Weekend Words

 From A Year's Journey with God...

Journey into the Unknown

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." - Hebrews 11:8

When I set out on a journey I like to have every detail organised, so I feel sorry for Abraham.  There he was, living in a luxurious house in a beautiful city, with a loving wife and successful business.  At seventy-five he was looking forward to a peaceful old age when God told him to sell up and set off on a journey - but neglected to give him a destination!  If he had been like me he would have said, "I'm not leaving here until you tell me where you want me to go and what you want me to do."  The Bible does not tell us if Abraham argued, only that he obeyed, but it does make it clear that he found the next twenty years very difficult until God made His plans a little more clear.

Sometimes our faith journey takes us along a smooth, level path; we are jogging along happily when suddenly a wide chasm opens up right in front of us.  God seems to be expecting us to take a 'leap of faith' even though we can't see the path continuing on the far side of the terrifying gap.  God presented Abraham with this 'faith leap' because faith is God's priority for us all (Hebrews 11:6).  God knows that it grows best when we have to launch ourselves off into the unknown without having a clue where we are going to land!

Lord, you are propelling me out of my safe routines, familiar structures and safe networks, and all I know for sure is that you are there to catch me if I fall. (Deuteronomy 33:27)

From Beside the Still Waters...

Horizons - Read: Job 23

"For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." - Malachi 3:6

Years ago some other boys and I were outdoors playing when we found a barrel with both ends cut out.  I curled up inside and my friends rolled me down the hill.  I got out and lay on the solid ground, but everything tilted and turned.  The horizon seemed very unstable.

Later in Sunday school, the teacher held up a device and said it was an artificial horizon.  He said that instrument-rated pilots are taught to always go by what the instruments show.  Sometimes their feelings tell them a certain direction is down, but if the artificial horizon does not agree, they must go by the instrument.  Otherwise they may go into a "graveyard spiral."  The teacher said faith is like that; sometimes our feelings tell us one thing and the Bible says something else.  Then we must go by what God says, or we may suffer a spiritual "graveyard spiral."  I never forgot that lesson.

Through the years, I have been glad for God's stable spiritual horizons.  God has clearly promised that He will never leave us.  But difficult times come even to Christians.  I remember a time when I felt like Job, who said in today's Bible reading, "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him."  That's a bad feeling.  At such a time we need to go by God's instruments.  Then we can say as Job did, "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."  It is amazing that Job spoke those words of confidence immediately after his words of perplexity.

Today God's horizons are fixed, whether they seem to swirl or stand still, because God does not change.  His truth endures forever.

Kelvin Mast - Pedernales, Mexico

On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. - Edward Mote  

On the home front...

It's hard to believe we've reached the shortest day here, and almost the middle of the year!  Time sure flies when you are having fun.  Or busy!!

So here's a bit of what I've been up to, in no particular order...

My boxes and other resources arrived for the Christmas Child shoe boxes.  I had been knitting beanies for the boxes, but have put that aside for now as I had a request from Hayley to knit a sweater for Hazel...

Found a pattern and enough yarn in my stash and have finished the back and am working on the front.  Need to get a move on with it or winter will be over....

Also been doing a bit of sewing.  Making a pinafore/jumper from a 2 1/2 metre length of new cotton twill fabric from the op shop for $3...

and playing around with head coverings, trying to come up with something I'm happy with

Still tweaking this a bit, but I think it will work ok...

There is still plenty to do in the garden, weather permitting.  I've been cutting back the helichrysum (licorice plants) along the driveway side of the house...

half way there

And when it's raining... I bake bread...

And make more 'bread and butter' pudding using fruit cake from the freezer...

so easy and delicious

This morning on my way home from my walk I called in to the Mennonite Fruit and Veg shop and treated myself to one of their cinnamon scrolls...

and some good reading material also arrived in the mail

I'm half way through the book (A Song in Siberia) that I mentioned in my last 'Home...' post.  It's very interesting and inspiring...

also have a Miss Read book on the go for when I want something light, and The Lim Family of Singapore is my bed time read

Still getting out for my river walks most days, unless it is raining heavily.  Here are some photos from a recent winter walk...

"Stilled now be every anxious care;

See God's great goodness everywhere;

Leave all to Him in perfect rest;

He will do all things for the best."

- From the German

Weekend Words

 From A Year's Journey with God... (I posted this two years ago, but came across it again this week in my readings.  I like it now, just as much as I did then, so here it is again!)

The Old Teddy Bear

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.  They lived in a land of shadows, but now light is shining on them.  You have given them great joy, LORD; you have made them happy." Isaiah 9:2-3a, GNB

Several of us had been helping to clear an old lady's attic when I found him.  Squashed in a box full of rubbish, he looked so lonely and forlorn.  All the love he had received eighty years before had worn away his fur and during his years of banishment the mice and moths had wrecked him.  He leaked sawdust, his ears hung by threads and one glass eye was missing.

