Soul Winters

I think that there might be seasons of the soul. Spring in the soul is when everything is new and fresh and filled with the promise of growth.

Summer is the warm, growing, luscious time of the soul. It is filled with joy and expectation. Rapid growth can be observed, like in a garden.

Autumn is that time of the soul for reflection, to enjoy the still warm and colorful days of this time of year and life.

Winter can be a time of cold and alienation. It has days that are dark and dreary, interspersed with bright, white days of beauty. It can be a prolonged period of reflection and growth, though unseen. Or it can be a time of bleakness in which the unseen is unknown and forgotten.

Living in a place with four distinct seasons is a blessing. I don't like winter so maybe that is why I portray it as bleak. I love the bright, hot, windy days of summer. The time when all is growing and you can see it! Oh, I know the analogy breaks down horribly, but I DO sometimes feel like I am in a soul winter.

Praise God that the seasons come and go and so will a winter of the soul.

Study in lines: sky, horizon, cottonwood

On a lovely summer's day I took this photo from where our house used to be before Devils Lake grew by thousands of acres.

Growing up near the shores of the lake provided me with many lovely memories.

The smell of water, the sound of waves on the shore, the rustling of cottonwood leaves and the stunning brightness of the sun reflecting off the water...these memories will never leave me.

Love and Fear

If perfect love casts out fear...and it does
And if God loves us with a perfect love...and He does
THEN we need have no fear of our Heavenly Father. Reverence, awe, respect...yes, but fear, no.

He has chosen us to be His own with a love that is perfect. We can depend on Him to remain faithful in His love toward His children.

With that perfect love we can walk confidently through any valley and climb any mountain, float through any sea of doldrums, march with victory through every battle, shuffle through any tedious task, overcome any challenge, live through our darkest days and still come out into the light, and enter boldly the throne room of grace.

We needn't be afraid anymore!

Snatched from EE...sobering, chilling!

Elisabeth Elliot's Daily Devotional

Title: Give Them Parking Space, But Let Them Starve to Death
Author: Elisabeth Elliot

Another moral threshold was crossed when a tiny baby boy, at the specific request of his parents and with the sanction of the Supreme Court of Indiana, was starved to death in a hospital. "Infant Doe" (he was not allowed the usual recognition of being human by being named), born with Down's syndrome and a malfunctioning esophagus (the latter could have been corrected with surgery), died, as the Washington Post (April 18) stated, "not because he couldn't sustain life without a million dollars worth of medical machinery, but because no one fed him." For six days the nurses in that Bloomington hospital went about their usual routines of bathing and changing and feeding all the newborns except one. They bathed and changed Baby Doe but they never gave him a bottle. Over his crib was a notice, DO NOT FEED. Several couples came forward, begging to be allowed to adopt him. They were turned down.

What went on in that little box during those six terrible days and nights? We turn our imagination away. It's unthinkable. But if I were to think about it, and put down on paper what my mind saw, I would be accused of playing on people's feelings, and of making infanticide (yes, infanticide--call it what it is) an "emotional issue." Let me suppose at least that the baby cried--quite loudly (at first). One report says that he was placed in a room alone, lest his crying disturb others (others, perhaps, who were capable of helping him).

Joseph Sobran, in his column in the Los Angeles Times Syndicate, suggested that "opposition to infanticide will soon be deplored as the dogma of a few religious sects who want to impose their views on everyone else." The language sounds sickeningly familiar.

There has been a conspicuous silence from those who usually raise shrill protest when other human rights are violated--the rights of smokers, homosexuals, and criminals are often as loudly insisted upon as those of children, women, and the handicapped.

The handicapped? What on earth is happening when a society is so careful to provide premium parking spaces to make things easier for them, but sees no smallest inconsistency when one of them who happens to be too young to scream, "For God's sake, feed me!" is quietly murdered? It is in the name of humanity, humaneness, compassion, and freedom that these things occur, but never is it acknowledged that the real reasons are comfort and convenience, that is, simple selfishness. "Abortion not only prefers comfort, convenience, or advantage of the pregnant woman to the very life of her unborn child, a fundamentally good thing, but seeks to deny that the life ever existed. In this sense it is a radical denial not only of the worth of a specific life but of the essential goodness of life itself and the Providential ordering of its procreation" (R.V. Young, "Taking Choice Seriously," The Human Life Review, Vol. VIII, no. 3.)

But weren't we talking about infanticide and haven't we now switched to abortion? The premises on which abortion is justified are fundamentally the same on which infanticide is seen as civilized and acceptable. What Hitler used to call eugenics is now called "quality of life," never mind whether the life in question happens to be the mother's or the child's. Death, according to three doctors who put the issue out into the open in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1973, is now considered an option in the "treatment" of infants; in other words, a mortuary may now replace the nursery. One cannot help thinking of the antiseptic "shower rooms" of the Third Reich, where the unwanted were "treated" to death. Nor can one forget the words of Jesus, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40, KJV).

Can any Christian argue that the smallest and most defenseless are, by virtue merely of being too small and too defenseless, not His brethren?

Is this the stuff of nightmares?

What is this? We found it in one of our cultures made from slough water and egg yolk. That rear appendage or whatever it is can completely retract into the body. The portion of the body pointed at seems to have cilia or somethings like that. The longer we had it under the microscope the slower it got until it died.

Let me know.

I hear the tsk, tsk, tsking over that day care article!

I've read so many studies and research results from daycare inquiries that I thought I would just post this prologue.

In 2007 a study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development tracked 1,364 children and found that those who had attended some kind of preschool program scored higher on factors of aggression and disobedience; it was true even for kiddies in high quality center-based care. And the longer the time spent in such facilities the more likely the child would be labeled as disobedient and argumentative with a propensity to fight.

A 2002 study by the same group with 1300 kids from 10 different states found that children who spend more hours per week in non-parental childcare have more behavior problems, including aggressive, defiant and disobedient behavior.

David Elkind, author of Miseducation: Preschoolers at Risk, states, "There is no evidence that early instruction has lasting benefits, and considerable evidence that it can do lasting harm."

E. Ziglar, co-founder of Head Start states, "There is a large body of evidence indicating that there is little if anything to be gained by exposing middleclass children to early education. ...evidence...indicates early schooling is inappropriate for many four-year-olds and that it may even be harmful to their development."

And this does not even address the many health risks involved. Maybe I'll discuss that later.

Daycare for wee folks

I was chatting recently with someone about the daycare dilemma in the U.S. Not too long ago several closed in the Fargo-Moorhead area and a general screech and lamenting sigh was heard from those who think kids are better off in daycare.

It's is very hard for me to imagine that anyone could even think that their little ones would be better off cared for by a generally poorly paid stranger and a stranger whom often has many other little ones in her care at the same time. How could we have gotten to the place in America where the past two, maybe even three, generations of women have been duped into thinking that this is okay.

Research has been done on this subject. The real findings, if one can wade through all the 'thinkspeak' are that daycare produces insecure, often sickly, and sometimes really mean children. Well, think about it: if your little one from the time of infancy is placed with folks, no matter how well meaning, who must oversee 10 others or maybe 20 others, how much care will your little one get? And that's not the worst of it, even if you discount the diseases found in such places and the aggressive natures developed (let's face it-there is a pecking order!) what about the fact that a whole culture could think a paid provider is better than mom?

That's really screwy thinking. Strangers better than mom? Institutionalization better than a loving home? Factory-prepared meals fed and eaten in shifts, and in a hurry? Even a PB & J with mom is superior in every way to a government licensed food program.

The other interesting thing found in research is that though some may think this prepares them to be learners, it doesn't appear to be so. In fact, it prepares them to be institutionalized from K-12 and it teaches them to keep their place in the pecking order.

