Now have to sew them together
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Shifting Sand
I love my early morning, hour long walk on the beach. I go whatever the weather (except in heavy rain) and I think the times I like best are when the sky is grey and overcast and the sea is rough.
Normally I walk on firm sand, but this morning, the tide was very high and I had to walk on the soft sand.
It was hard going.
Every so often I would hit a firmer patch and I could stride out again, only to suddenly put my foot down into a soft patch of sand and it was back to plodding and struggling along. I only had a narrow strip of sand to walk on, and tree branches, that had been washed up by the sea, to step over. High sand dunes on one side of me and the crashing waves on the other.
And as I plodded along I got to thinking about life.
We all have a road to walk - sometimes it is littered with obstacles (like the tree branches), sometimes we feel like we are sinking (like walking on soft, shifting sand) and then at other times we are able to walk unhindered and enjoy the journey (the firm sand).
I thought about the narrow strip of sand I had to walk on (the narrow road?), and those things and situations that come alongside us on our walk - the crashing sea (those difficult people perhaps?), and the high sandhills (problems looming?) and we feel we are getting squeezed in on all sides.
Sometimes the walk gets too hard and I think I'll turn back. Then I look out to sea, and on the horizon see a gap in the grey clouds, and the silver rays of sunlight beaming through onto the grey sea. My feet hit some firm sand, the sandhills are opening out to grass areas, and the tide is going out.
So I keep walking, thinking, I'll never take that firm sand I usually walk on for granted again. I get to my turning point and head back along the beach (by this time the tide has receeded enough that I can walk the whole way on firm sand). I look up and see big patches of blue sky, the sun streaming down, and the sea sparkling and dancing in the sunlight.
Life gets hard sometimes. We feel like giving up the struggle...turning back. It all just gets too hard.
But God is there with us. He gives us the firm sand and the rays of sunshine. Do you see them? Or are you focused on the obstacles?
God and His Word is our firm foundation (2 Timothy 2:19), underneath our soft, shifting sand (Matthew 7:26). He will not let our foot slip (Psalm 121:3). And underneath are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27).
(Lynda Helen Kay 2010)
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
green fix
I can't have a garden here, so last week I went and bought 2 indoor ferns so I could still get my green fix.
crocheted birthday blankets
This is the lap blanket I crocheted for grandson Dylan in June
And this is the one I crocheted for grandson Zak in September
And this is the one I am working on now for grandson Oliver for his birthday next month. It will be like Dylan's only edged in brown.
And this is the one I crocheted for grandson Zak in September
And this is the one I am working on now for grandson Oliver for his birthday next month. It will be like Dylan's only edged in brown.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Choices
“It doesn’t really matter
One way or the other—
The hairstyle I have chosen, or
The one that’s on my brother.
It doesn’t really make a difference
If cars are black or white,
Or if I wear a color shade
That you would think too bright.
Salvation, holiness, and love
Are heart and spirit things;
They don’t consist in what I drive
Or what my brother sings.
Why this fuss of right or wrong,
Bickering all the while?
My brother’s not like me. So what?
Embrace him with a smile.”
Is this the truth—the whole truth—
Or is it only half?
Is God the Author of these thoughts,
Or does the devil laugh …
To see so many Christians
Behind this thinking hide,
And taking refuge in these “truths,”
Indulge in self and pride?
It doesn’t really matter?
But God says that it does;
And furthermore He teaches that
It’s not an idle fuss.
If details do not matter,
Why didn’t our Father say
So simply to each child of His,
“Be holy. Go thy way?”
Instead He gives instruction
On what to do or say;
On how to treat our elders,
And when, and what to pray.
Of worship and its details;
Alms, and how much to bring;
Of who should be a leader;
How, when, and what to sing.
He tells us when to laugh or weep,
And what to eat or drink;
How much to talk and work and sleep,
And even what to think.
He cares about our business,
If we are rich or poor.
Our clothes, our love, our feelings, plans,
Relationships and more.
“Angel of light,” the devil is—
A wolf with clothing fair,
Who cuts the truth in half, and spreads
Confusion everywhere.
“Do these things really matter?”
He says to you and me.
“You have the right to choose your way
And thus in Christ you’re free!”
“You choose,” ah, there’s the secret
Of Satan’s lie, half-told;
These choices are the building
Of either straw or gold.
No, outward things don’t save us
This fact is true, so true!
But it’s the choice behind them
That saves or ruins you.
The clothes you wear, your hairstyle,
Each word you think or say,
The car you drive, the books you read,
The work you do each day;
The way you dress your children,
The songs you want to sing,
The preacher that you listen to,
The way your phone may ring;
Are all because of choices
God sees and understands;
He weighs each choice and its reward
In His all-knowing hands.
Say not, “It doesn’t matter,”
This is the devil’s snare.
The dress or car or shoe reveals
The choice that put it there.
When we are making choices,
Which question is our test?
“I wonder just what’s wrong with it?”
Or, “Which way is the best?”
What is our deepest longing?
To glorify God’s Name?
To build and edify His church—
A worker free of blame?
Or is our heart the garden spot
Where grow the subtle weeds
Of flesh and self uncrucified,
That trouble and mislead?
If we are making choices,
With heart and soul and mind
Completely given up to God,
His blessing we will find.
—Author unknown
One way or the other—
The hairstyle I have chosen, or
The one that’s on my brother.
It doesn’t really make a difference
If cars are black or white,
Or if I wear a color shade
That you would think too bright.
Salvation, holiness, and love
Are heart and spirit things;
They don’t consist in what I drive
Or what my brother sings.
Why this fuss of right or wrong,
Bickering all the while?
My brother’s not like me. So what?
