tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29675029764186325832024-03-19T21:06:15.720+11:00 Lynda by the riverLyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.comBlogger987125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-51726522890199622912024-03-16T14:16:00.000+11:002024-03-16T14:16:01.485+11:00Weekend Words<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">From<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/One-Year-Book-Amish-Peace/dp/1414379803"> Amish Peace</a>...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyIxMLGd7Xa3UA7yu7Ei3N9WB2-PRJz12gcSSv9pte2HOpJMXE80l9SghiIa0-utX5skz-tv7GE4sjkPAQPUw2KgthnemXVAUdb8tgacZQm8VS3W0pAqad52CnptmrYfuOCdtFD2w5xGe2fjNIEPpuhb2s3RnXYbhy0LgMCg1ltO_7eN6HbEoajYgwOsW/s2650/IMG_4818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2120" data-original-width="2650" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyIxMLGd7Xa3UA7yu7Ei3N9WB2-PRJz12gcSSv9pte2HOpJMXE80l9SghiIa0-utX5skz-tv7GE4sjkPAQPUw2KgthnemXVAUdb8tgacZQm8VS3W0pAqad52CnptmrYfuOCdtFD2w5xGe2fjNIEPpuhb2s3RnXYbhy0LgMCg1ltO_7eN6HbEoajYgwOsW/s320/IMG_4818.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Be Still</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." </i>- Psalm 46:10</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is nothing more wonderful than taking a walk along a quiet trail on a spring morning with the air still, one's mind still, and the world around still and at rest. New buds cluster on previously dormant tree branches. Spots of floral color can be seen within the light-green grass. It's easy to feel God in such a place.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've walked among Amish men, women, and children at a local auction and felt the same stillness - even in the midst of all the activities. The air stirred slightly from their voices, but there was no loud uproar. People moved, but not in anxious haste. God was honored not only by their words but also by the contented way they interacted.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't feel the same way when I'm in a large city, walking down a high school corridor, or in the middle of a mall. The blare of machinery or music fills the air. Voices do too. The hairstyles, clothes, and merchandise scream, "Notice me, notice me!" The people's actions silently declare the same. Each person wants to be noticed, to feel valued, to stand out.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As believers, we know we are special creations, unique and precious to God. So why do we struggle with comparing our lives, our bodies, our children, our talents (or lack of talents) with others? God didn't create the world to be exalted but to glorify Him. The same goes for us.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be still and know that He is God. Be still. Fight against the desire to create idols of man-made things. Fight against your longing to be noticed and appreciated - to stand out in a crowd.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah 37:16 says, "O Lord of Heaven's Armies, God of Israel, you are enthroned between the mighty cherubim! You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You alone created the heavens and the earth." May not only our words but also our "stillness" in everyday situations make such a declaration.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">Dear heavenly Father, when I feel the urge rising to make myself known, I pray I might make You known. When I feel the desire to gain attention, may I remember to be still and give You the glory.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix32vN5AbAMxE2TIpvXFQkNifhdfzQtpV1i4PC1Egfobgc8K5DNTBvFyWH2FKW-09BBPa7vt_1BYVT04LmAXXMCdHq6-hY9KLThRH5ZgcalA7WCIvogX_LUT0rpY-p5QGNTq7Iv_6YJS9D4ZZ2jBosmeKY-21u9WkTTwmAcK4xN0FdFJZLNZ0G2T1yHph_/s2222/IMG_4735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2222" data-original-width="1898" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix32vN5AbAMxE2TIpvXFQkNifhdfzQtpV1i4PC1Egfobgc8K5DNTBvFyWH2FKW-09BBPa7vt_1BYVT04LmAXXMCdHq6-hY9KLThRH5ZgcalA7WCIvogX_LUT0rpY-p5QGNTq7Iv_6YJS9D4ZZ2jBosmeKY-21u9WkTTwmAcK4xN0FdFJZLNZ0G2T1yHph_/s320/IMG_4735.JPG" width="273" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">From<a href="https://www.gracegems.org/Miller/BOOKS.htm"> In Green Pastures</a>...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Should the uncertainty of all human affairs sadden our lives? No; God does not want us to bring tomorrow's possible clouds to shadow our todays. He does not want us to be unhappy while the sun shines because by-and-by it will be dark. He wants us to live in today and enjoy its blessings and do its work well, though tomorrow may well bring calamity. How can we? Only by calm, quiet, trustful faith in God and obedience to him at every step. Then no troublesome tomorrow can ever bring us harm. those who do God's will each day God will hide under his wings when the storm breaks.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/aX7ucgWlusY?si=DeI-EgHoMFqB5BmM" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aX7ucgWlusY/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe></div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-15235280423471670762024-03-14T17:47:00.000+11:002024-03-14T17:47:34.643+11:00News from home...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are officially in autumn here, but it is still hot. We've been having days in the high 20sC/80sF, so I'm glad for a cloudy day to go for my walks...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp95jYdR1gsXKgfsIn93xmHe7qbeh9cZmw7xiz3TvZ-fYbigRgyAnYjWgNNMsb7tsIXXtBPXgRMRXDJrUGai_u489LmRNxcjhE1ZU9jm6Eyf064gjYDrnfOfysoCcrLLuUAfKuXj44-Am8VWjxdSwVZXEHYQ0pcpsOJBQ6f8UG2t9mJ6QnXh4Rlw1Gyir/s4032/IMG_4727.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp95jYdR1gsXKgfsIn93xmHe7qbeh9cZmw7xiz3TvZ-fYbigRgyAnYjWgNNMsb7tsIXXtBPXgRMRXDJrUGai_u489LmRNxcjhE1ZU9jm6Eyf064gjYDrnfOfysoCcrLLuUAfKuXj44-Am8VWjxdSwVZXEHYQ0pcpsOJBQ6f8UG2t9mJ6QnXh4Rlw1Gyir/s320/IMG_4727.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And some beautiful sunsets too...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynd8mg3LZBkI5eAXe-VKhfd06WQ923gJbnf1VvarqqFmlADKJZyX6Rzm7pulZktwiVQx1YJY7tnvHF19ZpLtzdt4o8SW-Xa-0wVc4aD-WSLQo8hByEjy-HM4Mw0w2_HhA5e00qJPchsE9hf8w5nxg0RDfrxKUmqpE5m01TU1O_uOhFi7itkAIyCItn8Po/s4032/IMG_4533.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynd8mg3LZBkI5eAXe-VKhfd06WQ923gJbnf1VvarqqFmlADKJZyX6Rzm7pulZktwiVQx1YJY7tnvHF19ZpLtzdt4o8SW-Xa-0wVc4aD-WSLQo8hByEjy-HM4Mw0w2_HhA5e00qJPchsE9hf8w5nxg0RDfrxKUmqpE5m01TU1O_uOhFi7itkAIyCItn8Po/s320/IMG_4533.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago I went with Marnie and Tom to <a href="https://tasmaniazoo.com.au/about-us/">Tasmania Zoo. </a> Another very hot day (even the animals were seeking out a shady spot)... </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2kHGvorhD4leA-hXaCFJ7h-xe6XKBbIq97_IolXcvKXQ8_xKOwNljRGnQsnimtmPabfFqDIJzhZGR31YK9t53-tR6UNjp1teEnuVnhEnxYk0FlUn6KG2jXOCky6Gz-bkIpu48ieMbIOsYCS6IVUdCe3-Gfom5TrDOory8eHJah26dxinXN2rTaYo872f/s2896/IMG_4581.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2870" data-original-width="2896" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2kHGvorhD4leA-hXaCFJ7h-xe6XKBbIq97_IolXcvKXQ8_xKOwNljRGnQsnimtmPabfFqDIJzhZGR31YK9t53-tR6UNjp1teEnuVnhEnxYk0FlUn6KG2jXOCky6Gz-bkIpu48ieMbIOsYCS6IVUdCe3-Gfom5TrDOory8eHJah26dxinXN2rTaYo872f/s320/IMG_4581.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z6EhKYUAkO29vaSNbxQA0YQf4if2Nly9U9yuEpO7I4kBGexcWyupLR_rpf8MZvTI2PVBAwdx-7JpAfy_YLGk0svvfN0L0noXYxjd7qPkpLVqNPR32uF81xgmXHS2i1JAPsJg2SJ_armffsEQS_l_BtbBvB9xhW1dFWbrzFQCS0RjracXY164BUJo15WG/s3385/IMG_4562.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3385" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z6EhKYUAkO29vaSNbxQA0YQf4if2Nly9U9yuEpO7I4kBGexcWyupLR_rpf8MZvTI2PVBAwdx-7JpAfy_YLGk0svvfN0L0noXYxjd7qPkpLVqNPR32uF81xgmXHS2i1JAPsJg2SJ_armffsEQS_l_BtbBvB9xhW1dFWbrzFQCS0RjracXY164BUJo15WG/s320/IMG_4562.JPG" width="286" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8-rfJseFoSHhzWQkLiLwQOPGhsaF-YrtigUSEz_sGaBfyOAcglvDui7Og-Sgz9EOd1PyB1wE-MiCcXTW4By91sQHxqV1-Q_lqu2z0HLj55c7qtmEfpgCkSYPY_gExFB-jOqjEZd5v1Gw4UMV5J-I_J9fyZEr0wKqQ_0WyqYuqlw9v7VEXklkiQbky12W/s4032/IMG_4542.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8-rfJseFoSHhzWQkLiLwQOPGhsaF-YrtigUSEz_sGaBfyOAcglvDui7Og-Sgz9EOd1PyB1wE-MiCcXTW4By91sQHxqV1-Q_lqu2z0HLj55c7qtmEfpgCkSYPY_gExFB-jOqjEZd5v1Gw4UMV5J-I_J9fyZEr0wKqQ_0WyqYuqlw9v7VEXklkiQbky12W/s320/IMG_4542.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Still working on the 'colorful blanket'. Have 4 of the 5 strips done...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iwn1mAbwyNOxMDRW4tW1DGpZAtw7CvGQi8s4gOXXYrKI25E4OIV5CNn71WtyyYCytNQB7LfCEbwKY6gl91xwdZXrKQa94bUVGHjOTgFLsz1Lz4cBNVafxZ9daIagc3RckXJliebZb_wM7mkLOxIHbWcURDO1ZnTUqyDydMTlxbATr5QlgVpX5ebjCnbE/s3024/IMG_4630.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2942" data-original-width="3024" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iwn1mAbwyNOxMDRW4tW1DGpZAtw7CvGQi8s4gOXXYrKI25E4OIV5CNn71WtyyYCytNQB7LfCEbwKY6gl91xwdZXrKQa94bUVGHjOTgFLsz1Lz4cBNVafxZ9daIagc3RckXJliebZb_wM7mkLOxIHbWcURDO1ZnTUqyDydMTlxbATr5QlgVpX5ebjCnbE/s320/IMG_4630.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But because I was getting 'color overload', I've put it aside for a bit to work on my 'calmer' crocheted blanket...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuug4elEyn95jN1-jn7MRhNwto2Bm8TMR8OAfsMRrSgOfeYm6lUQfXIEWvm6i2aUq2YcV8VmeJvS4AV95DXaVHEhP_VRZqibtmhT2YBa6HgRhBvjHXLp_11nn75sSjmXsWfOGshZPfyFvUu1of5FzAKvAdHNKCjzpud50XSUoAhS9wMRrWYWdX9QS9FQz/s3663/IMG_4738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3663" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuug4elEyn95jN1-jn7MRhNwto2Bm8TMR8OAfsMRrSgOfeYm6lUQfXIEWvm6i2aUq2YcV8VmeJvS4AV95DXaVHEhP_VRZqibtmhT2YBa6HgRhBvjHXLp_11nn75sSjmXsWfOGshZPfyFvUu1of5FzAKvAdHNKCjzpud50XSUoAhS9wMRrWYWdX9QS9FQz/s320/IMG_4738.JPG" width="264" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">This is my 'Deloraine blanket'. I bought the yarn a year ago, not long before I moved from Deloraine to Latrobe, in colors that reminded me of Deloraine: white (snow on the mountains and clouds), blues (river and sky), green (trees and grass/plants), greys (skies and mountains), brown (rocks and mountains). The colors changed with the seasons, but it is always the colors of nature that draw me.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Picked up this delightful little book at the op shop recently...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywcja0QiOCTGOKnXIjJSl9Lx6rNI65tIU-GUh9F08udRWPAZeHEJNcqcd9OANSWK-44QUGeBwFKrEzGLrLLciTAykkf4PZLsT8AXSiY4f0j4BgH30yezsFHDOBrIwOWHlY_acSWMwR8l3ZiPu9RzoY50iHFn6ymPKAI7ME7rtSRtKQ9qg7IQkSf5-w2Pv/s3226/IMG_4632.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3226" data-original-width="2530" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywcja0QiOCTGOKnXIjJSl9Lx6rNI65tIU-GUh9F08udRWPAZeHEJNcqcd9OANSWK-44QUGeBwFKrEzGLrLLciTAykkf4PZLsT8AXSiY4f0j4BgH30yezsFHDOBrIwOWHlY_acSWMwR8l3ZiPu9RzoY50iHFn6ymPKAI7ME7rtSRtKQ9qg7IQkSf5-w2Pv/s320/IMG_4632.JPG" width="251" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxwow5AgOhMQy02CAo_omMZdAHA2KIqCNu5OP3zmyGI5UyDxF9sswMjvJ7LrF7zIJ9QSWIHy9_T4SUtQO5rzUrwnccsU95mzGRP0aqJYFjXM1CNiiiHJS1weyOy0sNFJ7S4Zp_Fok8GttaURjNM3MKsH-QCn1RIGNFlz3IfnK56S3zwn5QOipPbWmSpY2/s4032/IMG_4633.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxwow5AgOhMQy02CAo_omMZdAHA2KIqCNu5OP3zmyGI5UyDxF9sswMjvJ7LrF7zIJ9QSWIHy9_T4SUtQO5rzUrwnccsU95mzGRP0aqJYFjXM1CNiiiHJS1weyOy0sNFJ7S4Zp_Fok8GttaURjNM3MKsH-QCn1RIGNFlz3IfnK56S3zwn5QOipPbWmSpY2/s320/IMG_4633.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">makes me want to go out and buy a red geranium :)</span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And another op shop find, this bowl and jug ($9)...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifwFdlZunHLi6qSi1XAXuXPHBFkWd8JXHdNDJckgewfJioqK50OTGjSwHxprCznIJQjeVmspH-JZZTSRhv-t0xbg3RVeSaV225wHTbdVNzorBTe18EbMH1e6Gi7LWYiG8fMmynLsh09hyphenhyphenBqI07FZlvLdYVXj_yQeeG7Dsz3a_oMwpJVKJEX9mJ5apIpPo/s2868/IMG_4736.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2868" data-original-width="2842" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifwFdlZunHLi6qSi1XAXuXPHBFkWd8JXHdNDJckgewfJioqK50OTGjSwHxprCznIJQjeVmspH-JZZTSRhv-t0xbg3RVeSaV225wHTbdVNzorBTe18EbMH1e6Gi7LWYiG8fMmynLsh09hyphenhyphenBqI07FZlvLdYVXj_yQeeG7Dsz3a_oMwpJVKJEX9mJ5apIpPo/s320/IMG_4736.JPG" width="317" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">which goes so well with my second-hand, old-fashioned wash stand (bought many years ago)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Had a lovely visit from two of the Mennonite ladies (and two of the young children), who brought me the books I had ordered from the Rod and Staff book publishers catalogue...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCKNWQuaFGkzPrCOrPcNatPq0EoLRJTmbGsQ5jPt3gxMCtTMqO8-frqFvjkzKS13_q8ffMLphxCZn4JlJHxZnCz0eNKU62b9CCmJ63VmEX6-v0mH4kEkOZvyNNnvxN5QXNYVo4H9hxb8AtP1rTO_YJJtdQKDkW-kH1tdJDT53_it-eOtXdKX8cK81vdkv/s3186/IMG_4691.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3186" data-original-width="2879" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCKNWQuaFGkzPrCOrPcNatPq0EoLRJTmbGsQ5jPt3gxMCtTMqO8-frqFvjkzKS13_q8ffMLphxCZn4JlJHxZnCz0eNKU62b9CCmJ63VmEX6-v0mH4kEkOZvyNNnvxN5QXNYVo4H9hxb8AtP1rTO_YJJtdQKDkW-kH1tdJDT53_it-eOtXdKX8cK81vdkv/s320/IMG_4691.JPG" width="289" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">these should keep me going for a while :)</span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">I recently finished re-reading<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vera-Kings-Daughter-Harvey-Yoder/dp/1936208350"> Vera - The King's Daughter</a> (previously read 2020)...</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfNaQ60Zjdh-pcQHuyQsjbX7v2rHftuP58AVFPr42LGkPKcH1Jf_0UsXtIYKvTpGfQFDozpl48YBhwuq4dSNmChHhphMD0zqX61StGUDBYhpiyXZziDYxfemDK1IntcCy8pb79T7Ue57Umtren9kA1bqBoC0d8MuVsm3bCwon8La9Ti0Z3219sK9ICnJ5/s3024/IMG_4693.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2967" data-original-width="3024" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfNaQ60Zjdh-pcQHuyQsjbX7v2rHftuP58AVFPr42LGkPKcH1Jf_0UsXtIYKvTpGfQFDozpl48YBhwuq4dSNmChHhphMD0zqX61StGUDBYhpiyXZziDYxfemDK1IntcCy8pb79T7Ue57Umtren9kA1bqBoC0d8MuVsm3bCwon8La9Ti0Z3219sK9ICnJ5/s320/IMG_4693.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">and have started <a href="https://christianlight.org/books/storybooks/youth-adult/biographical-novels/from-wealth-to-faith">From Wealth to Faith</a></span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">I also received the head covering squares I had ordered from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/DaughtersforHisglory?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=820701362">Michaela's Etsy store</a>...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1-sCHsOQTRUWNKaskIsDIVSpkYXB-MXeDKnwQh4u8pt0x0rZJKjukNgtwGXlAoRtUUqYtBp1bcIMuZlUB0b0Aq9OcIzenjdmC16nAFMMV9FdEgr66ksC12SmXWXctAMRhxsekSRcGL19IaNLgPhyIWaCa3wTDVIeG_-PhIKQi22IR7zLvsQMXh4o3D58/s2862/IMG_4695.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2862" data-original-width="2856" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1-sCHsOQTRUWNKaskIsDIVSpkYXB-MXeDKnwQh4u8pt0x0rZJKjukNgtwGXlAoRtUUqYtBp1bcIMuZlUB0b0Aq9OcIzenjdmC16nAFMMV9FdEgr66ksC12SmXWXctAMRhxsekSRcGL19IaNLgPhyIWaCa3wTDVIeG_-PhIKQi22IR7zLvsQMXh4o3D58/s320/IMG_4695.JPG" width="319" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">wore the brown one for church last Sunday</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And Freya was not a happy cat, having cut the underneath of her paw and needing a trip to the vet (I was not happy either when I saw the bill!!) and bandage, so it could heal. She also needed to stay inside for a few days which she definitely DID NOT LIKE!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVS-WxNaNZ1CY-hL_3gPQ2q9ruz8kIj6e7usBb53Im2UmoB_fwk4n3oa0CIONuRvJ0UZI_C4y-KfJP9-dCskNeL77t1nqYbLa7lRR_bXaC89naD2MqIBTlnMFZBm6Uyq-dlPnomvWKkEXMl5E9RmF8gRifBD9x8VQMf9M_18Y9WP61ub5LHiRnUeMSAcI/s2668/IMG_4621.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2668" data-original-width="2489" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVS-WxNaNZ1CY-hL_3gPQ2q9ruz8kIj6e7usBb53Im2UmoB_fwk4n3oa0CIONuRvJ0UZI_C4y-KfJP9-dCskNeL77t1nqYbLa7lRR_bXaC89naD2MqIBTlnMFZBm6Uyq-dlPnomvWKkEXMl5E9RmF8gRifBD9x8VQMf9M_18Y9WP61ub5LHiRnUeMSAcI/w299-h320/IMG_4621.JPG" width="299" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">She is all better now (but still not speaking to me), and is out exploring again...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZt-xcVULEMRR6n1xebx93XQz4e3yFwDMwanTVf5PKQXGsrhsoec141fXBFmJ1FNPrQLCOWKXhgGKat16vH2ab9dF2tbFK8P3dSxpBe1nQ90gmLOcNgIL__1_iRZiFXaTvvgDwPmyHdaU08chB7bstmTd2X4gmMVf0k9qzpsJKQQuRIdNU66jF2lWy9Yg/s3444/IMG_4645.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3444" data-original-width="2274" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZt-xcVULEMRR6n1xebx93XQz4e3yFwDMwanTVf5PKQXGsrhsoec141fXBFmJ1FNPrQLCOWKXhgGKat16vH2ab9dF2tbFK8P3dSxpBe1nQ90gmLOcNgIL__1_iRZiFXaTvvgDwPmyHdaU08chB7bstmTd2X4gmMVf0k9qzpsJKQQuRIdNU66jF2lWy9Yg/s320/IMG_4645.JPG" width="211" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And remember back in January I mentioned about my 'Bible Word for the Month' I was doing this year? My January word being 'peace' (I found 29 verses); my February word was 'joy' (I found 42 verses); and my March word is 'trust' (so far, I've found 34 verses). I'm sure there are many more, and it's been fun looking them up (in various concordances - KJV, NKJV and NIV) and writing them out.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are some 'trust verses'...</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><u>Psalm 9:10</u> And those
who know Your name will put their<b> trust </b>in You; For You, Lord,
have not forsaken those who seek You. (NKJV)</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><u>Proverbs 3:5-6 </u> <b>Trust</b>
in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own
understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct
your paths. (NKJV)</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><u>Nahum 1:7 </u> The Lord is
good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who
<b>trust</b> in Him. (NKJV)</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wafrsDo_0ciiUmpgO7z-nI5S6ybiPap_3lPMo11SnXo7V_KWlztaVVbjz6yajqPYvb8QYfn0x2Z4Aoz3CJ_WOjo5pOTxc0WQIqjgLa-zkW11jfttfg6v4ww8CRKTNJZ1vDx__rLp2dXf26AqYS38-11TFJbp0I8GADHDblFFXoZr8kPQbhXum57m8qcx/s875/IMG_4724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="875" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wafrsDo_0ciiUmpgO7z-nI5S6ybiPap_3lPMo11SnXo7V_KWlztaVVbjz6yajqPYvb8QYfn0x2Z4Aoz3CJ_WOjo5pOTxc0WQIqjgLa-zkW11jfttfg6v4ww8CRKTNJZ1vDx__rLp2dXf26AqYS38-11TFJbp0I8GADHDblFFXoZr8kPQbhXum57m8qcx/s320/IMG_4724.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #38761d;">"Lord, in your kindness, give me Yourself, for You are all I need."</i><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></div></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">- Julian of Norwich (1342 - 1416)</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Simply trusting every day;</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Trusting through a stormy way;</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Even when my faith is small,</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">Trusting Jesus, that is all.</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a blessed week, and keep on trusting ...</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">xx</span></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-15586237247146983422024-03-09T17:56:00.004+11:002024-03-09T17:56:47.963+11:00Weekend Words<p><span style="font-size: large;"> From <a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Book-Amish-Peace/dp/1624909396">Amish Peace</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2gC7KnEBkC3_EtX8e_MmL5OClZ_AbWTVdcWikiPQen-fUNM6Ds6ejMXByBqroqSs3Utk1P6GDq3oHcQn_zZcHM6qBlah5oZy48BaulrjJqsUZTw-av1VNmhh4FwV3xonfMRhpxbhmW08Pz0KOdq168b5TaTOBy5dzpHk6pd2JQDrpm4o2CiuxvHl9bBc/s1760/IMG_4720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1742" data-original-width="1760" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2gC7KnEBkC3_EtX8e_MmL5OClZ_AbWTVdcWikiPQen-fUNM6Ds6ejMXByBqroqSs3Utk1P6GDq3oHcQn_zZcHM6qBlah5oZy48BaulrjJqsUZTw-av1VNmhh4FwV3xonfMRhpxbhmW08Pz0KOdq168b5TaTOBy5dzpHk6pd2JQDrpm4o2CiuxvHl9bBc/s320/IMG_4720.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jesus, the Way</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Jesus told them, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." </i>- John 14:6</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Amish have a slower way of life, but slow and steady isn't <i>the way. </i>The Amish build their lives around good morals, including telling the truth, but truthfulness isn't <i>the way</i>. The Amish celebrate life. They have large families and commune with others. But living <i>this way</i> isn't what saves their souls. The life they enjoy is good but not good enough. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus is the Way. The Truth of God, the Word of God, come in the flesh. Following Him is <i>the way</i> to live. Dedicating our lives to Him is <i>the way</i> to eternal life. And to walk in <i>the way</i>, we must read the Word of God and listen to the still, small voice of His Spirit.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is within Jesus that we will find the life we've longed for. It might be slower paced, but it also might have seasons of outpouring of love and giving of our time and care. In Jesus we find life larger than we expected, both here and in eternity. A life filled with people to walk with, people to circle around us, and people to serve. To gain that life, we need to turn to Jesus - not to human ideas and rules.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes we are so busy trying to find the<i> right way - </i>or we're discontented because we believe that someone else's lifestyle is a <i>better way</i> - that we miss out on finding Jesus,<i> the Way</i>.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;"><i>"Listen to me, all peoples of the earth. Listen to me, young and old, great and small. If you want to be saved, you need to leave sin, follow Christ the Lord, and live according to his will. Christ Jesus came to the earth to teach men the right way to go ... He said: 'I am the way the truth and the life, no-one comes to the father except through me.'"</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">Ausbund, 82</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">From Beside the Still Waters...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAj2uquf-t5bsqOzQucaiaw1LP7zg6-IRyLGGJSG39gBtlxso4Rn5Ia5SpUk5BmJqfuQGKqRCDl730GeUDlOEmOWZiC9kqc8wEAvg4IA0DdIH52fDalvpc3msjXTgdtT6xWeX7deG0rnBqRp8JMmeNH4TL66rQuImF5mnfqMWuA3BN4oKMImJVr_ZtdXnE/s2841/IMG_4716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2841" data-original-width="2405" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAj2uquf-t5bsqOzQucaiaw1LP7zg6-IRyLGGJSG39gBtlxso4Rn5Ia5SpUk5BmJqfuQGKqRCDl730GeUDlOEmOWZiC9kqc8wEAvg4IA0DdIH52fDalvpc3msjXTgdtT6xWeX7deG0rnBqRp8JMmeNH4TL66rQuImF5mnfqMWuA3BN4oKMImJVr_ZtdXnE/s320/IMG_4716.JPG" width="271" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Stirring Covetousness</b> - Read: 1 Timothy 6</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"But godliness with contentment is great gain."</i> - 1 Timothy 6:6</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We were driving through the country when we passed a model home that looked very attractive. There's probably nothing wrong with a house like that, but a thought came to mind. Can we be guilty of tempting others to covet when we spend extravagantly to dress up our home? I do believe we need to be careful about our lifestyle, lest we cast a stumbling block before others by stirring covetous desires in them.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I think of the story about a man who used a very old and decrepit tool in his work. His friend admonished him, saying, "You are not that poor; you can afford something better than that." The man replied, "Yes, I can, but I don't want to be a stumbling block to my neighbor who cannot afford anything better." Do we consider that when we set out to improve our situation, or do we think, "I deserve it"? Very easily we can be an offense to someone without thinking.