Gratitude of the Redeemed

"I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.  I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord" (Psalm 116:17-18)

In this Psalm titled "The gratitude of the redeemed" in my Bible, the writer is expressing thanksgiving for God's intervention during a crisis in his life.

"How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?" he asks in verse 12.  It really is IMPOSSIBLE to repay the Lord in proportion to His goodness to us, but the psalmist apparently made some promises (or vows) in his attempt.

The platform of our church....

It's OK to make promises to God.  But it is important to follow through on them.  It is appropriate to express our thanksgiving in tangible ways to Him -- such as thanks offerings.  Thanksgiving may be expressed privately to God, but there are times to express it publicly - "in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord."

Today is one of those times!

Bread Day

In addition to the loaf of bread in the breadmaker this morning, I diced some apples and baked these two loaves of apple bread.  I used the first recipe that came up when I "googled" apple bread.

The scent is filling the house and making me wonder why I don't do this more often!  I plan to take one loaf with me when we go visit my parents later this afternoon.  The other I'll wrap tightly and put out on our cool porch to keep and serve next week when some of our children and grandchildren are here.

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."  (John 6:35)

What Meat Will Be on YOUR Thanksgiving Table?

Faith to Sight

Here is the completed Christmas tree - fired and equipped with white lights.  Not all "faith" results in "sight" so soon!  If you were with me over a week ago, you saw this tree BEFORE its firing.  Hard to believe it would look like this! 

This transformation reminds me of what I look forward to by faith. I John 3:2-3 says, "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we WILL be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."

Don't you LOVE it?  No eye has seen, ear heard, or mind comprehended what we who have put our trust in Jesus Christ will become when we see Jesus!  And this hope, this faith motivates me toward purity of life, heart and mind.....until faith turns to sight!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

(From It Is Well With My Soul)

Something's Missing!

We're preparing for a display of nativity sets that belong to families in our church at the end of this month.  I wanted to photograph a set for publicity purposes.  I purchased this set last year at a thrift store and vaguely remembered that something was missing.  As I unpacked it, I realize it's not someTHING.  It's someONE.  And Mary at that!  Six camels (?) but no Mary.  This afternoon I'm going to ceramics.  My Christmas tree should be fired and ready to glue in the lightbulbs.  I'll also ask the proprietor if she has a mold for the Mary to match this set.  I sure hope so!  I don't want anyTHING or anyONE to be missing.

I try to plan and prepare for the Christmas season so that noTHING is missing.  Above all, I don't want anyONE to be overlooked.--particularly Him whose birth we celebrate!

Eating Crow

Wikipedia explains it this way: 

Eating crow (archaically, eating boiled crow) is an English-language idiom meaning humiliation by admitting wrongness or having been proven wrong after taking a strong position. Eating crow is presumably foul-tasting in the same way that being proven wrong might be emotionally hard to swallow. Eating crow is of a family of idioms having to do with eating and being proven incorrect, such as to "eat dirt", to "eat your words", and to "eat your hat" (or shoe).

Saturday we discovered a new (to us) shop.  The Crows Corner in Edgerton, OH was a delight--I'm standing outside it at this link.  It's family-owned and many of the items are rustic crafts made by the owners and their young daughters.  I purchased this crow (Shhhhhhh!  Mostly for the pattern for my "wonder working" husband--who by the way is making progress on the doll house!).  I'm still trying to figure out why I am attracted to crows.  Maybe it's their black "attire".  I like to wear black and feel most elegant when I'm wearing a black dress.

While I like their color and profile, I do NOT enjoy "eating crow"!

Church: the Glory and the Grotesque

"The Church or something like it must be cherished, criticized, nourished and reformed.  The Church of Jesus Christ, with all its blemishes, its divisions and its failures, remains our best hope of spiritual vitality.  However poor it is, life without it is worse."  (Elton Trueblood)

Our Sunday School class is studying Choose the Life by Bill Hull--this week, chapter 9.  Hull says, "I am saying ...that the church will always vacillate between glory and the grotesque...there will be periods of great glory when Christ is paramount and the world all around will be infected with the life of Christ through us...when our little communities of grace show those around us who God is and what God has. It is for these periods of glory that we live, for which we train, and for which we pray."

These are the empty pews in which MY "little community of grace" gathers this morning.

O, Christ Jesus, let YOUR glory fall on us today! 

Show us who You are and what You have for us this morning!

Please.

Thanks to the Gideons....

After a delicious meal and good conversation with friends we had invited, we heard an inspiring story of a local pastor whose life was transformed as a result of  a Gideon New Testament he received in prison in Mississippi.  The Gideon who befriended this man helped secure his release, took him into his own home, and saw to it that he had a job and education at Fort Wayne Bible College.  In the picture above, Gideon Charles Habegger is speaking, relating stories of the power of God's Word to change lives.

