"Thou wilt show me the path of life.
In thy presence is fullness of joy;
at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore."
Psalm 16:11 KJV
Living the Adventure
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
God Encounters Coming Your Way
It happened one day without warning, a seemingly simple encounter that stretched this contributing author's faith, making her believe that what at first seemed like coincidence might be a God-incidence, in fact it might be a GOD ENCOUNTER...
Gary Chapman, Ph.D., author of The Five Love Languagess and Love as a Way of Life has this to say about God Encounters, Stories of His Involvement in Life's Greatest Moments, "God Encounters is a captivating collection of stories of ordinary people from all walks of life who have experienced God in the pain as well as the joys of life. This is an excellent read for anyone seeking a glimpse of God in everyday life."
There will be more coming on this incredible new book due to release on October 13, 2009 from Simon & Schuster. Let me just say this, one encounter in this new book is slated to be a true story written by someone whose first name starts with the letter "S", whose middle name starts with the letter "K" and whose last name ends once again with the letter "S".
Any guesses anyone?
Live the adventure,
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
One Thing Leads to Another
It shouldn't have happened, but it did. It could have been avoided - handled differently.
Rebellion... anger... jealously... which led to murder.
It looks like something that reads right from today's newspaper headlines, but it isn't. It is the true story of Adam and Eve's two sons, Cain and Abel, ripped right from the headlines of Genesis chapter 4 in the Bible.
Where did it go wrong? Abel brought an offering to God, the firstborn of his flock. Cain, the oldest son, brought an offering of fruit of the ground.
God accepted Abel's offering, but not Cain's. Why? Think back to when Adam and Eve first sinned. What did God cover them with? Skins from an animal - an animal that had to die first - blood was shed to "cover" sin. The first sacrifice was made by God himself.
The Bible confirms Abel's sacrifice as one of faith when we read in Hebrews 11:4, "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks."
With that in mind let's take a look at what happened with Cain.
First Cain rebelled. He brought an offering that he knew was not going to be acceptable to God. He could have traded some fruit for something from Abel's flock, but he didn't. He came to God on his own terms, not God's. That is not acceptable.
Second, Cain reacted in anger. In fact, the Bible says Cain wasn't just angry, he was VERY angry and his countenance fell, meaning it didn't blow over. Cain dwelled on his anger, savored it, let it boil and boil until it was boiling over. It affected his everyday attitude towards God and his brother, his very own flesh and blood.
But God intervened right away. Remember, God is a God of action, not reaction. Let's take a look at what God says to Cain in chapter 4 verses 6 & 7.
"Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door; And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."
Wow, those are some power-packed words from God. God asks Cain why he is angry. Is it because God didn't know? Of course God knows. He knows everything. But he wanted Cain to recognize his sin and admit it. Cain had an opportunity to be sorry and make it right.
God told Cain how he could resolve the problem. See, God never just leaves us hanging. He gave Cain a solution: Do well. And then God gave him a consequence. If you don't do well, sin is there and it will affect you, but you should rule over it. See he gave him another solution. Rule over that sin that is affecting you.
Amazing to think about that, isn't it? We can say the same things about ourselves. How often do we get angry about something and dwell on it. Pretty soon we are not thinking rationally. But God says we should do well and learn to rule over that sin that is affecting us. We need help. We need God's help, the help of believing friends and family and the help of those in a Bible believing and teaching church to help hold us accountable.
So what did Cain do? Ignore God. Cain talked with his brother Abel and sought revenge. The Bible says Cain literally talked "toward" his brother. That sounds like to me that Cain was just shooting off his mouth, not willing to talk reasonably and rationally. Cain was out of control and sin ruled in his life to the point of murder.
What happens when we let sin take control in our lives? Are we going to ignore God and go our own way? That is a recipe for disaster for sure. God always knows what's best for us and he wants to see us do well.
So what should we do? Turn to God, ask for forgiveness, and do well.
So here's today's Interactive Bible Series Question: What can I do differently when faced with feelings of anger? (added in on 10-24 so I can keep this series of posts consistent)
God's book tells us what not to do, but it also is filled to overflowing with what we should do. Psalm 19:7 says, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." Let's not overlook that fact and soften our hearts to allow God do his perfect work in us.
Live the adventure,
Rebellion... anger... jealously... which led to murder.
It looks like something that reads right from today's newspaper headlines, but it isn't. It is the true story of Adam and Eve's two sons, Cain and Abel, ripped right from the headlines of Genesis chapter 4 in the Bible.
