Altar Songs
Songs from Gateway Church ~ Southlake, Texas
Songs from Gateway Church ~ Southlake, Texas

I told them twice
I told them nice
but they ignore
my yearly advice
to wait till Spring
their faces, show!
brave fools, they are
my cherry blossoms…
but lovely, yes, amid March snow ~
~ Cale
(photo is of backyard, fence between us & townhouses east)
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear Him [and worship Him with awe-inspired reverence and obedience],
On those who hope [confidently] in His compassion and lovingkindness,
To rescue their lives from death
And keep them alive in famine.
We wait [expectantly] for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
For in Him our heart rejoices,
Because we trust [lean on, rely on, and are confident] in His holy name.
Let Your [steadfast] lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
In proportion as we have hoped in You.
Psalm 33:18-22 Amplified Bible
But a miracle is a miracle–the sign of God.
Boris Pasternak
I don’t know about other people, but just about everyday I receive a miracle–they might seem small to some, but to me they’re Grande-size…I know I’m a beloved daughter of the true and HUGE GOD!
~ Cale
Boris Leonidovich Pasternak was a Russian and Soviet poet, novelist, and literary translator. Composed in 1917, Pasternak’s first book of poems, My Sister, Life, was published in Berlin in 1922 and soon became an important collection in the Russian language. Wikipedia
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident!
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises [to You]!
I will praise and give thanks to You, O Lord, among the people;
I will sing praises to You among the nations.
For Your faithfulness
and lovingkindness are great,
reaching to the heavens,
And Your truth to the clouds.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
Let Your glory and majesty be over all the earth.
Psalm 57:7, 9-11, Amplified Bible
I will cry to God Most High, Who accomplishes all things on my behalf [for He completes my purpose in His plan].
Psalm 57:2, Amplified Bible

(my back yard cherry blossoms)
https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/
Hello!😊
I’m thankful that we still don’t have snow or ice in the courtyard of the little community where I live–just blessed rain–even though the forecasts keep “threatening/warning/teasing”, scaring everyone one I know. (“Those people” who think I’m bonkers–still wearing shorts & t-shirts and going barefoot.)
The cherry blossoms are hardy and certainly crazy, or merely nonchalant–blooming without a care in the world, despite nights of still-cold-winter…they’re beautiful, with pink that lights the gray.
I’m ever and always grateful for the Lord’s most bountiful provisions–I seem to live the the life of the Bible widow whose oil and flour never ran out: which allows me to cook and bake for friends who still have to work for a living…it makes me so happy.
I’m thankful for the palpable Presence of the Lord–what joy it is to have His companionship, along with His promises and reassurances throughout His Word.
I’m blessed and grateful to also have God’s gift of sisters (though not related). They’re all doing pretty well this week–other than a virus here and there; one cheerfully half-way through chemo; the others working around our common aches and pains, and annoying stutters of memory.
I’m mostly blown away by how good my life is at this stage–I never believed it would be worth living this long–but my life is full. The days are no longer so burdened, blackened by depression and anxiety the way they used to be. Some days are tricky, sure–but most are rich with interests that pass the hours.
It’s been wonderful to let go of the self-imposed obligations of blogging for a bit–I’m thankful for a rest, and the treasure box of quotations I can post while not writing everyday.
I’m very grateful to the blogging world–so many wonderful people mingling for a moment or two. We can share a laugh, or a prayer need–as though we were simply talking over the fence.
And I mustn’t leave out my caregiver–she continues to be a 5-star shopper, and amazingly fast! (Her b’day is next week and I’ve planned a little party–with a gift and my delish “Black Magic Chocolate Cake”. I even found a YouTube of “Happy Birthday” sung in Russian–she’ll be so surprised!)
One last thing: my “furry nieces” downstairs still welcome my daily visits. They apparently think they’re “guard cats” (or maybe they’re just nosey); perched in the windowsill, they’ve got invisible SWAT gear, lazer glare eyes trained for anyone suspicious. I didn’t believe it till I heard it myself–Gracie actually growls at potential ne’er-do-well humans–yes, GROWLS, like a dog!
Oh, lest I forget something truly important, their “mom”–my nabe–has just introduced me to microwave popcorn…that’s worth a Gratitude–can I get a Hallelujah? Amen!
See you again soon,
~ Cale💖
One of my first posts on this blog was about Jabez, and his prayer to God. Well, I just watched a short documentary which fired me up again–so excited because it’s a powerful prayer. I figured there had to be a song on YouTube about the Jabez prayer, so here’s the one I chose for y’all this Lord’s Day. Enjoy–and Be Blessed!!
~ Cale
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; but his mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would indeed bless me and enlarge my border [property], and that Your hand would be with me, and You would keep me from evil so that it does not hurt me!” And God granted his request.
1st Chronicles 4:9-10 Amplified Bible