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.