His Eye Is On The Sparrow - Lyrics and History

Before I start this post...I want to say, Happy Birthday, Aid!! Love you!

This song truly says it all, for any possible thing that we could be going through. If that little bitty sparrow is so important to Him, how much more are we--He shed His precious blood and took all of those stripes on his body just for us.


Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,I sing because I'm free,For His eye is on the sparrow,And I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,I sing because I'm free,For His eye is on the sparrow,And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,I sing because I'm free,For His eye is on the sparrow,And I know He watches me.
_________________________________________________________

Words by Civilla D. Martin, 1905- Music Charles H. Gabriel, 1905
Civilla Martin wrote:"Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience."The next day she mailed the poem to Charles Gabriel, who supplied the music. Singer Ethel Waters so loved this song that she used its name as the title for her autobiography.

Matthew 6:26 says: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Results from Today's Doctor's Appointment

This was my three week check up since Dr. Momin told me I would not need to have chemo for at least 3 - 4 months.

I told him that I was having some pain in my right side. It was not bad pain, but still not comfortable either.

He had me lay down and he checked the liver and said he could find nothing. He would kind of hit on the side in different places and had me breath deeply and he could find nothing.

He said I do not need any more chemo. He does however, want me to start again on the Erbitux. The Erbitux is an anti-body. When I was taking the last chemo, I didn't get to take all of the Erbitux. The Erbitux proves that it has been working because when it is working you break out like you have acne all over your body. It is very itchy. If it doesn't work (shrink the tumors) your body will not break out. It does look very ugly, but if it works it is worth it.

The doctor will do another PET Scan in the middle of September to make sure that the progress is going well. I am sure that it will be!

We still need all of your prayers. We do believe that healing is mine!

Please visit Lisa's blog www.ifyoucanseewhatisee.blogspot.com they are in need of serious prayer right now.

A family that we ran into at the Cancer Center, Carlyn and Ron Rife, need prayer too. They admitted him today. The nurse told us that we really need to pray for him. He is not doing good at all. He looked awful! Ron is the reason that I found Dr. Momin. His sister and I have been good friends since we all got married 29 years ago. Today they discovered her white blood count is only 3.5. This is a sister and brother. The rest of their entire family has died. Their Mom and Dad, their sister and brother. All that is left is their children. Please pray for all of our friends.

BY HIS STRIPES!!! God is SO good.

Doctor's Appointment

Today I have a blood test at 12:30. My doctor's appointment is 1:15. If you get this and read it before my appointment, please keep me in prayer. After what my primary doctor said about the liver levels, I am praying they have changed and are not alarming to the Oncologist. I'll keep you informed! Love you all!

Too Cute--in My Humble Opinion!!

L to R: The "Horse" is Barry, Bella, Kaitlynne & Tristin

Jubilee House

Mary is a friend of ours. She was an inmate in one of the prisons that we ministered in. While she was in prison she had a vision of a home where the ladies could go when they got out. God has allowed her to watch that vision come to pass. Barry & I have prayed for many years for something like this also, but didn't have the resources or the money to do it. We also got to see our vision come to pass! Thank you Jesus!

I was with some of the ladies that used to be in prison with Mary. They were all saying how Mary taught them the Word when they were there. She didn't play about it. She would come up and say to them, give me a scripture. They would quote a scripture and then she would ask them what it meant. Oh, I am thankful that there are more ladies like Mary still in the prison. The weaker ladies need someone strong.

Today 2 of my friends and I went downtown Detroit to visit the home that just opened 2 days ago. There is a men's home right next door.

Thank God this church wants to get involved and will allow people to come in and heal from whatever they need.

We were able to supply some of the needs of the home today. They need simple things like toilet paper and cleaning products and laundry detergent and food; clothing and bedding, etc.

There is a "House Mother" that is staying there that will help the lady that got out of prison on Thursday. The lady had been in prison for 4 years. It is so much different being out of prison than being in and you need some re-adjustment time.

