Monday, November 16, 2009

Refine me

I've had this song on my heart all day.  I can't seem to escape it.


I come into this place
Burning
to receive your peace
I come with my own chains
From wars I've fought for my own selfish gain
You're my God and my Father
I've accepted your Son
But my soul feels so empty now
What have I become?

Lord, come with your fire,
Burn my desires; refine me
Lord, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Refine me

My heart can't see
When
I only look at me
My
soul can't hear
When I only think of my own fears
They are gone in a moment
You're
forever the SAME

Why did I look away from You
How can I speak Your name?


Lord, come with Your fire,
burn my desires; refine me
Lord, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Come rescue this child
For I long to be reconciled to You

It's all I can do
To give my heart and soul to You
And pray, and pray, oh I will pray


Lord, come with Your fire,
burn my desires; refine me
Lord, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Come rescue this child
For I long to be reconciled to You

Refine me, refine me
Refine me, refine me

Does your soul feel empty?   I'm being completely honest and open......I've felt like that.  I've tried figuring things out on my own.  I've tried to do things MY way -  even when I've heard that voice telling me "let Me handle this".  Why don't we listen to that voice?  Why has our LAST resort sometimes been God?  Why hasn't He been the first choice?
The words in this song hit home with me - WHY did I look AWAY from YOU?  HOW can I speak YOUR name???!!!!  After trying things out my way and usually failing, how can I even speak His name?  How can I even go running back to God?  It always makes me feel so unworthy, but.......
It's all I can do, To give my heart and soul to You,  And pray, and pray, oh I will pray.  Refine me.






 

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

It's the MOST wonderful time of the year!

If you all know me, you know I am SO fond of Bradley's!  It's one of my favorite shops in town.  Every year, one of the big events for the shop is their Christmas Open House.  It is always amazing!  Each year, Joy finds more and more incredible items for her friends.  I call the customers her friends because she becomes friends with everyone who enters the quaint little shop.  She is such a sweet, genuine, beautiful woman who values every person who steps foot through her door.  Joy is just that.  A pure joy!  You won't feel like just another number walking through the door.   If Joy isn't there (which is rare), you will still be welcomed and valued in the same way.

 The images below are a couple of the pictures found on Bradley's Facebook page.
Look at this cuteness in the storefront window!!!!!   


 


I was so happy to see she was able to purchase more of these ornaments again.  I bought several of them last year, and will definitely be purchasing more again this year!!  (This is one of the ornaments on my tree last year)  They're simple, but the messages are so beautiful!  They could also be used as adornments on your beautifully wrapped Christmas presents.



Check out the fun stuff on www.shopbradleys.com.  Did you know that you can order some of  Bradley's DELICIOUS chocolates in all different shapes, sizes, letters, etc.?  For ANY occassion?  Just give them a couple days notice, and they'll take care of it for you!  (I recommend the dark chocolate.)

I'm not promoting Bradley's today because of any kickbacks.....there aren't any in it for me.  I'm promoting Bradley's today because:  1.  It's a great little shop that is FABULOUS!  2.  I want to see them have more success than they already have.  3.  They're local.  4.  It's an incredible treasure. 5.  Brad and Joy have values and integrity and it shows in everything they do!  6.  When you walk out of Bradley's with a bag of treats, you just feel good about it!  7.  And they have LOTS and LOTS of chocolate!!!

If you enjoy blogs, you should check out Joy's blog!!!!  You'll enjoy it, I promise!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

It was a graveyard smash.

The leaves are GORGEOUS here right now.  Today or tomorrow I'm planning on getting out of the house and taking more pictures.  I'm SO excited about that!
Yesterday it was nasty and rainy and chilly.  My sweet husband was so accommodating in taking me to a couple locations so I could snap some shots.  This is one of the locations.  I think this picture is so cool.  
It's obviously at a graveyard AND it was Halloween, which made it more cool.  

I hope you all have a great day!  My best friend is coming to town today and I can't wait to see her!  Yay!