Come Near to God, He Will Come Near to You

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 3:13-4:10

KING OF GLORY

PSALM 24

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it;

for he founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the waters.

Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?

Who may stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to an idol

or swear by what is false.

He will receive blessing from the Lord

and vindication from God his Savior.

Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, O you gates;

be lifted up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The Lord strong and mighty,

the Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O you gates;

lift them up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is he, this King of glory?

The Lord Almighty—

he is the King of glory.

Photo: The Eastern Gate

Good Stuff This Week

I got the texture on my kitchen ceiling, and after it dried, I painted it. Wednesday night after work I installed my new ceiling light, and I must say, it looks wonderful! I still need to do something with the walls, but I'm going to put that off until I can see what's available that I can afford. Now I am moving on to painting in my other rooms. A big messy job that involves a lot of furniture moving! What fun!

And yes, we have more snow! I just keep telling myself that the forecast is for upper 60's by the end of the week.

I'm planning a trip to Texas the end of this month. I hope to take two of my sisters along, and we will go to visit my Texas sister and my oldest son, who is also down there. I am also looking forward to seeing my friends and attending the church I belonged to when I lived there!

Read some good stuff this week:
In her April 9th post, Amy wrote about humility. A rare quality in today's world.
Ann over at Holy Experience shared some thoughts on the oil of gratitude that were a blessing to me!

I have some of my best times of prayer while I am driving. I don't close my eyes, though! Coming home from work late one night this week, I heard this song on the radio. It transformed my commute into a time of worship. Talk to you soon!

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night. Psalm 92:1-2

More Random Thoughts About Mama

Today it is one year since Mama passed away. Time goes by so quickly! Time, as we know it, has ceased to be for her, and she is experiencing what glory is like!

I've been thinking lately about how hard it must have been for Mama after Daddy died. How do you adjust to losing someone who has been your companion for over 50 years? I wish now that I had been more supportive to her, but I guess I was lost in my own grief. The last few years before Daddy passed on, he was very ill, and Mama cared for him here in their little home. She was with him here when he had his final episode.

I've been remembering how she used to sew for us. Being a tom-boy, I didn't fully appreciate the dresses she made for me, but when I was in high school, wool plaid slacks were the rage(??), and she made me two pairs - blue and red. I can still see her frantically finishing up the red pair so I could wear them to a basketball game!

Others have been thinking of Mama too. The other day my neighbor lady came to the front door with a ziploc bag of home made cookies. She said they were Mama's recipe - "a cup of everything." I thanked her, and as she was leaving, she said "They probably aren't as good as hers. She always brought me cookies."

Good news these days isn't nearly as much fun as it used to be, because she isn't here to share it with. I like to think that she knows anyway, and is just as pleased as she would be if she were here! We'll always miss you Mama, no matter how much time goes by!

I've posted the lyrics to one of Mama's favorite songs. In them we find the source of her strength and deep faith.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus, oh, what words I hear Him say!

Happy place! So near, so precious! May it find me there each day.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus, I would look upon the past;

For His love has been so gracious, it has won my heart at last.



Sitting at the feet of Jesus, where can mortal be more blest?

There I lay my sins and sorrows, and, when weary, find sweet rest.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus, there I love to weep and pray;

While I from His fullness gather grace and comfort every day.



Bless me, O my Savior, bless me, as I sit low at Thy feet.

Oh, look down in love upon me. Let me see Thy face so sweet.

Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus. Keep me holy as He is.

May I prove I’ve been with Jesus, Who is all my righteousness.


Photo: Mama as a little girl in the 1920's with her Aunt Bernice's doggy, Rags.

How Can I Keep From Singing?

Today the sun is shining on yet another layer of fresh snow! Winter doesn't want to give up yet! At least we know it is almost over now!

I finished my re-wiring project, and have moved on now to texturing the kitchen ceiling. Then I will paint it and install my new kitchen light. I have someone coming to look at my chimney, because it needs work. Hope it isn't too expensive!

Sunday evening a chamber choir from a nearby private school held a concert in our church. I love to hear a choir sing because it takes me back to my days in the choir. I enjoyed the entire concert, but one song keeps floating through my mind. I am told it is an old Quaker hymn, a fact I was not aware of. I have loved it for years. Here are the lyrics:

My life goes on in endless song
Above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear it's music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that rock I'm clinging.
Since Love is Lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

Behold The Lamb

God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called.
“Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”

“Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”

So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together, Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?”