The Gideons provide this lovely evening at no charge to pastors and wives and their guests.  Here is my husband conversing with the man who married us!  Norman was our pastor when we were students in college in Kansas.   He and his wife Doris are serving the Lord Jesus in active ministry well past "normal" retirement age!

A rather recent addition to the Gideon ministry is the selection of beautiful greeting cards. One hundred per cent of the funds raised from the sale of these cards is used to purchase Bibles that are then distributed throughout the world.  This was a display at the banquet last night.  Currently there are 280,000 Gideons and Auxiliary memebers in more than 10,000 local groups worldwide.  About 1.5 billion Scriptures have been distributed since 1908--more than 500 million in the last 10 years; 75.9 million last year.  That averages to more than two copies per second!

Where did YOU last see a Gideon Bible?

We Have Books

 

 

 

...and we have more than this!
We have children's books,
art books,
coffee table books,
commentaries,
garden books,
picture books,
decorating books,
Christian leadership books,
inspirational books,
devotional books,
funny books,
serious books.
We DO have books.

My Prayer Today

God make my life a little light, 
   within the world to glow;
A little flame that burneth bright 
   where ever I may go. 
God make my life a little flower 
   that giveth joy to all; 
Content to bloom in native bower 
   although its place be small 
God make my life a little song 
   that comforteth the sad; 
That helpeth others to be strong, 
   and makes the singer glad.
~ M.Betham Edward

Along the lines of this prayer,  you've got to see some of the concrete ways to let our lights shine that Denise posted today! I was particularly encouraged by:

#2 - Develop Strong Personal Relationships:

The Bible knows nothing of solitary saints or spiritual hermits who isolate themselves from other believers. Instead, it says we are put together, joined together, built together, members together, heirs together, fitted together, and held together, and will be caught up together.

In addition to my real life friends, the fellowship and encouragement I've received from my blogging friends has introduced a whole new level of "togetherness" into my life. I am determined to maintain these special relationships until we WILL be caught up together one day - MAYBE SOON!

Memory Lane

Across the table from me yesterday sat these two beautiful women. (Regrettably, this was the best photo I could get given the lighting situation.) One, 92 years of age, is the mother of this dear junior high friend of mine.  When we moved from Winona Lake over 45 years ago, I left behind several friends I'd made while my father attended Grace Seminary.  Yesterday we were reunited!  These are not only friends, but sisters in Jesus Christ.  What a joy to see their souls prospering in the present and to exchange memories of the past. 

I was on the "inside" of the booth so didn't have a chance to take photos on my phone of the two other friends sitting next to me.  I look forward to receiving some that the kind server took of our whole group on another camera..

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.  For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.  3 John 3-4.

Judy summed it up when she said, "What a great time that was! I'm so glad we could get together and catch up. I was thinking today that times like this are a little taste of what heaven will be like. I guess we'll know someday!"

MORE Lemonade

There's going to be a LOT of lemonade here!  This morning was just a start!  (Click here for those details.  Those were just the little lemons).  When it rains, it pours.  And it's been pouring the rest of the day.  I sure hope the lemons don't get any bigger than they are now.  Even so...

...we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts, through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:2-5)

...and I know He watches me!

 I led the singing at Golden Years Retirement Home this morning.  This was one of the songs I selected.  It did me good to affirm the truth of this song.  As I sang, my soul swelled with faith
      and hope
              and joy!

His Eye Is on the Sparrow

1. Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
   Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
   When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
   His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
   His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
   
   
   • Refrain:
     I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
     For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
   
   
2. “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
   And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
   Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
   His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
   His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
3. Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
   When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
   I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
   His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
   His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Ceramics. It Takes a Lot of Faith!

I returned to this interesting and busy ceramic shop this morning.  I had started a project months ago and forgotten it until a friend reminded me!

Yes!  It's open!

Under the tutelage of a kind and experienced teacher/owner (standing in the back), many novice as well as experienced painters produce decorative items to display and give away.

This is MY masterpiece!  I did one last year as a gift for a "secret sis".  It turned out so well that I decided I'd like one myself.  It takes a great deal of faith to believe that this one will end up being white with red berries...but I trust my instructor.

Teresa, the teacher/owner, said that people new to the art find it hard to believe that after firing, pieces will be come out the desired color.  This, I think, is a fine illustration of faith..  Trusting God that in spite of what we see He is at work in the life yielded to Him.  Believing that even the "firing" is part of the process!  Having faith to rely on Him to produce a result that will honor Him and result in us becoming more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

When I Am Afraid....

