Be Still and Know...

This week is the eye in the midst of the hurricane in our schedule. I'm worn out and a bit brain-scrambled coming off four months of pure crazy, looking forward to more of the same starting Saturday, and realizing how much must be accomplished in the next five days to make the next few months work.

I posted that as part of a Facebook status on Monday. We accomplished much but not nearly enough on Monday. Yesterday I tried to hit the ground running and just ended up feeling like one of those cartoon characters whose legs are running frantically but who never move from their starting point.

As I breathed a prayer for the day and the tasks thereof, Psalm 46:10 came immediately to mind. So thankful for years of encouragement and accountability to memorize Scripture so that it is there for the Holy Spirit to bring to the forefront when needed! "Be still, and know that I am God."

Be still...not easy in today's world, and yet so, so necessary that we prioritize the time to just be still in His presence, to get into His Word, to meditate on it, and to communicate with Him in prayer. Be still...

...And know that I am God...such simple words, and yet mind-blowing, if we truly rest there and ponder. In the stillness yesterday morning, I spent some time studying verses from our Behold Your God study on "God's rule". Reading (and writing) through a list of verses about God's sovereignty and ultimate right and will to rule every facet of the universe (including and especially us), gave me a new focus and view for the day.

A couple of quotes from yesterday's study:

Who our Master is will determine how we serve Him. The measure of His dignity and rule must be the measure of our obligation and privilege in serving Him.

The attribute of God's sovereignty teaches us that God possesses and exercises the solitary right to do all His pleasure with all His creation, without explanation or interference.

~John Snyder, Behold Your God
 Scripture References: Psalm 103:19, 1 Timothy 6:15, Psalm 24:1, Colossians 1:16-17, Romans 11:36, Isaiah 40:23-24, Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 93:1-2

From there, I went to the piano to practice music for Sunday. I hadn't settled on an offertory yet, and as I played through some possibilities, I came across the hymn "Jesus Shall Reign".  As I played through the arrangement, the words to these verses kept scrolling through my mind, and I was struck at how perfectly they correlated with the verses I'd read earlier. I'd found my offertory. :)

LOVE these words! Such truth. He reigns! Nothing that Satan or any earthly power can do can change that. There is no place we can go to hide from that. Jesus shall reign where'er the sun does its successive journeys run...Let every creature rise and bring honor and glory to our King.

My list seems to be getting longer instead of shorter, and the time in which I have to accomplish it continues to shrink. There are all kinds of things swirling around us, good and not-so-good, right now that make my mind swim if I let them. 

The solution to the brain scramble and the anxiety that attempts to accompany it is not to work harder (although diligence is definitely in order). It is not to get better organized (although organization is a fabulous help). It's not to psych myself up to have a good attitude (although my heart should certainly be joyful). 

The key, as God continues to teach me, is worship. It is the cure for the troubled soul. Being still, and knowing that He is God. Acknowledging that He reigns, above all. Seeking Him and knowing Him as He is, such as our little finite minds are able.

In the midst of life's crazy, we must stop and be still. But don't stop at being still! That may give temporary relief, but on its own, it's not the answer. Be still, and know that He is God. Dig into the Word. Cover it all in prayer. Meditate on what He says about Who He is.

What is God teaching you right now? I'd love to hear in the comments!

Super-simple Bible journaling today, in an old ledger that belonged to my grandfather *heart*. Pilot G-2 1.0 pen and assorted washi tape. :) 

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Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!  Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!  If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!  You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email. 

 

When We Reach the End of Our Hoarded Resources...

Today's reminder...

From Annie Johnson Flint's beautiful hymn, "He Giveth  More Grace".

As I said in yesterday's post, His giving is not for our selfish pursuits or desires, but so that we can fulfill His plan for us. Some days, that plan may be for us to be able to be kind and loving as we serve our families in the midst of exhaustion. Some days it may be seemingly "bigger", "more exciting" things. Whatever it is, He continues to remind me that He has given and continues to give exactly what we need to do what He has for us to do.

What an encouragement!

What has encouraged you today? I'd love to hear about it in the comments here or on Facebook.  Or perhaps you are struggling and in need of prayer. Send me a message through the sidebar widget or the Facebook page linked above.

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Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!  Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!  If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!  You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

Celebrating GRACE {On This Day}

The last couple of days have been rough. We're all okay, and no big, bad major event has happened (in fact, there's been some good, happy stuff in the mix!:)), just a whole lot of general life yuck and then Satan hurling some fiery darts into the whole mess. Yesterday was the worst for me. I fought a lot of tears and lapsed into extreme survival mode.

