Monthly Archives: March 2009

>Sun of My Soul

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>Did you ever feel like the weather outside reflects your mood? I did yesterday. The gloomy drizzling of rain and blase grayness of the sky seemed an outward manifestation of the bleakness I felt. It was just one of those kind of days. You know the type. Those kind of days when you wake up feeling bleak and the whole day is just a series of disappointments and discouragements. Several times I tried to get started on a project, but was lacking in motivation and creativity was all but nonexistent. I couldn’t seem to talk to any one without biting their head off with an unkind remark. I felt pessimistic and just plain awful.

We have this old home video of three-year old Jenny and my mom playing Candy Land at the kitchen table. All of a sudden Jenny burst into tears, sobbing her little heart out. Daddy (who was videotaping) asked the obvious and very suitable question: “What’s the matter, Jenny?” Jenny lifted up her weeping eyes and wailed, “I’m just so sad!” That’s how I felt yesterday, just inexplicably sad. All I wanted to do was lay my head down and burst into tears for no reason at all.

“Walk toward the sunshine and the shadows will fall away from you.” Isn’t that a lovely thought? Everyone has “rainy days,” when the shadows seem overwhelming. But that doesn’t mean that hope is distant or joy unattainable. As a Christian, I have been given hope and joy that no human sadness can take away. Jesus promises to give fullness of joy to those who seek His face. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Walk toward the Sunshine and the shadows will fall away from you; draw close to Jesus and let your heart be comforted.

I’ve written the following list of “Things to Do on a Rainy Day” in the hope that next time one of those just-because-I’m-sad kind of days come along, I will remember the Source of my sunshine and find joy in amidst of the gloom.

  • Purpose to Give Thanks. Seek out the blessings I enjoy every day and dwell on praising God for those blessings
  • Look for Ways to Serve Others. I have found that the best way to lost sight of myself is to be active in good works and meeting other’s needs.
  • Read From the Book of Psalms. It is amazing how the Psalms so often speaks to the very problems I am dealing with. They are wonderful reminders to surrender my heart and all its fears and discouragements to the Lord. My favorite “rainy day” Psalm is Psalm 42. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.
  • Take Any Burdens or Any Sadness Immediately to the Throne of Grace. Don’t let myself struggle on my own. Ask the Lord to be strong through me.
  • Sing a Hymn of Praise! Song lifts the spirits and praising the majesty and glory of the Lord strengthens the heart.

Today the sun is shining brightly. I awoke rejoicing to the Lord for giving me a new day in which to praise Him. “Sun of my soul, Thou Savior dear, It is not night if Thou art near!” (J. Keble)

>I Would Climb

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God of the heights, austere, inspiring,
Thy word hath come to me;
O let no selfish aims, conspiring,
Distract my soul from Thee.

Loosen me from the Things of Time -
Strengthen me for the steadfast climb.
The temporal would bind my spirit;
Father, be Thou my stay.
Show me what flesh cannot inherit,
Stored for another day.
Be transparent, Things of Time -
Looking through you, I would climb.

Now by Thy grace my spirit chooseth
Treasure that shall abide.
The great Unseen, I know, endureth;
My footseteps shall not slide.
Not for me the Things of Time -
God of mountains, I will climb.

~ Amy Carmichael ~

>The Birthday of a Sister

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A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.

~ Isadora James

Today Jovana Jean Florio, my older sister and one of my two best friends, turns 19. I can’t begin to express all that Jenny has been in my life, or imagine life without her. She has always been my big sister, adored and admired. When we were young, I wanted to be just like Jenny. I wore her school uniform proudly around town and wanted to read the same books she was reading. Anything that Jenny did, I wanted to do. I would even wait for Jenny to order her ice cream so that I could get the same flavor. Always the leader of our inseparable threesome, the instigator of our many adventures, and the director of our theatrical performances, Jenny’s patience and forgiving love strengthened the bond of sisterhood and won the adoration of her two little sisters.

Over the years, things really haven’t changed. Oh, we don’t put on renditions of Fiddler on the Roof any longer or organize American Girl fairs. I order my own flavor of ice cream now and have taken up my own interests. But my affection and esteem for my older sister hasn’t lessened one bit; it has, in fact, grown throughout the years. I learn from Jenny every day, am influenced by her life, and thank the Lord for blessing me so exceedingly. I can think of little else more enjoyable than spending time, talking, laughing, or simply basking in that wonderful camaraderie called sisterhood.

How do people make it through life without a sister?

