THE YEAR OF SHEMITAH
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Storms are NOT my favorite thing -- well, severe storms, that is. For me, the worst is when they come in the nighttime, when there is no way to view the sky, to 'see what is coming.'
I am so thankful that we have a God that knows our fears, that is waiting to comfort me when the storms begin to cause fear, anxiety, and uneasiness. His Word even gives us verses that can sustain us, that give us words of encouragement.
PSALM 3:5 -- "I will lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me."
PSALM 4:8 -- "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
When storms come, remember He is there. He is in control. He loves you and wants you to rest in Him and know that He is God. He sings over you! (Zephaniah 3:17)
I am so thankful that we have a God that knows our fears, that is waiting to comfort me when the storms begin to cause fear, anxiety, and uneasiness. His Word even gives us verses that can sustain us, that give us words of encouragement.
PSALM 3:5 -- "I will lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me."
PSALM 4:8 -- "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
When storms come, remember He is there. He is in control. He loves you and wants you to rest in Him and know that He is God. He sings over you! (Zephaniah 3:17)
Where were you 10 years ago on September 11? I'm sure most of us can remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when our country stopped and watched in horror as our country was attacked. I believe that we can all agree that day was a wake up call for our country to begin to believe what we profess - ONE NATION UNDER GOD. We were to "Never Forget."
Our country did rally and people did begin crying out to God and yes, some made life changing decisions. However, if you look back over the last 10 years, it appears that we have forgotten. We've forgotten that our country was founded on God, that He was the One our forefathers believed in, called upon, and based our Constitution on. Just think about the past 5 years. What has our country had to face just within those 5 years? Continuing to change laws that totally go against God's Word; massive companies going bankrupt, thus thousands of jobs being lost; our country continuing to go into a debt that just rolls off of the tongue, but is SO HARD to grasp the reality of it, much less pay back, and many more things. We have forgotten about those that not only lost their lives on that day, but those that helped, that sacrificed their own lives to save someone.
So, I guess what I'm saying is this: EVERY day we should "NEVER FORGET" what the Lord has done for each of us. We should "NEVER FORGET" His love and compassion for each of us and for our country. We should "NEVER FORGET" that our country was founded upon "ONE NATION UNDER GOD." We should "NEVER FORGET" that God has blessed our nation in many ways, but is saddened by what He is seeing in us. We should "NEVER FORGET" those that have willingly gave their lives to protect our country, not just on 9/11/01, but before and after that date. However, in our "NEVER FORGETTING," let's REMEMBER to cry out to God, to plead for forgiveness of not following Him as a nation, for totally going against His Word and 'doing our own thing. Let's REMEMBER to ask Him for guidance and direction for our country so that we KNOW exactly where He wants us to be as a nation. Let's REMEMBER to pray for those who are leading our country, that THEY will call on the ONE TRUE GOD and ask for forgiveness and wisdom in running America. Let's REMEMBER "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the repubic for which it stands; ONE NATION UNDER GOD, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all." Let's REMEMBER, "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked way, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will HEAL THEIR LAND." 2 Chronicles 7:14 God, please bless America!
Our country did rally and people did begin crying out to God and yes, some made life changing decisions. However, if you look back over the last 10 years, it appears that we have forgotten. We've forgotten that our country was founded on God, that He was the One our forefathers believed in, called upon, and based our Constitution on. Just think about the past 5 years. What has our country had to face just within those 5 years? Continuing to change laws that totally go against God's Word; massive companies going bankrupt, thus thousands of jobs being lost; our country continuing to go into a debt that just rolls off of the tongue, but is SO HARD to grasp the reality of it, much less pay back, and many more things. We have forgotten about those that not only lost their lives on that day, but those that helped, that sacrificed their own lives to save someone.
