Favourite Apps

I have a new app on my ipod that's very fun. So I thought I would post my favourite apps and if anyone can recommend any others, that would be great.

Pepperplate - this is a menu and recipe app that goes with Pepperplate. I was looking for something that would combine menus, recipes and a shopping list and this one does it quite well. You can import recipes or enter them manually, add them to a menu and then click on the link to add the ingredients to the shopping list. The quantities are sometimes a little off but it's still enough to at least remind me to pick up certain items. I found it easier to work with online but then the sync happens very seamlessly.

Just Light - just what it says - it's a light so that you can use your ipod/phone as a flashlight. This comes in handier more than one would think. It's great for reading in bed and I've even used it outside when I've needed a flashlight.

Facebook - need I say more?

Olive Tree ESV Bible - I really like having a Bible version on my ipod. It's certainly not a replacement for my Bible but it's a good alternative, especially since my personal Bible is New King James.

National Post - I like reading the paper version of the National Post but this is a good substitute in a pinch.

CBC Radio - up until just a few weeks ago, I had no idea I could listen to CBC Radio 1 & 2 on my ipod. The app is easy to download and I especially enjoy Radio 2. I just wish I had found it before I moved to a city where it's easily available on the radio! But I don't have a radio inside the house so this is a great thing.

Those are the apps I use the most. I'm still looking for a good money tracker/budgeting app. Has anyone found one?

I also have Angry Birds but I don't play it that often - honest! :-)

Sunday Hymn - Blessed Be the Name

Blessed Be the Name

All praise to Him Who reigns above
In majesty supreme,
Who gave His Son for man to die,
That He might man redeem!

Refrain

Blessèd be the Name! Blessèd be the Name!
Blessèd be the Name of the Lord!
Blessèd be the Name! Blessèd be the Name!
Blessèd be the Name of the Lord!

His Name above all names shall stand,
Exalted more and more,
At God the Father’s own right hand,
Where angel hosts adore.

Refrain

Redeemer, Savior, Friend of man
Once ruined by the fall,
Thou hast devised salvation’s plan,
For Thou hast died for all.

Refrain

His Name shall be the Counselor,
The mighty Prince of Peace,
Of all earth’s kingdoms Conqueror,
Whose reign shall never cease.

Refrain

Standing Up for the Unborn

When we knew we were moving to the big city, I had a conviction that I needed to do something tangible to represent the deeply held values I have regarding abortion. Today, I had the opportunity to start somewhere.

In Calgary, as in other cities, the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil is going on this month - September 28 to November 6. You can read about it here and if you are in Calgary or near it, sign up to go and pray. There is also a blog and it's both heart-breaking and encouraging.

I went today with a new friend and I am thankful for the blessing that was. We stood on the street corner where we are allowed to stand and prayed, silently and aloud. We talked a little about our lives and our own encounters with pain. We watched young women go in, several alone. We prayed for the ones who we saw and the ones we didn't see. We cried as we contemplated the brokenness represented by that clinic on the corner. It's not just the abortions that represent brokenness but the loss of family, the loss of parents who will stand up for their children and protect them, the loss of men and women who will stand by their training and protect life instead of taking it away. Our society is broken when this can go on across the country.

And we talked and prayed for love. We prayed that each person there would come to know God's love, that they would encounter people who can show them a different way. People who can show them that forgiveness, healing and freedom are possible in Christ, before and after abortions.

I will continue to pray and continue to go. I hope more will become aware of the vigil and sign up.

And this hymn began to echo in my mind:

Let Your Heart Be Broken
Let your heart be broken for a world in need:
Feed the mouths that hunger,
Soothe the wounds that bleed.
Give the cup of water, and the loaf of bread.
Be the hands of Jesus, serving in his stead.

Here on earth applying principles of love.
Visible expression, God still rules above.
Living illustration of the living word,
To the minds of all who've never seen or heard.

Blest to be a blessing, privileged to care,
Challenged be the need, apparent everywhere.
Where mankind is wanting, fill the vacant place.
Be the means through which
The Lord reveals His grace.

Add to your believing deeds that prove it true,
Knowing Christ as Savior, Make Him Master too.
Follow in His footsteps, go where he has trod;
In the worlds great trouble risk yourself for God.

Let your heart be tender and your vision clear;
See mankind as God sees, serve Him far and near.
Let your heart be broken by a brother's pain;
Share your rich resources, give and give again.

For the Musicians in the Crowd

I found this at LaDona's Music Studio blog. Too cute (and true) not to pass on.

My cello comes home tomorrow from a brief stay at the string shop. I guess I'll need to refer to the chart more often!

Thanksgiving Hymn - Come Ye Thankful People Come

I think if I look back, I will see that I`ve posted this hymn before on Thanksgiving. So maybe I should pick a different one. But when I think of Thanksgiving hymns, this is the first one that comes to mind and I can sing the whole first verse to myself, plus parts of the rest of the verses. So it`s my favourite so I`m going to post it again!

