Have you ever made resolutions for the new year? Chances are you have. I do most of the time. I'll confess to not doing it about twice!
Usually they include what the "Fly-Lady" says to do in her book "Sink Reflections." That book has been helpful to me in maintaining order in this house of home schooling. (There's always room for improvement!)
I like to resolve something spiritual every year. This year it is to be more helpful to those who are needy. I have resolved (several times) to read the Bible through in the upcoming year. The "One-Year Bible" is very helpful there. Maybe I should do that again. Last year I resolved to read a chapter of Micah everyday. There are only a few chapters in that book, so even though I didn't read it everyday as planned I sure got to know it better! Theme: Take care of your own business and trust the Lord! I nod to my father-in-law for his helpful inspiration.
I always resolve to lose weight, but I'm destined to be cushy for the rest of my life. Nice, huh? I'm very huggable to my youngest son. Happy thought. I do resolve to get out in the sun and exercise everyday. We who live in the north must seek extra Vitamin D!
Over all, being content with what I have and striving to love others is my Life Resolution.
You never know where the Lord will take you. It's best to hang on and enjoy the ride!
God bless you in 2011.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Merry Christmas Eve!
My soul has been dark this dark December. Maybe it's because my bees have been banned, my husband is looking for work, and my son has a very virulent case of Infectious Mononucleosis. Along with other worries life could be rather bleak in this mid-winter.
But it is not! Today I had the joy of juxtaposition with spying a book at Borders to peruse and a conversation with an elderly friend about the same subject: Heaven. There are no coincidences, really, but I had a book of that title on my list for a present to buy as well.
Heaven! What a joy to anticipate, to read about, to wonder. The book I picked up at the store was "Heaven is Real," a quick little story about a four-year-old who had a visit to heaven when his appendix ruptured. His candid tale rings true, as he affirms what Scripture has to say about the place we all long to be----that is, those of us who have had our spirits re-born in Christ Jesus.
My elderly friend told the tale of his mother's death, when he was two. She had a "visit" to heaven before she actually passed away, and there are 28 witnesses to her account. What a marvelous experience for them. My friend heard the story from several of the family members who were with his mother, that she told of people she recognized, that Jesus spoke with her, that those left behind should continue in their Christian walk.
My own great-grandmother Iva, who died when I was quite young, as she passed she exclaimed, "Look at all the children!"
This is the destiny for those whose name is written in the Book of Life. Praise God, through whom all blessings flow.
I will not speak of the darkness in this world, though we could easily be brought low by the suffering of its inhabitants.
I will speak of the joy of my spirit, sealed for eternity with the joy of being in the presence of my savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Yes, it is real. The spirit has been re-born, and that joy is mine, no matter what the suffering soul may lament.
God bless ye merry gentlemen. Let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ the Savior was born on Christmas Day (actually sometime in June of 2 BC! ---but the wise men DID see the 'star' stop above Bethlehem on December 25 of 2 BC--making this wonderful day we celebrate really the first gift exchange!)
To save us all from Satan's power while we were gone astray!
Oh tidings of wonder and joy, wonder and joy!
God bless YOU with a newly born spirit, eternally sealed for His glory.
Oh, and please pray for my son's healing. Back to school in just a week and a half from now! Thank you!
But it is not! Today I had the joy of juxtaposition with spying a book at Borders to peruse and a conversation with an elderly friend about the same subject: Heaven. There are no coincidences, really, but I had a book of that title on my list for a present to buy as well.
Heaven! What a joy to anticipate, to read about, to wonder. The book I picked up at the store was "Heaven is Real," a quick little story about a four-year-old who had a visit to heaven when his appendix ruptured. His candid tale rings true, as he affirms what Scripture has to say about the place we all long to be----that is, those of us who have had our spirits re-born in Christ Jesus.
My elderly friend told the tale of his mother's death, when he was two. She had a "visit" to heaven before she actually passed away, and there are 28 witnesses to her account. What a marvelous experience for them. My friend heard the story from several of the family members who were with his mother, that she told of people she recognized, that Jesus spoke with her, that those left behind should continue in their Christian walk.
My own great-grandmother Iva, who died when I was quite young, as she passed she exclaimed, "Look at all the children!"
This is the destiny for those whose name is written in the Book of Life. Praise God, through whom all blessings flow.
I will not speak of the darkness in this world, though we could easily be brought low by the suffering of its inhabitants.
I will speak of the joy of my spirit, sealed for eternity with the joy of being in the presence of my savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Yes, it is real. The spirit has been re-born, and that joy is mine, no matter what the suffering soul may lament.
God bless ye merry gentlemen. Let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ the Savior was born on Christmas Day (actually sometime in June of 2 BC! ---but the wise men DID see the 'star' stop above Bethlehem on December 25 of 2 BC--making this wonderful day we celebrate really the first gift exchange!)
To save us all from Satan's power while we were gone astray!
Oh tidings of wonder and joy, wonder and joy!
God bless YOU with a newly born spirit, eternally sealed for His glory.
Oh, and please pray for my son's healing. Back to school in just a week and a half from now! Thank you!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Christmas Vacation!
Just took four days off to get in the Christmas spirit, and what a wonderful and beautiful way it began. Last Thursday I was blessed to witness one of the most moving Christmas concerts I've ever attended, and my beloved son blessed me and countless others participating in its delivery. The Concordia College music department put on its annual Christmas event at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis that evening. The theme was "Out of Darkness, into Light." I can't describe the musical perfection, but I can relate the powerful scriptural and theological truths that were messaged. Trust me! It was fantastic.
Jesus came as a baby. Jesus is coming again. Get ready.
Back to the normal. Down to earth again---that means school and laundry, cooking and cleaning. My spirit still sings with an incredible joy.
