love is the arms that are holding you
Love never fails you
When my heart won’t make a sound
When I can’t turn back around
When the sky is falling down
Nothing is greater than this
Greater than this
Love is right here
Love is alive
Love is the way
The truth the life
Love is the river than flows through
Love is the arms that are holding you
Love is the place you will fly to
Love never fails you
~~~~~~~~~
Glory to God!
THE God of Love.
We have seen His Mighty, Searching Love
Here
Among Us
Salvation is SOOOO Real
and NEAR
Salvation IS a personal God
We can know HIM
and touch Him
and see Him.
He is Jesus.
He IS the way
He is the only solution
He is what all Life is about
THE Truth
OF Abundant,Real Life.
We praise His name
New members to the family!
It IS harvest time
Glory to God!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
“All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.
Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.
For I am the Lord, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob,
O little Israel,
for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
“See, I will make you into a threshing sledge,
new and sharp, with many teeth.
You will thresh the mountains and crush them,
and reduce the hills to chaff.
You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up,
and a gale will blow them away.
But you will rejoice in the Lord
and glory in the Holy One of Israel.
“The poor and needy search for water,
but there is none;
their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the Lord will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.
I will put in the desert
the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
We need people to cry out for our foster kids today--would you please pray for them? We are fasting and praying for walls to come down for them today. Blow the trumpets!!
Blessings,
Gillian
Here we are, God, come before your throne,
Dm Gm F Am Here we are, God, come before the mercy seat
Dm Gm I can see the lightning, I can feel the thunder F Am I can hear the voices proceeding from your throne
Dm Gm F Am Twenty-four elders bowing low, casting down their crowns of gold Dm Gm F Am And four living creatures crying out, day and night, night and day
Pre-chorus: Dm Gm Only one word comes to mind F Am There's only one word to describe
Chorus: Dm Gm F Am Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Bridge: Dm Gm There is no one like you F Am You are holy, holy
Remarkable outpouring of love and manpower still in our neighborhood. This photo was taken as the water was receding from being up at mailbox level.
As we gathered items--mainly clothing to give to a four year old girl who's family has lost their home in a sudden house fire the night of the flooding, Ava said, "Mommy!! Now L--- is just like me! I didna have a home in Etopia. There were no toys. I lived on the ground. Mommy, does L--- live on the ground now? Mommy, does L--- still have a Mommy and a family?--oh,oh,oh, cause when I didna have a Mommy and a family and a house and a family God saw me. He told you to come get me."
Suddenly a third world location and my Western suburb were not so different--in the heart of a time of trouble--the first place a little girl's heart goes is to "Where is my Mommy? Where is my Daddy? Where is my family? Is what is priceless still in place?"
And me as well...the only place to run in recent storms was into my Heavenly Father's lap. He says He is "very near" in trouble. I stand here. I bank my very life on this. "In Him we live and breathe and have our being."
As I stand here, I know that everything in our lives has to go through my Father's hands. Look in the book of Job to find this--even the lightning has to report to Him. And, in the book of Revelation, it shows that it is Christ that who has to open the seals before any new time season begins -- all of Heaven and Earth has to wait for this--He's in charge--has all the authority.
Trouble--"labor pains" as the Bible calls them, on the Earth,here in our daily lives, draw more of the power of, more of the glory of God out of His child's life--confirming His love and provision and salvation for them in a VERY REAL,NEAR way.
I believe we have not seen the end of them. Times like what have come to our local community and many other examples in our national and global news bulletins are examples that like storm warnings pointing to a greater storm--
Just as many of us in Tennessee looked up in the sky the other day and sought shelter when we saw the lighting and felt the cascade of rain and saw the circular tornadic activity on our radar images -- knew what kind of weather was out there--there are "weather patterns"--hints and warnings that God has clearly given us that we can understand and take shelter in Him --to get ready for the greater trials that will come before Jesus returns to the Earth. Now's the time to ready our hearts. To ask for more of God's Presence, to ask the Holy Spirit to fill us up with His oil so we will be burning brightly now and during times to come (Read Billy Graham's new book, Storm Warning about this or Matthew 24 or 2 Timothy 3:1-5, or Thessalonians to discern the times that we are in.)
Trouble can also be highly effective to shepherd hearts who may have been distant from God back into His arms.
