In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
’til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Just Like Daddy

And Instead We’ll Plant Some Seeds

“I wanna take the preconceived
Out from underneath your feet
We could shake it off
And instead we’ll plant some seeds
We’ll watch them as they grow
And with each new beat
From your heart the roots grow deeper…”

All At Once  -Jack Johnson

A Start.

Monday we officially started our garden project (still without a name). Josh put the shovel in the ground to start a garden at the home of a woman he knows from the HIV/AIDS clinic. She really has a heart for her community and we have felt she could be a key person for us in her area.

It was a tough day and it didn’t go exactly how we hoped and dreamed it might but it was a start. Several other people who were supposed to be there from the community to help didn’t even show up at all. And, the ground was hard and the sun was hot. But in about two hours they had the ground dug out and a space cleared for the garden. It now looks like a big heap of dirt but the next step is going to be to mix in some organic material, and only then can the planting begin.

We have great expectations for this project since we really feel that God has led us into it. So, we will press on. The support of the church here has been so encouraging. People are really excited about what we are doing and want to support and be involved. We have had people sponsor the seedlings and donate tools. We have also had a lot of encouragement and advice given from several of the farmers in the congregation. It is really cool to see everyone standing behind us in this.

Here are a few pictures. It doesn’t look like much now but watch this space because it will soon be filled with food!!!

 

getting started

 

looking more like a garden

You Love Is Strong

Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why should I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you’ve found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Keep us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

-Jon Foreman

Psalm 91

Psalm 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

Not just a fisher of men

One of the great benefits of living in Mossel Bay is the sea!!! We love it. Today Josh had a chance to go out on a friend of ours boat for a little saturday fishing. It was a beautiful day and he came home with three Bonita (something like a small tuna) and some blue fish. Going to make some yummy dinners!

 

all the days catch

 

Josh's three Bonitas

 

Rain

“Weather means more when you have a garden. There’s nothing like listening to a shower and thinking how it is soaking in around your green beans.”

~Marcelene Cox

It actually rained! A little bit wednesday night and a few showers yesterday. It is true that it held a new significance to us with our garden in mind. It is amazing to see how the earth responds to the rain. We can water and water but somehow it just isn’t the same. Everything is almost instantly greener after a real rain and just looks fuller and happier and more willing to grow. It is different. It is like the rain wakes the earth. And we are grateful.

 

Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life. ~ John Updike

our garden after the rain