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The fact is that many problems in today's world involves coveting in one way or another. This can include wars driven by people who covet power or land. In contrast, we should willingly accept what God allows to come into our lives. We show a lack of faith in God when we are discontent and we covet the things of others. "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Fred Beachy - Crofton, KY</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><i>And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.</i> - 1 Timothy 6:8</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35-7t5nTG0BG5-Q2E26Y3_UHv3Z2i4mLY9BUTsPQuzA6J7xRwxKGW39CbMTanqJ84Tlm4-5S1-bmGZin6g162WujwnpSLWjv6N2AqhwA4alcJRhMcEZ-IX-xrZhiz6dLwUb6KM57I4RezElSE8CrwJVEYSBr7bcb8qaEY5PEs0G81BWwnMEk4pAFhft-R/s2145/IMG_4718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2145" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35-7t5nTG0BG5-Q2E26Y3_UHv3Z2i4mLY9BUTsPQuzA6J7xRwxKGW39CbMTanqJ84Tlm4-5S1-bmGZin6g162WujwnpSLWjv6N2AqhwA4alcJRhMcEZ-IX-xrZhiz6dLwUb6KM57I4RezElSE8CrwJVEYSBr7bcb8qaEY5PEs0G81BWwnMEk4pAFhft-R/s320/IMG_4718.JPG" width="311" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">From <a href="https://www.gracegems.org/Miller/BOOKS.htm">In Green Pastures</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Greatness in God's Sight.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The greatest men are but fractions of men. No one is endowed with all gifts. Everyone has his own particular excellence or ability. No two have precisely the same gifts, and no two are called to fill precisely the same place in life. The lowliest and the humblest in endowments is just as important in his place as the most brilliantly gifted. The great life in God's sight is not the conspicuous one, but the life that fills the place which it was made to fill, and does the work which it was made to do. God asks not great things; he asks only simple faithfulness, the quiet doing of what he allots.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK0qcPk-xW34zIfWVIpoMpT-Y27nMF0ygJ_-UbbJWJwUbARyVH48x6BHPjhTe2gRjGm_FWAzxzQbddb-C8fH1dM5waXzPScBJ8SoeO9VRNJZl0oyI34opkjWa6aslnMmU_ZXxgp0eEMeDTUnXCLVTZhGgjXvnoH6f-h5_Gey6ZDZGv8iqumlli2H8f7J8/s2223/IMG_4722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2064" data-original-width="2223" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK0qcPk-xW34zIfWVIpoMpT-Y27nMF0ygJ_-UbbJWJwUbARyVH48x6BHPjhTe2gRjGm_FWAzxzQbddb-C8fH1dM5waXzPScBJ8SoeO9VRNJZl0oyI34opkjWa6aslnMmU_ZXxgp0eEMeDTUnXCLVTZhGgjXvnoH6f-h5_Gey6ZDZGv8iqumlli2H8f7J8/s320/IMG_4722.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you have 15 minutes, grab a tea or coffee and listen to this <a href="https://www.dontperish.com/uploads/4/4/2/8/44282867/evidence_you_got_it.mp3">uplifting audio</a> from sister Aman at dontperish.com. She and her husband (brother Tupos) are van dwelling, street preachers in the USA.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzdA8BorU9lQ2B1Rxnlj96IjUqQ1A6rALSNPT7yTy9l30OsOezJ3t-8AEph2UpSP3PPbSnLptvYMyImcOJ9N1kZIZFRQqLNp6gbTlsPz1KVfov_jj0iP8IzOVUgNWum3bNug69Xlxn33_kHviz7nN1kvUWlp66uaP1JrixreVK2KX6BjsMYOLKYrhhhwX/s1624/IMG_4721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1455" data-original-width="1624" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzdA8BorU9lQ2B1Rxnlj96IjUqQ1A6rALSNPT7yTy9l30OsOezJ3t-8AEph2UpSP3PPbSnLptvYMyImcOJ9N1kZIZFRQqLNp6gbTlsPz1KVfov_jj0iP8IzOVUgNWum3bNug69Xlxn33_kHviz7nN1kvUWlp66uaP1JrixreVK2KX6BjsMYOLKYrhhhwX/s320/IMG_4721.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(all the illustrations are from my books I ordered from the Mennonite church (Rod and Staff publishers) which were delivered yesterday. I hope to get a 'home...' post up about that and other updates in the next week.)</span></div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-27640877371000320802024-03-03T14:25:00.000+11:002024-03-03T14:25:55.692+11:00Weekend Words<p><span style="font-size: large;">Sorry I didn't get a post up last weekend. Lots of headaches/migraines to contend with but feeling better now.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qrGmaIk5T2exVStFz_EUu2y0bSjsiFXUkWVhs-9ZqLjY5WT9BvXQGrZ3bJE57DNIS1w9dMQT3moWiM8ehNVIvRgPwyHMdjPNXAXO9eQcF78E1pMyhPH6jGPQEl0TYoRTaKGnyQeLjjUMeElxl9GNHnSMpuElCK_9b-QQHt11j3znsYfpSC7V24SGEZdD/s1119/IMG_4600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="786" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qrGmaIk5T2exVStFz_EUu2y0bSjsiFXUkWVhs-9ZqLjY5WT9BvXQGrZ3bJE57DNIS1w9dMQT3moWiM8ehNVIvRgPwyHMdjPNXAXO9eQcF78E1pMyhPH6jGPQEl0TYoRTaKGnyQeLjjUMeElxl9GNHnSMpuElCK_9b-QQHt11j3znsYfpSC7V24SGEZdD/s320/IMG_4600.JPG" width="225" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Form Beside the Still Waters...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Facts or Feelings?</b> Read: Romans 3:11-22, 1 John 1:5 - 2:5</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."</i> - 1 John 2:16</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"How could anything that feels so good be wrong? It certainly doesn't hurt anyone." Ward is a professing Christian who frequently uses recreational drugs. He excuses his sinful behavior by the absence of any guilty feelings. Mark, another professing Christian, is living with an unmarried woman, yet he adamantly defends this relationship since both of them are so very happy. After all, there's a Bible verse that says, "If our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence towards God" (1 John 3:21).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our Creator designed us with a variety of emotions, but He never intended that our feelings overrule the facts taught in His Word. All sin is associated with some form of pleasure, whether it be material, sensual, or emotional. But the fact remains that "the soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4). God's Word, not our personal feelings or preferences, is the only reliable standard to distinguish right from wrong.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Strong feelings, however, can also result in discouragement for no valid reason. An overly sensitive conscience, a tragedy, or a difficult circumstance may result in feelings of God's withdrawal or rejection. these emotions can cause serious discouragement and even despondency. But Jesus is a Lord of compassion and mercy, not a vindictive tyrant like the false gods of heathen peoples. "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">May we be fully convinced that the facts of God's word always outweigh personal feelings. and may we allow the Lord to work through us to charitably admonish sinners and reassure saints with the same truth.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pete Lewis - Halsey, OR</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courgette; font-size: large;"><i>"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy."</i> - Psalm 16:11</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs_IGOQ99EEaB4C4ZozRzLB6CmP9HXefbUl_7aCnIA9xLvMJlW2V3IWU8CboCzE1Sowb5vGd-e4oIwYr33hlOawiAzRVyjsFCYLmedebYBku8gNEdsyEtVcOLENMOKPRQtqNMTOzyT14e8cPjCi4jRyGmTICcC3yU0oioPG0J6KEHiDepv_PMi8mLL2b7/s1083/IMG_4602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="968" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs_IGOQ99EEaB4C4ZozRzLB6CmP9HXefbUl_7aCnIA9xLvMJlW2V3IWU8CboCzE1Sowb5vGd-e4oIwYr33hlOawiAzRVyjsFCYLmedebYBku8gNEdsyEtVcOLENMOKPRQtqNMTOzyT14e8cPjCi4jRyGmTICcC3yU0oioPG0J6KEHiDepv_PMi8mLL2b7/s320/IMG_4602.JPG" width="286" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">From <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Green-Pastures-J-R-Miller/dp/1612031927">In Green Pastures</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fault-Finding.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is strange how oblivious we can be of our own faults and of the blemishes in our own character, and how clearly we can see the faults and blemishes of other people. Finding so much wrong in others is not a flattering indication of what our hearts contain. We ought to be very quiet and modest in criticizing others, for in most cases we are just telling the world what our own faults are. Before we turn our microscopes on others to search out the unbeautiful things in them, we had better look in our own mirrors to see whether or not we are free ourselves from the blemishes we would reprove in our neighbor. There is a wise bit of Scripture which bids us get clear of the beams in our own eyes, that we may see well to pick the motes out of the eyes of others.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSm9fPvgdqImJxfDOCpJImavIM7zsoMlWgYE9Fj_Eubk0FxI-_5A10Ko1iENpmGWMn4JUM1klq_LWncSJlX12bx4PJIjPuiGSh_OBF7r4dOFfkZptURUq3KBQezbtXmmjWsEktJArKLVDKn6e3ninW32NlL8me4BqQAzrHci__q_EMFlDvw-Y0Mk1FKca/s1038/IMG_4601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="788" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSm9fPvgdqImJxfDOCpJImavIM7zsoMlWgYE9Fj_Eubk0FxI-_5A10Ko1iENpmGWMn4JUM1klq_LWncSJlX12bx4PJIjPuiGSh_OBF7r4dOFfkZptURUq3KBQezbtXmmjWsEktJArKLVDKn6e3ninW32NlL8me4BqQAzrHci__q_EMFlDvw-Y0Mk1FKca/s320/IMG_4601.JPG" width="243" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>In all thy Ways.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do we make much of God in our lives? Is God really much to us in conscious personal experience? Do we not go on making plans and carrying them out without once consulting him? We talk to him about our souls and about our spiritual affair; but we do not speak to him about our daily work, our trials, our perplexities, our week-day, work-day life. We are to shut God out of no part of our lives. We must have something besides human nature, even at its best, if we would be ready for all that lies before us. We must get our little lives so attached to God's life that we can draw from his fulness in every time of need.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUO-ySSi6BnL5EfKL4zkKJqGpCm3QdNjgr6OE0cL68kBppzlgdtSeH9qmQMF1Ohiz_E8rByJu_S0e1OiAAjAty0sPF4FtoKtWRGVW2-75P5a4A7ceL9hQwD4wh2gUPCt6jt6qUmEBjfWpyZgl5znRRijWXHgC34L9kvQS9eednZ3wXBESjvB7_t4VgYa2/s1046/IMG_4603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1046" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUO-ySSi6BnL5EfKL4zkKJqGpCm3QdNjgr6OE0cL68kBppzlgdtSeH9qmQMF1Ohiz_E8rByJu_S0e1OiAAjAty0sPF4FtoKtWRGVW2-75P5a4A7ceL9hQwD4wh2gUPCt6jt6qUmEBjfWpyZgl5znRRijWXHgC34L9kvQS9eednZ3wXBESjvB7_t4VgYa2/s320/IMG_4603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-22014200602632204652024-02-18T16:35:00.000+11:002024-02-18T16:35:14.352+11:00Weekend Words<p> <span style="font-size: large;">From Beside the Still Waters...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc3tQCD0ww3hR32wRwyP8yTJwKia9QN7gAcLn-MCsxuHNqO1ABYyc8_AsSET7ROEvwntbQSZgEK6kf5_rPCAGLaadf3TstluzASOzGo9sv4lXQu4_iFSqlU3MdACiR0iruxg5gQUOpDsp8PHOWlgPGNzHvJ_Q7eOSjIabCH-KolwmHuBQshVnkkJuW6Vm/s1320/IMG_4450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="857" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc3tQCD0ww3hR32wRwyP8yTJwKia9QN7gAcLn-MCsxuHNqO1ABYyc8_AsSET7ROEvwntbQSZgEK6kf5_rPCAGLaadf3TstluzASOzGo9sv4lXQu4_iFSqlU3MdACiR0iruxg5gQUOpDsp8PHOWlgPGNzHvJ_Q7eOSjIabCH-KolwmHuBQshVnkkJuW6Vm/s320/IMG_4450.JPG" width="208" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jesus Said, "I Am the Way"</b> - Read: John 14:1-14</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me."</i> - John 14:6</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus is the way. The way to where? How do we begin to travel on the way? Why would we want to travel on Jesus' road? What is the destination at the end of the road?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have family members living in other states. When we want to visit them, we make sure that we travel the road that takes us there. We travel the road because we have a certain destination in mind. We also follow the signs and instructions along the way. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In today's verse, the Greek word for "way" could be translated "road" or "highway". Matthew 7:13-14 speaks of two roads that we can travel. One leads to destruction and the other leads to life. When Jesus said, "I am the way," He meant that His road leads to eternal life.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We all want to live in our present life, but we know that someday we are all going to die. Jesus said in John 11:25, "He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." This means that even though we die here, we will live eternally if we have faith in Jesus.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We begin travelling Jesus' road by repenting of our sins and not living in those sins anymore. We choose to obey the teachings of Jesus as found in the Gospels. If we do these things, our life will be different from before. Our heavenly Father will also send the Holy Spirit to guide us and to give us strength for victory over sin.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we are not walking in the way of Jesus, let's make the choice to begin now. By continuing to travel this way, we will finally reach Heaven, the place of eternal life.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joseph Sharp - Adams, NY</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">There is no other way to the heavenly Father and eternal life than the way of Jesus.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fgJvrpRXFUW2s3jEV3KXW3z0DWsKjxP7ADe6JL44cM0WCsWEiqp1-im1NMSn6yviE9rG2p12UHayN0uPx6bCxTETvovHV_vGNemy3vkIrGot-OKHo9Ace1brcPpeLU7t-N4ypPL4NsLFq_oWIV1rfl02wtuBp9B13bmR36K2iWamw4ecVgAx7nqNNklA/s1125/IMG_4454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1125" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fgJvrpRXFUW2s3jEV3KXW3z0DWsKjxP7ADe6JL44cM0WCsWEiqp1-im1NMSn6yviE9rG2p12UHayN0uPx6bCxTETvovHV_vGNemy3vkIrGot-OKHo9Ace1brcPpeLU7t-N4ypPL4NsLFq_oWIV1rfl02wtuBp9B13bmR36K2iWamw4ecVgAx7nqNNklA/s320/IMG_4454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Both the following devotionals are from<a href="https://www.gracegems.org/Miller/BOOKS.htm"> In Green Pastures (J R Miller)...</a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(A little </span>devotional<span style="font-family: inherit;"> book I </span>have<span style="font-family: inherit;"> on my </span>shelves<span style="font-family: inherit;">, first published in 1890 under the title 'Bits of Pasture', but still very </span>relevant<span style="font-family: inherit;"> today):</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>God's Plan for Our Lives.</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God does not </span>merely<span style="font-family: inherit;"> make souls and send them </span>into<span style="font-family: inherit;"> this world to take bodies and grow up amid crowds of other souls with bodies, to take their chances and make what they can of their </span>destinies<span style="font-family: inherit;">. He plans specifically for each life. He deals with us as individuals. He knows us by name, and loves us each one with a love as distinct and personal as if </span>each<span style="font-family: inherit;"> was the only child he had on this earth. He has a definite plan for each life. It is always a beautiful plan too, for he never designs marring and ruin for a life. He never made a human soul for the express </span>purpose<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of being lost. God's design for each life is </span>that<span style="font-family: inherit;"> it shall reach a holy character, and do a good work in the world, fill a worthy place, however humble, and fill it well, so as to honour God and bless the world.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivexA5nKfKuXk_RBUESRyLxf9k_chWmt2n17kT3iJ2HBiTj6e9IQ5pTwihLNTTLvBq14KYbARjcTZCk5wgJh5OefKmzFWmcvhQBqMENakGccLwRUXrGAZ-gf1LgX0ZhuhiUy1czSquPBd4656WzSi29wLUB4sc1n6r7j3qlFDsTkk6BoxvOcYdJfP6-X4a/s992/IMG_4455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="927" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivexA5nKfKuXk_RBUESRyLxf9k_chWmt2n17kT3iJ2HBiTj6e9IQ5pTwihLNTTLvBq14KYbARjcTZCk5wgJh5OefKmzFWmcvhQBqMENakGccLwRUXrGAZ-gf1LgX0ZhuhiUy1czSquPBd4656WzSi29wLUB4sc1n6r7j3qlFDsTkk6BoxvOcYdJfP6-X4a/s320/IMG_4455.JPG" width="299" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Making Others Happy.</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The world needs </span>nothing<span style="font-family: inherit;"> more than it needs happiness-makers. There is a great deal of sadness everywhere. The Bible is a book meant to make people </span>happy<span style="font-family: inherit;">. Joy-bells ring all through it. The mission of the gospel is to make happiness. The angel's announcement of good tidings of great joy is going forth yet on every breeze. The story of the love of Christ is changing darkness to light, despair to hope, tears to laughter, sorrow to rejoicing, in all lands. It is the mission of every </span>Christian<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to be a happiness-maker. Each one of us has power, too, to add something at least to the world's gladness. We can do this in a thousand ways - by being joyful </span>Christians<span style="font-family: inherit;"> ourselves, making our lives a sweet song; by telling others the joyful things of the Word of God; by doing kindnesses to all we meet; by comforting sorrow, lifting burdens, cheering sadness and weariness, and scattering benedictions </span>wherever<span style="font-family: inherit;"> we go.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMH2Ky0BkQOx31NdZwzSBlb3NQImEvfvyndfTd07yIkGbC9zSCU5OoVY4JE6VtLgfFiM_f4zpZ71qzo5xBHYkBy_gRdUyRDQLWYCdNUlwkqFjrR3Rz8T29A7C69zZxZsEIp86t7hKE_JKFuukVJ_1rQ2njS0bkx5kTqsp_tGohkS5sp8-H7TTIlu_X83xk/s1231/IMG_4456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="826" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMH2Ky0BkQOx31NdZwzSBlb3NQImEvfvyndfTd07yIkGbC9zSCU5OoVY4JE6VtLgfFiM_f4zpZ71qzo5xBHYkBy_gRdUyRDQLWYCdNUlwkqFjrR3Rz8T29A7C69zZxZsEIp86t7hKE_JKFuukVJ_1rQ2njS0bkx5kTqsp_tGohkS5sp8-H7TTIlu_X83xk/s320/IMG_4456.JPG" width="215" /></a></span></div><p></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-70074518972804647772024-02-14T16:07:00.001+11:002024-02-14T16:07:59.353+11:00On the home front ... (in two parts)<p> <span style="font-size: large;">I started this on the 31st of January, but rather than delete and start again (now that its 14th February!), I will leave it and add an update...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Part 1</b>: The local haberdashery store finally got some more of the wide, dark green, bias binding in, so now I can finish the mats I started before Christmas. I have been using the one I did get finished, but it will be nice to get the rest done...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9R-aU0AvVszIVFpIOqQRqIpNxcGRV8IJ0FNYrmU3qFrA5ylerfg5CPKDzfZepSpF8DQWeg2Au87fkQZdJ3ui2Pyjs40xcqKku7Cs2FgB6IduuSHeVDg4jCxm7wYQ0HhSCLkqfS-aQbx5l04hQM6fVUyNQOGnnwQZY_R3mZMVoglw_zHoxzDXvrUYXT2Js/s3882/IMG_4276.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3882" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9R-aU0AvVszIVFpIOqQRqIpNxcGRV8IJ0FNYrmU3qFrA5ylerfg5CPKDzfZepSpF8DQWeg2Au87fkQZdJ3ui2Pyjs40xcqKku7Cs2FgB6IduuSHeVDg4jCxm7wYQ0HhSCLkqfS-aQbx5l04hQM6fVUyNQOGnnwQZY_R3mZMVoglw_zHoxzDXvrUYXT2Js/s320/IMG_4276.JPG" width="249" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">After a beak in knitting due to the very hot weather, I got back to it recently. I have 2 strips (of the 5) done on the blanket...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHinZuQdYkCeW5mxIe-MhqriL5saEujbI111cXOc3ceFwfXMCLzXZW-eqjZeuLyAuz59OZnDDb4n3k9-03MAxVEgIGU6NAoj44H8RBgQUKmKdTGOTElkIHwbJKxbajh3FUkTTuuSbsXTwlLSFvPsuxrGWZCghyphenhyphen_ELSCGlxu0nkuFySm8acCKSumfb_bqO/s3484/IMG_4277.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3484" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHinZuQdYkCeW5mxIe-MhqriL5saEujbI111cXOc3ceFwfXMCLzXZW-eqjZeuLyAuz59OZnDDb4n3k9-03MAxVEgIGU6NAoj44H8RBgQUKmKdTGOTElkIHwbJKxbajh3FUkTTuuSbsXTwlLSFvPsuxrGWZCghyphenhyphen_ELSCGlxu0nkuFySm8acCKSumfb_bqO/s320/IMG_4277.JPG" width="278" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">And I'm still in<i> Miss Read </i>mode. Although I've had these 2 on my shelves for a while (both picked up at the op shop) I hadn't read them, so it was nice to have a new read (even though I know all the characters) rather than a re-read...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAYWHIRoOuXFhVUOZ5V0czgB2Su_JgaW4OFwcncSMicuO5j2GGgOIE9W3GqY67cct-kpKb7ryAsYzncKzMaBfUrTM3vCmNIViEftIabyJtM0g-iyIqsMrWcivHbTQdFzJqJo27nn4T11CtzzbwCQzAN4R33jSQPsECMvD8OaI-tmzCkFXqYJWjtekV6v9/s3578/IMG_4278.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3578" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAYWHIRoOuXFhVUOZ5V0czgB2Su_JgaW4OFwcncSMicuO5j2GGgOIE9W3GqY67cct-kpKb7ryAsYzncKzMaBfUrTM3vCmNIViEftIabyJtM0g-iyIqsMrWcivHbTQdFzJqJo27nn4T11CtzzbwCQzAN4R33jSQPsECMvD8OaI-tmzCkFXqYJWjtekV6v9/s320/IMG_4278.JPG" width="270" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The summer weather has been horribly hot and windy, resulting in LOTS of headache days for me, but on the good days, I made a start on this little area in the garden which I will edge with bricks (brought from the Deloraine house) so I can get the plants in the ground rather than in pots. They do so much better in the ground...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCrM5TSTD00vZ4ipt4vuHFzSf36ZVI3ThC60R7Aa-Ns3MXu9ntE8p80W5SNtSRMBrDNH3jj9LNBrmAA10LWxDPeiYuWANVRg5i28OmPMrLaifC4rgz3hlswjm-H3q4ZFc5KWwEzxGY-uEzjHrWxFnhr7GJzaOIqlLAzP4NzQkwu96oLpmZpI2Omp7Lc6m/s4032/IMG_4245.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCrM5TSTD00vZ4ipt4vuHFzSf36ZVI3ThC60R7Aa-Ns3MXu9ntE8p80W5SNtSRMBrDNH3jj9LNBrmAA10LWxDPeiYuWANVRg5i28OmPMrLaifC4rgz3hlswjm-H3q4ZFc5KWwEzxGY-uEzjHrWxFnhr7GJzaOIqlLAzP4NzQkwu96oLpmZpI2Omp7Lc6m/s320/IMG_4245.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">the dead one is one that Marnie brought over hoping I could resurrect it, but it was too far gone, unfortunately</span></i></div></i><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Part 2: </b>Today...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As I finished on the garden report, I'll start this part with an update, that I did this morning...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH87OYqdwT7Wbviblg2H1eJ9JHhIhhRFsU9gfOUVbXXiMcW14exVmYtblxfSa5Zmj7iow4xaKoYZG5QggeaNUohdYmZyTQZL8FiTBWY5YrjYpfJnEDlUdPHJl8s4R2Hw5KrYbr7HmmdJ0CbXGggolC-ZvCOnBR809GaS5DCK8Y5j4a4pvP_jlp6rB9vj4M/s3668/IMG_4399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3668" data-original-width="2658" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH87OYqdwT7Wbviblg2H1eJ9JHhIhhRFsU9gfOUVbXXiMcW14exVmYtblxfSa5Zmj7iow4xaKoYZG5QggeaNUohdYmZyTQZL8FiTBWY5YrjYpfJnEDlUdPHJl8s4R2Hw5KrYbr7HmmdJ0CbXGggolC-ZvCOnBR809GaS5DCK8Y5j4a4pvP_jlp6rB9vj4M/s320/IMG_4399.JPG" width="232" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4128iMiZvv0lz0w_l6PrNswl8W1JaM1J548N48ZMN6ZVM9jdMW6HUCCRVuaXsNufzTl38kWMDy3Isg4moYWQSC0FZXLysQf4xs0XjU85ca7GnBGaqPLpfwY2GXq0TSl9FtptDUTgl5nDxMCdcZ-Rnar-U0opJvt4l8t86sNoEtRUpjitcF8rQ6QLzH65/s4032/IMG_4404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4128iMiZvv0lz0w_l6PrNswl8W1JaM1J548N48ZMN6ZVM9jdMW6HUCCRVuaXsNufzTl38kWMDy3Isg4moYWQSC0FZXLysQf4xs0XjU85ca7GnBGaqPLpfwY2GXq0TSl9FtptDUTgl5nDxMCdcZ-Rnar-U0opJvt4l8t86sNoEtRUpjitcF8rQ6QLzH65/s320/IMG_4404.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">hope I can get it finished soon...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div></i><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made it to the Saturday afternoon sessions of the Mennonite conference, and I've ordered some books from them (they sell Rod and Staff books). They had to order some from the US (that they didn't have in stock) and will let me know when they are ready to pick up.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of books... I'm still in <i>Miss Read</i> mode and bought this one (secondhand) from eBay. Another one I'd not read...