A Good, Good Father

Currently, we are in the Hebrew month of “Av”. In Hebrew, Av means Father. Av is short for Abba.  

Isn’t that special? We are in a month named after our Heavenly Father, our Abba. 

How did the Jewish people come up with the name for this month? 

It was in the month of Av (which usually coincides with the month of August) that both the first and the second Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed. Both Temples were destroyed on the same day - just hundreds of years apart. 

That day? 

The 9th of Av. 

That date is a sobering day for Jews as they remember the destruction of both Temples.

They mourn not just the loss of a magnificent building. They mourn that the Presence of God is not in this world like it was when His glory and His Presence filled the Temple in Jerusalem. 

As a Christian, I know that God’s Presence is in this world through His Spirit dwelling in His people. That thought brings such comfort to me as well as a personal challenge.

Am I bringing the light, the love, and the Presence of God to others in this lost and dark world?

I desire to do that very much.

Technically, the full name of this Hebrew month is “Menachem Av”, but it is called “Av” for short.

What does Menachem Av mean?

Comforting Father.

Isn’t that precious?

During a month when the Jewish people are mourning the destruction of the first and second Temple, destruction that God allowed to happen because of national sin in Israel, they remember our comforting Father.

This reminds me of a verse in the book of Hosea:

“Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.”

Hosea 6:1 

This verse shows the nature and character of our Heavenly Father, our Abba Father. 

Photo taken in May 2026. 

Yes, God allows certain things to happen in life. 

But He heals. He rebuilds. He restores. 

There are so many things that we go through in life. Life is full of both joy and sorrow. 

Sometimes, things happen that can turn into deep sadness and sorrow. 

Sometimes, things happen because of our own doing, like the nation of Israel choosing to live in sin. God allowed destruction to happen. 

Sometimes though, things happen in life that are totally out of our control. Our heart might be right with God, and yet, sad things happen. 

Sadly, bad things still happen in life because of the sin of others. Sin brings so much destruction.

We live in a fallen world. Health challenges come. Death happens. Unkind words and misjudgment from others can cause tremendous sorrow. 

Sadness, sorrow, and depression are all very real. So much so, it can be difficult to share at times in a way that others understand.

Sometimes, we look for comfort from others, only to feel like David when he wrote: 

“…vain is the help of man.” 

Psalm 60:11

Yet through it all, we have a comforting Father. He truly knows. He fully understands. He sees it all. 

A tiny pink flower I saw on a nature walk. July 2026. 

I love the month of August for two reasons. 

I love to remember the Hebrew month of Av that coincides with August. It is a month that reminds me of our Father in Heaven. 

Father. Abba. Daddy. Papa. 

Comforting Father. Consoling Father. 

We have a Father in heaven Who loves us so much, more than we could ever comprehend. 

On the weekend after the 9th of Av, Jews begin reading certain Scripture passages on the weekly Sabbath. For seven weeks, the Jews call these the “Sabbaths of comfort”. Isn’t that beautiful? 

They read certain verses from the book of Isaiah each week reminding them of our comforting Father. God has promised Israel many glorious things to come in the future! Contrary to popular belief, God is not done with Israel. Israel has a glorious future ahead which many of the prophets, especially Isaiah, wrote about. 

I love remembering these things. Even when life is sad and things in life look hopeless, God can and does do marvelous things. 

I also love the month of August as we go into late summer. Where I live, August is an incredibly hot, summer month, but it is beautiful. Everything is so lush and beautiful this time of year where I live. 

As a young girl living in Michigan, summer was my favorite season. As a young teenager living in California, August became my favorite month. 

Now, September is my absolute favorite month with August stepping on the heels of that month. Nature is so beautiful right now, I cannot get enough of it. 

I see God in the many things that He has created. The animals. The birds. The tiny flowers and bees. The majestic trees. The flowing rivers and streams. The breathtaking sunsets. 

A nearby river I visit often. Photo taken in July 2026. 

God brings peace and comfort to my heart in the things that He has created. 

God also brings peace and comfort to my heart through His Word. 

 

And He brings peace and comfort to my heart through songs written about Him and to Him. 

I love older hymns, but I also love some newer songs as well. There is a newer song that I love the words to that is titled: “A Good, Good Father”

God is Who He says He is in His Word. 

God’s nature and His character are good. His Word is full of His goodness and love. 

We do indeed have a good, good Father. 

The Value of a Soul

Last winter, I opened up a hope chest that I have had for nearly 20 years. My hope chest? 

It is just a large, navy blue tote. Actually, I have two, large, navy blue totes saved with things for my future home and children. 

One of them holds primarily kitchen items, and the other one holds things I have made for my children. That tote also includes many brand new or like new onesies I have found at thrift stores. 

I began saving things about 20 years ago, and I have slowly added things to them over the years. 

On that cold day in February of last year, I pulled out two baby blankets I crocheted many years ago. One was a solid light blue and the other a solid light pink. I wanted to give those two blankets to a dear friend who had a little girl and was expecting her second child, a little boy. 

That is the special part about having a hope chest. If you do not use something yourself, some things make special gifts for others. 