Where did it go wrong? Abel brought an offering to God, the firstborn of his flock. Cain, the oldest son, brought an offering of fruit of the ground.
God accepted Abel's offering, but not Cain's. Why? Think back to when Adam and Eve first sinned. What did God cover them with? Skins from an animal - an animal that had to die first - blood was shed to "cover" sin. The first sacrifice was made by God himself.
The Bible confirms Abel's sacrifice as one of faith when we read in Hebrews 11:4, "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks."
With that in mind let's take a look at what happened with Cain.
First Cain rebelled. He brought an offering that he knew was not going to be acceptable to God. He could have traded some fruit for something from Abel's flock, but he didn't. He came to God on his own terms, not God's. That is not acceptable.
Second, Cain reacted in anger. In fact, the Bible says Cain wasn't just angry, he was VERY angry and his countenance fell, meaning it didn't blow over. Cain dwelled on his anger, savored it, let it boil and boil until it was boiling over. It affected his everyday attitude towards God and his brother, his very own flesh and blood.
But God intervened right away. Remember, God is a God of action, not reaction. Let's take a look at what God says to Cain in chapter 4 verses 6 & 7.
"Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door; And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."
Wow, those are some power-packed words from God. God asks Cain why he is angry. Is it because God didn't know? Of course God knows. He knows everything. But he wanted Cain to recognize his sin and admit it. Cain had an opportunity to be sorry and make it right.
God told Cain how he could resolve the problem. See, God never just leaves us hanging. He gave Cain a solution: Do well. And then God gave him a consequence. If you don't do well, sin is there and it will affect you, but you should rule over it. See he gave him another solution. Rule over that sin that is affecting you.
Amazing to think about that, isn't it? We can say the same things about ourselves. How often do we get angry about something and dwell on it. Pretty soon we are not thinking rationally. But God says we should do well and learn to rule over that sin that is affecting us. We need help. We need God's help, the help of believing friends and family and the help of those in a Bible believing and teaching church to help hold us accountable.
So what did Cain do? Ignore God. Cain talked with his brother Abel and sought revenge. The Bible says Cain literally talked "toward" his brother. That sounds like to me that Cain was just shooting off his mouth, not willing to talk reasonably and rationally. Cain was out of control and sin ruled in his life to the point of murder.
What happens when we let sin take control in our lives? Are we going to ignore God and go our own way? That is a recipe for disaster for sure. God always knows what's best for us and he wants to see us do well.
So what should we do? Turn to God, ask for forgiveness, and do well.
So here's today's Interactive Bible Series Question: What can I do differently when faced with feelings of anger? (added in on 10-24 so I can keep this series of posts consistent)
God's book tells us what not to do, but it also is filled to overflowing with what we should do. Psalm 19:7 says, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." Let's not overlook that fact and soften our hearts to allow God do his perfect work in us.
Live the adventure,
Friday, September 18, 2009
My Home Garden
This is for my blog friend Sharon in California who wondered what my garden looks like. In reality, it is the landscaping around my house. We've planted the bushes and perennials in various stages, each year adding to another section around our home. In the beginning, it was a pile of clay-like dirt, patchy grass and overgrown bushes. I'm not much of a gardener (meaning gardening isn't my "thing" - I'd rather write a story or go hiking), but I do enjoy pulling down my driveway and the beautiful view the greenery creates. Afer a long day of weeding, my oldest son informed me he will someday live in a house in the woods where there will be no gardening! "Of course," I said, "You do know there will be other work to do living in the woods..."
The first day of Autumn is right around the cornor, with the crisp cool weather, changing colors of the trees from green to multiple shades of red, orange, and gold, and delicious apples and pumpkin pies. Happy Autumn to you all!
Thank you Lord for your goodness! "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in its season." Psalm 1:2,3
Live the adventure,
Thursday, September 17, 2009
God to the Rescue
Did you ever wonder, "God, where are you?"
Never fear, God is near. And He is ready to help. He wants to rescue you.
God made Eve to be a helper to Adam. But what happened when Eve allowed herself to be enticed by the Serpent - the Devil? She not only took the forbidden fruit but gave it to her husband Adam who was with her at that tree of knowledge of good and evil in the middle of the garden.
What were the two of them doing by that forbidden tree? Listening to Satan and giving in to temptation. Sadly the result has affected all of humankind. We are all plunged into sin because of our first parents, Adam and Eve's sin of disobedience.