One other thing that really bugs me: since corporeal punishment of any kind is no longer allowed, how do they keep the little ones in line? Shame and humiliation. It works, but it is an awful thing to do to a child. How much better that a loving parent (and I mean LOVING...someone willing to lay down their very life for this wee one!) holds, teaches, feeds, encourages, comforts and cares for the child.

Yah, we've come a long way, baby, but it hasn't been a good way.

Apples galore!

We have been blessed this fall with an abundance of apples given to us by a family with two luscious apple trees. So grandma has been busy making applesauce and we now have almost 100 jars sitting on the basement pantry shelves.

How in the world did gals do this before there were apple peeler/corers?

Bill and I finished the last of the saucing on Saturday.

We are blessed, we are blessed, we are blessed!

Benedictions

Have you ever noticed how often we exhort one another to do this or do that? We are forever giving advice, weighing in on a subject, commanding or chastising, correcting or cautioning.

So I got to thinking about this al0t because I have discovered over the past 6 decades that most of the time people don't care what you think. They really aren't interested in corrections rather they want someone to agree with them, confirm a behaviour or pat them on the back.

Considering what a thorn in the flesh I have been to many people in my life I am trying hard to "aspire to live quietly, work diligently with my hands and to mind my own business!" It's not that easy, of course. So since I believe that Scriptures have the absolute answer for every dilemma I thought I would take a look at how the apostle Paul addressed folks. If anyone had a right to speak, to chastise etc. etc., I guess it was the apostle Paul. But I was particularly touched and humbled and encouraged as I looked through his various letters. They are full of imperatives for successful Christian living, but that is just part of it. They are seasoned with wonderful benedictions and the fact that he repeated them in most of his letters seems to imply that they are important.

Following is brief list:

Romans 1:7b - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I Cor. 1:3 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I Cor. 16:23-24 - The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.
II Cor. 1:2 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
II Cor. 13:14 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Galatians 1:3 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph. 1:2 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Phil. 1:2 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Col. 1:2b - Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
I Thess. 1:1c - Grace to you and peace.
II Thess. 3:16 - Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.
I Timothy 1:2b - Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
II Timothy 1:2 - Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

When you read them all together it leaves an impression that maybe Paul thought that grace, mercy and peace were really important.

Clearly they are and by God's grace, I want to exude grace, mercy and peace. It is what I want to pour out on others. Let someone else do the admonishing; I'm not that good at it anyway.

So grace, mercy and peace to you from our dear Lord Jesus.

Who is this?

Who can this be?

A young, slim, blonde (?) woman with a gorgeous red-headed child.

It was the 70s and I was young. Aimee was about the cutest, sweetest, most precious blessing I would ever see in this world. And so it is.

How I Ought to Act

Frankly, what I know to do I often don't do and what I know I ought not do I do. Not very original thought and certainly no revelation to anyone who has read Paul's letters. Makes the rejoice mandate a bit difficult at times. But God's sweet and holy Word gives us plenty of 'to dos' so that we will learn to do and to be what He has planned for us to do and be since before the foundations of the world.

What I ought to do:

• pursue love (ICor. 14:1a)~ the word 'pursue' implies that I am going to have to work at this and it is going to be a footrace requiring huffing, puffing and determination; I don't really like the thought of that as it really leaves no room for sloth! Precious Lord Jesus, give me strength and endurance to pursue the better thing.
• not be childish in my thinking (that's a lot different than being child-like!) and I am to be an infant in evil, but mature in my thinking (I Cor. 14:20) ~ it's not that easy to be an infant in evil in our current culture, actually in any culture; for those who think we are more evil than any preceeding generation, century, millenium etc. then you have not read enough history! I want to be an infant in evil, but that must be a work of God as I have dabbled way too much in evil thoughts, actions, study, companions etc. to return to an infant way of thinking about evil. Please, Lord Jesus, have your way.
• be steadfast, immovable, ALWAYS abounding in the work of the Lord (I Cor. 15:58) ~ I can be so stubborn (the sin side of steadfast!) when I want to be; I mean really, really stubborn. So why is steadfastness such a struggle about things that really matter. Most of what I have been opinionated about, and I might add, hurt others' feelings over, isn't worth the price of ink in a cheap ballpoint pen. I beg you, dear Lord Jesus, make me steadfast about worthy things.
• take every thought captive to OBEY Christ (2 Cor. 10:5) ~ Every thought? I can only imagine how much work this will be. My mind is constantly working, thinking, mulling, answering, cogitating and pondering. This must, too, be a work of God in a believer's life. My sweet gentle Shepherd, set a guard at my lips and watch over my mouth.
• Rejoice, aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace (2 Cor.13:11a) Well, now there's a life-long pursuit. I am learning to rejoice often and to see even in pain that it is possible to rejoice. I have found it easier and easier to comfort others as I have experienced more and more pain, loss, betrayal, and sorrow. I think that's probably God's good plan for me. I don't always like it and I have been known to kick and scream, plead and beg, bargain and threaten to quit. Yet God's mercies are new every morning. I want more than almost anything to live in peace. I grew up without much peace, some of my own doing, and the older I get the more pleasant and inviting is the quest for peace. I have even begun to firmly avoid the contentious (I used to love a good verbal sparring!) and to seek rather a meek and gentle spirit (never been a natural part of my makeup). I want to aim for restoration and to be able to agree, living in peace with all, as much as lies within me. Dear faithful Bread of Life, hear me as I plead for these good gifts from your generous Hand.
• rejoice in the lord (Phil 3:1) and rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice (Phil. 4:4) If this ol' whining, complaining, belly-aching mortal can learn to rejoice (and I do it often these days) then it must be the work of our wonderful Lord Jesus through His benevolent Holy Spirit; it is definitely not a part of my nature!

So.....there's an assignment for life. And it's only the beginning. The list could, of course, go on and on. Since we are no longer under the law and since Christ perfectly fulfilled the law so that we now operate under grace, we can be confident that He who began a good work in us will surely complete it. And if that isn't exciting enough, we can now openly, boldly and with confidence enter the throne room and speak directly with our dear Lord Jesus. Think of it...directly...no intermdiary necessary...Jesus is the intermediary and He welcomes us without shame or humiliation.

Now that's something to rejoice about.

Our friends from India

In 1997 we had the privilege of spending some time in India with a group from our church. It was life-changing for me and I have never been the same since.

It was so important that hardly a day goes by without praying for those we met in that far-away land. I still correspond with our host and hostess and often I am transported in thought to Shanta's lovely kitchen, comfortable living room and sumptuous dining area. I loved it so; I love them so! I can still hear the early morning call to prayer from the local mosque and envision the alabaster Hindu temple on the hillside. I can see in my mind's eye the colorful sari-clad women and sober-faced men seated on the floor of the Andhra Bible Chapel as we worshipped God together.

In spite of my physical challenges, if given the opportunity, I would return to India and the gracious home of our friends, Bose and Shanta, in a second. And it would be wonderful!

Malts and Depression Glass

And here are the sweet angels of my life enjoying malts made by Grandpa out of Great-grandma Blanche's green depression glass tumblers.

On Prayer

I'm even hesitant to discuss prayer as I have been a slothful, lax, negligent pray-er for most of my 60 years. I've had times of devout praying; I've had years with virtually none.

I've been reading about prayer. Figures...it's always easier to read about something than to actually do it. Nevertheless, I offer the following truths about prayer found in my recent readings.

From E.M. Bounds' important book, Power through Prayer, (how come I haven't read this before now?):
NOTE: This book was written specifically to pastors, so everywhere the words pastor, minister etc. appear I simply substitute Christian, child of God, or believer.

