Tear down the symbols of hate...

In 1987, then President Ronald Regan announced publicly in his speech before Brandenburg Gate:
General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

As I thought about that, I was thinking, "World, tear down this CROSS !"  I know it was necessary for my Savior to die upon that cross...it was God's plan and His plans are perfect.  But, for me, for those who live for Christ alone, I no longer want to think of that cruel instrument.  It did its work for me already...I flinch to see it or think of it now.  Thankful for it, yes, but in my mind, I'd like to see someone tear down this cross! But, that's a foolish thought...there are millions who still need to realize the One Sacrifice they must have in this life, the One required by a just God, hangs upon that cross.
So, it still stands for them...and I thank God today that I once faced it, embraced it, but now meet Him in pleasant places each day.

Today is Thanksgiving Day...I could recite every minute of the day, all the things I'm am so thankful for....all of them gifts from God.  Even the very words and breath it takes to recite them, is a gift from Him.
I wanted to share this with you...please respond .....and enjoy the day we honor Him and give Thanks.

Peter Robinson wrote RR's speech:
Peter Robinson, an author and former White House speechwriter, is a Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. In 1983 Robinson joined President Ronald Reagan's staff, serving almost five years as speechwriter and special assistant to the President, an experience he recounts in his 2003 book, How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life. Robinson provided the chief executive with more than 300 speeches, including the 1987 Berlin Wall address.
http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2007/summer/berlin.html

Wow, this month is flying by!  I've been spending too much time creating Christmas gifts...I get started and am obsessed..can't stop til' I'm done. 
But, I want to take time out to share this with you (whomever might read this):
I just listened to a singer perform praise music on utube...I seldom listen to praise music, but one of the lines in her song said, "The Darling of Heaven..."  I love that.  You know when you see an infant...so soft and sweet, so innocent and easy to love...don't you just want to stand and admire?  Or run to share this moment to bless someone else?
That's what that line in the song did for me...my imagination caught a scene of all the angels and saints in heaven peering over, viewing that spot on earth where the sweet baby Jesus lay...all of them ohhhing and ahhhing...elbowing each other in admiration....whispering wishes and blessings.  My whole day has been enriched by that gem of a scene and I just had to share it with you.
Below is a photo we took last summer of two of my grandsons admiring my youngest gr-grandson.

"And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."  Luke 2:10

Today I received OLD revelation, made new again.  I knew Jesus is the Word....but listen to this:
In John 1, God calls Jesus the Word (logos), it means Message.
 Once a messenger (in this case the Holy Spirit is the messenger)
delivered the message to me, he is no longer relevant...now the message is what's important.
Jesus is the Message! He's the message God sent to us.
Now, I want to open up the message and read the words...
the Word. When I receive a letter in my mailbox, I open the envelope and discard it...now I'm interested in the content of the letter.  Don't care much about the mailman who delivered it or the envelope that contained it.
For 46 years I've been slowly reading more and more of  the message (Word)...
I'm pondering over the difficult parts, savoring the precious parts,  applying the helpful parts.
But, the message is a life-long process...I'll never be finished...don't want to be, actually.


(here's a mystery: the Holy Spirit is not only the messenger for
me, but the interpreter, the school-master helping me grasp
the meaning of the Message.)

Pumpkin Eater...

The three grandchildren I live with, were carving pumpkins the other day. It brought back memories...remember when we used to buy a nice big pumpkin for .25 or .50 cents?  Not anymore.
But, it still is an afternoon or evening or entertainment.
I have a nice stash of canned pumpkin today.  I haven't been able to find even ONE can of pumpkin in ANY store for almost a year...I found a 1/2 shelf-full at Kroger last week and brought home 6 cans.  That's 18 loaves of Pumpkin Bread!  Yum!  Haven't decided whether to look for more to add to my stash....maybe.
(She) Prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.   Prov. 6:8
Jesus is the Lord of the harvest.  Matt. 9:38

What Is Yom Kippur?

Ever wonder what Yom Kippur...The Day of Atonement...is all about? Jews have celebrated (and mourned?) this day for thousands of years. This 4 min. film explains it all.
As a believer in Jeshua, I celebrate this day often, although I should be doing it EVERYDAY!
I imagine scenes of ATONEMENT with God (at-one-ment-with-Him) as me walking alongside Him, arms linked, heads together sharing personal conversation, laughing together at times, crying at others. As one in mind, body and soul...agreeing on all things. And when He points to my sins, I immediately agree! When He commends me for actions on His behalf, I humbly listen. We are kindred spirits that will be joined, perhaps sooner rather than later.
http://vimeo.com/14999314 (sweet 4 min. film)

Who will strike the match?

