Another Year Is Dawning

Another Year Is Dawning

by Frances Ridley Havergal

Another year is dawning:
Dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with Thee;
Another year of leaning
Upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting,
Of quiet, happy rest.

Continue Reading.

(Open poem link in another tab or window to enjoy the music at the same time.)

Psalm 90:12-17 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. 

Evening Song - He Leadeth Me

Psalm 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

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Christmas for Lonely People

Christmas Eve for Lonely People

Here is a blog post written by my dad. I only wish I’d seen it yesterday. But it isn’t too late to show compassion on someone today or this week.

By the way, don’t forget New Year’s Eve. Some people, unmarried young adults especially, get very stressed about that when they have nowhere to go and/or no one to go with. If you run across someone like that invite them over or take them to your church function with you on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

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. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own...

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. 

Thoughts On Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle invented the most famous detective of all time - Sherlock Holmes. His skill as a writer is unquestionable. Sadly, that can't be said for his spiritual life. He was called the Apostle of Spiritualism and was heavily involved in the pursuit of supernatural things of a devilish type. I wrote this article some years ago and recently went over again. I don't believe I've shared it on the blog before, so today is the day.

Job 32:9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. 

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Apostle of Spiritualism
Somewhere in my teens I became very interested in the Sherlock Holmes stories. My brother and I read all that we could get our hands on and I even had a few books of my own. One day my dad bought two volumes by Arthur Conan Doyle for me at a yard sale because they had several Sherlock Holmes stories among the others. I read the Holmes stories, and then some of the other stories that were in the books. The other stories turned out to be quite enlightening, but not in the sense that I was expecting. I was rather surprised at the "fiendish female" ghost stories as well as a bizarre "romance" with a weird conclusion and other strange tales. I don't recall the names of the stories now, but the Lord used those books to really wake us up to the fact that Doyle was much more than slightly off...

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - Jesus Lover of My Soul

John 15:12-14 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 

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Tutorial for Making Paper Snowflakes

A simple tutorial for making paper snowflakes. To copy the various designs shown pause the video.
Enjoy! :-)
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Job 38:22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, 

Snowflakes are beautiful,
Pure and white,
And like God's children,
No two are alike.
- unknown

The Little Doors - by Annie Johnson Flint

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The Little Doors

Oh, strait and narrow is the door,
The little door of loss,
By which we enter in to Christ,
The low door of the Cross;
But when we put away our pride,
And in contrition come,
We find it is the only way
That leads to God and Home.

Continue Reading.

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Painting: "Winter Lake" by Edward Willis Redfield

Evening Song - The Way of the Cross

Colossians 2:13-15 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 

Hebrews 10:19-20 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 

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Feel Good Wednesday - Bergheim Store

Here's a little Texas history to brighten up your week. :-)





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Evening Song - Sing to Me of Heaven

John 14:2-3 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. 

Colossians 1:3-5 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 

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Free Vintage Paper Dolls

Here is a link to some free vintage paper dolls from 1917 over at The Old Design Shop.

Vintage Paper Dolls

Click on the lower pictures for larger images and save and print from them. 

Thoughts from the Past - Where the Sheep Are

A post from the past. Edited.
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Last week (Feb. 2013) I posted a couple of poems about the Good Shepherd.  This week I wanted to share a thought about the sheep.

John 10:14 says, I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. And, John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

So, if the sheep know the good shepherd and follow Him, we can know them by where they are. Where is that? Psalm 23 tells us.

Psalm 23:1-6 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth 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 thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

v. 2 – In green pastures and beside still waters.  They will be where they can get good, appropriate spiritual food and the living waters that Jesus Christ gives.

v. 3 – In paths of righteousness.  They will not be walking in the ways of sin as a steady habit (1 Jn. 2:1).  The Good Shepherd will call them away from sin unto Himself.

v. 4 – In the valley of the shadow of death.  Not all the places will be “good” places in the sense of being places of ease and pleasure.  But, they will be with the Lord in those places and will find comfort from Him and from the protection that He gives them.

v. 5 – In the presence of their enemies.  Again, not all the places are what some would call “good”.  Yet, even when forced into the presence of enemies (and a good sheep will have enemies!), they will find the things they need to sustain them provided for them by their Shepherd.

v. 6 – In the house of the Lord for ever.  Some would say this is being “in church”.  It has a more eternal context to it, though.  I think it goes far beyond the idea of a building and focuses on being a member of God’s flock both in this life and the life to come.  When we become a sheep in God’s flock in the church age, we are members all the time and for ever, not just when we’re in a building with other sheep.