OR into His Salvation for the very first time!--One man in our neighborhood was saved by Jesus on the night of the floods--as he prayed to Christ for the first time-
-the presence of the Lord came upon him and he was literally "flooded" in another way!!--
This precious man is now telling everyone he speaks to that God saved him on that night-- in every way--he's on fire!! His whole persona is saturated with the beauty of Jesus--its utterly beautiful and strikes my heart with Awe. May trouble be well used, may it bring many to lasting treasure--relationship with a very real God and Savior who desires us near to Him--who considers us great treasure--who put Himself in trauma and trouble to ensure our safety in Him forever--He'll do ANYTHING to search us out and draw us close at times.
I know and declare that this is true:
"The Lord is good, a strong place in the day of trouble; and he has knowledge of those who take him for their safe cover."
Deep down inside, We are safe. We are covered. And NOTHING in ALL of CREATION, Can separate us, From the love of God, In Christ Jesus Toward us. A Home is not my ultimate shelter, For my shelter resides with me always. And,I can take shelter at ANY moment, Be it in storms, or in pressure, or trial, or tribulation,
In what is
Precious, Unshakeable, Right, Beautiful, Peaceful, Ever- lasting, REAL, and very True.
Christ IS my home. He is ALL that I need. Since He is in me, And I am in Him, I am always "HOME"
As I write this post flooding has come to our neighborhood at least 20 homes are flooded. Last night we received a frantic call from the precious lady who rents our home in the back of our neighborhood--the Harpeth River--which is normally about 200 feet from our home was encroaching quickly--it was already at our neighbors back doors. We sent Richard, Graham, and Big M. out into the night to hoist furniture up stairs and to carry out children and animals down our street which in an hours' time became knee deep, then as high as the mailboxes--as high as Richard's waist (he's a 6 foot 5 inch guy!!). My men came home hours later, after the police and firemen had declared that the homes be evacuated and after securing them as much as possible at the time... During this time tornado sirens rang out in addition to the storm and one of our precious neighbor's, The Lowry's house caught on fire and the fire department could not get enought pressure out of their hoses. Their home has now burned to the ground. As Mrs. Lowry stood with her family and watched the blaze of her home it is reported that she told a neighbor, "It is just stuff. I'm thankful my family is O.K."
This is one of those times that you see on T.V. on the evening news--there is actually an incredible peace to being a child of God in the midst of a "disaster area". We are as helpless to hold back the water as the sticks I see being swept past our house--But we have a great settledness and confidence that we are covenant children of the MIGHTY God who originally made ALL the boundary lines for water and said to the sea, "You may NOT pass this line." He is the same God who stood in the middle of the Red Sea and made the waters RECEDE on either side--drying it up for His people to walk through on dry land.
Our afflictions are eclipsed by His glory. Our fears are nothing compared to His Greater Love and Power in us.
As my Richard hoisted I gathered up and comforted children in the storm and snuggled them all up into blankets on the first floor last night. Then it was time to praise God. To give Him a sacrefice of Praise. This is our only option when the "storms" come. We have asked big and bold requests of our Father who loves us so much through His perfect son--I'm so glad to know Him personally --He is a real and present friend--He is more real than our closest friend.
The physical rain is still falling at this posting--We are not afraid--we are asking for God to keep us dry and safe--to make a boundary line for our property--we are praying against what our eyes see. But what is more important is that He is to be glorified--in the storms of life--May more of Him come out through the harder times in our lives--and may He also create notable miracles among HIs people that would bring many souls to Himself--to bring MORE glory to Him--that's the point of Life after all--that more Glory would come to Him.
Last Night as I was pressing in to worship and intercession I heard a song with lyrics like this,
Be near me God Depths are High to You Dark is Light to You Far is Near to You Lord I need to Hear from You You are Near
He is EVEN closer to us in these times--He actually promises to be "near" and to "carry" us. I trust Him. May our hearts continually be "flooded" by Him.
