Learning From The Past, As We Think On The Future

Jonathan Edwards wrote these 70 resolutions at the age of 19. 

As I read through these, I can see at the ripe old age of 40-something, I still have much to learn, and need growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I share this list as an encouragement to my sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus.  May we all push on, learn more, and grow as we are encouraged to, in God's Holy Word.  Resolutions are good if they cause us to repent of past mistakes, and press on to do what we know is right in the sight of the Lord.  Obeying Him in our daily lives.

1. Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved, so to do, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

2. Resolved, To be continually endeavouring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the forementioned things.

3. Resolved, If ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, Never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God, nor be, nor suffer it, if I can possibly avoid it.

5. Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, To act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings, as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

9. Resolved, To think much, on all occasions, of my dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, When I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.

12. Resolved, If I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, To be endeavouring to find out fit objects of liberality and charity.

14. Resolved, Never to do any thing out of revenge.

15. Resolved, Never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.

16. Resolved, Never to speak evil of any one, so that it shall tend to his dishonour, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, That I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, To live so, at all times, as I think is best in my most devout frames, and when I have the clearest notions of the things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour before I should hear the last trump.

20. Resolved, To maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

21. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.

22. Resolved, To endeavour to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigour, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

23. Resolved, Frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs, and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory, to repute it as a breach of the fourth Resolution.

24. Resolved, Whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavour to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

25. Resolved, To examine carefully and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and so direct all my forces against it.

26. Resolved, To cast away such things as I find do abate my assurance.

27. Resolved, Never wilfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.

28. Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

29. Resolved, Never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession which I cannot hope God will accept.

30. Resolved, To strive every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

31. Resolved, Never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of christian honour, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said any thing against any one, to bring it to, and try it strictly by, the test of this Resolution.

32. Resolved, To be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Prov. xx. 6. ‘A faithful man, who can find?’ may not be partly fulfilled in me.

33. Resolved, To do always what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without an overbalancing detriment in other respects.

34. Resolved, In narrations, never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.

35. Resolved, Whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved.

36. Resolved, Never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call to it.

37. Resolved, To inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,—what sin I have committed,—and wherein I have denied myself;—also, at the end of every week, month, and year.

38. Resolved, Never to utter any thing that is sportive, or matter of laughter, on a Lord’s day.

39. Resolved, Never to do any thing, of which I so much question the lawfulness, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

40. Resolved, To inquire every night before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking.

41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.

42. Resolved, Frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism, which I solemnly renewed when I was received into the communion of the church, and which I have solemnly re-made this 12th day of January, 1723.

43. Resolved, Never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s; agreeably to what is to be found in Saturday, Jan. 12th. Jan. 12, 1723.

44. Resolved, That no other end but religion shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it.

45. Resolved, Never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion.

46. Resolved, Never to allow the least measure of any fretting or uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved, to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye; and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.

47. Resolved, To endeavour, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving, and sincere, temper; and to do, at all times, what such a temper would xxii lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have so done.

48. Resolved, Constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of.
49. Resolved, That this never shall be, if I can help it.

50. Resolved, That I will act so, as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world.

51. Resolved, That I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, That I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age.

53. Resolved, To improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer.

54. Resolved, Whenever I hear anything spoken in commendation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, that I will endeavour to imitate it.

55. Resolved, To endeavour, to my utmost, so to act, as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven and hell torments.

56. Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

57. Resolved, When I fear misfortunes and adversity, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it and let the event be just as Providence orders it. I will, as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin.

58. Resolved, Not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness, and benignity.

59. Resolved, When I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times.

60. Resolved, Whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination.

61. Resolved, That I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it—that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done.

62. Resolved, Never to do any thing but my duty, and then, according to Eph. vi. 6-8. to do it willingly and cheerfully, as unto the Lord, and not to man: knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall be receive of the Lord.

63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true lustre, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, To act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time.

64. Resolved, When I find those ”groanings which cannot be uttered,“ of which the apostle speaks, and those ”breathings of soul for the longing it hath,” of which the psalmist speaks, Psalm cxix. 20. that I will promote them to the utmost of my power; and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavouring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness.

65. Resolved, Very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness of which I am capable, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him, all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance, according to Dr. Manton’s Sermon on the 119th Psalm,. July 26, and Aug. 10, 1723.

