Then Sings My Soul Saturday

This song blessed me immensely in 2007 when I first posted it here. I played it for my Dad when he was visiting and watched him close his eyes and get very emotional. He asked me to play it again. He had been diagnosed with a life threatening condition and this brought him deep comfort. For those needing that deepest of comfort today, please listen for yourself.

Click on the link below to hear Oh The Deep Deep Love of Jesus.

http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/kenskorner/deeplove.html

***(The link will take you to another site where you have to click on the title of the song to hear it play. It opens up with Real Player on my computer.)

Oh The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus

by The Haven Quartet

Oh the deep, deep love.

The love of Jesus;

The deep, deep love.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!

Rolling as a mighty ocean,

In its fullness over me;

Underneath me, all around me,

Is the current of Thy love;

Leading onward, leading homeward,

To my glorious rest above.

Oh the deep, deep love.

The love of Jesus;

The deep, deep love.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

Love of ev'ry love the best!

Tis an ocean vast of blessing,

Tis a haven sweet of rest.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

Tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me;

And it lifts me up to glory,

For it lifts me up to Thee.

Oh the deep, deep love.

The love of Jesus;

The deep, deep love.

Then drop by Amy's to hear more songs that minister.

The Talk of Trinidad

Yep, my parents were once the "Talk of Trinidad". I just found this old newspaper clipping from 2001 when my parents renewed their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary. I want to celebrate them today. Here they are, Bindya and Rudolph, my parents, whose sacrificial love, faithfulness, faith, longsuffering and prayer I cherish daily! And they are the "Talk of Sita's Sanctum" today!

I'm the Mom!!

Enjoy!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

The other day, my husband played one of his favorite albums and it brought back such sweet memories. It was a time that was bittersweet. A time when I was hurting, but a time when I felt God's grace in tangible form. A time when I was ministering to and was ministered to by International Student Ministry (IVCF), both at York U and the U of Toronto. This man's voice brought such a peaceful balm to my spirit as he sang Psalms of worship and praise.

His name is John Michael Talbot and he is better known in Roman Catholic circles as a singer-guitarist. His early rock style has changed, ..."Talbot now has a more reflective, meditative style that combines his crystal-clear tenor vocals with his magnificent classical guitar. He is best known for creating albums designed for worship and quiet meditation..." His current lifestyle has been greatly influenced by St. Francis of Assisi. Hope you are drawn into God's peace as you listen.

Refrain: (From Psalm 95)

Come, and worship the Lord, for we are his people the flock that he shepherds. Alleluia.

1. Come, let us sing to the Lord, and shout with joy to the rock that saves us. Let us come with thanksgiving, and sing joyful songs to the Lord.

2. Come, let us bow down and worship, bending the knee before the Lord our maker, for we are his people; we are the flock he shepherds.

3. The Lord is God, the mighty God, the great king o'er all other gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the highest mountains as well. He made the sea; it belongs now to him. The dry land, too, was formed by his hand.

Please drop by Amy's to hear more songs that minister.

My Hiding Place...

For Joy, and anyone else who needs a Hiding Place....

Thy Word is a Lamp...

This morning I woke up with this praise song on my mind, so I decided it would be the basis for my 6th memory verse for the 2009 Beth Moore challenge:

Psalm 119:105 - (The Holy Bible, NIV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Have you had a hard week? Has your life been bursting to the seams? Have your wondered if God is even seeing your tears? Then I invite you to go to my last post, and sing an oldie with me.
Then pop by Amy's to hear more songs that minister.

For Those Tears I Died

I read this powerful post by Melissa (Beth Moore's daughter). Please go read this. In the light of several I know undergoing so much, it was good to know that it was OK to lament, cry out to God, simply because we know God, just as David did constantly in the Psalms. Do you have a lament today? I wrote this Lenten reflection last year as I thought about the laments around the world--heartbreaking laments. I invite you to read it here.

Then please sing along with me a song that powerfully ministered to me many years ago: For Those Tears I Died by Marsha Stevens.

For Those Tears I Died
by Marsha Stevens

You said you'd come and share all my sorrows
You said you'd be there for all my tomorrows
I came so close to sending you away
But just like you promised, you came there to stay.
I just had to pray.

CHORUS
And Jesus said, "Come to the waters, stand by my side
I know you are thirsty, you won't be denied.
I felt every teardrop, when in darkness you cried,
And I strove to remind you that for those tears I died."