Sadly, my friend’s baby boy passed away a few months after he was born because of a genetic problem. I was still very happy to give two baby blankets to my friend. 

I still had two other baby blankets saved in my hope chest - another blue one and another pink one I crocheted a long time ago. 

I decided to replace the two blankets I gave away as gifts by crocheting two new baby blankets. While shopping for yarn, I decided on a cheery yellow color and a lovely green color. 

I enjoyed crocheting the yellow blanket last February on snowy, cozy days inside. When I was all finished with it, I shared a picture on Facebook and WhatsApp. The comments I got were kind. 

And I began thinking about children. And home. And family. Those things are designed by God. 

That led to a blog post I wrote and published last April (2025) titled: “A War On Home and Family” 

You can read that post here. 

The title alone says what the post was about. 

I see something the older I have gotten. The evil one does not like Godly homes and families, nor does he like them beginning. I see this clearly, and I decided to share my thoughts in a post.

Though I didn’t get many comments on that blog post, I did get a few, encouraging ones. 

And then I began thinking about gender roles and God’s beautiful design.  

I began sharing things about men being providers and women being keepers at home. Those have been traditional roles for men and women throughout the ages. Those are in God’s Word. 

Sadly, I did not get kind comments by sharing those things. Instead, very unkind comments began coming my way. I had to take down some things because I did not want to cause strife. 

I had no idea that sharing beautiful pictures of mothers holding their babies with verses about women having children and being keepers at home could generate such unkind words from others.

Are there things that happen in life where those roles sometimes get changed? Yes. 

Does the Lord understand and care? Absolutely. 

Does that mean the heart of God has changed in His designed roles for men and women? No. 

The heart of God is what we see in His Word. God does not change, nor does His Word. God’s ways are beautiful and perfect. 

Those unkind comments made me very sad, but I saw something more than unkind words. 

I saw people commenting out of their own pain and hurt. Broken hearts. Broken people. Sadly, even some bitter people. 

I care so much about others and what they have gone through. I care deeply about people who have suffered. And God cares - even more than I do.

But the truth of God’s Word still remains. 

I saw something more than personal pain though. I saw where values in our culture have gone.

What do I mean?

Allow me to share a little. 

Last August, I finished crocheting the green blanket I had gotten yarn for. Like I did with the yellow blanket when I was finished with it, I shared a picture on Facebook and WhatsApp. It is a joy for me to share things like that. 

Crocheting those two baby blankets last year, one in February and one in August, made me think back to when I was 19 or 20 years old. I remembered beautiful dreams I had then. 

At 19 years old, I was certain my dream would become a reality because my dream was in line with God’s Word. God gives His blessing on good, Godly desires. 

At 19 years old, I was young. I had plenty of time for my dream to become a reality. 

There is a phrase that says: 

“Dream Big”

And so, I did. 

As Christians, we are encouraged to “dream big” for God. 

And so, I did. 

What was my dream? 

I dreamed of being married to a kind, Godly, Christian man, and I dreamed of having nine children of my own. 

 

Why so many children?

I am the oldest of seven children. I am blessed to have three sisters and three brothers.

Sadly, my mom miscarried two little ones in her early pregnancy with them. 

So, in all reality, I am the oldest of nine children. 

I look forward to meeting those two siblings of mine in heaven someday over on heaven’s shore. 

Why did I dream of having nine children? 

My parents had nine children. I wanted the same. 

To my knowledge, I never shared my dream with anyone. For years, I kept my dream tucked safely inside my heart. Only God knew. 

But last year, I began to share that dream of mine. When I shared a picture of my finished, crocheted, baby blankets, I shared my dream of having nine children of my own. 

With my 43rd birthday approaching last year, numbers were on my mind. It had been 18 years since my 25th birthday. 

I couldn’t help but do some math. If I had been married, and if I had my first child around age 25, my oldest child would be around 18 years old now. If I had been married and had my first child at a younger age, my oldest child could be 20 now. 

Having 9 children, about 2 years in between each, would be about 18 years. This meant that, if I had my first baby by age 25, by age 43, I could have had the nine children I dreamed of having. 

I turned 43 years old in October last year. 

I dreamed of nine children, and I had none. 

I was grieving. Deeply. 

Do I care about others who grieve and hurt inside? You better believe it. I care so much about others. I will weep with those who weep. 

I shared my dream, openly, hoping for a word of encouragement, hoping someone might care.

Even something little would have meant so much to me. Simple, heartfelt words like these would have meant so much to me:

“I am so sorry you did not have the nine children you desired to have, Erin.” 

Did I get kind, caring words like that? 

No. Sadly not. 

Instead, negative words began coming about the number of children I dreamed of having. I was even rebuked by people who are very dear to me. 

Many of those comments came from friends who are married and with children. 

I was looking for comfort and encouragement. Instead, I got mean, unkind, and uncaring words. That made me grieve more than I already was. 

I forgave them. And I set my heart on God and His unchanging Word. 

Through my tears, God brought comfort to my heart. God specializes in that when we run to Him with our tears. 

If God healed my heart from those unkind words, why am I sharing this in a blog post?