So, I guess what I'm saying is this: EVERY day we should "NEVER FORGET" what the Lord has done for each of us. We should "NEVER FORGET" His love and compassion for each of us and for our country. We should "NEVER FORGET" that our country was founded upon "ONE NATION UNDER GOD." We should "NEVER FORGET" that God has blessed our nation in many ways, but is saddened by what He is seeing in us. We should "NEVER FORGET" those that have willingly gave their lives to protect our country, not just on 9/11/01, but before and after that date. However, in our "NEVER FORGETTING," let's REMEMBER to cry out to God, to plead for forgiveness of not following Him as a nation, for totally going against His Word and 'doing our own thing. Let's REMEMBER to ask Him for guidance and direction for our country so that we KNOW exactly where He wants us to be as a nation. Let's REMEMBER to pray for those who are leading our country, that THEY will call on the ONE TRUE GOD and ask for forgiveness and wisdom in running America. Let's REMEMBER "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the repubic for which it stands; ONE NATION UNDER GOD, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all." Let's REMEMBER, "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked way, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will HEAL THEIR LAND." 2 Chronicles 7:14 God, please bless America!
Thanksgiving Moments...
Thanksgiving brings a time of memories, traditions, and new beginnings. Reflecting on our Thanksgiving time today, I'm thankful for the traditions we have begun -- setting the table with my grandmother's china, making the "never-ending" fudge pie, name the turkey each year (this year the name was Thomas Jefferson), and calls to family far away. Memories of the past Thanksgiving when we were able to trick/bribe/coerce the kids into raking leaves after Thanksgiving dinner because "it was a tradition" or the first time in cooking a turkey and not knowing you were supposed to remove "stuff" they put in the turkey's cavities. New beginnings with friends and "future" family joining us for Thanksgiving dinner, veggie tray with dip to help tie us over until it was time to sit down to dinner, new family members that bring such joy and laughter! God has been unbelievably faithful this past year! His blessings have been so numerous and so amazing -- what else would you expect from God, right! :D The excitement of what is to come causes me to shudder (with excitement) at times. He has always provided, always been there, and has always amazed me with His 'just the right time' blessings! I now have another year to begin planning for the new beginnings for next Thanksgiving and add today's memories to the many memories of past Thanksgivings. God is Faithful!
Thanksgiving brings a time of memories, traditions, and new beginnings. Reflecting on our Thanksgiving time today, I'm thankful for the traditions we have begun -- setting the table with my grandmother's china, making the "never-ending" fudge pie, name the turkey each year (this year the name was Thomas Jefferson), and calls to family far away. Memories of the past Thanksgiving when we were able to trick/bribe/coerce the kids into raking leaves after Thanksgiving dinner because "it was a tradition" or the first time in cooking a turkey and not knowing you were supposed to remove "stuff" they put in the turkey's cavities. New beginnings with friends and "future" family joining us for Thanksgiving dinner, veggie tray with dip to help tie us over until it was time to sit down to dinner, new family members that bring such joy and laughter! God has been unbelievably faithful this past year! His blessings have been so numerous and so amazing -- what else would you expect from God, right! :D The excitement of what is to come causes me to shudder (with excitement) at times. He has always provided, always been there, and has always amazed me with His 'just the right time' blessings! I now have another year to begin planning for the new beginnings for next Thanksgiving and add today's memories to the many memories of past Thanksgivings. God is Faithful!
GOD’S ABUNDANT BLESSINGS
There are times that we tend to whine and complain about blessings God gives us. We forget to look at the positives, but end up focusing on the negatives.
I found myself doing that in the past few weeks. With the economy still not ‘where it should be,’ we realized that it would be a good time to invest in a garden and grow our own vegetables. The price of vegetables and fruit (fresh, can, or frozen) has gone up quite a bit lately and I found myself buying the ‘junk’ because it seemed ‘cheaper.’ Not so, but at the time it seemed logical. J With God’s blessings and my husband’s diligence and sweat we have been able to have a garden this year. It looks beautiful! But just standing there looking at it doesn’t bring in the produce.
We have 2 plum trees that produced only about 20 plums TOTAL last year, so we really did not expect them to produce much this year. HOWEVER, God blessed these trees! We ended up with about 25 gallons of plums and gave away about 15 gallons. I have made jelly to last a lifetime (well, it seems like it). I have dried plums, frozen the juice, and we have eaten quite a few. During the ‘season of harvest’ I found myself complaining about them. I was focusing on the negative.
Our garden is starting to ‘come in’ as the farmers would say. We have only 1 zucchini plant, but it has blessed us (and continues blessing) with zucchini. Again I have found myself focusing on the negative, complaining about what we were going to do with all of the zucchini. I have shredded and frozen, roasted, dehydrated, ate, and of course, shared our blessing with others.