I ask you to pray for the leaders as well as the residents there. There are challenges to deal with there that we are not familiar with.

We pray that you can find your passion and know what God wants you to do with your life!

Without a doubt, there will be some of you that don't understand anyone wanting to do prison ministry. We could not have imagined it ourselves about 18 years ago. God touched our hearts and it has now been 17 years for us. We are SO thankful!

Matthew 25:36 - I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday! By the time everyone sees this it will be past your official day. But I thought everyone would want want to send b-day wishes this year especially! Even if in five years you will be 100 (I'll let you explain the math on that)! Hope your day was great! Now aren't you sorry I have your passwords?

Love You!

Friends

Today our daughter Amber called and said that tonight Kaity was going to have a friend spend the night. Tristin was having our other granddaughter, Gracie spend the night with him because they are the same age.



Tonight Amber called and said that she was taking Heather home because she was crying. It seems that every time that Heather spends the night, she winds up wanting to go home. While Amber was talking to me Kaity was in the back seat crying because her friend went home and she didn't have anyone to play with. I would like to know if you guys would pray for a special friend for her. She is only 7 and has the need for a friend.

Kaity told me the other day that she has a special make believe friend. I told her that I also had one when I was young. She asked me if I knew who her special friend was and I said no. She said Jesus. I always talk to Him. It was all I could do not to absolutely cry my eyes out in front of her.

Oh that she would have that tender heart toward Jesus all of her life. Obviously she could not have a better friend.

Proverbs 17:17 says a friend loveth at all times.

BY HIS STRIPES!!!

The Mission Field

When we think of a Mission Field, generally we think of Foreign Soil. This morning Barry and I along with two other guys went downtown Detroit to pass out water. This Mission Field is truly inside of Hell's Gates--just 16 miles from home.

Mark 9:41 says whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Proverbs 17:5 says whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

Today, once again, we learned much, maybe too much, about "street life". We left there crying and thanking God for being able to minister to people that have no where to go and nothing to do, as evidenced by some of the pictures.

As soon as we gave this lady some water, the first question she asked after that was do you have any food? I am so hungry. We didn't have any with us. She said she was waiting for a job.

This is where many of the people live.

Another thankful man for water, along with myself, Brother Mark and Brother Derek.

This man was thankful for water and a tract.

Geneva said that she is on heroin and sometimes crack cocaine and wants so badly to quit. She is 61 years old. She also has a mentally challenged son at home. (Geneva is not homeless). We prayed with her right then. She asked us, how do I quit. What would your answer have been?? How long do you think it has been since most churches have ministered to a heroin addict? Jesus went to met "them" whomever that may have been, right where they were. They didn't generally come to the church. We told her we were going to ask people to pray for her. She was very sweet. She said that she has been to 4 rehabs and they don't work. She is a member of a church and really seemed to love Jesus. She said she is saved, but just so addicted to drugs she doesn't know how to get off of them. She has tried and tried quitting. She is very disappointed with herself. What are you addicted to???

This man had no shoes when we got there.

Whatever your preconceived idea may be about the homeless, some are very intelligent. Some had great jobs. Some had wonderful homes. Some had wonderful families. From what we saw today, it doesn't matter who you are, what color you may be, what educational status you may have...God has been good to you if you are not in this situation! We have so much to be thankful for.

We met another lady, Debbie, that we didn't take a picture of that said her grand kids have been missing since yesterday. She asked us to please pray that they would be found safe. We prayed with her right there.

Another lady, Linda, has breast cancer and needed prayer. We prayed with her also.

Some people don't really want prayer. Some do, it just depends. Almost every person that we encountered said "God Bless You" to us. They were all very polite and thankful we were there.

We will be doing this for at least the next two Tuesday mornings. What an awesome opportunity to share God's love! Please pray for us as well as all of the souls that we encounter!

BY HIS STRIPES!!!