Between those struggles and a busy schedule this week, I hadn't even really thought about the date itself...until I clicked over to my TimeHop early this morning and saw this status from two years ago:

Nine years ago today was the worst day of my life. As the status above says, our world shattered into a million pieces.

The intervening years have been hard. There were times during the first few years especially that I wasn't sure any of us were going to make it. Trauma issues in our children and in ourselves, concern for the safety of our family, life-altering decisions we weren't really prepared to make, and countless sleepless nights were just a few of the issues with which we struggled during those years.

The last few years have been a bit like the calm in the eye of the storm. God has worked much, much healing and growth in our lives. We have seen His glory in ways we could never have dreamed. In those very early days nine years ago, we began to pray, "Please just make the path so totally crystal clear that there is no question possible about the right direction." We have seen Him do exactly that over and over and over again.

As I shared here,we've dreaded 2015 for a long time. And yet, as we enter the second half of this year, we have already seen God answer prayers we didn't even know how to pray, and provide for needs in ways we would never have imagined.

My TimeHop this morning is full of reminders of God's faithfulness from this date in years past. I love that! I love that those "standing stones" are there to remind us how far He has brought us and how much He has shown us of Himself even in the darkest of days.

I'm also reminded today how blessed we've been in the people God has provided over the years to support and encourage and pray for us. Out of necessity, only a handful of people were aware of the situation in our lives 9 years ago. Those people spent much time in the trenches with us...and unlike us, they made a choice to be there, because they loved us and were fulfilling God's call to help bear our burdens. That is true friendship, and I can't imagine these last nine years without them.

Others had no idea what was going on, but God called them to pray for and encourage us anyway. How thankful I am for those people, who listened to the still, small voice and obeyed, and who impacted our lives in ways they will never completely realize. And how thankful I am for those who have since heard our story and supported and prayed and encouraged. We have an amazing array of friends who have invested in and loved and prayed for and encouraged all of us in so many ways, and that blessing is tremendous (to use a favorite word of a certain music minister *grin*)

Psalm 40:1-5 have long been favorite verses of mine, and this morning I cried all over again when I got to verse 5:

Many, O Lord my God,
    are the wonders You have done,
    the things You planned for us.
None can compare with You;
    were I to speak and tell of Your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.

He has shown that verse to be true in our lives over and over again. He has done many wonders, and His deeds have truly been too many to declare. Through that He has shown us beyond a shadow of a doubt that none can compare with Him. It has certainly not always been easy, it has certainly not always been the way we would have chosen, and we know that there is more difficulty and uncertainty ahead as we move closer and closer to this fall. But this is as true today as it was two years ago:

Nothing but His grace could explain the fact that on this day, I can rejoice in His sovereignty, have peace in His plan, and be more sure than ever of His goodness.

How have you seen His grace at work in your life? I'd love to hear in the comments! Are you struggling right now, or facing a dark situation? I'd love to pray for you. You can message me via the "contact me" box in the sidebar, or leave a comment below.

[Scripture Journaling notes: Superquick entry (as shown by the super-messy lettering...ACK!...but I wanted to get it finished this morning and didn't have much time) on Psalm 40:5 using Anita's Acrylic Craft paint, Pilot G-2 pens, and washi tape and stickers from various sources.]

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Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!  Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!  If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!  You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

For His Name's Sake!

As I've mentioned before, Bro. Gary is preaching through Ephesians on Sunday mornings right now.  Every verse is just packed full of truth. In preaching on the Ephesians "faith in the Lord and love for the saints" from Ephesians 1:15 Sunday morning, He referred to Revelation 2, the letter to the church at Ephesus.

In Rev. 2:3, God praises the church at Ephesus for their labor "for [His] Name's sake". Bro. Gary reminded us that our labor is for HIS name's sake ~ that it is ALL about Him, and about HIS glory, not about us. 

What a great reminder that has been this week particularly as we are in the midst of VBS at our former church. {Disclaimer: I'm not teaching this year. Two of my children are teaching, and I'm driving what we are affectionately calling the "VBS Taxi". :)} All the work, the crazy schedule, the many miles driven, the exhaustion...it's not about us, it's not even about the children, but it's about HIM. It's for His glory. And what a blessing to watch Him work in that!