Embrace him with a smile.”
Is this the truth—the whole truth—
Or is it only half?
Is God the Author of these thoughts,
Or does the devil laugh …
To see so many Christians
Behind this thinking hide,
And taking refuge in these “truths,”
Indulge in self and pride?
It doesn’t really matter?
But God says that it does;
And furthermore He teaches that
It’s not an idle fuss.
If details do not matter,
Why didn’t our Father say
So simply to each child of His,
“Be holy. Go thy way?”
Instead He gives instruction
On what to do or say;
On how to treat our elders,
And when, and what to pray.
Of worship and its details;
Alms, and how much to bring;
Of who should be a leader;
How, when, and what to sing.
He tells us when to laugh or weep,
And what to eat or drink;
How much to talk and work and sleep,
And even what to think.
He cares about our business,
If we are rich or poor.
Our clothes, our love, our feelings, plans,
Relationships and more.
“Angel of light,” the devil is—
A wolf with clothing fair,
Who cuts the truth in half, and spreads
Confusion everywhere.
“Do these things really matter?”
He says to you and me.
“You have the right to choose your way
And thus in Christ you’re free!”
“You choose,” ah, there’s the secret
Of Satan’s lie, half-told;
These choices are the building
Of either straw or gold.
No, outward things don’t save us
This fact is true, so true!
But it’s the choice behind them
That saves or ruins you.
The clothes you wear, your hairstyle,
Each word you think or say,
The car you drive, the books you read,
The work you do each day;
The way you dress your children,
The songs you want to sing,
The preacher that you listen to,
The way your phone may ring;
Are all because of choices
God sees and understands;
He weighs each choice and its reward
In His all-knowing hands.
Say not, “It doesn’t matter,”
This is the devil’s snare.
The dress or car or shoe reveals
The choice that put it there.
When we are making choices,
Which question is our test?
“I wonder just what’s wrong with it?”
Or, “Which way is the best?”
What is our deepest longing?
To glorify God’s Name?
To build and edify His church—
A worker free of blame?
Or is our heart the garden spot
Where grow the subtle weeds
Of flesh and self uncrucified,
That trouble and mislead?
If we are making choices,
With heart and soul and mind
Completely given up to God,
His blessing we will find.
—Author unknown
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
A walk in the fog
Yesterday morning was my first walk in the fog...I LOVE IT!!!!
By the time I was coming back, the township was just emerging from the fog. The Nut that is towering above it was still shrouded.
By the time I was coming back, the township was just emerging from the fog. The Nut that is towering above it was still shrouded.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Another poem...
MOVING FORWARD
Is God calling you to move forward
To walk in His strength today?
Are you straining to turn back
And in your safe place stay?
He calls us out to stretch us,
To teach us in His ways.
To help us see how we respond
Is based upon that special bond
We have with Jesus.
Are we leaning on His love
And walking in His strength?
Or are we clinging to the past
Afraid to move in God's new path.
He does not take us where
He has not walked the way before us.
Not only does He walk before,
But behind, beside and in us!
(Lynda Helen Kay 2010)
Is God calling you to move forward
To walk in His strength today?
Are you straining to turn back
And in your safe place stay?
He calls us out to stretch us,
To teach us in His ways.
To help us see how we respond
Is based upon that special bond
We have with Jesus.
Are we leaning on His love
And walking in His strength?
Or are we clinging to the past
Afraid to move in God's new path.
He does not take us where
He has not walked the way before us.
Not only does He walk before,
But behind, beside and in us!
(Lynda Helen Kay 2010)
Eat That Frog!
I came across this thought on another blog. Apparently the concept comes from this quote by Mark Twain:
"Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day."
— Mark Twain
Meaning, if you do the worst thing first, and stop procrastinating, then the day can only get better. Hmmm!
So, I thought I'd try the idea (glad it's only a concept and not literal), and get on with some of those things I've been putting off: emails I need to send, letters I need to write, phone calls I need to make....
But first I think I need a cup of tea...and I'll look at my Victoria magazine I got yesterday while I drink it...and maybe do a few rows of knitting...ho hum!
Maybe I'll start on the frog tomorrow!!
"Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day."
— Mark Twain
Meaning, if you do the worst thing first, and stop procrastinating, then the day can only get better. Hmmm!
So, I thought I'd try the idea (glad it's only a concept and not literal), and get on with some of those things I've been putting off: emails I need to send, letters I need to write, phone calls I need to make....
But first I think I need a cup of tea...and I'll look at my Victoria magazine I got yesterday while I drink it...and maybe do a few rows of knitting...ho hum!
Maybe I'll start on the frog tomorrow!!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Knitting
This is the start of a scarf I am knitting for myself. After a bit of experimenting with different size needles, I decided to go with 10mm to knit up into a soft loose stitch. The yarn I am using is probably about 8-10 ply (Noro silk/kid mohair/lambs wool). I cast on 32 stitches (you can use any multiple of 4 stitches for the pattern) and each row is just: Knit 3 Purl 1 - can't get much easier than that!
It is much longer now, but I have put it aside to finish off another hat for our charity knitting day tomorrow.
The hat is the same as the other 2 in this picture. I've also done the little jacket, but need to get 2 buttons for it - I am hiding the buttonholes minus the buttons with the hat :o)
And the bear was actually a hand puppet pattern but I made it into a teddybear..clever aren't I!!
It is much longer now, but I have put it aside to finish off another hat for our charity knitting day tomorrow.
The hat is the same as the other 2 in this picture. I've also done the little jacket, but need to get 2 buttons for it - I am hiding the buttonholes minus the buttons with the hat :o)
And the bear was actually a hand puppet pattern but I made it into a teddybear..clever aren't I!!
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