Crown Him with Many Crowns

Crown Him With Many Crowns

Matthew Bridges/Godfrey Thring

Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne.

Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns

All music but its own!

Awake, my soul and sing Of Him who died for Thee;

And hail Him as thy matchless King

Through all eternity.

Crown Him the Lord of love; Behold His hands and side,

Rich wounds, yet visible above,

In beauty glorified;

No angel in the sky Can fully bear that sight,

But downward bends His wondering eye At mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of life, Who triumphed o'er the grave.

Who rose victorious to the strife, For those He came to save.

His glories now we sing, Who died and rose on high.

Who died eternal life to bring, And lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of heaven: One with the Father known,

One with the spirit Through Him given From yonder glorious throne.

All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou hast died for me;

Thy praise and glory shall not fail Throughout eternity.

Matthew Bridges, a Catholic, wrote this hymn based on Revelation 19:12. He called it, "The Song of the Seraphs." However, in 1874, Godfrey Thring who was a staunch Anglican, thought some of the verses were based a little too much on Catholic doctrine. He wrote six new verses so the hymn now has 12 verses that hymnal writers pick and choose from.
*Hymn history taken from Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan.

I don't...

A little Monday fun about things I don't...

- I don't drink coffee... but oh how I love the smell of it!

- I don't watch the news when Jody is out of town... freaks me out!

- I don't enjoy cleaning my house... I force myself to clean!

- I don't EVER have a completely clean house...who has time for that...that is way over-rated!!

- I don't know what I ever did without my children...I can not imagine my life any other way than how it is right now!

- I don't EVER want to be caught without my Burt's Bees or Carmex lip balm nearby...I might just have a come apart if I can not quickly lay my hands on one!

- I don't mind if my kids make a mess...especially if they are having a good time...we can always clean it up later!

Share in the fun of "I don't..." I would like to hear what you don't... Share in the comment section or post on you blog and leave a link to your blog in the comment section so we can all check it out!

Happy Monday!!

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace

John Newton

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound!

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear,

The hour I first believed.

Thro' many dangers, toils and snares

I have already come.

'Tis grace that brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years,

Bright shinning as the sun,

We've no less days to sing God's praise;

Than when we first begun.

John Newton's mother was a devoted Christian who prayed earnestly for her son. She died when Newton was seven and his life fell deeper and deeper into sin. He alternated between boarding school and the high seas. He eventually joined the British Navy which he deserted and was beaten for it. On March 9, 1748 he was on a ship when a horrible storm started. The next day he cried out to the Lord to deliver him. He became one of Britain's most powerful evangelists and wrote hundreds of hymns. Newton added this verse at the end of "Amazing Grace" that has almost been forgotten:

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

the sun forbear to shine;

But God, Who called me here below,

shall be forever mine.

*Hymn history taken from "Then Sings My Soul" by Robert J. Morgan.

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty

Reginald Herber

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee.

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, Blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,

Casting down their golden crowns Around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim Falling down before Thee,

Which wert, and art, And evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,

Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see.

Only Thou art holy; There is none beside TheePerfect in power,

In love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth, and sky, and sea.

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, Blessed Trinity.

On April 21, 1783, Reginald Heber was born to a minister and his wife in an English village. While at Oxford he found his love of poetry. After he graduated he succeeded his father and became vicar. For sixteen years he served his church and wrote 57 hymns. It was his desire to have them made into a book that could be used by the church all year. The Bishop of London did not like the idea. Heber also had a heart for missions and specifically India. He served in India for 4 years until he had a stroke and died. His widow found his 57 hymns and had them published into a book called, Hymns Written and Adapted to the Weekly Service of the Church Year.
*Hymn history from Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan.

Maggie

Pictures of Maggie when she is 8 weeks and 3 days old. She is so sweet and we just love her :)

Baby Britton

We have a new member in our family!! Britton Anthony Little was born on July 31st. He is so sweet. I could just hug, kiss, and hold him for hours. Beverly, my cousin and Britton's mom, is doing a great job as a new mom. Her husband Kyle is doing a great job as a new dad also. They will be great parents!!

Thank you God for allowing a safe delivery and recovery for mom. Thank you for baby Britton who is a blessing from you!!

These pictures of Britton is when he is 1 week and 2 days old.

Who's that Puppy?

Happy Anniversary Jody...

Jody and I celebrated 17 years of marriage on Saturday. I am thankful for another year of being married to my best friend. I thought I would list some things about my hubby (in no particular order) that make him so special and that I am thankful for.

1. Jody is a dreamer! I am not talking little dreams, either. I am talking grand, detailed dreams that have been thought out.

2. Jody trusts whole-heartily in God. Even going through rough times, he always reminds me that God is going to take care of us. He never doubts that God is by our side.

