Three score and ten...

 I recently had a birthday!  

And lovely day with family and friends...

Lunch at the Raspberry Farm...

A walk around the lake track they have there...

Flowers from the family...

Back home for birthday cake...

Marnie, me and Denver...

Oh... and a new iPhone :)

A walk with Marnie last week (and trying out my new phone camera), at Squeaking Point and Pardoe Northdown Conservation Area

Started this post a couple of weeks ago.  Need to get it finished...

Finished two crocheted baby blankets for one of this month's Knit4Charities.  I was hoping to get a third knitted one finished (a 60cm square), but I think I'm going to run out of time as they need to be mailed off in a week.  I'll see how I go.  Have 4 squares done, need 9!  

Beans to process from the garden...

they are nearly finished now

Apples to cook and freeze...

unfortunately, they all have the codling moth grub in them, and it's a tedious business to cut out all the bad bits, but I hate to see them go to waste

Baked some sultana scones...

Still have these two books on the go...

not getting much reading time

I read these in my Ladies' Journal magazine recently.  To make you smile...

Parking Concern

While walking through a parking lot, I tripped and fell flat on my face.

As I lay there, a woman stopped her car and called out, "Ma'am, are you hurt?"

"No, I'm fine," I said, touched by her concern.

"O, good."  She continued, "so will you be vacating your parking space now?"

Pete and Gladys

Pete and Gladys were looking at a new living room suite in a furniture store.

Pete said to the salesman, "We really like it, but I don't think we can afford it."

The salesman said, "You just make a small payment, and then you don't make another payment for six months."

Gladys wheeled around with her hands on her hips and said, "Who told you about us?"

Don't forget to find joy in the journey :)

xx

Weekend Words

 From Be Still and Know...

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." - John 14:13

Today many people believe in pray who do not pray.  Some people pray but do not expect an answer.  They go through the ritual of "praying prayers", but do not pray from the heart in faith believing.

Prayer is defined in the Bible by such simple words as ask, cry, call.  "Ask, and it shall be given you" (Matthew 7:7).  This puts us in a position of dependence upon God.  Jesus told His disciples to ask the Father in His name and they would receive.  "IF YE ASK ... I will do it" (John 14:14).  God desires to answer prayer, and has given His promise that He will.

Two conditions are mentioned in today's Scripture verse for an effective prayer life.  First, we are to pray "in His name."  This is more than adding His name to the end of our prayer.  Asking in His name gives authority to our prayers.  As we come to Him, recognizing we have no merit of our own, He intercedes before the Father in our behalf.  It is asking in accordance with His will.  It is praying as He would pray.

The most important part of a cheque is the signature.  Is the person reliable?  Does he have an account in the bank?  Are there sufficient funds?  It is honored not because of the bearer, but because of the One who signed it.

All of God's resources are available to us.  A supply of "heavenly cheques" are issued from His "Bank of Heaven" to use in drawing upon Him for our needs.  Jesus' signature gives them authority before the Father.  Since His deposits are adequate, our cheques are honored.  God hears and answers our prayers not because we are deserving but because we have asked in the name of His son.

Another condition for answered prayer is that the Father be glorified in the Son.  Can we say of our prayer requests, "I am asking this in His name, that the Father be glorified?"  Or are we asking it for own desire?

What a great promise the Lord has given us: "Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do."  This glorifies the Father.

From Our Daily Bread...

From Lament to Praise - Read Habakkuk 3:17-19

"I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour." (Habakkuk 3:18)

Monica prayed feverishly for her son to return to God.  She wept over his wayward ways and even tracked him down in the various cities where he chose to live.  The situation seemed hopeless.  Then one day it happened: her son had a radical encounter with God.  He became one of the greatest theologians of the church.  We know him as Augustine, Bishop of Hippo.

"How long, Lord?" (Habakkuk 1:2).  The prophet Habakkuk lamented God's inaction regarding the people of power who perverted justice (v.4).  Think of the times we've turned to God in desperation - expressing our laments due to injustice, a seemingly hopeless medical journey, ongoing financial struggles, or children who've walked away from God.  

Each time Habakkuk lamented, God heard his cries.  As we wait in faith, we can learn from the prophet to turn our lament into praise, for he said, "I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour" (3:18 italics added).  He didn't understand God's ways, but he trusted Him.  Both lament and praise are acts of faith, expressions of trust.  We lament as an appeal to God based on His character.  And our praise is based on who He is - our amazing, almighty God.  One day, by His grace, every lament will turn to praise. 

- Glenn Packiam

Prayer Changes Things

You heard, Lord, the cries of your children, in the bondage and slavery of old,

You saw the great courage of Daniel, who faithfully prayed there so bold.

While Hannah in sorrow was praying, You harkened and answered her plea,

When Peter was bound there in prison, an answer to prayer set him free.