“God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.

When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!”

“Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:1-14

Someone New!

A new little person has joined our family! His name is Tate. He was born Monday afternoon, and we are sure glad to have him! I hear his big brother is glad too!

I feel so blessed today to know Ed, a friend from church, who has retired from his job of many years, but is evidently just getting warmed up! All of us who depend on him to do the things we can't do, wonder how we got along without him! He has done several things for me lately, and you have to beg him for a bill! I've been thinking it would be kind of expensive, but worth every penny! Well, he brought it by this morning, and it was very reasonable. Perfection on a budget! Now they are off to Arizona to do some golfing? I love it!

I've realized two things recently. I know I 'm a little slow! I avoid driving home from work on the old highway. I always continue on past it, and take the new highway and then drive in from the east side of town to get to the house. I do that because if I take the old highway, I drive past the corner that leads to the nursing home Mama stayed in for the last few months before she left us. Most nights I would hurry home from the dairy and stop in to see how the rest of Mama's day had gone after I left her to go to work that morning. At first she would greet me with an impatient "Where have you been?" I would tell her about the dairy and whatever other news I could think of, and she was satisfied with that. As time went by, she pretty much forgot about her house, and adjusted to being at the nursing home. She was always glad to see me, even though she wasn't exactly sure who I was, and though she didn't have much to say, she seemed to enjoy my company. We'll never know in this lifetime what went on in her mind during those last months she was with us.

Now, when I drive by that corner, I just miss her and that time we had every day.

The other thing is, I miss Mama the most at night. When I come home after work now, it is to an empty house. Before she had to go into the nursing home, she and I lived together. It was nice to have her there waiting for me, and I was always much relieved to know she was OK. After a few minutes of visiting (Where have you been?) I would fix something to eat, and even though my sister Myrna had come earlier to fix her supper, Mama was always ready to eat a bite with me.

Those were special times, brought about by unique circumstances, and my how I miss them! I'm looking forward to seeing you again, Mama, and we'll have a good visit then!

I have been doing a little fixing up around the house. I always have to get past wanting to leave it the way it has always been, and thinking of all the hard work Mama and Daddy put into this little house. Then I realize it has been 20 or more years since anything at all has been done, and I can justify changing some things!

I have always wanted more light in the rooms, so I took out the old wall light in the dining room, and added a ceiling light. While I was at it, I added a plug-in for the wall by the couch. Doing all that wiring meant I had to take the wall down to the studs, so I had to put in new wall board. So I had to finish that off again, and I put a coat of primer on it until I am ready to paint the whole room. The other part of this current project is widening the doorway between the kitchen and dining room. That was a big messy job that involved taking out a heat run. I am close to finished with it now - just some minor details left. It is hard to believe what a difference it makes in both rooms to have that wall down! It is much more open and bright! I think Mama and Daddy would love it!

Several Inches of Snow!

As I write this, I am looking out at a fresh blanket of snow that fell during the night. It was a Christmas card sort of night, and I enjoyed seeing it. But oh, am I ready for spring!

I just finished transplanting my cabbage seedlings, so they can grow healthy roots and get ready to put out into the garden. I still have seeds I bought here that traveled with me from Texas! As I worked with the little plants, I remembered how lovely it was just to be at that nursery. Far out in the country where it is peaceful, and with the "lost pines " overhead, the kind of place you want to linger. The nursery is entirely outdoors, and their seed department is a group of old shelves that hold huge cans of seeds! You grab an envelope and scoop out what you want. When you could finally tear yourself away, it was "Y'all come back!"

If I were in Texas now, I would be preparing my garden soil, and that trip to Bastrop would be a priority. My garden was usually in by the middle of March.

Now that I am back home, I will have to wait a while longer. The seed catalogues have been coming in the mail, and I pass the time looking through them. Spring will come again! It always does!

