Weekend Words

From Our Daily Bread...

Appetite for Distraction - Read: Psalm 131

"I have calmed and quieted myself ... I am content." (Psalm 131:2)

I set my phone down, weary of the constant bombardment of images, ideas, and notifications that the little screen broadcasted.  Then, I picked it up and turned it on again.  Why?

In his book The Shallows, Nicholas Carr describes how the internet has shaped our relationship with stillness: "What the Net seems to be doing is chipping away my capacity for concentration and contemplation.  Whether I'm online or not, my mind now expects to take in information the way the Net distributes it: in a swiftly moving stream of particles.  Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words.  Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a jet ski."

Living life on a mental jet ski doesn't sound healthy.  But how do we begin to slow down, to dive deeply into still spiritual waters?  

In Psalm 131, David writes, "I have calmed and quieted myself" (v.2).  David's words remind me that I have responsibility.  Changing habits starts with my choice to be still - even if I must make that choice over and over again.  Slowly, though, we experience God's satisfying goodness.  Like a little child, we rest in contentment, remembering that He alone offers hope (v. 3) - soul-satisfaction that no smartphone app can touch and no social media site can deliver.

-Adam R Holz

How does technology influence your ability to rest quietly before God?  Does your phone contribute to your contentment?  Why or why not?

Father, the world is awash in distraction that doesn't satisfy my soul.  Help me to trust You to fill me with genuine contentment. 

From Be Still and Know...

"And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth" (Genesis 1:17).

The southwestern area of our country has a lovely custom for outdoor lighting at Christmas time.  The people make luminarias by placing sand in large paper bags.  Candles are then placed in the sand.  When the candles are lighted, the sacks glow with a soft light, giving a beautiful effect as they are placed along sidewalks, doorways and porches.

To fulfill their purpose, not only must the luminarias be placed where they are to shine; they must be lighted as well.  Their beauty is not in the paper bag, the sand, or even the candle; but in the warm glow of the candle after it is lighted.

In Genesis 1:17 we read that the moon and stars had a special place in the heavenlies, for a special purpose.  They were placed "in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth."

Our lives are to be shining lights for the Lord, reflecting His glory upon the earth.  The Bible compares us to candles.  "For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness" (Psalm 18:28).

There are many ways of letting our candle glow - a letter of encouragement, a friendly phone call, a cheery smile, a kindly deed.  Perhaps we are missing opportunities to shine for Him because we are looking for big places of service instead of taking advantage of the ones He has placed about us.  "Don't hide your light!  Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father" (Matthew 5:16, LB).

As you place Christmas candles around your home this Christmas season, take time to check the candle of your life.  Is it shining brightly?  Or has it become dim by busyness, indifference, carelessness, or self-will?  Perhaps the wick needs to be cleaned and trimmed so our light will shine more brightly.

At this Christmas season, may the world not just be aglow with the lights of candles and Christmas lights, but with the heavenly Light of the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, shining through each of our lives. 

If I could turn back time...

Started this 2 weeks ago (where does the time go!!!), but I will leave it as is, and update at the end...

We've had some slightly cooler weather, but the wind picked up again this morning...

A trip to Launceston on Friday with Marnie and a stop off at the big Mission/op shop at Youngtown.  I picked up this cane chair for $40...

I've been looking for one for quite a while for my bedroom, but they are too expensive to buy new, so I was pleased with my bargain find

And these books too...

for a couple of dollars

I've made 3 little jumper and beanie sets for K4C...

I will mail them off this week.  They will then be sent to PNG and Timor

And I also have these beanies and a scarf to go to another of K4C's charities.  They are for their December charity, so won't be mailed off till the end of December...

but I had made them earlier in the year and put them away

And now I'm ready to start another project!  A blanket for the Fistula patients at the Hamlin Fistula Foundation.  I used to knit blankets for them years ago, but they stopped requesting them.  Now I see we can knit for them again.  The instructions are HERE if you'd like to knit one...

they asked for bright colours.  I already had these so I can make a start, but will probably get a few more 'brights' to add in

 

I'm still making slow progress on my cardigan/jacket, but I won't need it till next winter...

probably just as well at the speed I'm going :)

It's now 2 weeks later.  I'd been trying to get back to this but to no avail.  Determined to get it updated and posted today...

A couple of other op shop finds.  I'm enjoying Still Life...

will read The Runaway Quilt next.  There are a whole series of these 'quilt' books, but I've not read any of them, so will see what I think.