So, Lord, we still know that You hear us, and in this assurance we rest,

For though we don't know how You'll answer, We know it will be for our best. 

- Amy Yoder

Weekend Words

 Both the following devotionals are from Beside the Still Waters...

Butterfingers - Read: Matthew 18:7-22

"Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard." - Proverbs 13:15

Recently I bought three sheep.  Chocolate and Caramel are very tame and trusting, but Butterfingers tended to be skittish from the beginning.  Here are some of my thoughts and some things we might imagine Butterfingers thinking.

Me: I will put this collar and a drag on Butterfingers.  Then I can catch her and handle her, and she will become tame.

Butterfingers: Why does the man make me drag a heavy weight around?  Chocolate and Caramel don't have to do that, and they're bigger than I am.  It's not fair.  The man is obviously picking on me.

Me: There, I caught her rope!  Butterfingers can sure put up a fight.  She thrashes and yanks.  She falls down and then gets up and thrashes some more.  She makes a terrifying experience out of something that could actually be pleasant.  If only she'd hold still, I would feed her and brush her coat and apply insect repellent so the flies don't bite her legs.  She is making it difficult for herself and everyone else.

Me: Oh, no, Butterfingers is out!  I wonder how she got through the electric fence.  I'll need to put her in a sturdy little pen.

Butterfingers: Baaa!  I want to be with Chocolate and Caramel.  They have green grass to eat, and all I have is dry hay.  I just don't understand why the man treats me so different from everybody else.

The Bible compares people to sheep.  As I consider the actions of Butterfingers and then ponder my own tendencies, I think the sheep comparison is fitting.  The next time I wonder why everyone is picking on me, I will consider who might actually be the problem.

Gary Miller - Pantego, NC

If you think everyone is picking on you,  Just look at your actions from their point of view.

Our Journey Through Life - Read: Psalm 23, 25:1-14

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:6

On our winter road trip to visit relatives, our travels took us through varied weather conditions.  Many times we sped along on smooth, dry roads and the sun was shining.  Our journey also took us over icy, snow-packed roads.  After dark we could not see far ahead as we slowly navigated through a blinding, blustery snowstorm.  We were thankful for God's protecting hand when we safely arrived at our destination.

So it is on our journey through life.  We appreciate and prefer those pleasant times when the skies are sunny and the roads are smooth.  However, we also run into stormy times and howling winds of trials, troubles, and sorrows.  At these times the way ahead may seem hazy and uncertain.  But then the Lord is truly our shepherd, we need not be overwhelmed with fear or despair.  We are not alone.  We are in God's care, and we have the promise of His abiding presence.

Most of us know what it is to encounter winding curves of swiftly changing circumstances.  Some experience dark valleys of discouragement or deep waters of sorrow.  We certainly do not need to make our way through these by our own feeble efforts and wisdom.  Our trust must be anchored in the Lord.  By His divine power, He can meet our needs and keep us safe from all harm.  Jesus gives us inward peace and rest as we trust Him day by day.  We can be fully assured that he will guide us along the upward way that leads to our final destination, our eternal home in glory.  Let us keep pressing on!

Mark Kropf - Halsey, OR

Shadows around me, shadows above me, Never conceal my Saviour and Guide;

He is the Light, in Him is no darkness; Ever I'm walking close to His side.

- George H Cook

Weekend Words

 From Beside the Still Waters...

Inherent Blessings in Trials - Read Matthew 5:1-20, Luke 6:20-21

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." - James 1:2-3

"Dear Lord, my life is pleasant and comfortable.  Please send me trials so that I can be drawn closer to Thee."  Is this a prayer that any rational person would pray?  Troubles come naturally and frequently enough as it is, so why would we ask for more?  Even though adversities are allowed by God for our good, too often our responses frustrate his intent, and they become a discouragement and a stumbling block to us.  Can there really be any good in them?  And more important, what is our response to them?

Amy Carmichael spent forty years as a missionary to India.  She suffered opposition, rejection, persecution, and finally a serious physical injury that left her bedfast for twenty years.  Her response, however, was that every trial is an opportunity to die to self.

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake.  ... Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake" (Matthew 5:10-11).  These verses speak specifically of trials due to our faith, yet the principle of acceptance applies regardless of the particulars.  Ease tends to soften us and make us lukewarm, whereas difficulties force us to depend more on our Lord.  The trials He allows are intended to draw us closer to Himself.

Paul glorified in tribulations, "knowing that tribulation worketh patience, ... experience, ... and hope" (Romans 5:3-4).  These virtues continually need to be refined in us.  With our Lord's help, can we possibly see our trials as intended blessings and as opportunities to die to self and draw closer to Him?  It's our choice.