- Sara Corpening

Some specific things I especially love about Jenny are:
- Her enthusiasm for and delight in God’s Word ~ I have grown much from the insights Jenny has shared with me from her Bible reading; she motivated me to seek God through His Word, meditate, and memorize the Scriptures

- Her diligence in service, schoolwork, and music

- Her visionary mindset and initiation in bringing those visions to pass

- Her heart for ministry

- The steadfastness of her faith

- Her sensitivity to the needs of others

- The encouragement she shows time and time again to me – through her words and by her silent, thoughtful actions

An older sister is a friend and defender, a listener, conspirator, a counsellor and a sharer of delights. And sorrows too. ~Pam Brown

I love you, Jenny.

Happy nineteenth birthday.

>Knowing the Great Shepherd…The Lamb of God

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My Shepherd will supply my need:
Jehovah is His Name;
In pastures fresh He makes me feed,
Beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back
When I forsake His ways,
And leads me, for His mercy’s sake,
In paths of truth and grace.

Our God is the Creator over all the earth. “…he is before all things, and by him all things exist” (Colossians 1: 17). He is the great King “of all the earth” (Psalm 47:7), the Lord above all other lords (Psalm 96:4). He is the high and mighty One, the Ruler of the universe; He is God.

And yet, this powerful and infinite God, Whose magnitude I cannot even begin to comprehend, has concerned Himself with me! This great King, this mighty Lord, has also become my Father and Savior. He has chosen to condescend from His heavenly glory to love earthly, sinful me, to know me, and to care for me.

It is important if we want to follow the Shepherd, that we know the Shepherd. “I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14, 15) If we want to have a relationship with Him, we need to know His majesty, His grace, and the things that give Him pleasure.

An understanding of the majesty and sovereignty of God gives us a “big picture” image of all that God is.

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great
power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: Thou
shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the
fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God,
the LORD of hosts, is his name, Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine
eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according
to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 32:17-19)


The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with
strength, [wherewith] he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that
it cannot be moved. (Psalm 93:1)

Knowing our Shepherd as the Creator and Ruler of the earth is vital to following Him. If God was not sovereign, how could we fully trust in His guidance? Furthermore, His sovereignty demands our submission. He owns us, He owns the world – I belong to Him, my life is in His hands. If God promises to take care of me, I can believe it because His promises can never fail.

Knowing our Shepherd as a mighty King also leads to the realization of the magnitude of His grace in desiring and fulfilling the salvation of lowly sinners. Just as it is by God’s sovereignty that we have been created, it is by His grace that we live each day. “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

The amazing grace of my Lord, Who became my Savior, simply overwhelms me. It is difficult for me to comprehend how He can look on me, in all my sinfulness and imperfections, and desire me to be His own; how He left the splendor of heaven to take on my sin, dying to save my unworthy life; how He everyday perseveres with me despite my failings and carries me when I am took weak to keep going.


For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was
rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be
rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his
own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed,
and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to
the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his
mouth. (Isaiah 53:6,7)

Like a gentle loving shepherd, God seeks us when we stray and ever so patiently guides us back. Like an unblemished lamb, Jesus gave His life for the forgiveness of our sins. Isn’t the grace wondrous beyond comprehension?

For sheep of such a Shepherd, we should desire to please Him and learn what it is God desires of us. Psalm 100 gives us the duties (or privileges!) we can assume after we understand our role as sheep of God’s pasture:

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye
that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves;
[we are] his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with
thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and]
bless his name.

Service, thanksgiving, and praise are what our Shepherd desires of us and these should be the natural outflow of a Christian’s heart! When I think of the majesty of the Lord, I want to devote my life to His service; when I think on the abundant grace lavished on me, my heart is full of thanksgiving and praise for the One Who perfects my weaknesses.

This is the Shepherd we serve! He is the Maker of all the earth and He wants a relationship with the work of His hands. “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). He leads us and feeds us by His holy Word and shows mercy time and time again. When we are weak, He carries us on and when we stray, He guides us back. What a blessing to be a sheep of His pasture!

The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;
O may Thy house be my abode,
And all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger, nor a guest,
But like a child at home.

>Embracing the Attitude of a Sheep Part 2: A Sheep That Trusts

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“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”

(Psalm 23:2)


In some studying I have done, I learned that sheep will not lie down and sleep unless they feel perfectly safe. Extremely fearful animals, the slightest disturbance or threat of danger will keep the whole flock on their feet, jitterish and uncomfortable. It is not until the shepherd has gained their trust and removes all fear that they will lie down. They need to feel perfect security in their shepherd’s presence to be able to rest.