• "The preacher's relationship to God is the insignia and credentials of his ministry. If he does not excel in grace, he does not excel at all. If he does not preach by life, character, and conduct, he does not preach at all."
• Martin Luther's motto was "He that has prayed well has studied well."
• "The preacher must primarily be a man of prayer. In the school of prayer, only the heart can learn to preach. No learning can make up for the failure to pray. No earnestness, no diligence, no study, no gifts will supply its lack."
• "Our laziness after God is our crying sin."
• "No man who is not a man of prayer can do a great and enduring work for God, and no man can be a man of prayer without giving much time to prayer."
• "Public prayers, as a rule, ought to be short and condensed. Our short prayers are effective and efficient because long ones have preceded them. The short, prevailing prayer cannot be prayed by one who has not prevailed with God in a mightier struggle of long continuance."
• "A prayerful ministry is the only ministry that brings the preacher into sympathy with the people. Colleges, knowledge, books, theology, and preaching do not make a preacher, but praying does."

From Elizabeth Elliot's Notes on Prayer: "One way of laying down our lives is by praying for somebody. In prayer I am saying, in effect, 'my life for yours.' My time, my energy, my thought, my concern, my concentration, my faith--here they are, for you. So it is that I participate in the work of Christ. So it is that no work of faith, no labor of love, no smallest prayer is ever lost, but, like the smoke of the incense on the golden altar, rises from the hand of the angel before God."

I do not know who authored the following but I found it in an old tract that belonged to my sister:

He prayeth best who loveth best

All things both great and small;

For the great God who loveth us,

He made and loveth all.

And finally this from The Meaning of Prayer by Harry Emerson Fosdick: "The Eternal God calls us every one by name. He is not the God of mankind in the mass; He is the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob! All great pray-ers have lived in the power of this individual relationship with God. They have said with the Psalmist, 'I will give thanks in the great assembly: I will praise thee among much people.' (Ps.35:18)"

Head knowledge not enough

I have spent most of my life pretending I am intellectual. But the older I get the more I realize that smart isn't enough, in fact, it may be detrimental. I read alot, think alot, pray alot, but still seem to have a never-ending struggle with doing alot. Why is that?

Some would say that head knowledge (you know, scholars, deep thinkers, classically trained debaters, the intelligensia, and ivory-tower braniacs!) are the real deep Christians, the ones who know oodles of doctrine and church history (not that that is bad, it isn't). But when the disciples tried to shoo away the children Jesus reprimanded them and told them that 'of such is the kingdom of heaven' and that if they 'did not become as a little child' then their prospects for kingdom living were dim. Now why did Jesus say that? What about children are we to emulate? Is it their complete and, dare I say, naive faith? Is it that they trust without needing all the details or even fully understanding the claims or demands of the Christian life?

I think that for most of my life I have been hiding behind 'head knowledge' because 'heart knowledge' is what actually causes us to live a life of cross-bearing and self denial. I don't really like the whole idea of lugging painful burdens, like a cross, or of saying 'No!' to self over and over and over. Yet I know that if I want to be a disciple of my dear Lord Jesus then I must everyday deny myself, take up my cross and follow him. I have had some dark times in my life (often of my own making though that never makes the pain any less!) and during those times it has felt like just Jesus and me...and it was enough. He is enough. But we can be praising God everyday for the fact that He has placed us in families and families (even kind of dysfunctional ones) can make our journey so much sweeter and not nearly as frightening.

Since perfect love casts out fear and since God loves me perfectly I have no need to fear Him. He is the Gentle Shepherd that carries those with young in His bosom and tenderly guards His sheep. I have a loving family, but if I didn't, my Shepherd would be enough.

I think heart knowledge is what leads to adoration of our Lord. I think heart knowledge helps us to really live as those who esteem others better than themselves, as those who love their neighbors as themselves, as followers of Christ who deem it a privilege to see in every occurrence 'a chance to die' to self and live to Christ.

Truth is, if I DID even 1/10 of 1% of what I already KNOW to do, I would be very devout and pleasing to the Lord. For those who say there is nothing that we can do to garner God's blessing, I ask, then why is the newer testament full of imperatives for us? There are hundreds and hundreds of things we are to DO, simply because we are told to and because it brings peace to our souls and comfort to those both in and outside the fold.

I'm going to give the gaining of 'heart knowledge' a whirl. I really don't need anymore head knowledge, not at this point anyway. I admit to a certain fear about 'heart knowledge' as I have heard that it can be quite painful and often causes one to spend hours in prayer, days fasting, nights weeping and years toiling with others for the sake of His glorious Name.

Nevertheless, I'm going for it!

Peas in Abundance

I think this might be the very best pea crop I've grown in the past 30 years. This is mostly due to the fact that I have all the room I could possibly want for my garden and, therefore, I planted lots of peas. The thing about this crop is that it takes a lot of pea plants to produce enough to do more than eat them fresh.

So far this year we have picked 16 ice cream pails full of luscious peas. They are indescribable when fresh. The children like to hang out in the garden eating peas as fast as they can pick and shuck them.

Again, as I have said often: It is a blessing to live in America!

Berry Pickin'

Yes, that's a drainer full of luscious strawberries! We went picking at a berry farm south of Northwood. Ooh, la, la! The strawberries were sweet and juicy. I made jam with what was left after fresh eating.

And the 'berry lady' grows June berries. They are worth their weight in gold! We picked and picked and picked. Then we ate some with cream (real cream!) and sugar, just like when I was a kid! Oh, my, surely this shrub grew in the Garden of Eden.

Froze the rest for June berry pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Summer...at last!

Well, it sure has been a long time coming, yet we do not complain as the Sovereign Lord oversees all, including the seasons.

Our garden was mostly in before the plenteous rains came...and I MEAN plenteous. It does appear as though some of the tomatoes, peppers and green beans have succumbed to the standing water. I suppose this bodes well for the mosquitoes, also.

The peas are a bit yellowish but otherwise look pretty good. I think absolutely EVERY sunflower seed we put in the garden germinated. Looks like a good year for fall bouquets. I have planted four different kinds of sunflowers, ranging in height from 20 inches to almost 12 feets. The feature colors from deep red, almost rust, to butter yellow. When they have completely matured and the heads are full I have the guys at the Blessed Life Ranch cut the stalks just above the ground, gather them into large 'bouquets' and tie them to metal fence posts right outside our large, double windows in the great room. It provides food, shelter and perches for the many birds of late summer and fall, especially for those spending the winter. I have also dried them upside down in the garage and then stuck them in snowbanks. Again, food, perches and protection.

The first crop of corn is up and looks pretty good, but REALLY it ought to be as high as an elephant's eye by the Fourth. That will never happen this year. The carrots have bravely pushed through the fertile Red River Valley soil, but, again, they ought to be much, much further along.

With about 11,000 sq. ft. of garden to care for, I am kept busy during the summer months. I love just about everything about the project and I can sure see why God started things out in a garden.

As God prospers this little spot of Eden I will be canning, pickling, and freezing.

I appreciated the sermon on Sunday about the scattering of seed and how it falls on various types of soil or non-soil. Almost everything in life can be equated to a garden for all things take weeding, thinning, watering and trimming. That's how it is relationships anyway.

Well, I'm off now to examine further damage in the garden and make plans to fix or ignore what can't be fixed, to plant again or give up on some things for this year.

And still....I am filled with joy and deep gratitude for the pleasure of living, loving, feasting, singing, dancing and laughing in this great country. We are blessed, we are blessed, we are blessed.

Thai Chicken Recipe

I got this recipe from someone very dear to me after having enjoyed her gracious hospitality and this splendid dish. Serve with a green salad and fresh fruit and you have yourself an amazing meal. I have served it repeatedly since our initial delight and it has become a favorite.

