"their heart was hardened"

Faith in Christ will keep us steady in the stormy sea of change.

I have faith.
I believe You will provide.
Why do I continue to have such fear, such anxiety
Every morning
Every moment
Satan causes me to wonder.

Remember
God's always telling me
to
Remember.

Truths.
Who I am.
That I am.
The Beginning - Alpha
The End - Omega
The In between

He is there.
Remember the truths.
Meditate on what is true.
I am with you the Lord tells me.

Peace will come to you
IF
you abide with Me.
You must abide with Me,
in Me,
not in the world,
not in, not with Satan.

Today's devotional led me to Mark 6: 45-52 in which Jesus walks on water to save His disciples who were caught in a windstorm while out in their boat n the middle of the Sea of Galilee. The last verse, "for they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened," presented me with another one of those "aha" moments.

We can be in the midst of God, reading and studying His word, abiding with Him, yet we can also not understand all that is within. Jesus' disciples were with Him for three years, yet there were many times they did not understand. They saw it. They heard. But did not comprehend.

"their heart was hardened" ... so comprehension comes suddenly. We read a passage for years, we think we know what it says, and then all of a sudden it becomes so very clear to us. Like the passage from 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then I shall know just as I also am known."

Comprehension, understanding, comes over time. We do not know all there is instantanteously and we never know all until we see Jesus face to face.

God is in charge. Not me. Please Lord help my unbelief. Bring me peace. Keep my mind set always on you. Do not let, do not allow me to venture off your path. In you is security. Safe and secure ... me and mine.

Do not worry ... remember

Dear Lord,
I have some anxiety going on ... again. Dismay that now we've made a reservation for that extra day Jim isn't staying in seminary commuter housing, we can not cancel it if necessary. And wondering if the funds in his account can be used to cover the four days of lodging at the seminary.

And then I remember Matthew 6: 34, which says "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Personalizing that verse, I write: "Therefore, Cathy, do not worry about Jim's cyst, do not worry about Jim going to Kansas City and his time there, about his lodging needs and payment thereof, about re-arranged obit schedules at your work place. You have made preparation, you have planned, you have prayed, you are proceeding. Do not worry about tomorrow Cathy. I am in charge. I know what concerns you, where your anxiety lies, the fears you have. But don't go there. Think only on today. Think about what is true. Truth, right. Remember. Think only on Me. Trust that I will provide for you, for Jim, today. I will take care of your needs Cathy today. Do not worry about tomorrow. Today alone is important."

Hmm. The 5 P's -- Prepare / Plan / Pray / Proceed / and Trust God to Provide.

"...whatever things are true ... meditate on these things." - Philippians 4:8

What is true ... truth?
Here is a short list of Bible truths posted in May of this year:

When confrontation is necessary to resolve conflict, Christians are to confront in love in order to restore relationships.

Christians are to take the necessary actions to be reconciled to others in a conflict situation.

Disobeying God has immediate and longterm consequences, including boggind down in one's journey of faith.

Jesus desires to forgive our past sins and directs us to live pure lives in the future.

When Jesus transforms a person's life, no arguments can convince that person that his or her experience is not valid.

Like a good shepherd, Jesus knows, sustains, and protects His sheep. He even sacrificed Himself for them.

Even when situations seem hopeless and are irreversible, Jesus is able to help people through tragedies and restore hope to their lives.

Jesus, the Messiah-King, died on the cross for our sins.

Because Jesus rose from the dead, His followers are to tell others Jesus lives for them and that He ascended to God the Father for them.

Jesus wants His followers to serve others humbly as He did.

Those who love Jesus do what He tells them to do and produce fruit that lasts.

Christians should anticipate the world's hating them, continue to testify of Jesus during times of persecution, and remain steadfast and faithful.

Conflict situations provide opportunities to please and honor God.

In a conflict situation, believers are to accept responsibility for their attitudes and actions that contribute to the conflict.

God wants His people to obey Him and blesses those who diligently do so.

The Lord is God, and His people are to remember He is God in their difficult times as well as in their good times.

When believers come before God in worship, they should seize the opportunity to renew their devotion to Him.

Believers demonstrate unity by supporting one another.

God calls each of us to use the gifts and skills He gives us to serve the body of Christ.

Because God's offer of salvation is for all people we are to share the gospel with all people and invite them to faith in Jesus Christ.

Do we
never remember
always seeking,
searching
A little bit
of memory
hangs on
What would we do
What
would
we
do?
If
we didn't have the Bible
Our mind
constantly
searching
Where
are
the
answers?
Remember.
What
do
you
remember
Each
one
of us
is
different.
Remembering
is
The Key
My key.