That doesn't just apply to VBS. It applies to all of life! All that we do as spouses, as parents, as friends, as church members, as employees, as students...whatever roles we fill...it's not about us, or even those we serve and minister to, but about HIM.

What a challenge to keep my focus there! But what a difference it makes when I do! I've tried to keep that reminder in front of me (and in front of my children) this week: It's all for His Name's Sake!

What are you doing right now "for His Name's sake"? What is He teaching you right now? I'd love to hear in the comments!

(Another super-simple journaling Bible entry tonight...just my Pilot G-2 1.0 and washi tape. I really wanted this one to be super-wonderful, because it's such a fantastic truth! But exhaustion and time caught up with me, and even my quick writing isn't really up to par. I also forgot to use the "Remember This!" stamp I originally planned the layout around! *banging head* But you know what? It's all okay. His truth has been in front of my mind and in my heart tonight. Super-simple and not what I'd planned is enough. I'm thankful for that!)

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  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

Blessed are the Persecuted {Pondered Pages}

Scripture journaling I did a while back. Our Ammah Grace has been so heavy-hearted about the Christians being persecuted by ISIS ever since she first heard about it on the radio. She asks me to check the news regularly, and reminds us often to pray for those being persecuted and the families of the martyred. We've dug into the Word for verses about God's care for the persecuted. He promises blessing to those who persevere under trial! What an amazing comfort.

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  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

Journaling Through Ephesians {Pondered Pages}

I am slowly but surely journaling through my notes from Bro. Gary's current sermon series on Ephesians. Here are my first two entries. LOVE these two quotes. Much to chew on from these first few weeks in the book! Be watching for more soon. 

What are you studying right now? Has God really spoken to you through a particular sermon lately? I'd love to hear in the comments!

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  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

Messy and Hard {Pondered Pages}

I love this quote from Paul David Tripp:

Yes, your life is messy and hard, but that's not a failure of God's plan--it is His plan. God is working to complete what He's begun in you.

It comes from Philippians 1:6:

Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
 

So often, we spin our wheels waiting for the current trial to end to get back to "real life", to "normal". The truth is that the messy, hard parts are real life. They are normal. They are God's work in our life to make us who He wants us to be. 

 For more, see The Detour is Actually the Road.  

Supplies used: Freezer paper, patterned paper, various letter stickers, Pilot G-2 pen. 

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  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

Jumping into June!

2015 has been a slow year on the blog. Not just slow, but S-L-O-W. A whopping seven posts in the first five months of the year. Ouch!

There have been all kinds of reasons for the lack of posts, but I won't bore you with the list. Instead, I want to share what's coming (if all goes as planned!) 

Blogathon

First, June is the month for the 2015 Freelance Success/Wordcount Blogathon. A post every day for the whole month. Eeekkk! June is always a crazy month, and I always think I'm probably a little crazy for even attempting Blogathon in the midst of all the other craziness. But I've done it the last two years and it's been a great experience, and I'm excited about doing it again this year! Just the push I need to get back into the groove here on the blog. :)  And the most exciting part is that my daughter is doing it with me this year! Really looking forward to having a partner in the craziness. :)

ICAD

Second, June and July are the months for the Daisy Yellow ICAD (Index Card a Day) challenge. ICAD is a 61 day creativity challenge. I love it for several reasons. First, it's index cards. That's really enough right there. Index cards are one of my all-time favorite things. A whole 61-day challenge dedicated to them was made to order for me!

Second, it's low-stress creativity. Do some sort of art on an index card every day in June and July. That's it. Slap on some stickers. Layer on some mixed media. Practice your lettering. Pull out the watercolors. Stamps, washi tape, paints, markers, fabric...the sky's the limit!

Third, it's a great opportunity for creativity for the whole family. Two of my girls participated last year and did some amazing artwork on their 3x5 cards. This year all four kids are going to play. I can't wait to see what we all come up with this year!

I probably won't be posting all my ICAD cards here, but I'll be posting some of my favorites, and some of the kids' faves as well.

Scripture Journaling

Much of the posting I've done this year has involved Scripture journaling. (Click on the "Pondered Pages" tag below for more info!) I've been planning a series on the whys and hows of Scripture journaling for months, and I'm excited to get it started (and maybe finished?!) this month.

This and That

Before I seemingly fell off the face of the earth, I had several series/regular features either in planning or in progress. I'm anxious to get back to those this month as well: Pew Ponderings, Fitness Friday, Social Media {Etc.} for Not-So-Techy People, Vintage Eats, and more!