2-3 lbs. skinless chicken breasts
olive oil for sauteeing
4 c. unsweetened coconut milk
1-2 T. green curry paste (I use 3 because we love curry!)
1 t. lime zest or 2 Kaffir lime leaves (I use the lime zest.)
1/2 c. chicken broth
2 T. fish sauce
2 T. finely chopped fresh basil (or dried to taste)
2 T. chopped cilantro (or dried to taste)
1 poblan chile (optional)
1 stalk fresh lemon grass (or add another t. zest)
Discard tough outer leaves of lemon grass, mince tender white bulb. Season chicken with salt & pepper and saute; set aside. Deglaze skillet with coconut milk; reduce to about 3 c. (simmer about 15 min.). Add curry paste, simmer 5 min. Add chicken, lime zest, fish sauce and chicken broth; simmer briefly.Add basil, cilantro, chili and simmer 10 mn. Serve over jasmine rice (I use regular white rice.) and garnish with cilantro and chopped green onion.

Sunday Dinner at Grandma's

I love the idea of having dinner at Grandma's every Sunday and I try to make it a reality, but sometimes it just doesn't work out.

I don't have very many memories of meals at my Grandparent's home. I wish I did.

I want my grandchildren to know two things about me:

That Grandma loved God more than her own life and that she loved them more than her own life.

That would probably add up to a life well-lived!

Tips for Practical Christian Living

I had it in mind to go through the entire Newer Testament and write down all the imperatives regarding the Christian walk. I still plan to do that, but I found so many in Matthew alone that the following list is offered. Some have said that there really isn't any list of pratical tips one could use to have a successful Christian life, but I think if one (primarily, ME!) would exercise even one tenth of what we know to be pleasing to our dear Lord Jesus we would exhibit lives worthy of emulation. The Scriptures are full of imperatives and they are not suggestions.

Here's the list with reference and my paraphrase:
Matt. 4:10-Serve and worship God ONLY!
Matt. 4:17-Repent.
Matt. 5:16-Let your light shine...others will witness your good works and give glory to God.
Matt. 5:42-Give generously and do not refuse a borrower.
Matt. 5:44-Love your enemies; pray for your persecutors.
Matt. 5:48-Be perfect.
Matt. 6:3-Give secretly.
Matt. 6:6-Pray secretly.
Matt. 6:7-Long-winded prayers are not heard by God.
Matt. 6:17-Look as though you are NOT fasting when you fast.
Matt. 6:19-Earthly treasures are a waste.
Matt. 6:20-Heavenly treasures are worth obtaining.
Matt. 6:25-Don't worry about your physical life.
Matt. 6:33-Seek God's kingdom and righteousness.
Matt. 6:34-Don't worry about tomorrow.
Matt. 7:1-Do not judge.
Matt. 7:7-Ask, seek and knock...it works!
Matt. 7:12-Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Matt. 8:22-Follow Jesus.
Matt. 9:38-Pray earnestly for soul winners and missionaries.
Matt. 10:28-Do not fear those who can harm to your body; fear what can destroy soul & body.
Matt. 11:28-Come to Jesus and He will give you rest.
Matt. 11:29-Take the yoke Jesus gives you; it will give you rest.
Matt. 15:10-Hear, understand: stuff coming out of your mouth defiles, NOT what goes in.
Matt. 16:24-Deny self, take up your cross and follow Jesus.
Matt. 18:3-Become like children.
Matt. 19:14-Keep the commandments.
Matt. 22:21-Give to the government what is due; give to God what is His.
Matt. 22:37-Love God with absolutely EVERYTHING that is in you...then love your neighbor!
Matt. 25:13-Keep a watch.
Matt. 28:19-As you go about your business make disciples, baptize and teach.

Frost STILL?

I am always taken by surprise by the splendor of Spring. I love the green of the grass and the smell of freshly mown yards is something to dream about. The birds have returned to the Blessed Life Ranch and we have added two to our list of almost 70 species--the Yellow Warbler and the Common Snipe.

Believe it or not it was only 24 degrees this morning. Last night BB covered the few flowers I have planted so far and the radishes had to do the best they could on their own. It is almost the first of June and I am covering up flowers because of frost---this just doesn't seem right.

We had a busy week traveling to Bismarck on Thursday, Devils Lake on Saturday and celebrating Memorial Day on Monday. The visit to Bismarck was to see some dear friends from India and very special friends from 'back home'. It brought back many simply luscious memories from our trip to India in 1997. The visit on Saturday was to see my mom, now 88 and still living on her own. We had a wonderful time together and even found out some interesting details about how she met my dad, the Ellis Island experiences of my grandparents and other snippets from her life.

We've got some of the garden in; we plant about 11,000 square feet. The weeds are doing really well even with it being a bit dry. The radishes are up but the corn, lettuces, spinach, peas and onions are still in hiding; one can't blame them considering this morning's frigid start.

What a blessing though to live in America where, even if the crop fails, we will not go hungry.

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.

Global Warming?

With it being almost the end of May and still I am unable to put in my garden, I have become even more skeptical of all the brouhaha about global warming. It was 22 degrees here in the Red River Valley just two mornings ago. YIKES!

I've been helping my grandson write a speech to persuade and he chose global warming. The furnace kicked in several times while we have been working on this project.

We have discovered some very interesting things. Did you know that almost all, probably ALL by some accounts, of prognostications about global warming are computer-model generated and that none of it is really based on science? (Remember what the scientific method is!) Plus we found some interesting quotes from global warming alarmists, one of which, made by Steven Schneider of NOAA stated clearly that they fudge (a nice word for lie!) the figures, do not admit that they have their own doubts about it all, and purposely offer up scarey scenarios.

Add to that the fact that very little actual data of world temperatures is available; no more than 200 years of recorded temps. Even if you throw in the ice core studies in which they guess about climate conditions millenia ago, you still end up with not much data. Soooooo...how could one scientifically determine that temperatures are on the upswing?

Just the fact that there is a lot of guesswork, not much science, and scarey scenarios being offered up (probably because there are mega bucks tied to it!) one should at least be a bit skeptical.

Me, personally, after this very long winter, exceedingly cold spring and tardy summer I'm not convinced about global warming at all.

Besides, isn't God Sovereign? Rhetorical question.

Thinking about spring

About two weeks ago we had another snow storm. I just finished listening to the evening news and weather and the weather gal said there is a chance of snow in the forecast.

Here's what I say.....BRING ON THE GLOBAL WARMING!

Which brings me to that subject. I'm giving my grandson a little help with his speech to persuade and he has chosen to do it on global warming. I've read quite a bit about the subject now and have a niggeling suspicion that it is nothing but flim-flam, boondoggle, phoney-baloney and the-sky-is-falling.

Check out junkscience.com or read through the books Facts not Fear or The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming.

Any way, what was I saying? O, yah, I'm looking for Spring in spite of the cold weather and I'm still singing and laughing and dancing, albeit with a hooded sweatshirt and gloves!

An Encouraging Word

2 Timothy 4:18 ~ The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

I John 5:4 ~ For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

I Cor. 15:57 ~ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil. 4:13 ~ I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

These Scriptures give Christians great comfort, especially to those who have long and hard grappled with their sinful nature, have felt as Paul did that the very things they knew they should do, they didn’t and the things they knew to avoid, they found themselves doing. We all have periods of our lives where we wonder why the struggle is so difficult. But we also have times when God makes our feet like hinds’ feet, and He causes us to walk upon the high places.

The victories we have on Earth are a result of Christ and His Spirit dwelling in us. If we believed that Christ was incapable of bringing us victory in this life, if we thought that all our earthly struggles will end in defeat then we would be the most pitiable of people.