Prayer Needed

We have known Ronnie and Lisa, his wife, for about 14 years. Ronnie has always been a wonderful servant of God. He has had cancer 2 times now. He found a lump on his ankle reently. "Because of his history" they have to do a biopsy. Like Lisa says, his history is that he is healed. Please pray for them and their children, Jake and Lindz. Go onto Lisa's blog and encourage them with your prayers as you have done for me, please.

Ronnie and his family are very active in their church and he works a full time job and is an auxilliary cop.

Thank you all for praying, I know you will.

Love, Arlene

BY HIS STRIPES!!!!

http://ifyoucanseewhatisee.blogspot.com/

A Roller Coaster Day!

This morning I had an Ophthalmologist appointment at 8:30. I had gone to this doctor 2 months ago because my Optometrist found some nerve damage to my eyes. We have determined that it is caused from the chemo. Well the doctor today said that he really couldn't tell any difference in 2 months so come back again in 4 more months. Honestly, I didn't say I needed to go back in 2 months, he did. Ok, so they dilated my eyes and did a few little tests and sent me home. It took nearly 6 hours for the dilation to go away. It seemed like a waste of time since he said he couldn't really see why I was there in only 2 months.

They told me to come home, wash my eyes out and lay down. I fell asleep for a little while and then my phone rang.

This was a guy from some company that said he needed to let me know that my doctor's office (the Oncologist) hadn't done what they should and so the shots that I am getting to build my blood wouldn't be covered. I was half asleep and didn't understand why in the world they were calling me. I told them I would call the doctor's office and see if I could get it straightened out. I called and they said that they had been trying to get in touch with this company and they should never have called me. She said she would take care of it and for me not to worry about it.

Then at 1:45 Barry and I had a doctor's appointment with our primary care doctor. She is so sweet. She came in and asked me how I was doing. I told her fine. She then went to the computer and pulled my records up and said that my liver functions were way too high. Not a good thing. Boom...I almost fell to the floor. The Oncologist had just given me the test last week on Thursday and read the test before I left his office. He never said anything about it, so I still assume that he knew what was going on and that it was fine. She also said that she would like me tested for

B-12 so that the neuropathy would go away. I'm for that.

I feel like it is so hard to go through this some days...like today. It just seemed like I either was at a doctor's office for nothing all day or had to deal with a company that I shouldn't have had to deal with today. It may seem petty to you, but it was just a hard day for me.

It seems like I was just being so thankful for everything Dr. Momin had told me and then Dr. A told me that the liver functions were way too high. It's like riding a roller coaster, which I have never liked.

Barry reminded me that the Lord had spoken to me months ago and told me that Numbers 23:19 says that God is not a man that he should lie. At that same time he told me that these are only numbers (the blood tests) and that I should believe that God can't lie and he is going to heal me. I do, but it sure knocked me for a loop.

Thank God for His wonderful Word. He is awesome and I am so thankful!

Thank God that I have people I can share these experiences with and know that they will pray for me.

I love you all and appreciate you and your prayers so very, very much!

Trying to get to everyone's blog!

I am just trying to get to everyone's blog and I'm through about half of the ones I need to read.

I am feeling pretty good right now and expect to feel better and better. God has been so good to me and Barry. We are so thankful everyday for life. Please don't take it for granted. Surround yourselves with the ones that love you and the ones you love. Tell everyone that you love them often..I have to work on that.

While I was going through blogs I found my friend Lisa's new blog. She is a new blogger, so if you don't mind, check her out often. She and her family have just found a new church that they are so happy at. They went to something named "The Call". Check her blog out to see what it was about. It sounded so awesome I wish I could have gone.


http://ifyoucanseewhatisee.blogspot.com/

I'll blog again soon...promise! Love you all!

Ice Cream 4 The Kids

This is Gracie. She will be 4 in December. Her mother is our great niece that we raised.