The whole world has probably heard about the small church in Gainesville with the determined leader.  Is he a pastor?  Not like any I've known, but I haven't seen his degree.
That's too bad...that we've been 'force-fed' too much about him.  I'd choose to hear from dedicated, true to the Word pastors, doing a super job for the Lord...or dedicated missionaries...or Christian teachers...or
Hey, what about hearing more about what the Lord Jesus has done and plans to do?  This messy business has taken our eyes off Him and besmirched the witness of believers around the entire world.  We will be known by our love, not our predjudices.  The following is part of a quote from a blog I found:
Though I should not be, I am astonished that a 50-person church has gained more attention than any 5,000-person church could by living out the gospel everyday. Christ’s blood shed on the Cross in Jerusalem is eternally scandalous news that is overshadowed today by the scandalous news of Qurans burned by 50 people in Gainesville. [...] from:
http://samshaw.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/burning-the-quran/

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy ad empty deceit, according to human tradition,...and not according to Christ."  Col. 2:8

witches, 'n goblins, oh my!

The closest I've come to a witch in my adult life (that I know of) was about 14 years ago when I worked in a stationery shop.  A co-worker, male, early twenties, learned I was a seasoned baker (seasoned: aging quickly, leaning slowly).  He asked if I would bake a lovely pumpkin pie for him to tote to a Halloween 'function' he would be attending.  The holiday was approaching and he planned to bring the pie to the gathering of his like-minded friends (like-minded: witches and warlocks gathering in Ashville, NC suburbs, (suburbs: wooded area). 
I had too much 'on my plate' as it was, and declined politely.  I had NO idea what the function was OR that he was one of the afore-mentioned persons.  If I had known from the onset, I still would have declined politely, but SUPER QUICKLY!
I was reminded of this 'dark' character when I read an article this morning about the WITCHES of Romania, and their economic struggles.
"(2)Lawmakers ...of the ruling Democratic Liberal Party drafted a law where witches and fortune tellers would have to produce receipts, and would also be held liable for wrong predictions, a measure which was part of the government's drive to increase revenue.

Romania's Senate voted down the proposal Tuesday. ....the lawmakers were frightened of being cursed."
It seems our nation's lawmakers deal with citizens some would call 'witches and fortune tellers', and I'm SO thankful the Lord didn't give ME that role (lawmaker).  So, as Halloween approaches, I caution you:  think twice if asked to bake a pumpkin pie for unfamiliar gatherings.

The Lord surprised me with this UTUBE gifting just now...and I'm not keeping all the joy to myself.  Listen and smile:

Abby - Psalm 23

recycle to make a little bag

My grandson had the neatest little waterproof bag with zipper that they bought for $1 at Target...neat idea.  So, of course, I had to copy.
I used a 28 oz. bag left from frozen potatoes. 

Wipe out if necessary, cut in two even halfs...can't just fold in half or the one side will be upside down.  Cut straight across the middle, through both thicknesses at once.

                                      
Next, I went to JoAnn's and bought a 12" zipper for $2.00...I picked one with metal teeth instead of poly; I probably could have gotten a 9", but I would cut off excess anyway, so it depends on the size of bag.  I enjoy putting in zippers, so that was no problem.

Please let me know if there's a place with cheaper zippers?

The bag is completely double and this is how the inside looks:

After sewing in the zipper, I sewed up the sides, then bottom lastly.  And, WALLAH!

Turned out GREAT...except one thing:  mine cost exactly double what my grandson's did...his was only a $1 and already made. Hmmmmm....

I give free lessons if you need help with yours.

....She likes to work with her hands.  Proverbs 31:13b

from faith to faith

Romans 1:16, 17
The gospel is the power (dunamis=dynamite) of God to deliver salvation to me...for in it, the gospel, God's righteousness was revealed to me....from faith to faith.  Before that certain day, I had no conception of God or His character.
The event of my first step of faith, I stepped into the beautiful garden of God's world and each step through the garden increased my trust in Him.  I see it like hopping from one stepping stone to the next...from faith to faith.
Have you walked through His garden during your life?  You'll find it's a precious walk.

more about the changing Church...

I'm concerned for the church...it's getting 'slim' without Weight Watchers.  This video that follows warns us of the drought of the Word today...and why.

The church is changing....

There's a panel of 4 pastors that have an internet program that

I've listened to for over 20 years. They were very young when
they began, and seem young to me still...they're all at least
20 years younger than I am. Here's some notes I took while
listening today:

By the time young adults are in their sophmore year in college,
80% stop going to church. These claim to be believers, and
have been raised in the church.
It's not that they don't know what they believe and why they
believe it. They come to a crisis and all they ever knew were
people their same age their whole life in the church.
The church has edged out the inter-generational friendships (by
scheduling classes and activities of similar aged).
These were those who as young people, were
brought up in early SS classes, social groups in the church,
Bible camps, etc. all their life.
They have been entertained, spoon-fed, and separated from
other age groups in the church that can be watched and
emulated. And now need
...to watch and know those who have been through life-wrenching
problems and come out victorious. Those testimonies are proof
of faith...it's life changing for those who are watching and learning.

I'm very interested in all this. The church in America is
undergoing much change today and as I see some of these
changes I'm encouraged.


Why not respond to this blog and let me know what you think about
all this?

water, water everywhere....