What are some of the results of sin we see in Genesis chapter three? Well, right of the bat the husband and wife had their first fight - blaming each other for their sin. And then came fear and ultimately death - they knew about that consequence. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God who was walking in the garden. But God knew where they were. God physically came to help - to rescue them.
Adam and Eve tried to cover their nakedness by sewing figs leaves, something that would not last. But the Lord God made them tunics from skin - the first animal sacrifice of blood to cover for humankind's sin. He covered them with his provision of protective clothing.
And then God took it to the next level and removed Adam and Eve from the Garden to protect them. Yes, it was a punishment, but ultimately God was protecting them. Take a look at this Bible verse:
"Then the Lord God said, 'Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, LEST HE PUT OUT HIS HAND AND TAKE ALSO OF THE TREE OF LIFE, AND EAT, AND LIVE FOREVER--'" Genesis 3:22
God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden so they wouldn't eat from the tree of life and live forever in a state of sin and death. God protected them and provided for Adam and Eve.
God will protect us and provide for us. Sometimes it may seem like we are "missing out", but ultimately whatever God does is for our good - to provide for us and to protect us from harm.
Think back to a time when you wanted something so badly but now years later you look back and see how God protected you from yourself. Maybe God allowed you to suffer. Maybe you went ahead and chose to sin anyhow, but God pursued you and helped you. God provided for you and made a way of escape.
So here's this week's interactive Bible question:
In what way has God intervened and protected you?
Are you willing to trust him to provide for you in the future? I'd love to hear from you.
Live the adventure,
Never fear, God is near. And He is ready to help. He wants to rescue you.
God made Eve to be a helper to Adam. But what happened when Eve allowed herself to be enticed by the Serpent - the Devil? She not only took the forbidden fruit but gave it to her husband Adam who was with her at that tree of knowledge of good and evil in the middle of the garden.
What were the two of them doing by that forbidden tree? Listening to Satan and giving in to temptation. Sadly the result has affected all of humankind. We are all plunged into sin because of our first parents, Adam and Eve's sin of disobedience.
What are some of the results of sin we see in Genesis chapter three? Well, right of the bat the husband and wife had their first fight - blaming each other for their sin. And then came fear and ultimately death - they knew about that consequence. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God who was walking in the garden. But God knew where they were. God physically came to help - to rescue them.
Adam and Eve tried to cover their nakedness by sewing figs leaves, something that would not last. But the Lord God made them tunics from skin - the first animal sacrifice of blood to cover for humankind's sin. He covered them with his provision of protective clothing.
And then God took it to the next level and removed Adam and Eve from the Garden to protect them. Yes, it was a punishment, but ultimately God was protecting them. Take a look at this Bible verse:
"Then the Lord God said, 'Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, LEST HE PUT OUT HIS HAND AND TAKE ALSO OF THE TREE OF LIFE, AND EAT, AND LIVE FOREVER--'" Genesis 3:22
God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden so they wouldn't eat from the tree of life and live forever in a state of sin and death. God protected them and provided for Adam and Eve.
God will protect us and provide for us. Sometimes it may seem like we are "missing out", but ultimately whatever God does is for our good - to provide for us and to protect us from harm.
Think back to a time when you wanted something so badly but now years later you look back and see how God protected you from yourself. Maybe God allowed you to suffer. Maybe you went ahead and chose to sin anyhow, but God pursued you and helped you. God provided for you and made a way of escape.
So here's this week's interactive Bible question:
In what way has God intervened and protected you?
Are you willing to trust him to provide for you in the future? I'd love to hear from you.
Live the adventure,
Friday, September 11, 2009
God in Action
Our God is an active God, not passive. In fact, right from the beginning - he was in motion and he still is. The Bible begins with these first words in Genesis, “In the beginning God created…” Let’s take a look at some of the other action verbs in the first two chapters of the Bible’s first book.
God created, said, saw, called, made, blessed, divided, gathered, set, rested, sanctified, formed, breathed, planted, put, commanded, caused, took, closed up, brought. Yes, even resting is an action that God did after creating this world and his most wonderful creation made in his own image, humankind. God knows that we need time set aside to recharge and rejuvenate and he shows us how.
My dear friends, God didn’t just set the world in motion and leave us to spin in space. He began with direct interaction and He is still directly involved in the world today through the hearts, lives, and events of people and nature. The Bible has a record of God interacting with people throughout the ages.