John Piper in Why Jesus Came to Die rightly states, “God gives us this power for change through the person of His Holy Spirit. That is why the beauty of ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control’ are called ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ (Gal. 5:22-23). This is why the Bible can make the amazing promise: ‘Sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace’ (Ro. 6:14).”

These are victory verses! We are not condemned to continual defeat. Someone much smarter than I has said that the Christian walk is a long, slow, steady obedience in the same direction. We will surely have defeats, but Christ gives us the power for amazing victories, even in this life. And as we proceed in the direction of holiness we will experience triumph. We are being sanctified by the grace that God pours down on His children daily.

Paul in his second letter to the church at Corinth wrote, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession.” This does not sound like stoop-shouldered, bowed-down, never-ending defeat. It sounds like continual victory...Christ ALWAYS leads us in a victory parade.

Further in I Cor. 10:13, a verse which by God’s grace has given me many victories, states “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

The Galatians are instructed with these words, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” This is so, therefore, if Christ lives in me how could I live in perpetual defeat? If my body is the very temple of the Holy Spirit of the Living God, would He reside in the state of my continuing defeat?

Paul further tells the church at Galatia, “But I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” And, “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Additionally, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

And to the Philippians he says, “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Christ Jesus will bring us victory because He is the author and finisher of our faith.

And finally, to the Colossians Paul writes, “We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” These are verses of victory, not defeat; of confidence, not trepidation; of comfort in knowing that through our dear Lord Jesus we can have victory every day of our earthly sojourn and then forever in the glorious Kingdom.

Rejoice!

He Giveth More Grace

I love this great gospel song by Annie Johnson Flint. Inspirational!

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater;
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
His love has no limit; His grace has no measure;
His power has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Majesty and Worship

The following is one of my favorite contemporary worship songs. I have often worshipped on the gravel road as I walked in the early morning, out in the peace and comfort of my garden or in the quiet, gentle comfort of my 'little house on the prairie' using this beautiful melody and inspired words.

You are beautiful beyond description,
Too marvelous for words,
Too wonderful for comprehension,
Like nothing ever seen or heard.

Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?
Who can fathom the depths of Your love?
You are beautiful beyond description,
Majesty enthroned above!

And I stand, I stand in awe of You.
I stand, I stand in awe of You.
Holy God to whom all praise is due,
I stand in awe of You!

I’m singing and laughing and dancing...

Of all peoples or places or nations or times, we live in the best. Think of the incredible benefits of living in America, at this time, in this place:
· We never sleep outside under the stars, unless we want to.
· Our children do not dodge gun fire on their way to school (at least not in North Dakota).
· Husbands are not conscripted into the militia, never to be seen or heard from again.
· The shelves at our favorite grocery stores are loaded...they are never bare.
· On the 17 acres my son-in-law and daughter own, there are no land mines.
· God will never, ever leave us or forsake us. Think on that!
· I can send a letter to the editor haranguing a political candidate and I will not disappear some night into a gulag archipelago.
· We have indoor plumbing.
· If I need my appendix removed, they will use anesthesia. I will not need to drink enough whiskey to pass out!
· Even if I can’t afford legal counsel if arrested, the court will provide me with one. This is very unusual in the entire history of the world.
· You don’t have to unequivocally believe anyone’s particular theology, because you can check it out for yourself in one of the many versions of the Bible you probably have available in your home.
· In all likelihood your home will not be quarantined any time soon because of the bubonic plague. And even it were, we have antibiotics that can treat the disease.
· I have an entire room in my home with bookshelves from floor to ceiling, filled to overflowing, with books of my choosing. No government entity will come some night and burn the whole lot.
· Broken arms and legs can be set by people who know how, with the least amount of pain, and with the best possible outcome. Again, no whiskey needed!
· I can publish my ideas in print, on my blog or over the air waves without fear of economic retaliation.
· I can shower everyday if I wish.
· Our government was designed as a representative constitutional republic. Practically unheard of in the world.
· God has reconciled His children to Himself through the sacrifice of His only Son. I will never have to pay for my sins. God has already made complete payment through Jesus Christ.
· Our children never starve...in fact we are so blessed with bounty that many of our little ones are ‘fussy eaters’. There aren’t any fussy eaters in Darfur, Nigeria, Kenya, North Korea or countless other locations in the world.
· It is very likely that the vast majority of our children will grow into adulthood and will not die from famine, war, or disease.
· I have a dishwasher.
· Most of us have more clothes right now than we could wear out in a life time. Particularly true of the polyester years of the 1970s.
· We have gentle bar soaps that we did not need to make with caustic lye.
· The choices in homeschool curriculum, educational supplies and other materials is almost endless. We get to pick.
· If we want to travel throughout the U.S. we have the freedom to do so...and we do not have show our ‘identification papers’ when we cross state borders.
· Corrective eye lenses can be purchased to meet my needs rather than making do with a pair from Wal-Mart. I can even wear monovision contacts.
· Our nation is crisscrossed with really good roads and we have really good cars and trucks to drive on them...and we can do so without stopping at checkpoints.
· Most of us actually have time for hobbies because we needn’t go to the creek for water, or chop wood for heating and cooking, or hunt game in order to eat.
· We will not need to sell any of our children to beggars or temples because we simply can’t afford to feed them or are in need of the money. Still being done in India.
· I can garden and can my produce for the sheer joy of it. If I wasn’t able to, we would not go hungry.
· We have almost instantaneous communication capabilities. If we move from our family on the East coast to Kansas, we will see them again, write to them, talk with them on the phone, or send daily emails. Not like in many times and places where if you left the home place….you left the home place!
· God has given us His Holy Spirit to teach us, guide us, correct us, and comfort us. WOW!

And if that isn’t enough here are some of the really important reasons from the Scriptures:
· Psalm 127:3&5 ~ Behold children are a heritage from the Lord...happy is the man who fills his quiver with them.
· Psalm 128:2 ~ You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
· Psalm 144:15 ~ Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!
· Proverbs 3:13-18 ~ Happy is the one who finds wisdom and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than the gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed (happy).
· Proverbs 14:21b ~ ...blessed (happy) is he who is generous to the poor.
· Proverbs 15:13 ~ A glad heart makes a cheerful face…
· Proverbs 15:15b ~ ...the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
· Proverbs 17:22a ~ A joyful heart is good medicine…
· Proverbs 28:14 ~ Blessed (happy) is the one who fears the Lord always…
· Isaiah 52:7 ~ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’
Joy and its twin sister, happiness, ought to be the earmarks of God’s children. Of all people, God’s own ought to be filled with inexpressible joy because we are redeemed. No somber, dreary music for me. No long, depressing and joyless diatribes either. The joy of the Lord is my strength.
Yes, there are difficulties and occasionally deep sorrows, but the truth is that we are blessed, we are blessed, we are blessed. I have known abandonment, discouragement, despair. I have felt the barbs of angry words and experienced the loss of a loved one. I know what earthly grief can be like, because I have walked that valley. But I have set my face like a flint and refuse to allow sorrow to overwhelm me. Instead I will dwell on the numberless blessings God has bestowed on me, because I am, indeed, blessed. If you do not consider yourself blessed, you need to fall on your knees before the Sovereign Lord and beg Him to show you how magnanimously He has dealt with you!
I Peter 1:8 states, “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”
Elisabeth Elliot in Secure in the Everlasting Arms writes, “Joy is the keynote of the Christian life. It is not something that happens. It is a gift, given to us in the coming of Christ.”
C.S. Lewis wrote, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
Fanny Crosby, that great gospel song writer, blind since 6 weeks old due to a doctor’s mistake, could write:
O what a happy soul am I, although I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world contented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy that other people don’t!
To weep and sigh because I’m blind, I cannot and I won’t.