I'm reading an interesting book ...the author says water and air still exists that was created by God in the beginning.  He wonders, "How many times were hydrogen and oxygen molecules divorced and remarried?"

here's something from NOTES FROM THE TILT-A-WHIRL by N.D. Wilson:

"There is water somewhere in the world that ran down the body of the Word Himself as John, His cousin, baptized Him. No doubt it is water still, uncherished by man, known only by the Author of this story. Drops were chosen to serve as His tears beside Jerusalem, more were chosen to wait in His side for the tip of a Roman spear. But did that water retire? Does it no longer have a task? Has God made sure it never entered a toilet tank or moistened the parched lips of a liar? Why would He? He has never treated Himself as sacred. That's our role.

Does God shape each water molecule with the care He puts into His snowflakes? ...He knows where they have been and where they are going. He knows their uniqueness and which of the holiest ancient drops are now in relationships what would appall any human sensibilities.”

and about the snowflakes around him, “I wanted to know where they had spent their lives, lives that stretched back to the beginning of the world.” p. 45, 46
He goes on to wonder about the steam coming off a cow’s back, water spouted by whales off the coast of Oregon, and where’s the water that was around during Moses and the Red Sea business...and on and on.

The sad part to me, is we are oblivious to the wonder of creation that once began and goes on even in our days. We need to open our senses and look around and see what He has for us.

trading skins

I've been reading Henry Morris' commentary on the book of Job.  Of course, the culture and traditions jump out at me.  Here's one to share with you...
Satan knew Job was the most godly man on earth. Satan had allowed (Noah) to escape his control...Before that he had been permitted to test Adam and Eve and he was successful with them.  Here he was again, knocking on God's door for permission to pester and try Job.
Satan requested a second even harder test for Job, the first being to take from him everything he had.  Now he planned to attack his flesh.  He said to God:
"Skin for skin, all that a man has he will give for his life."  Job 2:4
I've heard the phrase skin for skin before, but didn't know what it meant. 
In those times, men often used animal skins they had for bartering.  They would trade a skin they had for one of equal value and from a different type of animal.  I can imagine a line of camels traveling to and from market, over the desert path, piled high with supple, colorful animal skins.  Perhaps traded  for other goods...live animals, spices, salt, precious minerals, etc.
Here, Satan is suggesting Job give up his very skin in trade for his life (I think).
This saying is unfamiliar to me, but it sure gives my imagination a 'kick-start'.
Here's one way to use animal skins....

love and protect...til....

While strolling through Doug Wilson's blog today, Blog&Mablog, I was reminded of "May bride/December groom"...or however that goes.

Both Adam and Boaz were older than their brides—Adam by a few days, and Boaz by quite a few years. Both Adam and Boaz were men of the soil, laboring to bring fruitfulness out of the ground. Both women were vulnerable and needed a protector.  Adam was told to tend and keep the garden, which placed him in the role of a protector. At the very center of what needed protecting was his bride, and one of Adam’s greatest failures was his failure to protect his wife from the dragon.

Contrast this with the behavior of Boaz. When Ruth first begins working in his fields, he assumes the role of a protector. Boaz is a protector throughout that entire book. He tells the men working the harvest that they were not to touch her (Ruth 2:9). He protected her from want by giving her water (Ruth 2: 9) and food (Ruth 2:14). When she went to him at the threshing floor, he extended his cloak of protection over her—but he had been watching out for her from the first moment he saw her. Boaz is a new Adam, protecting his bride in ways that the first Adam had not. Boaz was such a protector that he leads with it. He did not protect Ruth because she was his wife; she became his wife because he had protected her.

And both men were great-grandfathers of the Christ.

retro words

I grew up in a home where name calling was just part of the language residing in our conversations.  We had words and names for races or individuals that today are considered prejudicial and rude.  But, if called on it, we'd defend our words with, "Aw, quit yer bellyachin'...didn't mean nothin' by it, ya know."
Today most of those same titles are offensive to many and not 'politically correct'.
Jesus died for the WHOLE world and those who walk with Him are heartbroken when they hear those terms now...AT LEAST I AM!!
So, I was surprised this morning when I listened to a 10 minute Bible study on the internet and heard the word 'gypped' applied to an Israeli tribe in the Old Testament.  My antennae went up; I haven't heard that title for many years.

Being "Gypped" is offensive to the Rromani, i.e. "Gypsy". That is where the word "gypped" came from.  http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/576962
The Roma people live in many places in Europe...this recent photo is a girl in France.

Isn't this little girl beautiful?  My daughter knew of many when she lived in Romania earlier this year.  I hope I don't hear the verb 'gypped' ever again. 

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."  Ps. 19:14

                     

Today is the first day of this new blog.  I had another blog for several years entitled, creatingeveryday, and although I am still creating everyday, I'm changing blog title and direction.  Agreeing with my future blogs is not a requirement...in fact, I'd love to hear your response from time to time, favorable or not.
Ready?  Here we go...........

I was in Jude this morning for a minute...something caught my eye about a verse in Ezekiel...then I ended up in Genesis.  This is what I call RABBIT TRAILS...come along with me and let's chase rabbits together.