As I write these Bible reading posts, I’d love to have more interaction with you, my readers. Please leave a comment or if you’d rather not make your thoughts public domain, then feel free to privately email me at susanskitt@verizon.net – here’s the first question.
In what specific way have you seen God active in your life lately?
Live the adventure,
God created, said, saw, called, made, blessed, divided, gathered, set, rested, sanctified, formed, breathed, planted, put, commanded, caused, took, closed up, brought. Yes, even resting is an action that God did after creating this world and his most wonderful creation made in his own image, humankind. God knows that we need time set aside to recharge and rejuvenate and he shows us how.
My dear friends, God didn’t just set the world in motion and leave us to spin in space. He began with direct interaction and He is still directly involved in the world today through the hearts, lives, and events of people and nature. The Bible has a record of God interacting with people throughout the ages.
As I write these Bible reading posts, I’d love to have more interaction with you, my readers. Please leave a comment or if you’d rather not make your thoughts public domain, then feel free to privately email me at susanskitt@verizon.net – here’s the first question.
In what specific way have you seen God active in your life lately?
Live the adventure,
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Sparkling End of the Beginning
As many of you know, I have been reading my Bible through from cover to cover. August 14th marked the end of the beginning. The end of reading my Bible from Genesis to Revelation, (I began in January of 2007) but the beginning of another opportunity to read God's Word through and see what glistening diamonds, rubies, and emeralds of truth He has waiting for me. Oh I'm sure there will be some pearls and gold too! (You know what? These gems are there for anyone who will open up God's Word truly desiring to know Him.)
What impressed me in the last chapter of Revelation was what Jesus says in chapter 22:12 & 13: "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to His work. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."
Wow! God will reward people according to their work. Now remember, good works do not gain you entrance into Heaven. Only by realizing we are sinners and accepting Jesus Christ's payment for our sins. Jesus died on the cross to give us access to Heaven's Gates.
And I'll say it to you plain because I care. If you do not accept Christ's payment for your sin, you have opened the gates of Hell, an eternal lake of fire. Once you die, you will never return. There's no inbetween - there's no second chance - there is no "praying" someone out once they have died. Heaven and Hell weigh in the balance. The choice is yours and it is now - now is the day of salvation!
The reward God is talking about is for those who accept and follow Christ with all their hearts. That's pretty cool, no in fact, that is amazing. God will give to every one according to His work. So what will we do once we know Him? What will we do with that free gift we have been given? Are we allowing God to do a deeper work in our lives - a rooting out of sins that hurt us and hold us back from all that God has intended for our good?
When Jesus lived on earth, He did many miracles. One of the miracles recorded in John chapter six was feeding five thousand people (plus women and children) from five loaves of bread and two small fish. After that, people followed Jesus because of the signs and quite frankly because their bellies were filled.
But were they really interested in why Jesus was here on earth - to save them from their sin? Let's see what the people said and Jesus' answer in John chapter 6, verse 28 and following.
"Then they said to Him, 'What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?'
Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.'"
Sadly, most of them just wanted their bellies filled, not their souls. They wanted to see another "sign".
What about you? Are you more interested in things here on earth that will not last forever? Jesus is the sign - don't waste your time looking for another. He is the answer to all of life's needs. Like the Bible says, Jesus is the Beginning and the End.
There are no strings attached to God's offer of eternal life, a life that begins the moment we accept Jesus. Once we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we are what Ephesians 2:8-10 talks about, His Workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works. What works are we doing for Christ? Lately, I have been evaluating what this really means. It might mean setting aside a morning to visit an elderly neighbor or carving out time to help a friend in need.
Yes, this is the end of a mile marker for me, but the beginning of a new and exciting challenge. In fact, I'll soon post some wonderful nuggets I dug up in Genesis chapter one. Here's a little hint with the first four words, "In the beginning, GOD..."
Let's follow Jesus with all of our heart, soul, and mind! Are you ready? Let's go!
Live the adventure,
What impressed me in the last chapter of Revelation was what Jesus says in chapter 22:12 & 13: "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to His work. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."
Wow! God will reward people according to their work. Now remember, good works do not gain you entrance into Heaven. Only by realizing we are sinners and accepting Jesus Christ's payment for our sins. Jesus died on the cross to give us access to Heaven's Gates.