'Help yourself to any thing you want, my dears,' the old lady told us, and while the others picked plates and vases I chose the teddy.  'These antique bears can be quite valuable,' I told them defensively.  'Not that one!' they replied.

On many evenings that winter I worked away at him, darning, patching, restoring and finally knitting him a colorful new suit and hat.  He spent so long in my lap that we grew far too close to each other ever to be parted again.  When I look at him now I often remember the promise Jesus makes to mend us when life messes us up. (Isaiah 61:1).  He definitely does just that, but He does seem to take a very long time to do it sometimes!  Perhaps it is while He does the mending that we grow 'too close to Him ever to be parted again'?

When we have been loved once but then forgotten, like my bear, loneliness hurts!  But Jesus promises to be the sort of friend who never walks away (Hebrews 13:5).

"He is our clothing; out of love for us He wraps us around, fastens the clasp, and enfolds us in His love, so that He will never leave us." - Julian of Norwich

From Letters from Ruth's Attic...

"With Thanksgiving"

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV

Like an electric shock, the name of someone I love dearly flashed into my mind at 3 a.m. and jolted me awake.  So I lay there praying for the one who was trying hard to run away from God.  When it is dark and the imagination runs wild, there are fears that only a mother can understand.

Suddenly the Lord said to me, "Quit studying the problems and start studying the promises."

So I turned on the light and got out my Bible.  The first passage that came to me was Philippians 4: 6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (NKJV).  Suddenly I realized the missing ingredient in my prayers had been "with thanksgiving."  So I put down my Bible and spent time worshiping God for who he is and what He is.  Even contemplating what little we do comprehend of God dissolves doubts, reinforces faith and restores joy.  I began to thank God for giving me this loved one in the first place.  I even thanked Him for the difficult spots that taught me so much.

Do you know what happened?  It was as if suddenly someone turned on the lights in my mind and heart, and the little fears and worries, which like mice and cockroaches had been nibbling away in the darkness, suddenly scuttled for cover.

That was when I learned that worship and worry cannot live in the same heart; they are mutually exclusive.

Prayer for the Day: How reassuring that I can cast all my worries into Your steady hands, Lord.  Forgive me for the times that I have forgotten to offer You praise and worship when I make my requests.

Come thou weary!  Jesus calls thee  To His wounded side;

"Come to Me," saith He, "and ever Safe abide."

"Seeking Jesus"?  Jesus seeks thee - Wants thee as thou art;

He is knocking, ever knocking  At thy heart.

If thou let Him, He will save thee - Make thee all His own;

Guide thee; keep thee; take thee, dying,  To His throne.

Wilt thou still refuse His offer?  Wilt thou say Him nay?

Wilt thou let Him, grieved, rejected,  Go away?

Dost thou feel thy life is weary?  Is thy soul distrest?

Take His offer, wait no longer;  Be at rest!

Botanical artwork by Peggy Shaw

Weekend Words

From Our Daily Bread Classic Gems...

The Light of the World. 

Read: John 9:1-5, Matthew 5:13-16

"You are the light of the world" - Matthew 5:14

Jesus said: "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:5).  But what happened to the light when he ascended to heaven?

Before He physically left this earth, Jesus gave the answer.  He told His followers: "You are the light of the world ... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14, 16).

As we combine the truths of these two statements, we understand that even though Jesus has left this earth, His light continues to shine through his followers.  The people of the world are not able to see Christ since He ascended to heaven.  Instead, we who have put our faith in Him have the responsibility to reflect His light.  If we do not shine, the world will not know about Him.

Let us remember, it is not quite the entire truth when we sing: "The light of the world is Jesus."  It might be better to say, "The light of the world was Jesus."  Today, you and I are to be the light of the world, reflecting His light in a dark and sin-sick place where people wander aimlessly.  Unless you and I tell these wandering ones about Him, they will never know Him and experience the forgiveness of sin.

How bright are you shining?

Reflect and Pray:

Is your life a channel of blessing?

Is the love of God flowing through you?

Are you telling the lost of the Savior?

Are you ready His service to do? - Smyth

An effective witness not only knows his faith but shows his faith.

- M. R. DeHaan

Almost Doesn't Count.

Read: Acts 26:19-32

"Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." - Acts 26:28

Some years ago on the way to India, we had just a few minutes to make one connection.  We almost made it in time, which means we missed the plane.  A young man who applied for a well-paying job said later, "I almost got the job," which means he did not get it.  Perhaps you went to a wedding and you almost made it before starting time, but that means you were late for the service.  The list goes on.

When Paul spoke before King Agrippa, he asked a probing question: "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?  I know that thou believest."  The king was moved and said, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."  But a response of "almost" is not enough.  There is no record that Agrippa ever believed in Jesus.