Your goodness so great, I can't understand
And dear Lord I know that all this was planned
I know you're here now and always will be
Your love loosed my chains and in you I'm free
But, Jesus, why me?

Jesus, I give you my heart and my soul
I know that without God I'd never be whole
Savior, you opened all the right doors
And I thank you and praise you from earth's humble shores.
Take me, I'm yours.

In Christ Alone...

Reposting...

LIKE NO OTHER

Who do you say I am?

I am a wife and a mother…

I need to be like no other….

‘Alright, so I lost it… again..and again…

One day I’ll make it through, Lord…but when?’

I am a friend worthy of honour…

I need to be like no other….

‘its true…your friendship is a treasure..

but you’re no asset in the who-we-know measure.’

I am an academic,

that’s never a bother…

I need to be like no other…

"30 minutes left!"…..I looked in a daze!

My mind was in an unbelievable haze!

I am a…I am a….yet another…

I needed to be like no other…

But each time I could plainly see,

It was not what I had thought I’d be.

Stripped and pruned by His own hand.

I have no imprint on the sand.

‘Nothing…nothing…I am nothing…!’

Recoiling, retreating, merely existing.

The Deceiver smirked, ‘my plan is working.’

The Father replied, ‘You forget, I AM sovereign!’

"Help me Lord..something is wrong…

In my weakness, You’re supposed to be strong!"

‘
What I see, child, is your dearth

In not knowing your eternal worth.

Not in your head, but deep in your soul,

Your value in Me will make you whole.

’‘
You are My child,’ says I AM,

‘Redeemed and bought by the blood of the Lamb.

You are my Beloved, you are mine,

I had a plan for you, before time began.’

I AM who says,

‘You are like NO OTHER.'

©2000 by Sita Henderson

Woman, What Did You Do?

Many years ago, I was engaged to a man while at Bible college. We were doing the same course and the final project was a long paper. I ended up typing his paper for him. By the time I was finished, I had little energy left to do a proper job on mine. He aced his paper. I got a C, I believe. What I remember is that when he saw my grade and my obvious humiliation (I was an A student), he laughed! In God's loving sovereignty, this relationship ended painfully for me.

As I was learning from my pain, I heard God gently teaching me, "When you stand before me on Judgement Day, I will not ask, "What did you do to help "D____"? I will ask you, "What did you do with what I gave you?

Without realizing it, I was linking my value, my role, to this man's role because I thought that was expected of me. As spouses, we are there to support each other, but never at the expense our own gifts! As I began to study Jesus' life and character however, I realized that a godly man would never treat a woman like that, he would seek to bring out the best in her, encourage her to develop her gifts, like Jesus, like the man God eventually gave me as my husband. If I had known deep inside how God valued me, then I would never have accepted this man's derisive treatment, even though he was a student body and youth group president who said all the right spiritual words. Ladies, teach your children who they are in God, their true value, so that they will never accept devaluation from anyone as 'normal'.

Today on International Women's Day, I want to honour a very special woman. When I think about her life, it is truly incredible. She is someone who had obstacles that befuddle my mind, yet had this inner strength and hunger for God that led to her conversion. She would pray for 10 years for my Dad to 'see' the Light, which he did. She persevered, she prayed for her children and her family with a fierce passion. Today, she is a pastor's wife. She still remains a woman passionate about her faith. She still prays fiercely for her family and the women she ministers to. Because of her prayers, I am here today, with a foundation that cannot be moved even though at times I cannot see God.

Thank you, Mom. May God bless you abundantly today.

Celebrating 50th Wedding Anniversary!

Here is Wayne Dillard from PrayerCentral with a special blessing to women:

....I just want to thank all of the women out there who carry God's heart in intercession, and encourage you today to never shrink back from what God has placed on your heart. Your contribution to the Body of Christ and His purposes is essential. We need you!

On behalf of men and ministers everywhere, I want to ask your forgiveness for the times you have been held back because of your gender. Christ honored women to be the first to carry the good news of His resurrection, and when we restrict your involvement in His great commission, we dishonor Him. Please forgive us.

I think it's safe to say that all through history, women have been the backbone of the Body of Christ. It was William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, who said, "My best men are women." There may be more men in the pulpit, but there are more women in God's throne room, and there are more heartfelt, tear-soaked prayers laid at His feetby women, than men would ever dare to count.

Your efforts may go unnoticed by men, and you may not be properly honored for your contribution by the local church, but God has seen it all, and your crowns await you. Please do not lose heart, just keep serve Your King, and praying out His heart, and blessing those you serve. None of it is being overlooked by Him.