And I'll say it to you plain because I care. If you do not accept Christ's payment for your sin, you have opened the gates of Hell, an eternal lake of fire. Once you die, you will never return. There's no inbetween - there's no second chance - there is no "praying" someone out once they have died. Heaven and Hell weigh in the balance. The choice is yours and it is now - now is the day of salvation!
The reward God is talking about is for those who accept and follow Christ with all their hearts. That's pretty cool, no in fact, that is amazing. God will give to every one according to His work. So what will we do once we know Him? What will we do with that free gift we have been given? Are we allowing God to do a deeper work in our lives - a rooting out of sins that hurt us and hold us back from all that God has intended for our good?
When Jesus lived on earth, He did many miracles. One of the miracles recorded in John chapter six was feeding five thousand people (plus women and children) from five loaves of bread and two small fish. After that, people followed Jesus because of the signs and quite frankly because their bellies were filled.
But were they really interested in why Jesus was here on earth - to save them from their sin? Let's see what the people said and Jesus' answer in John chapter 6, verse 28 and following.
"Then they said to Him, 'What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?'
Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.'"
Sadly, most of them just wanted their bellies filled, not their souls. They wanted to see another "sign".
What about you? Are you more interested in things here on earth that will not last forever? Jesus is the sign - don't waste your time looking for another. He is the answer to all of life's needs. Like the Bible says, Jesus is the Beginning and the End.
There are no strings attached to God's offer of eternal life, a life that begins the moment we accept Jesus. Once we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we are what Ephesians 2:8-10 talks about, His Workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works. What works are we doing for Christ? Lately, I have been evaluating what this really means. It might mean setting aside a morning to visit an elderly neighbor or carving out time to help a friend in need.
Yes, this is the end of a mile marker for me, but the beginning of a new and exciting challenge. In fact, I'll soon post some wonderful nuggets I dug up in Genesis chapter one. Here's a little hint with the first four words, "In the beginning, GOD..."
Let's follow Jesus with all of our heart, soul, and mind! Are you ready? Let's go!
Live the adventure,
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Inspired
I must be on a music kick this week. What inspired it, I'm not sure. Maybe because I love music (smile). Maybe because my husband and I played a song called, Beautiful One, at church on Sunday (he plays bass guitar & I play keyboard). I love the contemporary songs like Beautiful by Jeremy Camp, but I was thinking about this particular song - His Eye is on the Sparrow.
Maybe it is because I am cleaning (or trying to get to it!) and getting ready to host a family gathering this weekend for my grandfather's 90th birthday and His Eye is on the Sparrow is another of my grandfather's favorites. My grandfather grew up in foster care, shuttled from home to home, never knowing what love meant until he met my grandmom and she and her family showed him the love of Jesus. It took time, but he later came to understand that God loved him and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.
My grandfather said this to me and I've never forgotten it: "Susie, I didn't think God would care about a guy like me, but He did and He was watching over me all along, even though at the time I didn't even know it."
Here's the words to this beloved hymn. At the end of this post, I've included a little background about the hymn writer. I was intrigued by the story behind the words to His Eye is on the Sparrow and pray the words to this hymn and the true story that inspired its writing will speak words of peace to your heart today. May you come to understand this truth: God really does cares and He is watching over you, even if you don't realize it yet.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Civilla Martin, who wrote the lyrics, said this about her inspiration to write the song based on Matthew 10:29-31.
Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31
Live the adventure,
Maybe it is because I am cleaning (or trying to get to it!) and getting ready to host a family gathering this weekend for my grandfather's 90th birthday and His Eye is on the Sparrow is another of my grandfather's favorites. My grandfather grew up in foster care, shuttled from home to home, never knowing what love meant until he met my grandmom and she and her family showed him the love of Jesus. It took time, but he later came to understand that God loved him and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.
My grandfather said this to me and I've never forgotten it: "Susie, I didn't think God would care about a guy like me, but He did and He was watching over me all along, even though at the time I didn't even know it."
Here's the words to this beloved hymn. At the end of this post, I've included a little background about the hymn writer. I was intrigued by the story behind the words to His Eye is on the Sparrow and pray the words to this hymn and the true story that inspired its writing will speak words of peace to your heart today. May you come to understand this truth: God really does cares and He is watching over you, even if you don't realize it yet.
His Eye is on the Sparrow
by Civilla Martin
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.
Civilla Martin, who wrote the lyrics, said this about her inspiration to write the song based on Matthew 10:29-31.
Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31
Live the adventure,
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