Please pray that God will push back the flood waters for our family, for our neighbors, for our town and area. Sweet little beautiful Franklin is now waist deep in flood water in the down town streets. There are people in canoes in my neighborhood... And if you are in the local area, its worth a drive out there--if its safe!!-- to see what some of your neighbors are going through--whole neighborhoods are water-logged--please assist as you can. Many will need help with clean up of debris and water logging, and cleaning out homes. Many will need meals. I was just at the local grocery and many of the people, while bonded in this time of disaster--were looking dazed --now is a fruitful time to share God's heart and love with them. Come work among God's people here to help them--come share true hope with those who do not know God and who may be crying out desparately for Him--please be praying for these specific families--that God would use this time to "flood" their hearts with PURE, living water for the first time--with an "overflow" of His Presence and real, saving Power. We've just filled the bathtubs, baby pool,washing machine and all available containers in the house after hearing the water system could be compromised here in our town. We are heading out the door to check the status of our house right now--at 3:00 the water was at the threshold...we are praying it down with the only true weapons/tools in a time like this that actually work--God's wonderful, active,powerful name and His Word... Please lift up our foster children at this time--unsettled times are especially stressful for them...
Psalm 32:6+7
"Therefore let everyone who is Godly Pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."
Because He is here, we are and will be O.K. Blessings and real Grace to all who are in the middle of this storm situation.
I find my Lord in the Bible Wherever I chance to look, He is the theme of the Bible the center and heart of the Book; He is the Rose of Sharon, He is the Lily fair, Wherever, I open my Bible The Lord of the Book is there.
He, at the Book's beginning, Gave to the earth its form, He is the Ark of shelter, Bearing the brunt of the storm, The Burning Bush of the desert, The budding of Aaron's Rod, Wherever I look in the Bible I see the Son of God.
The Ram upon Mt. Moriah, The Ladder from earth to sky, The Scarlet Cord in the window, And the Serpent lifted high, The Smitten Rock in the desert, The Shepherd with staff and crook, The face of my Lord I discover Whenever I open the Book.
He is the Seed of the Woman, The Savior Virgin-born; He is the Son of David, Whom men reflected with scorn, His garments of grace and beauty The stately Aaoron deck, Yet He is a Priest forever, For He is Melchizedek.
Lord of eternal glory Whom John, the Apostle, saw; Light of the Golden City, Lamb without spot or flaw, Bridegroom coming at midnight, For whom the Virgins look. Wherever I open my Bible, I find my Lord in the Book.
Number 4....in the countdown of praise this week...
#4 The Mihnovich Four....
It is so amazing to hold the answer to your prayers in your arms! I speak for many of us who counted down the days to first the release and then the arrival of the Mihnovich children. These four children --JUST arrived to America from Ethiopia --see Tracy's blog, Unveiled Faces at the sidebar here--this little family group is completely and utterly precious.
We have the honor of being backyard neighbors with the Mihnovich and Worton families and so cul-de-sac time is a festival of nations--Ethiopia the prominant one!! To see our previously adopted children from Ethiopia and birth children all running joyfully around with the new lambs from Ethiopia is a heavenly sight. I praise God to be included in such JOY!!
Each one of these children, especially the ones in transition have a inner beauty and tenderness to them that is a gift to behold. Yes, transition has its mighty challenges but God has given such a beautiful Mama and strong Daddy to these children. To see the multitude of kisses,to watch the incredible sports potential with bikes and balls--Wow!!-- to see the children safe and comfortable in their home of one week, to hear little Isaiah say "Mommy" and "Daddy" in his Amharic accent,to witness the grin and the gleem in James' eye when you mention his Father will come home tonight, to see Nati relaxed and going about the business of being a young teen boy, to feel a tender hug from Mercy and to look into her deep eyes--to watch her play baby dolls with Neighbor, Mackenzie a sister of newly arrived, heart-melting Micah. To see my children in the mix, growing up in a sea of children from many lands--that each of these children already understands that Love has taken them in--is sacred ground. It reminds me of a promise God used in our own transition and holds out so freely for this one, "Your sons will be taught by the Lord...And Great will be your childrens' peace".
Love to the Mihnovich family who is living an incredible truth --that Love truly "covers all" things. Miracles in the midst...miracles to come... Grace to you.
We are blogging to give you front seats to a miracle! I have just received a phone call from Richard saying that our Suburban just "died" in Mount Eagle, TN on the way back from going to a family wedding in Atlanta. This is hitting me with such joy--yes, I said joy!! A year ago both of our cars died at the same time and we had none for a week until God stepped in and provided for 2 cars for our family. He's about to provide again!! I can't wait to see what He's up to.