I'm working on the fistula blanket but decided to do it in strips instead of squares.  Less sewing up that way...

 I bought a ball of pink and purple yarn to add to the colours

And this was last night's sunset...

"The heavens declare the glory of God..." 

(Psalm 19:1)

xx  

Weekend Words

From Beside the Still Waters...

What do You Need? - Read Isaiah 58

"There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt." (Ecclesiastes 5:13)

What do you really need, (not want), that money can buy and that God has not already given to you?  The Bible says, "Having foods and raiment let us be therewith content" (1 Timothy 6:8), but the majority of us have far more than this minimum, and too often we still are not content.  What about my neighbor who does not have all he really needs, not even food and raiment?  He may live in India, Syria, or the Congo, but he is still my neighbor.

I first met little Nguyen Quang when her mother carried her into the Mekong Delta village where our team was conducting a medical mission.  About 6 or 7 years of age, she weighed only 14 pounds and was in such a desperate physical condition that we decided to immediately medevac her by our river boat to the nearest hospital.  When we later returned there, the hospital staff informed us that they had discharged Nguyen Quang shortly after her admission.

"The child's problem is a dietary one not a medical one.  She is simply starving.  We can only treat medical problems, not nutritional ones."

"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion, from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (1 John 3:17).  Will I stand guilty before the Lord because of indulging myself with the material and spiritual blessings He has entrusted to me, instead of using them for the relief of the poor and the lost?  An estimated160-180 million people have no Scripture in their native language.  About 854 million people go hungry each day, and 21,000 die of hunger.  Especially in this season of widespread gift giving, let's ask ourselves: What do we really need? 

Pete Lewis - Halsey, OR

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." - James 4:17

From A Year's Journey with God...

Almighty

"I am the Alpha and the Omega ... the Almighty." - Revelation 1:8

Can you picture a lonely prisoner in his cell?  His mind is full of memories of the past - but the worst one returns often.  He is standing by a cross, watching his best friend die in agony.  Suddenly the terrible memory is replaced by something amazingly different!  He gasps as a vision of the future floods his mind with glory.  He sees the friend, whom the world has rejected, coming back again surrounded by angels and golden clouds.  This time no one could ignore Him, and the soldiers who callously tortured him quake in terror.  As the Holy Spirit pulls back the curtains of time, John glimpses the carpenter, who had been his friend, gloriously transformed, enthroned forever in heaven.

At this time of year, which the church has christened Advent, we are not only preparing our hearts for the coming of the baby in a manger; we are also focusing our eyes of faith on the second coming of our King.  This amazing event was not just an old man's imagination - it is real (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).  Most of us probably wish we could have been in that Bethlehem stable on the first Christmas Eve, but nothing is going to stop us being present the next time Jesus comes!

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Therefore comfort one another with these words."

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Weekend Words

 From Be Still and Know...

"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

It has been said that the thought life is the gateway to the soul.

Each thought that approaches the mind for entrance should pass inspection.  Before we board a plane, each passenger has to pass through a security inspection.  Either security officers must check the on-board luggage, or it is put under an x-ray machine before the passenger can carry it on the plane.

As thoughts come to the door of our minds they need to pass inspection before being allowed to enter.

Paul enumerates some inspection standards for our thoughts: "Whatsoever things are true."  Jesus said, "I am the truth."  In Him is revealed the truth about God.  God has made the truth available to us in the Bible.  As we fill our minds with Bible truths, our thoughts are centered on that which is true, genuine, and real.

We need to open our minds to "whatsoever things are honest," those things that claim respect.  We need to think on "whatsoever things are just," that which is right.

Thinking on "whatsoever things are pure" gives purity to our thought life.  We are to fill our minds with "whatsoever things are lovely," things that give beauty of character.

"Whatsoever things are of good report" are the things that are worth talking about.

It is important to saturate our minds with the word of God.  We should fix our thoughts on these God-given standards which motivate us to a more Christ-like living.  Our inner attitudes affect our outer actions.  "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).

Today if we were to take the thoughts of our minds to God's inspection centre, would they pass inspection, or would some of them need to be removed?

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts.  Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life (Psalm 139:23-24, LB).

From Faith's Checkbook - Charles H Spurgeon...