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooxPVBQo7WgTWQmw47Al6Y7OHL6HZDDcczEtF7WT_KzZRs_tR5PyuINICCSX_DzVoL-pGcoxOp7dAKu40yJo-pNQuQB5zcBp2teJ5_3ZhEN8_WLQUZRaCSGhH_jTxtUsxNyo_OulkYksom0X00r85Io-bWO6JG2a59XQigK-SuIVWBNwTZGuNPwZnNAIP/s4032/IMG_4406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooxPVBQo7WgTWQmw47Al6Y7OHL6HZDDcczEtF7WT_KzZRs_tR5PyuINICCSX_DzVoL-pGcoxOp7dAKu40yJo-pNQuQB5zcBp2teJ5_3ZhEN8_WLQUZRaCSGhH_jTxtUsxNyo_OulkYksom0X00r85Io-bWO6JG2a59XQigK-SuIVWBNwTZGuNPwZnNAIP/s320/IMG_4406.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: left;">And I've almost finished the third (of five) blanket strips...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RF0_CUgwywJmmpHAOH036T6Dom057CQDKKoyb1x3BxcIS5Xlud5IMcPMuMIaHCH3yGPIiSACnjv5_xctR9UEn74rEa62jn0zNwkh43_XRICA4BgqqHet4059VGWa5r6sJGpJrYZzCYikxE3TCAipbJREKydj9yQcCfQNOzIVQs7zH9duslfHKKGGcghv/s3717/IMG_4405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3717" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RF0_CUgwywJmmpHAOH036T6Dom057CQDKKoyb1x3BxcIS5Xlud5IMcPMuMIaHCH3yGPIiSACnjv5_xctR9UEn74rEa62jn0zNwkh43_XRICA4BgqqHet4059VGWa5r6sJGpJrYZzCYikxE3TCAipbJREKydj9yQcCfQNOzIVQs7zH9duslfHKKGGcghv/s320/IMG_4405.JPG" width="260" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I won't have enough of the colors I've been using to do the rest, so will probably incorporate some other colors as I don't want to buy more yarn. <i>Did I really say that!!! :))</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a photo from one of my recent morning walks...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2giCfpZkKqbL5CPZV38sKRqtpjYY1qzlUXlRn2skEljgVDfa_nxOQLo-ykYW7AuseVflyc6djlhXN_yZQ5iPuiMiDRRBnUxR24EBPiTNVbjkY8rGAChqqN9X17d7t266MQIwEZUg2voTqPKbAd6n8-xySSlaKuN-_arzCm9_46KN2m28XidzkPqdkVCax/s4032/IMG_4340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2giCfpZkKqbL5CPZV38sKRqtpjYY1qzlUXlRn2skEljgVDfa_nxOQLo-ykYW7AuseVflyc6djlhXN_yZQ5iPuiMiDRRBnUxR24EBPiTNVbjkY8rGAChqqN9X17d7t266MQIwEZUg2voTqPKbAd6n8-xySSlaKuN-_arzCm9_46KN2m28XidzkPqdkVCax/s320/IMG_4340.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><i>I love a cloudy day...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And I'm loving these two that Natasha sent yesterday from snowy Connecticut...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWodnWaiE6KS6XWGIv9Tdp0MbjkeX2glJ41j0oO3XMfAMsp5RvyqbJu2JofQ3BisZRFQCQp1H_XyJeie2TqzsSp3vYP7zx7OpnoOXKPiV7dy6DVwa7usWzZdBQWRAKzp7Wp57_6vF1gZJ3V-6ZBvfUJ7kO8bIbuz5UwHkTDFIarzAvczyiv4A2zjhmP8cQ/s2048/IMG_4389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWodnWaiE6KS6XWGIv9Tdp0MbjkeX2glJ41j0oO3XMfAMsp5RvyqbJu2JofQ3BisZRFQCQp1H_XyJeie2TqzsSp3vYP7zx7OpnoOXKPiV7dy6DVwa7usWzZdBQWRAKzp7Wp57_6vF1gZJ3V-6ZBvfUJ7kO8bIbuz5UwHkTDFIarzAvczyiv4A2zjhmP8cQ/s320/IMG_4389.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUopj6x0QEI0ZGzOYW9iPtfoA1PmY1rC3Nty20ekW6VKLv5Ypop3nUawMyiPbfapRMVoCQ02mNWtztj_sFTSuWpUjAAdJmf_IgTpDhesL2o5n66Co9YnwQW4iNzyzG4UsBMjzbAxDlPFtB9gpEdHh_wIOYsn-pfAdD2DfmiT_qraCnL54XTrqIRlD0_PK4/s2048/IMG_4390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUopj6x0QEI0ZGzOYW9iPtfoA1PmY1rC3Nty20ekW6VKLv5Ypop3nUawMyiPbfapRMVoCQ02mNWtztj_sFTSuWpUjAAdJmf_IgTpDhesL2o5n66Co9YnwQW4iNzyzG4UsBMjzbAxDlPFtB9gpEdHh_wIOYsn-pfAdD2DfmiT_qraCnL54XTrqIRlD0_PK4/s320/IMG_4390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While we're on a winter theme, from my<i> Miss Read</i> read :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower;">"It was Miss Clare who first pointed out that Fairacre School was one hundred years old.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower;">It was a bleak Saturday afternoon, and we were enjoying hot buttered toast by the schoolhouse fire. Outside, the playground, and beyond that the fields and distant downs, gleamed dully white in the fading light. It had snowed every day since term started over a week ago, and from the look of the leaden skies, more was to come...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower;">Indoors we were snug enough. Between us, in front of the log fire, stood the tea tray, the cups steaming fragrantly with China tea. The lamp glowed from the bookshelf behind Miss Clare's white head, making a halo of her silver hair. Miss Clare knows Fairacre school well, as she was both pupil and teacher there for many years, and was serving as infants' teacher when I was first appointed as headmistress, until ill health caused her retirement..."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Indie Flower;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLDgKPWsAjx-6H-MjuskfoyEUe4JJLp9GU4lNawCF45VzlWPt0koAy910nxbI9wEeBm9hY7T0p7NIiTikNwZ3OluZw0gD7ugeR4Lbw1aOcOy6ibX074WV8hWZnAXTXrlOfiRfRG-ZuNngqXhdwyCezm7OvGNEXOKb-iESf3FL64AxSd4sotDHK5-z6YE6/s2527/IMG_4407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2527" data-original-width="1777" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLDgKPWsAjx-6H-MjuskfoyEUe4JJLp9GU4lNawCF45VzlWPt0koAy910nxbI9wEeBm9hY7T0p7NIiTikNwZ3OluZw0gD7ugeR4Lbw1aOcOy6ibX074WV8hWZnAXTXrlOfiRfRG-ZuNngqXhdwyCezm7OvGNEXOKb-iESf3FL64AxSd4sotDHK5-z6YE6/s320/IMG_4407.JPG" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And speaking of hot buttered toast and tea, it sounds like a good idea...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xx<i> </i></div></div></span><p></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-23847183735727045392024-02-10T16:00:00.000+11:002024-02-10T16:00:13.223+11:00Weekend Words<p><span style="font-size: large;">Apologies for not getting a post on last weekend. I did get to the afternoon session of the Mennonite conference, but have also had a lot of headaches, home and garden chores, appointments, etc. Hoping for a better run this week... (photos are from my walk this morning)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNwB4XdiD_JnN9lymwUa2eP5FVQr2AaUO3Wv4oSbqz2mOFYzMv0jnQFoO3uHPqU31BlxESh9GlLg2P_khG7T6NKWs_5gNshKp87GeYLh8akq2XMf8a793GrqnQnowTiw8X8uvMIneRhTiUYw0SAkSjGA3cMceWzuXmJ10LX3ypBQFNAB8_kavBG0hHF5f/s2644/IMG_4364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2644" data-original-width="2539" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNwB4XdiD_JnN9lymwUa2eP5FVQr2AaUO3Wv4oSbqz2mOFYzMv0jnQFoO3uHPqU31BlxESh9GlLg2P_khG7T6NKWs_5gNshKp87GeYLh8akq2XMf8a793GrqnQnowTiw8X8uvMIneRhTiUYw0SAkSjGA3cMceWzuXmJ10LX3ypBQFNAB8_kavBG0hHF5f/s320/IMG_4364.JPG" width="307" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">From Beside the Still Waters...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Don't Be Quick to Judge</b> - Read: Romans 2</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment judge, ye shall be judged."</i> - Matthew 7:1-2</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today's Bible reading and key verse tell us to be very cautious about judging other people. The reason is that the way we judge others is the way we will receive judgement. This is a sobering thought that should cause us to use great care in our criticism of each other. The human tendency is to feel that if you don't agree with me, you must be wrong. We do ourselves and others a great benefit if we always remember what the Bible says about judging. Many people have been wounded because others were more ready to judge than to listen.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes people carry deep hurts in their heart that cause them to look or act in strange ways. Jesus the Good Shepherd gave His life for the sheep. Are we willing to lay down our life for fellow sheep - our Christian brothers and sisters? We need to be charitable with their faults because we love them too much to judge without knowing all the facts. It is always best to "wear the other person's shoes" before we judge him about something. Is it kind? Is it true? Would I want it to be said about me?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Often we judge others wrongly because of our biases. We tend to show favor towards ourselves and our friends, and disfavor towards people we dislike. If our ill-tempered neighbor has a weedy garden, we consider him lazy; but if it's our friend's garden, we reason that he must have good reasons. Judging fairly requires a heart that is sanctified and free from ill will and bitterness. We do well to honestly examine our own hearts first; then our brother's problems will look smaller or even disappear.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Denver Yoder - Somerset, OH</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courgette; font-size: large;">Pray, don't find fault with the man who limps or stumbles along the road,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courgette; font-size: large;">Unless you have worn the shoes he wears or struggled beneath his load.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">- Mary Torrans Lathrap</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vD3yfRJJLPi74RzLv9USH0Ngl5pGOPNILsJVHvlO6oPogySJxPeloJxmJ8GoBdIc9SkuYJsnzYfXlr51WNsLaxbyEM3OrVd5YZDlV1BtJcbIkU1FjHoZiIVZ-47kaUqfrWhAVk9-qW9fUIaRtIkjRBZkNM5fEJsKXDgAvv5wYQxXEWlVxD9eYh_2qsyy/s2652/IMG_4362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2652" data-original-width="2601" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vD3yfRJJLPi74RzLv9USH0Ngl5pGOPNILsJVHvlO6oPogySJxPeloJxmJ8GoBdIc9SkuYJsnzYfXlr51WNsLaxbyEM3OrVd5YZDlV1BtJcbIkU1FjHoZiIVZ-47kaUqfrWhAVk9-qW9fUIaRtIkjRBZkNM5fEJsKXDgAvv5wYQxXEWlVxD9eYh_2qsyy/s320/IMG_4362.JPG" width="314" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Way Home</b> - Read: Romans 8:1-21</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." </i>- Romans 8:6</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">On December 24, 2022, blizzard like conditions developed in southern Ontario. I have a tractor with an enclosed cab, so I decided to venture out with it and remove some snow from our neighbor's driveway. However, I did not realize the fury of the storm. The distance was less than half a mile, but the visibility was so poor that I simply inched along.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I finally arrived at my neighbor's driveway, but as I turned in, something very unusual and disturbing happened. Because of the frosted windshield and swirling snow, I became completely disoriented! I desperately wanted to head back home, but which way should I go? If I moved in any direction, I might get further away from home and end up some place that I didn't want to be. Finally after much deliberation, I decided to leave the comforts of the tractor cab and look for a familiar landmark nearby. I soon found such a landmark, and only then did I feel sure of which way to travel so that I could make it safely home.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">On our spiritual journey, we also run into circumstances where we can't see clearly. The visibility becomes foggy, we become </span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">disoriented, and we hardly know which is the right way to go. There are so many elements swirling around that we lose our direction. What should we do? Today's key verse gives a landmark that is very helpful.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A spiritual mind enlightened by God's word is always a faithful landmark. Following our carnal mind may be comfortable, but it is not safe. Let's remember this when our visibility in life becomes unclear. The Word of God and the Spirit of God are the only reliable landmarks to give us direction and peace and to guide us safely home.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joseph Kuepfer - Newton, ON</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courgette; font-size: large;">The way of the cross leads home.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkHR-PRLJux1OJ3JghMfbTnpecVlvy02AWaOo9hhQqNg5OQZPkN5GM3A2WcOron1zoXS9uccUjYvVQ2d7-O_E-IrSuG0jEkqw8ETRDXOybWIRoCE2TIurMg70sSDO9sjJ_N0zmOGfbb-_yVef8tUNDVHXkdZkg7kVsBHBkT6WCQAuho8PrRDitGo8PIIg/s4032/IMG_4357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkHR-PRLJux1OJ3JghMfbTnpecVlvy02AWaOo9hhQqNg5OQZPkN5GM3A2WcOron1zoXS9uccUjYvVQ2d7-O_E-IrSuG0jEkqw8ETRDXOybWIRoCE2TIurMg70sSDO9sjJ_N0zmOGfbb-_yVef8tUNDVHXkdZkg7kVsBHBkT6WCQAuho8PrRDitGo8PIIg/s320/IMG_4357.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-60171544754035335032024-01-28T15:50:00.014+11:002024-02-14T15:05:22.130+11:00January Bible Word and Mennonite Conference<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to tell you a bit more about my 'Bible Word for the Month'. I've seen in previous years where people choose a Bible word for the Year and find the verses in the Bible containing it, write them out, study them...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaqwNZP1Csoi1uRGF_9yKQ-G2ioDSmPSP8UCmu-0dGP5xjulxmEhC1M-q0XLxvxIrWHPgcyvz96tiqhK8zn-96VnwH5sNkNPeXkLoYXCrKRB1hyjXOWXe_ovyhyphenhyphenLKEWdD1j87LLQLC8xkCYnRr94TQsVrsgXqXJ8g0e_eVZKcpNdxjzmLZ1qTXMwcd-SH/s982/IMG_4255.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="982" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaqwNZP1Csoi1uRGF_9yKQ-G2ioDSmPSP8UCmu-0dGP5xjulxmEhC1M-q0XLxvxIrWHPgcyvz96tiqhK8zn-96VnwH5sNkNPeXkLoYXCrKRB1hyjXOWXe_ovyhyphenhyphenLKEWdD1j87LLQLC8xkCYnRr94TQsVrsgXqXJ8g0e_eVZKcpNdxjzmLZ1qTXMwcd-SH/s320/IMG_4255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year I wanted to to do a different Bible word for each month. So for January I chose '<b>peace</b>'. I looked up the concordances in three of the Bible versions I currently use (King James Version, New King James Version, and New International Version), made a note of the verses mentioned (I did not use all of them), and wrote them out. I found 27 through the concordances, but have also been finding others in my Bible reading. Like this one...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>"for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and <b>peace </b>and joy in the Holy Spirit,</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>Therefore let us pursue the things which make for<b> peace </b>and the things by which one may edify another." </i>- Romans 14:17,19 (NKJV)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> been fun to do, and next month the word I chose is '<b>joy</b>'. Maybe you might like to join in, or chose a different word for yourself :)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4LDMA0hM1pLqAAXiErRe3BwO3sFGZ0lhd_OvUNjG6y3Unxit-ChomJdBHMjMBXVdQnw4DrZxauwkAC7k4DTmFucbP29rABRIBHZHdjAvWBpxg3sbKxbcCpSiSkscq38dcLgblbl6YI9U6XsVl8Jkxn2WF3JKW_cQpyTKEAcEhODvlwefplPWTiDQp9hE/s969/IMG_4257.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="969" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4LDMA0hM1pLqAAXiErRe3BwO3sFGZ0lhd_OvUNjG6y3Unxit-ChomJdBHMjMBXVdQnw4DrZxauwkAC7k4DTmFucbP29rABRIBHZHdjAvWBpxg3sbKxbcCpSiSkscq38dcLgblbl6YI9U6XsVl8Jkxn2WF3JKW_cQpyTKEAcEhODvlwefplPWTiDQp9hE/s320/IMG_4257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I also wanted to tell you about the Annual Mennonite Conference on this coming weekend (2nd - 4th </span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">February) ...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7Dw3oUujb-f2qLQXsBZPZTxvDK0mf1C9kIull7oa8_MFOtirzaAFqtRhWNpuds8nVKArHFoaLa6GJ7tlf7n7AzhYULG2D6SR2Nh8oU-VqRgbcG4vDTp9beU4IIHBqXx5nPWCsJifV8tZRbxUIvH5xDwR2jYPdroJQ-rhTqFVxC4JkeEO237VwsbuRVlI/s1125/IMG_4252.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1125" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7Dw3oUujb-f2qLQXsBZPZTxvDK0mf1C9kIull7oa8_MFOtirzaAFqtRhWNpuds8nVKArHFoaLa6GJ7tlf7n7AzhYULG2D6SR2Nh8oU-VqRgbcG4vDTp9beU4IIHBqXx5nPWCsJifV8tZRbxUIvH5xDwR2jYPdroJQ-rhTqFVxC4JkeEO237VwsbuRVlI/s320/IMG_4252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijqqUIKJz7YWEdu8_gOzwhdCnfzC6jih_RGXikLsOtS549wYnPBKhT4d_WAXoSUMQacG2vrwwjc85EI5ijTDz5jdqsanv2pUfwkv9_3w8Vb2WsKDV1cWZqBbm2lWIORYHUBIL3vtPJ0Qbrs6OSCia6XnVKLtDNg8N8PFw-XW7WvgIIH2Zq2M8zBFRxbM_/s1125/IMG_4250.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="1125" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijqqUIKJz7YWEdu8_gOzwhdCnfzC6jih_RGXikLsOtS549wYnPBKhT4d_WAXoSUMQacG2vrwwjc85EI5ijTDz5jdqsanv2pUfwkv9_3w8Vb2WsKDV1cWZqBbm2lWIORYHUBIL3vtPJ0Qbrs6OSCia6XnVKLtDNg8N8PFw-XW7WvgIIH2Zq2M8zBFRxbM_/w400-h194/IMG_4250.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><i>these photos from the internet are not of the Western Tiers Mennonite church, but they look like this :)</i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Conference will be held at Meander Hall, Tasmania. Here are the details...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEv075yUc9lHigOmEr0Xebfrc7VpaWW1drBSGGaaCI7Y0j8Nvgg_Q2YONFey__Sx4oqGdgy11LvI6jcnGEcqGN-aKP4JUIYMnuFwTOAwjtMovJuq6GuVUdgCL4BPconZaadD_XXf34mbWpeWPu76dVqem89367iWaShDQ_bOFSesYrMpbeRtTmoP7KXXe/s2657/IMG_4254.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2657" data-original-width="2442" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEv075yUc9lHigOmEr0Xebfrc7VpaWW1drBSGGaaCI7Y0j8Nvgg_Q2YONFey__Sx4oqGdgy11LvI6jcnGEcqGN-aKP4JUIYMnuFwTOAwjtMovJuq6GuVUdgCL4BPconZaadD_XXf34mbWpeWPu76dVqem89367iWaShDQ_bOFSesYrMpbeRtTmoP7KXXe/s320/IMG_4254.JPG" width="294" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2k2MQaxCLg3rChqPQzJJnWrEVG_CykRe-PhjCYFSLjtmXKngW8FatXvJkIE-R6AKGe8ZOT4GiFVCSEunVvZ7eeCKdF-1CY8nANBD2TQ-hiKL229Yj-CQMDX9oZb2gapp_a64aZBvjgnDig5m9iNWLl7TvMwfxGQtu2RjoOfxXxaykB3928b6bTv-3Ihj-/s2974/IMG_4253.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2974" data-original-width="2786" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2k2MQaxCLg3rChqPQzJJnWrEVG_CykRe-PhjCYFSLjtmXKngW8FatXvJkIE-R6AKGe8ZOT4GiFVCSEunVvZ7eeCKdF-1CY8nANBD2TQ-hiKL229Yj-CQMDX9oZb2gapp_a64aZBvjgnDig5m9iNWLl7TvMwfxGQtu2RjoOfxXxaykB3928b6bTv-3Ihj-/s320/IMG_4253.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you can read the details. If you click on the photos, it brings them up larger. But in case you can't read it, the contact person/number for more info is: Harold Weaver; ph: 6362 3609.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope to get to at least the Saturday afternoon session. Maybe I'll see you there :)</span></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-87958195820960478482024-01-28T14:38:00.000+11:002024-01-28T14:38:00.896+11:00Weekend Words<p> <span style="font-size: large;">From <a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Book-Amish-Peace/dp/1414379803">Amish Peace</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8CPU-DoWsxToumPapabiYMIRFwphPgOtSOLoPcTNyknMNX9aVYlBegHnOCDz1zb5EIaR9FeJhFoAiv1R2wW0r69qOEbloyHpxX8pTos75H6JyINAe74pvuJIuF75tTXgZbtOkCRalXlWAHGkcaX78lxNYMwy-aYT4knDm_f9bKzAkM4O-4stOW0APpTd/s1125/IMG_4238.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1125" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8CPU-DoWsxToumPapabiYMIRFwphPgOtSOLoPcTNyknMNX9aVYlBegHnOCDz1zb5EIaR9FeJhFoAiv1R2wW0r69qOEbloyHpxX8pTos75H6JyINAe74pvuJIuF75tTXgZbtOkCRalXlWAHGkcaX78lxNYMwy-aYT4knDm_f9bKzAkM4O-4stOW0APpTd/s320/IMG_4238.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chasing the Wind</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil."</i> - Proverbs 15:16</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the hardest things about living a busy, modern life is that family members tend to run in their own directions. Parents often have jobs away from home, and younger children spend their days in day care or school. The afternoons of older children are filled with sports practices or other activities, and the evenings and weekends can be filled with sports events or other forms of recreation. Believe it or not, the possibility of the same thing happening in their community is one reason most Amish reject machinery and choose to stay away from modern vehicles as much as they can.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amish take a critical look at the pros and cons before they are willing to accept a new invention. They consider the effect something new will have on their family, whether it will encourage family members to work together or cause them to drift apart, and whether the cost will force them to take jobs away from the family to pay for it.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Considering this reminds me of one of my favorite verses, Ecclesiastes 4:6: "Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind." It makes me think about my own life and about what I often embrace without question: <i>Will this draw my family closer or move them apart? Will it cause me to work longer hours to pay for it? Am I trying to fill my hands and, in effect, chasing the wind?</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's easy to think of the Amish as odd for not wanting to make their lives easier, but maybe we need to consider what's truly easier - living a hurried life or working hard with your family by your side?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Gqa8w2x3aq2BS4hG2mpfvP5cIC_HmNrbq95V6j_EYyilNRUAVyvKaECH2wTX0O9C9ATzoBo71EekXo83ggYAYc_Td5Rg22WNos3Hv_Hum6czI72CKEjeIQRCom7YzEM6VSRuFnKQD_xxbG5Wpm8PSyXqQC2BFAsNVri4IxRMmx33RKpZp1dyig2i4_O/s904/IMG_4236.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="904" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Gqa8w2x3aq2BS4hG2mpfvP5cIC_HmNrbq95V6j_EYyilNRUAVyvKaECH2wTX0O9C9ATzoBo71EekXo83ggYAYc_Td5Rg22WNos3Hv_Hum6czI72CKEjeIQRCom7YzEM6VSRuFnKQD_xxbG5Wpm8PSyXqQC2BFAsNVri4IxRMmx33RKpZp1dyig2i4_O/s320/IMG_4236.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">Heavenly Father, my heart feels heavy when I think of all I've added to make my life easier, when the truth is, those things have become a heavy burden on me. Give me discernment about what my family really needs. I open my hands to You and ask You to strip away what is not necessary, what is harmful to the contentment of my soul. Amen.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyyUCtV1kJfFWhyphenhyphenZSeLHawnpatpKrN87vylBGNu41ZyFBZwkwCpSl4GsdIibwidsuflkoNEJ8c0KC1ox_PcOiyZ3WfL2dPjxMd4mdFjzCtcnjqKZv0L-82gRLn1RKhJnqZifTfc2ZwPZxKIDOG-Ck_nI6GZbBnHKjgf8_uABvN7jrmqc7hRSZdatTG68R/s829/IMG_4237.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="621" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyyUCtV1kJfFWhyphenhyphenZSeLHawnpatpKrN87vylBGNu41ZyFBZwkwCpSl4GsdIibwidsuflkoNEJ8c0KC1ox_PcOiyZ3WfL2dPjxMd4mdFjzCtcnjqKZv0L-82gRLn1RKhJnqZifTfc2ZwPZxKIDOG-Ck_nI6GZbBnHKjgf8_uABvN7jrmqc7hRSZdatTG68R/s320/IMG_4237.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">From <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Be-Still-Know-Millie-Stamm/dp/0310329914">Be Still and Know</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."</i> (Philippians 4:11)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Contentment is defined as "satisfaction; the state of being happy with what one has or is." It has been described as "that which calms you down."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever said, "If I could have that dress (car, home, or business position), I could be content"? Yet after you obtained it, you were not satisfied. You wanted something else. You discovered that acquiring possessions does not bring contentment. Someone has said, "A person's life is a constant struggle to lift his earning power up to his yearning power."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">People today are searching for that which will bring contentment. But because they seek in the wrong places for the wrong things, it eludes them.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Paul learned that there is contentment and it was not dependent on his outward condition, for he was in prison when he wrote Philippians. Translators inserted "therewith" in this verse, emphasizing that Paul was content with his circumstances. When we omit the word, "therewith", we discover that the emphasis is not on Paul being content WITH His circumstances, but being content IN them.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He learned that real contentment was in Jesus Christ, His sufficiency and satisfaction. "For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness" (Psalm 107:9).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Contentment is the inner satisfaction that enables us to live in quietness, peace, and acceptance. "Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am" (Philippians 4:11 <i>Amplified</i>).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you learned to be content? Possession of material things, social position, fame, talent will not give you permanent contentment. But you can be contented daily regardless of where you are, what you are, what you have or what you do not have. Real contentment for you can be had through the Lord Jesus Christ.