Family, plus other news ...

 A visit from Ben, Hayley and Hazel has been keeping me busy (as well as being laid low with migraines for a time).  Today is raining after a long dry spell, so a good opportunity to get a blog post done....

One of the first stops was a late breakfast at Anvers Chocolate Factory Cafe...

We also went to visit the goats at the nearby school farm...

The baby goats are so cute...

and the people are a close second :)

We visited the chickens too, but because I forgot to take a photo of them this will have to suffice... 

little salt and pepper shakers from my friend Julie :)

Smile :))

Started a new knitting project that will likely take all year the rate I am going...

a blanket for a patient at the Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia

you can read about it HERE

The info about knitting a blanket is HERE...

I knit one for them 2 years ago, and thought it was time to make another one

I'm currently reading this Canadian West series by Janette Oke (bought second hand on eBay) ...

first read about 30 years ago, and halfway through book 2

A recent visit to the river....

my peaceful spot

And speaking of peace, I'm hoping to get a series of devotional post on soon on peace.

'Prayer + Praise = Peace'

Back soon!

xx

From Behold the Lilies (devotional)...

 

"One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple." - Psalm 27:4

Our deepest desire should be to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our lives, to behold His beauty, and to be with Jesus face to face.  A relationship with Jesus is a precious gift, inspiring in us a willingness to give Him our talents, time, and lives.  And when we allow Jesus to have complete control, our lives become truly blessed.

Walking close to Jesus is a rich experience.  When we are close to Him, we have a great longing to spend time reading His Word and praying.  Prayer is our vital breath!  

Jesus knows and understands us.  Prayer is simply a continuation of our walk with Him.  When we can escape the noise and hurry of the day and meet with Jesus in a private and quiet place, it becomes even more meaningful.  It is wonderful to be able to bring our problems and temptations to Him and lay them before Him one by one.  We can then wait in silence with our hearts open before Him, focusing our minds on Him until He speaks to us.

How wonderful it is when He speaks!  Sometimes He brings Scripture to our minds that fit our problems.  Sometimes He gives us direction through the counsel of another person.  Sometimes just the sense of His presence with nothing to distract us is soothing and comforting to our tried and tempted hearts.

Peace (devotionals)

 From Behold the Lilies...

"They fell on their faces and were sore afraid.  And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only." - Matthew 17:6-8

The secret to having peace in a troubled world is Jesus.  Nothing, however threatening, can touch us if our focus is on JESUS ONLY, the one who is in full control.

A minister once said that fear is like a telescope: it focuses on a specific issue and magnifies it.  What we fear becomes oppressive to us and rises to become an authority over us.  If we fear people, circumstances, or the future, the fear oppresses us and controls us.  Like Peter on the waves, if we focus on our own weakness in the face of overwhelming situations, we will be engulfed and sink.

Fear distorts our vision.  It magnifies the problem and minimizes God's unlimited grace and power.  In essence, it judges the almighty God to be incapable and insufficient to control His own creation and to meet our needs.

When we focus on God and remember that He is on control of everything and everyone, our vision will be clear and our fears will be quenched.  Let us not look around or within, but up, that we may see JESUS ONLY.

From A Celebration of the Simple Life ...

Perfect Peace

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." - Isaiah 26:3

I always feel a sense of peace when I'm visiting one of our Amish friend's homes.  Some people may believe that the Amish are peaceful because they live close to the land - surrounded by farm animals, growing crops, flowers, and trees.  However, I believe that the Amish feel a sense of peace because of their sincere faith in God.

Life can be difficult at times, but nothing can separate us from God's love.  God gives all believers a sense of peace if they keep their eyes on Him and not on the things of this world.  It's comforting to know that God keeps the earth rotating and the seasons changing.  He makes the sun rise every morning and sets the sun at just the right time each evening.  All that God does should remind us that He is in control, which will give us a perfect peace.  When you go to bed tonight, you can relax in the knowledge that God is in control and sleep in peace. 

Heavenly Father, when I have a peaceful attitude, it's so much easier to cope.  May Your perfect peace, which passes understanding, fill my soul today.  Amen.

Another year older ...

 Had a birthday earlier this month (73)...

Marnie gave me a new apron

we went out for lunch

She also made me a yummy (carrot) birthday cake...

we were so eager to get eating it that I forgot to take a 'before' photo

A pretty bunch of statice...

from Denver and Sophie

and lovely flowers from friend Vicki

it was a good day :)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Finished reading these three books since the beginning of the year.  Was only going to read one but found it so interesting that I read the other two as well.  All by David Bercot...

about early Christianity and how it has been corrupted over the years

A change of pace now...

A re-read of an early (1994) Janette Oke book and continuing to work on a crocheted blanket I started last year (or maybe it was the year before?).  I get there eventually :))

Have you seen these movies?  I picked them up second hand on eBay...