This is Tristin absolutely enjoying his ice cream. He will be 4 in November.


This is Kaitlynne also enjoying her ice cream. She will be in 3rd grade when school begins again. She will be 8 in October.


This is IsaBella. She really enjoyed the ice cream as well. She turned 1 in June. She's so sweet! She smiles most of the time.

I told Barry this morning that I was gonna go over to see the grand kids tonight. He works midnights (usually 12 hours). The kids only live about 7 minutes away.

I thought it would be fun to go buy ice cream with all of the toppings and take it to them. It was!

Barry got to go. He woke up about 6:30 and we went over there about 7:00 pm. Barry loves to take pictures and since we didn't take any of the kids in about a month or so, it was way past time. He took 243 pictures tonight. I'm gonna attach some of them, cause they are so cute, at least in my opinion. We can't wait until October 8th when Hudsen La Ren will be here. She will be spoiled for sure!

One thing for sure, Amber and Chad make beautiful babies! Now do you think that I sound biased???? I AM!

It is SO fun to be a grandparent. I have so much to live for! Thank you Jesus!

By His Stripes!

Thank You All So Much!

We want to take the time to thank you for all of your very consistent prayers and ask that you keep them up. God has been good to us and we so appreciate it! There are still some issues that I am asking God to take care of.

Just to let you know that Saturday, after the doctor told me to live my life like I am used to, we went to an Outreach that our friend and her church was sponsoring. It is our hearts. We love doing this. It was an 8 hour time slot in near 90 degree heat and I was able to sit there the entire day. Only one time did I feel like I had to get into the car to cool off. This Outreach was done in Detroit, Michigan for those of you that are from other countries.

We did this behind a barber shop because there is generally lots and lots of "foot traffic" there. There is a liquor store right down the street.

We used our sound equipment for the event and are always so pleased to be able to do ANYTHING for the Lord. Thank God. We have another friend that has a church that we will most likely help on a couple of Fridays each month.

Then there are the prisons we can't wait to get back into. God has been so good to us and we are both thoroughly convinced that you are all part of the healing that is taking place in my body from the prayers that you have prayed. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

For each of you, our prayer is that God will bless you (and He will) for praying as consistently and as heartfelt as you have. The Word says that He bottles our tears up. Wow!!!

God bless you all. You have become so precious to both of us. Love you!

By His Stripes!!!

Barry & Arlene

And The News Is....

As you probably know, I had decided if the PET Scan wasn't good, I was going to tell the doctor that I just couldn't take anymore chemo. However, I didn't have to tell him that. He said that the PET Scan was good! He also said that the tumor in the liver has shrunk a lot and the tumors in the lungs have also shrank. They are not gone, but much better.

He told me that he wanted to give me a break for at least 3 months. He wants me to live my life like I used to. He had been thinking about it and felt that it was too much on me to take anymore chemo. He was way ahead of me, as usual.

He will be checking me every three weeks through blood tests. He said we have to keep a close watch on this, but that he couldn't see any reason that I should have any more chemo for quite a while.

At that time I said to him, I am still believing God for complete healing and he said good, I have seen that many times too! Awesome, a doctor that actually believes in God's healing power.

He was asking me how I was feeling and I told him so much better than 2 weeks ago when he put me in the hospital. I told him that I am eating like a horse now. I could hardly eat when I went into the hospital and I had NO strength whatsoever. Little did we know how close I was to death until he told us.

He asked me if I was in pain anywhere and I told him no. He then asked about my energy level and Barry told him that I do still take a nap most days and he said that's ok.

He told me to go live my life like I normally did. He gave me a shot so that my red blood cells would build up quickly. He will do that every 3 weeks when he checks my blood for a little while.

There is no way that our family can thank you for all of your prayers, love and concern throughout this ordeal. Please still keep praying. We are humbled and amazed by all of you. Thank God for people all over the globe praying for us. God is so good!


BY HIS STRIPES!