Of course, those are just the blog-related plans for June. :) We have a full school schedule (we school year-round), homeschool group activities, workouts at the gym 3+ times a week, family work and play, and exciting things happening at our little church in the pasture. :) I'll be posting a bit here and there about those things here on the blog as well, so stay tuned!

Ammah Grace was working on her ICAD for today, and she surprised me with this cute card. *happyheart*

So what's on your agenda for June? I'd love to hear in the comments!

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  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!  
Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!  
If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!  
You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

SO THAT He May Heal Us! {Pondered Pages}

 

I love this verse, Hosea 6:1. We know that in God's sovereignty, nothing happens to us that isn't part of His plan from before the foundation of the world. Sometimes those things that happen to us are painful and hard to understand. Hosea 6:1 says that He tears us so that He may then heal us, and that He wounds us, but then bandages us. The pain is real, but the healing brings us to a new and better place. What a tremendous reminder as we watch those around us endure painful suffering, or as we endure it ourselves! 

{Lettering with Pilot G-2 1.0, washi from Hobby Lobby and Michaels.}

 

What is God teaching you about Himself today? I'd love to hear in the comments. Have you done any Scripture journaling lately? I'd love to see!

For more on Scripture journaling here on the blog, check out these other Pondered Pages posts. 

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If a post or posts on Ponderings of an Elect Exile has been a blessing to you, would you do me a huge favor?  Please share the link to Ponderings with your friends using the social media share buttons below or the "pin it" button above.  Thank you! 

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  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

The Answer to Suffering {Pondered Pages}

Supplies used: Acrylic paint (Anita's), Washi tape, and TUL pen

 

When suffering comes, questions inevitably follow. "Why is this happening?" "What did I do to cause this?" "Why is God allowing this?"

During one of my own most difficult periods of suffering a few years ago, I asked those questions and more. I spent time searching the Bible for answers. What I learned was life-changing.

What comes to mind when we think of the book of Job? Job's loss, "the patience of Job", the theme of suffering are all things that usually came to mind for me.

I've been amazed in recent years to discover that the point of the book of Job is not actually Job's great loss and suffering. Nor is it Job's patience. The theme of the book of Job is Who God is.

The truth God began to teach me 9 years ago as I was questioning God about the suffering our family was experiencing can be summed up by these two quotes from the Behold Your God study:

"God's character unveiled is the answer to suffering."

"...the answer to Job's suffering is not an explanation from God; rather it is a revelation of God."

(The Behold Your God study is a fabulous study, btw...Our family is doing this study again with our church this year and I cannot recommend it enough.)

As we go through this study for the second time, I am trying to journal some of the highlights in my journaling Bibles. I need to be reminded often of this truth: that when life is difficult or hard to understand, my focus needs not to be on the "whys", but the "Who".

It's amazingly simple and incredibly complicated all at the same time, but the answer to suffering is simply more of Him. Scripture says if we seek Him with all our hearts, He will be found. (Jeremiah 29:13) He uses our suffering to draw us closer to Him, to show us more of His glory.

Supplies used: Washi tape and TUL pen

 

What is God teaching you about Himself today? I'd love to hear in the comments. Have you done any Scripture journaling lately? I'd love to see!

For more on Scripture journaling here on the blog, check out these other Pondered Pages posts. 

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If a post or posts on Ponderings of an Elect Exile has been a blessing to you, would you do me a huge favor?  Please share the link to Ponderings with your friends using the social media share buttons below or the "pin it" button above.  Thank you! 

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  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.

Hymn Ponderings {Pondered Pages}

I love to play the piano. However, as I've said often recently, my love for playing has always exceeded my ability, even back in the days when I practiced all the time. :)  Those days are in the far distant history now. I went for ten years barely touching a piano, and then tried to rapidly brush up my skills when I played for our church's children's choir for a few years. I've now gone another several years without playing on a regular basis.

All that changed a few weeks ago, though, when our wonderful pianist at our little church was led elsewhere, and I began playing for our Sunday worship services. I'm suddenly practicing an hour or more a day. Eek! :)  I'm about to drive my poor family batty by playing the one Hanon exercise I remember over and over again, because I can't locate my Hanon exercise book and I need some serious finger strengthening! Mostly, though, I'm practicing hymns...the specific hymns for the upcoming Sunday when I have them, and practicing from one end of the hymnal to the other when I don't.