We have ever so many reasons to rejoice, both in this world and because of the world to come. So get busy dancing, and singing and laughing because life is good in America and doubly so as Christians.

Fishing

I took this swell photo yesterday as my dear little granddaughter, Laura, was 'fishing' in the ditch just south of the front yard at the Blessed Life Ranch.

Isn't it absolutely priceless!

I'm not the only one who is rushing forward to spring.

The dear Lord Jesus

I've noticed something of late--and even over the years--about some intellectual Christians I have known in my life: you seldom if ever hear them talk about our dear Lord Jesus. They can expound for an hour or more on the Sovereign God--and make no mistake, He is the Sovereign--but they seldom exhibit a tender, demonstrable love for our dear Lord Jesus. I find this odd. My greatest comfort in life is our dear Lord Jesus. He has been faithful when I was faithless; He has been a nurturing Shepherd when I needed tenderness; He has abided with me in times of great sorrow and great joy; He has poured down His mercy on me when others failed to be merciful; He has been loyal to me when others have abandoned me; He is my beloved and I am His.

As John Newton wrote:
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.
Dear name! the Rock on which I build, my Shield and Hiding place,
My never failing treas'ry, filled with boundless stores of grace.
Jesus, my Shepherd, Brother, Friend, my Prophet, Priest and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, Accept the praise I bring.

The dear Lord Jesus.

The birds are returning....

Monday morning I saw a welcome sight: a lone robin perched on a bare branch in the Heritage Park behind our house. Not only that but the dark-eyed juncos and mourning doves have also arrived, braving the still-cold Red River Valley of the North. The geese are flying north and I even had a fly in the house recently.

This morning, just after sunrise, five of our 12 cats were out playing on the Slough of Despond just west of the "little house". They actually appeared to be purposely sliding on the ice and were comical in their actions.

The raptors are also returning. I have seen red-tailed hawks and a northern harrier. I hope they are successfully hunting mice.

Spring is coming!

Keeping a diary, journal, log, calendar...whatever you call it!

In 2007 I read 82 books and numerous magazines (e.g. World, Birds and Blooms, The Court Report, Biblical Worldview, Keepers at Home, The Old Schoolhouse, Chalcedon, Homeschooling Today, and Practical Homeschooling). When I completed each book I entered the title, author and my comments in a three-ring binder. Seems a little compulsive, doesn’t it?

Here’s why I keep the records. First of all, I am compulsive (I like to refer to it as ‘a striving after excellence!’). I love lists and I enjoy seeing where I have been, what was done, and what I thought at the time. So I guess if compulsiveness isn’t one of your vices or virtues, you could skip this one.

Second, I have a moderate-sized library of about 4000 books (could be more, there’s bookshelves all over the house). All of these will some day be passed on to our daughter and her children. Think for a minute: Wouldn’t it be fun to have a list of books your grandma read and what she thought of each one?

My grandma kept a diary, as they were called in those days, which includes notes on weather, trips to town to sell eggs, Livestock Sales Ring days, evening Homemakers’ meetings and birthdays. Even with those rather superficial recordings, it is still a picture of what her life was like; it is interesting to me.

There will come a time when I will be gone and maybe my progeny will be interested in what my life was like. If not, they can sell all those books on amazon.com!

I have also kept journals of trips we have made which gives a rendering of the highlights of the trip, the thoughts I had regarding historical sights, bad motels, good food, where I bought a certain piece for my Colonial cream ware set and geophysical sights that awed me or should be avoided in the future (cave visits!).

I kept a very detailed journal of our trip to India in 1997. For about three months following our return I worked on putting it all into book form. Once completed, I ran a copy for each of the India Team members. It became an historical record of our trip that I often reread. It prevents the capriciousness of memory from stealing the wonder of that trip from me.

Keeping a log book of one’s reading also keeps the memory of the book alive and reminds me to reread or not, never lend out, use as a resource, or take quotes from for future writing projects.

You don’t have to be as compulsive as I am, but you might want to leave a written trail for your loved ones. It might matter to them.

Moral Busybodies

There are many writings of C.S. Lewis that I love. Writings that have made me think outside the narrow little box of my own musings. Here's one that is especially true and relevant in the culture we now find ourselves:

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.

Sunday dinner at the Blessed Life Ranch is a blessing!

Ten around the table is a delight! Grandpa prays and we all dig in. I feel sorry for folks who never take the time to enjoy the sweet blessing of noisy chatting, yummy-yummies, even spilled drinks and dropped food (the dog loves that!) and the contentment of a Sunday afternoon of rest.

Life is good in America!

He has risen!

It's a beautiful morning at the Blessed Life Ranch! Resurrection Sunday is just around the corner.

What was it like when the women first came to the tomb of Jesus and found it empty? What did they think? Someone stole the body or "He has risen as He said He would!" ?

He has risen! He has risen, indeed!

The Road Home

Saturday, early evening, we returned from the North Dakota Home School Association's annual convention. There were so many wonderful things about the convention that I will not write about them at this time.

It's been almost three years since we left Bismarck and moved to the Red River Valley to be near our dear ones. Here's what struck me the MOST as we headed for our 'little house on the prairie'. As we turned to go east at the Woods' Corner, that long, straight and level gravel road finally looked like the road home. Not just the road to Ray and Aimee's home, but the road to our home. It was a welcome sight. We felt like we were finally home!

To Live for Almost Sixty Years and Not....

It is a deep sorrow of my life to know that I have lived for almost sixty years and it is only within the past 5-6 years that I have begun to understand the extreme value of a life filled with grace. When I think of all that has issued from my heart and mouth, and how often it has been so totally lacking in grace, I am ashamed and saddened beyond telling. Sixty years...and just now learning.

God has brought people into my life over the years to exhibit both grace-filled lives and those that are ungracious and condemnatory. When I think of generosity of grace I always think first of Stan and Simone. Theirs were lives filled with an overwhelming fragrance of grace and mercy. They knew God. They knew their own failings. They knew the mercy that God bestows on His own. They poured out grace on everyone they came in contact with and some of those were quite unsavory characters. They loved. They loved. They loved. Stan never minced words about God's punishment for sinners, but rather than coming to Christ to avoid hell one wanted to come to Christ because of His great love for His sheep. And Stan and Simone were gentle shepherds that loved their sheep. They were not unaware of the stubborness, willfulness and stupidity of the sheep, but the sheep were so loved and cared for by S & S that they wanted to do better and be better to please both the shepherds and the Great Shepherd.

I want to be like that. I want to pour out grace on all I meet so that they will see the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Stan has gone home to be with Jesus and Simone lives far away from me, but the impact they had on my life never lessens. In fact, as I grow older I am more cognizant of the great spiritual heritage they bequethed to me by their undying love, mercy and grace.

Only eternity will fully reveal the importance of their lives to mine and, more importantly, to the Kingdom of God .

Reading and the well-read mind

A well-read mind is a mind that is expansive enough, secure enough and humble enough to entertain another's opinion while still holding firmly to it's own convictions, all the while maintaining an attitude of grace and respect.

If all one reads is what one already agrees with then how can iron sharpen iron? Congregating at all times with only like-minded folks tends to create a huge pile of salt. Salt in such an overdose almost always kills the grass.

I recently had the chance to visit with dear friends of ours well into the wee hours of the night. We did not always agree and sometimes the discussion got pretty heated. But what a lovely thing to be able to do so and still love each other without question. They are well-read. We want to be well-read.

Our conversation has given me many new things to think about, mull over, digest and dwell on. I have learned a great deal already from this dear family-a family I find incredibly easy to love-and hope to be challenged again and again by them. I feel like a student at the feet of great teachers. I am thankful even that we are not always like-minded.