Knowing...believing...feeling...trusting...loving...doing

If (since) I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord by faith unseen, believing that He is, that He came, that He died for me, my very soul, that He was buried and rose again, that I too am re-born because of all He did for Me on that cross, why oh why would it be so hard to accept and believe everything that He says to me, that He shows me in His word, in His still small voice, or in His powerful, forceful booming voice? He is all around me, in every corner and crevice.

The Lord Jesus is my salvation and more.

He is the rest of the relationship I seek, that I find missing in my day-to-day existence. He is the one I can share my innermost thoughts, the ones I don't necessarily write down in my journal or publish on my blog for the whole world to see. He sees my fears, my pain, my desires, my needs.

He sees way more than I ever see or even dream of seeing. He knows the end from the beginning and all that is in between.

I'm not very good at waiting for answers. Hurry up and wait. Waiting ... in prayer, or in dread. Waiting ... endlessly ... silently.

The Lord will provide. He is my all in all. He is all I need in all of life. As long as I have Jesus living within me, in my heart, as long as I listen to Him, as long as I look to Him for my everything, He will bring to me that which I need and when I need it.

After all, He brought me Jimmy.

He will bring me through difficulties ... financial, health, accidents. He will be with me. He is with me.

The Lord is my salvation. Without Jesus I have no eternal hope.

The Lord is my provider, my enabler, my Father, my confidante. Without a relationship with Jesus, my longings go unfulfilled.

The Lord has brought many friends my way, providing meaning, understanding, learning, love.

The 23rd psalm
"The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down
in green pastures;
He leads me
beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;
He leads me
in the paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk
through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table
before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me
all the days of my life;
And I will dwell
in the house of the Lord
Forever."

He knows my name

The following was written Dec. 15, 2008 and published on Today's Christian Woman editor's blog. Perhaps you have already read it, but if you haven't, read it now.

by Ginger Kolbaba

What an elderly store clerk reminded me about taking my name for granted

“Call me Bill,” the elderly, slightly stooped, sales clerk told me. He’d just handed me his business card. “For some reason they put ‘William’ on the card. But nobody calls me William. Only my mother did. But she’s long gone now.”

As I stood with this retired furniture salesman, now Home Depot appliance guru, I noticed a faraway look in his eyes. I figured it didn’t have to do with the white Maytag double oven we were currently discussing.

“She used to call me William when she was upset with me!” he said and chuckled. Then he turned serious. “What I wouldn’t give to hear my mother call me ‘William’ again. It’s been all these years since she passed, but I still wish I could hear her call my name. You still have your parents?”

I nodded.

“Well, enjoy them while you can. Time goes too quickly. Enjoy listening to the way your mom says your name. It’s the most precious gift.”

I’d gone searching for a new stove, but left with something far more valuable.

Back at home, I called my mom and chatted. I listened to her voice and enjoyed her quick, easy laugh. William was right; it was a wonderful gift and a strong reminder never to take someone’s voice for granted.

Later that evening as I was praying, William’s words drifted back into my mind. How often do I take for granted something as simple as hearing my name? Especially when God speaks it? How many opportunities have I missed to hear God whisper my name with love and acceptance and grace?

Names have such special meaning. In a sense, they define who we are. They bring comfort when spoken by someone we love. The “William” of childhood—who heard that name only when he was in trouble—now attached great significance to that name because it held a special memory of his mom.

I thought about Jesus’ names and how they bring great comfort to me when I say them: “Jesus,” the Lord saves; “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6); “Immanuel,” God with us (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23).

I thought about Simon, whom Jesus named Peter: “I tell you,” Jesus said, “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18).

God attaches great significance to us through our names. Through the prophet Isaiah, God tells us, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1); “I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name” (Isaiah 45:3).

Too often in my busy days, I go through the routine of worship and devotional time. I pray, spouting off my laundry list of needs and wants and “will yous.” But rarely do I sit quietly with my Creator and simply listen to him say my name.