I share this to give some context to this post. 

Through the unkind comments I got, I saw something more. I saw where values have gone. 

Allow me to share a little more here. 

You see, I am a harpist. I began playing the harp at age 17. My parents purchased a beautiful 31 string lever harp for my 17th birthday. It was a medium sized harp and the only harp I had for 4 years. 

At the age of 21, I purchased a larger harp. I had been working in a small grocery store for about a year when that harp was delivered to me. Later that year, I purchased a small harp to travel with. 

At the age of 22, five years after I began playing, I owned three harps: the medium harp my parents purchased, a large harp, and a small harp. 

The following year, I got another large harp. Then later, another small harp. Harps are beautiful instruments, and they are a joy to purchase. 

In my early 30’s, I owned a total of nine harps - three larger harps, three smaller harps, and three very small harps. I don’t own that many anymore, but at one point, I did. All those harps were well loved, well used, and played much for the Lord and for others. Those nine harps were all played on my six harp recordings. 

When I had nine harps, I would share that with others, particularly when I would play the harp at different events and sell my harp CD’s afterwards. 

Most of the comments I got were something like: 

“Wow, nine harps! That is a lot of harps!” 

Yes, and that is why I decided to sell many of them. I didn’t need that many harps anymore. 

To my knowledge, I don’t think anyone ever said anything negative about me owning nine harps.

I am happy I do not own nine harps anymore. Though I really enjoyed owning them, I never wanted nine harps. I wanted nine children. 

Nine harps? 

No negative comments from others.

Nine children? 

Many negative comments from others.

What did I see through that? 

Our culture has become very materialistic. Very. 

Material things have become more important than children. I see this so clearly in American culture. That includes Christians. And it breaks my heart. 

There is nothing wrong with owning things and enjoying them. Wealth is a blessing from God. 

 

But sadly, children have taken second place, or sometimes, they do not matter at all. Children do not matter as much to people anymore which I saw clearly when sharing about harps vs. children.

Some clarification here though, lest I am greatly misjudged like I was last year.  

Having nine children was my dream. I would never dream of pushing that on anyone else. 

This post is not about the number of children people choose to have. Whether you have two or ten children, that isn’t the heart behind this post. 

I write this post hoping people will realize how valuable human life is. Because honestly, I think American culture is forgetting that. 

If you are reading this post and are married with children, and if you desire to have more children but cannot for health or medical reasons. I care! 

This post was not written with you in mind. 

I know there are those who desire to have children and cannot have them. I care! 

This post was not written with you in mind. 

I write this post with our current American culture in mind, which sadly, includes many Christians. 

The unkind comments I got last year were almost shocking to me. All of them came from Christians. 

I got negative comments similar to this one:  

“Why would you want nine children?” 

One comment that intrigued me was my reason for desiring so many children.  

Throughout my teenage years, I don’t think I ever thought about how many children I wanted. To my knowledge, that never even entered my mind. 

But around the age of 19, I thought about it. 

Why did I desire to have so many children? 

I am “my father’s daughter”. In other words, I am very much like my Dad. 

My Dad valued and wanted many children, and God gave my Dad the children he desired to have. 

When I was teenage girl, living in California, my Dad used to say something to me and my siblings quite often. My Dad would say:

“You children mean far more to me than any material thing.

I knew my Dad meant those words. At one point, he said those words to us quite often. 

My desire to have many children? 

I am like my Dad in that way. I view children the way that my Dad did. I grew up hearing how incredibly valuable we were to my Dad. I hold the same views that my Dad does about human life. 

Was I blessed by Godly families I have known and looked up to over the years? 

Most definitely. 

But my desire to have many children? 

That desire ultimately came from the Lord; the Lord put that desire in my heart. My Dad also planted that desire in me in a sweet way. 

I was loved, cherished, and treasured by my Dad as a young girl. I never had to do anything to earn my Dad’s love. My Dad loved me simply because I was his daughter. 

Whether my Dad realized it or not, my Dad mirrored God’s love to me as a child. 

I have been working on writing this post for a little while. I waited until close to Father’s Day to publish this as a small tribute to my Dad. 

Although he is older now at 73 years old, my Dad is still alive, and I wanted to honor him here. 

The older I have gotten, I have come to realize what a truly amazing man my father is, in more ways than one. I am so grateful for my Dad and love him so much. 

The value of a soul? 

The worth and value of every human being comes at the moment of our existence. 

My worth and value does not come from anything that I do or that I have. 

My worth and value came the moment I began forming in my mother’s womb. 

The same is true of every person reading this.

Your worth and value does not come from anything you do, anything you don’t do, or anything that you have. 

Your worth came from God the moment you were formed inside your mother. 

Our worth and value does not come from our marital status or the number of children we have. Those things are enormous blessings from God, but they do not define our worth. 

Our worth and value comes from God alone. 

God sent His own Son into the world to die and shed His blood for all mankind. 

The greatest thing on earth is human life. There is nothing greater.  

Like my Dad was with me as a child, I desired to love my children, unconditionally, and to point them to our Father in heaven. 

