Stained Glass Masquerade

I love stained glass. My favorite part of our church are the stained glass windows. 

When we first moved to Bethany, they gave tours of the church and told stories of how and why the windows were created.  I have forgotten the details, but I am reminded of the beauty.

Our choir, referred to as the "Cathedral Choir" sings with the windows reflecting behind them.  What a blessing!

My brother took the most beautiful picture of a stained glass window reflecting against a lit Christmas tree at our Uncle's Memorial Service...
http://www.lightsmithphoto.com/pixelpost/index.php?showimage=168

Recently, I have been blessed by two different ministries who tell stories of stained glass better than I ever could...

Stained Glass Masquerade ( Live ) - Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvuB0ZPCnNE

Westmoreland Ministries... "Stain Glass" New Reformation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJim1EDfeGE

LeAnn... this reminds me of your beautiful artistry and how God has used you to bless my life!  God's blessings upon all of you who have used your gifts to minister to us!

Flowers for a friend ~ Lyn Coody (Updated 4/18)

We have been praying for you.

We want you to know we love you and wish we could be there, or better yet, that you could be here with us.

If you know Lyn and wish to leave a note, prayer or scripture, please post a comment. She will be seeing these notes periodically.

If you are in communication with Lyn some other way, please continue to use that method.

Tears are a language, God understands

Tonight so much is going on.  Too much to write about. 

I am well and blessed beyond measure tonight, but so many others are not.


All I can think of is this song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5fdv2bMbJk

Song: I Surrender All (CeCe Winans)

This is CeCe's anointed and magnificent rendition of a powerful hymn entitled "I Surrender All". This is from her award winning debut album, "Alone In His Presence".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IAz9artoBw

God said "No" (received by a relative)

YOU HAVE TO LOVE THIS

I asked God to take away my habit
God said, No.

It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.

His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.

Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness..
God said, No.

I give you blessings;
Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.

Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.

You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things
that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.

I will give you life,
so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said... Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

THIS DAY IS YOURS
DON'T THROW IT AWAY

May God Bless You,
'To the world you might be one person,
But to one person you just might be the world'

'May the Lord Bless you and keep you,
May the Lord Make his face shine upon you,
And give you Peace......Forever'

'Good friends are like stars...
You don't always see them, But you know they are always there.

Please turn to page 133 in the hymnal (original Nazarene hymnal)

If my memory serves correct, the page number was 133 (it may have been 333, I'm not sure)... but the song was "Grace, Grace, God's Grace".

I didn't pay much attention to the song because my name was Grace and I felt that somehow, focusing on my name would be disrespectful of God.

In more recent years, the book, "What's so Amazing about Grace" intrigued me.... but, again I placed it in the back of my mind thinking that reading this book would be focusing on myself instead of God.

How foolish am I!

My name is a reminder of some of the most beautiful times in my life and it is OK with God.

-I was named after my Grandmother Grace.
-One of my earliest rememberances is of that song, "God's Grace".
-My neice's middle name is Grace after both my grandmother and myself.

I'm sure I will be editing this list as time goes by. The name Grace is regaining popularity in this generation.

Check out Wikepedia for the definitions of Grace, or any other means you use to research.

God's Grace: A few hundred pupils proclaiming God's grace!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HfDmXyFN1Y

Amazing Grace: (The Blind Boys of Alabama)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR1tOVd4PCk

Calm before the storm

'til the storm passes over, 'til the thunder sounds no more
'til the clouds roll forever from the sky
hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of thy hand
keep me safe 'til the storm passes by

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKWggfV2tVg&feature=related