In his book Life of the Beloved, Catholic theologian and priest Henri Nouwen writes: “We are the Beloved. We are intimately loved long before our parents, teachers, spouses, children, and friends loved or wounded us. That’s the truth of our lives. That’s the truth I want you to claim for yourself. That’s the truth spoken by the voice that says, ‘You are my Beloved.’ Listening to that voice with great inner attentiveness, I hear at my center [God’s] words that say: ‘I have called you by name, from the very beginning. You are mine and I am yours. You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests. I have molded you in the depths of the earth and knitted you together in your mother’s womb. I have carved you in the palms of my hands and hidden you in the shadow of my embrace. I look at you with infinite tenderness and care for you with a care more intimate than that of a mother for her child. I have counted every hair on your head and guided you at every step. Wherever you go, I go with you, and wherever you rest, I keep watch. I will give you food that will satisfy all your hunger and drink that will quench all your thirst. I will not hide my face from you. You know me as your own as I know you as my own. You belong to me.’”

While my head understands Nouwen’s words, too often my heart cannot grasp that the Creator of the universe knows my name. He knows me intimately and cares about me; he considers me beloved.

We have a God who loves us so much he calls us by name. I am overwhelmed.

This Christmas, my house will be filled with the noise and clutter and chatter of five adults and four dogs for a week. The stresses and joys of the holiday will compete for my time and attention. But I hope that somewhere in there, every day and throughout the new year and beyond, I will not take for granted the knowledge that God calls me by name. I pray I will truly listen and hear him say, “Beloved. You are mine and I am yours.” And I will know that he means it.

His timing

I can plan, but I should not worry. God knows all. We will know what we are to know in His timing. We must wait, pray, seek, listen. We should always be alert for the Lord's presence where we least expect to see Him.

Jesus said so

Yesterday the devotional reading was from John 14. The particular passage that stayed with me was verse 6 in which Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

You know that speaks volumes. The entire Bible has much to say and one part relates to another part. Sometimes you don't understand what something has to do with something else. But it comes to you as you study, meditate, listen and follow through in obedience.

I did a mini-study of the verse and this is what I've found:

"I am the way" ... "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." (John 10: 9)

"through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5: 2)

Jesus is ... to everyone, all peoples. Through Him we have access to the Father, to God. There is none other.

"And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father." (Ephesians 2: 17-18)

The institution of the tabernacle, i.e., sanctuary, holy place where God met with His people, and its construction, is first mentioned in Exodus 25. At that time the High Priest was the only one who could enter the Holy of Holies (Holiest of All) once a year. The people had rules, commandments the Lord set forth for them to follow. Forgiveness of their sins of disobedience / ignorance were asked of God through the High Priest on a yearly basis.

"Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing." (Hebrews 9: 6-8)

It wasn't until the birth of Jesus (which Christians celebrate at Christmas), son of God and son of Man, that a final offering would become available. The new High Priest became Jesus and the Holiest of All was made manifest through Jesus. Through His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus the High Priest became the final, once-and-for-all offering for the entire human race.

"to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh," (Hebrews 10: 19b-20)

It is for you and me individually to believe and accept Jesus died for us.

"I am the truth" ... "And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1 :14)

"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17)

The Old Testament tells what will come and has now come to pass, yet there are many who do not know, do not understand, do not see, do not meditate. Only in the here and now... do not consider.

"... For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice." (John 18: 37)

"I am the life" ...
To know, to believe, wholeheartedly, to allow your faith to be greater that what seems, that is when Jesus is in your midst, when fine-tuned awareness is present.

"Jesus said to her (Martha, when her brother Lazarus had died), 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die'..." (John 11: 25-26)

Caiaphas was high priest when talks began of killing Jesus. How truly sad he didn't realize the extent of a prophecy he made to the council of chief priests and Pharisees: "You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish." (John 11: 49b-50) "and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad." (John 11: 52)

Isaiah 53 is a prophecy of His life, His death.

"No one comes to the Father" ... "God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, ..." (1 Timothy 2: 3b-6a)

"Except through Me." ...
To be at peace within, come to Jesus and share His life. If you are only seeking your own desires and wants and must haves, regardless of anything else, death is imminent.

"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10: 9-10)

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4: 12)

Jesus says to us, "I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life, No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Philippians 4: 8 reminds us again: "...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."

What is on your (Christmas) list?

What do you want for Christmas? I know its only three days away. There are many who have already purchased gifts. There are just as many who have no funds to purchase anything let alone gifts. Christmas is not just for kids, Christmas is not just about getting.

This morning I was thinking of The List. The List kids work on for days, weeks ahead so Santa will know what they want and be able to get it. There are times though when there is nothing Santa can do. Sometimes the things on our list are beyond what Santa can possibly provide.

We can still ask, but not from Santa. Perhaps it is a prayer to God.

