The Heavens Declare His Righteousness

Peace is seeing a sunset and who to thank.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ...Then God said, 'Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.' God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. God called the expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day." 

(Genesis 1:6-8)

What a wonderful God we serve! Such beautiful artwork and design! It is so reassuring to know that the One who created all these things -- the sun, moon, and stars, the oceans, mountains; all this wondrous majesty that surrounds us -- this powerful One is the same One who holds us in His mighty hands, who cares for us and loves us more than we deserve or can ever fathom.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, 

but that the world might be saved through Him."

(John 3:16-17)

"Great are the works of the LORD; they are studied by all who delight in them. Splendid and majestic is His work, and His righteousness endures forever." 

(Psalm 111:2-3)

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." 

(Psalm 19:1-2)

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. ...To Him who made the great lights, for His lovingkindness is everlasting: the sun to rule by day, for His lovingkindness is everlasting, the moon and stars to rule by night, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." 

(Psalm 136:1, 7-9)

"The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all it contains, You have founded them." 

(Psalm 89:11)

"And the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is judge. Selah." 

(Psalm 50:6)

 

"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have displayed Your splendor  above the heavens! ...When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?"  

(Psalm 8:1, 3-4)

Have a blessed day!
~Courtney

19 Things

I've noticed a lot of people on Facebook lately doing a game where you write a certain number of little-known facts about yourself. It sounded like fun, but my Facebook friends already know me and I suspect they might find it quite boring to see a post from me all about me. So... since this blog is still somewhat new and I have only briefly introduced myself a little bit, I've decided to list nineteen not-so-well-known facts about me. Nineteen, just 'cause it's the 19th and I am nineteen years old.

So. 

Here goes:

1. Sour cream with corn chips is one of my biggest weaknesses when it comes to food.
2. If I ever see fuzz, a hair, or a wrinkle, etc. on your clothes, I will find it VERY difficult to refrain myself from fixing it -- regardless of whether I know you or not.
3. Once I wrote a letter to the President and soon after received a reply from the White House.
4. A few years ago I met Charlene (Maggie Peterson) and one of the Darling brothers (Rodney Dillard) from the Andy Griffith Show. I won a copy of Aunt Bee's Mayberry Cookbook that day and they both autographed it. 
5. I am not a take-charge kind of person, and am terrified of being the center of attention in big groups. At my graduation I spoke in front of 400+ people... (NEVER. AGAIN.)
6. Thanks to my dad and three brothers, I really like to watch football and actually understand it. Roll Tide!
7. My favorite author is Frank Peretti, and I prefer mystery/suspense novels over most chick-flick stories. The scarier the book, the better.
8. I  can count on one hand how many times I've been inside a public school building during school hours, but I have experienced lunchroom food on several occasions. All I can say to that is, there's no place like home.
9. The fourth governor of Alabama, John Murphy, was my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather (and if that isn't correct, it's close enough anyway), and I have shaken hands with our current governor, Robert Bentley.
10. I'm afraid of heights, but I still think it would be the coolest thing ever to go to space and look down on the earth, because a view like that would be priceless. But certain people in my life won't allow me to leave the planet. Good thing, probably.
11. I can read Hebrew and speak a few lines of the language. B'reishyt bara Elohim et ha'shamayim v'et ha'aretz! 
12. Little Women, 1994 version. Best. Movie. Ever. 
13. Someday I would like to study and learn iridology and kinesiology. Because it's weird and so am I.
14. I DO NOT like being late for anything.
15. One day I hope to publish a novel.
16. I am definitely a morning person, but only if I have my coffee soon after I get up.
17. Psalm 143:8 is my favorite Bible verse. 
18. I want to live to be 106. That way, it would be year 2100 and I will have lived in three centuries.
19. I rarely ever write in print. Cursive is just way classier.

Annnd there you have it! Nineteen unimportant and probably totally useless facts/quirks about me. Have a great day, and hopefully I'll be back with another (real) article very soon! I've got two or three or four brewing inside my brain right now...

Oh, and before I forget: I will be trying my HARDEST to begin posting once, if not twice a week, plus a possible recipe every Tuesday! AND there is a poll to your right if you would like to vote on what kind of topics you would like to read more of, so please do! Stay tuned!

~Courtney

p.s. Sometimes when I get bored I like to take ridiculous selfies.

Where the Roses Never Fade

I am going to a city where the streets with gold are laid,

I am going to a city where the roses never fade.

Where the tree of life is blooming

And the roses never fade

Here they bloom but for a season;

Soon their beauty is decayed.