Commit thy way way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass
(Psalm 37:5)

One of the blessings of being a child of God and a sheep of His pasture is having a Heavenly Father that delights in taking care of us. He longs for our trust because it is evidence of unreserved love and complete faith in His Sovereignty. God wants us to give Him each of our struggles and worries so that He can show Himself strong on our behalf.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(Matthew 11:28)

The Greek word for “rest” in Matthew 11:28 is anapausis which means “inner tranquility” or “to give rest, quiet, recreate, refresh.” This is what the Lord promises when we trust in Him: peace and security no matter what is going on around us. He takes away the fears and gives peace.

And so the question begs to be asked: How am I doing with trusting?

When I am overwhelmed with the uncertainties of an unknown future, do I trust? When I wake up with a list of things to be accomplished that day; when I go to bed knowing all that I have not done, do I trust? When my heart is sad, when circumstances seem bleak, do I trust? Where do I turn in times of discouragement and fear? Do I seek the presence of God for comfort? Can I rest in the fact that my Heavenly Father is perfectly working out the details of my life for His glory and my good?

These are questions to consider. There are changes to be made. But by God’s grace, they will be made and I will learn to rest in the presence of my Savior, faithfully and loving trusting in His watchful care.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
(Isaiah 26:3)

” Those that trust in God must have their minds stayed upon him, must
trust him at all times, under all events, must firmly and faithfully adhere to him, with an entire satisfaction in him; and such as do so God will keep in perpetual peace, and that peace shall keep them. When evil tidings are abroad those shall calmly expect the event, and not be disturbed by frightful apprehensions arising from them, whose hearts are fixed, trusting in the Lord…Trust in him for ever, at all times, when you have nothing else to trust to; trust in him for that peace, that portion, which will be for ever.” Whatever we trust to the world for, it will be but for a moment: all we expect from it is confined within the limits of time. But what we trust in God for will last as long as we shall last. For in the Lord Jehovah-Jah, Jehovah, in him who was, and is, and is to come, there is a rock of ages, a firm and lasting foundation for faith and hope to build upon; and the house built on that rock will stand in a storm. Those that trust in God shall not only find in him, but receive from him, everlasting strength, strength that will carry them to everlasting life, to that blessedness which is for ever; and therefore let them trust in him for ever, and never cast away nor change their confidence. “
~ Matthew Henry ~

Where He leads me, I will follow, though the way may be unclear; For I know I’m in His keeping, and that He is always near.
If I wander, He will guide me, giving guidance when I roam; Where He leads me I will follow, for I know He leads me home.
So I listen as He whispers, “Just a littler longer friend; Then we’ll cross the river Jordan, where the day will never end.”

There will be no pain or sorrow, only joy and happiness. We will join those gone before us, those whom God has richly blessed.
Ever lead me, gentle Master, down the paths that you have trod. Where you lead me, I will follow, for I know you lead to God.”

~ by Geraldine Tassile ~

>25 Things You Might Not Know About Me…

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>…In response to a tag from Amy!

1. A favorite dream of mine is to someday own a Victorian tea room / used book store.
2. I tend to be impulsive when it comes to spending money.
3. I adore the whimsy writing of A.A. Milne and occasionally still read Winnie-the-Pooh stories before bed!
4. I like to do puzzles and crossword puzzles.
5. I am a terrible procrastinator.
6. My taste in names has changed significantly throughout the years. Some of my first favorites aired on the dramatic – Anastasia, Suzette, Priscilla – and then became more subdued – Esther, Lydia, Rachel. My current favorites? Maria Claire, Lillian, and Grace (to name a few!).
7. When I was one years old, I had to go to the emergency room on Christmas Day for swallowing cleaning fluid!
8. The most life-changing book I have read was Ester Reid by Isabella Alden
9. A day for me is just not complete without at least one cup of tea.
10. I love to go tent-camping – particularly in the fall.
11. When my dad owned his own construction business in NY, one of my favorite things to do was go with my sisters to his “yard” and play house in the big mounds of dirt. :)
12. My favorite hymn is “When We See Christ”
13. I love reading anthologies on literature and nutritional guidebooks
14. I once had my hair cut to my chin. NEVER again! :)
15. My favorite hero in all of literature if Mr. Knightly from Jane Austen’s Emma.
16. I cry rarely during movies but frequently at birthdays.
17. Once an avid dog lover, I have now gone the total other side of the spectrum. I am not particularly fond of anything that slobbers, barks, or has a long tongue.
18. However, I have always felt an odd sympathy toward frogs since the day Jenny and I caught a couple, put them in a cool-whip container and let them overheat in the car. It was quite a traumatic experience. :)
19. I do not have a clock in my room so I wake up at very unsystematic times.
20. I love the soundtrack to the movie Gettysburg.
21. Both of my mom’s parents were writers as well as her great aunt, so I am sincerely hoping it runs in the blood! :)
22. I have always held a fascination with different languages – when I was about 8 I devoted myself to learning French (for about a week), then took sign language for three years, and currently have a Hebrew language program waiting idly around until my interest in it is renewed!
23. When I was young I dreamed of being a famous ice skater. That was before I ever stepped on ice.
24. Someday I want to live in an old colonial stone house.
25. My family has a variety of nicknames for me, the most obvious one being “Becky and the others, “Rosie,” “Booky,” “Beckster”…

I tag:
Rebecca
Lauren and Mikaela
Rachel
Rebekah W.
Katie B.