I was thinking of all the things I would like for Christmas this year. Some might seem like New Year's goals or distant dreams. Maybe so. Maybe they were on a list of long ago. Maybe not.

But here is my list ... in no particular order:

• A child in our midst ... special needs or not
  
• Contentment with whatever I have whenever I have it
  
• Unwavering faith and trust in my Lord and Savior
  
• Conscious awareness of Jesus always all around me so I am able to live and work peaceably with all and remain obedient to Him alone
  
• To not continually put my foot in my mouth, i.e.,, say things that come out wrong
  
• Eat those foods that are good for me, useful in preventing diseases/illnesses
• Enjoy sweets in smaller quantities
• Lose 25 pounds
• Extra funds, beyond enough for everyday expenses, to give to those less fortunate
• Truly meaningful relationships with family members
• Additional funds in our savings account for those unplanned emergencies
• Pain-free
• No debt
• A week-long, relaxing worry-free vacation
• To help enable my husband to obtain his master of divinity degree and achieve a longtime desire to become a hospice chaplain
  
• To be able to retire gracefully
  
• To bring others to Christ
• Go on short-term mission trips
• Become a Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer
  
• Being grateful for all I have in every circumstance
• A pair of shoe skates
• Travel to Pennsylvania and Germany for genealogy research
• A well-received online Christian business through which others come to know Jesus Christ

"To Everything there is a season, A time for every purpose (or desire) under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

God is in control over all... Whatever the time, the season, God knows all... God is.

What is on your list? Respond here.

So quiet

So quiet
it was
this morning

only the hum
of the furnace
and
snow blowers working

Stillness,
starkness
white all around

Except
what is bare -
The trees
and other objects
protruding
from the
frozen tundra

grasping for warmth
for a sun not shining

So quiet
only the ticking of a clock
or chimes
ringing on the hour

Absent noises
Who do they belong to
Where do they come from
Hidden corners

So quiet
hammering I hear
The phone rings
The quietness ...
It stops.

The Savior has come

"Hosanna!
'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'
Blessed is the Kingdom of our father David that comes
Hosanna in the highest!" - Mark 11: 9a-10a

You want a Savior, but not one who saves your soul from damnation. You want a Savior who protects you from the evils of the day, but you don't want a relationship. You want a quick fix.

That is also what the Jewish people wanted when Jesus was physically in their midst. They praised him, only to reject him.

The time is here now.
Waiting -- what are you waiting for? Do you think there is a better time ... Do you think because God has waited before He will continue to wait? I think not. The end is coming. Only He knows the time. He is ruler over all. You will find out. All who reject him now, the time will come when the opportunity to accept Him closes. And your rejection of Him will turn itself around and become His rejection of you. If you are not written in the Book of Life, you are not part of His kingdom.

The Savior has come.

Don't wait too long to make a decision. You need Him now.
He will not disappoint you. Only we disappoint ourselves and each other.

The Savior has come.
His name is
JESUS.

JOY

Dear Lord,

J-O-Y

JESUS. Thank you for coming to Earth, for bringing ... for being the gift ... of love for me and everyone. The love that surpasses, is above all we know. The gift of love you bring was brought about through first your birth, but ultimately your death, burial and resurrection.
Thank you Lord Jesus for following the will of your Father, being obedient even when you would rather have done otherwise.

OTHERS. There are many others. Friends, family, acquaintances. All known by you, but not all, certainly and unfortunately know you. To know you is much more than head knowledge. It comes from the heart. For some, their heart is just stone cold. The love they have is for the immediate, for what is seen, felt. It doesn't go beyond. It is sad.
The names. You alone know them. Any I list is incomplete.

YOU, YOURSELF. Me. I remember when I stay in your word, think on whatsoever you have to say to me, the rest of life does not seem to matter near as much. It was just the other day, actually it was two weeks ago on Dec. 4 that I was dwelling in the land of fear. That day Philippians 4:8 came to my mind. Think on what is true, what is real, not on the 'what if's.'
Remember God's Truths, not 'what you think may happen,' not 'but how will I make it.' It is God who will enable it to happen. It is me (and you) who must abide in Him, be obedient to Him, follow Him.
It is never easy.
Today is pay day. The total is less than it was 2 weeks ago, which was less than the amount 2 weeks before that.
God can enable everything to come together. We must believe He will do as He says, then be obedient to His instruction, His leadership. Without Him, we do flounder; worry sets in ... that is where Satan wants us. But definitely not where God desires us.
He will provide. God knows my left arm and hand is hurting, just like He knew when my skin was so dry it itched horrendously. When I do not stay focused on the pains of myself or loved ones or anyone, but on Him, then He will enable me to do the desires of my heart and the purposes He has for me.

