By Mercy and Grace

Along this journey I’ve come through some valleys,
and I’ve stood on some mountain peaks.
I’ve been led beside the still waters,
and lain down in pastures green,
Yet I’ve struggled up a rocky path,
until I finally gave Jesus my load,
then been lifted up on eagles wings,
as the world disappeared down below.
I’ve had my share of the wilderness wanderings,
and I’ve camped by the river’s edge.
When I stepped out into the water, Jesus took my hand and led.
Though I’ve stumbled through some fog and mist,
I’ve found shelter from many a storm.
And I’ve watched God roll the clouds away,
as the sun broke through in the morn.
But the trip I took to Calvary is where this journey began,
and though sometimes I lose my way,
Jesus always knows just where I am,
and by mercy and grace, I’ll finish my race,
knowing I’m safe in his hand.
Only by his mercy and grace I stand.

The recording for my two cd's is now complete....all 24 songs! Hopefully they will be ready in the next couple of weeks, so I can put some on a playlist here. The lyrics above are for the song Brian and I recorded, and are now scheduled to sing in church soon. I'm hoping that the boys can learn it too, so we can sing as a family...for the first time.

Psalm 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Isaiah 25:4 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against a wall.
Job 36:29 Also can any understand the spreading of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
Psalm 139:7,8b Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence….behold, thou art there.
John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

O Canada!

Happy Canada Day!

We Pray For Canada

While the values of this country are diminished day by day,
may we lift your standard higher, to show the only way.
While folks claim their rights and freedoms,

lives are crushed beneath sins waves.
May we sound a warning siren, and tell them Jesus saves.
As we beam the gospel message, shining hope and grace on lives,
may they reach out for the lifeline,

that they may come to Christ.
Make us a lighthouse on the sea, drawing souls to faith in thee.
And in your strength help us to stand,

against attacks throughout this land.
Lord, shine the light of your salvation, in the hearts across our nation.
Lord, we pray for Canada, and your blessings from above.
As we pray for Canada, may revival start with us.

Every day, the values of our country are increasingly eroded. Immoral groups push for their rights, while the rights and freedoms of believers continue to be infringed upon. More and more children grow up without ever hearing about Jesus Christ. As the darkness of sin spreads across our nation, we as a body of believers have the responsibility to shine the light of the gospel through that darkness, in our own city, and across this country. We pray that God will continue to give us opportunities to spread his word, as he draws the lost to his saving grace. We'll be going to see the fireworks this evening, but I doubt I'll get pictures, so for a great fireworks display put to music go to CanFire, a Manitoba pyrotechnics company. Hope everyone has a safe, mosquito free day!

My Song Book

My song book arrived in the mail on Monday! It's very pretty....if I do say so myself! :o)

It contains the sheet music for 24 songs, and the story behind each song. The theme of all of the songs is faith...putting our trust in the Lord, and seeking his wisdom and guidance. They date from 1996 right up to one that I wrote this year, in January, 2008.

Back Cover

Psalm 13:6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

Our Starfish

Almost nine years ago, Brian and I made the decision to adopt another child. Our own children were almost grown up, and we had finally attained legal guardianship of Justin. Exactly a year after we started the paperwork, we were told about a little fifteen month old boy. The information we were given described a beautiful little boy with twinkling blue eyes, who was at risk of having many developmental problems as he grew older. As much as we wanted another child, we needed to know for sure that this was the one the Lord had for us.
As we prayed for God’s guidance, our church had a visiting preacher come to share his ministry. He used the story of the starfish as an illustration. God’s answer couldn’t have been more clear. This little boy was our starfish. One month later we brought Jeremy (Jerry) home. He is nine years old today.

Taken during our first visits

Walking along a sandy beach, a boy saw star fish at his feet.
One by one he threw them far; into the ocean, flew each little star.
Then a man who was watching just shook his head.
“You can’t save them all,” he finally said.
As the boy threw a star fish out to the sea,
he gazed out at the water, and he started to speak.
“ I can’t save all the star fish along the shore,
But I gave that one a chance to live life once more.”
As I thought of a star fish out of the sea,
the Lord touched my heart, and he spoke to me,
of a boy who was needing someone to come,
and to give him a family and a home of his own.
So, we took our starfish, a gift from the Lord,
and together we’ve been blessed far beyond that shore.

Happy Birthday Jerry!