Our Holiest Example

"I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved." - Psalm 16:8

This is the way to live.  With God always before us, we shall have the noblest companionship, the holiest example, the sweetest consolation, and the mightiest influence.

Always to have an eye to the Lord's eye, and an ear to the Lord's voice - this is the right state for the godly man.  His God is near him, filling the horizon of his vision, leading the way of his life, and furnishing the theme of his meditation.  What vanities we should avoid, what sins we should overcome, what virtues we should exhibit, what joys we should experience if we did indeed set the Lord always before us!

The Lord, being ever in our minds, guides and aids us, and hence we are not moved by fear, or force, or fraud, or fickleness.  When God stands at a man's right hand, that man is himself sure to stand.

Weekend Words

From Our Daily Bread...

A Thanksgiving Blessing - Read: Luke 14:12-14

"When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed." (Luke 14:13-14)

In 2016, Wanda Dench sent a text inviting her grandson to Thanksgiving dinner, not knowing he'd recently changed his phone number.  The text instead went to a stranger, Jamal.  Jamal didn't have plans, and so, after clarifying who he was, asked if he could still come to dinner.  Wanda said, "Of course you can."  Jamal joined the family dinner in what has since become a yearly tradition for him.  A mistaken invitation became an annual blessing.

Wanda's kindness in inviting a stranger to dinner reminds me of Jesus' encouragement in Luke's gospel.  During a dinner party at a "prominent" Pharisee's house (Luke 14:1), Jesus noticed who was invited and how the guests jostled for the best seats (v.7).  Jesus told His host that inviting people based on what they could do for him in return (v. 12) meant the blessing would be limited.  Instead, Jesus told the host that extending hospitality to people without the resources to repay him would bring even greater blessing (v.14).

For Wanda, inviting Jamal to join her family for Thanksgiving dinner resulted in the unexpected blessing of a lasting friendship that was a great encouragement to her after her husband's death.  When we reach out to others, not because of what we might receive, but because of God's love flowing through us, we receive far greater blessing and encouragement.

- Lisa M Samra

Heavenly Father, may my invitations reflect a heart that wants to bless others as You lead me.

From Beside the Still Waters...

The Great Reversal - Read: Luke 16:19-25, Matthew 25:31-46.

"But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented" - Luke 16:25

The rich man had all that he needed for a pleasant, easy life.  But Lazarus was simply "desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table."  Lazarus was apparently a humble man, for he sought only what the rich man discarded.

These crumbs wouldn't have been expensive to give to the beggar.  It would have required only some effort and time.  In this story the crumbs were food, but for us today other things could be crumbs.  A visit to someone who is sick.  A phone call to an elderly person confined at home.  A card of encouragement for a widow.  Taking a meal to a family that has suffered misfortune.  Simply offering a listening ear, a smile, or a thank you.  Are we too busy for these things?

The rich man and Lazarus both died.  In the realm of departed souls, Father Abraham reminded the rich man of how different his former life had been from Lazarus' life.  Then he said "but now" and described the great reversal of their conditions.

A similar reversal is evident in the Judgement scene of Matthew 25:31-46.  The righteous had done good deeds, but they were puzzled by the King's words and asked, "When saw we thee...?"  The wicked had neglected good deeds and were also puzzled by the King's words, so they too asked, "When saw we thee...?"  The two groups received contrasting rewards according to their works.  No matter how lowly we have been in serving others for Christ's sake, we will be greatly exalted when we hear the words, "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Darrell Richard - Goshen, IN

"Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled...

Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger." - Luke 6:21,25

Headaches and hot weather...

 As we head into summer and the temperatures increase so, it appears, do the headaches.  Had a bad week last week, but feeling better today (Monday), so mowed the grass before it got too hot.  Inside now, to catch up with a blog post.

 
In the Garden - This rose plant was cut down to the ground earlier this year, when the fence was being put up, but it has grown back stronger than ever...

Marnie brought me two of her 'dead' plants to try and nurse back to health...

a bay tree and a Tasmanian pepper berry

Out and About - did a walk up Dooley's Hill with Marnie...

It's a bit secluded so I don't like to walk it on my own...

And on another recent trip with Marnie to Burnie, we stopped in at Penguin Beach on the way back...

In the Kitchen - baking soda bread...

And chicken stirfry...

Knitting - I've been working on these little baby jumpers I mentioned in my last home post...