I wanted to love and raise many children for the Lord. I wanted to have children who would make a difference in this world in the lives of others, to point others to our Father in heaven. 

The value of a soul? 

Every soul is priceless. We are made in the very image of God. 

That is why I desired to have so many children. 

At 43 years old, my hope chests are still filled with new things in the hopes of that becoming a reality someday. I am approaching my mid 40’s. I am old enough now to be a young Grandma. I don’t know how many children I can have at my age, but with God, all things are possible. If I could have them, I would still desire to give birth to nine children. Nearly 25 years later, my desire has not changed. 

I am so thankful for a Father who values life, like our Heavenly Father Who values life above all. 

All life comes from Him. 

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

John 1:3-4

The Eternal, Priceless, Precious Word of God

A week ago, at sunset, the Biblical holiday of Shavuot began, also known as Pentacost.

What is Shavuot? 

In Hebrew, this Biblical holiday is known as the “Feast of Weeks”. In Biblical times, Shavuot was also the beginning of the wheat harvest in Israel. 

God’s people, Israel, were told to count seven weeks or seven sabbaths. They were to begin counting the day after the weekly sabbath that occurred after Passover. 

They were to count 50 days total. The 1st and 50th day are always on a Sunday. 

You begin counting on the Biblical holiday of Firstfruits, the day Christ rose from the grave. 

If you count 50 days forward, you will end on another Sunday, the Biblical holiday of Shavuot, known as Pentacost to Christians.

Fun fact: Pentacost means “50th” in Greek. 

Pentacost is 50 days after Resurrection day.  

Shavuot and Pentacost are the exact same day. 

Most Christians are very familiar with Pentacost. This day is considered the “birthday” of the church as the Holy Spirit was poured out on believers in Christ that day. About 3,000 souls were baptized. This event happened very close to the Temple. Christianity began that day in Jerusalem. 

The Lord Jesus had risen from the grave there in Jerusalem just 50 days earlier. He ascended back into heaven from Jerusalem just 10 days before.

On Pentacost, God poured out His Spirit. 

What happened on Shavuot? 

On Shavuot, God gave His people, Israel, His Word, His Law, His Torah. His instruction. 

At Mount Sinai, God gave His people the 10 Commandments - the Words of the Covenant. 

Israel became God’s people, as a nation, on Shavuot at Mount Sinai.  

Do you see the connection? 

God gave His Word and His Spirit on the same day. Those events happened well over 1,000 years apart, but they happened on the exact same day. 

God gave His people His Word on Shavuot. 

God poured out His Spirit on Shavuot. 

This Biblical holiday is worth remembering and celebrating. It was on this day that God gave us His Word and poured out His Spirit.

The Holy Spirit and the Word of God are one. The Holy Spirit inspired the written Word of God. 

The Holy Spirit will never go against the written Word of God. They are one and the same. 

It is God’s Spirit that writes God’s Word on our heart and mind. Hallelujah! 

The Word of God is our guidebook. It tells us and shows us the heart of God. 

God’s Word is eternal, and it is priceless and precious. God’s Word is our instruction manual. 

Most products built by people today come with an instruction manual. Did you know that people, human beings made in the very image of God, also come with an instruction manual? 

We do! 

That instruction manual is God’s Word. 

When people do not have or do not follow God’s Word, they do not do as well in life. Why? 

Because of not following our instruction manual - God’s Word. 

Without God, life has no real purpose or meaning. 

God’s Word is such a priceless and precious gift because, within it, are the words of life. 

God’s Word brings life. When we disobey God’s Word, it brings death. 

A while ago, I wondered why God told His people, Israel, to count 50 days forward from the Biblical holiday of Firstfruits? What was the purpose? 

Then one day, I finally got it. I understood. It pointed them forward to an ultimate goal. 

What was that ultimate goal? 

It was so precious to me, it nearly made me cry.

I thought about the very first Passover in Egypt, when God delivered His people, Israel, from the hand of Pharaoh and from their bondage and slavery in Egypt. 

I thought about Israel crossing the Red Sea on dry ground by the mighty Hand of God. 

I thought about God bringing them through the desert to Mount Sinai.

After God brought Israel to that mountain, He did not say to them: 

“Well, here you go. I delivered you out of Egypt, out of bondage and slavery. You are free now. It has been nice knowing you. See you later. Bye!” 

God did not do that or say that to them.

God delivered Israel out of bondage, not only to set them free, but to make them His people and to give them His Word. 

That was the ultimate goal and purpose. 

God wanted a people for Himself. God wanted a people to love, to guide, to help, to protect, and to provide for which He did when Israel was in the wilderness. 

God wanted to give His people His Words of love and life. God wanted a people to represent Him to the other nations of the world. 

Israel became God’s people at the base of Mount Sinai on Shavuot when God gave them the words of the Covenant, written on two tables of stone with the very finger God. The 10 Commandments. 

God descended in fire upon Mount Sinai, like a bridegroom with fiery passion for his bride, to give Israel His very own Words, His heart, His law. 

God gave them the words of the Covenant. 

What was that? 

His 10 Commandments. (Exodus 34:28)

Israel’s reply? 