The main thing that we’ll always see with a sheep who hears and follows the Lord Jesus is that they are where the Lord led them.  They won’t be socializing in the wolves’ den or running with goats or playing footsie with the lion.  They will be following the Good Shepherd.

John 12:26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 
 
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Follow Thou Me – A poem by Annie Johnson Flint.
“My Sheep Know My Voice” a good old song sung very simply.

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First published here Feb. 2013

Evening Song - May the Mind of Christ My Savior

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 

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Thanksgiving

 Psalm 92:1-5 

 A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. 

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. 

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Vintage graphic source.

Thoughts from Hymns - The Greatness of God

Photo property of Stephanie - The Enchanting Rose

It's good to remember and think upon the greatness of God. Here is a post by Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose based upon this hymn:

Great God of Wonders

Psalm 96:4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

Psalm 48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. 

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!

(translated by Stuart K. Hine)

Evening Song - When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder

Job 19:26-27 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

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How to Make Your Own Brown Sugar

Photo property of shop.myblueprint.com

Making your own brown sugar is very easy. My mom started doing it years ago because we enjoyed eating it on our hot cereal and it was more expensive than white sugar. (That's one of those ridiculous things where you pay more for something that takes less effort because brown sugar isn't processed as long as white, but I digress.) My mom made hers in a food processor. I make mine in my Kitchen Aid stand mixer. This tutorial shows mixing it by hand with a fork.

Make Brown Sugar

It Is Finished - A Poem by James Proctor

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. 

Matthew 27:48-51 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 

It Is Finished

Nothing, either great or small—
Nothing, sinner, no;
Jesus died and paid it all,
Long, long ago.

When He, from His lofty throne,
Stooped to do and die,
Ev’rything was fully done;
Hearken to His cry!

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - On Zion's Glorious Summit

Revelation 4:10-11 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. 

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On Zion’s glorious summit stood
A numerous host redeemed by blood!
They hymned their king in strains divine;
I heard the song and strove to join,
I heard the song and strove to join.

Here all who suffered sword or flame
For truth, or Jesus’ lovely name,
Shout victory now and hail the Lamb,
And bow before the great I AM,
And bow before the great I AM.

While everlasting ages roll,
Eternal love shall feast their soul,
And scenes of bliss, for ever new,
Rise in succession to their view,
Rise in succession to their view.

Sanctus (after last verse)

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of hosts, on high adored!
Who like me Thy praise should sing,
O Almighty King!
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of hosts, on high adored!
Holy, holy, holy.

by John Kent

Sew Happy Wednesday - Tutorials for Making Your Own Shopping Bags

Here are two tutorials for making your own shopping bags. One is a soft bag that would be comfortable to carry on your shoulder perhaps in a farmer's market. The other is a large sturdy tote for carrying large amounts of groceries home from the store.

Photo: Sew4Home.com

Soft and Stuffable Cotton Shopping Bags

Photo: Sew4Home.com

DIY Re-usable Grocery Bags

Please Pray for Australia

"Multiple very dangerous, very powerful fires can be seen across NENSW with some intensifying over SEQLD. The smoke plumes are some of the largest Ive ever seen for Australia with some of the plumes pushing as far as 600-700km from their point of origin!" - Higgins Storm Chasing. Photo: RMMB/CIRA

Psalm 145:8-9 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 

I don't usually use this blog to ask specific prayer requests, as my long time readers will know. However, I have decided to ask for prayer about the terrible bushfires in Australia. As some of you know, we have family and friends in Australia, and some of them live in areas that could be threatened by fires. But, I'm burdened about the seriousness of the situation there in general, not just from a personal interest. I realize California also needs prayer, so I mention it in passing, but in Australia they are literally running out of manpower to control the situation. Their firefighters have also been working hard for some time now.

We had already been praying for rain for our family and others there for some time. Many people in Queensland get their water from collection systems and they are completely dependent on rain fall for their water. In extremities they may order water brought in with a truck, but this is an expense and also there may be a wait period since so many people are ordering water at present. With the fires burning wildly in some areas this poses an even more serious problem as water tanks of local people may be empty or nearly so and wells (boreholes) may be few and far between.

