On Loving Jesus above all Things // Book Excerpt

Hello darlings!

I was reading The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis during my quiet time the other today (great book by the way!) and this particular chapter just spoke to my heart.
I'm going to be sharing the entire chapter (it is quite short) here in this post with my favourite lines in bold type.

I pray this stirs your heart as it did mine and that you'll pick up this book and be inspired.

Book 2 - Counsels On the Inner Life

Chapter 7

~ On Loving Jesus above all Things ~

"Blessed is he who understands what it is to love Jesus, and to despise himself for Jesus' sake.

You must surrender all other love for His love, for Jesus desires to be loved alone, and above all things. The love of creatures is deceptive and unstable; the love of Jesus is faithful and enduring.

Whoever clings to any creature will fall with its falling; but he who holds to Jesus shall stand firm for ever. Love Him, therefore, and keep Him as your friend; for when all others desert you, He will not abandon you, nor allow you to perish at the last. 

Whether you wish for it or not, you must in the end be parted from them all. 

Hold fast to Jesus, both in life and death, and trust yourself to His faithfulness, for He alone can aid you when all others fail.

Your Beloved is of such a nature that He will not share your love with another; He desires your heart for Himself alone, and to reign there as a King on His throne. If you could empty your heart of all creatures, Jesus would delight to dwell with you.

Whatever trust you place in men rather than in Jesus is almost wholly wasted. 

Do not trust or lean on a windblown reed, for 'all flesh is as grass, and its glory will fall like the flower of the grass'.

If you look only to men's outward appearance, you will soon be deceived; for if you seek comfort or gain from others, you will often meet with loss. 

If you seek Jesus in all things, you will surely find Jesus. And if you seek yourself, you will surely find yourself, but only to your ruin.

For a man who does not seek Jesus does himself greater hurt than the whole world and all his enemies could ever do him.

What stood out to you from this chapter?

keep blooming,

A Collection of Quotes // Kisses from Katie

Hello darlings!

I thought that instead of a normal book review, this time I would just share my favourite quotes from the book Kisses from Katie.

This book is a wonderful story of how God used and is still using her to make Him known among the nations. I highly suggest you pick it up, it will change you in one way or another.
This post is a compilation of quotes that I loved and highlighted as I was reading.

• • • •

~ Thankfully, God's plans do not seem to be affected much by my own. ~

~ Jesus wrecked my life, shattered it to pieces, and put it back together again more beautifully. ~

~  have learned that something happens when one makes herself available to God: He starts moving in ways no one could imagine. ~

~ This was one of the many instances when the Lord has shown me that the more I give of myself, the more He fills me up. The more I love, the more love I have to give. ~

~ But so often, when we stop to be kind when we don't really want to, that's when the sacrifice becomes most rewarding. ~

People often asked me then as they do now, "How do you do it?"

The answer has never changed and it is so simple: I don't. It's just a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus. This plan, these "accomplishments," they are so not my own.

I am dependant.

Powerless.

Weak.

Drowning. 

While those adjectives may sound scary, they put me in a beautiful place, a place where I couldn't go one minute without crying out to my Father or I would sink.

If I continue to preach the gospel, and more importantly, live the gospel, here--even if outward conditions never change or change very slowly--and these people can live eternally with Jesus in heaven someday, a few years of suffering will pale in comparison.

~ Being a Christ-follower means being acquainted with sorrow.

We must know sorrow to be able to fully appreciate joy. Joy costs pain, but the pain is worth it. ~

Even Jesus kept His scars after the resurrection. My stains are beautiful to Him and as I become dirtier and more beat up, I am becoming perfect, transformed into the image of the One who made me.

• • • •

I think that that last one is so beautiful! If you think about it, since Jesus became bruised, wounded, dirty and bloody for us, when we are true followers of Him we will ultimately become like this too. But he sees that as beautiful. To Him, it is beautiful because it shows complete surrender, total trust and reliance on Him. We are powerless, but He is our strength.

I just think it is a powerful image to think of. 

I hope these words made you think. I hope that they inspired or encouraged you. 

Please read the complete story in Katie's book, you will not regret it!

keep blooming,

Hannah

My favourite hymns

I feel like the younger generation has lost its admiration for these old songs, what with more modern music being produced by artists like Chris Tomlin, Hillsong and Lauren Daigle.