It was during one early morning when I was picking green beans and talking with the Lord, that He asked me why I had prayed for His blessings, yet when He gave them, I complained. Did I really want Him to bless us, to provide for us in ways that could only be contributed to Him? If so, why don’t I accept His blessings with praise and thanksgiving instead of grumbling and complaining about how much and all the time it would take me to process. OUCH! L
God’s blessings come in many different forms – people, nature, even fruit and vegetables. Be thankful for His bountiful goodness!
There are times that we tend to whine and complain about blessings God gives us. We forget to look at the positives, but end up focusing on the negatives.
I found myself doing that in the past few weeks. With the economy still not ‘where it should be,’ we realized that it would be a good time to invest in a garden and grow our own vegetables. The price of vegetables and fruit (fresh, can, or frozen) has gone up quite a bit lately and I found myself buying the ‘junk’ because it seemed ‘cheaper.’ Not so, but at the time it seemed logical. J With God’s blessings and my husband’s diligence and sweat we have been able to have a garden this year. It looks beautiful! But just standing there looking at it doesn’t bring in the produce.
We have 2 plum trees that produced only about 20 plums TOTAL last year, so we really did not expect them to produce much this year. HOWEVER, God blessed these trees! We ended up with about 25 gallons of plums and gave away about 15 gallons. I have made jelly to last a lifetime (well, it seems like it). I have dried plums, frozen the juice, and we have eaten quite a few. During the ‘season of harvest’ I found myself complaining about them. I was focusing on the negative.
Our garden is starting to ‘come in’ as the farmers would say. We have only 1 zucchini plant, but it has blessed us (and continues blessing) with zucchini. Again I have found myself focusing on the negative, complaining about what we were going to do with all of the zucchini. I have shredded and frozen, roasted, dehydrated, ate, and of course, shared our blessing with others.
It was during one early morning when I was picking green beans and talking with the Lord, that He asked me why I had prayed for His blessings, yet when He gave them, I complained. Did I really want Him to bless us, to provide for us in ways that could only be contributed to Him? If so, why don’t I accept His blessings with praise and thanksgiving instead of grumbling and complaining about how much and all the time it would take me to process. OUCH! L
God’s blessings come in many different forms – people, nature, even fruit and vegetables. Be thankful for His bountiful goodness!
August 20, 2012 -- " And my God shall supply all of your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
(The picture to the left IS NOT my canning - just a free photo I chose)
I find it amazing how quickly time flies - especially when you are having fun! :- Last month I was sharing with Ernie that I would like to go to a nearby local farm and pick apples before the season was over. I knew that it was going to cost to pick, but since our apple trees decided to"rest" this year, I also knew that our apple supply would be depleted before next year's season. God is so awesome and provides in the neatest of ways! A lady from our church asked if I would like to pick apples at her house. Her husband had recently passed away and she just didn't feel like dealing with them this year. Of course, I jumped at the chance! Our daughter and I went one morning and picked 3 five gallon buckets full of apples. The trees were LOADED!!! I am so thankful for this provision - freely given!! It only cost us the time we spent visiting with her and picking the apples, and of course the time of processing the apples, which to me is not really 'a cost' at all.
At the same time we were blessed with these apples, our tomatoes and cucumbers decided they wanted to begin producing - late, but bountiful! Again, such a wonderful blessing from God!
I know that processing and canning fruit and vegetables is work, but I have to say that I have found it immensely joyful. While I've worked in the kitchen washing, peeling, chopping, etc. I have watched the old episodes of Father Knows Best. Watching the antics of Betty, Bud, and Cathy has helped me pass the time. I've learned so much this year about processing and canning. There is SO MUCH more to learn and I am really looking forward to researching and learning more for next year's crop. This is definitely an art that has been lost in the days and years of 'new and improved' ways of doing things.
The season is beginning to come to a close. The plants are beginning to slow down in their produce. The days are slightly cooler now and the new season is just around the corner. I can say without hesitation, God has supplied our every need this season. He will continue to supply our needs. He will continue to amaze us in every turn of life.