My sister-in-law wrote:

"Queensland and NSW [New South Wales] are suffering terribly under extremely dry (tinder-box) conditions with incredibly bad bushfires destroying people's properties - fire-fighters are stretched so thin that some fires aren't being managed at all because there's not enough people to take care of it all - residents are being ignored and left without help because there is no help to be had.  We are in such desperate need of rain.  Please, please pray... 

The forecast is for more winds coming up over the next week (we've been having a lot of burning hot, windy weather already).  Conditions are ripe for more fires."

If you are on Facebook you can go here to read about this dire situation: https://www.facebook.com/HigginsStormChasing/ Among many other amazing and tragic things, there is a story of one town that has been 80% destroyed! Some people have literally escaped with the clothes on their backs and nothing else. [There have been requests for donations, but please use good judgment and do some research before you do something like that. I don't know anything about the people involved or whether they are to be trusted.]

I know there are Christians in these areas. My own family members live in Queensland and they have other Christian friends and family around a large-ish area.

Please keep this situation in prayer and also pray for rain for the affected areas. I especially would ask prayer for the testimonies of the believers there who have opportunity to minister to others through these terrible events. Pray that precious souls will be brought into the fold through this.

Psalm 117:1-2 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. 

Evening Song – Have You Any Room for Jesus?

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Another Ramble through the Michigan Woods

Photo property of Plants Amaze Me.

I posted a link to this page some weeks back explaining that I lived part of my youth in this area - Western Michigan. Here is another ramble in the Michigan woods from a year ago around this time. I enjoy these photos so much.

A Fun Find On the First Day of November 2018

When through the woods and forest glades I wander

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,

And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:

How great thou art! How great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:

How great thou art! How great thou art!

Carl G. Boberg [Translated by Henry K. Hine]

Evening Song - Under His Wings

Psalm 91:3-6 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 

Tennessee Memories - Autumn Road

Proverbs 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet,
and let all thy ways be established. 

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Photos taken in Kingston, Tennessee, 2007.

Not Down But Through - A Poem by Annie Johnson Flint

Photo by Dan or Clara Van Nattan

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

"When Thou passest through the waters,"
Deep the waves may be and cold,
But Jehovah is our refuge,
And his promise is our hold;
For the Lord himself has said it,
He, the faithful God and true;
"When you come to the waters
You will not go down, but through."

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - No, Never Alone

Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.



Disclaimer on source. I do not know anything about this man.
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Tennessee Memories - Autumn Memo

Crisp autumn days with crackling leaves that crunch beneath our feet,
A sky like clear blue glass, or rain that rushes in a sheet;
The splendid smells of asters, nuts, and burning leaves --
Who would have thought that death could smell so sweet?

- Mary E. Stephens
(excerpt from Autumn Thoughts)

Saffron Crocus

Thought from the Past - Schools As Social Agencies

Here is an item copied years ago from The Fairhaven Fundamentalist:

A new mantra has crept into the stream of discourse about government's role in social services. Identified as an African proverb, it is, "It takes a whole village to raise a child."

This statement is false, if not ridiculous. It takes a family, especially a mother and father, to raise a child, and most parents don't want the whole village butting into the raising of their children because they know that, if the village usurps parental prerogatives, the village will teach children behavior the parents don't want them to learn.

The "Whole Village" mantra is not merely a rhetorical flourish or poetic license. It is the indicia of a major initiative of the social services professionals to expand their turf at the expense of parental authority and responsibility.

The key to catching most or all school children in the social-service web, whether their families want such services or not, is the categorization of children as "at risk," a magic phrase used to authorize the state to do whatever it wants with children. The more children who are designated as "at risk," the more personnel and funds the public schools can demand ...

No issue in America today is more important than education. We must not allow the public schools to teach children that parents are irrelevant and that the government will be their baby sitter, their nanny, their doctor, their nurse, their psychiatrist, and ultimately their employment agency. Our goal must be to teach all children how to read, to know about our great American heritage, and to be educated to fulfill their individual God-given potential.

 ... Copied [Disclaimer on source.]
(I apologize that I did not record the date of this item.)

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Comments on previous article by Mary E. Stephens (updated Oct. 2019):

Here is another good reason to teach your kids at home. The less your children are in the "village," the less opportunity the "villagers" have to tear down your standards. These "villagers" WILL try to "educate" your children with their "values" if you give them the chance, whether it's by sending them to the public school or letting them watch T.V., play ungodly games (computer, video, board, etc.), or any other unprofitable thing.