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Paul wrote, "[And it is, indeed, a source of immense profit, for] godliness accompanied with contentment - that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency - is great and abundant gain" (1 Timothy 6:6, <i>Amplified</i>).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/u9VTg5iuQv4?si=lLJDLgI1lh4THjq6" width="480"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-65883736681044263332024-01-21T15:41:00.000+11:002024-01-21T15:41:49.331+11:00Weekend Words<p> <span style="font-size: large;">From Beside the Still Waters...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI1ukhwaoNDte-QZ6_ogSsTxNUe9dIG-ecEHpqMrVmpVJB2M4Mb3aUODa8IZcipiLv-rwd3sKUePKHUoNDA5X7QM0GYW3cFw_5YQddzOgk_gWZIee9jI9JCw5pYzdUiqV5UqMUD6mYfanoMK9Rxd3MqQJdvaxfdL9NvidXo2s6bQhoHYORy-d0hx83g9i/s1074/IMG_4145.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1074" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI1ukhwaoNDte-QZ6_ogSsTxNUe9dIG-ecEHpqMrVmpVJB2M4Mb3aUODa8IZcipiLv-rwd3sKUePKHUoNDA5X7QM0GYW3cFw_5YQddzOgk_gWZIee9jI9JCw5pYzdUiqV5UqMUD6mYfanoMK9Rxd3MqQJdvaxfdL9NvidXo2s6bQhoHYORy-d0hx83g9i/s320/IMG_4145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>January, Month of Beginnings </b>- Read: Exodus 12:1-14, 24-28</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." </i>- Genesis 1:1</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">God is before all beginnings. That fact gives us confidence as we begin a new year. We know that God has no beginning and does not count time as we do. However, He knows all about the beginnings we face. As His children, we can enter each new beginning of life with joy and expectation of His presence and blessing.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why do we pause at new beginnings and consider them special? It may be a new year, a new phase of life, a new child, or other new beginnings. One reason is because they represent new opportunities to serve God. Another reason is that from our viewpoint in the present, we can't see into the future. We want God to be with us as we travel the untrodden path of 2024. It's not that we know it will be significantly different from 2023, but the unknowns call for a security that doesn't come from within us. Real security comes from the presence of God, who promised Moses, "My presence shall go with thee." Moses felt his need so keenly that he said, "If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence" (Exodus 33:14:15).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beginnings give promise of growth, progress and maturity. This is especially true when we begin and then go on with God. Obviously, those who read this are engaging in thoughts of God and instruction from His Word. That is one way to begin with God. A second way is to share those thoughts with other people. Then we do not need to begin alone. A third way to begin this year with God is to engage in fellowship with other Christians in a scriptural church. All these methods lend stability and provide depth to the foundation of a new beginning. </span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Delmar Eby - London, KY</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">To begin with God is to set the course for a good ending.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXkbi2bacvkDz3sEWgAhv27dhxPgdvukNhpbCWF-bpGiFOvpZwb-4AALlb-nPWY_dlakTboBJb4_YqUINfMdi2pmncdYAy1ljltm14xfySzjHW_RQpReXpF0Iehagn_Si_SPPtjXInuLIaJs69WXP7cE8jCyb2o6gN3o4cvmjZFLqrE3JKmRL_ztPTWH0/s874/IMG_4146.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="857" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXkbi2bacvkDz3sEWgAhv27dhxPgdvukNhpbCWF-bpGiFOvpZwb-4AALlb-nPWY_dlakTboBJb4_YqUINfMdi2pmncdYAy1ljltm14xfySzjHW_RQpReXpF0Iehagn_Si_SPPtjXInuLIaJs69WXP7cE8jCyb2o6gN3o4cvmjZFLqrE3JKmRL_ztPTWH0/s320/IMG_4146.JPG" width="314" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">From <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/One-Year-Book-Amish-Peace/dp/1414379803">Amish Peace</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtlq3jxQnkSbmAP94MCv8WHkH0lLBeGF2_I_vrBcw1te872wvN-74-mzXEbybFvgxHU20pn1HCR172GRj5wMskN37gOl53lPzIBS7YW7SKl1w_iI4pdMOZxl-5BfWSXhi-UMG_l8rd52AZsPAbMDrJ82tjHKw4yfnlUWPNDYXDd8kkPwJfgTO9ZjHUa7M/s1125/IMG_4141.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1125" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtlq3jxQnkSbmAP94MCv8WHkH0lLBeGF2_I_vrBcw1te872wvN-74-mzXEbybFvgxHU20pn1HCR172GRj5wMskN37gOl53lPzIBS7YW7SKl1w_iI4pdMOZxl-5BfWSXhi-UMG_l8rd52AZsPAbMDrJ82tjHKw4yfnlUWPNDYXDd8kkPwJfgTO9ZjHUa7M/s320/IMG_4141.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Pass It On</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"Here is my greeting in my own handwriting - Paul."</i> (1 Corinthians 16:21)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is nothing like an unexpected letter or package to bring internal sunshine to a long dreary day. My </span>Amish<span style="font-family: inherit;"> friend Irene remembers her excitement as a young girl running home from the mailbox with a large manilla envelope addressed to her: a circle letter had arrived!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A circle letter is a letter chain sent among family members or friends. Irene was </span>part<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of a circle made of girls with the same first name and born the same year. With each envelope </span>that<span style="font-family: inherit;"> arrived there was a letter </span>from<span style="font-family: inherit;"> all the other </span>members<span style="font-family: inherit;">, including Irene's previous letter. After Irene read the letters of the other participants, she'd pull out her old letter, replace it with a new one, and then send the package to the next young woman on the list. The circle letter would be sent to each person, each adding a new letter and </span>continuing<span style="font-family: inherit;"> the </span>conversation<span style="font-family: inherit;">. Through letters like these, friends and </span>family<span style="font-family: inherit;"> members talked about issues important to them, shared current events, and confessed dreams for the future.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Irene told me about the </span>circle<span style="font-family: inherit;"> letter, I imagined the excitement the letters from Paul, Peter, and other apostles brought when they arrived at new churches. But instead of adding their own words to the revered apostles' letters, the </span>churches<span style="font-family: inherit;"> studied them, </span>rejoiced<span style="font-family: inherit;"> over them, and then passed them on.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm amazed at how God uses letters and personal experience to build His body. More than once God has whispered instruction or </span>encouragement<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to me through a friend's words.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What has God done for you </span>lately<span style="font-family: inherit;">? Pass that on to another. What messages has he spoken to your heart? Record and share them. Do you remember the last </span>time<span style="font-family: inherit;"> you </span>sent<span style="font-family: inherit;"> someone a handwritten note? Take a moment to write one and send it today. You never know when the words of news or encouragement you offer another person will come back around to you.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZRWJQQXppNazvw4FL5oBc6Q_3iGZp9q6-P2y-pLko7zYWKxxi9PErPY-8txdb4VutmT8fWLb7LfwcP85NPD-dF-a8lD9QronrslLMe1bVk8ca0fZcQC3rlQvZ0RUrRcYfoZhoiMBrz4Fh_Hbrf-mq1b4qcLPrDeFpG34bpWizOlmx9cXlBewq_ECEXrs/s1070/IMG_4143.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1070" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZRWJQQXppNazvw4FL5oBc6Q_3iGZp9q6-P2y-pLko7zYWKxxi9PErPY-8txdb4VutmT8fWLb7LfwcP85NPD-dF-a8lD9QronrslLMe1bVk8ca0fZcQC3rlQvZ0RUrRcYfoZhoiMBrz4Fh_Hbrf-mq1b4qcLPrDeFpG34bpWizOlmx9cXlBewq_ECEXrs/s320/IMG_4143.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;"><b>A Joyful Song</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;">A joyful song of praise we sing, And thankfully we gather</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;">To bless the love of God above, Our everlasting Father.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;">From shades of night He calls the light, And from the sod the flower;</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;">From ev'ry cloud His blessings break, In sunshine or in shower.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;">For nothing falls unknown to Him, Of care or joy or sorrow;</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;">And He whose mercy ruled the past, Will be our stay tomorrow.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;">Then praise the Lord with one accord, to His great name give glory;</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;">And of His never changing love, Repeat the wonderous story.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- A. N. Blatchford</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMszYFbDHX0dxwkp6Ks1QWrJ2fsNiMlI8MN7YhpybNW9pscZDzaTsNVowRhYk8F6r7numR9WFZwaaq36Ys_F73TDlp59mRGVYD0489yqILgUA1J16t7V9P6HaH1KAwm2dXZl_vp866DdzfwjIttl99MJqAo-5eqVLX2Sywgy9_DlwDcjnWKC-dyoAyx6X/s827/IMG_4144.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="827" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMszYFbDHX0dxwkp6Ks1QWrJ2fsNiMlI8MN7YhpybNW9pscZDzaTsNVowRhYk8F6r7numR9WFZwaaq36Ys_F73TDlp59mRGVYD0489yqILgUA1J16t7V9P6HaH1KAwm2dXZl_vp866DdzfwjIttl99MJqAo-5eqVLX2Sywgy9_DlwDcjnWKC-dyoAyx6X/s320/IMG_4144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-35212191978493846492024-01-17T16:40:00.000+11:002024-01-17T16:40:58.100+11:00Second Christmas...<p> <span style="font-size: large;">Jefferson and Jaya came from Canberra for a short visit earlier this month...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_g8SaWKhOMCEFUJ3iPq_9IQ_ES8EmzEpaR9g8-0sYN8SZXFxyEkAoVvK63NHGhUf5KhinCtJnlizBVH_EJHrfYgVDBd_FfTkB1HhSd8DavJKUlX4j6iPmBOLLBvbAlhSIqG5-pRuHEL02PJBySA3mazlH91nxxMhBr5Xewam7gIaDTxqJQhVqnzL9GHs/s768/4e790b33-3493-478c-99ec-7ab228badfa9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="728" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_g8SaWKhOMCEFUJ3iPq_9IQ_ES8EmzEpaR9g8-0sYN8SZXFxyEkAoVvK63NHGhUf5KhinCtJnlizBVH_EJHrfYgVDBd_FfTkB1HhSd8DavJKUlX4j6iPmBOLLBvbAlhSIqG5-pRuHEL02PJBySA3mazlH91nxxMhBr5Xewam7gIaDTxqJQhVqnzL9GHs/s320/4e790b33-3493-478c-99ec-7ab228badfa9.JPG" width="303" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We had a second 'Christmas lunch' at Marnie's...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJgXLrIPC4lVx5T8f5wjyJAWJNEVfZ2AQFyJfQe2ihLk9Tjaudql4uG9PANKvmhzsoBdT_hbTnbn-MkCb_GZEmnSj0wMO6qHpyHld7t4ugw1i7tbRp8UK5IQLRWT3CggUz6xHWSqNBhhSvJ4WHIC2ma0w3-0zqM3QZkS5WJ3glBLaMTJWSuDG0kqow00B/s1024/IMG_3973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJgXLrIPC4lVx5T8f5wjyJAWJNEVfZ2AQFyJfQe2ihLk9Tjaudql4uG9PANKvmhzsoBdT_hbTnbn-MkCb_GZEmnSj0wMO6qHpyHld7t4ugw1i7tbRp8UK5IQLRWT3CggUz6xHWSqNBhhSvJ4WHIC2ma0w3-0zqM3QZkS5WJ3glBLaMTJWSuDG0kqow00B/s320/IMG_3973.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Jaya gifted Marnie and I with some of his framed artwork...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuDBrZMAFLnka-levmJ1rf6A31BSGpJIElduDp9iMBu8w1dJ7nG-T_Iv8D-kNEA5MyW6TRMef5gt33Jej4LFR__KRAF9zDIS3yLzZU2zmeosO6d0Kyvwe5ojBPqjPotWUHcI5idk6bXPUF4fOqGWoW8K8_wjuznvbCOdeVWG5zX8EAhVF8ECavGXrq_uN/s4032/IMG_4005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuDBrZMAFLnka-levmJ1rf6A31BSGpJIElduDp9iMBu8w1dJ7nG-T_Iv8D-kNEA5MyW6TRMef5gt33Jej4LFR__KRAF9zDIS3yLzZU2zmeosO6d0Kyvwe5ojBPqjPotWUHcI5idk6bXPUF4fOqGWoW8K8_wjuznvbCOdeVWG5zX8EAhVF8ECavGXrq_uN/s320/IMG_4005.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">They accompanied me on my morning walk...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_RcOBFYSTtiXIHTMiYRX6zf-Pp3ZstWU3bk6ZWXZ9mECv8G7IFXsPMF2PXt3BVyWhscxrScp4jh8BuUR6vQDM-WB_bV7budNOvXf9hFLoCAjNNg-Dyx2KgimF1Z8jIy3Gkrhiqd5qVpmeFuZx8T0oQ5VZppbIhsaummcjwT2zFWgtdRkWDwhV-JodJvP/s4032/IMG_3956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_RcOBFYSTtiXIHTMiYRX6zf-Pp3ZstWU3bk6ZWXZ9mECv8G7IFXsPMF2PXt3BVyWhscxrScp4jh8BuUR6vQDM-WB_bV7budNOvXf9hFLoCAjNNg-Dyx2KgimF1Z8jIy3Gkrhiqd5qVpmeFuZx8T0oQ5VZppbIhsaummcjwT2zFWgtdRkWDwhV-JodJvP/s320/IMG_3956.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">We spent some time at the beach...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVz6wcGoj0jaimTvtYTM92RUaQMwerXfIkrQn14vVGBEaIaDEsa63fdcqDSFE5Hc5ApKC4nxR6HDwulFDwHSIF2UT_4leHmtPclyOmXZVt0fISQIh7-hjiXjtpt7kmecsYtKKKMPgQ_ASCcEKcHrQJLPG5xJGF3jjuSGTXkLSQcYn_ruZf3PwE_icIRBe/s4032/IMG_3986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVz6wcGoj0jaimTvtYTM92RUaQMwerXfIkrQn14vVGBEaIaDEsa63fdcqDSFE5Hc5ApKC4nxR6HDwulFDwHSIF2UT_4leHmtPclyOmXZVt0fISQIh7-hjiXjtpt7kmecsYtKKKMPgQ_ASCcEKcHrQJLPG5xJGF3jjuSGTXkLSQcYn_ruZf3PwE_icIRBe/s320/IMG_3986.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And at the Forth river...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC7uzXTYPkiUzz1LiK3PM0BllS-DwKHn-2KdIYe0t_KbxuJpHGWat3pIMQ_TrkfzR8V6ggVXqqj6cR_9FugrQg9C-_PePfGdpmsEnPmFklomkOCwlSLyAlNqSQvj7SmIQ96BBA71_yN6zPVC0ydoaEIdQUx3khIRPfAmUk6gGqoi-hofyiKn9blYf1652/s4032/IMG_4026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC7uzXTYPkiUzz1LiK3PM0BllS-DwKHn-2KdIYe0t_KbxuJpHGWat3pIMQ_TrkfzR8V6ggVXqqj6cR_9FugrQg9C-_PePfGdpmsEnPmFklomkOCwlSLyAlNqSQvj7SmIQ96BBA71_yN6zPVC0ydoaEIdQUx3khIRPfAmUk6gGqoi-hofyiKn9blYf1652/s320/IMG_4026.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Eating pizza...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysZoqCFauTSpGxpqsedGu6-QDWbdY9NgbqMqFOox4WTNCmZHT-MMHZeWkXKdkP9pRA6WLotO5Ex32Rwn66cVDag_NCLKEmMrSvxGGCjN52ef5WskuwebTb2ZxY3vFwfNdYZudaTp7A-UHCgFuNPkOKrDiyhpGKsDp1hnG5j35YgUG33LWcYz871gDVs36/s1024/IMG_4035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysZoqCFauTSpGxpqsedGu6-QDWbdY9NgbqMqFOox4WTNCmZHT-MMHZeWkXKdkP9pRA6WLotO5Ex32Rwn66cVDag_NCLKEmMrSvxGGCjN52ef5WskuwebTb2ZxY3vFwfNdYZudaTp7A-UHCgFuNPkOKrDiyhpGKsDp1hnG5j35YgUG33LWcYz871gDVs36/s320/IMG_4035.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Visiting the goats at Denver's workplace...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfyTs5890ngH40b3Y9YQOZp_66NQvd0F5tTmV3Go9dBf2PYUFRUS3tNDosZA11Ukl50YMqQnagWtZsccxcGzd9ZxDwecNMi0Tzr_mUHQhVhsJUd54XazeTqg7VxkPiveXPt90zqezrLwM-VL7wHvAgQMtb1NKN76zxq5kwMktJHRI8AT_l038jBe55cG4/s4032/IMG_3979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfyTs5890ngH40b3Y9YQOZp_66NQvd0F5tTmV3Go9dBf2PYUFRUS3tNDosZA11Ukl50YMqQnagWtZsccxcGzd9ZxDwecNMi0Tzr_mUHQhVhsJUd54XazeTqg7VxkPiveXPt90zqezrLwM-VL7wHvAgQMtb1NKN76zxq5kwMktJHRI8AT_l038jBe55cG4/s320/IMG_3979.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And all too soon, it was time to see them off at the airport...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1UMjwqqcyWbBNadVyrQUVnaCuH380ubecqeDwMA3NybeBdeN9oQJ5mtDklOSsAwIhavAsB7XwJYYvw2qFgvewAh58VhBOFA4dwmqrr_1AdQ1O53nceMGSoHc5bIB27eDCpiKqshjibWIffVf7irqkVnLjRlu2REwcEOVM_8kQk4VNa2CnWFS7pUZGmOo/s2161/IMG_4042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2161" data-original-width="2123" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1UMjwqqcyWbBNadVyrQUVnaCuH380ubecqeDwMA3NybeBdeN9oQJ5mtDklOSsAwIhavAsB7XwJYYvw2qFgvewAh58VhBOFA4dwmqrr_1AdQ1O53nceMGSoHc5bIB27eDCpiKqshjibWIffVf7irqkVnLjRlu2REwcEOVM_8kQk4VNa2CnWFS7pUZGmOo/s320/IMG_4042.JPG" width="314" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We hope to see them again later in the year :)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So now I'm getting back to my 'normal' routine. I haven't really done much knitting since before Christmas, apart from not having the time, it's also been too hot, and I've had quite a lot of headaches. But I have been continuing to savour my <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Teatime-Discipleship-Sharing-Faith-Time/dp/0736985425">Teatime Discipleship</a></i> book... </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">From the <i>'Feasting on God's Grace' </i>chapter...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">"Many years ago, living as a missionary in Austria, I attended a Christmas party hosted by dear friends and team members of the organization with whom I worked. At this event, our friends spoke to all of us about Christ as the ultimate gift.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">Standing in a corner was a young Austrian woman I had invited who worked as my friend's au pair. Claudia could hardly have looked less engaged in the message being shared. I turned towards her, attempting conversation in my halting German. We barely shared a language, but before we parted, I managed to invite her to a nearby cafe for a cup of tea and a pastry later in the month... Before we left, I pressed a German Bible into her hands. "This is a gift," I said.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">The next week, I saw her again. She came up to me with a sparkle in her eyes and showed me the Bible, already dog-eared and underlined. "I hope I've been doing the right thing," she told me. "I've been reading this every day. I want to know God. I have wanted this for many years."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">...A long time ago, I came to Christ because a complete stranger took the initiative to share Christ with me. I was a college freshman living on the tenth floor of a dorm, secretly praying, <i>If there is a God in the universe, can You please make Yourself known to me?</i> I deeply longed for love and purpose. On the outside, no one knew or observed my desperate prayers. The meeting with the Austrian woman reminded me of this. There are people in each of our lives who have never heard or understood the love, forgiveness, and grace of God. How important it is that we reach out to those who have such longings. And sharing a cup of tea, a meal, or a treat is often the way to open hearts.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">Perhaps you are like me, naturally reticent or shy to share Christ with others. But I often think how different my life would have been if the shy girl who knocked on my door had not taken the initiative to talk to me. Extending friendship, hospitality, and love is the pathway to the opportunity to share His life-giving messages."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisl6deZCIeenPBSiTnjqqSCSr0b1VLhL2Qv184OrWYsNVFZ8hRGjuLe-zCZPM_Et_KhASb40KpdPrafkYksbGxR1CBMtaAWT1sfj7Cr1PjK1wkb8ckhjwzFc4X3qvHhtLohw_agP2bGlsr9lYm7av7u7O8aN0apGjXnaakJa63UUhFajntT16sk6kJX4Xf/s893/IMG_4016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="813" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisl6deZCIeenPBSiTnjqqSCSr0b1VLhL2Qv184OrWYsNVFZ8hRGjuLe-zCZPM_Et_KhASb40KpdPrafkYksbGxR1CBMtaAWT1sfj7Cr1PjK1wkb8ckhjwzFc4X3qvHhtLohw_agP2bGlsr9lYm7av7u7O8aN0apGjXnaakJa63UUhFajntT16sk6kJX4Xf/s320/IMG_4016.JPG" width="291" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><span style="font-size: large;">And I wanted to tell you about my 'Bible Word of the Month' I'm doing. Choosing a different Bible word each month and then looking up and writing out the verses that contain that word. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">For January I've chosen 'Peace'. So far, I've found 24 verses. I'll tell you more next home post...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Just to finish (as this post is getting waaay toooo long), last Sunday afternoon, Denver, Sophie, Marnie and I went on a walk at Warrawee Conservation Area...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZo8quhmjqg846SMr4OMDij3R9jiUxwnc-8iDjUGSazB5xgJ0mx-NVILDBOYNoSp5RwJNypYtCDI2G56H4VJpB1tsXJT7MlEKG-RpbMVDDJ5H05ZO5K9AHBr1uukHK7iHJp0UIwKhGWnZuOvHGD1MEW3SZlFrByZ4O2bu_j1WlMCLTaCVG9MaMb77ogPyS/s4032/IMG_4095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZo8quhmjqg846SMr4OMDij3R9jiUxwnc-8iDjUGSazB5xgJ0mx-NVILDBOYNoSp5RwJNypYtCDI2G56H4VJpB1tsXJT7MlEKG-RpbMVDDJ5H05ZO5K9AHBr1uukHK7iHJp0UIwKhGWnZuOvHGD1MEW3SZlFrByZ4O2bu_j1WlMCLTaCVG9MaMb77ogPyS/s320/IMG_4095.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvttLeigfNHtM224V10SA2aZewQ2P_Itzs-OmRhb7BPmO87f-SORE3wMXgf03rMS_EiWzBbMgpBvu7vOM7iASRR_i6sz_DNvM5CsWMgYeLjnddNk0E8xW0O-UcDgzJH6sQUUg0J-zMU0xe3aCNCyg38E_YykZFa2IQpvckHPYW5xs4pAfFXl_84Qkysgg/s4032/IMG_4097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvttLeigfNHtM224V10SA2aZewQ2P_Itzs-OmRhb7BPmO87f-SORE3wMXgf03rMS_EiWzBbMgpBvu7vOM7iASRR_i6sz_DNvM5CsWMgYeLjnddNk0E8xW0O-UcDgzJH6sQUUg0J-zMU0xe3aCNCyg38E_YykZFa2IQpvckHPYW5xs4pAfFXl_84Qkysgg/s320/IMG_4097.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyqOW7uth3DanTXx48PQQ7H_eXycyWKoKlOxxpALll6X0y6QbSjaGvMNxvy3dZJ0Q-bjwdotiZZg8RInQb98rtfCO-VGq7HjSXzrh_L1fyVVBebxvyvJn_Nyys9c3E0g29MqA4ijDbhu0bIgIWA2DgRCbHvzYHa_NHRQAjw_Q26kAdPrHJPqq61Z_F00X/s4032/IMG_4101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyqOW7uth3DanTXx48PQQ7H_eXycyWKoKlOxxpALll6X0y6QbSjaGvMNxvy3dZJ0Q-bjwdotiZZg8RInQb98rtfCO-VGq7HjSXzrh_L1fyVVBebxvyvJn_Nyys9c3E0g29MqA4ijDbhu0bIgIWA2DgRCbHvzYHa_NHRQAjw_Q26kAdPrHJPqq61Z_F00X/s320/IMG_4101.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SrYKjXmRDEN0ESWwbK0Iw5ISxljMlT9EMi7xiLwud62-4Y4CKz1QulkYE05iIL2sZvgxkgctQ0iZep2qWAIz0dyMso3zZ7E9bH_9FnkgnCPZZCuwtHJkdqtsGoeITqrKVb1wUQkbwROhCogIC1-ZQEsEsKvCRAms5RYEmTqjUzIq_DdlggC5DgdT-Pz_/s2995/IMG_4119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2995" data-original-width="2630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SrYKjXmRDEN0ESWwbK0Iw5ISxljMlT9EMi7xiLwud62-4Y4CKz1QulkYE05iIL2sZvgxkgctQ0iZep2qWAIz0dyMso3zZ7E9bH_9FnkgnCPZZCuwtHJkdqtsGoeITqrKVb1wUQkbwROhCogIC1-ZQEsEsKvCRAms5RYEmTqjUzIq_DdlggC5DgdT-Pz_/s320/IMG_4119.JPG" width="281" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Till next time...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stay safe and 'happy days' :)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">xx</span></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-47727803404645211622024-01-13T16:45:00.001+11:002024-01-13T16:45:53.325+11:00Weekend Words<p><span style="font-size: large;"> From Beside the Still Waters...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEl6-zvvpb2ZBjpRJsbv9xwkbd06u-LV8oAjkemIf5vCO-5BWClAAiu-ei9LyjF-oXQOuhw2MWBp-YrHyTRXbDWOn9Eh6mhMmHxTtYjtyjijrvK8-4iMZFnwBTJIWCCDulV1yW5MILqm2fQBrLPBzb_hKmKUkJ_4zVPLO9ed_yE5PqmBPEKjBhedXcjmdg/s1025/IMG_4081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="826" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEl6-zvvpb2ZBjpRJsbv9xwkbd06u-LV8oAjkemIf5vCO-5BWClAAiu-ei9LyjF-oXQOuhw2MWBp-YrHyTRXbDWOn9Eh6mhMmHxTtYjtyjijrvK8-4iMZFnwBTJIWCCDulV1yW5MILqm2fQBrLPBzb_hKmKUkJ_4zVPLO9ed_yE5PqmBPEKjBhedXcjmdg/s320/IMG_4081.JPG" width="258" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Living the Dream</b> - Read: Psalm 125, 126</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream."</i> - Psalm 126:1</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had never before met the young man behind the counter. Along with the normal pleasantries when meeting someone, I asked him, "How are you?" His answer was very unexpected and caused me much reflection. He said, "I'm living someone else's dream. How about you?" It took me a moment to comprehend his meaning. I answered, "Yes, we surely are blessed, are we not?"</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A large portion of the world's population can only dream of living in the comfort and affluence of western culture. One writer cited the following statistics: 16% of the world's people have no clean water for drinking, cooking or bathing; 17% earn less than $1.25 per day - if they can find work; 80% earn less than $10 per day; and only 1% earn more than $34,000 per year. Also, 60% have no access to modern bathroom facilities, and 91% do not own a personal vehicle.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So yes, we are greatly blessed materially. But far greater still are the spiritual blessings of those who have been born again by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and are living in obedience to the gospel from day to day. Psalm 126 probably refers to the Jewish exiles' return from captivity as described in Ezra 1. So great was their joy and gladness that they were "like them that dream." They could hardly fathom God's goodness and mercy to them.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we live in a wealthy country, we truly are living someone else's dream. Let's be sure that we are responsible to use our resources to the honor and glory of our great God.