Have to go and cook dinner now.

I hope you are all having a good day, and I'll be back when I can...

xx

From Behold the Lilies (devotional)...

"Consider how great things he hath done for you." - 1 Samuel 12:24

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved [me] - Ephesians 2:4 ...

... hath made me (Job 33:4)

... hath been mindful of [me] (Psalm 115:12)

... hath looked upon my affliction (Genesis 29:32)

... hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden (Luke 1:48)

... hath inclined his hear unto me (Psalm 116:2)

... hath attended to the voice of my prayer (Psalm 66:19)

... hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me (Acts 12:11)

... hath delivered me out of all trouble (Psalm 54:7)

... hath redeemed my soul out of all distress (1 Kings 1:29)

... hath prospered my way (Genesis 24:56)

... hath given me counsel (Psalm 16:7)

... hath prepared for [me] a city (Hebrews 11:16)

... hath called [me] to glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:3)

... hath made [me] accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6)

... hath blessed me hitherto (Joshua 17:14)

... hath put a new song in my mouth (Psalm 40:3)

... hath said, I will never leave thee (Hebrews 13:5)

... hath given [me] everlasting consolation and good hope (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

... hath given [me] an understanding (1 John 5:20)

The Lord hath done great things for [me]; whereof [I am] glad (Psalm 26:3)

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us."

 - 1 John 3:1 KJV

And suddenly it's February...

Despite being slowed down with headaches (again) last week I'm thankful that I am feeling better now and was able to get to church, after missing the last two Sundays.

And I'm happy to report progress on Effie.  She is all stitched up and has a dress, but still needs a face (unless I make her Amish) and hair, or a hat.  I finished her last week but wanted to make a dress for her...

The knitting is a ball of chenille type yarn that Marnie didn't want, so I decided to make a little doll blanket out of it.

A trip to the op shop during the week netted me some nice bargains, all for a grand total of $6.50 ...

Englich bone china mug (50 cents), Victoria magazine ($1), a pretty handmade card (50 cents), a signed, historical book by a Tasmanian author ($3.50), and a ceramic and Tasmanian Blackwood wall plaque ($1)

And it's always a good day when mail arrives...

makes for a happy lunch break

and before you ask... Yes!  I have the same lunch every day :))

The strawberries are ripening well (and the blackberries will be ready soon)...

I have to pick them before they fully ripen or the snails get them, but these ones all ripened up overnight inside

Freya the fence sitter...

that way she can keep an eye on what's going on inside in the yard and outside in the street

My New Testament one chapter a day Bible reading is going well...

Mark Chapter 4 today

And I almost read two books in January, even though my goal was only to read one...

I'll finish "Will The Real Heretics..." tonight.

Not sure what I'll read next

We had a pretty sunset last night...

Jefferson sent me this photo of Jaya doing a tea ceremony for them ...

I think that's what I need...  a cup of tea.  It always makes things better!

Have a blessed week, and don't forget to drink your tea :))

xx 

From Behold the Lilies (devotional)

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." - Hebrews 11:6

Institutions and organizations are crumbling, and it does not take long to figure out why.  God is pushed aside and left out.  Questions are asked and much money is spent on research, but answers are evasive.  Again it seems the reason is that God is ignored.

I seem to think a lot about material things ... but surely I'm not pushing God aside.  I have a firm belief in God.

Sometimes I do not sense my need.  I do not feel as dependent on God as I had been.  I wonder why ... but no, I'm not pushing God aside.  Every time I look outside and see the beauty of the creation, I recognize that God is the Creator of it all.

I feel disturbed and unsettled.  I really want a settled peace in my heart.  If only ... but still, I'm not pushing God aside.  I read His Word every day, at least a bit.

I would not intentionally push God aside or reject Him.  But somehow these verses seem to ring in my mind: "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works in dead?" (James 2:19-20)

My problem with materialism shows that I have more faith in what I see than in what I cannot see.  I do not have my eyes on eternal things.  I must admit that I do push God aside in this aspect of my life. My problem with feeling self-sufficient might stem from not giving heed to the Spirit's voice in little things because I think I know better.  He may see my independence and choose to retreat; He will not force Himself on me.  Soon I start feeling as though something has come between God and me.  Obviously, I again pushed God aside.  I did not have the faith that He knows best.

The problem with feeling unsettled and disturbed - could it come from a lack of trust, from not leaving that disturbing matter to the Lord?  Again, I lack real faith in his promises.

Are worldly institutions rejecting God?  Yes.  Do I sometimes reject God?  My life makes it obvious.  Faith in God means more than believing that He exists.  I must have a faith that moves me to live above the present and convinces me that His will is always best.  With such a faith, I can experience a restful, trusting life that will not crumble.