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

If you are supposed to beware, then why would you let man "spoil" your children by these very things?

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - Every Moment of Every Day

Psalm 145:1-2 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

A Friendly Reminder About Halloween

Romans 13:12-14 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. 

Just a friendly reminder about why Halloween is something that followers of Jesus Christ should not be doing.

Why We Don't Celebrate Halloween

Hard Questions: What would the Ephesian Believers Think of Halloween, Twilight and Harry Potter in Christian Homes?

Thoughts from Hymns - The Mercies of God

Photo property of Stephanie - The Enchanting Rose.

Here are some thoughts on God's mercy and an old hymn posted by Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose.

When All Thy Mercies, O My God

From another hymn -

The mercies of God! What a theme for my song,
Oh! I never could number them o'er;
They're more than the stars in the heavenly dome,
Or the sands of the wave beaten shore.

- Thomas O. Chisholm

Lamentations 3:22-24 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 

Evening Song - I Am Presuaded

Romans 8:33-39 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Watercolor Painting with Three Colors - A Tutorial

Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors are my favorite student grade watercolors. Probably this is because they are the almost the only ones I have ever used. :-) They are what I started with and they helped me learn quite a lot about watercolor and to realize that I wanted to proceed to the professional paints. As this artists says, it is not necessary to buy a large set. It is probably better not to if you want to learn to mix colors.

Working with three colors is a good way to learn to blend and mix colors - something good for water-colorists to be comfortable with. I did some tiny paintings using just three colors earlier this year and it was very interesting and satisfying.

Because these paints are not very expensive, they are also good for the hobbyist who wants to paint some simple greeting cards. They will give you better color saturation than many of the really cheap student paints. Of course, for good results you will need to buy watercolor paper.

Evening Song - Come, Every Soul by Sin Oppressed

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

John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 

Feel Good Wednesday - Be the Blessing Bakery

Here's a short story from Texas that should encourage someone today. Hopefully it's you. :-)

Galatians 2:10 Only they would that we should remember the poor...




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In Heavenly Love Abiding - A Poem

Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 

A poem by Miss A. L. Waring

In heavenly love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear,
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - Follow, I Will Follow Thee

John 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 

Beautiful Michigan Woodlands

Psalm 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

Photo property of Plants Amaze Me

This is a page I enjoy visiting from time to time because the person who does it lives in the area where I was born and lived for a number of years of my life. She is in Western Michigan. This is the kind of landscape I sometimes enjoyed in my youth. :-) Please go over and enjoy the woodland ramble.

Plants Amaze Me - Ross Coastal Plain Marsh

Thoughts from Hymns - Power In Jesus' Blood

photo: Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose

Hebrews 9:12-14 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

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. 

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Here is another good hymn post from Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose.

Nothing But the Blood

No blood, no altar now,
The sacrifice is o’er!
No flame, no smoke ascends on high,
The Lamb is slain no more,
But richer blood has flowed from nobler veins,
To purge the soul from guilt, and cleanse the reddest stains.

We thank Thee for the blood,
The blood of Christ, Thy Son:
The blood by which our peace is made,
Our victory is won:
Great victory o'er hell, and sin and woe
That needs no second fight, and leaves no second foe.

Excerpt from hymn by Horatius Bonar

Evening Song - Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Thoughts from the Past -- God’s Glory

June 11, 2006 [edited]
God's Glory

Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Here is another verse that shows us conclusively that Jesus Christ is God Almighty.
The LORD says He will not give His glory to another, yet in the New Testament we find Jesus Christ receiving glory repeatedly. (Look it up. Search it out.) Therefore, Jesus Christ must be God the LORD.

Peter wrote through the Holy Ghost that Jesus Christ should receive glory for ever. 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. That is certainly a God-like glory.

2 Peter 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

This last passage is extremely powerful, for it describes the worship as it happens in heaven before the throne of God Almighty. If Jesus Christ were not very God, this would absolutely not be permitted for, as we read in Isaiah, the Lord will not give His glory to another.

This may seem like a repeating the obvious to some, but with all the people today who are set on "reinventing Jesus" it is timely and good to keep this fresh in our minds. Man is constantly attempting to bring Jesus Christ down to his level and make Him a mere man. But, God has highly exalted Him and given Him His glory - the glory God will not give to another!

Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

May God find us giving glory His Son!

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First posted here 4/'12.