“We will” 

“We do” 

Reminiscent of betrothal words. Wedding words. Covenant words. 

“I do” 

Israel became God’s people that day - His bride. 

“…And all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.” 

Exodus 24:3 

The 10 Commandments is God’s Law. 

The apostle John made this very clear in the New Testament as well. 

“…Sin is the transgression of the law.”

1 John 3:4

This is why Bible evangelists, like Ray Comfort, use the 10 commandments when sharing the Gospel. The 10 commandments show us our sin. 

God’s purpose in delivering Israel out of bondage? 

It was to set them free by giving them His Word. That was the goal. That was the purpose. 

God’s purpose today? It hasn’t changed.

What was the ultimate purpose of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ? 

With His death, Christ paid for our sins with His own blood. 

On the day that Christ rose from the dead, early believers in Christ began counting up to 50 just as they had always done. 

Why? It pointed them to the ultimate purpose. 

On the 50th day from Christ’s resurrection, God poured out His Spirit on those early believers. 

God’s purpose in delivering His people has always been for them to obey His Word. To walk with Him. God desires a personal relationship with us. 

On the day of Pentacost (Shavuot), He gave them His Spirit which wrote His law upon their heart. 

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.” 

Hebrews 10:16

God gave us His Spirit so that we would have the power to obey His Word. 

May we allow God’s Word to be written on our heart, the very center of our being, by His Spirit.

God’s Word brings freedom. God’s Word is life. 

God’s Word is eternal. God’s Word is a priceless and precious gift. 

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” 

Isaiah 40:8

Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross

In the past several months, I have enjoyed sharing hymns or songs that I enjoy. Here I am again, sharing another hymn.

As a harpist and as someone who loves good, Godly music, music is a large part of my life. There are so many beautiful, Christian songs, both old and new, that I enjoy playing and singing. 

I grew up singing many of the old, beloved hymns. So many hymns are near and dear to my heart. 

Every year, I always love remembering the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. And I love songs surrounding that theme. 

And every year, there seems to be a song that stands out to me in a special way. 

This year, a very familiar hymn was on my mind: 

“Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross” 

This past Friday, April 3rd, I paused around 3:00 p.m. to remember our Savior’s enormous sacrifice for us. I spent a few minutes in prayer, thanking the Lord for the shed blood of His Son. Jesus is our Passover Lamb, the Lamb of God. 

I sat down behind my large harp in our living room and played the old, beloved hymn. The words to that hymn echoed my heart. 

Jesus, keep me near the cross,

There a precious fountain;

Free to all, a healing stream,

Flows from Calvary's mountain. 

Near the cross, a trembling soul,

Love and mercy found me;

There the Bright and Morning Star

Shed His beams around me. 

Near the cross! O lamb of God,

Bring its scenes before me;

Help me walk from day to day

With its shadow o'er me.

Near the cross! I'll watch and wait,

Hoping, trusting ever;

‘Till I reach the golden strand,

Just beyond the river. 

~ Fanny Crosby 

I have been so blessed to see where our Lord Jesus died in Jerusalem, Israel. I have stood at what I believe to be the exact spot, the exact location, inside the grounds of the Garden Tomb area in Jerusalem. Naturally, my mind went to that place. I thought about what that Passover day must have been like nearly 2,000 years ago. I thought about our Savior hanging in agony on that old rugged cross. I thought about that cross this year. 

Like other times in the past, I wondered what kind of wood that cross was made from. Was it wood from an olive tree? An almond tree? An oak tree? A cedar tree? 

And I cannot help but wonder where that tree once grew? The tree that would hold the Savior of the world upon it as He died and shed His blood for all mankind. We may never know what kind of tree it was, and that’s okay. But I thought about it. 

Even more than that, I thought a lot about the precious body of our Lord Jesus. I thought about that more than anything else this year. 

His body was beaten, whipped, scourged, and pierced for us. He gave His body for us. That is how much He loves you and me. 

The human body is very precious to God; God is the Creator of the human body. 

Yeshua willingly gave His body to be sacrificed for us. I thought about that for a long time. 

Such love! 

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross. 

I desire to stay near that cross and to remember it often because, in the shadow of that cross, I am reminded that the Lord loves us more than we can imagine, so much that He gave Himself for us. 

I will never get over that. 

He rose victoriously from the tomb He was laid in three days later, never to die again! 

I love the Scripture in Revelation where He says: 

“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen…” 

Revelation 1:18 

This weekend we enjoyed some beautiful weather with many trees and flowers in bloom around our home and neighborhood. I enjoyed going on several walks in our neighborhood to enjoy the beauty of it all. 

Springtime is a miracle to me, a miracle that becomes somewhat normal every year. 

Seeing new plant life everywhere, all of creation seems to proclaim that Christ has risen from the dead! 

Below are some pictures I took of some trees and flowers in bloom near our home. 

I love these small, delicate, white flowers on a tree on our neighborhood. 

New life! New buds springing forth on another tree. 

Our white lilac bush usually blossoms sometime in April every year. This year it blossomed just in time for Resurrection Day! 