As I played through hymn after hymn the other day, I was reminded of the many, many people who've been used over the years to encourage my love of hymns. My parents, first and foremost. Their church choir figured prominently in their courtship over 50 years ago, and it's not surprising that two long-time choir members (and a former church pianist) would pass their love of hymns on to their daughter.

Daddy not only passed on his love of the hymns themselves, but the stories behind them. Horatio Spafford, Isaac Watts, Fanny Crosby, Francis Havergal, and many others became heroes to me through Daddy's recounting of their lives and the stories behind their hymns.

Next would be Bro. Bill Probasco and Don Bingham at FBC, Conway, the first pastor and minister of music that I remember. Bro. Don led a worship music program that set the bar for my future church music experiences. But oddly enough, it's Bro. Bill who comes to mind even more when I sing/hear/play certain hymns. I'll never be able to hear "Sweet, Sweet Spirit", "Victory in Jesus", or "The Church's One Foundation" without thinking of Bro. Bill. Those were precious days.

Bro. Roy Chatham was part of those days as well, but his tenure was much longer in my church life, spanning 15+ years and two churches. He and his wife were also just dear lifelong friends of our family. Other than my parents, he may have had the most impact on my love of church music in general, and my love of hymns in particular. There are several hymns that I associate closely with him, as well, particularly those he taught us over the years in chapel time in VBS. And if I close my eyes and try, I can hear him whistling in the hallways at FBC, Conway. It wasn't unusual for him to be whistling at one end of the building, and my daddy to be whistling at the other. Sweet, sweet memories. *heart*

As I played through a section of the hymnal the other day, I was reminded also of Mrs. Marguerite Vann and Mrs. Austin. During my teen years, I helped both of these ladies with music in their elementary and middle school Sunday School classes. They both loved the old hymns and enthusiastically shared them with the children week after week. How I wish I could play hymns like Mrs. Vann! What a treat to learn from and play with these ladies week after week in those years!

Since then there have been many others, not the least of which has been Lyndel Hobbs from our years at Oak Cliff.  Lyndel is another whose leadership in worship music is just unparalleled. One of many, many things I'm thankful for from my years under his music leadership at Oak Cliff is Lyndel's care to sing nothing, ever, that doesn't line up with Biblical truth. As Guy Penrod says of hymns, "We don't sing 'em because they're old; we sing 'em because they're good!" It may be a well-loved old hymn, but if it doesn't square with Scripture, it's not worth singing. I'm thankful for Bro. Gary and Bro. John at Grace who share that commitment to singing Biblical truth.

Last week we sang an old favorite of mine, "The Solid Rock". I was reminded of the way God used it in my life during my college years, when my beliefs were challenged heavily, and although they weren't shaken, it was just utterly wearying. I remember sitting out by the lake (we were starting a new church and didn't have a building yet, and had some evening services outside by the lake :)) one night and singing this song and realizing the truth of these words in a whole new way, "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand."

I was prompted to journal this wonderful old hymn in my Bible, along with one of the verses from which it came. *Love* :) This was a really simple entry...we have several old hymnals that we saved from a trip to the dump (our church gave the ones in good condition to another church in need, but these were too far gone for church use), so I pulled out the hymn itself to use as a tip in, then used washi tape, letter stickers, and some of my own journaling on a journaling card from my stash. :)



Do you have a favorite hymn? Or like me, is the list too long to write down? :) Are there people who come to mind when you sing certain hymns, or those who just encouraged your love of hymns in general? I'd love to hear in the comments!



I recently had the blessing of teaching a Scripture Journaling class for a group of ladies...it was such fun, and I'm hoping to do a couple of additional classes soon! I wasn't able to share nearly all I'd planned during the evening, though, so I'm planning to do a blog series from my notes. If you are interested in keeping up with that series, please follow the blog in one of the ways listed below. Thank you! 

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If a post or posts on Ponderings of an Elect Exile has been a blessing to you, would you do me a huge favor?  Please share the link to Ponderings with your friends using the social media share buttons below or the "pin it" button above.  Thank you! 

***
  Welcome to Ponderings of an Elect Exile!   Whether you are new here or a faithful friend and regular reader, I'm glad you're here!   If you aren't already following, I'd love to have you join us for the 2015 Ponderings.  It's easy to do, in a variety of ways!   You can follow via  Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest, or  find me on Instagram as Jenbh68. You can also sign up in the sidebar to receive new posts by email.