Talk. Many think that's just talk. But its not. It's experiences lived through and brought to mind to teach us, remind us that God is there. And if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He dwells within your heart as the Holy Spirit. He listens to you. He shares your pain. He loves you. He is always present. It is us who move away and become disillusioned and question what is right, what is wrong, where am I, where am I going, who am I? God knows all.

Won't you give your life to Christ? Won't you begin anew a new road, a new chapter, a new you?

He is. And You can be.

In all these things I pray in your name. Amen.

I want

If you like fudge, come on over. We have made three batches - two kinds of chocolate and candy cane. I have some every day, although that is not particularly healthy or wise. Of course since when has that stopped anybody from doing something stupid? I have next week off, the whole week, so I may not be on here very much. Never know. God may have something else in mind. I have been wondering about some things, what to do, and so far I haven't heard a reply. Perhaps I am not listening well enough. I don't know. I imagine the answer will come to me at the right time. Only God knows the right time for everything.

I found John 5:19-23 to be an interesting read this morning.
Jesus is speaking. "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do, for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
"For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
"For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.
"For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,
"that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him."

If you do not honor Jesus as God's son, respect Him in all ways, then you do not honor God the Father.
God and Jesus are one. What God says, Jesus does. If you do not believe Jesus is born of God and man, then you also do not believe God is all He says He is. You do not believe in creation. You are floundering. You are sinking.

John 5:30 says, "I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is righteous, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent Me."

Accurate through and through. I can do nothing by myself, except fail. I can do that well. I want to do, I want to live, I want to do, I want to conquer, I want to fulfill and be fulfilled, I want to love and be loved. I want all that God wants of me and for me.

Today's devotional thought

Today's devotional thought comes to you from David McCasland, who says: "The masterpiece of God's human creation, marred by turning away from Him, can be restored when we give our hearts to Christ." Have you given your heart ... have you accepted Jesus Christ ... are you born again? ... do you believe in the Lord God almighty. Jesus ... son of God and of the Virgin Mary ... born to die so we may have life. Christmas, the celebration of His LIFE, is upon us.

A day in the life of Me

Today is my first of four days off from work.

Yesterday I just did not get around to writing anything here. I spent almost three hours in the morning studying Bible passages in Philippians and John and elsewhere. It was 10:30 when I glanced at the clock and decided I had better take a bath and get lunch started.

Early today, I had an appointment with the optometrist, which included having my eyes dilated, so needless to say I wasn't in any (good) mood to do much of anything after I got home. My sunglasses were not dark enough to fight off the overly bright sunlight outdoors and indoors I wanted to hide behind closed drapes.

This afternoon Jim and I had other appointments and errands to run - he had a bone density scan, and in the process discovered he had shrunk 2 inches. But we're not going to tell anybody. So if you see it here, just don't mention it. He's still 6-1. I still have to look up to him... I'm probably shrinking too. Shrinking Violet.. ha ha. Then we picked up our free turkey at St. Luke's Hospital - all employees are provided a free turkey or ham or gift certificate. It's nice management does that for its workers.

Then off to battle some more traffic to get the grocery shopping done and the gas tank filled in the car. It's so nice to top the tank at $25 or less! At the grocery store (we shop at Aldi's) there was a blue van with the name Casual Van on it. It looked pretty casual, probably a V-8 gas guzzler. Strange.

When we got home and put the groceries away, Jim made supper and we played a new word game, Across Words. That was fun. Then I was going to make Candy Cane Fudge and he was going to crush the candy canes for me. Unfortunately he not only crushed them, he pulverized them. To say the least, I was not a happy camper. He went out and bought 50 miniature candy canes. These we had to take off the individual wrappers. That wasn't a fun process either. He didn't remember making this particular fudge last year. But we did. I found the original recipe and think it was published in The Gazette in 2005. Been nice if we could remember how we crushed those stupid candy canes last year. Otherwise, we may not be making candy cane fudge very regularly. Probably a good idea anyway, very sweet.

I put together a typewritten (computer) recipe collection of our favorites and its amazing it has managed to come together without complete disaster. If it was for someone else it would have to be perfect. As it is its a long way from perfect. But its easier to read and it won't fall apart. And that's the main thing.

I may work on a draft copy of our Christmas letter tomorrow. That would be day two. Last year we had printed our final copy on Nov. 25. Gee, I wonder what the hangup is this year. It's been a different year in many many ways. Well, we'll see what tomorrow brings. We have plans for tomorrow. We'll see what God has in mind.