66. Resolved, That I will endeavour always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking, in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

67. Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them; what good I have got by them; and, what I might have got by them.

68. Resolved, To confess frankly to myself, all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help.

69. Resolved, Always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it.

70. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak.

May God bless each one of you in 2011!

   

A Short Break

I'll be taking a short break from writing here.  Mr. C is going to get to leave work early today, and be off work for a whole week.

We are very excited!  With his job change last summer, he gave up vacation time, and so, when he told me his place of employment would be closed, starting this afternoon & through next week, I was elated!  It's been a long time since he's had any days off from work, I just hope I can get myself well, to be able to enjoy this time with him, to the fullest.

Even though I don't believe in Santa or his reindeer, I'm afraid I've turned into Rudolph.  My nose is big and red, and suddenly thinks it's a faucet and will not stop running.  Yesterday I was in bed w/ chills and fever all day.  I am feeling much better today, if only the nose/hose would stop.

I'm so thankful to have learned over the years, not to be afraid of low-grade fever.  You all probably already know this, but a fever helps to kill out bad germs in our bodies, & as long as you stay hydrated you will be fine, while your fever does it's work.  Ever since we learned this, and stopped taking something to reduce our fever, our illnesses have been more short-lived.  God created our bodies to fight off disease, and sometimes modern medicine gets in the way with our God-given, natural, biological processes.

Now, if anyone has a good suggestion about how to mend a red, swollen nose, I would greatly appreciate that little, tidbit of information.  I'm afraid I'm going to look a mess for Mr. C if I can't fix this nose soon.

*sigh*

Most of the time, this holiday season does allow more time for all of us to gather with family, I hope all of you enjoy your families immensely, making memories together, and honoring God in the daily!

I'll be back soon, hopefully with a smaller non-red nose.

And one last thing-
Scholars have proven, that this probably really isn't the time of year Christ was born of a woman, but it is the time of year many recognize this incredible event.  His reason for coming in the first place is what makes this so incredible.  Our pastor spoke on these verses last Sunday, and I thought I'd end this message with these verses found in

Galatians 4:4-5

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

We, who know Him, who have received the adoption through faith, can proclaim,
this beautiful truth
we are children of the King,
King Jesus! 
Rejoice!

Unexpected

Yesterday morning, Mr. C called.  He had a prayer request.

At his place of work, they received word that a terrible accident had happened, that involved one of the 18 wheelers, owned by the company he works for.

The drivers for this truck were a driving team, a husband and wife team.  And the wreck was so severe that neither one of them survived.

Mr. C's boss, Mr. W, had the incredibly sad job, of going to the family, to tell them this sad news.

The only thing that we can have peace about in this terrible situation, is that when Mr. W, went to the home of the couple who had died, there were all sorts of external evidences that these two people were believers.  Scripture adorned their door, and once inside the home, more evidence was seen, that these two people were most likely, born again believers.  Christian type artwork, and plaques displaying scripture were in prominent places of the home.  A love for God's word was evident in the lives of these people.     

Our hearts are so heavy for their family members, who are now dealing with so much sadness because of this unexpected news.

Mr. C is always so wise, and as he left this morning, he reminded my gals and I, that if something ever happened to one of us, near a holiday, that we promise to not let an unexpected death mar future events in our home.  Death is no respecter of days, it comes when God allows it, it is a natural part of life, and does not wait for the convenient day or season.   

Mr. C knows, he lost his own father at a young age right before the Thanksgiving holiday, many years ago.
And I know, for years, there was no joy around that season in his boyhood home.  But he has been able to rise above that, and not let it control him or his emotions any longer.  He has been able to celebrate Thanksgiving with a heart full of gratitude despite what happened in the past.  And he wants his children to be able to do the same, should something unexpected ever happen in our family, near a holiday.

Our prayers are with the family, who has experienced this extremely huge loss.  And our hearts are comforted, knowing that this precious couple have most likely, arrived home to their final destination, safe forevermore in the arms of Jesus. 

The Internet, Such A Cool Invention

Ever since I started blogging, and have become acquainted with other bloggers, I've just loved how, even if we live miles away from one another how we find a commonality.