Our purple lilac bushes are just beginning to bloom now - a whole month early! We have had unusually warm weather here this spring. Our lilacs decided to bloom early.

These lovely pink blossoms were on another tree in our neighborhood. All of creation praises their Creator! 

I also loved the special paper plates and napkins my mom purchased for our special meal. The flowers on them fit well with all the trees and flowers in bloom.

I always love to remember and celebrate that we serve a risen Savior! 

But I also love to remember the enormous price that was paid for you and for me - the blood and body of our dear Lord. 

I want to stay near that cross every day. A verse from this beloved hymn says it well. 

Near the cross! O lamb of God,

Bring its scenes before me;

Help me walk from day to day

With its shadow o'er me.

An Irish Hymn

The month of March makes me think about Ireland and Irish things, including Irish hymns. 

During the month of March, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in the United States which is why I tend to think more about Ireland and Irish things. 

Although he was not Irish, St. Patrick was a very Godly man who became a missionary to Ireland. March 17th was the date of Patrick’s death. 

I’m not someone who follows the “national day” calendar, but occasionally, it is fun to look at. 

I like the idea of having certain national days to celebrate such as: National Strawberry Day. 

I love strawberries. I’m looking forward to fresh, sweet, juicy strawberries this spring and summer. 

National Strawberry day falls on February 27 and National Strawberry month is in May. 

I admit, I find those dates a bit odd because June is peak season for strawberries in much of the United States. I’m surprised June isn’t national strawberry month with national strawberry day being on June 1st or June 27th. Perhaps whoever decides those things will consider changing those dates someday. 

I’m also surprised there isn’t a National Harp Day or National Harp Month. Whoever decides those dates might take those into consideration as well? 

I might suggest March as National Harp Month? 

And maybe March 17th as National Harp Day? 

Why the month of March? 

The harp is very much connected to Ireland, hence my reason for suggesting the month of March. 

The Celtic Harp, also known as the folk harp or lever harp, came from Ireland. Lever harps are the type of harp that I play. 

The harp is so connected to Ireland that the official instrument of Ireland is the harp. And Ireland’s official national emblem is also a harp. 

Ireland is the only country in the world that has its national emblem as a musical instrument. Their harp emblem appears on their passports, coins, coats of arms, and government documents.

My name Erin means: “Ireland” 

Erin is essentially another name for Ireland with various spellings for the female name Erin. 

Erin can also mean: “Peace” 

I like the latter meaning of my name a little more. 

But I do find it ironic that my name literally means Ireland, and I play the national instrument of Ireland which is the harp. 

My parents chose my name only because they liked it. It was kind of a popular name in the United States when I was born in the early 1980’s. 

My parents had no idea when they named me that I would play the harp someday. I don’t think they knew the meaning of my name either. We are primarily English, not Irish. 

Sometimes I wonder if the Lord does things like that with names and their meaning? 

My full name is: Erin Lynn

My first and middle name both end with the letter N which is special to me. In English, that makes my names rhyme. 

In Hebrew, every letter has a meaning. What is really special to me is the meaning of the Hebrew letter N. I have one in my first name and two in my middle name. But that is for another blog post.

I think about Ireland a lot during the month of March because my name and the harp are both from Ireland. 

There are many images on the internet depicting Ireland with a woman named Erin, wearing a dark green dress, and playing the harp. Those images make me smile. 

Ironically, dark green is one of the best colors on me, though blue is my favorite color.

The color green is also connected to Ireland, depicting Ireland’s lush, green, fertile land. 

I would love to visit Ireland someday.  

There are many hymns that Christians sing to the tune of Celtic or Irish melodies. 

Some of those hymns are: 

“Be Thou My Vision”  

“The King of Love” 

“Let All Things Now Living” 

“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” 

Sometimes, I think of hymns like these during the month of March around St. Patrick’s Day with his connection to Ireland as a missionary. 

The hymn “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” is frequently sung to a Celtic/ Irish melody called Kingsfold. The melody is so very beautiful. 

Click here to listen to this melody on the harp. 

Recently, I read the words to this lovely hymn, one that I did not know, and I was deeply moved. 

The words are precious, so precious that I decided to share this lovely Irish hymn in a blog post. 

So many people are hurting and suffering these days. Sickness seems to be everywhere, along with sadness, anxiety, and depression. 

Just going into a local grocery store, I see sadness, brokenness, and depression in people’s eyes. People need the Lord.

Even those who know God and walk with Him need His presence, strength, and love every day. 

If you love names and the meaning of names like I do, when you see the name Jesus in this hymn, you can also use the name Yeshua, His true name. 

He loves you so much. 

Consider these precious words: 

 I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Come unto Me and rest;

Lay down, O weary one, lay down

Thy head upon My breast.”

I came to Jesus as I was,

Weary, and worn, and sad;

I found in him a resting place,

And he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Behold, I freely give

The living water; thirsty one,

Stoop down, and drink, and live.”

I came to Jesus, and I drank

Of that life-giving stream;

My thirst was quench'd, my soul revived,

And now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“I am this dark world’s Light;

Look unto me, your morn shall rise,

And all your day be bright.”