Evening Song - The Way of the Cross Leads Home

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:

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Sew Happy Wednesday - Some Helpful Sewing and Quilting Tips

Here are some helpful tips about sewing, things that you may not know even if you have sewn for years. Some of these tips are general to all sewing and a couple are more geared towards quilting. However, even the two quilting tips may apply to some other sewing projects. I learned some things that I didn't know before despite the fact that I've been sewing for around 30 years. I hope you learn something useful too. :-)



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Did You Meme That? - Blaming Grandparents for Bad Grandchildren

Today being grandparents' day, this meme seemed like a good topic to address. I hope this encourages someone.

"The test of a parent's Christianity is his children's children! It is not enough that my children walk in the ways of the Lord. The true test is where my grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue to walk in God's ways."  - Nancy Campbell from Above Rubies Ministry

This quote probably sounds really convicting and/or inspiring to some people. But, the truth is that it is a lie. The reason is that it is in direct contradiction to the word of God.

People like to think that if they live just right and do everything just the way their teachers tell them God likes it, their descendants will turn out to be good, godly Christians. (Notice that it's the teachers that they listen to, not God's word.) The "christian" patriarchy movement has served up this lie in various ways by teaching parents and grandparents that they are personally responsible for the future, salvation, and Christianity of their children. This is a false teaching, perhaps we should even say heresy since it can directly affect the doctrine of salvation.

What does God actually say about this specific subject?

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - According to Thy Lovingkindness, Father

Psalm 51:1-19 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. 

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Thoughts from Hymns - Sweet Rest

Graphic property of Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose.

Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him...

Here is a good thought from a hymn. It was posted last year by Stephanie at the Enchanting Rose. I hope you will be encouraged and learn some useful things, as well as enjoying her lovely photographs. :-)

Sweetly Resting

This post also reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

"Faith is rest, not toil. It is the giving up all the former weary efforts to do or feel something good, in order to induce God to love and pardon; and the calm reception of the truth so long rejected, that God is not waiting for any such inducements, but loves and pardons of His own goodwill, and is showing that goodwill to any sinner who will come to Him on such a footing, casting away his own poor performances or goodnesses, and relying implicitly upon the free love of Him who so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son." Horatius Bonar

Also a quote from another hymn:

Jesus, I am resting, resting,

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Jean S. Pigot

Evening Song - Only Believe

Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 

Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Creatures Great and Small - The Little Green Eyed Monster

Photos taken in Tennessee.

Forgiven - A Poem

Forgiven

Not far from New York, in a cemetery lone,

Close guarding its grave, stands a simple headstone,

And all the inscription is one word alone—

Forgiven.

No sculptor’s fine art hath embellish’d its form,

But constantly there, through the calm and the storm,

It beareth this word from a poor fallen worm—

Forgiven.

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions

Isaiah 53:5-7 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 

Sew Happy Wednesday - Two Quick and Easy Quilt Tutorials

These tutorials are not as in depth as some, but the information is enough to make the quilts if you already have some quilting skills. :-)

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Short Thought – Free To Serve

The past week has been a rather difficult one. I apologize for the lack of posts lately as I was not diligent enough in getting things planned ahead. I had not scheduled all the posts through this time period so, there was nothing to fall back on except the Saturday evening music posts, which were the only ones scheduled. Hopefully this week will be more normal and productive, although I am still recovering from an emergency root canal and infection (too much to tell briefly!).

This post from March 2011 originally was published as a "Breakfast Rambling" - a category that I have somehow left behind. :-)
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Psalm 105:43-45 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:  And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people; That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.

After recounting so much of Israel’s history as a nation, particularly the deliverance from Egypt, the writer gives the purpose that God did this for them (plural) as opposed to the fact that He did it for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (vs. 6, 9-10, 42) individually (so to speak).  God delivered them from bondage so that they could “observe his statutes, and keep his laws.” 

When the Lord delivers us from the bondage of sin and the devil it is so that we may serve Him with reverence and godly fear.  It is so that we can obey His word in the church age context.

Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

When we don’t obey we tend toward the same problems Israel had – a lust for the old “pleasures” and a return to bondage, both old and new.  The “freedom indeed” that we have in Christ is not freedom to do our own thing, but freedom from bondage so that we might serve God acceptably.

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another… 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Evening Song - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

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.