If you're reading this D and M...you know who you are and may God be praised for bringing you into our lives.

Three Men

Here are the three men in my life:

Alex

BB (Bill)

Charlie

A Frosty Morning

A frosty morning through my kitchen window!

The government bus...

The other day Emmy was standing at the large window which faces the gravel road which passes to the south of the Blessed Life Ranch. She was waiting for her brother, Alex, to take her over to the 'big house' following her afternoon nap at the 'little house'. It was 4:15 p.m. As the school bus sped past Emmy said, with a sad inflection of her voice, "There goes the government bus!"

Think about it. The school is approved by the government, the teachers are licensed by the government, the funding is through state and federal government, the regulations are all promolgated by the government...I guess Emmy is right...it was a government bus, indeed!

Smart enough to be dumb?

I continually seem to run into folks who think they are absolutely right, without question, no doubts allowed, completely sure, and fully convinced about....well, just about everything.

I think God brings these people into my life to grow me up. I used to be (sometimes still am!) one of those people. I had all the answers; I was always right; I sneered at the ignorant; and never thought too deeply about my own hidden prejudices.

As I near 60 I'm finding I know less and less for sure, but what I know for sure, I know for sure. And I am much more likely to deal in grace with another of a varying opinion. I now know what it is like to be treated as an imbecile; it is not pleasant. And the one who so acts is lacking in the most important of abiding characteristics...love. Tinkling brass, sounding cymbal.

There are alot of mysteries in this life, perhaps most of which won't be revealed until we actually arrive in glory, that other dimension of the called out.

I think God intended for us to not know all the answers. I often hear folks say, "God told me." or "I speak for Christ when I say...." Now you can do that as long as what you say comes right from the Scriptures, but it is arrogant and maybe even dangerous to ascribe to Christ what hasn't been made utterly clear in His Word.

I think I might be getting smarter as I get older because I am learning how dumb I am!

Living What You Believe

Sometimes I am reluctant to continue studying the Scriptures due to my own discouragement over what I already know to do, but don't. If I practiced even 10% of what I know to be important in holy living, I would be thrilled and humbled and surprised!

I think of Paul the Apostle when he said that the things he wanted to do, he didn't and the things he knew he ought not do, he did. Story of my life.

I often equate this to dieting because....well, I have struggled with my weight most of my adult life. My dear BB and I were discussing this very thing this weekend. I told him that I am not a glutton exactly; what I am is lacking in self-control. The hard truth about one's weight is that it is almost always due to eating more than one's body needs to operate.

The one thing that keeps me from completely giving up on the whole thing is that I often weep over what others may think of my dear Lord....apparently He isn't enough. And, of course, that is not true. The fault lies with me, not with Him.

I have begged and pleaded, wept and threatened and bargained, promised and resolved to do better, to exercise more self-control. I have been desperate at times, yet still I carry more weight than I ought.

I truly believe that only the Lord Jesus is capable of coming alongside us by His comforting Spirit and giving us the resolve not to give up, to press on, to glory in His sufficiency.

We don't ever have to beg Him to be with us. He is and He has promised never to leave us or forsake us and He remains faithful even when we are faithless.

What a glorious, comforting thought. He is with us. He will not leave us.

Thank you, Lord.

Fibromyalgia!

Okay, okay! Enough whining about the weather. I'll whine about something else.

I recently received a diagnosis for a chronic host of symptoms I have endured for close to 20 years, maybe more now that I think of it. Fibromyalgia evidently really is a disease and not one made up to attach to whiners, malingerers and complainers.

I may certainly be a whiner and complainer but I have never been a malingerer. I love to be busy about my home. In fact, idleness irritates me, seems wasteful. Hence, though I love solitude, I'm not actually sitting on the sofa watching soaps and eating bon-bons. Others may have time to split hairs over theological this and that. They may have much more ivory-tower-time than I do to contemplate deep issues that, frankly, I'm probably just not interested in. I prefer action. In fact, that's something I've kind of noticed about some of the intellectuals in my life (not that I have a lot of them :>): they seem to think too much and act too little. You can spend hours delving into the theology of God's love, but if you don't actually exhibit it....well, you get my drift! You can urge the importance of hospitality on others, but if you don't practice it yourself, it's just a chasing after the wind.

It's not that I don't spend time in thought. I do. Actually quite a bit of time. But I have a list every morning that I try to work through every day. Sometimes I am not too successful. It irritates me to have physical restrictions placed on what I am able to do so maybe I am still at the stage of dealing with fibromyalgia where I am a bit perturbed by the whole thing and still thinking maybe it's my own fault. Maybe I just need to 'buck up'!

I really don't have time to think about it right now. I've got work to do.

Me-n-BB

Me-n-BB

Notice: We are smiling...you can see green leaves in background...healthily tanned skin...no heavy outer garments...it is summer and life is good!

Clouds....

Yah! How about this picture. Taken from my Ozark patio this past summer. I'm sure if I were a really astute homeschooler I would even be able to label this cloud type...oh well.

Anyway I'm thinking: blue sky, lawn chair, sound of splashing from the pool, cry of the Killdeer, slap, slap, slap at those nasty mosquitoes, and the never-ending breezes on my face.

DO NOT AWAKEN ME....

Okay, that's it!

Okay, that's it! This morning I woke up to temperatures that were 37.4 degrees BELOW zero. Henceforth, I am going to live in a haze of summer memories and I do NOT want anyone to disturb me!

Here's a field of my summer flowers that I am laying on my back in, looking at the blue sky and feeling the warmth of the sun on my face.

Please do not awaken me.....

Brrrrrrrrr!

It was 24 degrees below zero this morning! Ouch! Even so I'm about the happiest gal around. I have received my garden seeds and have begun plotting my garden. We moved from the Missouri Slope country about three years ago to the flat and fertile Red River Valley of the North. Well, to say the least, growing conditions are a lot different here and I am trying to get used to it. The soil 'back home' had to be enriched periodically and the garden always seemed to be needing water, but by the time we left our home of 25 years that little garden spot on north 11th street was rich and soft and easy to work! Coming to the valley was an eye-opener. The soil here is hard, hard, hard. There's generally no need to water and slope of the ground anywhere around here is only about 1 % so drainage is slow, slow, slow. The growing season is much shorter here. Back home I usually had my garden in by the 1st of May, the 10th at the latest. Around here....probably the end of May.

But the big plus here is this soil is incredibly rich! You can grow anything (at least anything I've tried!) and it will produce large crops. We have row upon row of canned goods to prove it.

The Why of It All

There are plenty of reasons for grandparents to downsize. Some want to see their loved ones possess and use many of the things that graced their homes for decades. Many would prefer to do away with the lawn mowing, garden tending and tree maintenance. Others want the freedom to travel and some just want to go south and avoid these nasty winters in the north.

Our downsizing was for completely different reasons. Leaving our home of more than twenty years, leaving our church family, our neighbors, jobs we loved, even our grocery store, dentist, doctor, optometrist and favorite eating places turned out to be more daunting than we anticipated. What could possibly cause us to take such a step at our age?

The answer was simple: We wanted to help our daughter and son-in-law in the discipling of their six children.

Being the parents of one child allowed us to make a decision to uproot and move. Our daughter and son-in-law breached the subject with us first. In fact, it hadn’t occurred to us to relocate to the eastern part of North Dakota. We thought we would have to make do with the seemingly infrequent trips to their home in the Red River Valley. However, God had different plans for us.
In August 2005 we left most of what was familiar and moved to a country location just 2 1/2 miles from the frequently flooding Red River of the North and about 25 minutes north of Fargo, N.D. We put a manufactured home on an existing farmstead. The children moved into a 1920s arts and crafts farm house. Our adventure had begun.

