Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

O how bright the path grows from day to day,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

BIBLE REFERENCE:

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Deuteronomy 33:27


For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. Psalms 37:17


Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5


The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
Micah 3:11

Elisha Albright Hoffman - Lyrics
1839-1929
Born: May 7, 1839, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania.
Died: November 25, 1929, Chicago, Illinois.
Buried: Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.

Anthony J. Showalter - Composer
1858-1924
Born: May 1, 1858, Cherry Grove, Virginia.
Died: November 16, 1924, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Buried: West Hill Cemetery, Dalton, Georgia

HYMN HISTORY:

The idea for this song came from Anthony Showalter, principal of the Southern Normal Music Institute in Dalton, Georgia. Showalter, a Presbyterian elder, was a well-known advocate of gospel music. He published over 130 music books with combined sales of two million copies, and he became known through the South for his singing schools in local churches.

Showalter took a personal interest in his students and enjoyed keeping up with them as the years passed. One evening in 1887, he was leading a singing school in a local church in Hartselle, Alabama. After dismissing the class for the evening, he gathered his materials and returned to his boardinghouse.

Two letters had arrived, both from former pupils. Each of the young men was heartbroken, having just lost his wife. Professor Showalter went to the Bible, looking for a verse to comfort them. He selected Deuteronomy 33:27 -

"The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms..."

As he pondered that verse, these words came to mind:

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, Leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

He scribbled replies to his bereaved friends, then, reaching for another piece of paper, he wrote his friend, hymnist Elisha Hoffman. "Here is the chorus for a good hymn from Deuteronomy 33:27," his letter said, "but I can't come up with any verses." Hoffman wrote 3 stanzas and sent them back. Showalter set it all to music, and ever since, these words have sheered us in adversity.

What have I to dread, what have I fear, leaning on the everlasting arms.
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27

The word refuge may be translated “mansion,” or “abiding” which gives the thought that God is our abode, our home.  The Bible often speaks of God as our refuge and describes in detail the dwelling places that Christ is preparing.

God knows how important the feeling of security is to His children. We feel most secure in our homes that we live, and move, and have our being. It is at home that we feel safe: we shut the world out and dwell in quiet security.

Jesus told his disciples to "abide in me". He is our shelter and retreat, our abiding refuge.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4

At home, we take our rest; it is there we find calm after the fatigue and struggles of the day. And so our hearts find rest in God, when, wearied with life's conflict, we turn to Him, and our soul dwells at ease.

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

At home, also, we let our hearts loose; we are not afraid of being misunderstood, nor of our words being
misconstrued. So when we abide with God we can commune freely with Him, laying open all our hidden desires.  It is the place of our truest and purest happiness: and it is in God that our hearts find their deepest delight.


Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalms 37:4

We have joy in Him which far surpasses all other joy. It is also for home that we work and labor. The thought of it gives strength to bear the daily burden, and quickens us to perform the task. So it is when we labor for Christ.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30

Many today labor for the things of this world and have little time left for the things of God. In the book of John we are told that we must not labor for thing that perish but we must labor for things that endure unto everlasting life.

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. John 6:27

There is coming a day soon when the saints of God will be gathered and will enter unto a place prepared for them and they will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever. We ought to live today as it was our last for the time is at hand and the appearing of our Lord and Savior is emanate.

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:11-12

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. Psalms 23:6

http://www.biblestudycharts.com/HH_Leaning_On_The_Everlasting.html

Aloha Friday ~ july 29, 2011

I haven't done one of these in awhile so thought maybe I'd try to post one today.

This question came from Keeping up with the Rheinlander's. 

What is your favorite color... is there significance??

I like reds and pinks no significance other than they are bright and colorful and I look good in that color .  

What’s the one word that describes your blog?

 Scrappy 

Rounding up Cook-out recipes

This week at Gooseberry patch they are seeking recipes that you make to round off your cookout.  Submit one of your own or find a new one for your next cookout.

Get details here.

Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa by Melanie Dobson

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa Summerside Press (June 1, 2011) by Melanie Dobson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good, and she has now authored nine contemporary and historical novels including Love Finds You in Nazareth, Pennsylvania which releases in November 2011.

Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.

Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they've been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.

Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn't writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

ABOUT THE BOOK

With a backdrop of the community of The Amana Colonies, the Civil War, and a great love story, Melanie Dobson’s new historical fiction title LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA, IOWA both enlightening and entertaining.

The novel is set in the United States during the turmoil of the 1860s. As the rest of the nation is embroiled in the Civil War, the Amana Colonies have remained at peace with a strong faith in God and pursuit of community, intertwined with hard work, family life and the building of their colony.