Finals week for my two college boys. I'm praying for them to succeed mightily.
God bless you, who read this, with a peaceful, joyful season of celebrating Christ's great gift---His life and His sacrifice.
When I think of what He put up with coming to earth and dealing with difficult people and circumstances, my own dealings with difficult people and circumstances pale in comparison. May we all practice LOVE to one another.
Great message in this old song!
Turn it up and pray this prayer. Merry Christmas!
Jesus came as a baby. Jesus is coming again. Get ready.
Back to the normal. Down to earth again---that means school and laundry, cooking and cleaning. My spirit still sings with an incredible joy.
Finals week for my two college boys. I'm praying for them to succeed mightily.
God bless you, who read this, with a peaceful, joyful season of celebrating Christ's great gift---His life and His sacrifice.
When I think of what He put up with coming to earth and dealing with difficult people and circumstances, my own dealings with difficult people and circumstances pale in comparison. May we all practice LOVE to one another.
Great message in this old song!
Turn it up and pray this prayer. Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
New Gadget!
Just wanted to call your attention to the bottom of the blog page and a slide show of our darling little Misty Moors of Wales Crystal --- My daughter, who is quite the photographer, shot these dear mugs of our little corgi. Enjoy.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Two Ideas
Recently I had several thoughts about blog topics and they are incubating in my heart and mind. Aside from decorating the house, baking, laundry, organizing, keeping the calendar up to date, quenching "fires," (all those little nagging things that pop up everyday, week, month, year!) I do think.
I just perused the book "Waiting for Superman," and I had a zillion thoughts-----I think I'll try to see the movie before I try to write about it.
I'd like to write some thoughts about gratefulness. We are doing a study about it right now. There is so much to a Biblical view of gratefulness. It's worth a thoughtful visit.
Reading list is long and interesting!
I just perused the book "Waiting for Superman," and I had a zillion thoughts-----I think I'll try to see the movie before I try to write about it.
I'd like to write some thoughts about gratefulness. We are doing a study about it right now. There is so much to a Biblical view of gratefulness. It's worth a thoughtful visit.
Reading list is long and interesting!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Season of Advent
Three funerals this week. Two are very sad, one is triumphant. Death is the great equalizer in this world, anything but in the next.
I think this has been a year of good-byes! I can't believe how many funerals I've attended, and I don't think it's going to change soon. I'm getting older, and having had many older friends (and blessed to have had them!) I am getting used to attending them.
There is a character in "Anne of Green Gables" who gets macabre joy out of attending funerals. She is delightfully strange. We laugh at her weird fascination with obituaries, and yet there is a kind of acceptance of the inevitable: something I think my culture tends to avoid and play down.
I am comforted this week by the coming of Christmas. The snow sets the stage so nicely. My, but we have had snow this year!! I can't believe how we've had to weather ice and cold several times already and it is just December! This is a long winter.
I watched "The Star of Bethlehem" DVD the other night to remind myself of the significant celestial events in 3 and 2 B.C. This is probably the most powerful documentary I've ever seen in showing God's compassionate interest in us and His love, wooing mankind into relationship with Him. The Word of God is our life-manual. It's always exciting to see science, history and current happenings reinforce the message of the Word.
Time is running out, and the celestial poetry is soon to write a new message in the constellations. The Age of Pisces is coming to a close and the Age of Aquarius is about to begin. The signs in the heavens speak of the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit and an age of peace and blessing. God has told us of the signs in the heavens. We are predicting nothing but what is already completely foretold in Scripture. Jesus is coming soon, relatively, and we must be ready, as the virgins with the lamps filled with oil, waiting for the bridegroom. If you have not repented of your sin and chosen to put your trust and faith in God's Son, Jesus, DO IT NOW! Start living to please the Savior, and love others. Do everything without complaining and arguing! Be a bold light of shining Truth to the world.
This is such a busy season I wonder when I'll get a chance to write again. I wish I could share every blessed minute of the season for me and my family.
I think this has been a year of good-byes! I can't believe how many funerals I've attended, and I don't think it's going to change soon. I'm getting older, and having had many older friends (and blessed to have had them!) I am getting used to attending them.
There is a character in "Anne of Green Gables" who gets macabre joy out of attending funerals. She is delightfully strange. We laugh at her weird fascination with obituaries, and yet there is a kind of acceptance of the inevitable: something I think my culture tends to avoid and play down.
I am comforted this week by the coming of Christmas. The snow sets the stage so nicely. My, but we have had snow this year!! I can't believe how we've had to weather ice and cold several times already and it is just December! This is a long winter.
I watched "The Star of Bethlehem" DVD the other night to remind myself of the significant celestial events in 3 and 2 B.C. This is probably the most powerful documentary I've ever seen in showing God's compassionate interest in us and His love, wooing mankind into relationship with Him. The Word of God is our life-manual. It's always exciting to see science, history and current happenings reinforce the message of the Word.
Time is running out, and the celestial poetry is soon to write a new message in the constellations. The Age of Pisces is coming to a close and the Age of Aquarius is about to begin. The signs in the heavens speak of the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit and an age of peace and blessing. God has told us of the signs in the heavens. We are predicting nothing but what is already completely foretold in Scripture. Jesus is coming soon, relatively, and we must be ready, as the virgins with the lamps filled with oil, waiting for the bridegroom. If you have not repented of your sin and chosen to put your trust and faith in God's Son, Jesus, DO IT NOW! Start living to please the Savior, and love others. Do everything without complaining and arguing! Be a bold light of shining Truth to the world.
This is such a busy season I wonder when I'll get a chance to write again. I wish I could share every blessed minute of the season for me and my family.
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