LOVE THIS!!! Hawk Nelson: Words [Official Lyric Video]

Love love this song!!!

Truly the cry of my heart right now, especially with my children!! Words can build you up & they truly can break you down....

Sometimes I Wonder....

On one particular frustrating day, my daughter sat down & put her thoughts on paper in the form of a poem/song... she wrote it all in a short amount of time & I only helped her with 2 lines. It really comes from her heart~

Sometimes I Wonder

Sometimes I wonder why I can't get my way

Sometimes I wonder why did I have this bad day

Sometimes I wonder why I was made

But then I remember Your words
And I know I have a purpose
And the best is yet to come
And You will come back some day-

Sometimes I wonder why I am here

Sometimes I wonder if you are near

Sometimes I wonder why I can't hear you

Sometimes I wonder about all that you said

Sometimes I wonder about it in bed

Sometimes worry fills my head

But then I remember Your words
And I know I have a purpose
And the best is yet to come
And You will come back some day-

Written by: ShaLyn Fisher 2013

My son is hilarious...

Madison is so funny. His understanding & use of phrases and big words can be pretty hilarious at times. He said two "doozies" (that's what we call em around here) when we were in FL. & I've got to write them down before I forget.
The first one was when he & ShaLyn were having a discussion or disagreement rather in the back of the Suburban on our way home from the beach. After letting them go for a while I finally said something like- "Hey you two, what's going on back there"...???
To which Madison replied- "Oh never mind mom, it's just a DOMESTIC argument".
Say what???
Of course we all cracked...
And only a short while later, during the same drive home, they got to discussing a math problem. Madison said that 12x5=60 & Shay disagreed saying its 70. So they finally decide to settle it and ask me. I did the calculation in my mind & agreed with Madison. And he says- "See Shay I knew I was right, I have a 'working relationship with my math problems'.
A working relationship with his math problems??...
Where does he come up with this stuff??
Funny funny kid:):):)

Take Time to Feel His Presence-

It is on lovely spring days like this that I absolutely love this place that God has entrusted to us!! How can one not feel His Presence here- the gentle waters of the pond & stream, the mountains surrounding us, & the wild life (turkeys in our front yard this morning):):) It is so peaceful. And while I'm here enjoying these surroundings, I think of people who are busy, & burned out, people who are serving the Lord but are longing for a quiet place to rest & refresh, and I wish that I could bring them here even if its only for a couple days. I would want them to come & feel the presence of Jesus, and rest.
So if you can't make the trip to the Haft to find your rest, I encourage you to do so somewhere. You can do it in your home if you can stop thinking of all your work;). Just stop & come into the presence of Jesus. Take time to worship him in spirit, allow yourself to be transported to that place where there is no time. Curl up on Jesus lap & rest- & receive His love, let it surround you & fill you with peace!!

A Different Angle....

Ever getting tired of reading the Bible in the "usual" way? By usual I mean reading over it & trying to apply it to your life, but sometimes feeling like the meaning of it is over your head. Well one of the exercises we did at our training in Myrtle Beach was to take a passage of scripture such as Psalms 23 & write it down from a different angle. We personalized it as tho it were written from us talking to our Heavenly Father. I will write my version of that here for you, then I encourage you to take a passage of scripture & personalize it. And see how it speaks to you!! Here's my personalized version of Psalms 23-
1) Father God you are my Shepherd, you are my provider, you supply for my needs.
2) You cause me to refresh in lush places, you lead me to places of rest beside the quiet waters, & my soul is refreshed by you my Father, my Abba, my daddy.
3) You guide me in the right path, the path you want me to go for your names sake, so people can see you- the Father.
4) And Father even when I walk through the darkest valley, the dry places, I don't have to fear because you are right there with me. Your rod & your staff are comforting to me.
5) You Father, prepare a table for me right among my enemies. You've anointed me & called me, my cup overflows with your love.
6) Surely your goodness & your amazing love will be with me all my days and I will dwell with you forever.
Isn't it cool how personal that makes it when you write it from a different angle. I believe there is so much more to reading, understanding, & personalizing scripture than what I have done over the years. I'm excited to see how God will use this to speak to me.... And I encourage you to give it a try!!!

Ladies Retreat

Ladies!! Please get your name in ASAP if you are planning to attend the ladies retreat at the Haft in April. This is on a "first come, first serve" basis, so I need to hear from you...
Email me at- thedutchclan@icloud.com
Or call me at- 717.278.7115 or leave me a message at 570.363.2405

I need your full name, phone number & email address ( if you have one)

Also here's a little more info about our speaker-

Mary Wilson, pastors alongside her husband of 28 years, Patrick Wilson, at Living Truth Fellowship in Christiana, PA.  She oversees the women's ministry, intercession,and the  children's ministry.  

 

Presently, Mary's call is to "Awaken Hope" in all people and in every circumstance.  She imparts hope through the ministry of healing and faith.  She has a deep passion for the Word of God and preaches from a platform of freedom.   

 

Patrick and Mary reside in Gap, Pennsylvania.  They have a married son, and a daughter in college.  They are currently enjoying the blessing of grandchildren.  

And the retreat sessions are as follows-

Session 1.  Seeds of Hope

Session 2.  Blossoms of Hope

Session 3.  Harvest of Hope

He restored my soul...

First of all, I have never been separated from ALL four of my kids for more than two ( or maybe 3) nights at the most. So last week was a new experience for all of us. Leaving the children at a sitter for the whole week was a stretch for me, but it was actually a good thing. Absence does really make the heart grow fonder!! Thanks to Noah & Suzie Zook (in S. Carolina) for unselfishly caring for our children while we enjoyed our training week at Myrtle Beach. We experienced a much needed soul refreshment.
I don't know how to even sum up what we experienced last week, but I'll try to wrap a few words around it- We had times of teaching by Steve where he explained how things work in our spirit & soul areas. He talked about strongholds & lies we believe from the enemy. We had times of listening to each others journeys (there were 13 couples at this training). We laughed & cried together. We experienced "church" in a new way. We prayed & worshipped together, ministered to each other, fought the enemy together, exposed ourselves, & tore down strongholds. We learned that we are all swordsmen. And there was a "call" for everyone of us to carry our "swords" & learn how to use them without hurting people, to cut the chains off of the people around us without cutting them. And there was a call to the "lion hearted" to take back their rightful place, to lead, & not be led astray by "Jezebel".
Along with the times of teaching & ministering, we had the afternoons off to rest. Dutch & I took the opportunity to enjoy each others company, relax on the beach, & even took a cruise to get Starbucks a time or two😃:)!! This week long experience was so refreshing & I can truly say as the psalmist says- "He restoreth my soul"!!! Hallelujah!!!