Being a missionary-type family these days we are finding out OVER and OVER how God brings in what we need RIGHT ON TIME. Just this week He has already shown up at our home with a car load and 2 laundry baskets full of food on the very day we wondered how we would fill our pantry this month--then He showered on more suprise blessings on Richard in Atlanta, SURELY this car situation is not a problem that is beyond His incredible scope!! He is aware and loves the fact that we now need to lean on Him for our transportation needs as well.
We already have been stretching it --not fitting into our mini van and even the Suburban with the 8 kids now and have been praying for God to provide a 12-15 passenger van for our famiy--perhaps this is not lack we are experiencing but a movement of grace to receive more of what we need.
I'm writing now because this takes a measure of Faith in Him to declare that I truly believe He is loving us largly in this moment and that He has this all under control--we are not alarmed or depressed--He has taken too good of care of us in the past for that type of anxiety--I do believe that we will have a miracle report to share with you all this week--whether that is that He provides for the Suburban to be fixed or provides another vehicle. Please pray for us as we wait on God to provide for us. He loves us just as much now with one car for 10 people as He did when we had 2 cars--He's a loving provider.
If God may be prompting you as you read this to be hands that He uses to provide a vehicle or funding towards it, please contact Richard at tuckerrichard@comcast.net or 615-545-2265.
We believe the Bible when it says, "Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know of yet."
And as God is so GOOD to do, He is strongly pressing this song on my heart and lips right now--please receive it as a gift from my full heart today.
Love, Gillian
Like a rushing river am I Like a raging torrent inside I find that I'm full of knowing nothing I find that I hunger for the fullness of Christ
Like a rushing river am I Like a raging torrent inside I find that I"m free-falling again I'm letting go of the mountain view Letting go, but what into?
Like a rushing river am I Like a raging torrent inside I find that I'm full of knowing nothing I find that I'm hungry for the fullness of Christ
Like a rushing river am I Like a raging torrent inside I find that I"m free-falling again I'm letting go of the mountain view Letting go, but what into?
I've been crucified with Christ I've been crucified with Christ I've been crucified with Christ Yet not I, but one thing I know
You make all things beautiful You make all things beautiful You make all things beautiful Just in time Just in time
You make all things beautiful You make all things beautiful You make all things beautiful Just in time It's just a matter of time, time It's just a matter of time
So into Your hands Into Your hands I fall Into Your hands Into Your hands I fall Into Your hands So into Your hands I fall
For You make all things beautiful You make all things beautiful You make all things beautiful Just in time It's just a matter of time, time, time It's just a matter of time, time, time
On You I wait On You I wait On You I wait All of my days
And on You I wait On You I wait always On You I wait All of my days All of my days
No one who waits on You will ever be ashamed No one who waits will ever be disappointed It's just a matter of time It's just a matter of time
So calm down, my soul Calm down and know So calm down, my soul Calm down and know
His yoke is easy His burden is light It simply costs everything But it's not too mysterious It's not for the wise in their own eyes It's not for the mighty of the rich But He has saved Himself for me But He has saved Himself for me
So calm down, my soul Just calm down and know Just calm down, my soul Just calm down and know
No one who waits on the Lord will ever be ashamed For wisdom will be justified In just a matter of time, time, time It's just a matter of time, time, time
And You make all things beautiful You make all things beautiful You make all things beautiful Just in time It's just a matter of time It's just a matter of time
Calm down, my soul Be quiet within me And put your trust in God From where your help comes from From where your help comes from Just calm down, my soul, and wait It's just a matter of time It's just a matter of time
This message burns on my heart and defines my time and my ways these days...loving entreaty from a loving Savior from Jesus' living Words of Matthew 25:1-13
But the foolish...so busy shining their lamps...forgot to get the oil.
...And the 5 who were wise will say to the foolish:
Go Buy Oil
For Yourself.
You have to
Take the Time
to
Know Him for Yourself.
They say,
Go Buy Oil
I counsel you.
Buy it Now.
Go Buy Oil...
Before it is Too Late.
I counsel you Now
Buy GOLD Refined
in the Fire.
Take the Time
From the Inside Out
Take the Time to Be Aquainted
with the Holy Spirit and the Word
Before it is Too Late...
Cultivating the Oil of Intimacy (Mike Bickle--One Thing Conference 09)