I am going to a city where the roses never fade.

Loved ones gone to be with Jesus,
In their robes of white arrayed,

Now are waiting for my coming 

Where the roses never fade.

Here they bloom but for a season;

Soon their beauty is decayed.

I am going to a city where the roses never fade.

I recently lost someone very dear to me. She was like another grandma to me, and I am going to miss her so much. She lived a long, faithful life, always encouraging and serving others. She taught me so much, by the way she lived and the things she said, to be strong as an ox, sweet as honey, brave as a lion, to have courage and stay faithful even when it's hard, always love your friends and family even if they don't love you back, tell others about Jesus, never be lazy, and always, always pray.

These last few years when I would see her at church or visit her at home, she would oftentimes talk about me getting married someday. Besides the other many things she would tell me to remember, the one bit of advice she never failed to give me was this: If you find a man who loves God more than anything else in the world, you'll be happy and won't have anything to worry about. She knew very well how important it is to find someone who not only loves you, but who loves and serves God with all that he is. When I was at the funeral home the other night, her daughter reminded me again of what Mrs. Berta Mae had told me. "Always remember," she said.

She loved people, and anyone who came to her home was always welcome. She was honest and spunky. She cared for animals. She was loyal and loving, and priced far above rubies. She was one of the hardest workers I have ever met. She had beautiful long, wavy red hair. She loved nature; flowers most of all. Her favorite song was "Where the Roses Never Fade," and I know she longed for that place where no harsh Winter night would ever destroy a beautiful garden ever again.

Mrs. Berta Mae was loved very much by all who knew her. She was the grandmother of 43, great-grandmother of 55, and great-great-grandmother of 42. This great woman left a beautiful legacy and many precious memories behind. She will be missed dearly, but we all know that she has earned her rightful place in heaven, where the roses never fade.

~

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones." (Psalm 116:15)

Have you told anyone you loved them today? Have you hugged someone? Have you shown someone how much you cared? 

Love the people God has given you, because He will need them back one day.

~

In loving memory of Berta Mae Burney

Nov. 16, 1926-Nov. 7, 2013

"Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all."

(Proverbs 31:29)

November

Squirrels raid the nuts on the ground as the crows caw all around. Sunrises come later and as the sun sets again in the early evening with the brightest, most vivid array of colors, the birds hush their singing and sleep sweetly in their nests until morning. The trees that were once clothed in lively green radiance are now stripped of their beauty and tossed about in the wind; the leaves they once bore now blanket the earth at their feet like treasured gold at the foot of a king's throne.

Tomorrow is the first day of November! Can you believe it? (It seems like we just had a November not too long ago!)

I love November. (Besides the fact that it's the wonderful month set aside specifically for creative introverts to hibernate and try to write a 50,000-word novel in thirty days... AKA: NaNoWriMo.) ;)

But there are just so many wonderful things to appreciate and admire about Fall.

November is one of my favorite months, because of the pretty changing colors of the leaves; the crisp, cool weather that's not too cold but just chilly enough that you can curl up next to a fire; hot cocoas and coffees and teas; watching college football on Saturdays; writing everyday; the beginning of the holidays.

November is the season of thankfulness. I think that's why I like it so much. Everybody seems happier than normal, and we get to be with our loved ones. Life isn't perfect, but everyone can forget their troubles and worries and just enjoy being together.

Count your blessings; chances are, you have way more blessings than you do troubles.

Be grateful; there are others in the world who are really happy with a lot less.

Love everybody, because "love makes the world go 'round."

Smile, and smile often.

Freeze the moments, because they'll become only faded memories far too soon.

I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Novembers.

What are some of your favorite things about November?

Peace

I've mentioned Stepping Heavenward (by Mrs. E. Prentiss) before, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good novel to read. Not only is it a good story, but it is also a good study book about humility, servitude, and contentedness. I was looking through it again the other day, and came across a section I had underlined. The preacher in the book had helpfully given the troubled main character a list called Four Steps That Lead to Peace. I think they're really great, and so I've decided to elaborate a little on each one.

1. Be desirous of doing the will of another, rather than thine own.

Servitude

We ought to desire better for others rather than always looking out for our own interests. This world does not revolve around me, not everything has to benefit me, and really, the last thing on my mind should be "me." In a generation that is all about ME, ME, ME, it may be hard to begin thinking of ourselves last and least, but this is the way God intended it to be. Even Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was selfless and humble, always putting others before Himself.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:3-5) 

2. Choose always to have less, rather than more.

Satisfaction 

The saying, "Less is more" is really a true statement. We shouldn't desire to have things, always looking to attain more, more, more. God wants us to have everything we need (Matthew 6:28-32), but He also wants us to be grateful and content with the blessings He has given us. Paul had known both riches and poverty, and he said he had learned that no matter what happened to him, he could be content.

