Awesome Fall Evenings

This is my perfect autumn evening - and I am blessed enough to experience it.  The days are still warm but the evenings have a slight chill to it. These days are my very favorite time of the year, as I sure I have said 100's of times. A quiet evening with the crickets and and occasional bird song, a cup of coffee, and  wamring fire.

                                                  See this is what I am talking about 

 A friend of mine posted the following picture as a throwback to 1960. This was taken sitting on a water bubbler (fountain) in a small Wisconsin town after the annual Senior FHA Tea. (For those of you who do not know - FHA stands for Future Homemakers of America when Home Ec was taught in school). The organization was really a big deal, as if you were lucky enough you got to go to the convention (which I was privileged to do), be a officer of the organization, as I was, and try for and get the Betty Crocker Award, as I did. I am sorry if  it sounds like  am bragging on my accomplishments, but then it was really a big deal!!!! The Senior Tea was held at the Country Club (yes, there was one there) and all who attended had to wear the required hat and white gloves, and wear red and white. Boy, did we feel grown up! It was truly a special day. From the left Barb, me in front with the glasses and Karen behind me - we were the three musketeers as we always seemed to be together. Then next to me was Darla, considered to be the prettiest girl in our class, next to her was another dear friend, Louise, next to Louise was her cousin Karen, and behind her on the right was Gerri. These were the gals we were usually with. Friend Karen had her boyfriend's 1960 blue Ford convertible which she brought to school and we all piled into it and drove to the next small town, 9 miles away, for an ice cream cone or a frozen banana on a stick. The fun and carefree days. Notice that Karen and  have cat eye and rhinestone glasses!!!The funniest part of it was when I related this to my mother years later, she was shocked that the school allowed us to be free at noon times and let us "roam the countryside" in her words. She and my Dad owned a restaurant and wondered why I did not being them there at noon - hmmm, would you do that? Karen posted this in honor of our class's 61 reunion. One of girls here has passed away, as well as 3 husbands. 

                    We thought we were pretty cool - little did we know what life would bring 

Vance started another sermon series for us this last Sunday based on the Peter. We have stood fast in the grace of God. Peter's letter was a general epistle sent to all of the churches as well as a circular letter, meant to be passed around to the churches after being read to the others. Peter wrote to bring hope to those who were being persecuted for their belief in Christ. In 64AD, a great fire broke out in Rome. The rumor was that the head of the Roman Empire, Nero, started the fire, on order to rebuild Rome as he wanted it to be. He blamed the Christians for the fire,  Most of the Romans believed this- therefore Christianity was no longer welcome in Rome. Christians we persecuted but God had chosen them to be right there where the were at that time. They were considered strangers in Rome. We are strangers today as we were not meant for this world but for another world. Peter was was an apostle and very close to Jesus physically, as he was with Him most of the time. His name is mentioned in the 4 gospels more than any other apostle. He spoke to Jesus personally more than any other apostle. He started the church so that is why we are a church today. He was always put down but always managed to get back up. We  as Christians want to be that kind of people. We have hope because our future is incredibly hopeful kept in heaven because of the power of the resurrection. We have an inheritance in Jesus Christ. Our present is positively purposeful because of having Christ in out life. Keep trusting in the Lord, even though He is giving us trials in this life to use for His glory. He  allows us to go through trials to become stronger in our faith. Our testing is made to  make us stronger. Our past has been perfectly planned. God has always had a plan - we believe in a God who is in charge of  history. This will help us to have a firm foundation. God is in charge - He will fulfill His purposes. We have to retain hope in our deepest struggles. God is at work in you - stand fast in the grace of God.     

                 

September Lazy Days

It seems like that when September rolls around, we all tend to sit back and relax and enjoy the days before winter sets in. Lots of craft sales, yard sales, the tail ends of farmer's markets, cool evenings around a fire - all the wonderful things before settling in for colder weather, heavier jackets, and early evenings. 

Last December one of our daughters decided to train to run for a 5K (no reason, just set herself a goal). A co-worker , whom she did not know ran, heard her comment, and said he would train her. She has been working hard and finally ran on Saturday. Her greatest fear was that she would come in last as we tried t convince her that all she had to do was finish. We were there on Saturday (even her husband's cousin and wife came from WI to watch her run!). She was nervous as the race started - we stood at the finish line in order to celebrate her victory with her. She made it - and not in the least last!!! At first she said that it would be her one and only race - now she is considering running more of them. She is 51 years old, never an before, but her determination got her there. Guess we all should take a lesson from her grit in al things we do in life, from our life in the world as well as our spiritual world. Make a plan stick to it and yes, you will achieve it. Want to read through the Bible - make a plan for every day, a time and place, and you will accomplish it. Want to memorize Bible verses - do it. Chose someone to be accountable to (in addition to the the Lord) and let them hold you accountable. You are never too old. The word American says contains the words I Can.

                                                There she is in purple - and they're off

                                                                  so close to the end 

                                                                and across the finish line

                 Christine and her wonderful trainer, Larry, who ran the course with her, even though he                                                              probably would have been in the top ten finishers. 

We had a very inspirational speaker Sunday morning - a gentleman who was president of  Ozark Christian college when Pastor Vance attended there years ago. He instructed us on how to become  maximum impact church in today's world. How do you get  people to change for the better? People don't change simply because just don't have the desire. They don't change by being bullied into to or preached to. People grow best by community. Our peer group will bring out the best or the worst in us. Not attending a church is accepting God on your terms and not on His. Most people say that they don't have time for church or  that the church is full if hypocrites, or that it does not meet their standards. A church community is broken down because of a person's "wish dream and not reality. Why is the church indispensable to you. God is the inventor of life changes through community. the early Christian met as a "church" to hear the apostles preach. Today there are no apostles alive. We submit to the apostles' aunhority be learning the teaching of the Bible. The Bible is the milk bread and meat and honey on our spiritual learning. We also need to to be caring and serving together. God's people give their generosity to others - especially those in need. If you are not in  church, you are not learning or caring together. We need to keep worshipping together. Older adults tend to like more a traditional type of worship, and younger folks tend to like the contemporary service. We have to worship in humility - now matter the type of service, as well as witnessing together. The early churches were engaged in bringing others to Jesus Christ in repentance. Together we are related to the apostles - related in all ways. Being in the of a church will impact your life.