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat
summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease." Genesis 8:22

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:
God shall help her, and that right early.
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved:
he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Come, behold the works of the LORD,
what desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he
breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted
among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

I've been thinking recently how a person's life seems to have a theme. When I was a little girl (a mighty long time ago!) I loved to draw. Actually, I loved to color and paint too - anything that produced a picture. I remember sitting for what seems like hours at the dining room table in the big old house, trying to draw something I had seen in a book or something in my mind. I had special things that I thought I drew well, like a horse's head and Woody Woodpecker! I used to draw paper dolls too, and then make clothes for them to wear!

I remember finding an ad in a newspaper or magazine with a drawing in it. You were supposed to draw it and send it in and you might win a scholarship to art school. Wow, was I excited! Of course, it was a gimmick this art school used to uncover possible candidates, and they responded with a brochure about their school and how much it cost, etc. I remember being disappointed that I didn't "win" and when I heard how much the school cost, I knew it wasn't in my future! I was still very young, and hadn't finished school yet. I wasn't ready for a career quite yet!

I remember one Christmas I was chosen to decorate one of the big windows downtown. I'm just guessing, but it was probably about 6 feet by 8 feet. As I recall, I had chosen a manger scene, and the medium was to be poster paint. I remember practicing until I could reproduce it perfectly. I was all uptight about it! When the day came, I did a really good job, but it was only about 1 foot square, and the rest of the window was empty! I was quite embarrassed about it! I don't recall now if I thought others were going to paint on the same window too, or if I just didn't notice how small my painting was!

I was never satisfied with my pictures - always finding fault with them, and trying to do them better the next time.

Then I grew up and got caught up into living, as one does, and now I really can't draw at all, because I just got out of the habit. If you don't use it, you lose it, you know. Now after raising children, and many years of unrelated jobs, and only a few years before I stop working and retire, I am back to my drawing. This time I am doing it with a computer, and all the pictures are perfect! But I am still not satisfied with the way they look! I will keep trying to do them better the next time!

Photo: Me at 8 years of age!

Almighty God-
In Your great wisdom, You have placed me here in this time and place. So let me step out, trusting You. With my limited vision, I need Your grace to grasp those things that are not seen. I have no power of my own, but You have all power. Do the work in me that You desire to have done. I know not where You would have me go -please be my companion on the way.

Give me Your strength to face what comes my way today. Help me to be diligent in Your word, as You diligently bless my work. When You lead me to a dark place, don't let go around it. Don't allow me to be lazy when I see a chance to serve another. Let me rise above temptation, and help me to remember the lessons of yesterday.

Timeless God, always with the faithful of ages past, thank You for the memory of those gone before. Thank You for the gift their example.

Thank You too, for the apostles, prophets, and martyrs, and most of all for Jesus, Your dear Son, in whose name I pray, Amen.


Each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life. Psalm 42:8

Paraphrase of a prayer by John Baillie in "A Diary of Private Prayer"

Epiphany

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
I John 3:2

Father, we thank you for revealing yourself to us in Jesus the Christ, we who once were not your people but whom you chose to adopt as your people. As ancient Israel confessed long ago, we realize that it was not because of our own righteousness, or our own superior wisdom, or strength, or power, or numbers. It was simply because you loved us, and chose to show us that love in Jesus.

As you have accepted us when we did not deserve your love, will you help us to accept those whom we find it hard to love? Forgive us, O Lord, for any attitude that we harbor that on any level sees ourselves as better or more righteous than others. Will you help us to remove the barriers of prejudice and to tear down the walls of bigotry, religious or social? O Lord, help us realize that the walls that we erect for others only form our own prisons!

Will you fill us so full of your love that there is no more room for intolerance. As you have forgiven us much, will you enable us with your strength to forgive others even more? Will you enable us through your abiding Presence among us, communally and individually, to live our lives in a manner worthy of the Name we bear?

May we, through your guidance and our faithful obedience, find new avenues in ways that we have not imagined of holding the Light of your love so that it may be a Light of revelation for all people.

We thank you for your love, praise you for your Gift, ask for your continued Presence with us, and bring these petitions in the name of your Son, who has truly revealed your heart. Amen
Dennis Bratcher

Happy Birthday Little Sister!

On your birthday, I thank God for you and for all the things that make you "Someone Special:"
You are special because God made you that way!
Psalm 139:13

You are special because God knows you. He looked through the corridors of time and saw you and knew you by name. You are always on His mind.
Psalms 139:17

You are special because God loves you. He has always loved you and holds you close to His heart.
Jeremiah 31:3

You are special and no one can take your place!
Jeremiah 29:11

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace" Numbers 6:24-26

I'm Spending Christmas with Jesus Christ This Year

My sister got a Christmas card from the nursing home where Mama lived for the last 7 1/2 months she was with us. Enclosed was the following poem:

I see the countless Christmas trees

around the world below,
With tiny lights like heaven's stars

reflecting in the snow.

The sight is so spectacular!

Please wipe away that tear
for I'm spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year .

I hear the many Christmas songs

that people hold so dear,
but earthly music can't compare

with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you

the joy their voices bring,
for it's beyond description

to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me.

Trust God and have no fear.
For I'm spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year.

I can't tell you of all the splendor

or the peace here in this place.
Can you imagine Christmas

with our Savior face to face?

May god uplift your spirit

as I tell Him of your love.
Then pray for one another

as you lift your eyes above.

So let your hearts be joyful,

and let your spirits sing!
For I'm spending Christmas in heaven,

and I'm walking with the King!

The Little Things

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:1, 2

I am reminded today that God is not too busy ruling his universe to be concerned with how I live my everyday life. In my daily Bible reading recently I have been reading the prophetic books, and I have to say it can be very depressing! All the death and destruction, gloom and doom. I have thought to myself, "Why don't these people learn? They have seen the result of their idol worship and immorality." Then I came to the book of Amos, chapter 8 where it reads:

Hear this, you who trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end, saying, “When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances, that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of the wheat?”

No mention here of any "great" sin; just every day
things where people were falling short of
what God intended for them. If you read on further, it describes all the consequences in store for them.

It is clear to me that the Lord cares about "the little things."

I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that
no one may seize your crown. Rev 3:11

Photo: Bunny tracks in the fresh snow

Happy Birthday, Mama

Wish we could be there to give you
a birthday hug and remind you in person
how much we love you and what a
wonderful Mom you were...

Wish we could be there--
but we'll be with you in our hearts,
sending you love, and knowing
you will have a beautiful day!

Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Rev. 2:10

Happy Birthday!

Through our years together

and our moments of laughter,

our tears of sadness,

and our joy and happiness --

I've always been glad that you're my sister!

Wishing You a Very Happy Birthday, Myrna!

Random Thoughts About Mama

Here follows a few scattered memories about Mama. They are scattered because that is how they come to me-bits and pieces as I go through my days. Mama has been gone over 7 months now, and there is not a day that goes by without missing her. It is better than at first: her passing was how I marked time. It was hours, then days since she died. Then I counted the weeks, and now the months. I will always remember it was on a Thursday. My sister Myrna and I were there with her when she left us. I will always count it a blessing to be there as she slipped away to heaven. It was hard to watch her last struggle, but wonderful to see the peace that came over her face when at last she was gone. I was sad that she had to go, but so excited for her because at last she could be with Jesus, and see Daddy again. She missed him so much!

I have come to understand in these months since she has gone that I am not just a solitary person, but a part of a larger whole- a family, a community, a universal church. She is now a member of that "great cloud of witnesses" we read about in Hebrews. I know now it is in being a part of things that we experience God's love, and how he chooses to make his love available to us. So I try to cherish the things I am a part of, and try not to take them for granted.

As fall slips into winter I have been preparing my little home for the cold days ahead. I feel a sense of responsibility to this little old house, because Mama loved it so much. She often would just pipe up out of the blue with "This is such a nice old house!" I tried for a short time to have her stay with me in my home at night when she could no longer be alone, but she just wasn't satisfied anywhere else. I remember one morning after kind of a trying night (some nights she didn't sleep much), after bathing and breakfast, we were hurrying over to her house from mine, because that was where she wanted to be. I was feeling a bit stressed. I had to make some dinner and get dishes washed up and then go to work.

Then over the car radio came a worship song, and we were on holy ground. I will never forget hearing Mama sing it in her little voice, mostly a whisper: "I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you. Oh my soul, rejoice! Take joy, my King, in what you hear. May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear." I thought it so incredible that she would remember the words to that little song, when so many other things had gone from her memory. It was a precious moment!