Perhaps we (our nation) will not have to go "back to the basics" like canning and 'putting up' our food, but it is something that we should never lose and should be passed down to our children and children's children. You never know when we will be faced with challenges of providing for our families like our ancestors did in the past. HOWEVER, we DO KNOW that God will supply all of our needs and He will NEVER leave us. He wants to bless His children! He wants us to see all of the wonderful things He has in store for us!
(The picture to the left IS NOT my canning - just a free photo I chose)
I find it amazing how quickly time flies - especially when you are having fun! :- Last month I was sharing with Ernie that I would like to go to a nearby local farm and pick apples before the season was over. I knew that it was going to cost to pick, but since our apple trees decided to"rest" this year, I also knew that our apple supply would be depleted before next year's season. God is so awesome and provides in the neatest of ways! A lady from our church asked if I would like to pick apples at her house. Her husband had recently passed away and she just didn't feel like dealing with them this year. Of course, I jumped at the chance! Our daughter and I went one morning and picked 3 five gallon buckets full of apples. The trees were LOADED!!! I am so thankful for this provision - freely given!! It only cost us the time we spent visiting with her and picking the apples, and of course the time of processing the apples, which to me is not really 'a cost' at all.
At the same time we were blessed with these apples, our tomatoes and cucumbers decided they wanted to begin producing - late, but bountiful! Again, such a wonderful blessing from God!
I know that processing and canning fruit and vegetables is work, but I have to say that I have found it immensely joyful. While I've worked in the kitchen washing, peeling, chopping, etc. I have watched the old episodes of Father Knows Best. Watching the antics of Betty, Bud, and Cathy has helped me pass the time. I've learned so much this year about processing and canning. There is SO MUCH more to learn and I am really looking forward to researching and learning more for next year's crop. This is definitely an art that has been lost in the days and years of 'new and improved' ways of doing things.
The season is beginning to come to a close. The plants are beginning to slow down in their produce. The days are slightly cooler now and the new season is just around the corner. I can say without hesitation, God has supplied our every need this season. He will continue to supply our needs. He will continue to amaze us in every turn of life.
Perhaps we (our nation) will not have to go "back to the basics" like canning and 'putting up' our food, but it is something that we should never lose and should be passed down to our children and children's children. You never know when we will be faced with challenges of providing for our families like our ancestors did in the past. HOWEVER, we DO KNOW that God will supply all of our needs and He will NEVER leave us. He wants to bless His children! He wants us to see all of the wonderful things He has in store for us!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, ERNIE!!!
Tomorrow we will celebrate our 31st Wedding Anniversary. I can't imagine my life without Ernie. God knew exactly what He was doing when my roommate introduced us one night at TNU. The years haven't always been easy. We've had trials and struggles, but they have always been blessed with God's goodness and our love for each other. If I had one thing, one advice to give to those who are newly married or struggling in their marriage, it would be this: Pray daily for your mate. Ask God to bless him/her in ways that only could be deemed God. Ask God to help you both to grow in Him together. Stay together. Talk things out. Don't hide things from your spouse - share everything. Be open and honest. Don't separate your finances (his and hers), it will just be something that will always be a separation between you - share everything! Fight it out. It won't be easy; in fact, there may be times that you would like to just walk away - but DON'T! Surround yourself with those that will pray with you and for your marriage. Pray together. Never forget to tell each other 'I love you' before leaving the house, the last words you say to each other at night, the first thing you say in the morning. You never know when it will be your last time to express your love.
Tomorrow we will celebrate our 31st Wedding Anniversary. I can't imagine my life without Ernie. God knew exactly what He was doing when my roommate introduced us one night at TNU. The years haven't always been easy. We've had trials and struggles, but they have always been blessed with God's goodness and our love for each other. If I had one thing, one advice to give to those who are newly married or struggling in their marriage, it would be this: Pray daily for your mate. Ask God to bless him/her in ways that only could be deemed God. Ask God to help you both to grow in Him together. Stay together. Talk things out. Don't hide things from your spouse - share everything. Be open and honest. Don't separate your finances (his and hers), it will just be something that will always be a separation between you - share everything! Fight it out. It won't be easy; in fact, there may be times that you would like to just walk away - but DON'T! Surround yourself with those that will pray with you and for your marriage. Pray together. Never forget to tell each other 'I love you' before leaving the house, the last words you say to each other at night, the first thing you say in the morning. You never know when it will be your last time to express your love.