Come, Ye Thankful People Come

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.


I particularly like the `look forward` aspect of this hymn. We are thankful for the Lord`s provision but we look forward to when all will be `free from sorrow, free from sin.`

Knowing God's Will

A friend of mine just (re)posted this article. It goes along with what I've been learning and thinking over the past months.

I've been describing our process here as God requiring baby steps. I personally would prefer to know six steps out what is going to be happening. I like to plan ahead; I like to know what is coming; and while I don't mind a little uncertainty while I learn to trust God, I would really prefer to know exactly what is ahead.

This time around, we didn't know what was ahead. We knew the general outline - we are convinced that God is calling us to Calgary to join in the partnership of ministry at our new church - but the specifics were a little fuzzy. In my naivety, I honestly thought all the details would be taken care of in a couple of months.

Of course, all the details are taken care of. God has so graciously provided a job for Terry, the sale of our house, a place to stay temporarily and a house to buy (and the means to do so). We are so blessed in every aspect of this move. But He didn't do it on my timetable and He asked me to just trust Him on his timetable.

On the way into church last week, a friend commented that every time he saw us recently, something else had changed and come together. So true! But we had three months before this where it felt like nothing was happening. God just kept telling us to take those little baby steps, to move one tiny step at a time and then be in a position of readiness for the next step.

I think Becky really hits the nail on the head when she says,

In the midst of my struggles, I realised that what God desires is a deeper, more intimate relationship with me. I didn’t need to know the specifics of God’s will after all. I could follow along in the darkness, inch by inch by inch, never seeing where it was I was headed, trusting that God would make my feet secure. In a sense, the unknowing, the limbo was killing me – killing my stubborn independence and self-reliance so that I would be forced to throw myself wholeheartedly into the arms of God – his mercy, wisdom and love. And that is true freedom.

My prayer over the past few weeks, especially when I was fearful of what might happen, was "Lord, teach me to trust you." When I would be running over all the possible scenarios in my mind of what could happen next (never positively), I would have to wrench my mind away and pray, "Lord, teach me to trust you."

It brings me back to the verses that have been a particular comfort and encouragement in the past several years,

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Waiting on God

Paul Tripp has written an excellent article - "God's Will for Your Wait". Highly recommended.

Sunday Hymn - O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!

Here's a beautiful version:


2nd Chapter of Acts also sang it on their hymns album- I'm not sure what happened to our album of this (it was probably a cassette, actually, now that I think of it) but here's a recording of it.


And Sovereign Grace Music has reworked it. I still like the original but I really like this one too.

Answered Prayer

I read this psalm a few weeks ago and was reflecting on vs. 6-7 and the joys of answered prayer. I have been waiting to post it until we had clear answers to our requests. Well, the house is sold and Terry has a job so I am very thankful and the psalmist says it so well.

Psalm 28

A Psalm of David.

1 To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock:
Do not be silent to me,
Lest, if You are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications
When I cry to You,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

3 Do not take me away with the wicked
And with the workers of iniquity,
Who speak peace to their neighbors,
But evil is in their hearts.
4 Give them according to their deeds,
And according to the wickedness of their endeavors;
Give them according to the work of their hands;
Render to them what they deserve.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD,
Nor the operation of His hands,
He shall destroy them
And not build them up.

6 Blessed be the LORD,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.

8 The LORD is their strength,
And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
9 Save Your people,
And bless Your inheritance;
Shepherd them also,
And bear them up forever.

Hymn of Encouragement

This hymn has been going through my mind lately. When I read all the lyrics, it isn't perhaps the most theologically astute hymn but for right now, it speaks to me of the trust we have in Christ and the fact that we will be able to look back and see how God has worked, whether it's while we're still here on earth or later in heaven.

Farther Along

Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long;
While there are others living about us,
Never molested, though in the wrong.

Refrain:
Farther along we’ll know more about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.

Sometimes I wonder why I must suffer,
Go in the rain, the cold, and the snow,
When there are many living in comfort,
Giving no heed to all I can do.

Tempted and tried, how often we question
Why we must suffer year after year,
Being accused by those of our loved ones,
E’en though we’ve walked in God’s holy fear.

Often when death has taken our loved ones,
Leaving our home so lone and so drear,
Then do we wonder why others prosper,
Living so wicked year after year.

“Faithful till death,” saith our loving Master;
Short is our time to labor and wait;
Then will our toiling seem to be nothing,
When we shall pass the heavenly gate.

Soon we will see our dear, loving Savior,
Hear the last trumpet sound through the sky;
Then we will meet those gone on before us,
Then we shall know and understand why.