Luke 15:4,6 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he cometh home, he calleth his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

I'll Keep Trusting

I’ll keep looking unto Jesus, who’s Spirit abides in me.
He’s my example to follow; he is all the answers I need.
I’ll keep trusting in my Saviour, who said these things must be.
He suffered so at the hands of man; gave his life so willingly.
I’ll keep going for my Lord; I know he’s working in me,
through all life’s sorrows and blows, to conform to what I should be.
In the face of opposition, I’ll keep trusting in my Lord.
Through pain and disappointment, I’ll keep trusting in my Lord.
Through dark and lonely valleys, I’ll keep trusting in my Lord.
Every scar left from the battle; every bruise I bear from this world,
is simply my reminder of the healing power of my Lord.
I’ll keep trusting in my Lord.

I may not be able to see beyond the next curve in the road, or past the valley I’m walking through, but I know my final destination, and I know that if I keep my eyes on my Lord and Saviour, he’ll guide my footsteps along the way. He may take me places I’d rather not go, but that’s where I learn to trust him. He’s already shown me over and over again the folly of choosing my own path. No matter what this journey brings; no matter what trials come my way, no matter how difficult the road may become, my response must always remain the same: I’ll keep trusting in my Lord.


Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

My Father Prays For Me

He isn’t a man of great riches, owning gold or property.
He doesn’t seek for worldly wealth.
He has the treasure we need,

laid up in heaven’s storehouse for all eternity.
And this most precious jewel he shares;

my father prays for me.

He isn’t a man of great knowledge, found in books or a degree.
He doesn’t seek the wisdom of men.
He has the answer we need,
promised in God’s own word that endures eternally.
And this most precious jewel he shares;
my father prays for me.



My father prays for me, in the calm and through the storm.
Yes, he prays for me, through the night and in the morn.



No matter what my need, I know he will intercede.
He lifts me up before God’s throne.
My father prays for me.

My husband is not a rich man by the world’s standards, and he is not a university educated man. His learning has come through experience, hard work, and living for the Lord. He may not have a lot of wealth or book learning to pass on to his children, but he has something far more valuable. He has a relationship with the Lord of lords and King of kings, and every morning he lifts his children up before the throne of grace.
It took many years of marriage, and a lot of heartbreak for us to get into the habit of praying together regularly. Because I am not an early riser, Brian has made it his practice to sit on the edge of our bed, and pray with me every morning before he leaves for work. He prays for each of our grown children and their families, then our younger children, and then any special prayer requests we may have that day.
I pray that my children know how blessed they are to have a father who prays for them regularly!

Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steel:
Psalm 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

It Came To Pass

In times all things will come to pass.
Trials and valleys, they won’t last.
Though they may seem too hard to bear,

just take heart, the Lord is there.
He tells us of the saints of old.
Oh, such stories have been told,

and each time we hear the words,
“It came to pass.”
He was in the fiery furnace;

he was with them through the flood.
He was on the road to Emmaus.
Yes, he’s with each child of God.
Whether trudging through a valley,

or climbing a rocky path,
we’ll look back one day, and say,
“It came to pass.”
When time comes to an end at last;
trials and valleys in the past,
we will dwell in that land so fair,

with our Lord forever there.
Then we’ll meet all those saints of old.
Oh, the stories we’ll be told,

and each time we’ll hear the words,
“It came to pass.”

Sometimes we feel like we are the only ones who have gone through these trials and valleys as we’re traveling down this path, but all we need do is look to the word of God to see that the road we are on is very well traveled, and many saints have gone on before us. We can take heart in the words, “It came to pass.”

Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

You Remind Me

Lord, when I am trudging through a valley filled with mire,
Feeling oh so lonely, my circumstances dire;
Wondering where the joy of thy salvation went;
Weary of my burdens, my energy all spent,

You remind me of those mountains
Hidden by the clouds….clouds of my own making,
Created by my sin and doubts.
You remind me just to set my eyes and heart on things above,
Then you lift me to the heights upon your wings of love.

Lord, so many times I’ve traveled down that same old path,
From that lofty mountain to cloudy misty flats.
If I’d turn to you before I go astray,
I know you would guide me along the higher way.
You remind me each time I slide and I lose sight of you.
Lord, forgive my sin; I surrender all to you.

Sometimes, when I think I’m in a valley, I’m really just flopping around in a muddy ditch. I may feel like my circumstances are dire, but it’s my frame of mind that’s in need of an adjustment. I’m looking at things from my own earthly perspective rather than setting my eyes on things above. It’s my own sin; my pride, my selfish attitude, and my laziness that has put a black cloud over my head, and blocked my view of the Lord. Thankfully, I’m only one prayer away from getting my heart right.

Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Psalm 94:18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.