Evening Song - He Knows

Proverbs 15:3  The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Sew Happy Friday - Tutorial for Burp Cloths

Here is a tutorial at the Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth blog for making easy burp cloths for babies. These are really easy to make and would make a fun gift done in pretty or cute flannel fabrics (as shown). Please leave a comment for JES if you like the idea. :-)

Easy to Sew Baby Gift Burp Cloths

P.S. These aren't just for moms. Anyone who helps burp the baby can use these. :-)

The Thousand Word Project - Bowls Full of Color

Psalms 103:5  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things...

Face to Face - A Poem by Martha Snell Nicholson

1 Peter 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

FACE TO FACE

I had a friend whose face I had not seen,
Although I knew her heart, for we had been
Exchanging letters for so many years.
She told me all her joys and hopes and fears,

And I told mine, and so we felt that we
Were just as close an any friends could be.
And then one day my friend came through the door!
And I have learned that there was something more

I had not known about her - how her face
lights up, a certain dignity and grace,
Her quick responsiveness, her tender smile,
Though tears were shining in her eyes the while,

Her sensitiveness - this I understand
Since I have felt her touch upon my hand.
I find that I had never dreamed nor guessed
How much of soul and spirit is expressed.

By this strange envelope of flesh we wear,
So will it be when I am standing there
Before the throne of Him I love so much,
It may be I shall never feel His touch,

Lest I should swoon before His very feet;
But through my blinding tears my eyes shall meet
My SAVIOUR's eyes - deep wells of tenderness
Which court my heart and all my soul possess.

And I shall hear His voice, as of a bell;
And listening, its every tone will tell
The glory of His love; and I shall see
Those scars which He will bear eternally.

And written there upon His lovely face,
In plainest print, the story of His grace
Which was so dear within His written Word,
But now, the living Word Himself, the Lord!

O ye who wait with longing hearts, shall not the Bride,
When she beholds her Bridegroom's face, be satisfied?

by Martha Snell Nicholson

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Painting: "Summer Evening" by Childe Hassam

Evening Song - Softly and Tenderly (Jesus Is Calling)

Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Re-purposing Less than Great Watercolor Paintings

This tutorial from Sandy Allnock shows how to use watercolor practice paintings or "strays" for other projects. She demonstrates making them into bookmarks, but this method could easily be done for making smaller pieces for adding to homemade greeting cards or for scrap books or journals.

One thought that occurred to me is that you could have you children paint some fun watercolor washes and then use them to make other projects. This would be a fun way to work together to make some pretty gifts or cards.

The Thousand Word Project - Fruitful

Psalms 92:13-15  Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;  To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Photos taken at Shangri La Botanical Gardens, Orange, Texas.

Thoughts on Discipline and Purpose

Luke 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Jesus called us to be His disciples because we need discipline. Having a "purpose" may sound good, but it won't get the job done without discipline to follow through. Discipline is what it takes to do things when you're excited or when you're not, when you are motivated or when you're not, when you're full of purpose or when you're not. Discipline is what it takes to live day in and day out for the Lord. It's what is needed to overcome the hard things, to walk in victory, to walk after the Spirit.

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Excitement, enthusiasm, and "revival" wear off. The meetings end and we go back to every day life. The trip to camp is over and after a few weeks it isn't as fresh and meaningful as it was when we were sitting there. The thrill of "conviction" and the emotion of the invitation doesn't go with us through the weeks and months that follow. These are not the things that make us strong to LIVE daily in the Spirit, to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Discipline is a way of living that reaches to every hour of every day. It is a way of life.

I am not talking about the so-called "spiritual disciplines." Those have their roots in mysticism and monasticism. They have more to do with the denying of the flesh which has a show of wisdom, but is not real. Colossians 2:20-23  Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,  (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

We need to get under our bodies and bring them into subjection to Christ so that we can be doers of the word and not just hearers only (James 1:22). It is the thing that will carry us through the times when we are weary in well doing and all the enthusiasm, excitement, purpose, willingness, revival, etc. have died or lost their shine.