I looked to Jesus, and I found

In him my Star, my Sun;

And in that Light of life I’ll walk,

Till trav'ling days are done. 

~ Horatius Bonar

The King of Love

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about hymns that I enjoy and love playing on the harp. 

In my last post here, I shared my favorite hymn: 

“My Shepherd Will Supply My Need”

That made me think of another hymn I love, one that I enjoy playing as a medley with that hymn:

 “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” 

Sometimes, this hymn is just simply titled:

 “The King of Love”

I played those two hymns as a medley on my first harp recording titled:

“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”

The lyrics to both hymns are similar in that they are both based on Psalm 23. And although they are different, the melodies to both hymns have a similar, melodic feel to them. 

In a broken world filled with so much sadness, sorrow, and care, both hymns bring a sweet, soothing balm to the heart. 

Our God is a God of love. That is the very essence of His nature and character. That is who God is. 

“… For God is love.” 

1 John 4:8 

There is a video on YouTube of this lovely hymn played on harp and flute with orchestra and choir. 

Click the link below to listen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6ea7VFyn9to

Our God is a good Father, and a good Shepherd, One who loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die so we could be brought back to Him. 

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

John 10:11 

Consider these beautiful lyrics: 

The King of love my shepherd is, 

whose goodness faileth never. 

I nothing lack if I am his, 

and he is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow, 

my ransomed soul he leadeth; 

and where the verdant pastures grow, 

with food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish, oft I strayed, 

but yet in love he sought me; 

and on his shoulder gently laid, 

and home, rejoicing, brought me.

In death's dark vale I fear no ill, 

with thee, dear Lord, beside me; 

thy rod and staff my comfort still, 

thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spreadst a table in my sight; 

thy unction grace bestoweth; 

and oh, what transport of delight 

from thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days, 

thy goodness faileth never; 

Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise 

within thy house forever. 

~ Henry William Baker 

My Favorite Hymn

I remember the first time I played my favorite hymn on the harp in a public setting. It was at a church my family and I attended at the time. 

The church had stained glass windows, though the windows were nothing grand compared to other stained glass windows I have seen. 

It was November of 2001, and I was 19 years old. 

I had been playing the harp for exactly 2 years then - a year and a half on my own and about half a year with a professional harp teacher. 

That Sunday morning, I wore my favorite color, a slate blue dress with small, white flowers that I made. And I played my own arrangement of my favorite hymn: 

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

I was nervous to play in front of a crowd of about 100 people that morning at church. I was so nervous that I wasn’t sure whether my hands or my harp strings were shaking more. All went well despite my nerves, and the memories of that Sunday morning will stay with me forever. 

My harp teacher had a recital for her harp students around that same time in the music building at Colorado State University where she taught some of her harp students. The crowd there was much smaller with no more than 50 people. 

I did not take my harp lessons there, but I went there for the first time to play in my teacher’s recital. If I remember correctly, that music building also had some beautiful, old windows. The sound of my harp echoed through that room with acoustics that were heavenly. 

I was extremely nervous that day, so nervous I could hardly eat lunch at home before hand. Despite my nerves, the recital went well, although I can’t remember everything I played that day. I do remember wearing a dark rose colored dress with small, white flowers that I made. I also remember playing songs from my two harp books. I think one of the songs I played was: 

“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”  

Sadly, I don’t have any pictures of my first harp performance at church or my first harp recital. 

I played at church a second time a month later. Someone took a picture of me playing, that time, wearing a dark green dress with small, white flowers that I made. 

That Sunday evening I played the familiar carol:

“What Child Is This?”

Playing “White Child Is This?” on my 31 string Gothic Harp.
Age 19. December 2001. 

Such precious memories now, enough to evoke tears. How I loved that first harp of mine, made by Marini Made Harps in natural cherry wood and with a lovely, hand carved rose on it. 

That harp was a gift to me from my parents for my 17th birthday in October of 1999. I owned and treasured that harp for over 20 years. 

One of my favorite songs to play on that harp was my favorite hymn:

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” 

For years, whenever someone would ask me to play a song on the harp, that was a song I frequently played. 

And if someone would ever ask me if I had a favorite hymn or song, I would always answer: 

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” 

The words always touch my heart, and the melody matches the words beautifully. 

~

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge -

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Do your friends despise, forsake you?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In his arms he'll take and shield thee;

Thou wilt find a solace there.

~ Joseph Scriven 

Such a comfort these words are, like a healing balm for the soul. For years, this has been my favorite hymn. 

But in more recent years, I have come to love another hymn just as much. 

“My Shepherd Will Supply My Need”

Instinctively, whenever I sit down to play the harp, I usually begin playing a song that I love. 

The hymn “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” has become my new favorite. 

The words are such a comfort and the melody is so incredibly beautiful! I love to play this hymn on my large 40 string harp. 

Below is link of another harpist (ironically, named Erin) who plays this beautiful hymn on the harp. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kHDdSiYGMDo

This hymn was written by Isaac Watts and is based on Psalm 23. 

Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar and well loved Psalms out there. Psalm 23 is not just about green pastures and quiet waters. 