So, think I'll have a cup of tea.

All that is was once before ... but

All that is was once
before
All that will be
is even now

Each experiences
something new

But it's not new
'cept for you
and me.
This moment
only
alone does it
count.

I see that.
You live long enough
You see
how things
that are now
were also
that once before.

Experiences
my mother
had in her 20s and 50s
may be
similar
to experiences
in my 20s or 50s

Not the same
but enough similar
to realize

realities of yesterday
are the
realities of today
and
future tomorrows.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can relate to current college students because I was once one. Been there ... done that.

"That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, 'See, this is new'? It has already been in ancient times before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after." - Ecclesiastes 1:9-11

Nothing stays the same.

"One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever." - Ecclesiastes 1:4

It is futile, vane, meaningless to seek satisfaction in people and things. We are not satisfied, are we?

"I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity (or futile, meaningless) and grasping for the wind." - Ecclesiastes 1:14

We need the Lord. Look to Him and there we will find ultimate fulfillment. For He is the answer to all we seek.

"... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." - John 10:10

"What comes from man will never last,
It's here today, tomorrow past;
What comes from God will always be
The same for all eternity!" - Spencer

Innocence

Innocence means having no sin.
Innocence exists until we reach the age of accountability.
A newborn is innocent

I was thinking
I was
innocent
of countless things
but
then
I couldn't
think
of what
they were.

I knew
I was
guilty
of many
many more
things.

My guilt
could
keep me
from
moving forward
from growing
from seeking
new paths
discovering
exploring
dreaming.

I struggle
within
that the guilts I carry
do not become
more
than I can bear

But I
have
Jesus
and
He
has set
me free

My burdens
are
His
burdens
and
thus,
my load
is light.

"Come to Me, all you who labor (or are weary) and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly (or humble) in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." -- Matthew 11:28-30

He died so we could live

He died for us so we could live for Him.
We are all sinners. As unbelievers, we are all dead to Christ; we live according to the world and our fleshly desires. Christ died for all. When we, as sinners, accept Christ's death for ourselves, we are re-born, we have new life in Him ... i.e., a changed lifestyle.

"and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now, all things are of God,... Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ."-- 2 Corinthians 5: 15, 16a, 17, 18a and 20a.

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Sunday afternoon we attended the 5th Sunday Fellowship at Shiloh Baptist Church in Waterloo. (A gathering of Southern Baptist churches in the northeast association get together every fifth Sunday at a different member church for song, praise, worship, food, fellowship.) We went early as well to sit in on an Introduction to Disaster Relief. It was all very interesting and left me with wanting more ... more information, more fellowship, more listening, more of God.

Shiloh's pastor, Darin Ulmer gave a thoughtful message, "Blessed be the name of the Lord," from Job 1: 6-21. In sad times, bad times, not just the good times, we are to bless the Lord. Even when things don't turn around the way we desire them too. Job lost all - his animals, his servants, his children, even his health left much to be desired, but he never gave in. He continued to bless the Lord. In verse 21, Job says, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Today's devotional, titled "Waiting for Joy," took me to 2 Corinthians 4:8-18. Verse 18 says, So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."

Scripture says our troubles will "soon" be over, but that word soon is relative. Frequently, soon can't be soon enough. It's in God's thinking. To God our troubles will soon be over, because to Him 1000 years is as 1 day and vice versa. We can be afflicted with much Trouble* - physical, emotional and mental health covering the gamut from housing, employment, transportation, friends, family. In our way of thinking and dealing with it, it sometimes lasts a long time, maybe years. And we are to bless the Lord through all. God wants us to think on eternal things, focus our minds there, rather than on the trouble here ... eventually the wait (ing) will be over and our joy will be fulfilled ... when we depart from our earthly bodies to our heavenly bodies. When there will be no more pain or sorrow. Until then, however, we are to strive to stay focused on the Lord Jesus, no other. Focused and obedient. Thankful and blessful.

Tis hard. But the results, the eternal reward tis so worth it.

*Trouble - I received an email in this morning from The Society of Professional Obituary Writers, stating: "Andrew McKie, no longer obits editor at Daily Telegraph," a newspaper in London. Comments could be left on the Obituary Forum. People will always die, death is a fact of life, and someone has to write about them,... don't they? No job is safe, even though you may think differently. Changes are on the upswing. Change is also a fact of life.

We are still to bless the Lord in all of life.