Unconditional Love

I am always amazed and encouraged when I see examples of unconditional love in action. I am reading the book "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. It has been sort of a hard book for me to read. But then I realized that there really are children/adults who are horribly abused by family or other people. It is hard for me to imagine, coming from such a wonderful family where love abounded. And it is difficult for me to think about.

That being said, I was so very impressed by a post I read on Cindy's blog, about an amish couple. The wife has multiple sclerosis, and the husband is devoted to her and lovingly meets all of her needs. I wanted to include a link to her post here, as I think it is good for all of us to see this kind of love in action, and in turn show more love to those around us in our every day lives.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with truth. it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. I Corinthians 13: 4-8.

He sends the Sunshine and the Rain

I so much enjoy a beautiful, sunny day! I'm afraid our beautiful Fall days are about over for this year. It just seemed like the colors were so bright and vivid; or maybe I just appreciated it more this year for some reason. Yesterday was a pretty fall day, in the mid 50's with sunshine. I took a walk in the afternoon and enjoyed the sun (and a little bit of wind).

However! Thursday and Friday were not sunny! It rained and rained! Now, I know there are times, living in farm country, when we desperately need the rain. But right now the farmers are trying to harvest beans, and corn, and the rain has been a hindrance.

My husband is an engineer with a full time job, but is a farmer at heart. We have 80 acres that someone farms for us. He also tends to fret and worry about the crops, the rain, etc. I try to gently remind him that none of this weather is a surprise to the Lord. He brings the sunshine and the rain according to His time table.

I was looking up a verse after reading Brenda's blog, regarding the trees clapping their hands. But I also saw these verses and they struck a chord in my heart.

Isaiah 55:9-11 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways highter than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Thank you, Lord, that you know what we need and you send the sunshine and the rain, and we reap the benefits. Help me also to recognize that as we are faithful in sharing your Word, it will accomplish the purpose for which you intended it. Help me just to be faithful in sharing your love with those I meet every day, and be sensitive to needs all around me.

Of Brooms and Blogs

By now, most of you who have read Rebecca's blog have probably tried this, or just taken her word for it. I hadn't read my blogs since Thursday and I could not believe how far behind I was! It seems all of the blogs I read had at least one new post. It's amazing that I could get that far behind that fast. But I digress!

I just had to try the "broom phenomenom for myself. Thus the above photo! I am quite sure that this little broom trick has entertained many of us over the past couple of days.

I went to a Sunday School Class luncheon today, and took my broom picture. It was a huge hit, and I'm sure some of them are going to try it when they get home. At first they thought I had used some sort of trick photography. I assured them I was definitely not that talented.

I guess I have a strange imagination, but as it is so close to halloween, I could just picture about 50 brooms, all standing on their own in some parking lot. People would probably think there was some sort of witch's convention going on! LOL!

Thanks Rebecca, for your very informative and entertaining blog. Any more tricks up your sleeve? (That was a phrase I got from my 5th grade teacher; she would slide her hand slowly up under the sleeve on her dress, and then whoever noticed her do this would say, "Mrs. Kohli's got a trick up her sleeve!") Oops! It seems like I have now sauntered down memory lane. Maybe it's the cold, wintry, rainy day that's affecting my mind!

Have a blessed weekend!

Old Story--New Lessons

In Sunday School this quarter we are studying Joshua. Today it was about the very familiar story of the Battle of Jericho. This is one that we have heard from the time we could walk. Even people without a church background usually know about the story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho, and how the 'walls came a tumblin' down'.

However, today I gained some new insights from this very wonderful story. It's amazing how something you've heard so often can have new significance in your life. These are some of the truths I learned today:

1. Just like the Joshua and the people of Israel, we face enemies (walls) in our lives.
2. God wants us to be obedient. ( Even though the instructions seemed strange, they marched with Joshua around the walls once a day for 6 days. They did not see the victory until the 7th day.)
3. God will not compromise with sin in our lives. (There were very specific instructions they had to follow once the walls came down).
4. It is always God who gives the victory. Any success or accomplishment we have in our lives is because He has worked in us through His love, grace and mercy.
5. Nothing is impossible for God! (I'm sure the people of Israel had no idea how they were going to penetrate the high, thick walls of Jericho). God performed a miracle in their lives.

I have seen some miraculous things happen in my life and the lives of friends and family, most recently in the life of my son. My heart is full of gratitude for the way He has worked in my son's life, and also for the way He has blessed me in so many ways.

I am so thankful for the Word of God which is "God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man (or woman) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3: 16,17

He Changes the Times and the Seasons

Have I mentioned--I really love Fall! I have been so much enjoying the changing colors, the Fall scenes with pumpkins, and pretty leaves, etc.

I was out the other day, and wanted to take some pictures of some of the beauty around me, but it was cloudy, and misting on and off and not a good day for pics. So I settled for these that I have.

Daniel 2:21 says "He changes the times and the seasons" I actually enjoy all of the changes, from Fall, through Winter, Spring and Summer--even a little snow! It's wonderful to know that it is not something man-made, but His creation, placed here for our enjoyment.

Daniel 2:21 also says, "He sets up kings and deposes of them". In light of our current political climate, that truth is also re-assuring to me. (But I digress, and that's probably a topic for another time.)

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of god; the skies proclaim the work of His hands

Psalm 8:1,3,4 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him...?


Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:...He has made everything beautiful in its time.

How to Stay Young--and Live Well!

(enlarges)

A friend sent me this and I thought it warranted passing on. It gave me a lot to think about. However, I've had my share of tragedies in my life, and I have always said that life is short, and we need to enjoy it and live it well.

How to Stay Young:

• Throw out non-essential numbers. This includes age, weight and helght. Let the doctors worry about them--that is why you pay them.
• keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
• Keep learning! Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever interests you. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop'; and the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
• Enjoy the simple things
• Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
• The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us all of our lives is ourself. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
• Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies or whatever. Your home is your refuge.
• Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it. It it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can do, get appropriate help.
• Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, or a picnic in the country, just NOT where the guilt is.
• Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

And Always Remember:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Share this with someone you love, and remember we all need to live life to its fullest every day!

Worry--Part Two

I am using my sister, Lou, as a guest blogger for today's post. After she read my post from yesterday, she sent me this article that she found. So, although this wasn't original with her, I wanted to thank her for giving me a nice follow-up to yesterday's post. Thanks, Lou, for your contribution to my blog.

POINT TO PONDER: WORRY

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
Luke 12: 25-26

We would worry less about what others think of us if we realized how seldom they do.
>Ethel Barrett

If a care is too small to be turned into a prayer, it is too small to be made a burden.
>Corrie ten Boom

Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you.
>John Adams

Worry and trust cannot live in the same house. When worry is allowed to come in one door, trust walks out the other door; and worry stays until trust is invited in again, whereupon worry walks out.
>Robert G. LeTourneau

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength
>Charles H. Spurgeon

It ain’t no use putting up your umbrella till it rains
>Alice Caldwell Rice

Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and his will for us.
>Billy Graham

Don’t tell me that worry doesn’t do any good. I know better. Things I worry about don’t happen.
>Author Unknown

Borrow trouble for yourself, if that’s your nature, but don’t lend it to your neighbors.
>Rudyard Kipling

You have a disagreeable duty to do at twelve o’clock. Do not blacken nine and ten and eleven and all between, with the color of twelve. Do the work of each and reap your reward in peace. So when the dreaded moment in the future becomes the present, you shall meet it walking in the light, and that light will overcome darkness.
>George Macdonald