This Psalm also mentions very hard and painful things. Things like enemies and death. 

This Psalm mentions so many things that people face in this life - good things and hard things. Guidance. Provision. Renewal. Comfort. Death. Enemies. Goodness. Mercy. God’s Presence.

As we began the year of 2026, I asked the Lord if He had anything special He wanted me to keep in mind for the coming year? 

The simple phrase “The Lord is My Shepherd” was impressed on me once again. 

Like the past several years, God impressed on me that He is my Shepherd. He loves me. He is with me. He is guiding me. 

All I need is to stay close to Him. He will be with me through the good and the hard. 

He is our good Shepherd. 

~

My Shepherd will supply my need:

Jehovah is His Name;

In pastures fresh He makes me feed,

Beside the living stream.

He brings my wandering spirit back

When I forsake His ways,

And leads me, for His mercy's sake,

In paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death

Thy presence is my stay;

One word of Thy supporting breath

Drives all my fears away.

Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,

Doth still my table spread;

My cup with blessings overflows,

Thine oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God

Attend me all my days;

O may Thy house be my abode,

And all my work be praise.

There would I find a settled rest,

While others go and come;

No more a stranger, nor a guest,

But like a child at home.

~ Isaac Watts

Near to the Heart of God

During different times and seasons of my life, different songs have encouraged my heart. 

Lately, I’ve been blessed by a hymn I’ve known for a long time. Near to the Heart of God.

I played this hymn on my first harp recording as a medley with Sweet Hour of Prayer. 

To me, prayer and being near the heart of God kind of go hand in hand. 

Consider some of the words in this lovely hymn: 

There is a place of quiet rest, 

Near to the heart of God. 

A place where sin cannot molest, 

Near to the heart of God. 

O Jesus, blest Redeemer, 

Sent from the heart of God, 

Hold us who wait before Thee, 

Near to the heart of God. 

 

~ 

Earlier this month, an older sister in the Lord took me out for supper one night at a local restaurant. 

While enjoying warm sandwiches and a cup of soup, we shared hearts. During our time together, I shared different things with her. 

One thing I shared with her that evening was something the Lord impressed on my heart recently. That is the importance of prayer. 

To me, our world has changed tremendously in the past five years, and sadly, not for the better. 

Yes, we live in a fallen world. Things haven’t been good ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God. 

But things seem to be getting increasingly worse. 

I remember people saying things like that years ago when I was a girl and a young lady. True, our world is in a sad state, but I never focused on that. 

Ever since I was a girl, I have always looked for the good in people, for the good in this world, and for the good and the beautiful things of life. 

I get excited over flowers and beautiful sunsets. I relish in all of the good gifts around me from God. 

But in the past few years, I have noticed a major shift in our world. Something is different. I can’t walk into a local grocery store right now without seeing the name “Wicked” written in bold letters on a box of cookies. It is so sad. 

I continue to focus on God’s blessings and gifts all around me. But I also cannot ignore the evil, the ungodliness, and the brokenness I see in this world. It’s everywhere. And it breaks my heart. 

Perhaps I am just getting older (also true), but our world is getting worse exactly like the Bible said would happen before the return of Christ. 

Prayer is so important. I felt the Lord impress on me recently that it is extremely important for me to pray before going to bed at night. Pray over my family. Pray over our home. Pray for our nation. 

It is also important to stay very close to God and near His heart. 

What are things that make me feel close to God and near His heart?

I feel God’s presence out in nature, His beautiful creation, no matter what time of year it is. 

I love to go to my favorite nature area as often as I can. For me, it is like hitting a reset button. 

The late autumn/ early winter sky around sunset is so beautiful. I love to walk here. 

Godly music makes me feel close to God. 

Playing my harp makes me feel near God. 

My large harp. 

Reading God’s Word makes me feel close to Him. 

I love Psalm 91. 

And as mentioned above, prayer especially makes me feel close to God. 

As we approach the close of another year, naturally, I’ve thought back over this past year. 

This year of 2025 had many blessings in it, but overall, it was a harder year for me. 

This year, I was reminded of the power of the tongue. The Bible says that death and life are in the power of the tongue. (Proverbs 18:21)  

We can bless and encourage others with our words, or we can hurt others with our words. 

Our words have tremendous power. 

This year, I had many unkind words said to me. Those words hurt deeply. 

I choose to love, to forgive, and to go forward. 

But I am seeing another Bible prophecy come to pass in these days before the return of Christ. 

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

Matthew 24:12 

Love is waxing cold. 

I cried out to my Heavenly Father so many times this year because of unkind words said to me. 

God is always there to listen. He is never mean. He is never cruel. He is never harsh or quick to judge.

My favorite book of the Bible became even dearer to my heart this past year. The book of 1 John. 

“…God is love.”

1 John 4:8

Such simple words, yet so profound. God is love. 

God’s love makes me feel close to Him. 

God’s love is the greatest thing there is. God’s love is what I want to share with others. 

He loves you. He loves me. 

In these days before His return, God’s love is where I want to stay. 

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

Jude 1:21 

A picture from a nature walk recently.