…And anyone else who wants to join in! If you don’t have a blog, leave your answers as a comment! ;)

>Embracing the Submissive Attitude of a Sheep

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>”Submission” is a word people don’t very much like to use anymore. It carries negative connotations of weaknesses and inferiority like a malaria-carrying fly. You can observe literal shriveling (or jaws firmly set in defense) at the mere mention of “submission.” No one in our individualistic, self-glorifying culture seems to like the idea of being under the leadership of another.

Maybe that is one reason why God uses the image of sheep following a shepherd so often in the Bible – to show us the necessity, peace, and beauty of submission. Where is there a better picture of submission than the one presented in the 23rd Psalm?

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s
sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever

It is not necessarily in a sheep’s nature to submit. They are stubborn, competitive, and headstrong – they habitually follow the same trails until they are ruts. But sheep need a shepherd. Without one, they wander away from the flock, stray into thorns and brambles, and become easy prey to prowling wolves. Their only form of defense is to run and when one is spooked, the whole flock panics.

Isaiah 53:6 says that “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Without the guidance of a Shepherd, we stubbornly pursue paths to destruction, just like an unintelligent headstrong sheep. We find ourselves in dangerous situations with no other alternative than to run away; the unknown frightens and paralyzes us.

Is this the great self-reliant individualism that is so celebrated? There is nothing glorious or freeing about being the master of our own ship because like sheep, we were made to be led by a Shepherd.

A sheep has four basic needs: to be free from all fear, to be free from friction with other sheep, to be protected from flies, and to be fed. Aren’t these our basic needs as well? Aren’t these the very needs Christ promises to care for as our Shepherd?

1) Free from fear:

The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is]
the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, [even] mine
enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war
should rise against me, in this [will] I [be] confident (Psalm 27:1-3


In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto
me. (Psalm 56:11)

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days
of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee,
nor forsake thee. (Joshua 1:5)

2) Free from strife:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid. (John 14:27)

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.(Phil 4:7)

3) Free from dangerous influences:

I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in
him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
[and] from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and
under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and
buckler. (Psalm 91:2-4)

The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth
into it, and is safe. (Pro 18:10)

4) Free from hunger:

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite
them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of
water shall he guide them.(Isa. 49:10)

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to
me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John
6:35)

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the
LORD shall not want any good [thing].(Psalm 34:10)

Submission is realizing that without the Lord meeting these needs in our lives, they will never be met. It is knowing that we need the Lord, that we can’t direct our own lives. “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” (Pro. 16:9) Once we recognize our helpless state without a Shepherd, it becomes a joy to submit to His Sovereignty in our lives. We will delight in the presence of our Lord, in allowing Him guide us, in following trustingly where He takes us. Belonging to our Shepherd and being under His authority is far from restricting or debasing – it is freeing! Our worries are vanquished because our lives are in the hands of a mighty and sovereign God; because “the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

Let us embrace an attitude of submission! Let us purpose to willingly place ourselves under God’s authority, praising Him for his watch-care over us and thanking Him for mercifully meeting our needs and wants.


Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I
rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. (Psalm
67:8,9)


What are your thoughts on this topic of submission? What are some practical ways we can develop a submissive heart? Please share comments, ideas, or a verse with us!

>Where He Leads Me

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Learning who I am as a Christian is an ongoing, inexhaustible study. God’s Word is always opening new insights into and aspects of the person that My Heavenly Father wants to mold me to be.

Of late, I have been particularly discovering what my role is as a sheep of God’s pasture. The Lord has been impressing on my heart the importance of following Him as a sheep follows a Shepherd. During the next few days, I would like to share what He has been teaching me by way of a three-part “series,” starting (Lord willing) tomorrow. Here are the main points:

I. Embracing the Attitude of a Sheep

II. Learning From the Great Shepherd, the Lamb of God

III. Assuming the Responsibilities of a Sheep

By no means do I feel an expert on this subject. I am learning every step of the way and hope merely to encourage you as one sheep to another. ;)

I would also love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to share comments! I am praying that this will be an opportunity to draw closer to God together through the study of His Word, and finding strength through His promises to “press on.” :)