The #1 thing I love most, are all the Christian friends I've become acquainted with thanks to blogging.  Even though, in reality, we'll probably never meet face to face on this earth, we do know that someday in our eternal home, we will all be together, and that's pretty cool to me, that because of blogging, I've had the opportunity to meet some precious Saints in the here and now and we've been allowed to share our hearts with one another. (Now wasn't that the longest run-on sentence ever?)

I had hoped to be able to keep friends in our lives, updated on our happenings through blogging, but it's become something different since I started, and I just wanted to say how thankful I am, for all the wonderful people I've met, thanks to the internet. 

Thank you to all of you who take time to share God's goodness, what gives you hope each day, your humor, your gifts and talents, your wisdom and encouragement, I do appreciate all that I've learned from all of you.  I feel so very blessed to have been able to see just a glimpse into your daily lives, through your blog. 

May God bless each one of you today, and may we continue to use this tool for His glory, sharing His truths, as we share our lives with one another.

"As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."  Prov. 27:17



P.S.  Actually, a few of my readers are friends I have met face to face, I hope it didn't sound like I was leaving anyone out, for you ladies are precious to me, we just don't get to see one another as often as I would like.  We "see" one another more through our blogs and facebook, since our schedules are so different.  And actually, it has been through your blogging that I've gotten to know you better as well.  HUGS!

A Living Miracle

I have a very dear friend who is a walking, talking miracle.  She is here because of a miracle granted to her by God's grace.  The story of how her miracle came about is wrapped in unbelievable consequences, only something that God could do, to bring about what she needed.  It's a hard story, but God's fingerprints are everywhere in the details of it all.

She is the recipient of a liver transplant.  Every time I see her and her children, and her precious husband, I thank God for the gift He has given them.

And we recently had the opportunity to share in a splendid night, one that brought my gals and I to tears, because we celebrate with them, in our hearts, every time they are given a special time together.

She has 3 girls of her own, and all three performed in our local theater's production of
The Nutcracker.

What a beautiful treat this performance was, her eldest was the Snow Queen, Marzipan, and a Flower Princess.  Her middle daughter was the Rat Queen, a Snow Princess, Araceli Valor, Russian Demi, and a Flower.  And the youngest daughter was one of the Rats, a Snowflake, and a Flower.

And my dear friend, she was the lead costumer.  The costumes were so, so pretty, such a beautiful treat to our eyes. 

What a triumph for this family, for their mother to be well enough to help in this production (and the many others she has helped with in the past), but this one especially, where all three of her beautiful daughters performed in one of our communities biggest productions of the year.  To be able to share in their joy is just extraordinary.  OH, and I must mention, my friend's husband, he had a hand in all this too, he designed the beautiful crown for his eldest to wear as the Snow Queen.

I thank God for His abundant blessings He has poured out upon this precious family.  Every time I see them together, they are a testimony of God's miraculous touch.  They've been given a huge gift, and trust me, they have used this gift for God's glory.  What a wonderful testimony their family is!   

God is so good, celebrate the miracles in your life today, the big ones and the little ones, thank our God for them all!

Christ Centered

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, 
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, 
 ye have done it unto me."
Matthew 25:40

It seems there are more and more Christians who are waking up to the calling, to step out of man-made traditions, thinking outside the "worldly box", and putting others first, realizing,

"...whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, 
and not unto men;..." Col. 3:23

Opportunities abound all around us.
Be intentional,
be unselfish,
give to those who have nothing to give in return.

And share the message of Christ with them, let them know why our King humbled Himself, and came as a babe, what His main purpose was, for coming to earth and dwelling here among us as a man.
Our Immanuel, "God with us".

May our lives, be a song of praise poured out to Him.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove
what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Rom. 12:1-2  

And the biggest challenge,

"Therefore when thou doest thine alms,
do not sound a trumpet before thee,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.
Verily I say unto you,
They have their reward.
But when thou doest alms,
let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 
That thine alms may be in secret: 
and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."
Matthew 6:2-4

May it be between the Lord and us, the things & actions,
He leads us to do, in His name, for His glory alone.

Rejoicing in God Our Savior

While reading this weekend, I came across this.  It seems God uses Spurgeon to speak to my heart so often.  I'm so thankful for his submission to God's authority and sovereignty, and that he always lovingly reminds us of what is most important every day of our lives, as Christians.

