What a thrill to meet a sister in Christ who also loves to knit, who also suffers from chronic illness, and also uses hymns as God’s glorious invitation to love Him with “all” in the midst. We have much in common, Michele!
For over thirty years of serious chronic illness and intractable pain, God has sustained, nourished, and held me fast through hymns that echo truths of His Word. In my recent decline and a second lifesaving brain surgery, He so graciously showered my mind and heart with hymns. Oh, what a treasured gift of grace from our Lord, into my suffering.
Thank you for creating this beautifully edifying project…praying that many will be “couraged-into” through it, glorifying and enjoying our Lord! I’m joining you, currently using the Gadsby hymnal as part of my special time with Him daily. 🎶✝️🙌🏼❤️
It’s good to know that we are in fellowship around our hymnals and being encouraged together by the truth. Thanks for sharing your upbeat perspective on the heavy load you carry…
I often wake up with a song in the back of my mind and find myself singing it throughout the day (or week). There are many contemporary songs that enrich my days, but hymns are particularly inspiring to me. The depth of understanding of God's majesty and the lyrical richness feed my spirit, encourage and instruct me, and draw me to His side. My husband and I will probably be adding a hymn to our morning devotionals now!
How wonderful that Child Evangelism Fellowship is still a vibrant ministry. My mother co-led a Good News Club when I was young, and one afternoon the story was about Jesus' crucifixion. All these decades later I still remember thinking that if Jesus was willing to suffer such pain and die for me, how could I say no to his offer of forgiveness and his gift of eternal life? I was just four years old but understood enough to ask Jesus into my life that day (with Miss Ruth's guidance). Of course, my Christian parents had prepared me well, leading up to that day, and then beyond.
Michele, I smiled as I read about your hymn project, as I can hum most of the hymns those names of God come from. And I love that you are a knitting grandma! On a writerly note, I'd like to chat with you in a few months (when we return from our volunteer months in Norway) about Substack. I'm seeing many of my Redbud friends using this forum rather than previous platforms. Did you have any issues moving your subscriber list over?
It was quite easy to move my list and I think I remember that Substack walked me through it in the process of creating the new account. I do think that I am getting more interaction on Substack than I did on Mail Chimp.
I enjoy knitting, too! I'm still at a beginner level, sticking to scarves and cowls, but one of these days I want to try my hand at a hat. Those mittens are adorable!
When I read William Law's A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life a few years ago, I was challenged to sing hymns and read a psalm every day before my Bible reading. It is such a wonderful praise "feast" before I even get to my regular devotions.
Oh I love that God is opening all these doors for you in this endless winter season, Michele. Sure beats looking out the window and pining for spring. And creating sweet mittens for all those little 'paws' ... best therapy ever.
The sun is shining outside my winter window today, but the view is deceptive, because the wind is whipping and the temp feels like it's in the teens. I'm grateful to be occupied with things inside on a day like this.
And there's a granddaughter about to land here in an hour! ❤️
I have used a hymnal in devotions before, but adding the idea of writing down what is said about God is a wonderful idea and focuses attention where it should be.
I'm looking forward to seeing you in Waterboro in March.
I love the idea of the hymnal project! Not sure I want to commit to journalling through one this year, but I certainly want to read through my own book on hymns and soak in all their beauty and poetry.
Some of my life giving projects this year are to do a deep dive into rich, beautiful theology and church history. To read more poetry. To continue reading intentionally by writing down quotes and pertinent passages in my commonplace book. Lastly, to 'bookend' my days with scripture and prayer.
I love that image, and what a life-giving practice, to begin and end the day by soaking in the truth. Thank you for sharing your rich collection of disciplines here.
What a thrill to meet a sister in Christ who also loves to knit, who also suffers from chronic illness, and also uses hymns as God’s glorious invitation to love Him with “all” in the midst. We have much in common, Michele!
For over thirty years of serious chronic illness and intractable pain, God has sustained, nourished, and held me fast through hymns that echo truths of His Word. In my recent decline and a second lifesaving brain surgery, He so graciously showered my mind and heart with hymns. Oh, what a treasured gift of grace from our Lord, into my suffering.