Here's a fun version:


Here's a rewritten version. Josh Garrels is a new artist that our son discovered this year through Noise Trade and we really like (most of) his works.



Yesterday when we read Spurgeon in our family devotions, we all agreed that it really applied to our circumstances right now. The answers to our prayers will be all the more blessed because of how we've learned to pray.

“For this child I prayed.”
1 Samuel 1:27

Devout souls delight to look upon those mercies which they have obtained in answer to supplication, for they can see God’s especial love in them. When we can name our blessings Samuel, that is, “asked of God,” they will be as dear to us as her child was to Hannah. Peninnah had many children, but they came as common blessings unsought in prayer: Hannah’s one heaven-given child was dearer far, because he was the fruit of earnest pleadings. How sweet was that water to Samson which he found at “the well of him that prayed!” Quassia cups turn all waters bitter, but the cup of prayer puts a sweetness into the draughts it brings. Did we pray for the conversion of our children? How doubly sweet, when they are saved, to see in them our own petitions fulfilled! Better to rejoice over them as the fruit of our pleadings than as the fruit of our bodies. Have we sought of the Lord some choice spiritual gift? When it comes to us it will be wrapped up in the gold cloth of God’s faithfulness and truth, and so be doubly precious. Have we petitioned for success in the Lord’s work? How joyful is the prosperity which comes flying upon the wings of prayer! It is always best to get blessings into our house in the legitimate way, by the door of prayer; then they are blessings indeed, and not temptations. Even when prayer speeds not, the blessings grow all the richer for the delay; the child Jesus was all the more lovely in the eyes of Mary when she found him after having sought him sorrowing. That which we win by prayer we should dedicate to God, as Hannah dedicated Samuel. The gift came from heaven, let it go to heaven. Prayer brought it, gratitude sang over it, let devotion consecrate it. Here will be a special occasion for saying, “Of thine own have I given unto thee.” Reader, is prayer your element or your weariness? Which?

Til Death Do Us Part

I just read an article at Christianity Today, "CT Classic: Living by Vows" which is a wonderful recounting of how a seminary president is caring for his wife who has Alzheimers.

The whole story itself is beautiful and well-worth reading. But one thing stood out to me.

But she can say one sentence, and she says it often: "I love you."

She not only says it, she acts it. The board arranged for a companion to stay in our home so I could go daily to the office. During those two years it became increasingly difficult to keep Muriel home. As soon as I left, she would take out after. me. With me, she was content; without me, she was distressed, sometimes terror stricken. The walk to school is a mile round trip. She would make that trip as many as ten times a day. Sometimes at night, when I helped her undress, I found bloody feet. When I told our family doctor, he choked up. "Such love," he said simply. Then, after a moment, "I have a theory that the characteristics developed across the years come out at times like these." I wish I loved God like that-desperate to be near him at all times. Thus she teaches me, day by day.

I pray that I will be the kind of wife and mother that if something should happen later in life, I would be characterized by the kind of love described here.

Wait on the Lord

Today's Spurgeon reading was directly aimed at me. As we wait for the house to sell and the job to come, it's sometimes hard to wait without complaining. It's hard to be positive and trust that God has this all worked out in His time. Here's Spurgeon's encouragement:

“Wait on the Lord.”
Psalm 27:14
It may seem an easy thing to wait, but it is one of the postures which a Christian soldier learns not without years of teaching. Marching and quick-marching are much easier to God’s warriors than standing still. There are hours of perplexity when the most willing spirit, anxiously desirous to serve the Lord, knows not what part to take. Then what shall it do? Vex itself by despair? Fly back in cowardice, turn to the right hand in fear, or rush forward in presumption? No, but simply wait.

Wait in prayer, however. Call upon God, and spread the case before him; tell him your difficulty, and plead his promise of aid. In dilemmas between one duty and another, it is sweet to be humble as a child, and wait with simplicity of soul upon the Lord. It is sure to be well with us when we feel and know our own folly, and are heartily willing to be guided by the will of God.

But wait in faith. Express your unstaggering confidence in him; for unfaithful, untrusting waiting, is but an insult to the Lord. Believe that if he keep you tarrying even till midnight, yet he will come at the right time; the vision shall come and shall not tarry.

Wait in quiet patience, not rebelling because you are under the affliction, but blessing your God for it. Never murmur against the second cause, as the children of Israel did against Moses; never wish you could go back to the world again, but accept the case as it is, and put it as it stands, simply and with your whole heart, without any self-will, into the hand of your covenant God, saying, “Now, Lord, not my will, but thine be done. I know not what to do; I am brought to extremities, but I will wait until thou shalt cleave the floods, or drive back my foes. I will wait, if thou keep me many a day, for my heart is fixed upon thee alone, O God, and my spirit waiteth for thee in the full conviction that thou wilt yet be my joy and my salvation, my refuge and my strong tower.”