Amalie Wiese is travelling to the newly built village of Amana in 1863. When she arrives in the colonies she finds that her fiancée, Friedrich has left to fight with the Union Army. Amalie fears for his safety as she also struggles with his decision to abandon the colony’s beliefs. Matthias, Frederick’s friend, stays back in Amana to work in the colonies. But there is something wrong with Matthias; he always seems angry at Amalie when there is no simple explanation for him to act that way.

The goods that colonies manufacture are much needed supplies for the war effort and Matthias decides to deliver the goods to the soldiers. When he leaves, Amalie realizes that her fear for Matthias’s safety is equally as strong. What will become of Friedrich, will Matthias return safely, and will Amalie marry Friedrich? LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA, IOWA is a richly told story of life in the Amana Society and the people who live and love there.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa, go HERE.

Canary Island Song by Robin Jones Gunn

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Canary Island Song Howard Books; Original edition (July 5, 2011) by Robin Jones Gunn

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin Jones Gunn was born in Wisconsin and lived on a dairy farm until her family moved to southern California when she was five years old. She grew up in Orange County and spent her summers at Newport Beach with friends from her church youth group. After attending Biola University and Capernwray Bible School in Austria, Robin and Ross were married and spent the next two decades working together in youth ministry.

It was the young teens at Robin’s church who challenged her to write stories for them. She hadn’t thought much about being a writer, but took their request to heart and set her alarm for 3am, three days a week. With two small children it was the only time she could find to write the first story about Christy Miller. After two years and ten rejections the novel Summer Promise was accepted for publication in 1988. Robin hasn’t stopped writing since. Over 4 million copies of her 75 books have sold and can be found in a dozen translations all over the world.

Robin and her husband now live in Hawai’i where Ross is a counselor and Robin continues to write to the sound of tropical birds chattering in the palm trees outside her window. Their children are grown but manage to come to the islands with their families every chance they get. Robin's awards include: three Christy awards for excellence in fiction, a Gold Medallion finalist, Mt. Hermon Pacesetter and the Mt. Hermon Writer of the Year award. Robin travels extensively and is a frequent key-note speaker at various events around the world. She serves on the Board of Directors for Media Associates International and Jerry Jenkin’s Christian Writer’s Guild.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Carolyn’s grown daughter tells her she needs to “get a life,” Carolyn decides it’s time to step out of her familiar routine as a single woman in San Francisco and escape to her mother’s home in the Canary Islands. Since Carolyn’s mother is celebrating her seventieth birthday, the timing of Carolyn’s visit makes for a perfect surprise.

The surprise, however, is on Carolyn when she sees Bryan Spencer, her high school summer love. It’s been seven years since Carolyn lost her husband, but ever since that tragic day, her life has grown smaller and closed in. The time has come for Carolyn to get her heart back. It takes the gentle affection of her mother and aunts, as well as the ministering beauty and song of the islands to draw Carolyn into the fullness of life. She is nudged along by a Flamenco dance lesson, a defining camel ride and the steady gaze of Bryan’s intense blue-gray eyes.

Is it too late for Carolyn to trust Bryan? Can Carolyn believe that Bryan has turned into something more than the wild beach boy who stole her kisses so many years ago on a balmy Canary night?

Carolyn is reminded that Christopher Columbus set sail from the Canary Islands in 1492 on his voyage to discover the New World. Is she ready to set sail from these same islands to discover her new life?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Canary Island Song, go HERE.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Stay off the Sidewalks

posted at:
A Renaissance Woman

Shadows on the Sand by Gayle Roper

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Shadows on the Sand Multnomah Books (July 19, 2011) by Gayle Roper
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gayle is the award winning author of more than forty books. She has been a Christy finalist three times for her novels Spring Rain, Summer Shadows, and Winter Winds. Her novel Autumn Dreams won the prestigious Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Summer Shadows was voted the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest Book of the Year (tied with fellow author Brandilyn Collins).

Gayle has won the Holt Medallion three times for The Decision, Caught in a Bind, and Autumn Dreams. The Decision won the Reviewers Choice Award, and Gayle has also won the Award of Excellence for Spring Rain and the Golden Quill for Summer Shadows and Winter Winds. Romantic Times Book Report gave Gayle the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Her Amhearst mystery series, Caught in the Middle, Caught in the Act, and Caught in a Bind, originally published by Zondervan, was reprinted in 2007 by Love Inspired Suspense with a fourth original title added, Caught Redhanded. Another original single title, See No Evil, was also released. Caught in the Middle has been optioned for film.

