Lovely Weather

It's been a while since I posted a picture of my two girlies, so here it is. I think they're the only ones in the family who are enjoying this weather. It's been unbelievable. The photo above was a couple of weeks ago. We have had much more snow since then.

I think I better remind myself of some reasons why I dislike summer. I don't want to forget it while we're going through this particularly difficult winter. . .

Mosquitoes
Sticky humidity
Mosquitoes
Thunderstorms
Mosquitoes
heat
Mosquitoes

Well. Now I feel better. I'll not start pining away for July.

And about the granddaughters. I just saw the sweetest prayer at a friend's blog. Go here to read Karen's prayer, because I echo the sentiments.

A Secret Work

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Psalm 139:15

" 'My substance was not hid from thee.' The substantial part of my being was before thine all-seeing eye; the bones which make my frame were put together by thine hand. The essential materials of my being before they were arranged were all within the range of thine eye. I was hidden from all human knowledge, but not from thee: thou hast ever been intimately acquainted with me. 'When I was made in secret.' Most chastely and beautifully is here described the formation of our being before the time of our birth. A great artist will often labour alone in his studio, and not suffer his work to be seen until it is finished; even so did the Lord fashion us where no eye beheld us, and the veil was not lifted till every member was complete . . . 'And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.' 'Embroidered with great skill,' is an accurate poetical description of the creation of veins, sinews, muscles, nerves, etc. What tapestry can equal the human fabric? . . ." ~ Charles H. Spurgeon, from The Treasury of David


How dare we dispense with this marvelous work of God as if it were nothing but a "choice" belonging to us, the creatures? How dare we take it upon ourselves to even think we can make a determination whether this secret work of the Creator should or should not live? I wonder what Mr. Spurgeon would have thought if what would be happening in this day had been foretold? If God withholds judgment on our nation, it is purely a display of His long suffering and mercy!

Fellow saints, let's continue to pray that in the face of mercy, the time will soon come that this darkness prevailing over us will begin to be lifted. Let's do all we can to see that it happens, even if what we do seems small compared to the big picture. Who knows how even our littlest efforts can be used by the great Artist, who certainly recoils at seeing His works destroyed.

(Posting on both my personal and devotional blogs to recognize Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, 2011.)

Today, Not Yesterday

I have no yesterdays,
Time took them away;
Tomorrow may not be--
But I have today.

~ Pearl Yeadon McGinnis

What a reminder. I needed this, and I think perhaps many of you do too. Don't you pray that our Lord will help us to use today wisely, while laying aside any regrets about the yesterdays? Sometimes I reflect on how hungrily time is eating up my yesterdays, but that's not the right approach. In keeping with the apostle Paul, I hope you and I "forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before," continuing to "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:13-14)

I'm hanging in there, trying to press on. Hope you are too, knowing the Lord will take care of tomorrow. I'm working on writing projects, and when I do, you understand that blogging suffers. Did you know I have four blogs? Well, I do. Two are connected with the home business, one of those is for children, and I stubbornly refuse to drop any of them, as they are all much enjoyed, each in a different way.

The above quote was borrowed from a delightful book by Emilie Barnes, entitled 15 Minutes with God for Grandma. You grandmothers might think about picking up a copy. The meditations Mrs. Barnes offers are short and sweet, plus she seems to be a kindred spirit in her love for quotes. A couple of them were just perfect thoughts for two blogs today, and I'll probably find more for the future. Some of you who are quotes lovers would appreciate that as well. I do recommend the book; it's a nice companion to a cup of tea or coffee.

I have a very old click art collection that has loads of flower graphics that are, of course, beautiful. What do you think of this lovely flower? Aren't flowers a wonderful gift from our kind Lord? Enjoy this one and have a blessed day. I hope to do some visiting to see some of you very soon.

Amazon Gift Card Deal

I've emailed some of you, but in case you didn't get one from me, there is a really nice deal going on at this site where you can get a $20 Amazon gift card for half price. Most of us can use an Amazon card in some way, and if you tell three others who use the link you give them, you could get it for free. Please use the link provided here in this post to maybe help me out and then try telling others on your blog or through email so that perhaps you could benefit also. I believe time is of the essence so it's best not to tarry! Thanks.

End of Ozzie and Harriet

Well the last of the Nelsons died today. My daughter and I continue to be fans of the Ozzie & Harriet show and have lots of the episodes here on dvd. We were sorry to hear that David Nelson, the older brother, passed away today at the age of 74. His younger brother Ricky died in a plane crash in 1985; his dad Ozzie was the first to go in 1975; and mom Harriet passed away in 1994. Even though criticized by some to be a family which was unrealistic, we still thoroughly enjoy the episodes which always make us chuckle at the normal everyday situations and conversations. I don't really know why we like it so much, but apparently lots of folks did back then as the show ran for 14 years from 1952 to 1966. It would never make it today, would it?

As I read somewhere, one more person from a "gentler, kinder past" has gone on. Well, thank the Lord for dvds and videos.

Unsearchable Riches of Christ

"The unsearchable riches of Christ." Eph 3:8

NEVER forget that Jesus is our Brother, and that He has devoted all His riches to us, so that the riches of Jesus are the Christian's fortune. "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich." He employed all He possessed for our redemption, sanctification, and salvation; and now, at the right hand of the Majesty on high, He giveth liberally, and upbraideth not. He has riches of grace, riches of mercy, and riches of glory. The residue of the Spirit is with Him. He has promised largely; He has proved His readiness to bestow, in the most wonderful way; let us therefore expect great things from Him, for He has unsearchable riches. O believer, look not at thy poverty, at thy wants, or thy circumstances, but look at Jesus; all things are under His feet, all blessings are at His disposal, and His heart is set upon thee to do thee good! He will supply all thy needs while on earth, and afterwards receive thee to glory. My soul, thy Jesus has all thou needest: therefore look to Him, and Him alone!

Possessing Christ, I all possess,
Strength, wisdom, sanctifying grace,
And righteousness complete:
Bold, in His name, I dare draw nigh,
Before the Ruler of the sky,
And all His justice meet.

(Shared thanks to a recent email from Johnny Farese.)

Hi Friends. I am well, though I'm neglecting this particular blog these days. As usual my plate is full, in more ways than one. I am rich because if I possess Christ, I have all things. Unsearchable riches. This is one of my favorite themes of the gospel. Are you rich? If you don't have the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you are poor indeed. But you don't have to be.

Just wanted to share that. Be blessed all.

God Will Take Care of You

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

Well, well, well. So already we come to a new year. How on earth did 2010 get by us so fast? This will be my first hymn for the year, and yesterday I thought of this one and decided it was perfect to reflect my thoughts for the coming days, weeks, and months. As you know, so many people close to me lost their spouses this past year. I wrote a post about the five widows, but there was also a dear younger woman who I had the pleasure of knowing pretty well who lost her battle with breast cancer this past year. Actually, her home going was on October 1st, the first day of breast cancer awareness month. So I've been thinking much about her husband Ed and her two children this past Christmas season.

This hymn, then, is for all of the above mentioned dear ones and for you and me as well. No matter what 2011 has in store, no matter how difficult a circumstance comes our way, we can be assured that our God will indeed take care of us. His care will sometimes take unusual twists and turns, but He has made a multitude of promises to us in His Word, and we well know that He keeps all of His promises.

Bless all of you dear friends who stop by and even if you've never been here before, I wish you the most blessed 2011.

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.

All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.

No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.

Refrain
God will take care of you,
Through every day, over all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.

~ Civilla D. Martin