I always feel a connection with Mama in the kitchen. She was always in the kitchen. She was a great cook, and enjoyed eating immensely. Whenever I peel potatoes or do any preserving she is right there with me!

My sons both talk about how she always saved all the toys that came in the cereal boxes, and they all knew where to find them - the middle drawer of the brown cupboard, waiting for the next time they came to visit. She also saved pretty stamps, etc that came in the junk mail because she knew the kids would enjoy them.

My sister Linda mentioned recently that she is just like Mama, because she needs a shopping cart to lean on when she goes shopping. We laughed when we recalled how Mama would just wheel up and down the store aisles like she was on a mission. She hated to give up shopping, when walking became a chore.

Yesterday we celebrated the first Thanksgiving since she has been gone, but I still kind of felt like she was there. We will always laugh about the way she would jump up and start washing dishes before we had hardly finished our last bite. She is a part of each one of us, and a dear memory we will always enjoy.

Photo: 1923 - Mama at 4 1/2 years of age.

Our God is a God of power and goodness, who loves us and knows our souls.
We praise him with joyful hearts:
We praise you, Lord, and we trust in you.
We bless you, Almighty God, King of all things.
We are in the wrong; we have sinned; but you have called us
to know your truth and serve you in your greatness.
God, you chose to open wide the doors of your compassion:
do not let us stray from the path of true life.
As we celebrate the resurrection of your beloved Son,
let us spend this day in spiritual rejoicing.
Lord, give your faithful a spirit of prayer and praise,
and let us always give you thanks.
Lord, may your grace go always before us and behind us:
may it make us constantly eager to do good works.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
Amen.
Photo: Awesome statue looking out over those at rest in the Lake City, Iowa cemetery.

Lord, in your kindness fill our deepest being with your holy light, so that we may be steadfast in our devotion to you: for your wisdom created us and your providence guides us.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

Amen.

Photo: Fall color from our county courthouse square.

prayer from universalis.com for today

After some unseasonably warm and muggy days, a cold front has cleared the air, and we are once again enjoying crisp fall weather. On my morning walk today I was reminded again that eternal life begins at the moment of new birth. We have not been saved to some "pie in the sky by and by" thing, but we are daily walking in newness of life!
The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
Psalm 126:3

Alone

Frequently, people will say to me, "I don't know how you manage being alone." I usually say something like: "I'm used to it now" or "I've been alone for a long time." That really doesn't answer the question they imply, and I want to take a minute to answer it here.

Simply put, I am never alone. I am almost constantly aware of the presence of the Lord in my life. I see His beauty all around: the flowers, the changing seasons, beautiful little children, friends and family to enjoy, and lovely memories of those gone on. I am reminded of His goodness. How blessed I am - I have need of nothing! My home, my church, my job - it's all good! I try not to focus on the negatives, but I take time to appreciate the "little things." I find this very moving.

Last evening in church, Pastor Jake spoke of Abraham and his obedience when God asked him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. He could have ignored God, or decided that he misunderstood. I'm sure in his mind he was questioning why God would take away his only son, the fulfillment of His promise. But Abraham remembered God's faithfulness to him, and decided to trust Him. When God saw Abraham's willingness to obey and his trust, he provided the ram to use as the sacrifice instead.

If we take a minute to review how blessed we are, it is easier to trust God for our future. If we notice how God has turned things around for our good, it will replace our fear with joy and peace.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:14 - 21

Photo: a shady spot in a neighbor's yard
O God, you are my God, I wait for you from the dawn.

My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you.

I came to your sanctuary, as one in a parched and

waterless land, so that I could see your might and your glory.

My lips will praise you, for your mercy is better than life itself.

Thus I will bless you throughout my life,

and raise my hands in prayer to your name;

my soul will be filled as if by rich food,

and my mouth will sing your praises and rejoice.

I will remember you as I lie in bed, I will think of you

in the morning, for you have been my helper, and I will

take joy in the protection of your wings.

My soul clings to you; your right hand raises me up.

Psalm 63:1 - 8

The annual wagon train to town has begun. Now soy beans, and later on corn. The cool evenings have arrived, and we watch as summer slips into fall. I am reminded of God's faithfulness as time passes.

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,

and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.

For the Lord is a God of justice;

blessed are all those who wait for him.