For her work in training Christian writers Gayle has won special recognition from Mount Hermon CWC, St. Davids CWC, Florida CWC, and Greater Philadelphia CWC. She directed St. Davids for five years and Sandy Cove CWC for six. She has taught with Christian Leaders, Authors and Speakers Services (CLASS), serving for several years as their writer in residence. She enjoys speaking at women's events across the nation and loves sharing the powerful truths of Scripture with humor and practicality.

Gayle lives in southeastern Pennsylvania where she enjoys her family of two great sons, two lovely daughters-in-law, and the world's five most wonderful grandchildren. When she's not writing, or teaching at conferences, Gayle enjoys reading, gardening, and eating out.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Carrie Carter’s small café in Seaside, New Jersey, is populated with a motley crew of locals although Carrie only has eyes for Greg Barnes. He’s recovering from a vicious crime that three years ago took the lives of his wife and children—and from the year he tried to drink his reality away. While her heart does a happy Snoopy dance at the sight of him, he never seems to notice her, to Carrie’s chagrin.

When Carrie’s dishwasher is killed and her young waitress disappears, Greg finds himself drawn into helping Carrie solve the mysteries … and into her life. But Carrie has a painful past, too, and when the reason she once ran away shows up in town, the fragile relationship she’s built with Greg threatens to implode from the weight of the baggage they both carry. Two wounded hearts struggle to find a way to make one romance work. Failure seems guaranteed when Carrie locates her waitress but is taken hostage...

If you would like to read the first chapter of Shadows on the Sand, go HERE.

Post Note Tuesday ~ Gone camping....

Daybook ~ July 18, 2011

Outside my window...the sun is shining making it for a hot and muggy day out there

I am thinking…that I need to get packing for camp

I am thankful for...A/C on these overly warm summer daze

From the kitchen…all is pretty quiet

I am wearing…my jammies right now.  I need to get going for the day

I am creating…a mental list of things that need to go to camp with me

I am going…to pack today

I am reading…Lilies in Moonlight by Allison Pittman.

I am hoping…to get some things accomplished today

I am hearing...my daughter's alarm clock chime

Around the house…things are starting to wake up

One of my favorite things…lazy summer days

A few plans for the rest of the week…church camp

Photo for thought…

just random nothing more

National Ice Cream Day....

Today is National Ice Cream Day so you all better enjoy a scoop or two..

Happy Weekend.

Cute as a Button Bookmark

Look at this Bookmarker... 

it is so cute and easy to make.  Head over to Gooseberry Patch HERE to get the details.

It's a party, a hop, a giveaway....

Call it what you want but head over to Prairie Flower Farm and check it out before it is too late. 

Click here to get all the details.

Sweet 16...

Today is the day...

16 years ago at this time I was in labor and now I have a beautiful princess

Tinker Bell cake for a Tinker Bell Fan

We celebrated yesterday because we just couldn't get everyone together today because of work schedules.  So how did we celebrate?...

why with opening the gifts of course

birthday pancake

Thanks to WW and Mom Spotted blog I found this clever funfetti pancake idea.  And lucky me I even had a funfetti cake mix.  WOOHOO!  things were heading in the right direction.  Daughter loves funfetti cakes.  They make her SMILE.

meal wouldn't be complete with out inviting our fave gooseberry patch recipe.

looks like it was a big hit.  Forgot to be a before picture.

Simple Chicken Tetrazzini 
~ taken from p. 118 the Quick & Easy Autumn cookbook

4 oz. spaghetti, uncooked
2 T. butter
2 T. all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taset
1/2 c. chicken broth
1 c. milk
2 c. cooked chicken, diced
2 oz. jar chopped pimentos, drained
1/4 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1.  Cook noodles as according to package directions.
2. Melt  butter in large saucepan over med-low heat.
3. Stir in flour, salt and pepper; blend until smooth
4.  Add broth and milk gradually; blend well
5.  Simmer until thickened, stirring constantly.
6.  Add chicken, pimentos and cooked spaghetti
7.  Spoon into a lightly greased casserole dish
8. Sprinkle with cheese
9.  Bake uncovered, at 375 degrees for 15-25 minutes, until bubbly and cheese is melted
10.  serves 4-6

No Birthday celebration would be complete without Dad's famous BBQ.  (forgot to get a pic.)
and her fave salad..(get recipe for mac salad here)

And what is in store for the actual day?????

She is looking forward to getting her permit today.  YIKES!!  Now I have to give up my daily walks.