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lamar Garman - Stevens, PA</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i>"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ." - Ephesians 1:3</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lc8JWOofOOFgFwvs9sbbGOfXMeOHM1m8O-tlaOkQUlOMwuQ8htvu3v3ghJakjmfqs8jYxzgkkrbRyJfDwenrl2etAZ-_Sfj4lTO7TxfKCccQmTWJ1NQJiKRoIufoFq9rZFLNcQ7gSHQVS1ZBm9TrXmVrX0dYo2TR641w4rfc58kv-z5_inpWfbfkfsib/s1125/IMG_4083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1125" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lc8JWOofOOFgFwvs9sbbGOfXMeOHM1m8O-tlaOkQUlOMwuQ8htvu3v3ghJakjmfqs8jYxzgkkrbRyJfDwenrl2etAZ-_Sfj4lTO7TxfKCccQmTWJ1NQJiKRoIufoFq9rZFLNcQ7gSHQVS1ZBm9TrXmVrX0dYo2TR641w4rfc58kv-z5_inpWfbfkfsib/s320/IMG_4083.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">From<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Be-Still-Know-Millie-Stamm/dp/0310329914"> Be Still and Know</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."</i> - (Romans 4:20-21)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One day God revealed to Abraham that he and Sarah were to have a son. Abraham knew it was physically impossible. Humanly speaking it could not be. But it was not in human hands. Someone has said, "Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man's power ends."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Abraham was strong in his faith, for its basis was not God's promise to him, but the God who had given him the promise. Abraham, when hope was dead within him, went on hoping in faith, believing that he would become "the father of many nations." He relied on the word of God which definitely referred to "thy seed" (v.18, <i>Phillips</i>). Without the God of Abraham, the faith of Abraham was nothing. From the human viewpoint, not one promise given Abraham was logical or possible, but he didn't limit God to what seemed reasonable. He believed God was able. It is as easy for God to do a difficult thing as an easy one. The strength of his faith was his confidence in God's ability.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We, too, are to "walk by faith, not by sight." Many times we face circumstances beyond human possibility. There is no way out for us. We may not be able to see where God is leading us, what He is doing, or why. But Abraham's God is our God. He who did the impossible for Abraham will do the same for us.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is not the degree of our faith that is important but the object of our faith, God Himself. It is not great faith we need, but faith in a great God. By faith we put our dependence and reliance upon God.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the tribes in Africa spoke of faith as "leaning on God." Sometimes we lean so heavily on earthly props that God has to remove them until there is nothing on which we can lean but God. Then we learn we can put our entire weight on Him and find that He is enough. Someone has said, "Faith is our weakness leaning on God's strength."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Q9eVEpj9hb7S0wveRLqMmPbQu3HoNrtB1rsCE5syfU9UCKK_2Hj01HgI_mYksbnyIPXPlEiHOoZhDhvmZEOkZjmlxuqwm8Ki5nf4cPUQHn27ukpNR3VSKReEMnXSPaO43cPGbFCL8rqz6wCWHmwYLpC39WlHTgtMii31CbM71eX3hmUN44sxG_DsFaHl/s1266/IMG_4084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="934" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Q9eVEpj9hb7S0wveRLqMmPbQu3HoNrtB1rsCE5syfU9UCKK_2Hj01HgI_mYksbnyIPXPlEiHOoZhDhvmZEOkZjmlxuqwm8Ki5nf4cPUQHn27ukpNR3VSKReEMnXSPaO43cPGbFCL8rqz6wCWHmwYLpC39WlHTgtMii31CbM71eX3hmUN44sxG_DsFaHl/s320/IMG_4084.JPG" width="236" /></span></a></div><p></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-77970790259019685602024-01-07T10:47:00.000+11:002024-01-07T10:47:26.322+11:00Weekend Words<p> <span style="font-size: large;">From <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Be-Still-Know-Millie-Stamm/dp/0310329914">Be Still and Know</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboNLpaxXXu-dkNrmbbSKE3ssOm2BVUECKYwVMRtFuja6LMT0ooGCa-2KgkdSy1Ue7QD9BOlzJc0sTp9B70aLusAWPh9qDIudVSR6etr7PbW8zY7tncR6gdbTfYn3R-Uut68kTrLRfjno0ZqsqZfyL-oK3t9zrfdGNV4mTz7yfPzros9ni6f1Ro94Sq1cp/s4032/IMG_4011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboNLpaxXXu-dkNrmbbSKE3ssOm2BVUECKYwVMRtFuja6LMT0ooGCa-2KgkdSy1Ue7QD9BOlzJc0sTp9B70aLusAWPh9qDIudVSR6etr7PbW8zY7tncR6gdbTfYn3R-Uut68kTrLRfjno0ZqsqZfyL-oK3t9zrfdGNV4mTz7yfPzros9ni6f1Ro94Sq1cp/s320/IMG_4011.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Be still and know that I am God."</i> - Psalm 46:10</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How often do I spend time in God's presence, just loving Him and becoming acquainted with Him? Or do I only come to Him when I have a request to ask Him?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In reading about the lives of Christians through the ages who were strong in their faith, we learn that they took time to BE STILL and become intimately acquainted with God.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To become better acquainted with God necessitates spending time with Him. It means more than hurriedly reading a verse or too of Scripture and quickly asking God to bless us. We need to enter our spiritual closet, close the door, and become quiet in His presence, meditating on who He is and what He has done for us.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Often we become so involved in the fast pace of life that we fail to take the necessary time for such fellowship with Him. How well do you know God?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we begin the new year, may the prayer of our hearts be that we will take time to "Be still, and KNOW GOD."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><i>Lord, I surrender all my gifts, to take into this year,</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><i>That I may use them in Your will, to bring the Saviour near.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><i>The gifts You gave are not my own - they're Yours to take away,</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><i>Or let remain, if You should choose, to use for You each day.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><i>And so my gifts I dedicate that I may serve You here,</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><i>May all the glory go to You - my King, my Saviour dear.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">- Ann Clifton</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90Boxrdnaord8ScWSmFahYSuc-1tN7b14OxO3IyswH-aNKjzFncowLC4R5s48jDB3hLB3QC09ukUTwwdLjl4RcR5jb_mmSIu1-shfcwAQ_JZFfejBYGEJS8Tr7_2_4sTS-wwREA-Pj7C1dvZni9VhddeOHDYy0jxHE2TU0jh2rQkHA1lpDsCPr0dSXv2j/s4032/IMG_3984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90Boxrdnaord8ScWSmFahYSuc-1tN7b14OxO3IyswH-aNKjzFncowLC4R5s48jDB3hLB3QC09ukUTwwdLjl4RcR5jb_mmSIu1-shfcwAQ_JZFfejBYGEJS8Tr7_2_4sTS-wwREA-Pj7C1dvZni9VhddeOHDYy0jxHE2TU0jh2rQkHA1lpDsCPr0dSXv2j/s320/IMG_3984.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">From Beside the Still Waters...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stillness </b>- Read: Psalm 46, Ephesians 1:15-23</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."</i> - Psalm 46:10</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we stepped outside to do chores on our small farm, we were greeted by the baying of hounds on the trail of some animal. The sound seemed out of place in the slight fog, first rays of sunshine, and calmness of a beautiful fall morning. Instead of birds singing and cow's feet swishing through wet grass, all we could hear were the deep notes of hounds following a scent. It did not inspire quiet thinking.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seems that there are fewer and fewer people today who want to spend time in quiet thinking. Days are filled with things to do, places to go, people to meet, things to buy, and jobs to finish. When can a person actually be still as today's key verse advises us? Were schedules not crowded 3,000 years ago when this was written?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We should be well aware that if we do not spend quiet time with the ancient Source of time, our day is wasted. Whatever we do instead cannot be as important as the time when we should be still. Perhaps our adversary the devil has convinced us that we do not have time for stillness. But he is a liar and the father of lies.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In stillness we draw near to Almighty God. We see our neediness without Him, instead of our independence. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve recognized their sinfulness in the stillness of the evening. They saw that they were open and naked before the One who was coming to visit them. They tried to hide and cover themselves, but in vain. Yet God called them to speak with Him, and He still calls us today.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Simon Martin - Beulaville, NC</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcCRXsQXv24nTFM_swKYkRqmDHgcQOyqaU87V0WOA9a0F8usnZXkLXLcWGwbaSgc4vOmNIMWvguCrOr2T-rBL0u_7wn6SAEqH1wL3BTIxBDNI4Lx7xyWM-62gBx1UzbTS4j5YDGCi7JsOa2E5mXlAA3YXGLsGj2q5aVeaOBR8DO_RZt9S9kHSmCDCi637/s4032/IMG_3972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcCRXsQXv24nTFM_swKYkRqmDHgcQOyqaU87V0WOA9a0F8usnZXkLXLcWGwbaSgc4vOmNIMWvguCrOr2T-rBL0u_7wn6SAEqH1wL3BTIxBDNI4Lx7xyWM-62gBx1UzbTS4j5YDGCi7JsOa2E5mXlAA3YXGLsGj2q5aVeaOBR8DO_RZt9S9kHSmCDCi637/s320/IMG_3972.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-41067803605851751222024-01-01T16:19:00.003+11:002024-01-01T16:19:48.070+11:00New Year blessings...<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">May you know the Lord, and His blessings, in 2024...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQL3xFBewSu7pp_1qvZ2Ux0chyphenhyphen3LvWrIi8gDRqUveIAmGeWMAxNXkP1_lYJvicmj0rDWN19GzbQYHSbBpYtrrousmf53yJI_ZHyp_DvXOrYFdrA1LLwD9Khh8-XzzLQI71S4VzNeB9V9dUT9s5lbFIMO7uMjedX5LPJmEofp_ltCO4dZEFEHz4TsLYsa8/s1600/IMG_3932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQL3xFBewSu7pp_1qvZ2Ux0chyphenhyphen3LvWrIi8gDRqUveIAmGeWMAxNXkP1_lYJvicmj0rDWN19GzbQYHSbBpYtrrousmf53yJI_ZHyp_DvXOrYFdrA1LLwD9Khh8-XzzLQI71S4VzNeB9V9dUT9s5lbFIMO7uMjedX5LPJmEofp_ltCO4dZEFEHz4TsLYsa8/s320/IMG_3932.JPG" width="257" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>Just One Request</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>Dear Master for this coming year, just one request I bring:</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>I do not pray for happiness, or any earthly thing - </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>I do not ask to understand the way thou leadest me,</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>But this I ask: Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth Thee.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>I want to know Thy guiding voice, to walk with Thee each day.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>Dear Master make me swift to hear and ready to obey.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>And thus the year I now begin, a happy year will be - </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>If I am seeking just to do the thing that pleaseth Thee. </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">-Author unknown</span></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-3174552266182967542023-12-30T16:15:00.001+11:002023-12-30T16:15:13.704+11:00Weekend Words<p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span>From Beside the Still Waters...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoCvnX1Q16Q0JptouFrQJ6IOGbMTUOuD4OqHES0gXQrgCgzCdPukKmyTU3Le_nZgEAruYU57myHgpLKMjqLyZRDmT9urrpxsEUKes3zZwsDyR_O-TzLQ7xv8lwKnICDqLAPyrjNXNI4f1WwqJIG8BvpD05oDt4ApGBkbnsOkIM1ineannWghv5L-0ks9n/s3631/IMG_3924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3631" data-original-width="2451" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoCvnX1Q16Q0JptouFrQJ6IOGbMTUOuD4OqHES0gXQrgCgzCdPukKmyTU3Le_nZgEAruYU57myHgpLKMjqLyZRDmT9urrpxsEUKes3zZwsDyR_O-TzLQ7xv8lwKnICDqLAPyrjNXNI4f1WwqJIG8BvpD05oDt4ApGBkbnsOkIM1ineannWghv5L-0ks9n/s320/IMG_3924.JPG" width="216" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>End-of-Year Reflections</b>: Read 2 Samuel 22:1-30</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations."</i> - Psalm 90:1</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have once again come to the close of a year and are about to cross the threshold into another. It is a good time to reflect upon God's goodness and lovingkindness to us. Certainly His mercies are "new every morning" (Lamentations 3:23). How great is his faithfulness! But how is it with us? We know that our days are numbered, and soon we will take the last step of our earthly journey. The passing of another year should cause us to stop and take inventory of our life.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do our goals, decisions, and actions give evidence of a sincere desire to serve and glorify God? Is the Lord Jesus first in our lives, and are we laying up treasures in Heaven? Or has our vision become shortsighted, with our primary focus on the temporal, perishing things of earth? We may look back with regret on our blunders and sins. But when we repent of past failures, we can be assured of God's cleansing and forgiveness and we can go on with a clean slate, looking unto Jesus and living in victory. We may also look back on our achievements or successes. But instead of being proud and boastful, let us humbly acknowledge God as the One who gives us the strength and ability to accomplish our goals.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We do not need to be gripped with worry or fear as we face the uncertainties in the year ahead. Though we live in troublesome times of turmoil and upheaval, or we may face daunting personal challenges, we can firmly put our trust in our unchanging God who has all things in His control. His grace has been sufficient in the past, and it will continue to be sufficient for whatever lies ahead.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark Kropf - Cataldo, ID</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;">"For this God is our God for ever and ever;</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;">he will be our guide even unto death."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Indie Flower; font-size: large;">- Psalm 48:14</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oW0s0rScSiVUEYpaVVmoQMqPcyrLVWNTUtS-k02wkuNd81q_EP5DHiINKD15YP3qLVui9pddkRNf1Od10qeOb9QXdyhFVX7vi-rs99OANI2GYfT5Vz702itveMG9jyo0NbkLT-E0X6bFt9rXTzNsuJ5mseKI8BR69l4KuS0zW97yDaDl5BUow3uxExDo/s2309/IMG_3926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2309" data-original-width="1880" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oW0s0rScSiVUEYpaVVmoQMqPcyrLVWNTUtS-k02wkuNd81q_EP5DHiINKD15YP3qLVui9pddkRNf1Od10qeOb9QXdyhFVX7vi-rs99OANI2GYfT5Vz702itveMG9jyo0NbkLT-E0X6bFt9rXTzNsuJ5mseKI8BR69l4KuS0zW97yDaDl5BUow3uxExDo/s320/IMG_3926.JPG" width="261" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And for my final Weekend Words for the year, I want to share again some more lovely words from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Teatime-Discipleship-Sharing-Faith-Time/dp/0736985425">Teatime Discipleship</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>"For as long as I could remember, in the dim, early morning light, I had prepared for the external pressures of the day and entered into a time just for me. In this place, I had poured out lament to God, sought refuge from the storms of life, and found wisdom for my days. I refueled my mind and heart, preparing myself to go back into the battle of life restored, better able to face the demands of my day. Not a luxury, but a necessity for the many demands of my life through seasons...</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>Sitting down with a cup of tea, meeting God in my armchair, I am open to His leading...</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>The outer trappings of my teatime ritual - my teapot, candles, and soft music - showed that the sacred meeting place was still waiting for me, welcoming me into the rest and peace and deep joy I had experienced so many times before.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>Once the stage is set, I'm ready for time with the Lord. At first, sometimes I just sit and stare into the world around me, centering myself. For me, my quiet time begins with my Bible. Often I read a short devotional. Sometimes, heartfelt prayers pour out; other times, gratitude abounds. Often, I am distracted - but thousands of days spent meeting with Him, pondering His words, and pouring out my heart have built a haven of closeness and intimacy with Christ, my constant companion. Journaling thoughts and prayers has given me a pathway into His presence. This life-giving personal time prepares me for all that my day will hold..."</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">(Rhythms of Peace - Sally Clarkson)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHOKlPF64Al6L7EfGGkfUH0huSwdpfDHHDn8r6WlLNUClEhtxZaCaIo7ycjWfeDBP0j-2AYpyh-npiD_YdSzG8ZoUQox_mcxPVhAf1YaINhOIJYH3NLUtdDYf7Qxxts2GEBvbifijbyTLjH5VXZuoi3xQu_s1w-O8xIPWGajXAzks8uR-HMiqIftRPcNX/s2675/IMG_3923.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2391" data-original-width="2675" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHOKlPF64Al6L7EfGGkfUH0huSwdpfDHHDn8r6WlLNUClEhtxZaCaIo7ycjWfeDBP0j-2AYpyh-npiD_YdSzG8ZoUQox_mcxPVhAf1YaINhOIJYH3NLUtdDYf7Qxxts2GEBvbifijbyTLjH5VXZuoi3xQu_s1w-O8xIPWGajXAzks8uR-HMiqIftRPcNX/s320/IMG_3923.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-58194015982833014702023-12-28T13:09:00.001+11:002023-12-28T13:09:59.222+11:00The days between... (and family Christmas photos)<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I hope you all had a nice Christmas!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>I enjoy the time between Christmas and New Year. After all the busyness of the lead up to Christmas day, and before we launch into the new year, these 'between days' are a chance to rest, reflect (on the year just gone), </span><span>refocus, </span><span>and reset (our goals for the coming year). </span><i>[I was having trouble finding a 4th r word, so had to resort to the dictionary (do people even still use dictionaries ?!?) for 'reset'].</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">But I want to tell you about my book I bought myself for Christmas: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Teatime-Discipleship-Sharing-Faith-Time/dp/0736985425">Teatime Discipleship</a>...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnsmRWJ5AHeyNlqCFVSmi8gTukKyZnUJZBFBpTO_WKDdyR2YTPfxWOwP2XbKim1T-f0nCg0Vp6-Qpz1tqA6vTdyFjoIV72Mb6byG3otuNc8POskSFImkqcSc0v5OkBPGKWouAonIzHsBMhABIa_dEsmzJbvlAnhWjGn-syJBWbbpScbXWBXVy4jdaKpxT/s3674/IMG_3904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3674" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnsmRWJ5AHeyNlqCFVSmi8gTukKyZnUJZBFBpTO_WKDdyR2YTPfxWOwP2XbKim1T-f0nCg0Vp6-Qpz1tqA6vTdyFjoIV72Mb6byG3otuNc8POskSFImkqcSc0v5OkBPGKWouAonIzHsBMhABIa_dEsmzJbvlAnhWjGn-syJBWbbpScbXWBXVy4jdaKpxT/s320/IMG_3904.JPG" width="263" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I'm reading the chapter on A Decluttered Soul. A new year is a good time to declutter; souls, minds, homes... </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a snippet:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">"In the real world, we can all see how too much clutter in our rooms and too many piles of things cause us to feel overwhelmed. Slowly, I have learned to declutter, to simplify, as often as I can...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">I have come to realize my brain and heart can be the same way - cluttered with worries, responsibilities, duties, finances, time constraints, expectations, disappointments, critical attitudes, resentment, and grief. I have stored up distinct sadness, confusion, disappointment, and occasionally anger that needs to be dealt with. All these added together tend to create soul piles and mind clutter. If I don't take the time to sort the piles, my spirit becomes a mess and my heart becomes overwhelmed and weary.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">Each day brings an opportunity to make a new plan, to simplify the mind messes. In the same way that clearing out closets brings me relief, soul and mind decluttering brings me rest, equipping me to face each day in peace. So I come to the place where I know I will find the help I need. I come to God and ask Him to help me, His child, and ask Him how to clean out and organize my soul. He can help me get rid of the junk that is unnecessary, that burdens my thoughts and feelings and leave peace in its place..."</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsQqokjyaQykj46yxpHWvbZ5xfnA6uwKUMBVART6dux3ScBI6rIArYMQNxOEKAX7f0cFibrGnMnZLOqp9PEnlsNYpj63UiuFkfiAqcReMX00AkNDdnavap0ewlzlKWzB1TIole5m1Zywf5noIPp3s1DYfy61VOe9ULqfaUhHUMXv3cPMDO2DBPow7dXTr/s3353/IMG_3873.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3353" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsQqokjyaQykj46yxpHWvbZ5xfnA6uwKUMBVART6dux3ScBI6rIArYMQNxOEKAX7f0cFibrGnMnZLOqp9PEnlsNYpj63UiuFkfiAqcReMX00AkNDdnavap0ewlzlKWzB1TIole5m1Zywf5noIPp3s1DYfy61VOe9ULqfaUhHUMXv3cPMDO2DBPow7dXTr/s320/IMG_3873.JPG" width="289" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">it's a lovely read </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And here are the family photos from Christmas around the world...</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">American Christmas...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0uj8onmP1gs6UJ0pZ13_qU8Qokn477YNcLBIZyUcbu66wxwOr6h06i_YKc3lYibV8IIrNj1e4gsoeSB20SKHybZpZz489Z4PGdy22VyK2omchGkJM_ihJ6uNbLXvQHrmIH7WIcagdhHAclb-nuf6fFj4Bn96Q9Vkr8q9cfhXNw208Bq8jWp624GHiJst/s1024/IMG_3885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1024" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0uj8onmP1gs6UJ0pZ13_qU8Qokn477YNcLBIZyUcbu66wxwOr6h06i_YKc3lYibV8IIrNj1e4gsoeSB20SKHybZpZz489Z4PGdy22VyK2omchGkJM_ihJ6uNbLXvQHrmIH7WIcagdhHAclb-nuf6fFj4Bn96Q9Vkr8q9cfhXNw208Bq8jWp624GHiJst/s320/IMG_3885.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Oli, Dylan, Patrick, Natasha, Zak</span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Canberra Christmas...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj941udFLIA4gEPxrjlbI6aiiuOXbdDVbETebH-AtEBQkr8mAdpxZ6xE63a6kJcziwjhXhhS5tpnvitOQxoVk4hHV2rcuJgY8pRfaOnoq8K9MOC8rin1joH2pV8ArE-kod2qbDwKtkU3wJTKou6tz5KL78yR8-xoE7fbJv2vvDQcJH61jt6uQ8Fmv9AB_Vy/s929/80cf3ce2-a033-4c32-a59c-71bca60dc655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="929" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj941udFLIA4gEPxrjlbI6aiiuOXbdDVbETebH-AtEBQkr8mAdpxZ6xE63a6kJcziwjhXhhS5tpnvitOQxoVk4hHV2rcuJgY8pRfaOnoq8K9MOC8rin1joH2pV8ArE-kod2qbDwKtkU3wJTKou6tz5KL78yR8-xoE7fbJv2vvDQcJH61jt6uQ8Fmv9AB_Vy/s320/80cf3ce2-a033-4c32-a59c-71bca60dc655.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Jaya and Jefferson</span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">South Australian Christmas...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kXYZXqTWqvPpCXUbJBXr1x-4IKJWAZbkgQRjYlXf3psR8ijMgSYMvEMsTlzGI_a5CVDgjuJJhXuL7AeF50L0hAGMAQIWHBxR_N_8g9o_NxcgEa8Hr9CYshLqFcmfvKEHFzSr1Iy6WTlkDmJyJOw8CHG5mF18eFc5i1rMuV1wLkaSULUPs7Wy6rInVE9Z/s1024/IMG_3855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kXYZXqTWqvPpCXUbJBXr1x-4IKJWAZbkgQRjYlXf3psR8ijMgSYMvEMsTlzGI_a5CVDgjuJJhXuL7AeF50L0hAGMAQIWHBxR_N_8g9o_NxcgEa8Hr9CYshLqFcmfvKEHFzSr1Iy6WTlkDmJyJOw8CHG5mF18eFc5i1rMuV1wLkaSULUPs7Wy6rInVE9Z/s320/IMG_3855.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Hayley, Hazel, Ben</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Tasmanian Christmas (at Marnie's)...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIoq5HEGy9P6lRCvCFEFnP6SSgQj7YZ_xetIm3-RehRP1zvqmB6U0CFH6FQqwJxLP6_L_Lc-gm5z-p3X9kfz_DWWPBjYUqB8ekHu9IroOrmVNhcPL2lDab2EwU2rLe1gZ2FzIZSxSwERZ5JEc_nHp4SWOUZt2ClC6wa5VK-Rcu2cEEpzM55jVxzkO_ELS/s1024/IMG_3898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIoq5HEGy9P6lRCvCFEFnP6SSgQj7YZ_xetIm3-RehRP1zvqmB6U0CFH6FQqwJxLP6_L_Lc-gm5z-p3X9kfz_DWWPBjYUqB8ekHu9IroOrmVNhcPL2lDab2EwU2rLe1gZ2FzIZSxSwERZ5JEc_nHp4SWOUZt2ClC6wa5VK-Rcu2cEEpzM55jVxzkO_ELS/s320/IMG_3898.