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity

and the water of affliction,

yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore,

but your eyes shall see your Teacher.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,

"This is the way, walk in it."

Isaiah 30:18, 20, 21

More Cute Kids!

I am slow getting this posted, but last Saturday we had great fun at another birthday party. Samantha turned 2, and she got a lot of fun stuff! I sure enjoyed watching her!




Here is her big sister, Alaina, who is 3. She is a little princess:







They had a big time with cousin Rylan on the trampoline too.


It was nice weather, and a lovely time with family.

"Eternal God, unchanging, mysterious and unknown.
Your boundless love unfailing, in grace and mercy shown.
Bright seraphim in ceaseless flight around your glorious throne.
They raise their voices day and night in praise to you alone.

Let every creature in the sea and every flying bird;
Let every mountain, every field and valley of the earth;
Let all the moons and all the stars in all the universe
Sing praises to the living God, who rules them by His word.

Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God!
Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God!"
Fernando Ortega
photo: the beautiful old tree in my front yard

Prayers and Intercessions

Christ, by pouring out his blood, has won for himself
a new people. Let us worship him and humbly ask:
Lord, remember your people.
Our King and Redeemer, listen to your Church as
she sings your praises at the start of the day:
teach her to give unceasing glory to your greatness.
You are our hope and our strength: we put our trust
in you. Let us never be put to shame.
Take pity on our weakness. Hurry to help us,
for without you there is nothing we can do.
Remember the poor and forgotten. Let this day not
be a burden to them, but a joy and a consolation.

Almighty God, creator of a good and beautiful world
may we joyfully set out on this day in your name, and fill
it with acts of love for you and our brethren.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.
Universalis.com - prayer for this morning

It was a very dry summer. The big old tree in my front yard was throwing down leaves and twigs in protest. Then recently we were blessed with a lot of moisture, and now it almost seems like spring again.

Instead, it is time to preserve all the wonderful gifts from the garden. Putting up produce is an enormous job, but it does afford ample time to listen. My sister has been listening to talk radio as she works in her kitchen for years. As for me, I have rediscovered "Messiah" by George Frederick Handel. I have found that a paring knife works wonderfully well as the conductor's baton, and no one minds if I can't roll my rrr's as well as they do on the CD! The familiar music takes me back to high school chorus days. I never could get all the way through the "Hallelujah Chorus" without choking up!

Having lived a good number of years since those high school days, I am better able to appreciate "Messiah." It amazes me to think that Handel completed it in a few short weeks.

He takes us through the scripture, telling us the story of Jesus. At first it is the prophesy foretelling Jesus' coming:

"Comfort ye, Comfort ye, my people...

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord."

He tells us what an impact Jesus would have on the world:

"I will shake the heavens and the earth...

But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire.

And he shall purify..."

He tells of the pervasive darkness of the times. But wait - there is hope!

"Darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people

...the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.

Upon them hath the light shined.

For unto us a child is born...and his name shall be called Wonderful..."

Wonderful indeed!

"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, and he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."

And then the passage we all know:

"Come unto me all ye that labor...and I will give you rest.

Take his yoke upon you...for he is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls...

His yoke is easy and his burden is light."

Jesus suffered on the cross:

"He was despised, a man of sorrows...he gave his back to the smiters...he hid not his face from shame.

Surely he hath born our griefs and carried our sorrows

...and with his stripes we are healed."

His suffering was not only physical:

"All they that see him laugh him to scorn.

Thy rebuke hath broken his heart.

He looked for some to have pity, but there was none,

neither found he any to comfort him

...see if there be any sorrow like unto his."

But glory be unto God:

"Thou didst not leave his soul in hell

...lift up your heads O ye gates...and the King of Glory shall come in

..let all the angels worship him

...thou art gone up on high."

"Hallelujah! The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth...the kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ...and he shall reign forever and ever."

But there is more:

"I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand on the latter day upon the earth...and though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God

...since by man came death, by man came also

the resurrection of the dead

...as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive

...I tell you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye

...O death, where is thy sting? "

And so:

If God be for us, who can be against us?

It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again

...at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain...blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne...Amen!"

Washing, peeling, chopping, slicing, boiling, blanching - it's a lot of work. These busy times in my kitchen have become special times of worship for me, and I think everything I put up will be especially tasty because of it!