Someone once said something like this to me, "I don't want to have to have revival to live for the Lord. I don't want to get all excited and be up here and then it wears off and I'm down here. I want to live steadily for the Lord all the time." This is what we should want. The roller coaster of experience based Christianity will never truly satisfy or bring consistent progress in following Christ because it is a closed circuit and only repeats itself over and over - euphoric highs and miserable lows followed by sluggish climbs back to the highs.

To be Jesus' disciples we need to follow His example. Sitting at His feet, reading His word and learning of Him. Walking in truth. Being edified among the saints. Looking beyond this life to that blessed hope and not being bogged down in the moment, while still dealing with it.

Philippians 3:12-14  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

We should never think that we have "arrived." We should be continually pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Pressing requires consistent action. Discipline. It means pressing steadily through the things that make us want to quit, without the artificial stimulant of excitement, enthusiasm, etc.

A perseverance driven life is what we should be looking for, not just a purpose. One may acknowledge a purpose and yet not follow through in doing it, but if one is disciplined to persevere there will be a faithful forward movement over all in the Christian life regardless of circumstances or the struggles with the flesh. We will find Jesus Christ delivering us from the body of this death even when we feel like we are doing more that we don't want to do than what we want to do.

Romans 7:19-25  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

While having a purpose is a good thing, one also might find that the purpose one chose to follow was not a God-given purpose. There are so many apparently good "purposes" that are available today in Christendom - fighting abortion, political activism, exposing "conspiracies", caring for the homeless or suffering, and much more. If these things are not done with eternity and salvation in view, they can  be and often are nothing more than a good purpose in an earthly sense. Whatever good they accomplish is "under the sun." It is not the gold, silver, and precious stones that will stand the fire at the judgment seat of Christ. There are many ways that people waste their lives doing "good works" that aren't really eternal in the economy of God. They tend more toward laying up treasure on earth than treasure in heaven.

1 Corinthians 3:12-13  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Then there are the "purposes" of "following your dreams" and "doing what you love" and many similar worldly philosophies. These also are not things of eternal value unless it is something that we are told to do in scripture.

1 Peter 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Strive to be a faithful and disciplined disciple of Jesus Christ and you will be one who more consistently walks after the Spirit and not after the flesh. When we follow his steps we can know that we are walking in purposes that are glorifying to God. All the rest of life will fall into order and take care of itself when we discipline ourselves do this.

Acts 4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

When we obey Christ and walk in the ways He has showed us, when we sit at His feet and hear His word (Luke 10:39 and 8:35), our lives will show that we are His disciples. But, it is something for which we must strive, and it requires discipline and perseverance. A quiet consistent life governed by discipline will go farther than one swayed by emotions and Christian fads.

Let's run the race before us with patience (Hebrews 12:1), and be temperate (not given to extremes) in all things (1 Corinthians 9:25), showing that discipline that is necessary fight a good fight and finish our course to the glory of God.

2 Timothy 4:7-8  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Evening Song - Covered by the Blood

Hebrews 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

1 John 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

The Thousand Word Project - Pink Wood Sorrel

Wood sorrel or Oxalis

The winds of heaven gathered there as pure and cold as dew;
Wood-sorrel and wild violets along the hedgerows grew,
The blossom on the pear-trees was as white as flakes of foam
In the orchard 'neath the shadow of those distant hills of home.

From "The Hills of Home" by Malcolm Humphrey

The Autumn Tea Cup and Mug Exchange

Photo property of Stephanie Dunsdon at The Enchanting Rose.

The September Tea Cup and Mug Exchange starts today over at Stephanie's web site, The Enchanting Rose. If you want to sign up, go on over and look over the rules and sign up. It is a very enjoyable exchange to participate in. I will be sitting this one out because of some extra busy-ness this Fall, but I would normally have enjoyed it. I hope some of you will if you can.