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Tom, Denver, Marnie, Sophie, and neighbor Jill</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU46qoC3mMrkCyMRupRIGJAPedYLTtcRl59K4X4J0G4-5rmFwUJ4_grBupZQAFDPhI89yrYtxEOJNfpv3G3-gIlylU0LVjFhemxDDSlQLMV7HShNydf3v7Spm8ww-QFa6dx-ZGyCDaH49PydNLQGrQRdr7_qQ79jzoEAob03y4_RstDFKxUwoMTIYAAJCA/s1024/IMG_3890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU46qoC3mMrkCyMRupRIGJAPedYLTtcRl59K4X4J0G4-5rmFwUJ4_grBupZQAFDPhI89yrYtxEOJNfpv3G3-gIlylU0LVjFhemxDDSlQLMV7HShNydf3v7Spm8ww-QFa6dx-ZGyCDaH49PydNLQGrQRdr7_qQ79jzoEAob03y4_RstDFKxUwoMTIYAAJCA/s320/IMG_3890.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Tom and Marnie</span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrR5yM6vojuzYZyoPEXZIXEDMrY4osyAShyphenhyphen75hQKSCFujXbIKWjeJi0Y7gQ1w8HOuG_XyGAzyItYAAGzeKiYMrpXihvioIB7FKOtnMLRr76QLHkDyx6G6sT2d2K9Izw2tF7PIki7VRIvHdW2hOuWpDjISRS8YXUYQwFuacT-Yy82Hoe7WcdYiJT28QxqF/s790/14b8f5bf-be62-4269-b83b-f8604546875f.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrR5yM6vojuzYZyoPEXZIXEDMrY4osyAShyphenhyphen75hQKSCFujXbIKWjeJi0Y7gQ1w8HOuG_XyGAzyItYAAGzeKiYMrpXihvioIB7FKOtnMLRr76QLHkDyx6G6sT2d2K9Izw2tF7PIki7VRIvHdW2hOuWpDjISRS8YXUYQwFuacT-Yy82Hoe7WcdYiJT28QxqF/s320/14b8f5bf-be62-4269-b83b-f8604546875f.JPG" width="311" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Denver and Sophie</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Denver made a Lego nativity scene...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpfnKufGn8ocDybMYjpfInIobjbnKVSVjMEDUMn_vJZOy5MxlKwiBjgM32C9OeUpLakgTFRwWoJ6ImpkU-E5HnZkujaBBK9PlVfqK22LSV3mXn8I_wLiSi3kXDtvRq34iXB4dOwkeerishlxTBpIuLVG_XHbU79hC1tkULRDU1-Q2wxGZYXSTE_9AA109/s2944/IMG_3879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1482" data-original-width="2944" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpfnKufGn8ocDybMYjpfInIobjbnKVSVjMEDUMn_vJZOy5MxlKwiBjgM32C9OeUpLakgTFRwWoJ6ImpkU-E5HnZkujaBBK9PlVfqK22LSV3mXn8I_wLiSi3kXDtvRq34iXB4dOwkeerishlxTBpIuLVG_XHbU79hC1tkULRDU1-Q2wxGZYXSTE_9AA109/s320/IMG_3879.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">I was mostly taking the photos, but...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBr3aKNLjHHqGCt068LmIJuzWBRShh_mx7VRhcw9pjJrx8q2tcpzo4pYZuvqoiwly6iO-OrhEmNPw6_Ut68mBhziyvTE5wkpXYXZ71WdDGj4LuUOY-YLyT6sgTum-MvfNc63nSy1r6VcFbbos2LC9XJFhEBasaUlHhON1WRS7ZrWpC3yMLcr9eFy3EnAcD/s486/1f797593-d866-4f14-bb7b-366602a7d023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="486" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBr3aKNLjHHqGCt068LmIJuzWBRShh_mx7VRhcw9pjJrx8q2tcpzo4pYZuvqoiwly6iO-OrhEmNPw6_Ut68mBhziyvTE5wkpXYXZ71WdDGj4LuUOY-YLyT6sgTum-MvfNc63nSy1r6VcFbbos2LC9XJFhEBasaUlHhON1WRS7ZrWpC3yMLcr9eFy3EnAcD/s320/1f797593-d866-4f14-bb7b-366602a7d023.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>here's one of me with </i><span style="text-align: left;">Marnie</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll leave you with this prayer that someone sent me many years ago...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KmGFndgjrGghp-4xf_pTB2L7VpIRss7XaKGNskQ5VY8K85X8FTHB7Z_06-KoqTiA4_It-mNacia3RuZXUmb3-GQTqUzQYuPKDncF1IbxX3xvtXmLxhhWXk61mtK6ray6YNKQA8CUs29akAeYwsegW7eN5bAosX8NY-R1wn_2e8r2vGwtQqQ8eH5rElNJ/s2465/IMG_3914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1625" data-original-width="2465" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KmGFndgjrGghp-4xf_pTB2L7VpIRss7XaKGNskQ5VY8K85X8FTHB7Z_06-KoqTiA4_It-mNacia3RuZXUmb3-GQTqUzQYuPKDncF1IbxX3xvtXmLxhhWXk61mtK6ray6YNKQA8CUs29akAeYwsegW7eN5bAosX8NY-R1wn_2e8r2vGwtQqQ8eH5rElNJ/s320/IMG_3914.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i>Bless us Lord, this Christmas</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i>with quietness of mind.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i>Teach us to be patient</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i>and always to be kind.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i>Show us that in quietness</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i>we can feel Your presence near</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i>filling us with joy and peace</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i>throughout the coming year.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is my prayer for you!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">xx</span></div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-13497763483193580462023-12-24T17:23:00.003+11:002023-12-24T17:23:31.196+11:00Weekend Words<p><span style="font-size: large;">From Beside the Still Waters...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkZolhPUGgL74pi_aBiJettoNMgCYoa-2EqKBs6FDhQUv-NbOqsdL_LvllPtJdC1UYkCJzGK6TRYxB5GpibBCafw2XwM4nLmrirU1g43T2bH06HQND_veSmk-1Go-4WnvkMfGPtDphi9QtOMUrdKvj7if6KrKd7IKzoC62LseFdiYbiHHffHu28X971sE/s2899/IMG_3854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2541" data-original-width="2899" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkZolhPUGgL74pi_aBiJettoNMgCYoa-2EqKBs6FDhQUv-NbOqsdL_LvllPtJdC1UYkCJzGK6TRYxB5GpibBCafw2XwM4nLmrirU1g43T2bH06HQND_veSmk-1Go-4WnvkMfGPtDphi9QtOMUrdKvj7if6KrKd7IKzoC62LseFdiYbiHHffHu28X971sE/s320/IMG_3854.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> The Spirit of Christmas</b> - Read: Luke 2:1-20</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"</i> - John 3:16</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Long ago the Father sent His Son away on the most difficult mission that has ever been undertaken. This mission would require the Son to live and labor among those who would despise and reject Him. He would face every temptation that is common to mankind. There would be sleepless nights of toiling in prayer and chaotic days of ministering to the multitudes, which would cause Him to grow weary. He would not even have a place to call His own or to lay His head at night.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ultimately, God's Son would surrender His life in the greatest sacrifice the world has ever known. By His death on the cross, the sinless Lamb of God would redeem humanity from the curse of Adam's fall. Surely God looked down with an aching heart at the infant Jesus lying in a manger, even as the angels announced the tidings of great joy to the shepherds that first Christmas morning. God already knew every step of the difficult journey to Calvary that lay ahead for His beloved Son.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Each year, immediately after Thanksgiving we see a "spirit of Christmas" reflected in the actions of society. Twinkling lights, jolly Santas, ringing bells, busy merchants, weary shoppers emptying their wallets - and all the while, nostalgic strains of "O Holy Night" waft through the corridors of shopping malls.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Without a doubt, there is a spirit that pervades our land this season, but is it a spirit in harmony with heaven? As we consider the heart of God, and we ponder the tremendous sacrifice He made on our behalf, we should be inspired to commemorate Christ's birth in a way that radiates God's amazing love to everyone around us.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gary Miller - Pantego, NC</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">God gave His son, His only One, a sacrifice for sin;</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">When we commemorate His birth, in all let's honour Him.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvCmF3gVCXd7ky8y0ZMX4yBnQ1pOemYnFgHhLPGFm1XWn6x1xpskFH2L1MdfO853mCd0cqTvFDya-xJYkxdSXSxFmLn1V1TyA2fV-9QGyIS016kga0oBJmx20KUx0Er5bPl_qQpwdTNTzKWqEvFoiNUYGrN5vu9H0JfzMcMlJkABE1AtB48d4gxBi1oSn/s2695/IMG_3850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2695" data-original-width="1772" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvCmF3gVCXd7ky8y0ZMX4yBnQ1pOemYnFgHhLPGFm1XWn6x1xpskFH2L1MdfO853mCd0cqTvFDya-xJYkxdSXSxFmLn1V1TyA2fV-9QGyIS016kga0oBJmx20KUx0Er5bPl_qQpwdTNTzKWqEvFoiNUYGrN5vu9H0JfzMcMlJkABE1AtB48d4gxBi1oSn/s320/IMG_3850.JPG" width="210" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">From<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Be-Still-Know-Millie-Stamm/dp/0310329914"> Be Still and Know</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." </i>(Luke 2:10-11)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> is a special time for celebrating the birth of the One who came to bring joy. We sing, "Joy to the world! The Lord is come." The greatest "birth announcement" the world has ever known contained a message of joy. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What excitement goes into the planning and preparation for Christmas! Yet underneath the glitter and glamour of the holiday season all is not happy and joyful. We acknowledge that happiness is not found in the packages we open, the cards we receive, or in the entertaining we do. Underneath all the wrappings of the joyful holiday season our lives may be filled with heartache and sorrow. There may be emptiness and loneliness.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">But there is a joy we can have, a joy within that completely satisfies. It is not dependent on outer circumstances, what we have or what we do.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was the message of joy that God sent. "For unto YOU is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2;11). Real joy comes from knowing Jesus Christ. It is a personal message. The angel said, "I bring YOU." It is universal; "Which shall be to ALL people."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">God's joy comes from within; the world's from without. God's joy has deep roots in Himself; the world's only on the surface. God's joy is unending; the world's soon fades away. God's joy fills us completely, the world's in on the outside. God's joy satisfies; the world's cannot.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with JOY unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter1:8).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">2 Corinthians 9:15</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wm0nNRuu2OgQsxXa6V00NoOJgIbrmOdWateVIZOeTHxOW6ZOjTtrWviZsTQBK4nKEHRgdvRWLZkb_fAVfTTNkrnDKHn7EAVDAy75ptN29C-rosUtHbVQRUC0_RaP05Fw4PQYyNU5kr6HXLjNDiIAicHItv9ACYA3_iwplD00d7NAsyFNkEerfL1MhFA5/s1511/IMG_3714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wm0nNRuu2OgQsxXa6V00NoOJgIbrmOdWateVIZOeTHxOW6ZOjTtrWviZsTQBK4nKEHRgdvRWLZkb_fAVfTTNkrnDKHn7EAVDAy75ptN29C-rosUtHbVQRUC0_RaP05Fw4PQYyNU5kr6HXLjNDiIAicHItv9ACYA3_iwplD00d7NAsyFNkEerfL1MhFA5/s320/IMG_3714.JPG" width="238" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">O Holy Night is my favorite Christmas carol, and I found this beautiful rendition.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">xx</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/Bbu6AII10Pk?si=B4wKupEVawioTg0g" width="480"></iframe></span></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-81226650582283108842023-12-19T18:04:00.002+11:002023-12-19T18:04:46.083+11:00'Twas the week before Christmas...<p><span style="font-size: large;">Last week was not a good week for headaches. Hot weather + strong winds = headaches. But I've been ok since yesterday and catching up with things...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday I'll make the cheesecake I'm to take to Marnie's for Christmas lunch.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And today I made the Christmas cake, which also doubles as Christmas pudding...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAv_htQusaee0qi2HixhMMdfVnfgDySEVvcuZNCpvbK1wxIJKJr5AnDqrv6BK9yGTAu5eGM09u62i1UF2Vm36CE9x5II0y_HShk6WSex64yYV8zsS7_aZ-pzRoZVPk-bXJiYpTTGNgSFtqvZo_BdhYL7XJYu4pW5VSPgvQVeyhiZD8qOhW3gzN6xHp_jv/s4032/IMG_3795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAv_htQusaee0qi2HixhMMdfVnfgDySEVvcuZNCpvbK1wxIJKJr5AnDqrv6BK9yGTAu5eGM09u62i1UF2Vm36CE9x5II0y_HShk6WSex64yYV8zsS7_aZ-pzRoZVPk-bXJiYpTTGNgSFtqvZo_BdhYL7XJYu4pW5VSPgvQVeyhiZD8qOhW3gzN6xHp_jv/s320/IMG_3795.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>step one</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67BDLPOy6khpmKr8qEcCh0gAaqTV3ulyEMUuPiOshXv5YuRN_J5YHuwuJFdaC2vVoo9yMMQgbqAJVl9ULSVQD5qcGqrUr-krrcMwCedk6JP8x8_wWpC0JmUQITWKKi6pt9LPKQUC1ebpf3SHDOV7hM_8nVDHzN1d2oroQKTJO41VkTfycNO3b2FJjgIB3/s4032/IMG_3797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67BDLPOy6khpmKr8qEcCh0gAaqTV3ulyEMUuPiOshXv5YuRN_J5YHuwuJFdaC2vVoo9yMMQgbqAJVl9ULSVQD5qcGqrUr-krrcMwCedk6JP8x8_wWpC0JmUQITWKKi6pt9LPKQUC1ebpf3SHDOV7hM_8nVDHzN1d2oroQKTJO41VkTfycNO3b2FJjgIB3/s320/IMG_3797.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>step two</i></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQo-R5o2A98Orm8KF755YLZn2F0FmzzNfOscqFV9PQw-87YVkvfCoKs4NpvEvMUW6A56sE_qqGmbQ9UVT3sKYGzSUt-ox9t3TvS1fDu26wBeVRaHYPEzoRWPrTJUmN13BiP9-VCJn-_FrIB165BA5J-Yogm-R-9TYX5yKaCvSonQhNs0jSp2G9yyxONqd/s3027/IMG_3800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3027" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQo-R5o2A98Orm8KF755YLZn2F0FmzzNfOscqFV9PQw-87YVkvfCoKs4NpvEvMUW6A56sE_qqGmbQ9UVT3sKYGzSUt-ox9t3TvS1fDu26wBeVRaHYPEzoRWPrTJUmN13BiP9-VCJn-_FrIB165BA5J-Yogm-R-9TYX5yKaCvSonQhNs0jSp2G9yyxONqd/s320/IMG_3800.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>all done</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Working on my blanket for the fistula hospital patients in Ethiopia...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuojY8-klc1wUfmq4FnKp2WOcY8EmGv18F-ElL_MKgUb1XcwiLf3bVhnNENCpSYi4tV7hYmtVOFtjAhl6W0wHV6v6uGr4WUEezUx8F0kZwCAlmDETGeDd-avUQ4HfCcBx_GyCuSDilDoNZYuI8UNchZ9txD2jH1B4h8dwfFXOPOv8SuQ5Z3Iinbi1PAfwN/s3084/IMG_3802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3084" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuojY8-klc1wUfmq4FnKp2WOcY8EmGv18F-ElL_MKgUb1XcwiLf3bVhnNENCpSYi4tV7hYmtVOFtjAhl6W0wHV6v6uGr4WUEezUx8F0kZwCAlmDETGeDd-avUQ4HfCcBx_GyCuSDilDoNZYuI8UNchZ9txD2jH1B4h8dwfFXOPOv8SuQ5Z3Iinbi1PAfwN/s320/IMG_3802.JPG" width="314" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">5 strips of six colors. One strip done</span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And rather than start the book I mentioned in my previous post, I decided to re-read some Miss Read. Her books are always lovely easy reads when life is busy. I did buy myself a new book for Christmas, but I'll tell you about it in my next home post :)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a snippet from Miss Read...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">"The round table in the window had already been set. The best china, sprigged with violets, the silver teaspoons, thin with age, and bread and butter cut wafer-thin awaited us, with a splendid sponge cake of Miss Clare's own making.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">One always sat up to table at Dolly's house. Only the odd cup of coffee was partaken of in an armchair, and even when she was alone the mistress of the house set the solitary place and dined, as if she had friends present, with simple dignity.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">I spread some of our vicar's honey on my bread and butter, and thought how marvelous it was that dolly Clare, despite her age and physical frailty, had never lowered her standards. My own casual meal arrangements seemed positively slatternly in comparison.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">I said as much to Dolly. She looked somewhat surprised.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">"I suppose early training had something to do with it," she said. "My mother was a stickler for having things just so. And then, when you are as old as I am, you wonder if you might be taken suddenly, and it would be so dreadful if you were found in squalor, wouldn't it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">"I hadn't thought of that."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">"You see, I now look upon each day as a bonus. When I wake in the morning I think how lucky I am to have yet another day to spend."</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTHa-0SfajnKWK1D-fYWJsA66GK2RVc3niu-6FKpjp4MHR3E3qWxRoRYucsDPozdS4qlnfCG0hWS3qcpVYaYp-rZp6FBFEtgE5EtuUkyTy0OrNDbhXJ5YxBo9skgWjG6KfA-jKXkg-w0ylhP08VWeMC6QvdQ5NgBN2X08voz1G2QG15iGZbmebPgjSdcS/s1871/IMG_3798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="1871" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTHa-0SfajnKWK1D-fYWJsA66GK2RVc3niu-6FKpjp4MHR3E3qWxRoRYucsDPozdS4qlnfCG0hWS3qcpVYaYp-rZp6FBFEtgE5EtuUkyTy0OrNDbhXJ5YxBo9skgWjG6KfA-jKXkg-w0ylhP08VWeMC6QvdQ5NgBN2X08voz1G2QG15iGZbmebPgjSdcS/w400-h338/IMG_3798.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and an illustration from the book</i></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">I bought a Christmas wreath, the sum total of my Christmas decorating...</span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL9GUfz3dtptb_t5AvnGhkTi9kvxJxaxCOG8h312gp9rUOwMiMh7I-I1O_aCCNT_fN7XWt0VBsusB0KrXzxqMyfRdCzgTp19USpEu-kYHelRcPbxp-vvKAlk0bpEUImOV1tQlJPn031U44qO-oTUSN_5ueY1cG7hS1_5uZ0dkyC0vVokY2F1G4X4Q31sW/s3261/IMG_3762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="3261" data-original-width="2408" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL9GUfz3dtptb_t5AvnGhkTi9kvxJxaxCOG8h312gp9rUOwMiMh7I-I1O_aCCNT_fN7XWt0VBsusB0KrXzxqMyfRdCzgTp19USpEu-kYHelRcPbxp-vvKAlk0bpEUImOV1tQlJPn031U44qO-oTUSN_5ueY1cG7hS1_5uZ0dkyC0vVokY2F1G4X4Q31sW/s320/IMG_3762.JPG" width="236" /></i></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>It now hangs on the front door, but it looked so pretty on the hall stand (while waiting for me to hammer a nail in the door) that I think I'll put it back there after Christmas is over, so I can look at it all year</i><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Freya is off to the vet on Friday for her annual vaccination and worming...</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihubjfSFYLN-fyNrK_gzpzznAqmIf1tvnf1vDZtaAoAndRWf6A3xI-twr8TlRdLGSQrZoNjm_UjGQfbcmKAB5GNafsJD5rDLtSq729uKSRuywgYzks4eGDJUQAKIn_sfE-e3e7n9yBc0VYiCd5rNL6WRx_llxBRpr-LmG1XfKH8fY5cfvh9dysWRD2hj-2/s857/IMG_3737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="857" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihubjfSFYLN-fyNrK_gzpzznAqmIf1tvnf1vDZtaAoAndRWf6A3xI-twr8TlRdLGSQrZoNjm_UjGQfbcmKAB5GNafsJD5rDLtSq729uKSRuywgYzks4eGDJUQAKIn_sfE-e3e7n9yBc0VYiCd5rNL6WRx_llxBRpr-LmG1XfKH8fY5cfvh9dysWRD2hj-2/s320/IMG_3737.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">shh ... don't tell her</span></i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And after the overnight rain, some pretty flowers on my walk this morning...</span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFNtXD7-ZWMtNCUJuheKvJ2TwR6vAJv-yvhcGk2dHiVAeLVV_-GrdCAX_Eo16UpZfkcfuq1MYylklQ_2JiBDk3pK3XKijLuOsjicN39C4iIZtFvI0wUFx6Q7DQFkK0d2B5Ki8p-10yaoo-vzNZuds0qKuSRTwHDtv1lZH8ZYUM0JA4CarqxedAxrDBN9Z/s1450/IMG_3791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="1450" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFNtXD7-ZWMtNCUJuheKvJ2TwR6vAJv-yvhcGk2dHiVAeLVV_-GrdCAX_Eo16UpZfkcfuq1MYylklQ_2JiBDk3pK3XKijLuOsjicN39C4iIZtFvI0wUFx6Q7DQFkK0d2B5Ki8p-10yaoo-vzNZuds0qKuSRTwHDtv1lZH8ZYUM0JA4CarqxedAxrDBN9Z/s320/IMG_3791.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzYYtDiXW46sroi8hUrksuF2uL48K-BCZtwk92wLcWELo6FJRTxiOUWe4ACMHACcB2sMCy2mKAgShZenzEIXoRd_R9-vetUuQmmS6wa0X1IyjQjjoohfFFbX9qdl765-mraikMC9cVdOwyLzWmWWR_RMCkb8Tib9n7vZcLnJEMiSJC-qqkwYhFRL9O7ws/s2478/IMG_3787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2478" data-original-width="2478" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzYYtDiXW46sroi8hUrksuF2uL48K-BCZtwk92wLcWELo6FJRTxiOUWe4ACMHACcB2sMCy2mKAgShZenzEIXoRd_R9-vetUuQmmS6wa0X1IyjQjjoohfFFbX9qdl765-mraikMC9cVdOwyLzWmWWR_RMCkb8Tib9n7vZcLnJEMiSJC-qqkwYhFRL9O7ws/s320/IMG_3787.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">The Baptist church here in Latrobe is having a Christmas morning service which I hope to get to before going to Marnie's for lunch.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope your Christmas preparations are going well. But don't get so busy that you forget the real reason for the celebration :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">xx</span></div></div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-6298998653525277652023-12-16T15:16:00.001+11:002023-12-16T15:16:17.733+11:00Weekend Words<p><span style="font-size: large;">From <a href="https://odb.org/">Our Daily Bread</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9MOgVmkLkBPZn9rX72pOm6_4HhBsRy2qFkxXU78qcFC_SBZQdtWE1AS96U6njOTtKJR-r71w2geXV23gloKtFz08ZK1A_9Y2RGtAxlUiavvGTeREAf6DwTZZd5nvrLSmseEuI9WJjYKLzIRHyhjKwHI3fNxpq6y0CoHm9ylFsoex_ZgXl8fA6UAkpiIV/s2728/IMG_3772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="2728" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9MOgVmkLkBPZn9rX72pOm6_4HhBsRy2qFkxXU78qcFC_SBZQdtWE1AS96U6njOTtKJR-r71w2geXV23gloKtFz08ZK1A_9Y2RGtAxlUiavvGTeREAf6DwTZZd5nvrLSmseEuI9WJjYKLzIRHyhjKwHI3fNxpq6y0CoHm9ylFsoex_ZgXl8fA6UAkpiIV/s320/IMG_3772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Appetite for Distraction </b>- Read: Psalm 131</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"I have calmed and quieted myself ... I am content."</i> (Psalm 131:2)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I set my phone down, weary of the constant bombardment of images, ideas, and notifications that the little screen broadcasted. Then, I picked it up and turned it on again. <i> Why?</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In his book <i>The Shallows</i>, Nicholas Carr describes how the internet has shaped our relationship with stillness: "What the Net seems to be doing is chipping away my capacity for concentration and contemplation. Whether I'm online or not, my mind now expects to take in information the way the Net distributes it: in a swiftly moving stream of particles. Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a jet ski."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Living life on a mental jet ski doesn't sound healthy. But how do we begin to slow down, to dive deeply into still spiritual waters? </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Psalm 131, David writes, "I have calmed and quieted myself" (v.2). David's words remind me that I have responsibility. Changing habits starts with <i>my</i> <i>choice</i> to be still - even if I must make that choice over and over again. Slowly, though, we experience God's satisfying goodness. Like a little child, we rest in contentment, remembering that He alone offers hope (v. 3) - soul-satisfaction that no smartphone app can touch and no social media site can deliver.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">-Adam R Holz</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">How does technology influence your ability to rest quietly before God? Does your phone contribute to your contentment? Why or why not?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i>Father, the world is awash in distraction that doesn't satisfy my soul. Help me to trust You to fill me with genuine contentment. </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0QuR0iLr8o9LxNGXQMbB3M2GQ2Bw2VUsCn6Th70RYmVN6TvCzRxAzq-O-c-rbOlz0mbwmQvUb-SQhyphenhyphenmiq7B3JR0BNbMx-zcbiqIuwutrm8KrTCQlp7qYqGaE4wdzo_ZAtXf5uUCGD15QU1t95qxJdC2hKLFiVG2QHYiynySylgLh2lo25UyW99rfDyB9/s4032/IMG_3692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0QuR0iLr8o9LxNGXQMbB3M2GQ2Bw2VUsCn6Th70RYmVN6TvCzRxAzq-O-c-rbOlz0mbwmQvUb-SQhyphenhyphenmiq7B3JR0BNbMx-zcbiqIuwutrm8KrTCQlp7qYqGaE4wdzo_ZAtXf5uUCGD15QU1t95qxJdC2hKLFiVG2QHYiynySylgLh2lo25UyW99rfDyB9/s320/IMG_3692.JPG" width="240" /></a></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">From <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Be-Still-Know-Millie-Stamm/dp/0310329914">Be Still and Know</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth"</i> (Genesis 1:17).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHai03NTHkswJlCqkQDcUSsXRsBX6SWQW0Hc72opED6JOgQCBbTxNUxK9JCpd9F4wslHu_c9agn67VhOKNzSR2u1uZllJm2Fh0f4MOVrrP0ux1Oa5e-EUxhBlr2McxvRvG1YzGai4fc0XzW2YLx5e8-103XkRq_QV_GRDuU5Nrfp1zZU7NkYfLsEMDf5PW/s976/IMG_3771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="976" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHai03NTHkswJlCqkQDcUSsXRsBX6SWQW0Hc72opED6JOgQCBbTxNUxK9JCpd9F4wslHu_c9agn67VhOKNzSR2u1uZllJm2Fh0f4MOVrrP0ux1Oa5e-EUxhBlr2McxvRvG1YzGai4fc0XzW2YLx5e8-103XkRq_QV_GRDuU5Nrfp1zZU7NkYfLsEMDf5PW/w400-h251/IMG_3771.