Prayers and Intercessions

Blessed be God our Saviour, who has promised
to be with his Church until the end of time.
Let us thank him and ask him:
Lord, remain with us.
Remain with us, Lord, throughout today:
let your grace be a sun that never sets.
We consecrate today as an offering to you:
we promise to do nothing evil today, nor even attempt it.
Lord, may your gift of light shine through us today:
make us the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
May the love of your Holy Spirit guide our hearts
and our speech, so that we may be at one with you
in righteousness and praise.
universalis.com, from the morning prayer for this day

Awesome!

Rylan, my great-nephew, turned 7 Saturday, so yesterday we had to celebrate the occasion. Here he is with his new camouflage shirt. You can see by the little grin how excited he was! There's a lot of enthusiasm for outdoor sports in the family, and it is nice to think of the fun they can all have together hunting and fishing.

Our Pastor Jake said yesterday that the word "awesome" is over-used, and as a result has lost much of its meaning. But Jesus truly is "awesome!" When he said "Follow me" people dropped what they were doing and followed him. The touch of Jesus' hand healed many of their diseases, even commanding those who were lame to walk, and they did. Spirits obeyed his command to stop their torment, and even the wind and the sea became calm at his word.

If we allow him to, He can do awesome things in our lives today too. He can remove our doubts and calm our fears. Knowing him can bring new purpose and direction into our lives.
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

The Past.. and the Future

The Past...
Yesterday my sister Myrna and I took a day trip to Howard, South Dakota. We were pleased to find a pretty little place there in the middle of the prairie. My sister's passion is geneology, and her
research has uncovered the location of a good number of our ancestors. They have gone on now, but it was still nice to visit the little town where they once lived and to see their final resting places. Maybe someday we will meet them face to face!


We have had a lot of rain in the
region, and the ditches were
full of sunflowers - one of my
favorites!


We drove back to Sioux Falls then, and met my youngest sister, Linda and Aubree, her sweet little granddaughter, for a little shopping, and catching up over a snack at Perkins.




It was kind of a long, busy day, but we surely enjoyed it!


The Future...
Friday was my last day at the dairy, and tomorrow I start a new job in the graphics department of a newpaper in a nearby city. I am so excited, and thankful for this new opportunity! I will miss the good people I worked with, and the beauty of the countryside, but it is time to move on. There will be much to learn, and a totally new schedule to get used to, but I know that God, who gives blessings, also extends His grace.

Upstairs in my little storeroom, I have an old cardboard box. It is no longer square, and the bottom is slightly bowed. The edges are frayed. The outside of the box has been covered with wallpaper - white with small blue flowers and green stems and leaves. I have seen that box for years, never giving it a second thought.

Since Mama has gone on to be with Jesus, we have been going through her things. For the first time, I have heard the story of that box, and it fills me up inside!

My sister says she remembers when Mama covered that box. Blue was always her favorite color. Mama was expecting me or my younger sister, and covered that box with wallpaper to prepare it for the new baby's clothes and diapers.

That old box says so many things about Mama! She was looking forward to her new baby. She and Daddy may not have had a lot of money, but Mama did what she could to make our home nice. There may have already been other children in our home, but she was making room for one more. And there was room, too, in her heart.

photo: Mama and Daddy in front of the big old farm house we lived in when I was very young.

BLOOMS IN THE DESERT

For God's eyes...
Years ago, I lived in an isolated, country place. I loved how peaceful and secluded it was! On weekends I would get up early and put on some sturdy boots and go out exploring. I never knew what I would find, but there was sure to be wildflowers everywhere. I remember feeling as if I were the only person in the world! Certainly few people had seen these secret places. Yet God had taken the time to put flowers and trees and butterflies there, even if no one ever saw them!
I read that Hudson Taylor once said that God made flowers to bloom unseen in the desert. His point was that God always does His best. If He always does, shouldn't we? Yes, life is humdrum, and one tires of the same old thing. It would be easier to take a few "shortcuts." Life is hectic, and it would be easier to leave some things undone. Who will ever notice? God sees even when no one else does. Shouldn't that make a difference?
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...it is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23,24
photo: a sunflower in a friend's garden