Sacrifice

I love this quote. It provides much to contemplate.

"For my own part, I have never ceased to rejoice that God has appointed me to such an office. People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply paid back as a small part of a great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own blest reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter? Away with the word in such a view, and with such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger, now and then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink; but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice." ---David Livingstone

(found in the book Desiring God)

Today's Treasure #2

"Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him."
-Daniel 6:4 (ESV)

Oh to have that saying be true in my life. What if this was my testimony at work? Lord, help me be faithful.

Today's Treasure #1

"O our God...we do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
-2 Chronicles 20:12 (NIV)

This verse spoke to my heart today. It sums up much of what life feels like...and where my focus should be fixed.

Mercy Covers All...

I heard a song on the radio this morning and it has been in my head all day. I have heard many songs more profound and eloquently written, yet today this song made me want to cry...out of joy, out of thankfulness, and out of a deep longing to fully realize what it means to know that the mercy of my God covers ALL.

You Carried Me

I've been so busy, I missed the reasons
I missed Your love, and I nearly missed it all.
Still You loved me, and You've healed me,
You've given all and it brought me to Your cross
I stand only because You've given me grace to walk.
Only because...

You carried me,
You carried me,
You carried me through it all,
And I believe
Yes I believe,
You'll carry me all the way home,
Cause mercy covers all.

I know the scripture, I've known the songs,
I sang the words from my hollowed heart.
But You've spoken softly through the storm,
I've heard Your voice and I've felt the calm
I stand only because You've given me faith to walk.
Only because...

You carried me,
You carried me,
You carried me through it all.
And I believe,
Yes I believe,
You'll carry me all the way home,
Cause mercy covers all.

-Building 429
Word Records