And have started a new project!  Marnie gave me a gift voucher for our local Yarn shop for Mother's Day back in May, but I had been having trouble finding a pattern I liked.  I finally found one and have bought some yarn.  A lovely soft and light 50% wool/50% alpaca.  It's so nice to knit with.  Let's see if I can get it finished by winter :)

Reading - I have these two books on the go...

And as we head into summer, I'm already dreaming of autumn :)  

Enjoy this little spring excerpt from Stillmeadow Sampler by Gladys Taber...

At this season of the year, I think often of Thoreau living his solitary life in the hut by Walden Pond.  I too, in spring, feel impatient with the busyness of life.  Thoreau knew what he was about.  "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

Sometimes, I think, we rush so, we finish one schedule only to make a newer and busier one.  We do not, ever, live deliberately and fully, for we haven't time.  I know few people who go outdoors now and sit quietly for a couple of hours just looking at the miracle of spring.  Sometimes as we drive along the country roads, I see occasional figures stretched out in lawn chairs.  But they aren't observing May, they are reading the newspaper or a magazine.  They are like the people I have seen on the great beach at Nauset on Cape Cod who never hear the music of the tide because they have portable radios playing hot music!

I hate to think what Thoreau would have said to that!

That was written in 1959.  I'm sure Thoreau would be horrified at the 'progress' we have made!

I hope you can take some time this week to 'smell the roses' :) xx

Weekend Words

From Beside the Still Waters...

The Narrow Road - Read: Matthew 7:13-27

"Enter ye in at the strait gate ... because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." - Matthew 7:13-14

Several church families moved far away to start a new congregation.  They were told that before they reached their destination, the road would become extremely rough.  Then they would know that they were close to their new homes.  Let's take courage if our spiritual journey seems rough.  We are not promised smooth roads and calm weather.  In fact, Jesus told us the way is narrow and we will have tribulation in this life.  Yes, the right road is often a rough and narrow road.  Home is not far ahead.

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).  We need to seriously consider the question, Do we have our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus Christ?  If so, God's power will take us through no matter how rough our journey.  But sometimes in our busy, instant-coffee, microwave-orientated lifestyle, we fail to sense or hear God's call on our life.  The still, small voice of the holy spirit is drowned out by our rushing around; a quick trip to the lumber yard for supplies to finish our job, or a rush to the grocery store to get ice cream for our evening visitors.  While driving we may listen to a sermon on a CD; but with the message forgotten and our consciences stilled, we rush on to get our things accomplished.

Jesus can give us rest and peace as we travel the rough road of life.  But sometimes we create our own turbulence by neglecting to spend time with God.  We are promised spiritual security only as we remain on the straight and narrow road.  This road ends with a glorious welcome: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34).  Will we all hear those words?

Denver Yoder - Somerset, OH

The road you travel determines your destination.

From Be Still and Know...

"There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fish: but what are they among so many?" (John 6:9)

One day Jesus had been preaching to a large crowd.  As evening approached, He was aware of their need for food.  The disciples suggested, "Send them to find food."  They were probably thinking, "Our means are insufficient.  It is an impossible task.  Where could we get enough food or enough money to buy food?" 

But Jesus said, "Give ye them to eat."  He asked what food was available.  In the crowd was a little boy with a lunch of five loaves and two fish.  When asked if Jesus could have it, he gave it all to Him, holding nothing back.

Jesus took the lunch of a boy whose name is not known, blessed it, broke it, gave it to the disciples to distribute and the people were satisfied.

We live in a world in need of spiritual food, food that will satisfy the inner hunger of people's lives.  The Lord said, "Give ye THEM to EAT."  He didn't say, "Form a committee or a commission."  He said, "Give YE them to eat."  His means of feeding a spiritually hungry world is through His own people.  His command is for us today.

Sometimes we give God excuses why we cannot be involved in ministering to the spiritual needs of the people.  We feel we have nothing God can use, we say we are too busy, or we have too many home or business responsibilities.

We may feel we have little to offer Him, but little is much when God is in it.  It is not what we have, but what we are doing with what we have.  He uses what we have, but He must have all of it.

How often we limit what God wants to do in our lives.  His power is at our disposal.  When we give Him our all, He takes it and multiplies it by His power.  Then what we do is not in our power but in His.

Do not underestimate what God can do in and with a life that has been placed in His hands to use.

And a quote from Corrie ten Boom...

"Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength - carrying two days at once.  It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time.  Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength."