From Beside the Still Waters...
"I know they works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou ... hast borne, and hast patience, and for my names sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted." - Revelation 2:2-3
Recently at our church we had the funeral of an elderly sister who left a wonderful testimony for Jesus. Before dying she had spoken of her desire to meet her Saviour. The day before the funeral, some church ladies had planned to serve a meal to the family in the church basement, but on arrival they discovered the basement partially flooded due to a leaking water fountain.
A call for help went out, and soon more help arrived than was needed. The thought came to me: My beloved people, the church. How could I survive without them.
My beloved people are a great consolation in physical affliction. Even better than the physical benefits are the spiritual benefits. "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14). When we need sound advice, where do we go? To trained experts in psychology, or to faithful men of God who are led by the Holy Spirit? I choose men among my beloved people.
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints" (Ephesians 4:11-12). No individual is wise enough to have all the answers to life's questions. Neither can one person by himself keep all the New Testament commandments. Let's take delight in belonging to God's people, with the same spirit that Paul expressed in Philippians 4:1: "Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved."
Denver Yoder - Somerset, OH
I love Thy church, O God, Her walls before Thee stand,
Dear as the apple of Thine eye, And graven on Thy hand.
-Timothy Dwight
Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above.
Before our Father's throne We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, Our comforts and our cares.
We share our mutual woes, Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.
When we asunder part It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.
It's definitely knitting and reading weather here lately...
From The Long Winter...
"The shanty was growing colder. The stove could not warm the air inside the thin walls. There was nothing to do but sit huddled in coats and shawls, close to the stove...
The cold crept in from the corners of the shanty, closer and closer to the stove. Icy-cold breezes sucked and fluttered the curtains around the beds. The little shanty quivered in the storm. But the steamy smell of boiling beans was good and it seemed to make the air warmer.
At noon Ma sliced bread and filled bowls with the hot bean broth and they all ate where they were, close to the stove..."
I hope this little excerpt hasn't traumatized you too much Lisa :))
I made bread yesterday too, but no bean soup.
Still working on Marnie's birthday blanket. Unfortunately, I ran out of cream yarn so had to order more online. It should arrive this week and I can finish off the last 3 squares and then start sewing it together...
The red maple trees in the garden have been lovely over autumn...
But most of the leaves have fallen now...
Denver had a birthday a few weeks ago..
We had pizza and birthday cake to celebrate...
Some secondhand books I picked up recently for winter reading...
I've got a few other posts half done, which I hope to publish this week. In the meantime, I wish you a blessed Pentecost...
"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:1-4
From In Green Pastures...
Artwork: Anna Ancher (1859 - 1935)
When you are tempted to chafe and repine at the narrowness of your circumstances and the limitations of your sphere, remember that Jesus, with all his rich life and all his great powers, for thirty years found room in a humble peasant home for worthy living and for service not unfitted to his exalted character. If you can do nothing but live a true Christian life - patient, gentle, kindly, pure - in your home, in society, at your daily duty, you will perform in the end a service of great value and leave many blessings in the world. Such a life is a little gospel, telling in sermons without words the wonderous story of the cross of Christ.
We had our family Mother's Day lunch yesterday...
What Is a Mother?
It takes a mother's love to make a house a home -
A place to be remembered no matter where we roam.
It takes a mother's patience to bring a child up right
and her courage and her cheerfulness
to make a dark day bright.
It takes a mother's thoughtfulness
to mend the heart's deep hurts
and her skills and her endurance
to mend little socks and shirts.
It takes a mother's kindness to forgive us when we err,
To sympathize in trouble,
and to bow her head in prayer.
It takes a mother's wisdom to recognize our needs
and to give us reassurance by
her loving words and deeds.
- Helen Steiner Rice
From A Celebration of the Simple Life by Wanda E Brunstetter...
"Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path." - Psalm 27:11
I love spending time with our Amish friends' children and grandchildren. I find it refreshing to watch them at play. I also enjoy watching Amish parents and grandparents visiting and working with one another. Their simple dress and simple way of doing things awakens a desire within me to simplify my life.
I've noticed with a sense of sadness that many of us "Englishers" are so immersed in TV, computers, cell phones, and other electronic gadgets that we barely know how to communicate with each other anymore. Even when we do visit, the drone of the TV or radio is often on in the background. Is it any wonder that so many people feel uptight and stressed out?
We can always find ways to simplify our lives if we just eliminate some of the unnecessary things. Consider some of the things that make up your day and ask yourself, "Is this really necessary?" The Amish way of life reminds us that there is satisfaction and joy in simplicity. God never intended our lives to be so complicated. This week, carefully examine how you spend your time. What are some ways you can simplify?
Heavenly Father, when I get caught up in "things", help me to redirect my focus. Lead me in a plain, simple path that focuses on You and not on things. Amen.
And last official autumn month...
In reading through some of the Psalms it struck me how often the words "I will..." are mentioned. As in "I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High." - Psalm 9:1-2
So for a little exercise, and to challenge myself, I'm going through the Psalms and writing down some of the 'I will's' I find.
Does my life live up to these 'I will's'?
Does yours?
Do I "(I will) sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." (Psalm 13:6)?
Sometimes I do. But not nearly often enough :)
Be blessed!
See you next time...
xx
