Welcome to That’s Encouraging formerly known as Lemon Pie to Make the Heart Glad. My greatest daily need is encouragement. If you experience the same need, join me here for uplifting, sometimes humorous, and occasionally just for fun thoughts.
Gather With the Saints
By Sandra McGarrity
My uncle recently passed away. He was 84 and had lived a full and happy life up until a few months of sickness before his death. I knew he was in heaven but of course I felt sad. I read many Bible verses to help overcome the grief. The next morning I picked up a book of stories about some of the famous hymns. One in particular helped so much. I’d like to share that story.
And He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God. – Revelation 22:1
In the summer of 1864, Brooklyn, New York was in the middle of not only a terrible heat wave but also a deadly viral illness that had affected hundreds. Many were ill, dying, or dead. Minister Robert Lowery visited members of his congregation attempting to alleviate some of the suffering.
The oppressive heat multiplied the need for hydration. His thoughts often turned to visions of clear, cool water. With this in mind he consoled the families of the dead with the promise of a reunion of the saints by “the river of life flowing from the throne of God.”
As he lay on his couch in the heat of one afternoon, he wondered why so many hymns focused on the “river of death.” Those in grief needed the consolation of the “river of life.” He formed the words to a hymn that would come to be well-known.
Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will talk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day.
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the Savior's face,
Saints, whom death will never sever,
Lift their songs of saving grace.
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
Soon we'll reach the silver river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching. Here is a little something “Just for Laughs:”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR0XqSxA0Rw
@November 23, 2010
Music By Prudence
By Sandra McGarrity
I don’t usually watch The Academy Awards because I am unfamiliar with most of the films nominated. So I missed seeing the 2010 award for Best Documentary Short, Music By Prudence. I did, however, see a segment about it on CBS Sunday Morning a few months ago. I was so impressed that I wanted to share it here.
This encouraging young woman grew up in some of the most discouraging circumstances imaginable. Being severely handicapped was only the beginning of her problems. She grew up in impoverished Zimbabwe with little medical care and none of the facilities we handicapped people in places like the U.S. almost take for granted. She was passed around to various family members who either could not or would not care for her properly.
God’s Amazing Grace is deeply evident in Prudence. Rather than succumb to bitterness or give up on life, she has gone on to become a singer-songwriter and bandleader of seven other disabled young Zimbabweans.
Listed below is a link with a further explanation of her story. The two remaining links are a video of Prudence singing and a short interview. Read, watch, and be encouraged.
http://www.musicbyprudence.com/film/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llVp22UuVTg&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llVp22UuVTg&NR=1
@ October 6, 2010
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
By Sandra McGarrity
The following was in an e-mail I received. No author name was attached. I am sharing these amazing facts because I found reading about the level of commitment by these soldiers to be so encouraging.
On Jeopardy one night, the final question was "How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns" ---- All three contestants missed it! –
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
21 steps: It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
21 seconds... for the same reason as answer number 1
3. How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
4. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
5. What must the guards commit to?
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way. The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery . A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.
After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
***
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
God Bless and keep them.
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a soldier of Jesus Christ. - II Timothy 2:3
@August 31, 2010
Impossible
Difficult
Done
By Sandra McGarrity
His lord said unto him, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” – Matthew 25:21
On my desk sits a 3 x 5, framed cross stitch. The background is blue. A checkerboard pattern surrounds the lettering. A tiny butterfly perches in the lower right corner. Three words are cross-stitched: impossible, difficult, Done.
These words are from a quote by James Hudson Taylor a missionary to China and the founder of the China Inland Mission. He spent 51 years in China during the last part of the 1800’s and early 1900”s. The CIM was instrumental in about 18,000 Chinese conversions.
Taylor’s methods were somewhat unorthodox for the day. He wore native Chinese clothing and even adapted the typical Chinese male hairstyle of a ponytail or queue. Unlike most Missions the CIM accepted members from all Protestant groups, members of the working class, and single women.
I was greatly inspired by reading the life and writings of this man. One quote, in particular, stood out to me: I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.
Years ago, I asked a friend to cross-stitch just those three words for me. Being the second mile type person; she added the extras and framed it for me. Back in those days life didn’t seem impossible for her; probably not even difficult on most days. She has gone through some serious trials over the past six or so years. Difficult describes her daily routine with many days qualifying as impossible. I wonder if she remembers this cross-stitch.
Impossible, difficult, for now, but one day: “Well Done thou good and faithful servant.”
@August 2, 2010
Please Speak
By Sandra McGarrity
…if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak. - Acts 13:15
As I sat alone in my living room one evening the phone rang. I knew I didn’t recognize the caller ID. It turned out to be a lady living in my area. She had just read a devotion I had written for “The Secret Place.”
“I was unwinding after a day at a funeral and the devotion touched me,” she said. “I hope you don’t think I’m crazy but I just wanted to thank you.” She then added, “These things reach so many people.”
We chatted for a few minutes and hung up. I was blessed that she took the time to encourage me, a stranger. It is nice to know your work is accomplishing something.
The next day I received a rejection for something I had written. I was disappointed and disheartened. I had so hoped to have it published. I was also extra thankful for the encouragement from the night before.
On the day after, I received an e-mail from a young woman who had just read one of my stories. It spoke to her in a time of need. I was able to communicate with her and hopefully encourage her.
I don’t often get responses to my writing other than acceptance or rejection letters. As I thought over those three days, I saw that God had “bookended” my disappointment with two special instances of encouragement. The women didn’t know anything about my personal life but I so needed that encouragement.
Who needs a special word or action today? The more correct question would be, “Who doesn’t?”
For Laughs
I just read an article entitled “More Bad News for Sugar Lovers.” It seems that the higher glycemic carbs (sugar) can double the risk for heart disease in women. I believe that is probably true. My problem with the article was in the accompanying photograph. As I sat here eating my low fat string cheese, reading an article about good health, I was slammed with a mouth-watering pic of pie, cake, donuts, muffins, and what had to be peanut butter cookies. Now, all I can think about is those warm peanut butter cookies with little crisscrosses on top that my Mother used to make. They should’ve posted a picture of a diseased heart or something.
@May 6, 2010
Countless Thoughts
By Sandra McGarrity
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up, you are still with me!
~ Psalm 139:17-18, NLT
The above scripture was my e-mail verse for the day. I have always loved this passage and have been in awe of it also. If God had one thought about me today it would be precious but this verse says He thinks about us so much we can’t possibly count the times. That number is more than the grains of sand. It is said that if we could possibly count all the grains of sand in the world, the number would have changed by the time we began counting. I can’t even get my brain around this idea.
That thought leads to another: What is God thinking about me? I have no idea other than what I read in His word but a little research about grains of sand brought me to the conclusion that His thoughts about each of us are unique. I always thought of sand as tiny bits of brown dirt. It turns out that sand has more colors, shapes, and textures than we can imagine. I’m sure the scientific minded already know this but when we look at these pictures and think of these grains of sand as God’s thoughts about us we see how much He cares about every detail of our lives.
Please have a look at this link. It is stunning.
http://discovermagazine.com/photos/01-each-grain-of-sand-a-tiny-work-of-art
@February 23, 2010
More Sandra McGarrity from 2009...