Please know that it is not for the U.S. only, so you can participate if you live in another country. Also, it is not necessary to have a blog in order to participate.

Click Here to Sign Up.

Colossians 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

A Day to Remember

 

It might come as a surprise to some of my readers when I say that today is quite probably the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ. I base this statement on an extensive research that was done some years back at the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy in California. You may read the full article on this research by Dr. Craig Chester to learn more about it. 

With modern science it is now possible to use a computer to display the night sky from any location at any time in past known history. Out of curiosity a group of astronomers decided to set their machine to demonstrate what the night sky would have looked like to the wise men from the East and on their journey to Israel during the time frame of Christ’s birth (approximately 3 B.C., due to corrupting of the calendar). What Dr. Chester and his fellow astronomers learned by viewing the movement of the stars, sun, moon, and planets during that period of time was that there was in fact an amazing series of events in the night sky that the wise men, being proficient in reading the heavens, would have been able read. From this they were able to learn that there was indeed a great King born in Bethlehem. Interestingly enough, the date that He was most likely born was September 11th.

“September 11, 3 B.C., is perhaps the most interesting date of all. Not only was Jupiter very close to Regulus in the first of their conjunctions, but the sun was in the constellation of Virgo (of obvious symbolism- the Virgin), together with the new moon (a Jewish symbolic event), in a configuration that fits a plausible interpretation of a passage in the Book of Revelation describing the birth of a male child who is to be the ruler of the universe. Significantly, September 11, 3 B.C., also marked the beginning of the Jewish New Year, traditionally regarded as the anniversary of Noah's landing after the Great Flood.”

By studying the course of Abia (Luke 1:5-8), some have concluded that it is pretty certain that Christ was born in the spring or fall – not on December 25th. However, with the star research now available, it seems safe to say that it was most likely in September, and probably the 11th.

A Different Perspective

Isaiah 5:20-23  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

There has been a lot of speculation about the World Trade debacle and a lot of accusations regarding conspiracies. It certainly was a conspiracy, but whether it was solely the work of Muslim zealots, whether other entities were involved, and whether the U.S. government was apprised of the impending disaster is up for some debate – or maybe I should say a lot of debate. 

My perspective personally is that it doesn’t matter a whole lot what was going on “behind the scenes," there is nothing I can do about it now no matter what the scenario. I know that there have been situations in past history where the leaders of a country decided not to heed a warning or allowed a dangerous situation to occur because they needed an “event” to justify going to war. On the other hand, there have also been significant sabotage events that were a complete surprise to the powers that be. It really doesn’t matter that much how it all came about since the event is over and there is nothing truly constructive we can do about the conspiracy involved. (Note: Please see my previous post on how we can remember 9-11 and turn the evil intentions to good: Overcoming Evil with Good.) God is the righteous judge and only He can mete justice where it is truly deserved.  Romans 12:19  …Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Regardless of what the conspiracies of men may be, you can count on there having been one conspirator who was orchestrating the whole thing from start to finish, and that is Satan, the roaring lion who seeks to devour. 1 Peter 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

The fact that the date he chose was September 11 makes me wonder. I’m inclined to think that he knew full well what he was doing. The father of lies (John 8:44), who has convinced the world to celebrate “Christ’s birth” on December 25th, one of his own particular unholy days, certainly is aware of the actual day that Jesus Christ was born. And, look at the evil that has been caused by the September 11th event: thousands of people died (including Jews); Israel has been blamed for the attack and singled out to suffer for it; Islam has been both blamed and “nice-ified” and re-characterized as “peaceful” and “good” (an up-side-down response from our politically correct society); more war and violence has been justified; and, significantly to the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10), Christians have been encouraged and inspired to bow more zealously to the golden calf of patriotism and militarism. [Disclaimer – some content and I do not agree with all of this author’s viewpoint.]

Could all this be a mere accident? I think not. In the big scheme of things, there is altogether too much “coincidence” to make this an accident.

What Are We Doing?