Living next door to grandparents used to be much more common. We have discovered in our new locale that there are quite a few rural acreages that have more than one generation in residence. For the elderly such a closeness to loved ones is very comforting and lends a sense of security. To the 'younger generation' the closeness can allow much more flexibility for the family as child care is readily available, it divides the work load and adds a deep sense of connectedness to both the young and old.

I did not have a close relationship with my grandparents. Neither did my husband. Both of us felt the lack as a true loss in the shaping of our own lives. We wanted to be able to help in the transmitting of our Christian values to our grandchildren. That cannot be done effectively from afar. The old adage that quality of time is more important than the quantity of time is a lie. Relationships take time, lots of time. Inculcating our dear ones with a Biblical worldview takes daily prayer, thought and action.

We had experience with developing a close relationship already with our two oldest grandchildren, Charlie and Alex, who spent a great deal of time with us during the first seven years of their lives. We did what we knew to do, trusting God to bring up the slack for our incompetence. We told them repeatedly that we loved them more than our own lives. They are now 17 and 15 and they are wonderful young men. We praise God for His continued work in their lives and for the deep, abiding, sacrificial love He has given us for them.

It is, after all, fully committed love and the consistent practice of virtues that will win the day in both home schooling and godly family life.

Four little sisters, Laura (6), Lily (3), and Emma and Anna (2) have been added to the mix. Each is a gift from God and we view them as our inheritance. We aspire to pass on to them a godly inheritance: a love for God that is all-encompassing, a desire to obey Him no matter the cost, and a longing to serve Him in all areas of life with undivided hearts. We walk a fine line at times because our methods and desired ends may differ somewhat from their parents. We have years of living, some godly, some ungodly, which gives us a generous repertoire of experiences to draw from in our relationships. We are learning how important it is to daily deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus.

Elisabeth Elliot in Love Has a Price Tag writes, “It is a spiritual principle as far removed from what the world tells us as heaven is removed from hell: If you are willing to lose your life, you’ll find it. It is the principle expressed by John Keble in 1822:

If on our daily course our mind
Be set to hallow all we find,
New treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.

Sacrifice. This is the trademark of intergenerational relationships. Sometimes the gulf between parent and child and grandparent and grandchild is wide, due simply to the expanse of generations. But the gulf can be bridged by sacrifice, committed love and the consistent practice of virtue. It is our goal as grandparents to be a help to our daughter and son-in-law, to add maturity to the relationships and to blend all our interactions with a committed love that sees beyond the years and into eternity.

It’s all in the why, you know. The why is for the sake of God’s glorious Name. The how may differ from family to family and from homeschool to homeschool, but the why is the nitty-gritty of the matter. We chose to downsize for an eternal reason and we can cheerfully take up the cross of what can sometimes seem as weary duty and march to the glorious tune of the angels as they sing the praises of our Sovereign Lord.

There was a man grown weary of putting rocks from pile A onto pile B and then moving them from pile B back to pile A. When he felt he could take no more of the senseless work he lay down on the ground and waited for the executioner’s hand to fall. Another prisoner sidled up to him, stooped and carefully etched in the dirt a cross. And Alexander Solzhenitsyn rose to his feet placing a rock from pile A onto pile B. A cross in the dirt.

The cross is always the crux of the matter. And committed love and the unending practice of godly virtues. Ah, sweet is a life that is well-lived and holy. We have a long way to go in the realm of holy living, but we believe that God has called us to this place, for this time, for these dear ones. And we rejoice.

Quieting our souls before God

It's no secret that I consider Elisabeth Elliot one of the foremost Christian women in America. In my library are all the books she has written; some I have read repeatedly. She is wise and godly and mature in her faith; a role model for all women.

In Secure in the Everlasting Arms she lists principles to help us quiet our souls before God. They are:

• Go to God first. Kneel in silence. Lift up your heart and hands. Listen.
• Receive the Givens and the Not-Givens. "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure" (Psalm 16:5).
• In acceptance lies peace. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27)
• It is always possible to do the will of God.
• Do it now. "I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands" (Psalm 119:60).
• Love means sacrifice.
• Choose your attitude. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who...made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant...He humbled himself" (Phil. 2:5, 7-8).
• Analyze your struggle. Is it merely delayed obedience?
• Give it all to Jesus.
• Do the next thing.
• Give thanks every day and for everything.

Heidi

I recently finished reading aloud to my youngest grandson, Alex, the sweet and gentle story of Heidi by Johanna Spyri. What a delightful book. Can you believe that I have almost reached the age of 60 without ever reading this classic!

To her friend Klara, Heidi says, "We ought to pray to the dear Lord every day. Then He will know that we do not forget that we receive everything from Him. If we do not receive what we would like, we must not think the dear Lord has not listened, and stop praying, but we must pray like this: 'Now I know, dear Lord, that You have something better in store, and I will be glad that You will be so good to me.'"

Out of the mouths of babes!

Election year......oh, brother!

This election campaign stuff is just the pits! Don't get me wrong; I love living in America and being part of a representative government. But sometimes I could just scream at the length of the campaigns, the lies and posturing, the undending fluff and stuff. If I wasn't absolutely positive that God is sovereign, I would be worried. But He is, therefore I am not.

My husband (BB) and I are reading aloud Bill Bennett's (another BB!) two-volume America The Last Best Hope. We didn't own volume one but only had volume 2 so we started there. What a fabulous history lesson. We have since purchased the first in the set and are now reading about the founding of America. If a young person read only these two volumes he/she would have a very good understanding about the history of America. It reads like a novel almost and brings history to life. We love it! (Got ours at Amazon.com for less!)

This is a picture of our pet dog, Maimee, and our pet alien. Cute!

I decided since we were in the midst of another blizzard, ground this time, that I would bring out the fake palm trees and pretend like it was summer. Life is good in America...

Yes, it's petunias in February. I brought this plant in last fall to save it from the frost and decided to just let it go dormant for a few months. A couple weeks ago I set it in the large south windows in our living room and lo, and behold! pretty soon there was tantalizing greenery and the next thing I knew it was covered with luscious white flowers. Sweet!

What do I like?

I like:

• 
  the smell of petunias on a warm, humid June evening.
  
• the feel of Emmy's little arms around my neck
  
• the sound of Laura (Lola) as she tries to smoothly play "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" on the keyboard
  
• the taste of salsa from Los Amigos in Bismarck
  
• the overwhelming fragrance of apple blossums from my Bismarck backyard
  
• the hum of flies and mosquitoes on a dry, windy August afternoon
  
• the satisfaction of a job well-done, even if nobody knows
  
• the sound of my daughter's voice
  
• the gentle purrrrr of my husband as he sleeps (he had a snorectomy a couple years ago, so he doesn't really snore anymore....YEAH!)
  
• the sound of the boys playing football in the front yard
  
• the sweet relief of laying down at night on my pillow-top bed
  
• the smell of fresh-baked banana bread
  
• the sense of accomplishment when I finish reading a really tedious book
  
• the sense of sadness when I finish reading a really GOOD book
  
• the sweet peace of knowing that underneath are the everlasting arms
  
• the assurance that God is in heaven, even if all is NOT well with the world
  
• the sound of my pressure cooker, hissing, on a day filled with corn, corn, corn
  
• the sight of Laura riding her bike down the driveway, head bent down to the handlebars, hair flying in the wind
  
• the gentle sound of Lily singing to herself or talking to her babies
  
• the picture of all 11 cats, nicely in a row, following Alex to the barn for their morning feeding
  
• the glory of knowing this life is not all there is...and that the best is yet to come!