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The southwestern area of our country has a lovely custom for outdoor lighting at Christmas time. The people make luminarias by placing sand in large paper bags. Candles are then placed in the sand. When the candles are lighted, the sacks glow with a soft light, giving a beautiful effect as they are placed along sidewalks, doorways and porches.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To fulfill their purpose, not only must the luminarias be placed where they are to shine; they must be lighted as well. Their beauty is not in the paper bag, the sand, or even the candle; but in the warm glow of the candle after it is lighted.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Genesis 1:17 we read that the moon and stars had a special place in the heavenlies, for a special purpose. They were placed "in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our lives are to be shining lights for the Lord, reflecting His glory upon the earth. The Bible compares us to candles. "For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness" (Psalm 18:28).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are many ways of letting our candle glow - a letter of encouragement, a friendly phone call, a cheery smile, a kindly deed. Perhaps we are missing opportunities to shine for Him because we are looking for big places of service instead of taking advantage of the ones He has placed about us. "Don't hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father" (Matthew 5:16, LB).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As you place Christmas candles around your home this Christmas season, take time to check the candle of your life. Is it shining brightly? Or has it become dim by busyness, indifference, carelessness, or self-will? Perhaps the wick needs to be cleaned and trimmed so our light will shine more brightly.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At this Christmas season, may the world not just be aglow with the lights of candles and Christmas lights, but with the heavenly Light of the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, shining through each of our lives.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtdbyPGjrF8cKTsaWgAN5h7wjf8A_F5PDdrq3ro9vUYm5EbmsY2JEGK5YlkWuAYSCToyd_UyDE35p8PgXcJeOkxziQJ7iUUF8waTZWezf8QcH__g3Xe0-nmjXe3Bv66L7pqqK_ubWn6ZUGOzaTdG_89-e6tWD0kN3c9wvW5yiTgtgz2Dg4AcV_QqnDHrm/s3417/IMG_3767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3417" data-original-width="2786" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtdbyPGjrF8cKTsaWgAN5h7wjf8A_F5PDdrq3ro9vUYm5EbmsY2JEGK5YlkWuAYSCToyd_UyDE35p8PgXcJeOkxziQJ7iUUF8waTZWezf8QcH__g3Xe0-nmjXe3Bv66L7pqqK_ubWn6ZUGOzaTdG_89-e6tWD0kN3c9wvW5yiTgtgz2Dg4AcV_QqnDHrm/s320/IMG_3767.JPG" width="261" /></a></span></div><p></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-87259980265119367972023-12-11T15:54:00.005+11:002023-12-11T15:57:40.096+11:00If I could turn back time...<p><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">Started this 2 weeks ago (where does the time go!!!), but I will leave it as is, and update at the end...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We've had some slightly cooler weather, but the wind picked up again this morning...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rY25sHGuH5SkhDPAF9PXOZV0fEMRVGcPzGVOBkHqYe4OtgtJA2Ku76uWwiovHmDTwXxlfRaVULMS8ju0vGiQ9xocdOGxapMOjypX70o-q8pcj29NS7QmFQAkw8DA0aMRUFmzu_BKpqRjCkxIBJOnuwLO64EbEx44NJI9SmWG1M-D8UOhQ4elkV2-4kRL/s4032/IMG_3535.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rY25sHGuH5SkhDPAF9PXOZV0fEMRVGcPzGVOBkHqYe4OtgtJA2Ku76uWwiovHmDTwXxlfRaVULMS8ju0vGiQ9xocdOGxapMOjypX70o-q8pcj29NS7QmFQAkw8DA0aMRUFmzu_BKpqRjCkxIBJOnuwLO64EbEx44NJI9SmWG1M-D8UOhQ4elkV2-4kRL/s320/IMG_3535.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A trip to Launceston on Friday with Marnie and a stop off at the big Mission/op shop at Youngtown. I picked up this cane chair for $40...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRrpcSL7JkdYPOlvHV13SAvG4ta3u3HUREPPRV6duYHfJMezu6Hh5W9FvnVfHmqhQTj9wGhHKNoXfm-XXjdMmIDVt0gV-yMNH_3x00-0J2N4gjy9mkQSVXopX9QJBLAejWsLbyBp8uGvQw4uIwJVDt3djt6qCksFIwsf_1KSHGhTtxJVzZIBkZGVoeznk/s3385/IMG_3488.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3385" data-original-width="2660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRrpcSL7JkdYPOlvHV13SAvG4ta3u3HUREPPRV6duYHfJMezu6Hh5W9FvnVfHmqhQTj9wGhHKNoXfm-XXjdMmIDVt0gV-yMNH_3x00-0J2N4gjy9mkQSVXopX9QJBLAejWsLbyBp8uGvQw4uIwJVDt3djt6qCksFIwsf_1KSHGhTtxJVzZIBkZGVoeznk/s320/IMG_3488.JPG" width="251" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I've been looking for one for quite a while for my bedroom, but they are too expensive to buy new, so I was pleased with my bargain find</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">And these books too...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqqfkmmSJyimySAMzCE8SoC2d0wgr9QyQDB3skV3lTA4qDsUdRGUC1xL8p66YVljyURPyJuvLYGHl8kWT3mnQ917DZ7UhnXJHN3oVBpoCkHGGfTDoxpvCUzHn7efM9zYpxq2naNmGoNNoOTSlV0WuXpg0EA_BCBMfN2qeOSEirruqXMpARoX69ERPr8O8/s4032/IMG_3516.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqqfkmmSJyimySAMzCE8SoC2d0wgr9QyQDB3skV3lTA4qDsUdRGUC1xL8p66YVljyURPyJuvLYGHl8kWT3mnQ917DZ7UhnXJHN3oVBpoCkHGGfTDoxpvCUzHn7efM9zYpxq2naNmGoNNoOTSlV0WuXpg0EA_BCBMfN2qeOSEirruqXMpARoX69ERPr8O8/s320/IMG_3516.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">for a couple of dollars</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">I've made 3 little jumper and beanie sets for<a href="https://www.knit4charities.org.au/"> K4C</a>...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVeiIveG-ADRUzvRXLy0vhsYoBRgyTp4Jza3Rg5VobVEfHgkYqTYDKxRwrMeAU_wVdueJ-Of5hQuw3lniO_hKVQS8SelozjwgHtUaw1rIreaDUFueD0VPq4vNAFDmN59baAxpGa6kkvTuCMm0Vs4gFkAsd7poVfXwYfVt9J9pMy5CCqffpRfgf8StzSyJ/s2916/IMG_3542.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2677" data-original-width="2916" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVeiIveG-ADRUzvRXLy0vhsYoBRgyTp4Jza3Rg5VobVEfHgkYqTYDKxRwrMeAU_wVdueJ-Of5hQuw3lniO_hKVQS8SelozjwgHtUaw1rIreaDUFueD0VPq4vNAFDmN59baAxpGa6kkvTuCMm0Vs4gFkAsd7poVfXwYfVt9J9pMy5CCqffpRfgf8StzSyJ/s320/IMG_3542.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I will mail them off this week. They will then be sent to PNG and Timor</span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">And I also have these beanies and a scarf to go to another of K4C's charities. They are for their December charity, so won't be mailed off till the end of December...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpUjYYg6IbLg4FzxO8N9rd8P_4AYdjoq_9LEPtDNqQEGeXpcdAaaoQg12Ag3Li7uQHfWyYl4DU3NZaQ20sZSh2Eft6odOUH5B1XKm83M_Wf-2hlaaMYgtcIWE2UVuQmTWgHX06fn_TSQT0uC1MgeVzVXGs_LbqV1MuaM6ewNbIO8tqLcwtGPHHCZ0htYT/s2902/IMG_3544.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2902" data-original-width="2893" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpUjYYg6IbLg4FzxO8N9rd8P_4AYdjoq_9LEPtDNqQEGeXpcdAaaoQg12Ag3Li7uQHfWyYl4DU3NZaQ20sZSh2Eft6odOUH5B1XKm83M_Wf-2hlaaMYgtcIWE2UVuQmTWgHX06fn_TSQT0uC1MgeVzVXGs_LbqV1MuaM6ewNbIO8tqLcwtGPHHCZ0htYT/s320/IMG_3544.JPG" width="319" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">but I had made them earlier in the year and put them away</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And now I'm ready to start another project! A blanket for the Fistula patients at the <a href="https://hamlin.org.au/">Hamlin Fistula Foundation</a>. I used to knit blankets for them years ago, but they stopped requesting them. Now I see we can knit for them again. The instructions are<a href="https://hamlin.org.au/knit-blankets/"> HERE</a> if you'd like to knit one...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9SiC7apSKDu8DzfgAz-Lwq260QDSorMqL9Fs9_df2TvlQfkLEwPUOfK-W2bxPPewXEQn89X8bBioqQnmuIDAmSHEjbKvQuk0FNLFDE4YdcgcisP0pFLdV0kZ9yAnQUjebagCT5Jj7azMn9M6Nbu7d4J4b_Z0pW3xz0fofje4bUH_TFn8rwPmyWE3g6wd/s3024/IMG_3547.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2130" data-original-width="3024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9SiC7apSKDu8DzfgAz-Lwq260QDSorMqL9Fs9_df2TvlQfkLEwPUOfK-W2bxPPewXEQn89X8bBioqQnmuIDAmSHEjbKvQuk0FNLFDE4YdcgcisP0pFLdV0kZ9yAnQUjebagCT5Jj7azMn9M6Nbu7d4J4b_Z0pW3xz0fofje4bUH_TFn8rwPmyWE3g6wd/s320/IMG_3547.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">they asked for bright colours. I already had these so I can make a start, but will probably get a few more 'brights' to add in</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm still making slow progress on my cardigan/jacket, but I won't need it till next winter...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9f0M4WR_lnXW2MBJv6KZlKG3fpJZZ8z51rAdet0EMQuOQYhCG26juIM_1-nXXLRVv2fGrevxaMViJUjX4jGjCpEy895fBObDsA8OodKJve7Qw8peAy4zKOxWWBLTz-mMKzEPDoAbH4wPK66sYp4KK7-DSxbtL9VSYO7aAPQVGR-HOqxYJxuN0PbwNbZ3/s4032/IMG_3548.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9f0M4WR_lnXW2MBJv6KZlKG3fpJZZ8z51rAdet0EMQuOQYhCG26juIM_1-nXXLRVv2fGrevxaMViJUjX4jGjCpEy895fBObDsA8OodKJve7Qw8peAy4zKOxWWBLTz-mMKzEPDoAbH4wPK66sYp4KK7-DSxbtL9VSYO7aAPQVGR-HOqxYJxuN0PbwNbZ3/s320/IMG_3548.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">probably just as well at the speed I'm going :)</span></i></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">It's now 2 weeks later. I'd been trying to get back to this but to no avail. Determined to get it updated and posted today...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A couple of other op shop finds. I'm enjoying <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Still-Life-Christa-Parrish/dp/1401689035">Still Life</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXf2lPq9Fj8bZ4HIQURMZk1SXBjSXHYOnJZ8jsReu3wsHtXaKeKou0_0Old13IlPJFcVejDo6rjJHiEHhyb0blk2QMhD_iWtHWsFMAr4PtygMVBGsgdhDhzGXUir3OMBILMOo6Odq9FnEoVe_93v-iHo9p01ZYqSWHCwJu9fzqgM6PelaQxTIdqvxGLW9/s3024/IMG_3695.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2754" data-original-width="3024" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXf2lPq9Fj8bZ4HIQURMZk1SXBjSXHYOnJZ8jsReu3wsHtXaKeKou0_0Old13IlPJFcVejDo6rjJHiEHhyb0blk2QMhD_iWtHWsFMAr4PtygMVBGsgdhDhzGXUir3OMBILMOo6Odq9FnEoVe_93v-iHo9p01ZYqSWHCwJu9fzqgM6PelaQxTIdqvxGLW9/s320/IMG_3695.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">will read <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Runaway-Quilt-Creek-Quilts-Novel/dp/1451606095">The Runaway Quilt</a> next. There are a whole series of these 'quilt' books, but I've not read any of them, so will see what I think.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm working on the fistula blanket but decided to do it in strips instead of squares. Less sewing up that way...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ihPpqLEuB7t1Ao6YyPFIQtmpI6GfnH_9kacP65uXm86GPoIfhR8BrBs_ceC0GAUri7Ix1cPDX3JuugR5ab2hoX4Am2HgLz9IzOhctnAOSF-eT2I9C0XOBZ_vDHMTLKl2uwNfEbrd9X-kE9v2-axNa2Z-Ih8qRUHPcF8RWRrkcmDsZV6Chq4A0k_4Pr-u/s3178/IMG_3696.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3178" data-original-width="2818" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ihPpqLEuB7t1Ao6YyPFIQtmpI6GfnH_9kacP65uXm86GPoIfhR8BrBs_ceC0GAUri7Ix1cPDX3JuugR5ab2hoX4Am2HgLz9IzOhctnAOSF-eT2I9C0XOBZ_vDHMTLKl2uwNfEbrd9X-kE9v2-axNa2Z-Ih8qRUHPcF8RWRrkcmDsZV6Chq4A0k_4Pr-u/s320/IMG_3696.JPG" width="284" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> I bought a ball of pink and purple yarn to add to the colours</span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And this was last night's sunset...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk3DUiSph_4MB-66t6BqJnhSbu71jPQ0GYqkTeJDCkjzk9jarRzV9DC5bx-iqJv96SaENFrrzGiYn2YRS-rGB391uxt4jsSuSDZ6m949jaSdB37W9254Zo18pM7mUBdP4G08WUpKlmsNI9g7syutr_p8cX_fitb43wXu9TeHS_tA2AeRlQ12JKVu000gZ/s2438/IMG_3681.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2438" data-original-width="2350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk3DUiSph_4MB-66t6BqJnhSbu71jPQ0GYqkTeJDCkjzk9jarRzV9DC5bx-iqJv96SaENFrrzGiYn2YRS-rGB391uxt4jsSuSDZ6m949jaSdB37W9254Zo18pM7mUBdP4G08WUpKlmsNI9g7syutr_p8cX_fitb43wXu9TeHS_tA2AeRlQ12JKVu000gZ/s320/IMG_3681.JPG" width="308" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="color: #674ea7;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courgette;">"The heavens declare the glory of God..."</span> </div></span></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">(Psalm 19:1)</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">xx </span></p></div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-32125785595563705892023-12-09T17:54:00.001+11:002023-12-09T17:54:26.202+11:00Weekend Words<div><span style="font-size: large;">From Beside the Still Waters...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What do You Need?</b> - Read Isaiah 58</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGM_3eiagP2PUfdTTkRANT3O1G0dUBiQpLLEnBxEbtU9Fb3GHMuoLFYtWm7z_5cJ6_TokqyFOAHUUbREPlpz6wiYaEl_PrwEaqDqZGlAhQUPe-jaFxZpU04Q9cA3qTEOz-RrH2SFKTz4rSNMx-Liph8U9hN7dRShd6Vkku0SObbqEB5g_EeW3ouQRJhVC8/s2727/IMG_3665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2727" data-original-width="2120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGM_3eiagP2PUfdTTkRANT3O1G0dUBiQpLLEnBxEbtU9Fb3GHMuoLFYtWm7z_5cJ6_TokqyFOAHUUbREPlpz6wiYaEl_PrwEaqDqZGlAhQUPe-jaFxZpU04Q9cA3qTEOz-RrH2SFKTz4rSNMx-Liph8U9hN7dRShd6Vkku0SObbqEB5g_EeW3ouQRJhVC8/s320/IMG_3665.JPG" width="249" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt."</i> (Ecclesiastes 5:13)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What do you really need, (not want), that money can buy and that God has not already given to you? The Bible says, "Having foods and raiment let us be therewith content" (1 Timothy 6:8), but the majority of us have far more than this minimum, and too often we still are not content. What about my neighbor who does not have all he really needs, not even food and raiment? He may live in India, Syria, or the Congo, but he is still my neighbor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I first met little Nguyen Quang when her mother carried her into the Mekong Delta village where our team was conducting a medical mission. About 6 or 7 years of age, she weighed only 14 pounds and was in such a desperate physical condition that we decided to immediately medevac her by our river boat to the nearest hospital. When we later returned there, the hospital staff informed us that they had discharged Nguyen Quang shortly after her admission.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"The child's problem is a dietary one not a medical one. She is simply starving. We can only treat medical problems, not nutritional ones."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion, from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (1 John 3:17). Will I stand guilty before the Lord because of indulging myself with the material and spiritual blessings He has entrusted to me, instead of using them for the relief of the poor and the lost? An estimated160-180 million people have no Scripture in their native language. About 854 million people go hungry each day, and 21,000 die of hunger. Especially in this season of widespread gift giving, let's ask ourselves: What do we really need? </span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pete Lewis - Halsey, OR</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Kalam;">"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." </span>- James 4:17</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1o9vrvgSSompBzixvcNHy5yHoJmTQZ2H5uNmY667HTHLh-VUWvTn787IR0Vu7PNXC51HGZ3xZpK3F_6DgEiIpKXDL8WxKlDbwNrYZyvqZOHsp1DgzjXKBJKKUHoxyCVrh1bepEi65EEFhmOF1OHyfepAE29zsTT3ebuPtvQFEherPFq6ZBh99bMhi4d8/s2770/IMG_3670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1644" data-original-width="2770" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1o9vrvgSSompBzixvcNHy5yHoJmTQZ2H5uNmY667HTHLh-VUWvTn787IR0Vu7PNXC51HGZ3xZpK3F_6DgEiIpKXDL8WxKlDbwNrYZyvqZOHsp1DgzjXKBJKKUHoxyCVrh1bepEi65EEFhmOF1OHyfepAE29zsTT3ebuPtvQFEherPFq6ZBh99bMhi4d8/s320/IMG_3670.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>From <a href="https://www.amazon.com/A-Years-Journey-With-God/dp/0340995009">A Year's Journey with God</a>...</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Almighty</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"I am the Alpha and the Omega ... the Almighty."</i> - Revelation 1:8</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can you picture a lonely prisoner in his cell? His mind is full of memories of the past - but the worst one returns often. He is standing by a cross, watching his best friend die in agony. Suddenly the terrible memory is replaced by something amazingly different! He gasps as a vision of the future floods his mind with glory. He sees the friend, whom the world has rejected, coming back again surrounded by angels and golden clouds. This time no one could ignore Him, and the soldiers who callously tortured him quake in terror. As the Holy Spirit pulls back the curtains of time, John glimpses the carpenter, who had been his friend, gloriously transformed, enthroned forever in heaven.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At this time of year, which the church has christened Advent, we are not only preparing our hearts for the coming of the baby in a manger; we are also focusing our eyes of faith on the second coming of our King. This amazing event was not just an old man's imagination - it is real (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Most of us probably wish we could have been in that Bethlehem stable on the first Christmas Eve, but nothing is going to stop us being present the next time Jesus comes!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_SUCNKmsfv0bToHM77XHBrBM12RHWjINkJb-EV_ywjBnCi_yx5-dX666kNVTuF3Fza7o0W9sYpJ9Hn2UuMSmmusisCwTBTXpDgjcPILP1S-XUSK65mbloRco9I7v6fOHIulSdD1V4G3ft9U7iKSvBlEJLntnG2HcGtRdH3Pduj71eS81zUC_rmR-l_AB/s2414/IMG_3668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1831" data-original-width="2414" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_SUCNKmsfv0bToHM77XHBrBM12RHWjINkJb-EV_ywjBnCi_yx5-dX666kNVTuF3Fza7o0W9sYpJ9Hn2UuMSmmusisCwTBTXpDgjcPILP1S-XUSK65mbloRco9I7v6fOHIulSdD1V4G3ft9U7iKSvBlEJLntnG2HcGtRdH3Pduj71eS81zUC_rmR-l_AB/s320/IMG_3668.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: Kalam;">"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Kalam; font-size: large;">Therefore comfort one another with these words."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">1 Thessalonians 4:16-18</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcphu5scizKX6G24iDWmiyzkiAU02ShhK-xrAh0mTl4uEXwJF-k-cjF4OH2fvtGSnEtzbzFwMMaRwvxS-jdIOkEAayFxrL6AXiZ5vE78aaA-CqSRB7baEKn4WcQlf75LdN9Mky1pOCRG-wHInyKAUfDmIzUl0Zoc9Z9m2z7wAs8mdDx0qmKCrKyeG0Bda/s1710/IMG_3530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1710" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcphu5scizKX6G24iDWmiyzkiAU02ShhK-xrAh0mTl4uEXwJF-k-cjF4OH2fvtGSnEtzbzFwMMaRwvxS-jdIOkEAayFxrL6AXiZ5vE78aaA-CqSRB7baEKn4WcQlf75LdN9Mky1pOCRG-wHInyKAUfDmIzUl0Zoc9Z9m2z7wAs8mdDx0qmKCrKyeG0Bda/s320/IMG_3530.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-72975197756162150282023-12-03T16:22:00.000+11:002023-12-03T16:22:34.192+11:00Weekend Words<p> <span style="font-size: large;">From <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Be-Still-Know-Millie-Stamm/dp/0310329914">Be Still and Know</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4PcJ2T-DhOevnhYIrnYTcTqLvziKNoolVj8AXmdnYU2Dnt31Txmz_Y0r2pj9mJqIWh-twEdyG6swKsEkDYMnUOKkjlQls-9X7f7DOoNjGv5j_oBEPfRibkHf3gIprEhf2i7CT-I8oMo0MhgMC8bHefF1x2tFBkj9sakndcny7LQtCRApxrZSqqLbzlc-/s1125/IMG_3566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="1125" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4PcJ2T-DhOevnhYIrnYTcTqLvziKNoolVj8AXmdnYU2Dnt31Txmz_Y0r2pj9mJqIWh-twEdyG6swKsEkDYMnUOKkjlQls-9X7f7DOoNjGv5j_oBEPfRibkHf3gIprEhf2i7CT-I8oMo0MhgMC8bHefF1x2tFBkj9sakndcny7LQtCRApxrZSqqLbzlc-/s320/IMG_3566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has been said that the thought life is the gateway to the soul.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Each thought that approaches the mind for entrance should pass inspection. Before we board a plane, each passenger has to pass through a security inspection. Either security officers must check the on-board luggage, or it is put under an x-ray machine before the passenger can carry it on the plane.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As thoughts come to the door of our minds they need to pass inspection before being allowed to enter.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Paul enumerates some inspection standards for our thoughts: "Whatsoever things are true." Jesus said, "I am the truth." In Him is revealed the truth about God. God has made the truth available to us in the Bible. As we fill our minds with Bible truths, our thoughts are centered on that which is true, genuine, and real.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We need to open our minds to "whatsoever things are honest," those things that claim respect. We need to think on "whatsoever things are just," that which is right.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thinking on "whatsoever things are pure" gives purity to our thought life. We are to fill our minds with "whatsoever things are lovely," things that give beauty of character.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Whatsoever things are of good report" are the things that are worth talking about.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is important to saturate our minds with the word of God. We should fix our thoughts on these God-given standards which motivate us to a more Christ-like living. Our inner attitudes affect our outer actions. "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today if we were to take the thoughts of our minds to God's inspection centre, would they pass inspection, or would some of them need to be removed?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life (Psalm 139:23-24, LB).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNE5LxuTofQw7PAoG1JhZE-8yVNeeJqde8Mstlh_MP-bxdmh8OLHckWmeMKfGOMPgP8O8KDbCkxu_WiMfGtF1Z-Nj34IwHs-AB1Pg4RMdb-QHNn1ErcFfSxP8XpAkxgWGMhUxvaXHppVZp53AFHpeBSNyVs4yZf_miFeNxFUJH_st0ZEMBXHLTQp1RhiZQ/s1102/IMG_3568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1088" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNE5LxuTofQw7PAoG1JhZE-8yVNeeJqde8Mstlh_MP-bxdmh8OLHckWmeMKfGOMPgP8O8KDbCkxu_WiMfGtF1Z-Nj34IwHs-AB1Pg4RMdb-QHNn1ErcFfSxP8XpAkxgWGMhUxvaXHppVZp53AFHpeBSNyVs4yZf_miFeNxFUJH_st0ZEMBXHLTQp1RhiZQ/s320/IMG_3568.JPG" width="316" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">From<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Faiths-Checkbook-One-Minute-Devotions-LuxLeather/dp/1432112201/ref=pd_sbs_sccl_1_1/186-8218503-4207761?pd_rd_w=95VEx&content-id=amzn1.sym.eccf9a27-11d4-40dd-a377-56d46762fc01&pf_rd_p=eccf9a27-11d4-40dd-a377-56d46762fc01&pf_rd_r=KYXT8WZQ6F3FTPMNECZ2&pd_rd_wg=agu56&pd_rd_r=d9094f88-a68a-4407-81bb-b5bddf91db66&pd_rd_i=1432112201&psc=1"> Faith's Checkbook</a> - Charles H Spurgeon...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Our Holiest Example</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved."</i> - Psalm 16:8</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the way to live. With God always before us, we shall have the noblest companionship, the holiest example, the sweetest consolation, and the mightiest influence.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Always to have an eye to the Lord's eye, and an ear to the Lord's voice - this is the right state for the godly man. His God is near him, filling the horizon of his vision, leading the way of his life, and furnishing the theme of his meditation. What vanities we should avoid, what sins we should overcome, what virtues we should exhibit, what joys we should experience if we did indeed set the Lord always before us!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Lord, being ever in our minds, guides and aids us, and hence we are not moved by fear, or force, or fraud, or fickleness. When God stands at a man's right hand, that man is himself sure to stand.