I have lamented before, and probably will again, that more Christians don’t see the point in observing the birth of Jesus Christ at the time it was most likely to have happened. We’re told repeatedly by our fellow believers that they are observing “Christmas” in December to honor Christ’s birth. How much more would it honor Him if the church separated from the carnal activities of December and had its celebrations at a totally different time of the year – a more appropriate time? (Read more.)

I would not object to observing Jesus’ birth in September, but it is not something that the church is commanded to do and we have not felt compelled to do so privately. But, I have to say that in April this year when we, the church of the Lord, were observing the resurrection of Christ it grieved my heart when I stopped to think about how a whole month of the year is preoccupied with allegedly celebrating His birth, while we generally give less than a week to the remembrance of His death, burial and resurrection. Can this please God?

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

1 Corinthians 15:13-20 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

While the birth of Jesus Christ is important and a very precious and wonderful thing, it is His death and resurrection that are the central point of all history. How is it that the Lord’s church celebrates the first to such extremes and the second so little? But, I digress.

In Conclusion

I think there was a lot more at stake the day the World Trade Center was destroyed. This should not be a surprise to Christians. The book of Daniel tells us a little about the tremendous spiritual battle that is going on unknown by us. We catch small glimpses of it at times in different ways. When anything as significant as that event happens, it is a given that great spiritual forces of evil were at work one way or another. If this day truly was the day the Prince of Peace was born in Bethlehem we can hardly wonder that it would be chosen for such an event. But, as the servants of the Prince of Peace - the ultimate Victor in the end - how should we be remembering that day? We should be living in His peace and striving to pass it on to others. This is the way to honor the Lord not only on the probable day of His birth, but every day that He gives us upon this earth.

Colossians 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.


Romans 10:15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Evening Song - I Am Bound for the Promised Land

John 14:1-3  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

FREE Scripture Graphic - Rejoice In the Lord - Card Making, Printable

Here is another scripture graphic for you to save and use. Click here, then click on the download button in the lower right corner to save this to your computer. You may simply click on the graphic below and download it as well, but I'm not sure if the size is reduced for the blog. (Please do not link to this graphic here. It is free for the taking, so please save it to your computer and upload it to your own source if you wish to use it online. No credit is necessary unless you wish to give it.)

This graphic in its original form came from The Old Design Shop.

Tennessee Memories - Late Summer

Genesis 8:22  While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

It Is Jesus - A Poem by Annie Johnson Flint

Matthew 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

There is a Voice through Earth's wild clamor calling,
To all the heavy laden and oppressed,
Sweet as the cooling dew at even falling;
"Come unto Me and rest."

It is the voice of Jesus still entreating,
To all the comfortless and all the sad;
Day after day His tender call repeating,
"Come unto Me and I will make you glad."

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.



I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Come unto me and rest;
lay down, O weary one, lay down
your head upon my breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was,
so weary, worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting place,
and he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Behold, I freely give
the living water, thirsty one,
stoop down and drink and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“I am this dark world’s light;
look unto me; your morn shall rise,
and all your day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found
in him my star, my sun;
and in that light of life I’ll walk
till traveling days are done.

- Horatius Bonar

Writing Challenge #8

Well, as you no doubt know if you've been around here any length of time, I love poetry. So, it would hardly be acceptable for me not to include some challenges relating to poetry. Since I consider nature one of the easier subjects to address, we'll start here.

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Write a poem about something in nature.

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It can be anything in nature.

It can be as short as you like.

It doesn't have to rhyme.

Personally I prefer rhyming poetry for the most part, but it is up to you in this case since it is your poem and this isn't school. :-)

Here is an example of a poem I wrote on something in nature: The Reflecting Tree.

I will try to do this challenge this month also, but I wanted to include this example now. Please don't assume this will be easy for me. I tend to only write poetry when the right mood hits me, so it's uncertain if I'll be able to work myself into that mood for this challenge or not. haha

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Painting in logo: Faraway Thoughts by Langley Walters