Sweater Weather

BRR - it is now sweater weather, especially in the am's. When the sun come out, it warms up -just perfect for sitting outside and getting some rays.  As we were sitting on the patio one afternoon last week, Fred pointed to my left and sort of sat there with his mouth open. I looked as two deer came racing towards the patio, straight for us. I thought to myself, ok self, if they jump on the patio just sit still and let them jump off again. Luckily, they raced between two trees near the patio and off again to the safety of the woods. Something certainly must have scared them as they were flat out running. What magnificent creatures they are - their feet hardly touched the ground as they seemed to fly along. No time to even take a photo.

Our daughter Chandra, and I went to a craft fair at the fairgrounds in Fayetteville. It was wonderful - full of great things. A person could eat their way through by sampling all of the great things at the food stands - especially the wonderful jalapeno cheese bread I bought at an Amish stand - wonderful fruit pies, some jam at a stand where the seller had 100 different flavors of jam and jelly. Yep - jalapeno again, only this was a blackberry jalapeno jam. As we came to a stand where the seller had some original paintings, we heard soft Christian music playing in the background. She had really neat original paintings and great ideas. I stood in front of a winter scene painted on a 4 pane window - with pine trees and a church scene on it. The window was kept in it's original shape, with places of the paint cracking, etc. It is beautiful.  In the corner were the words from a song I love - "He's a way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, chain breaker, light of the world, my God that is who you are." (Referencing Proverbs 30:5.) All of the words were not there, but I felt so drawn to it. I did wind up purchasing it and found out the name of the ministry was Healing Hearts Ministry - our ministry was Helping Hands Ministry - hmm, coincidence - I think not. Their logo was two hearts very similar to the Caring Hearts logo. What a blessing it was to meet her and her husband and share in their love for God. I have contacted her once already and feel a strong bond there. Perhaps this is a voice from God urging me to follow though and see what He has in store for us.

                   

I think I will keep this on the wall and not just at Christmas time - that is as soon as we find a place to live with a wall!!

On Saturday we stopped at another daughter's home nearby with some items she wanted us to purchase at the craft fair for her. Brenda has an issue with healing on her foot, so please keep her in your prayers. 

Todd made his wonderful homemade chicken soup with a secret ingredient. It was wonderful - perfect for a cool day. Secret ingredient - cheese. Yep - heat up a half bowl of soup to piping hot, add a slice of cheese, and then add the other half of piping hot soup. Let it get happy for a few minutes, then stir. Indescribably delicious. He sent us on our way with a huge bowl - enough for two meals.

We all need the experience of connecting with God. Peter encourages us to to stand on a rock in our belief. we are encouraged to stand with the Lord in today's culture. We have the Rock, a foundation in our Lord. we have been rejected by others, but God takes the rejects to build His church. Jesus was rejected because of who He hung out with because His disciples were common men, and because He also hung out with tax collectors and sinners. He was rejected because He followed the rules of His Father. His own people rejected Him as was foretold in the Old Testament. He was rejected by men but accepted by God. The rejected stone became the saving stone. the cornerstone is most important in the construction of the foundation of a building. Jesus did not fit into the culture of the time but became the cornerstone.  His is the one who can make life fit together, just as the cornerstone made the foundation fit together. Those who trust in Him will never be put to shame. He will become our saving stone. Put your trust in Jesus, He will always be there for you. We also believe that the rejected stone can become a stumbling stone. Why do people stumble in their beliefs? It is because It is because they do not understand grace - that may be God will never accept us. But God will never reject us. Some stumble because of God's high standards. We will never be as perfect as God, but we can be as perfect as we can be. We believe the rejected stone makes us living stones.