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?"

Psalm 56:3-4 

 

 

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia! (5th stanza, "For All the Saints"

Through circumstances, His Holy Word, and the words of this great song, God is saying to me today, "Keep your ear on the distant triumph song!  Have a brave heart.  Make your arms strong!" This quote has been in my sidebar for awhile, but I post it here today--a reminder for me and all who are experiencing fierce strife and/or long warfare...

When God places a burden upon you,

He places His arms underneath you.

~anonymous

Underneath ARE the everlasting arms!  I shall NOT be afraid.

Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Blessed "ALL SAINTS" Day!

"To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be SAINTS:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."  (Romans 1:7)

For All the Saints

Text: William W. How, 1823-1897

Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958

Tune: SINE NOMINE, Meter: 10 10 10 with Alleluias

1. For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

2. Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
thou Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

3. O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
and win with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

4. O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

5. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

6. From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Three Bells and All is Well

The last Thursday of every month, people from the local Lutheran church prepare and offer a free meal to all who come.  Until now, "Last Thursdays" came and went for us.  This week we decided to go and check it out. We arrived toward the end of the evening.  (Husband had been raking MORE leaves in anticipation of the rain that would fall later.)  Still there was plenty--hot chicken sandwiches, a choice of three soups, potato chips, fresh vegetables, and several wonderful desserts!

While intended to provide practical assistance to those experiencing hardship due to the economy, they also have seen many single adults turn out for the fellowship.  Since the "Last Thursday" in November falls on Thanksgiving Day, they plan to serve Thanksgiving dinner at noon with all the trimmings. What a great ministry!

The three bells?  I found out last night.  Three small congregations united in the early '60s.  When the new building was built, the bells from the original three church buildings were mounted and are displayed like this near the entrance of this Holy Trinity church.

The use of the bells to mark the time stems from the period when seamen couldn’t afford a personal timepiece and even if they could, they had no idea on how to tell time with such an instrument. So bells marked the hours of the watch in half-hour increments. The seamen would know if it were morning, noon, or night. Each watch was four hours long.

Every crew member shared watch duty, maintaining a constant watch for danger and helping to insure the safety of all souls aboard. The end of each of the six watches were signaled by eight bells. The crewmember would announce, “Eight bells and all is well” as he turned over duty to the next seaman.

Said one explanation about this custom: “Watch is the most important duty aboard any vessel. We each serve a watch for our fellow man while living this life….”

...and that's just as true NOW as THEN!

What Will Be the Sign?

The sign is situated just outside our Post Office.  It is maintained by one of few organizations that exist in our unincorporated small town.  My husband participates in that organization.  After several years of passing by this sign that never changed, I said, "Why don't WE offer to be responsible for it?"

I had many, many ideas and plans.  After the initial change, months went by.  I knew it was now our responsibility.  I asked myself repeatedly, "What can we put up on the sign?"  Finally, last week, armed with some enlarged copies of churches in our community from a presentation my husband did at the local youth center, we changed the display.  "Now more than ever, we need these....Support and attend our local churches", reads the main caption.

The disciples asked Jesus about a sign once.  ""When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"  (Matthew 24:3).  His answer takes up the rest of the chapter.  It includes this:  "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come...you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Jacquelyn commented on my post yesterday telling of a conversation she'd had with a minister's wife. 
     We were talking about transitions they are going through in their semi-retirement and twilight years--she said she wants to "make the last lap the best." Their son, our pastor, told us that each morning they toast their orange juice glasses and say "this may be the day"...looking towards eternity...but then they have faithfully continued to labor in ministry roles.

Isn't that beautiful?!   This MAY BE the day!  We must be ready!

Make This Your Finest Hour

I FINALLY finished it: Three Cups of Tea. I've been distracted lately--distracted but determined to finish this book that I started at least a month ago. I had to renew it once. Three Cups of Tea is the story of one man, Greg Mortenson, who relentlessly pursued the task of building schools in some of the wildest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Two specific quotes inspired me - the first, words of Patsy Collins to Mortenson at a time when he had been receiving threatening letters because of his mission to educate primarily Muslim students around the time of 9/11.  She wrote: "Get out, don't be afraid, and spread your message for peace.  Make this your finest hour."

The second quote that inspired me was what was written on a porcelain pendent that Julia Bergman wore around her neck:  "I want to be used up when I die."

Jesus said, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39).   Some of the most crippling temptations in my life involve "fearing" and "finding"--fearing pain (physical pain and the pain of rejection) and "finding" myself (finding my "niche")  Jesus calls me to lose and use up my life for HIS sake.  By His grace, I want to be used up when I die!