3. He is a loyal friend. Man, if I wasn't married to this guy I would definitely want to be his friend!

4. He doesn't take himself too seriously (aka--he is a BIG kid)!!! Have you seen him at Disney World? He gets so excited and just wants to have fun.

5. Jody is soooo patient. He just takes things in stride. He is very laid back and doesn't get worked up about things very often.

6. He is a FANTASTIC dad! He is strong, sensitive and loving to our children.
The way he looks at, talks to, and loves Taylor and Aubrey is the sweetest thing ever! The girls light up when he is around. They both have him wrapped around their little fingers!

7. He is a wonderful husband who goes out of his way to make me happy. He puts my comfort before his own.

8. He loves me. I don't know of any better way to say it than that.
Even when I am being nutty and irrational. He loves me. Even when I am being moody and mean. He loves me.

9. He allows me to dream big and supports me no matter what crazy ideas I come up with!


God blessed me beyond my wildest dreams the day He brought us together. I am so happy to be married to such a wonderful, loving man.

Happy Anniversary Jody, I love you!!

Up on my Soap Box...

about some current events that are on my mind. Okay so this isn't earth shattering or solving world hunger or anything but here it goes.



To Jon & Kate,
I know this is kinda old news but I just watched the start of your new episodes - you know since the split and I can't remain silent any longer. I have been a fan of yours for a long time - like since your documentary and I loved your family from the beginning. Your kids are just so cute. I don't think your family should be on t.v. all the time but that is your decision.
Kate you have got to stop playing the victim. It is driving me crazy. You have always been so mean to Jon. In the early years I defended your behavior thinking you have 8 young kids and I am sure you are stressed and just trying to survive. But, as the years went on and you transformed into a diva and got 24 hour help with the kids and had the opportunity to go workout, go get your nails done, and shower while someone else was watching your kids giving you a break. You should not have continued to treat Jon that way. I am tired of seeing you on magazines EVERY time I am at the store blaming Jon. It takes two ( and God) to make a marriage work and you have a role in your marriage falling apart - even though you aren't the one who strayed.
Jon although I don't agree with what you are doing either.
Of course in the end it really is the kids who pay the price.


The second on my list is texting while driving. There are now studies that show texting is more dangerous then driving drunk. You can probably add into that checking email, dialing, facebooking, and whatever else your phone does. The scary thing is truck drivers, train operators, bus drivers, etc. are doing this... For the safety of our families on the road help spread the word about just how dangerous this is.

Thank you I will now step down off my soap box...

Pictures

Aren't you glad I figured out how to make my pictures bigger for my blog posts?!?! I am excited. I can actually tell who everyone is!! I may go back to past blogs and change the current pictures...I will let you know if I do!!

How Firm a Foundation

How Firm a Foundation

Rippon's Selection of Hymns

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith In His excellent Word!

What more can He say Than to you He hath said,

To you who for refuge To Jesus have fled?

Fear not; I am with thee. O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid.

I'll strengthen thee, help thee, And cause thee to stand,

Upheld by My righteous, Omnipotent hand.

When through fiery trials Thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, Shall be thy supply.

The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus Hath leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not Desert to its foes;

That soul, though all hell Should endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no never, No never forsake.

John Rippon was a Baptist preacher for 63 years beginning in 1775. He had a great love of hymns and had a vision to have them in bound into a hymnal. He got his wish in 1787 and was thrilled to discover that it was a big hit, especially with Baptist churches. No one knows the true author of this hymn because it was signed, "K". The original title was "Exceedingly Great and Precious Promises" and it is no wonder why. The author composed each stanza based on a promise from God's Word. Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 43:2, 2 Corinthians 12:9 and Hebrews 13:5 are just a few examples. See if you can tell which line they represent.
*Hymn history taken from Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan.

our new puppy Maggie

We got a new puppy last Wednesday. She is a shih tzu. Her name is Maggie. We have all gone crazy about her. She is so sweet and fun to have around. The first night she cried all night missing her brothers and sisters. After that night she has done great at night. She is staying in a crate at night and loves her crate. The girls have played with her a lot and just love having her. She has been dressed up, bathed several times, everyone has taken a nap with her, and been to 2 swim parties. She is a very busy puppy!!

dress up with Kaleigh

Last week our cousin Kaleigh spent some time with us. We had a great time with you Kaleigh!! I bought these formal gowns at the mall a couple of months ago on the clearance rack, I paid under $4.00 for each of the dresses. The girls have had a great time dressing up in the formals. Here are some pictures of Taylor, Aubrey and Kaleigh in the dresses.

a day at Dollywood

Last Tuesday we spent a fun day at Dollywood with Granny, Aunt Tracy, Kaleigh, Gabriella, Ms. Kirstin, me and my girls. We had a lot of fun on the rides. It was a hot and sunny day until the clouds, storm and rain came. We finished our evening at Dollywood all soaked!! Here are a few pictures of the day.