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wn6Q7a5q3pOUuYb2R0ymWHhycQaHfi_MHWMa0llMGvpYHcCGruyL5FL71Kb1gIUzOjU2vqDbL8JFXB40BF_gSsgFhcBlsVo2ps0i5A8AVPS2KO1h469-0e-K7ldelDGoqZ4ab0TOZQ2MRUPHB4nGO5Ll8rFS7GO-rxds2W0CdPjKXZhQW4wWIsL3PtRO/s1125/IMG_3567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1125" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wn6Q7a5q3pOUuYb2R0ymWHhycQaHfi_MHWMa0llMGvpYHcCGruyL5FL71Kb1gIUzOjU2vqDbL8JFXB40BF_gSsgFhcBlsVo2ps0i5A8AVPS2KO1h469-0e-K7ldelDGoqZ4ab0TOZQ2MRUPHB4nGO5Ll8rFS7GO-rxds2W0CdPjKXZhQW4wWIsL3PtRO/s320/IMG_3567.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-66851809077831970352023-11-26T15:18:00.004+11:002023-11-26T15:19:40.517+11:00Weekend Words<p><span style="font-size: large;">From <a href="https://odb.org/">Our Daily Bread</a>...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAMSzzWb9MFNgTG1gr4IVmixxbaag_bd3bXFQPivb4Z2yRM-1rPXe6EL2cr6rSnqLMblcwWEXrzfqhkwfSYrH-unwFp2f82XlpJL8MiKsuF2COv2sZ3eFQEJW5lvixM-a1gle_VGbL19JnsULizKIkKvAZz-CsOoY771Hsg8n3EB1EOKVI653BwgHeVec/s2160/IMG_3494.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2043" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAMSzzWb9MFNgTG1gr4IVmixxbaag_bd3bXFQPivb4Z2yRM-1rPXe6EL2cr6rSnqLMblcwWEXrzfqhkwfSYrH-unwFp2f82XlpJL8MiKsuF2COv2sZ3eFQEJW5lvixM-a1gle_VGbL19JnsULizKIkKvAZz-CsOoY771Hsg8n3EB1EOKVI653BwgHeVec/w302-h320/IMG_3494.JPG" width="302" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Thanksgiving Blessing</b> - Read: Luke 14:12-14</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed."</i> (Luke 14:13-14)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In 2016, Wanda Dench sent a text inviting her grandson to Thanksgiving dinner, not knowing he'd recently changed his phone number. The text instead went to a stranger, Jamal. Jamal didn't have plans, and so, after clarifying who he was, asked if he could still come to dinner. Wanda said, "Of course you can." Jamal joined the family dinner in what has since become a yearly tradition for him. A mistaken invitation became an annual blessing.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wanda's kindness in inviting a stranger to dinner reminds me of Jesus' encouragement in Luke's gospel. During a dinner party at a "prominent" Pharisee's house (Luke 14:1), Jesus noticed who was invited and how the guests jostled for the best seats (v.7). Jesus told His host that inviting people based on what they could do for him in return (v. 12) meant the blessing would be limited. Instead, Jesus told the host that extending hospitality to people without the resources to repay him would bring even greater blessing (v.14).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">For Wanda, inviting Jamal to join her family for Thanksgiving dinner resulted in the unexpected blessing of a lasting friendship that was a great encouragement to her after her husband's death. When we reach out to others, not because of what we might receive, but because of God's love flowing through us, we receive far greater blessing and encouragement.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">- Lisa M Samra</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Courgette; font-size: large;">Heavenly Father, may my invitations reflect a heart that wants to bless others as You lead me.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjz91f-IMVqF1jotsvLS7wyDh10xTYXwLP6Os9vslpTmFef-2FOT5dTm4QzJjcwOAPR0o6wKF2rnizCN2FYzNnY-vd1N0yUk-Ie03WuZJc0AJL8Swo7GQ6ax0LQEP4zSwoP32rWsUpBW2eZeMlh0pjY77-nCGG25eoDxtW7NFCIwW8mdj07YVRWqgfZuN/s2027/IMG_3496.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2027" data-original-width="1401" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjz91f-IMVqF1jotsvLS7wyDh10xTYXwLP6Os9vslpTmFef-2FOT5dTm4QzJjcwOAPR0o6wKF2rnizCN2FYzNnY-vd1N0yUk-Ie03WuZJc0AJL8Swo7GQ6ax0LQEP4zSwoP32rWsUpBW2eZeMlh0pjY77-nCGG25eoDxtW7NFCIwW8mdj07YVRWqgfZuN/w276-h400/IMG_3496.JPG" width="276" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">From Beside the Still Waters...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Great Reversal</b> - Read: Luke 16:19-25, Matthew 25:31-46.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented"</i> - Luke 16:25</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The rich man had all that he needed for a pleasant, easy life. But Lazarus was simply "desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table." Lazarus was apparently a humble man, for he sought only what the rich man discarded.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">These crumbs wouldn't have been expensive to give to the beggar. It would have required only some effort and time. In this story the crumbs were food, but for us today other things could be crumbs. A visit to someone who is sick. A phone call to an elderly person confined at home. A card of encouragement for a widow. Taking a meal to a family that has suffered misfortune. Simply offering a listening ear, a smile, or a thank you. Are we too busy for these things?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The rich man and Lazarus both died. In the realm of departed souls, Father Abraham reminded the rich man of how different his former life had been from Lazarus' life. Then he said "but now" and described the great reversal of their conditions.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A similar reversal is evident in the Judgement scene of Matthew 25:31-46. The righteous had done good deeds, but they were puzzled by the King's words and asked, "When saw we thee...?" The wicked had neglected good deeds and were also puzzled by the King's words, so they too asked, "When saw we thee...?" The two groups received contrasting rewards according to their works. No matter how lowly we have been in serving others for Christ's sake, we will be greatly exalted when we hear the words, "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Darrell Richard - Goshen, IN</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">"Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled...</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i>Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger</i>." - Luke 6:21,25</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUjQd0-JYUlUagurFNTHnvaAgdJLkTuguUO4IH1SipeYJSpqH5KGZXzD7PtQfD1-FOasjm25e1yWlBNztbbJQ158WzCmmBllGTbYRmMbHINa-pnT9nz3F327pNBh2wjChN-8Phe_vfHffl2KUDXvDluJ5QjEfuc17jJRv3B9w-8VqpbzExNQ_8E-N637T/s2587/IMG_3491.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2587" data-original-width="1959" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUjQd0-JYUlUagurFNTHnvaAgdJLkTuguUO4IH1SipeYJSpqH5KGZXzD7PtQfD1-FOasjm25e1yWlBNztbbJQ158WzCmmBllGTbYRmMbHINa-pnT9nz3F327pNBh2wjChN-8Phe_vfHffl2KUDXvDluJ5QjEfuc17jJRv3B9w-8VqpbzExNQ_8E-N637T/w303-h400/IMG_3491.JPG" width="303" /></a></div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-80198291239479647882023-11-20T13:54:00.003+11:002023-11-20T14:01:42.349+11:00Headaches and hot weather...<p> <span style="font-size: large;">As we head into summer and the temperatures increase so, it appears, do the headaches. Had a bad week last week, but feeling better today (Monday), so mowed the grass before it got too hot. Inside now, to catch up with a blog post.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /><b>In the Garden</b> - This rose plant was cut down to the ground earlier this year, when the fence was being put up, but it has grown back stronger than ever...<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ldaaVNr6cdYsJCYuQI-2I7TBCdwtO2_8ginUh6bJAxHSaHWt3b_sJIxS5SSvP1SDdHoNF0Scv3pgNPOCnpWUx4BwKX1JzJ-YHprKHVT4k7AmJJrFGf1sZtRSG00SpDR6QOg56KW81ewsBN7KFCZHjavj4XPgogGq5naVVwp-XYhaZ8vBpYuYEQFsHJaf/s3386/IMG_3427.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3386" data-original-width="2516" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ldaaVNr6cdYsJCYuQI-2I7TBCdwtO2_8ginUh6bJAxHSaHWt3b_sJIxS5SSvP1SDdHoNF0Scv3pgNPOCnpWUx4BwKX1JzJ-YHprKHVT4k7AmJJrFGf1sZtRSG00SpDR6QOg56KW81ewsBN7KFCZHjavj4XPgogGq5naVVwp-XYhaZ8vBpYuYEQFsHJaf/s320/IMG_3427.JPG" width="238" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marnie brought me two of her 'dead' plants to try and nurse back to health...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET74eeOA7ooG64uLEiO5gDTLXG__hXbJPG4bf5tmPujzQ-SmwnMm-oDDrJIjPC6icxKMhytUBXHA2zaKOjZnC64LNQKtfwfKCAU_2QGNmKd-HJ-H5_iPdF6DmpJlJTwTtCHyDbWgNEimp5_F0M8fwuKJR-Wm7AlkuRVj__BcMAEjhfxcxYdipOTL3AlNl/s4032/IMG_3432.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2727" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET74eeOA7ooG64uLEiO5gDTLXG__hXbJPG4bf5tmPujzQ-SmwnMm-oDDrJIjPC6icxKMhytUBXHA2zaKOjZnC64LNQKtfwfKCAU_2QGNmKd-HJ-H5_iPdF6DmpJlJTwTtCHyDbWgNEimp5_F0M8fwuKJR-Wm7AlkuRVj__BcMAEjhfxcxYdipOTL3AlNl/s320/IMG_3432.JPG" width="216" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">a bay tree and a Tasmanian pepper berry</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Out and About </b>- did a walk up Dooley's Hill with Marnie...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHVFhgAU2FSkyBiPbehXPPivugtUY4lnKgYefkV3WAHsEw9-CGp9RmlkUpU0k3XZY_pGimDgWeST21okFmhRFhuM_HDHHwH4EZzVBspiT2BV7E1awQsUbc-OsMS_ois9c_2IP_N-Q7htvUqNCDFVi7-kD4cEP0nxc10dBeGaaeo7ELfLNkD5Ug2FsPzhI/s4032/IMG_3451.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHVFhgAU2FSkyBiPbehXPPivugtUY4lnKgYefkV3WAHsEw9-CGp9RmlkUpU0k3XZY_pGimDgWeST21okFmhRFhuM_HDHHwH4EZzVBspiT2BV7E1awQsUbc-OsMS_ois9c_2IP_N-Q7htvUqNCDFVi7-kD4cEP0nxc10dBeGaaeo7ELfLNkD5Ug2FsPzhI/s320/IMG_3451.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">It's a bit secluded so I don't like to walk it on my own...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TIGYZ9Xnu0n5vT8d1TBdZH4MeXUGL-5Kgj72J7xP5w4QhWh0ibltgtaKzdXNlTvXBgRTwJghWYRweRzFyyeTvV9RZkmihx8woC8hJLa9HIIqEMUn2acq6_0i55nG773ChGbqWMH-eBuXcuA6AqQfA20ANrbrXvWjHW5vFR5f0U2_fxqa_k4FDdo2R3we/s4032/IMG_3452.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TIGYZ9Xnu0n5vT8d1TBdZH4MeXUGL-5Kgj72J7xP5w4QhWh0ibltgtaKzdXNlTvXBgRTwJghWYRweRzFyyeTvV9RZkmihx8woC8hJLa9HIIqEMUn2acq6_0i55nG773ChGbqWMH-eBuXcuA6AqQfA20ANrbrXvWjHW5vFR5f0U2_fxqa_k4FDdo2R3we/s320/IMG_3452.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">And on another recent trip with Marnie to Burnie, we stopped in at Penguin Beach on the way back...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4ytTI7TfF5mOS3E1pUnkwYED9V0CKEwakSoO6CpuagXt-840xprLoC8_UKf9lopp27IKlTKS5ntarjomWTIDTV7dRy_kEHt6yk6K778NtIJ3Sn8EIC4aXE_uFblccK__opfWuyQ_1b9qNMM4AXJWx4lMrYYAurC6ID3O_LPewNYOfDY4RNzSTqgKtjin/s4032/IMG_3410.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4ytTI7TfF5mOS3E1pUnkwYED9V0CKEwakSoO6CpuagXt-840xprLoC8_UKf9lopp27IKlTKS5ntarjomWTIDTV7dRy_kEHt6yk6K778NtIJ3Sn8EIC4aXE_uFblccK__opfWuyQ_1b9qNMM4AXJWx4lMrYYAurC6ID3O_LPewNYOfDY4RNzSTqgKtjin/s320/IMG_3410.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKHz7CRL6royvTVkO7-hNSRCfeVpZFhnS8vPJ4OKkyLwqCS-oOVoxO7YsD9LuOi1nwVOIuDsytPoAzyUjtO0klsdadwyDcMTkBripd0Gz5-8Ygwpai1gPIoie3U50al-jBgmR6kbRN6qHpMpcMjROlq_K02j_qQWeNgMFV5g-wMzMkC23SSRzMKwGxX18/s4032/IMG_3407.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKHz7CRL6royvTVkO7-hNSRCfeVpZFhnS8vPJ4OKkyLwqCS-oOVoxO7YsD9LuOi1nwVOIuDsytPoAzyUjtO0klsdadwyDcMTkBripd0Gz5-8Ygwpai1gPIoie3U50al-jBgmR6kbRN6qHpMpcMjROlq_K02j_qQWeNgMFV5g-wMzMkC23SSRzMKwGxX18/s320/IMG_3407.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>In the Kitchen</b> - baking soda bread...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywAhRB85eNWVaT8kCjP9r_NR_VblV4tzbixtsXgLnFXBZMMFA0RarFuI9uy8tDH9Mmw2c2D2rSP9QBJRlt2cif95dXKgu5iT4dKg04gjyOHK7hnLBOc90lGwXLqC_jHrzCIna1AxTjvCGdEE6mRcoymRR-TFvFWgrWmJuFTW73IE_lKAbKtY5ylnR5fsy/s3024/IMG_3454.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2749" data-original-width="3024" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywAhRB85eNWVaT8kCjP9r_NR_VblV4tzbixtsXgLnFXBZMMFA0RarFuI9uy8tDH9Mmw2c2D2rSP9QBJRlt2cif95dXKgu5iT4dKg04gjyOHK7hnLBOc90lGwXLqC_jHrzCIna1AxTjvCGdEE6mRcoymRR-TFvFWgrWmJuFTW73IE_lKAbKtY5ylnR5fsy/s320/IMG_3454.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">And chicken stirfry...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKr-DvWNa6cfcSFwlwrBxsRofiOcMt1h_KuKjyIaB1ZxBN8WUjGHKTilv9eAwX77We4bzqvpiExFadzn1VHjjo03mC93FZ3RjqQt1diLp8V5tRwpYQ5ADqAAWDLuqYqX7uLluwCGc8snyBPaX_4C1715nIHxiFQ_vYUSa_vjvtxO2CaZk07l74GYqovf9/s3325/IMG_3457.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3325" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKr-DvWNa6cfcSFwlwrBxsRofiOcMt1h_KuKjyIaB1ZxBN8WUjGHKTilv9eAwX77We4bzqvpiExFadzn1VHjjo03mC93FZ3RjqQt1diLp8V5tRwpYQ5ADqAAWDLuqYqX7uLluwCGc8snyBPaX_4C1715nIHxiFQ_vYUSa_vjvtxO2CaZk07l74GYqovf9/s320/IMG_3457.JPG" width="291" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Knitting</b> - I've been working on these little baby jumpers I mentioned in my last home post...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqvKsL7B8CTX1pEhZQnYmg-YfTxfDzF7ZRtMkDilB1VBKriZJ-rnaSYpeVEXTkSc4MpPSlvQZP8N0FAKo_50A_xt9soDhDjz8y0NzcqyHKq6BXZM0ZEGklY70amBKfL-y5OrLcm9VXVS295cVY4u_vzMzkOYX1oVZCYpED-20mIEpgH4lDsIbZ7I0wWHI/s3024/IMG_3460.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2979" data-original-width="3024" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqvKsL7B8CTX1pEhZQnYmg-YfTxfDzF7ZRtMkDilB1VBKriZJ-rnaSYpeVEXTkSc4MpPSlvQZP8N0FAKo_50A_xt9soDhDjz8y0NzcqyHKq6BXZM0ZEGklY70amBKfL-y5OrLcm9VXVS295cVY4u_vzMzkOYX1oVZCYpED-20mIEpgH4lDsIbZ7I0wWHI/s320/IMG_3460.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And have started a new project! Marnie gave me a gift voucher for our local Yarn shop for Mother's Day back in May, but I had been having trouble finding a pattern I liked. I finally found one and have bought some yarn. A lovely soft and light 50% wool/50% alpaca. It's so nice to knit with. Let's see if I can get it finished by winter :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5mqqI38TCTALbbXmrkf4rVFpds17Hc1m9kB1Wqnj9R9Z2ZlNgdqxjjUN7pPdAljZEnzLN97MD4cZO0J2RxXF9Wt1HUG0SywN0EneT76xv-1MeG9daRE-sj41MMpbVPwPqMBIeKsqQtP6KEVt_cUg4ORdIMlSQQIJTz_S0kJ165VhZIKBGcPU-YkiddD2/s3123/IMG_3459.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3123" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5mqqI38TCTALbbXmrkf4rVFpds17Hc1m9kB1Wqnj9R9Z2ZlNgdqxjjUN7pPdAljZEnzLN97MD4cZO0J2RxXF9Wt1HUG0SywN0EneT76xv-1MeG9daRE-sj41MMpbVPwPqMBIeKsqQtP6KEVt_cUg4ORdIMlSQQIJTz_S0kJ165VhZIKBGcPU-YkiddD2/s320/IMG_3459.JPG" width="310" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Reading</b> - I have these two books on the go...<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlEZ55R3WPZn92Ls-CZUyLJ7yymkcBbRUk6cRJUcSIJf6VB2VnUjO-8QLwYIWHWbdZbs3T8bOyRLbMOZRLsoQ5hnd5lo-mWrV4Xjgg_VgjpL6UMl-sUixlyDP1Cyv06eHH34ZtF0qQ4E2meNTmx282a0XAiGDoNhyphenhyphenWPZO9VbRTP4tRjGtXmHMqK9Yikvh/s2900/IMG_3462.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2459" data-original-width="2900" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlEZ55R3WPZn92Ls-CZUyLJ7yymkcBbRUk6cRJUcSIJf6VB2VnUjO-8QLwYIWHWbdZbs3T8bOyRLbMOZRLsoQ5hnd5lo-mWrV4Xjgg_VgjpL6UMl-sUixlyDP1Cyv06eHH34ZtF0qQ4E2meNTmx282a0XAiGDoNhyphenhyphenWPZO9VbRTP4tRjGtXmHMqK9Yikvh/s320/IMG_3462.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And as we head into summer, I'm already dreaming of autumn :) </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy this little spring excerpt from Stillmeadow Sampler by Gladys Taber...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>At this season of the year, I think often of Thoreau living his solitary life in the hut by Walden Pond. I too, in spring, feel impatient with the busyness of life. Thoreau knew what he was about. "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Sometimes, I think, we rush so, we finish one schedule only to make a newer and busier one. We do not, ever, live deliberately and fully, for we haven't time. I know few people who go outdoors now and sit quietly for a couple of hours just looking at the miracle of spring. Sometimes as we drive along the country roads, I see occasional figures stretched out in lawn chairs. But they aren't observing May, they are reading the newspaper or a magazine. They are like the people I have seen on the great beach at Nauset on Cape Cod who never hear the music of the tide because they have portable radios playing hot music!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>I hate to think what Thoreau would have said to that!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBxp6Oa-i0Xi2MZBn9R-kBFxuwUJIr1ar4Xs7J8ZJQ8bTvW0xXR4oRBWKBI8a_MtDKCdHlhTifDbmM9DO33EphTohLMuTwwNO_uYnHae_HgcgY32ytplaqe29mlf0yxnLut1A0yOU4tt-nveh-SDN53v_4FJ9VczyTpO5a8fbeo2EWLSZC8VKxVCvRQ_g/s2141/IMG_3424.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2141" data-original-width="2002" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBxp6Oa-i0Xi2MZBn9R-kBFxuwUJIr1ar4Xs7J8ZJQ8bTvW0xXR4oRBWKBI8a_MtDKCdHlhTifDbmM9DO33EphTohLMuTwwNO_uYnHae_HgcgY32ytplaqe29mlf0yxnLut1A0yOU4tt-nveh-SDN53v_4FJ9VczyTpO5a8fbeo2EWLSZC8VKxVCvRQ_g/s320/IMG_3424.JPG" width="299" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">That was written in 1959. I'm sure Thoreau would be horrified at the 'progress' we have made!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you can take some time this week to 'smell the roses' :) xx</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgComK0ITiwIdjwWyi9vaSIx1USTnBWb9kcb-I7q6fCmlkOG4y2kT3j6xFeK6xjfSlnrSYv0-El6lbx9spWLbsfM7BiJyNbiK7epiax0F1BVPHOD6sIO4XeLoTEn4Frm99tRAHK9VQYJQ-8HgAo03s0oTjDrAOhXaXWtv15Pa1Ml1sLhLWSZE0bhDcZ01/s2117/IMG_3429.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="2117" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgComK0ITiwIdjwWyi9vaSIx1USTnBWb9kcb-I7q6fCmlkOG4y2kT3j6xFeK6xjfSlnrSYv0-El6lbx9spWLbsfM7BiJyNbiK7epiax0F1BVPHOD6sIO4XeLoTEn4Frm99tRAHK9VQYJQ-8HgAo03s0oTjDrAOhXaXWtv15Pa1Ml1sLhLWSZE0bhDcZ01/s320/IMG_3429.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967502976418632583.post-70850942193515225082023-11-19T12:40:00.000+11:002023-11-19T12:40:28.812+11:00Weekend Words<p><span style="font-size: large;">From Beside the Still Waters...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOSbVZOq2yQrf-6Xw1H99eR5tUKgFH3sk6ODSoi68vZ2Uw50OrRa0JnHH2CVzTt-Cr4R9qV3ShkT_4W3ebcT3-UJFdcbDPZNifQbhNO7RO6c3o1Ux5fIZV3Vj4q926RyPbzuYcTQbyNc2AVRjpAwObtkVCx5ck9iGoeF3G_ClAYPkmUPhcBYuQSD2Y6zr/s2722/IMG_3380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1661" data-original-width="2722" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOSbVZOq2yQrf-6Xw1H99eR5tUKgFH3sk6ODSoi68vZ2Uw50OrRa0JnHH2CVzTt-Cr4R9qV3ShkT_4W3ebcT3-UJFdcbDPZNifQbhNO7RO6c3o1Ux5fIZV3Vj4q926RyPbzuYcTQbyNc2AVRjpAwObtkVCx5ck9iGoeF3G_ClAYPkmUPhcBYuQSD2Y6zr/s320/IMG_3380.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Narrow Road</b> - Read: Matthew 7:13-27</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Enter ye in at the strait gate ... because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."</i> - Matthew 7:13-14</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Several church families moved far away to start a new congregation. They were told that before they reached their destination, the road would become extremely rough. Then they would know that they were close to their new homes. Let's take courage if our spiritual journey seems rough. We are not promised smooth roads and calm weather. In fact, Jesus told us the way is narrow and we will have tribulation in this life. Yes, the right road is often a rough and narrow road. Home is not far ahead.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). We need to seriously consider the question, Do we have our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus Christ? If so, God's power will take us through no matter how rough our journey. But sometimes in our busy, instant-coffee, microwave-orientated lifestyle, we fail to sense or hear God's call on our life. The still, small voice of the holy spirit is drowned out by our rushing around; a quick trip to the lumber yard for supplies to finish our job, or a rush to the grocery store to get ice cream for our evening visitors. While driving we may listen to a sermon on a CD; but with the message forgotten and our consciences stilled, we rush on to get our things accomplished.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus can give us rest and peace as we travel the rough road of life. But sometimes we create our own turbulence by neglecting to spend time with God. We are promised spiritual security only as we remain on the straight and narrow road. This road ends with a glorious welcome: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34). Will we all hear those words?</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Denver Yoder - Somerset, OH</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: large;">The road you travel determines your destination.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9IKIQeWR2BaQkulNTdL3SfusfLErN2E6j6czT6nFaW-Na0TeVKrxxj3HuEjBznjZ7iRacV_qpk77LobewtYE4dsCklbCBcmHMjPF2649QZoSz9hLPWr8yCFgRdS-OsQhSd2wyOo6ykWYs-53dJJVBSO_F7WGOHbOw327TVJkFxG9G9AhqB3TbkJ3jcc8/s3597/IMG_3381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3597" data-original-width="2817" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9IKIQeWR2BaQkulNTdL3SfusfLErN2E6j6czT6nFaW-Na0TeVKrxxj3HuEjBznjZ7iRacV_qpk77LobewtYE4dsCklbCBcmHMjPF2649QZoSz9hLPWr8yCFgRdS-OsQhSd2wyOo6ykWYs-53dJJVBSO_F7WGOHbOw327TVJkFxG9G9AhqB3TbkJ3jcc8/s320/IMG_3381.JPG" width="251" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">From <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Be-Still-Know-Millie-Stamm/dp/0310329914">Be Still and Know</a>...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fish: but what are they among so many?"</i> (John 6:9)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One day Jesus had been preaching to a large crowd. As evening approached, He was aware of their need for food. The disciples suggested, "Send them to find food." They were probably thinking, "Our means are insufficient. It is an impossible task. Where could we get enough food or enough money to buy food?" </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">But Jesus said, "Give ye them to eat." He asked what food was available. In the crowd was a little boy with a lunch of five loaves and two fish. When asked if Jesus could have it, he gave it all to Him, holding nothing back.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus took the lunch of a boy whose name is not known, blessed it, broke it, gave it to the disciples to distribute and the people were satisfied.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We live in a world in need of spiritual food, food that will satisfy the inner hunger of people's lives. The Lord said, "Give ye THEM to EAT." He didn't say, "Form a committee or a commission." He said, "Give YE them to eat." His means of feeding a spiritually hungry world is through His own people. His command is for us today.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes we give God excuses why we cannot be involved in ministering to the spiritual needs of the people. We feel we have nothing God can use, we say we are too busy, or we have too many home or business responsibilities.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We may feel we have little to offer Him, but little is much when God is in it. It is not what we have, but what we are doing with what we have. He uses what we have, but He must have all of it.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How often we limit what God wants to do in our lives. His power is at our disposal. When we give Him our all, He takes it and multiplies it by His power. Then what we do is not in our power but in His.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do not underestimate what God can do in and with a life that has been placed in His hands to use.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01IEPWNvI5HGwVJsPxxrexRM-WJ4RYamfutQipo-VX9RbETetiEM2lseWK44MkNTvMQnT4SDgbpaMl7R1vH10CHgR2gE91KlrB0kjz8cvGDUjMSH6jSPWO8Fj19txdJ16PNPS3OwsXR21T0Is4jwb7MwHoNl46gC0T8DQf4Mnf-Ock81ZwOv_hsNgnmAm/s2178/IMG_3447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2156" data-original-width="2178" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01IEPWNvI5HGwVJsPxxrexRM-WJ4RYamfutQipo-VX9RbETetiEM2lseWK44MkNTvMQnT4SDgbpaMl7R1vH10CHgR2gE91KlrB0kjz8cvGDUjMSH6jSPWO8Fj19txdJ16PNPS3OwsXR21T0Is4jwb7MwHoNl46gC0T8DQf4Mnf-Ock81ZwOv_hsNgnmAm/s320/IMG_3447.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And a quote from Corrie ten Boom...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Architects Daughter; font-size: large;">"Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength - carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength."</span></p><p></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372513528828334944noreply@blogger.com3