What about us?  How many times has the Spirit of God spoken to us about something we should do, and we almost heeded His bidding?  But the fact is that almost doesn't count.  Maybe the Spirit told us to make a confession to our brother or sister, but we decided not now, so it never happened.  One young man in an evangelistic service decided that tomorrow night he would respond to the invitation.  But tomorrow night never came; he was killed in a car accident the next day.  The young man almost got right with the Lord.

Maybe you are not a Christian, and the Spirit of God has been speaking to you.  Maybe you have almost given your heart to the Lord on several occasions.  Remember, almost doesn't count.  "To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts" (Hebrews 4:7).

Almost will not be enough on Judgement Day.

- Cleason Martin - Mine Centre, ON

Weekend Words

 From Our Daily Bread Classic Gems...

Give Him Your Burden

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you. - Psalm 55:22

Read: Psalm 55: 16-23

A poor man in Ireland was plodding along towards home, carrying a huge bag of potatoes.  A horse and wagon finally drew up alongside him on the road, and the driver invited the man to climb aboard.  After getting on the wagon, he sat down, but continued to hold the heavy bag.

When the driver suggested that the man set the bag down in the wagon, he replied, "I don't want to trouble you too much, sir.  You are giving me a ride already, so I'll just carry the potatoes."

"How foolish of him!" we say.  Yet, sometimes we do the same thing when we attempt to bear the burdens of our lives in our own strength.  No wonder we become weary and overwhelmed with anxiety and fear.

In Psalm 55, David spoke of the anxiety he felt because his enemies were attacking him (vv. 1-15).  But then he gave his concerns to the Lord, and was filled with renewed hope and confidence (vv. 16-23).  That's why he could write: "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you" (v. 22).

When you recall the story of the man and his bag of potatoes, remember the simple lesson it illustrates: rather than trying to bear your burdens yourself, set them down in God's hands.

- Henry Bosch

Reflect and Pray

Give Him each perplexing problem,

All your needs to Him make known;

Bring to Him your daily burdens - 

Never carry them alone! - Adams

From Letters from Ruth's Attic...

"Our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.  And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit." - 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 NKJV

Parents are Not Miracle Workers

As parents, we may be tempted to try to do God's work and to neglect the very responsibilities that He has given to us.  He asks us to take care of the possible and to trust Him for the impossible.

How often have we tried to convict our loved ones of their sin and their need of the Savior, to make them want God, to make them read their Bibles and to pray and to live for Him.

But our responsibility is to minister lovingly to the immediate needs of our families, whether it is by providing a happy home, by preparing a good meal and washing clothes or by offering words of encouragement, love and appreciation.

And our responsibility is to pray.

God will do His part.  Salvation and love for God, the willingness to come under His authority, and the longing to do His will joyfully are miracles of grace.  And miracles are in God's department, not ours.

Prayer for the Day: Father, I confess that I have tried in my own strength to bring my loved ones into a relationship with Christ.  I relinquish them to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and I ask You to guide me as I live out the Gospel among them.

On the home front...

 June!  And we are three days into our official winter.  We've had some lovely autumn days, and not too much rain so far.  The vegies are all harvested, but there is still plenty of garden work to do.  I recently had a man in to lop the tops off 8 trees, as they had grown too tall.  The branches were put through his chipper and I've spent a good many hours spreading the mulch on my garden beds.  I'm pleased to say it is finally finished!

before

after

I finished a crocheted lap blanket recently.  I had started it a couple of years ago, wanted to make it bigger, but ran out of yarn.  I managed to find some that matched pretty well, and got it finished. 

 it's nice to have another unfinished project done!

I was back working on this lap blanket for awhile... 

But have put it aside to start knitting beanies for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes...

Books on the go...

finished reading I Will Be a Father Unto You, and started God and Uncle Dale last night

I have a book (secondhand on eBay) coming next week that was recommended by my penfriend Sussanna who lives in the far north of Canada: A Song in Siberia, which I'm looking forward to reading.

And browsing the latest Grass Roots magazine a few days ago while having my coffee...

I came across some good recipes, which I have made, although I improvised with some of the ingredients :) ...

bread and butter pudding

beef and veg minestrone

Sorry the recipes aren't very clear, if you click on the photos it will bring them up larger, but if you still can't read them, and want them, let me know...

Have had a few outings over the weeks.  One to Sheffield with Marnie to take her elderly neighbour to visit her sister in the nursing home there....

we had lunch in a cafe while waiting, with an inspiring view through to Mt Roland

A walk at Don Heads near Devonport with Marnie and Denver...

by the sea

through the bush

the necessary photo shoot for Marnie's beanie business: Campfire Beanies

back to the sea

And my daily walk around the river track...

I do like the winter light, so much softer than the harsh summer sunshine :)

"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,

There is a rapture on the lonely shore,

There is society, where none intrudes,

By the deep Sea, and music in its roar;

I love not Man the less, but Nature more."

Lord Byron (1788-1824)