I enjoy listening to some of these modern worship songs, but they don't have as much depth as the hymns of old that tell of tested faith, God's faithfulness and His love.

The people who wrote these hymns wrote from life experiences and so these hymns are comforting in uncertain times. They remind us who God is and what He has done.


So here is a list of my personal favourite hymns in no particular order whatsoever!
And I'll include a favourite line or verse from each song.

• • • •

1. Wonderful, Merciful Saviour

via Pinterest

Okay, maybe this one is at the top because it is one of my top favourite hymns. 

"Counselor, Comforter, Keeper

Spirit we long to embrace

You offer hope when our hearts have

Hopelessly lost our way

Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way"

2. Be Thou My Vision

via Pinterest

I adore this hymn! It makes a beautiful prayer of the heart and soul. My parents, auntie, and friend all had it sung at their weddings and I think I want it at mine too!

"Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise

Thou mine inheritance, now and always

Thou and thou only, first in my heart

High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art"

3. Abide with Me

via Pinterest

Another really good one! My favourite version is sung by Audrey Assad and her lovely voice.

"Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies

Heaven's morning breaks, and the earth's vain shadows flee

In life, in death, o Lord, abide with me.

Abide with me, abide with me"

4. Come Thou Fount

via Pinterest

I love it and that that is all I have to say! The words also make a great prayer to pray.

"Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above" 

5. Christ the Lord is Risen Today

It is all wonderful, triumphant and joyful so I don't have a favourite line!

• • • •

What is your favourite hymn?

xoxo

Hannah

Christian quotes that I've loved lately

Pinterest

Hello, wildflowers!
I will preface this post by quickly saying that of course, the Bible is all that we really need for daily wisdom, and I believe that wholeheartedly.
But you know, there are some pretty great people out there who have some good things to say from the knowledge and wisdom they have picked up and we quote them.
In this post, I want to share some of the quotes I have found recently that I have found inspiring or encouraging!

~  • ~ • ~

This one may not be intentionally a Christian quote but it rings true for me. A year ago I aspired to be in the Word daily and altogether stronger in my relationship with the Lord and here I am! Still not perfect but I've come some way.

♥

♥

One day you will look on this season

and know that you are truly blessed,

and not because things were perfect

but because you found perfect grace 

in the worst of it.

~ Morgan Harper Nichols

There is POWER in the BLOOD!

In the last few months, I have come to truly treasure the value of His precious blood and how powerful and amazing it is.

♥

You are IN the process of

becoming more of the woman

God made you to be. He is

making a masterpiece of you.

Be patient with the process.

~ Jordan Lee Dooley

♥

pinterest

♥

The real test of a saint is not one's willingness to preach the gospel, but one's willingness to do something like washing the disciples' feet--that is, being willing to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but count as everything to God.

~ Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Ministry could simply be about loving the person in front of you.

~

Heidi Baker

  

pinterest

I hope you were encouraged or inspired by those quotes. I pray that you would all find even more sustenance from His precious Word and have an unquenchable hunger for truth and righteousness! 

Which one of those did you like the most?

Share one of your favourite quotes in the comments below!

xoxo

Hannah

April Favourites

4/12 of 2018 is gone. April for half the world is springtime and for the other half (which includes where I live), it is Autumn. Autumn is my second favourite season, next to Summer. I love almost every little thing about it.
Here we go!


Books


The Cherished Quilt By Amy Clipston
I'll just leave my review here!

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
I have just started it and it's great. A must read for every Christian.

Fashionably Worn by Leigh-Ann Pow
This is a really cool book for if you are interested in thrift shopping, vintage items and such things.



Music

Moonlight Serenade & A String of Pearls by Glenn Miller ~ These two have such a wonderful sound. I have listened to them a lot this month. Jazzy, soft, beautiful and classic!

One Thing Remains ~ I just really liked this song and its lyrics.

Movies

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society {2018}

 I'm sure I don't have to tell you how wonderful this story is! Many of you, I 'm sure, have read the book, whereas I am only just starting to read this book. I was aiming to read it before I watched the movie but The Cherished Quilt got in the way. I really enjoyed the movie and seeing quite a few Downton Abbey star acting together again.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Future Me {2014}

I really love every single episode/movie of this series but is one was somethin' special! It involves two beautiful and sweet special needs characters. How can you not love a story with such special souls as them?


