The Valley

For every Christian, the valley is some place you are either going to, in, or coming out of.   There is no escaping it.   It is where God molds and shapes us.  During that time, do we look up to God and allow Him to work, or do we fight every step of the way?   Either way, He will accomplish the work.   His word says so:  "Being confident of this very thing that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil 1:6)   From my own experience, I know we can have joy and peace in the valley if we look to God and yield our dreams, wishes, wants in this life to Him.   I know we don't like anyone, including God if we are honest, messing with our "perfect" little lives.   It's painful.   Our world seems to be falling apart, but, at the end,  we will be more like Christ if we allow Him to work.  For the Christian, being more like Christ should be our goal.    We must cling to scripture during these turbulent times.   We must cling to what we know of God not what we feel.   God is there gently leading us along (Psalm 23:4)  using the very circumstances that bring us pain to change us into His image (James 1:2-6). You can prepare yourself for the valley by having daily time with God now.  Memorize scripture so that when circumstances of life seem to destroy you you can say with full faith: God is *my* refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore *I * will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  ³Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof... The LORD of hosts is with *me*; the God of Jacob is *my* refuge... ...*Help me* be still, and know that *You are* God: *You* will be exalted among the heathen, *You* will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with *me*; the God of Jacob is *my* refuge. Selah. (Psalm 46 - my personalized version where * :-))    The song below is taken from the Puritan's prayer book called "Valley Of Vision".   It is a song that really helped/reminded me to look to God  and  a plea to find His grace, His life, His joy in the valley that I was walking through.

Rock Of Ages

I love the old hymns.   I came across a new melody for "Rock of Ages" and love it.   It has caused me to ponder the words,  and I am struck at how profound they are.   This is a humble prayer from the believer hiding in the Rock of his/her Savior.  These are just my thoughts; I would love to hear your insights if you'd like to share.   The hymn starts off with the statement that Christ, our Rock (Ps. 31:2-3, Ps. 61:2) was cleft for us.  Cleft has the meaning of being split, split forcibly,  or pierced.   Christ was split for us in that He was separated from His Father when He took on the sins of the World (Matt. 27:46).   Also, His side was split/pierced while on the cross (John 19:34).   Christ is our double cure in that He not only saved us from God's wrath (Romans 5:8-9) but that His righteousness was laid on us (2 Cor. 5:21).  The second stanza moves to a reminder all of our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64: 6) and that Christ alone can save (Titus 3:5-7).    The third stanza describes our pitiful state:   We are poor (nothing in my hand I bring), naked, helpless, and foul.   Our response, however, is that we should  run (fly) and cling to Him.   "Come to Thee for dress" reminds me of  "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments  of salvation" (Is. 61:10).  The stanza ends with the plea for the only thing that can save us - the washing away of our sin with His precious blood.  Stanza 4 reminds us that this life is not it  -- Hallelujah!   At the end of our days, we will see Christ sitting on the right hand of the Father and will give an account for what we have done.  (2 Cor. 5:10).  The song then ends simply with a plea to let ourselves hide in our Rock.  "Be my strong refuge to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress" (Psalm 71:3).

 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Mercies Anew

2 years ago my life took a turn I was not expecting, but my Lord gave me (and continues to give me) strength and mercy to make it through.  This song reflects how this mercy affects a believers life, and I will praise Him now and forevermore for His mercy!

Mercies Anew

Every morning that breaks there are mercies anew.
Every breath that I take is Your faithfulness proved,
And at the end of each day, when my labors are through,
I will sing of Your mercies anew

When I've fallen and strayed, there were mercies anew.
For you sought me in love and my heart you pursued.
In the face of my sin, Lord, You never withdrew.
So I sing of Your mercies anew.

And Your mercies they will never end;
For ten thousand years they remain.
And when this world's beauty has passed away,
Your mercies will be unchanged.

And when the storms swirl and rage, there are mercies anew.
In affliction and pain, You will carry me through.
And at the end of my days, when your throne fills my view,
I will sing of Your mercies anew.

I will sing of Your mercies anew.

Catching up......

Happy 12th Birthday, Garrett!

Mom joined us in Florida for Thanksgiving -- what a treat!

We spent 5 days in Florida over Thanksgiving break - the weather was beautiful it was a much needed break!

Decorating the tree is always lots of fun :-)

 Luke's 5th grade chorus sang at the County's Christmas Tree lighting.









 Garrett decorated a gingerbread house for a school competition.  It was a lot of fun, and he earned 3rd place prize :-)

Lily took part in a gymnastics presentation; it was fun to see her perform with her class.

Thanks Be To God....

It's been a while....sorrry....it's been a bit crazy in the Hartenburg household.  Thanksgiving is past; Christmas is upon us, and I'm so thankful that we have a reason to celebrate this time of year.    Paul says in  2 Corinthians 9:15, "But thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift."   Jesus  left the glories of heaven to come and pay the price for my sins; his blood has washed me clean.   Jesus was that precious gift sent so many years ago.  

I'm also thankful that the Lord is faithful even when we are not.   If you know me, I probably have failed or disappointed you at some point in time.  If I failed you, be certain I have failed the Lord.   I am far (very far) from perfect.   The more I try to follow Jesus the greater the battle I seem to face.   I can testify of Paul's words in  Romans 7, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do."    However, I take great comfort in the Psalmists words,  "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in His way; though he fall he will not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand." (Psalm 37:23-24) The Lord will lead and guide me;  I may fall, but He will uphold me.   Looking forward to January 1st, a new year, I will keep pressing on, ever thankful for God's love and his unspeakable gift, Jesus Christ, and knowing that "He who has begun a good work in you (i.e. me) will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil 1:6).   

My Runners :-)

Lily and her team

 This week our school hosted a fun run for the students.   The children have a  choice to run in a 1 mile race by him or herself,  in a relay,  or run a 3 mile relay, or not to run at all.  On Thursday, Lily ran with two of her friends in a 1 one mile relay and did really well.  Their teamed place 6th among the other 2nd grade relay teams.  Luke,  who is a 5th grader at the school, saw Lily running and decided to run along with her (how sweet!) for her portion of the race.   Luke raced today in the 1 mile race by himself.   He placed 4th among 5th grade boys.  We are so proud of both Luke and Lily.  This is something they have been training for at school for the past couple of months.

Luke running

Lily and Luke Running

Go, Lil! Go!

Garrett's 12th Birthday Party

A very weary momma is writing this post :-) Garrett had 6 friends  (8 boys total when you count G and Luke) from church over last night to celebrate his birthday. This is a couple of weeks before his actual birthday, but, with the boys' baseball schedule and some other conflicts, this was the only weekend available. So, the boys came to our house, played a little bit of football in the front yard, ate pizza, cake and ice cream, and G opened presents. Then we headed to a hockey game. That was a blast! Then we came home and 4 of the boys spent the night. They had nerf wars until midnight. Garrett got a nerf gun for his birthday that can shoot 20 darts in 5 seconds; he had enough guns for all the other boys, so you can imagine the chaos that followed.  Following that, they watched Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and then they talked for another 2 hours. So I think by 4 AM they were all asleep only to get up at about 7:30 to start nerf wars all over again. Please understand, I am NOT complaining. It was a joy to have these boys over and to hear them play and have a good time. G had the time of his life. Hope you enjoy the few pictures. 
I'm going now to take a much needed nap now :-)

P.S. Lily spent the night with a friend from church, so she had lots of fun too :-)