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  (Philippians 4:11-13)

And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear for clothing?" For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (Matthew 6:28-32)

So count your blessings, focus on being happy, and look heavenward! 

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3)

3. Seek always the lowest place, and to be inferior to every one.

Selflessness 

This is probably one of the most unnatural characteristics to a human. It is completely normal to want what is best for ourselves, to take extra personal care for our well-being. But really, we oftentimes take this to the extreme. Yes, we should love ourselves; (we are made by a wonderful Creator!) but  the world today totally takes the "love yourself" idea way out of context. The world tells us to "do what makes you happy," to "love yourself first, and everything else will fall into place." But as imitators of Christ, we are dead to the world and to ourselves, and hidden in Christ. What people see in me should be a reflection of Him who lives in me. The world hated Him, and so of course they will hate us too if we're living right. But being inferior shouldn't scare us; it should motivate us to continue modeling ourselves after our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate example of humility and selflessness.

And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this man,' and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 14:7-11)

4. Wish always and pray, that the will of God may be wholly fulfilled in thee.

Submission

Remember Jesus' humility? Even He, THE Son of God, always desired God's will to be done above all else, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." (Luke 22:42) 

It can be a hard thing to do, letting go of what we want, letting go of our worry, and letting God take care of things, but it brings true peace when we do wholly give Him the controls and begin to have faith in Him.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

We belong to God, and we should desire to do His will, to follow His plans, and trust in Him completely!

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2) 

Have a blessed day!
~Courtney

The Old Trunk In the Attic

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with something on your mind and you have to write it down or else you can't fall back to sleep? This morning, for whatever odd reason, I woke up at four-thirty with a poem in my head. I almost laid back down and dozed off again, but I knew if I didn't write down what I was thinking, I wouldn't remember it again when I got up later.

Yesterday I was going through my hope-chest, looking at all the old things I've saved (my great-grandpa's Bible, my first baby blanket, etc.) and so I guess that type of thing was on my mind last night. The poem I wrote is based on the idea that a young girl is going through an old trunk found in the attic. An old trunk filled with many stories. Generations of stories about her heritage, and her grandparents' hard-working ways, serving the Lord, and sowing love in the family for many years to come.

The Old Trunk In the Attic

Smells like mothballs seasoned with years,

But this trunk is filled with love and tears.

The family Bible is worn with age,

With yellow markings on every page

That show the time and care they took

To read and follow God's word in that Book.

Those shoes walked the narrow way

As Grandma followed God each day.

Grandpa's hat is rugged and worn;

Underneath it were many ideas born.

His gloves still bear that cold, hard dirt

That show he wasn't afraid to work.

Needles and thread now brittle with age

Are what Grandma sewed with night and day;

She always worked 'til the job got done,

But I still remember she was so much fun.

She and Grandpa are in my heart,

And the mem'ries in this trunk, to me, are years of art.

I know my grandparents have gone above and left all else behind,

But in this trunk up in the attic, stories of joy and love I find

Bits of Grandma and Grandpa's stories,

And how they gave God all the glory.

Have a blessed day!

~Courtney

(These pictures show me wearing my great-grandma's ring and housecoat.)

Eleven

Today is my sister's 11th birthday.

It amazes me how quickly time flies, and how fast we grow up. Seems like only yesterday I was that little, without a care in the world.

So, this morning I got to thinking: What do I remember most about being her age?

I LOVED being eleven! It was a wonderful year. I had fun playing with my siblings and cousins outside, and I learned a lot about a lot of things.

These are just a few highlights from my eleventh year:

-It was 2005
-I got a new baby brother!
-My cousins lived next door
-I had really long hair
-I still played with baby dolls
-I was in karate and art class
-I started "journaling" and have been doing it ever since
-My cousin and I wanted to start up a band
-I was in 5th grade
-I was still losing teeth >_<
-I read American Girl and Nancy Drew books all. the. time.
-I always wanted to solve a mystery (just like Nancy Drew!)

Eleven was great. But so were the years before that and 12, 13, 14... all the way to 19! Life just keeps getting better.

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" (Psalm 118:24) 

 "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle... Oh, remember that my life is a breath!" (Job 7:6-7)

Enjoy each day we're given; it is a gift from God!

Have a blessed day!
~Courtney