If you cannot go to His house on earth, how can you expect to live in His mansion in heaven? 

I'm Late

 "I'm  late, I'm late for  very important date, no time to say hello good-bye,  I'm  late, I'm late, I'm  late" said the white rabbit as he hurried to the Mad Hatter's Tea party. Yes, I am late this week - I was under the weather with an sinus infection and allergies (the ragweed is blooming).  I was supposed to help out at church on Sunday at the information booth, but because of the coughing I was doing, I thought it was best no to scare people. I am much better now.

We have been moving one daughter to about 35 miles away. She found a cute apartment on top of a mountain with a beautiful view closer to her work. A very quiet, secluded area which suits her well.

Our 9th great grandchild, Connor James, was born last Saturday. His mother Katie, bless her heart, had a rough time of it, but being the trooper she is, did a great job. Mom and baby are doing fine, Dad is a bit nervous yet (first child) but all is well. 

As we sat and watched the deer one morning, a doe and her twins came on the lawn, eating the sweet grass. We sat still as they munched closer, when a twin saw us, stood still, then stomped his foot - once, twice, and a few more time, just like a kid having a tantrum, trying to act grown up. We laughed at him ( yes, it probably was a buck) as he calmed own and continued eating, keeping an eye on us. The fawns are teenagers now, as they are losing their spots and are almost as tall as their mama.

So proud of our youngest daughter - she lost 75+ # and has been training for a marathon (at 51 yrs. old)! She races Saturday - we will be there to cheer her on. She does not want to set any speed records. Her goal is to just finish. 

Hebrews 10 is another book about encouragement. It is what we need to be able to come together. Although we we do not know the author of Hebrews, it was written for Jewish Christians who were considering going back the the old way as it was too difficult to be a Christian. The letter encourages the not to go back, to hang on to their Christianity. The author tells them of the dangers of turning back and facing and facing a fearful expectation of judgement and raging fire. Jesus has done everything we need to keep our relationship with His Father. He opened the way through His blood. We might feel distant from God if we have a guilty conscience. We need to confess our sin. Satan loves to convince us that God does not care about us. If you walk with sin in your life you will shrink back from the relationship with Him, so you can walk in confidence and not fear Him if you confess. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful".  Hebrews 10:23. Let us learn to profess - to speak about the hope we profess to have. When you feel we alone and weak, come along beside each other to encourage each other. Find ways to encourage each other - we all need encouragement.    

Labor Day 2021

 For some reason, I believe I had a misconception of Labor Day. Thought it was a day to honor the workers and reward them for their hard work all year long. We played Saturday and Sunday (craft sales, church, relaxing, enjoying our son-in-law's fabulous grilled pulled pork and our daughter's delicious, homemade coleslaw,  my great tasting cranberry-pumpkin muffins, and just relaxing after making one trip to move our daughter. Well, we paid for it today!!! Loading for another trip for moving, changing sheets and washing them, remaking beds, washing clothes, making muffins, washing towels, washing dishes, etc. etc. But it was worth it all as we did have a great long week-end. Early morning coffee outside and great company. Just need to take a shower, and fall into bed on clean sheets and in clean pj's!!! Life does not get much better. 

Guess this will be fairly short this evening, as I do even not have any pictures, only in my mind of beautiful Arkansas - the beauty of the wildness of the woods, that majesty of the Ozarks, and the fields, ponds,  cows, and horses. We are still looking for a place to live - in the meantime our daughter has graciously opened her home to us - temporarily, of course. We are asking Lord to lead us to the correct place - but sometimes I give things over to the Lord but then want to pull them back again - pray for patience. 

Pastor Vance was back in the pulpit this morning after a bout with COVID  - thankfully it was a mild case. His message this morning was meant to be an encouragement for us all. We need to remember that we have a living hope in Jesus even though our world today is a discouraging one. Satan is constantly trying to sabotage our relationship with God. We begin to doubt God's hand in our lives. Things don't always go as we think they should. God can disappoint our expectations so He can exceed them. "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20. John the Baptist's role was to pave the way for Jesus, to announce His coming. John seemed to be the guy who had it all together, who had no doubts about Jesus. But he sent his disciples to see and ask if Jesus was truly the one who came to save His people, even though he announced His coming  and even baptized Jesus. John was in prison for telling the truth about Jesus, and later beheaded because of it.  He stood up for what he believed was right. He began to doubt Jesus because he stood up for Him but he was imprisoned for it. God can handle your questions about how your life goes. Jesus sent John's disciples back to him to remind John of all the things He had done. We have to move forward in a trying situation and remember that God's Word is for us. Jesus affirms  in our lives today in 3 ways.

1) You are doing better than you think even though things are not  going right - they are going exactly the way Jesus planned for you. Keep making a faithful step for the Lord. 

2) You matter more than you think. What you are doing matters to your family and church. It touches many more lives than you understand. 

3) It's less about you than you think. Jesus paid with His blood for us. It's not about us, but the work of the kingdom - the message of Jesus Christ. We have to get outside of ourselves to get the message of Jesus Christ to others. We need to decrease so Jesus Christ can increase and be glorified in the middle of our situation.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy this time of year and all that God has created for you.