Thank you for creating this beautifully edifying project…praying that many will be “couraged-into” through it, glorifying and enjoying our Lord! I’m joining you, currently using the Gadsby hymnal as part of my special time with Him daily. 🎶✝️🙌🏼❤️
It’s good to know that we are in fellowship around our hymnals and being encouraged together by the truth. Thanks for sharing your upbeat perspective on the heavy load you carry…
I often wake up with a song in the back of my mind and find myself singing it throughout the day (or week). There are many contemporary songs that enrich my days, but hymns are particularly inspiring to me. The depth of understanding of God's majesty and the lyrical richness feed my spirit, encourage and instruct me, and draw me to His side. My husband and I will probably be adding a hymn to our morning devotionals now!
That’s my experience, too. I appreciate all kinds of music but the dense theological content of the hymns is soul food!
How wonderful that Child Evangelism Fellowship is still a vibrant ministry. My mother co-led a Good News Club when I was young, and one afternoon the story was about Jesus' crucifixion. All these decades later I still remember thinking that if Jesus was willing to suffer such pain and die for me, how could I say no to his offer of forgiveness and his gift of eternal life? I was just four years old but understood enough to ask Jesus into my life that day (with Miss Ruth's guidance). Of course, my Christian parents had prepared me well, leading up to that day, and then beyond.
One more thing we have in common —our connection with CEF!
Michele, I smiled as I read about your hymn project, as I can hum most of the hymns those names of God come from. And I love that you are a knitting grandma! On a writerly note, I'd like to chat with you in a few months (when we return from our volunteer months in Norway) about Substack. I'm seeing many of my Redbud friends using this forum rather than previous platforms. Did you have any issues moving your subscriber list over?
It was quite easy to move my list and I think I remember that Substack walked me through it in the process of creating the new account. I do think that I am getting more interaction on Substack than I did on Mail Chimp.
I enjoy knitting, too! I'm still at a beginner level, sticking to scarves and cowls, but one of these days I want to try my hand at a hat. Those mittens are adorable!
I’m nearly done with the second toddler pair! The next ones will be for a bigger boy and I will have to remember how to do the thumb!
Thank you, Michele! And thank you for reading!
When I read William Law's A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life a few years ago, I was challenged to sing hymns and read a psalm every day before my Bible reading. It is such a wonderful praise "feast" before I even get to my regular devotions.
I'm finding the same to be true. It's like a little warm up before the real exercise begins.
And I have Law's book on my Kindle. I keep telling myself I need to read it all the way through!
Love to you from another knitter, Michele! I imagine prayers for those littles of yours in every stitch. And aren't hymns like those mitts, in a way?
Oh, so true...
And I've followed Burn and Celia up to the camping trip so far! What a beautiful story you have knit!
Love your leaps into February.
The month itself seems to be LEAPING by!
Oh I love that God is opening all these doors for you in this endless winter season, Michele. Sure beats looking out the window and pining for spring. And creating sweet mittens for all those little 'paws' ... best therapy ever.
The sun is shining outside my winter window today, but the view is deceptive, because the wind is whipping and the temp feels like it's in the teens. I'm grateful to be occupied with things inside on a day like this.
And there's a granddaughter about to land here in an hour! ❤️
I have used a hymnal in devotions before, but adding the idea of writing down what is said about God is a wonderful idea and focuses attention where it should be.
I'm looking forward to seeing you in Waterboro in March.
Hi, Sandi! I’m looking forward to being there! Thanks for taking time to say hello!
I love the idea of the hymnal project! Not sure I want to commit to journalling through one this year, but I certainly want to read through my own book on hymns and soak in all their beauty and poetry.
Some of my life giving projects this year are to do a deep dive into rich, beautiful theology and church history. To read more poetry. To continue reading intentionally by writing down quotes and pertinent passages in my commonplace book. Lastly, to 'bookend' my days with scripture and prayer.
"Book ending"
I love that image, and what a life-giving practice, to begin and end the day by soaking in the truth. Thank you for sharing your rich collection of disciplines here.
Fun! Fun! Fun!🤩 I will certainly check this one!Enjoy your hymns!