Sunday Hymn

This is Terry's last Sunday preaching here in Edson. As we look ahead to the future and we're waiting on God to bring us through to a new house and new job, this is the hymn that came to mind this morning.

"Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

"Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
"Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Recommended Reading

I think that every engaged couple should read or watch Trollope's He Knew He was Right. Great lessons on avoiding pride and stubbornness.

It's amazing in some ways how much we are willing to give up for the sake of our pride and being "right". Would that we would practice being wrong, even when we are right.

Finishing Well

One of my prayers over the past year as I've read through Kings and Chronicles a couple of times is that I would finish well as a Christian. Many of the Israelite kings started out well but finished poorly.

Preparing to be an Amazing Old Man or Woman is a great article about preparing oneself for being old. Something we all need to think about, for unless the Lord calls us home or returns, we'll all be there someday.

Sunday Hymn

In the Cross of Christ I Glory

In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o’ertake me,
Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the cross forsake me,
Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

When the sun of bliss is beaming
Light and love upon my way,
From the cross the radiance streaming
Adds more luster to the day.

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
By the cross are sanctified;
Peace is there that knows no measure,
Joys that through all time abide.

In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.

I particularly like the second verse as it reminds us that throughout troubles and trials, the cross is ever before us and when we look to it, it keeps us focusing on what Christ has done for us, not on our trials and ourselves.

A recording of this on guitar:


I must admit that the traditional tune isn't my favourite. It looks like Indelible Grace has redone this one - you can listen to a sample of it here and see the music here.

And while I'm talking about Indelible Grace, their online hymnal is a great resource. They have lead sheets, samples and chord sheets for all their music online. Many of the hymns have new music to old words but some keep the tunes and just update the settings. We really enjoy listening to and singing these hymns.

Sunday Hymn - Praise the Saviour

I remember really liking this one when I was quite young. I still really like it, especially the last verse.

Praise the Savior, ye who know Him!
Who can tell how much we owe Him?
Gladly let us render to Him
All we are and have.

Jesus is the Name that charms us,
He for conflict fits and arms us;
Nothing moves and nothing harms us
While we trust in Him.

Trust in Him, ye saints, forever,
He is faithful, changing never;
Neither force nor guile can sever
Those He loves from Him.

Keep us, Lord, O keep us cleaving
To Thyself, and still believing,
Till the hour of our receiving
Promised joys with Thee.

Then we shall be where we would be,
Then we shall be what we should be,
Things that are not now, nor could be,
Soon shall be our own.

You can listen to it here. There don't seem to be many renditions on youtube that I could find. Maybe I'll have to start doing my own recordings.

Sunday Hymn - Under His Wings

Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Refrain

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Refrain

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.

Refrain

Today's Spurgeon

Today's Morning reading from Spurgeon came with a bit of an "ouch". The sentence in bold particularly caught me. May we all put aside worldliness, self-indulgence and indifference in favour of communion with God.

“The ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven wellfavoured and fat kine.”
Genesis 41:4

Pharaoh’s dream has too often been my waking experience. My days of sloth have ruinously destroyed all that I had achieved in times of zealous industry; my seasons of coldness have frozen all the genial glow of my periods of fervency and enthusiasm; and my fits of worldliness have thrown me back from my advances in the divine life. I had need to beware of lean prayers, lean praises, lean duties, and lean experiences, for these will eat up the fat of my comfort and peace. If I neglect prayer for never so short a time, I lose all the spirituality to which I had attained; if I draw no fresh supplies from heaven, the old corn in my granary is soon consumed by the famine which rages in my soul. When the caterpillars of indifference, the cankerworms of worldliness, and the palmerworms of self-indulgence, lay my heart completely desolate, and make my soul to languish, all my former fruitfulness and growth in grace avails me nothing whatever. How anxious should I be to have no lean-fleshed days, no ill-favoured hours! If every day I journeyed towards the goal of my desires I should soon reach it, but backsliding leaves me still far off from the prize of my high calling, and robs me of the advances which I had so laboriously made. The only way in which all my days can be as the “fat kine,” is to feed them in the right meadow, to spend them with the Lord, in His service, in His company, in His fear, and in His way. Why should not every year be richer than the past, in love, and usefulness, and joy?—I am nearer the celestial hills, I have had more experience of my Lord, and should be more like Him. O Lord, keep far from me the curse of leanness of soul; let me not have to cry, “My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me!” but may I be well-fed and nourished in thy house, that I may praise thy name.

Sunday Hymn - Trusting Jesus

This is one of my favourite hymns because of its reminder to trust Jesus, no matter what. He is faithful in all circumstances.

Trusting Jesus

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Refrain

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Brightly does His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Refrain

Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger for Him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Refrain

Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till within the jasper wall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Refrain

You can listen to it here.

Here's a congregation singing it.