The Test Is Over - The results on Thursday

Hi everyone. It has been a pretty tiring day. I did get out of the test at 9:30 am and went to eat breakfast. You can only eat certain things the day before and then you can't eat anything after 8:00 pm until the test is done. Now we just await the results. God already knows what they are and is continuing to heal me even now. He's had a lot of work to do on me lately becausde somehow I forgot about His peace and started letting fear in. I intend to do MUCH better. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND CONCERN.

I think I did this before, but in case I didn't, I have a couple of people I would like you to check out. Debra is our daughter, Amber's mother-in-law. Her blogsite is:

http://www.reflectionsfromthemountains.blogspot.com/


My friend Lisa, who is one of my greatest encouragers is:

http://www.ifyoucanseewhatisee.blogspot.com/

Check them out ... this one is especially for ladies with very low self esteem.

I have had a good day and plan to have another one tomorrow. Barry is off tonight, which is a rarity. Will blog more soon! Love you all!

BY HIS STRIPES!!!!

SO Many Things To Pray For

I just got off of the phone with Kaitlynne's other grandmother about the little boy, Barry, that was killed. The family is, of course, extremely distraught. Kaitlynne's dad had her last night, but decided not to take her to the funeral home, which is a blessing. K is so sensitive and even her other grandmother said she doesn't need that memory. Thank the Lord we all agreed on that one, because they may not have felt the same way we did.

The 39 year old guy was definitely drunk. After he hit the little boy, kept going and parked his car at Walgreen's, then called his mother to come pick him up. Obviously, he was only thinking of himself. He had no headlights on either. The accident happened between 9 and 9:30 pm, when it was just getting dusk.

The little boy's mother and sister knew that the guy hit someone because they saw a body fly in the air. They ran across the street to see if they could help, only to find their son and brother. The accident happened right in front of their home.

The family has no insurance to bury this little guy, so they are asking anyone that would like to help contribute to it. Funerals are so very expensive.

I know that I asked for prayer for them before but when I talked to K's grandmother today, you could tell she is so weary and this isn't even her son. Her 11 year old son, Bradley, is taking it extremely hard. They were best friends.

The next thing I am asking is that around 6:00 pm tonight that you would join with us in corporate prayer for the PET Scan I have to take tomorrow. I am just believing God for great results and asking that you would pray and believe with us. Our family knows that you will do that, you are all so faithful to pray when there is a need. Thank you can't be expressed enough! I will get the results Thursday afternoon, at which time I will blog again.

God bless. Love and appreciate you all! BY HIS STRIPES!

In His Presence

Good Morning...at least it is morning here in Michigan...

I am listening currently to a song called In His Presence. It happens to be one of my favorite songs.

It is short, but it is powerful. The words are as follows:

How I long to be.
In Your Presence.
It is the secret place.
We offer up our praise.

As we come boldly.
With honor and reverence.
We worship Christ Our King.
Right here in his presence.

We worship you our King.
Here in your presence!

Words and music by Clint Brown!

That should be our desire to stay in His presence. God is so good to us all. No matter what we are going through. Ultimately, when we live for Him, we get to spend eternity with Him. Wow! What a deal and we did nothing to deserve it.

I still totally am believing God for healing and the tremendous ministry that He has given us. How exciting it is.

Please remember to keep our family in prayer this week as I take this test and get the results on Thursday. God is good...all of the time and all of the time...God is good!

Thank you all for so much encouragement that it is almost overwhelming to me. I love you all. God bless!

I have another prayer request...our little granddaughter's 11 year old cousin was killed by a hit and run driver this week. The guy was apparently drunk and left his car at a place of business. They went to his house to arrest him. Now there are two families that their lives are changed forever. Please pray for Kaitlynne's family. They have been going through so much in other areas that this is just another blow. Kaitlynne's grandmother told me Friday that she tries not to get mad at God, so I ask you to pray for that huge family.

By His Stripes!