- Pete Lewis, Halsey, OR

"For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." - Jeremiah 29:11

 From Amish Peace...

A Sacrifice of Praise

"They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison.  The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape.  So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.  Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening." - Acts 16:23-25

Some time ago I asked a few friends, "When have you felt closest to God?"  I expected to hear answers such as "the birth of my baby" or "when we moved into our new home."  But the answers weren't what I expected.

One woman told me it was when she and her children were running away from her abusive husband.  Another recalled a cancer episode.  Yet another said she felt closest to God when her mother and father died.  We want to protect our children from pain and suffering, but often we experience God most in the middle of pain and suffering.  That's when we need Him and depend on Him most.

Are you facing suffering now?  It may be hard to think about praising God.  So if praise is too hard, start with prayer.  Ask God to be close to you.  To wrap His arms around you.  To heal your hurting heart.

We all face hardship during this life, but we don't have to face it alone.  The Amish praise God through songs passed down from their ancestors who were persecuted and who died because of their faith.  If life presses in like a cold, dark prison cell, then sing songs of praise.  God will meet you there.  No circumstance - prison walls or a burdened, heavy heart - can keep Him away.

Dear heavenly Father, I know that when I pray and praise You in my painful circumstances You are pleased - and more, others can see my hope in You.  Accept my praise, even in times of hardship.  Especially in times of hardship.

"God, I pray from my heart that you would forgive the sins of those who trouble me.  And do keep all your children safe, wherever they are in this valley of sorrows - driven apart, tortured, imprisoned, and suffering great tribulation." - Ausbund, 76

Weekend Words

 From The Women's Devotional Bible (NIV)...

God's Eraser - Read Revelation 1:4-8

"...To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood" (Revelation 1:5)

I'll probably never meet Kara, now four years old.  But one day she made a beautiful observation that has helped me.

"We had been standing on the hillside watching the airplane skywriting," her grandmother wrote me one day.  "When the words began to disappear, she asked, 'Why Grandma?  Where do they go?'

"Then as I groped for an answer, her little face brightened and she suddenly exclaimed, 'Maybe Jesus has an eraser!'"

I smiled as I read, but my eyes filled and suddenly I wanted to hug that little girl.  For that morning I had been grieving over past mistakes.  A cruel thing I had said to my mother the day I left for college.  And Dad ... if only I'd invited him to that luncheon where I was to speak - he'd have been so proud.  One tender but painful memory releases others: the time I'd punished a child unfairly, humiliated my husband, let a friend down ...

No matter how much we mature as people, grow as Christians, try desperately to compensate, memories of our own failures rise up to haunt us, and sting us - how they sting.  For me, it's not the unkindnesses of others that hurt so much or last so long, it's the burden of my own.  Yes, I ask God to forgive me, and try to believe that I am forgiven.  But the memory won't go away.  And if I can't forgive myself, how can God?

Then a little girl, in her innocence and wisdom, makes me realize: Like that writing on the sky that simply disappears, Jesus has wiped away all things I so bitterly regret.  Jesus does have an eraser.

- Marjorie Holmes

From Amish Peace...

Unfilled Days

"On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work." - Genesis 2:2

Is there a day in an Amish household when work doesn't pile up?  I doubt it.  Yet the Amish do take a day of rest, just as the Bible directs.  Apart from necessary tasks such as caring for animals and milking, they do not work on Sundays.  Every other week they meet for church, and after church they eat together.  Unlike church potlucks that many of us are used to, this meal is simpler - bread and spread, jams, pickled beets, cheese, and sometimes pie.  Women cook ahead on Saturdays so they'll not have to spend time in the kitchen on Sunday.

On Sundays, Amish families visit with others in the community or return home to rest.  Sometimes they'll visit the home of an elderly family member or a couple with a new baby.  On Sunday evenings the youth gather for "singings," in which they sing hymns and songs from the Ausbund and spend time in fellowship.  This is a highlight of the week for teens.

On "off Sunday" (when there is no church), families visit another Amish church nearby.  They often have devotions together as a family or visit family and friends.

Do you treat Sunday differently from other days?  One of the Ten Commandments reminds us, "Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy" (Exodus 20:8), but do you set it apart as different?  Do you use it as a time to worship God and connect with others, or is it simply another day to get things done?

God could have set up any structure He wanted for our week, but He chose to include a day set apart for rest.  What can you do to make your Sabbath more holy? Turn to God and He will show you how.

Dear heavenly Father, I thank You for setting up a structure to remind us how to fill our days - or unfill them - and how to keep us focused on You.  Help me to remember to fill my Sabbath with ways to quiet and nurture my heart and connect with others and with You.

"Keep us, Lord, still in communion, Daily nearer drawn to thee,

Sinking in the sweetest union, Of that heartfelt mystery."