Thrift Haul of the Month

Got these 2nd hand online for $8!

Photos I Took

How was your April? What's one goal you have for May?

March Favourites

It's that time of the month again, time for a monthly faves post. I quite enjoy these posts!
March was a good month for me and I have a few of my favourite things to talk about from this month so let's get on with it!


Books

Valentine Joe by Rebecca Stevens
As you will know from my review of this book I loved it and of course, it's going in this post. My review is here.

50 Ways to wear a scarf by Lauren Friedman

This book is really cute. All the pictures are painted. There are some really looks in this book. I have been trying out some of the ways and they're quite cool. A post will be coming about this!




Music

Your Love is Mine by I AM THEY ~ Everything about this song is so cool. The tune and rhythm are nice. It's happy and bouncy. These words are great too.

Anthem Lights ~ I love this group. Their hymn mashups are amazing.


La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf ~ This song sounds so wonderful, romantic and cafe style. It's really nice to play in the background while you are sipping a delicious hot chocolate. It's in French which makes it even more beautiful.

I'll be with You in Appleblossom Time by The Andrews Sisters ~ Another old one. Even on Spotify, they sound old and crackly. It's so sweet and dreamy! ♥

Movies

The Young Victoria 
Paddington 2
The Well Digger's Daughter 
I will be reviewing these in future posts so look out for those!




Events

A dear, dear friend of ours got married! We went to the wedding ceremony and reception. It was a lovely wedding. I got to take the bridal preparation photos, which was really nice and fun.



Food & Drinks
Not much this month. I ate of course, but I didn't have a favourite thing.




MISC

Thrifted items and decor ~ I have a mini haul post in the works...

Faber-Castell pen ~ It's just simple ballpoint pen, but I have had a trial and error period with many ballpoint pens lately and I think that I 've finally found one that works well.


Quotes

"We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit. ""No man can come to me," said our Lord "except the Father which hath sent me draw him."".

A.W Tozer, The Pursuit of God 

Photos I Took

How was your March? What was your favourite thing that happened?

GRACE.

I just had to share this quote! Sometimes words like grace are misunderstood or we don't have the best description of what it really means. When I heard this quote, I wrote it down quick smart.
It sums up grace is a sentence! Grace, amazing grace, beautiful grace, wonderful grace, sweet GRACE.

In a dictionary it is described as so (in the context I am talking about):

1. a manifestation of favour, especially by a superior
2. mercy; clemency; pardon

There is also the kind of graceful mannerism. Politeness and such. But that is not what we are talking about now. No. I am talking about the grace God gives. The grace that offers forgiveness. Because we are not perfect, we mess up, we do terrible, unforgivable thing, but He still gives us grace upon grace.

Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Acts 14:3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

I hope you liked that and that it gave you a new perspective and understanding of this amazing thing, grace.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:2

Journal with Hannah 1 : Art Journal Faves

I am starting a new series here on Books, Cameras and Succulents!
It is called Journal with Hannah and in this series, I will be sharing my journals with you. Two journals in particular. My scripture journal and my art journal.
Today I am just going to show you some of the entries I have done in my art journal.

Excuse my slightly terrible painting of what is supposed to be a lady. These three poems I think are quite pretty so I decided to put them in this journal.

This my songs of the year chart/page. I was inspired to do this from the Youtube video below by Jordan Clark.

And the other section of the page is my word for 2018. Servant. I was inspired to have a word for the year from a podcast by Annie F. Downs.

This page is simply a small poem I found on Pinterest. I love the look of brown paper and I use it a lot in my journals, as you will see in the posts to come.

If you haven't already noticed I love making lists. List of anything and everything. Here I started a list of 'good things'. It's quite fun to do. It's basically a list of favourite things with a different name.

A LIST of my ideal ways to spend a day. This is good to do when you might be having a bad day, even though I wasn't at the time.
(note the use of brown paper) :)

Did you know that there are some really beautiful words out there that don't even make their way into our boring everyday conversations? Well, there are! I mean take those words up there, for example, wonderful words aren't they? Say them, just say them out to your self! (If someone listening thinks you're crazy, never mind them. You probably are!)

Did you enjoy that peek into my 'art' journal?