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Evening Song - A World We Never Touch

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

https://www.johnmarshallfamily.com/

FREE Poem Graphic - Annie Johnson Flint - God's Great Grace

Here is another vintage graphic that I edited. The original came from somewhere online. You can save the image from here, but it will not be very high quality. You can get it in higher quality if you go over and download it here. (Use the download button in the lower right corner.)

If you wish to use this online, please do not link to the graphic from either of my locations. Save it to your own computer and then upload it to the place where you store graphics online for you own use. Thank you.

[Note: It's OK to link the graphic from here only if you are sharing the link to this specific post on my blog - either on your own blog or in social media.] :-)

Enjoy!

Thoughts from the Past – But They Are so Wicked! How Can They Be Saved?

Jan. 11, 2006 [edited]
But They Are So Wicked!

Last fall I was visiting a neighbor of ours who was concerned because a relative of hers was about to die and she was not confident of his salvation. He had made a profession of salvation in his youth, but he never lived like a saved man. I mentioned the verse ...by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:20 She agreed, but pointed out that the Bible also says that some will be saved yet as by fire. (1 Corinthains 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.)

I think that sometimes we are too quick to judge someone's salvation. We see some things or hear some things and we assume, "That person can't be saved."

In my evening Bible reading I recently came across this passage, which caused me to stop and think:
Psalm 78:34-39 When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God. 35 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. 36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. 37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. 38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. 39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

This Psalm recounts God's dealings with Israel. First of all, we see that God did chasten them. Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. So, we know that if a professing Christian is never chastened they are not truly God's child.

But, notice that even though they returned to God for a time, Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. Also, ...their heart was not right with him...
When we see a professing Christian living like the devil or totally engrossed in the traditions of man or cares of this life, we are sometimes inclined to think, "How can they be saved?" Yet here we see under the Old Testament covenant that God chastened His children, yes, and they returned to Him; but they then proceeded to lie to Him, and their heart was not right with Him! Could this not happen under the New Testament covenant as well?

In these days of jackboot preachers, compromisers, those sunken in defeat, and other assorted doubtful characters who profess Christ, we can easily tend to question other's salvation. After all, how many have proven to be liars and flatters to God (saying they put Him first in their lives, when it's plain to see they have not). To assume that they are unsaved because they receive no more immediate punishment may not be appropriate. Asaph tells us that God was full of compassion. He forgave and destroyed not. He turned away His anger. He remembered they were but flesh (Ps. 103:13-17).

If God, in His great mercy, does not see fit to give these people the chastisement we think they deserve, that does not mean they are not saved. Yes, they will have chastening, as Hebrews tells us, but they may not get what we think "they have coming." The Lord has the right to decide to turn away His full wrath. We would all be in trouble if God stirred up all of His wrath, for none of us deserve anything good (Isa. 64:6).

Psalm 78 continues, 40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! 41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

Far from justifying their waywardness and lies, the Lord is provoked and grieved by them. Still, they may actually be His children. But, how sad in the final analyses - they tempted God (to show His holiness) and limited Him! By following man's traditions, by abusing the saints, by walking disorderly, by disobeying His word (and so many other things) these people limit God from what He could have done - for them, for their children, and for others. If you stop and ponder that you will be able to think of a lot of ways that works itself out.

In the end, we must let God be God. If He chooses to show compassion to sinners, who are we to question Him? And, where would we ourselves be without His mercy? While we may be forced to mark and avoid some believers according to New Testament teaching (Rom. 16:17-18, 1 Cor. 5:11-13), it still behooves us to remember Paul's comment in Galatians 2:6 ...(whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:)... In some cases we really cannot know if a person is saved till we get to heaven. Yes, there are many who are not truly saved, but after all - we look on the outward appearance, only God looks on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). 1 Kings 8:39 Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;) [Emphasis added.]

I am reminded of a small incident from my dad's youth. He was complaining to an older brother in the Lord about some lady missionary whom he had seen really misbehaving. The man called him up short with this comment: "Just imagine what she would like if she wasn't saved!" Hm.....food for thought.

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First published here Nov. 2012.

Evening Song - You Are My Hiding Place

Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. 

Psalm 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. 

The John Marshall Family.

Sew Happy Wednesday - Easier Granny Square Qtuilt

Just a friendly reminder that I'm only posting three days a week right now, so I've made this a Wednesday post instead of the previous "Sew Happy Friday."
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Jenny Doan of the Missiouri Star Quilt Co. shows an easier way to make the Granny Square Quilt.

Note: I don't recommend buying lottery tickets - even if you're having a "lucky day."  :-)



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