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. -Hebrews 6:10

"May the Lord surprise you with His goodness, and grant you wisdom and light for your pathway; may His peace that surpasses understanding guard your heart and mind, and shield you from anxiety;

May solutions be released in a fresh measure, and next steps open before your feet; may grace shower down upon you to forgive, trust, endure, and give thanks even during difficulty;may vision and passion for His purposes over your life spring up and usher you ahead unlike any other time in your life.

May you feel the embrace of God's love and be fired up with a courage and faith that won't be denied it's reward."May the Lord be gracious to you, and bless you and make His face shine upon you (Ps.67)....

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

I invite you to go to my post below where I have posted 2 songs that speak of God's ability to save, to restore: Mighty to Save and God of This City.
We have a hope, dear sisters, greater things are yet to come!
Then drop by Amy's to hear more songs that minister.

No more shame...

This morning was our Women's Missions Breakfast. At the last minute I went after ensuring we had the funds. Several of you know I have been praying for a 'breakthrough' from God, a personal 'word'. I just finished reading "Summer" by Karen Kingsbury, and there was a scene where one of the characters who lost a baby was talking about how she had expected God to work with a mighty swoop of healing. But instead, He worked in a gentle whisper as He did with Elijah.

I realize I have been looking for that kind of 'working out' as well. I have read many missionary bios, and they all speak of a faith reinforced by the God who works miracles. Seems to me, He is working in a very different way in the lives of people around me these days. He is not doing what we think He ought to be doing, like healing our loved ones, like restoring our fortunes. He instead is forcing us to watch, pray, persevere, pray, trust, rest, release, pray... for extended periods. The outcome is not the one we think makes most sense. Perhaps it has to do with this:

Zephaniah 3:12(The Holy Bible, NIV)

But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the LORD.

He is involved in stripping away our masks, our self-control, our common sense, our pride. He wants to expose the core of our brokenness, to let it be exposed to the healing Light, to be transformed into beauty for all the world to see. I know He is stripping me. I feel somewhat fragile. I am so grateful for those of you who care. The Lord listens to your prayers on behalf of those who diligently seek Him.

I am not saying however that I have had a powerful breakthrough. But there are minute crack-throughs happening. Today, it was not the missionary speaker who got to me, but two of our own ladies. One of the ladies is an older Jamaican lady, now retired from an airline industry position, who goes to different countries with her travelling privileges, often visiting our missionaries. Her preference is to serve in the background, which she does most faithfully. Today, surprisingly, she asked to speak about her last visit to Cambodia. With great emotion, she spoke of the Vietnamese refugees who have no legal status there, where abject poverty causes the sale of children into prostitution, where they are called "jungle-people". She spoke of one little girl whom she hugged on a previous visit now 'sold'. Why is God bringing these little Cambodian children to our attention time and time again? Like Randy Stonehill sings, "Who will save the children?..If not us, then who..."

Then, at the end, our leader of women's ministry gave us all a blessing from Zephaniah 3. ...

14 Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel!

Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The LORD has taken away your punishment,

he has turned back your enemy.

The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you;

never again will you fear any harm.

17 The LORD your God is with you,

he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing."
18 "The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you;

they are a burden and a reproach to you.
19 At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you;

I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered.

I will give them praise and honor

in every land where they were put to shame.
20 At that time I will gather you;

at that time I will bring you home.

I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth

when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,"

says the LORD.

I have put on cloaks of shame in different places, most handed to me and forcibly put on, generationally and environmentally. I think about these young girls (and boys) victimized, brutalized and homeless in Cambodia. (Check here for a news clip aired tonight on CTV-W5). Then I realize that God has allowed me to taste of these emotions without undergoing their specific situations. I have tasted the sting of not belonging, the sting of betrayal and rejection, the sting of 'nothingness', the sting of abandonment, the sting of depression and hopelessness, the sting of devaluation. And because of the way God has wired me with a fragile and sensitive psyche, I have felt it more than 'regular' folk.

But today, I know the stirring of hope, that He will bring praise and honor in every place that shame has been instilled, in me, in every child so demeaned.

Sing and pray with me as you think about where you have felt 'shame', He is Mighty to Save :

He is totally sovereign! As Chris Tomlin sings in this next song, "...greater things are yet to come..."
God is using this pain and misery and ugliness as nutrients to build the richest of soils from which will emerge the most beautiful of all creations called "Beauty From Ashes." Let us praise Him for a new generation to emerge in Cambodia!