"Observe, this morning, the sacred joy of Mary that you may imitate it. This is a season when all men expect us to be joyous. We compliment each other with the desire that we may have a "Merry Christmas." Some Christians who are a little squeamish do not like the word merry. It is a right good old Saxon word, having the joy of childhood and the mirth of manhood in it. It brings before one's mind the old song of the waits, the midnight peal of bells, the holly, and the blazing log.

I love it for its place in that most tender of all parables where it is written that, when the long-lost prodigal returned to his father safe and sound, "They began to be merry." This is the season when we are expected to be happy, and my heart's desire is that in the highest and best sense you who are believers may be "merry."

Mary's heart was merry within her. But here was the mark of her joy, it was all holy merriment and was every drop of it sacred mirth. It was not such merriment as worldlings will revel in today and tomorrow, but such merriment as the angels have around the throne where they sing, "Glory to God in the highest," while we sing "On earth peace, good will toward men." Such merry hearts have a continual feast.

I want you-you children of the bride chamber-to possess today and tomorrow, yes, all your days, the high and consecrated bliss of Mary that you may not only read her words, but use them for yourselves, ever experiencing their meaning: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."
-Charles Haddon Spurgeon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'd like to end with this from Kay Arthur-

"Beloved, don't just prepare to celebrate Christ's first appearance on earth in the flesh on December 25. Let's prepare daily for His return. Let's prostrate ourselves before Him in total submission, day in and day out, not just at Christmas. Let's give Him the gift of our complete adoration, laying every treasure we possess at His feet.


Beloved, this could be the most significant act of worship in your life. And if you do these things as a habit, you will experience spiritual renewal, unshakable joy, and multiplied peace, which God gives to those who willingly honor Him as He should be honored-as

God with us...Immanuel...our hope of glory!"

What If...?

What if-

all the time that we pour into holiday decorating, holiday cooking, holiday everything...

what if all of that time was intentionally poured out, onto one hurting soul...

one lonely, hurting, desperate soul? 

Please don't get me wrong, my daughter and I have decorated our home for the Christmas holiday. 
We're planning holiday festivities, and holiday baking.

So, it's very obvious...I'm not there yet. 

I have not spent one whole day on a person in need, like I have spent decorating the interior of my home...

And so I have to ask myself that question,
because He is pressing upon me
to think on eternal lines,
not temperal...

what if?

Papa Likes My Shoes

The weekend before Thanksgiving, we traveled to my parents home for a much needed visit with my precious Papa and my dear Momma.

During the course of our visit, my siblings and I made it a point to go into his room to get away from the noise, to sit with him, and just share our hearts with him.

I believe it did his heart a lot of good.  

We shared with him, how so many people, from all over are praying for him.  That was so amazing to him, and is very humbling to us all.  My siblings and I have church family, and friends from all over the world who have told us they are praying for him.  What a blessing the body of Christ is.

As we sat there talking, I sat on the side of his bed, he happened to look down and saw these shoes...

my favorite shoes... 

-he told me he liked my shoes!

That brought a smile to my face, that in the midst of everything, he would take note of my silly shoes.  My Schmidt shoes that I found on clearance at the Tractor Supply store.

I am very happy to report, that our Papa is feeling somewhat stronger.  Almost all of the family has been able to go home and see him, and that has been very good for him.

We're praising God for the slight improvement he seems to have had within the last week. 

Thank you to those of you who have mentioned here on my blog, that you've prayed for him, thank you so very, very much!

That means the world to us!  It really does!

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
...
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.

Author Unknown

 

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  1 Thess. 5:18

Thanksgiving History Lessons

I love history.  I especially love those who take the time to thoroughly examine a subject, unearthing gold nuggets and then graciously sharing those nuggets with the rest of us.

Thanks to Koinonia House website, I have had the opportunity to listen and learn more details than ever, surrounding the life of Christopher Columbus, and also the story of those who came to America for religious freedom.  Dr. Chuck Missler's attention to detail is very rewarding, and I just had to share this link with you all, I believe this is one of the best historical commentaries for our children.  In a time where revisionists have done their best to do away with, and alter the past, it is important to pass along as much correct history as possible to the next generation.

I thought I had learned all there was to know concerning these events, but not so.  Dr. Chuck Missler's inquisitive mind has taken him down a trail, that is full of wonderful God ordained details that others have regrettably missed.  Possibly this could be used by homeschool families, all around the world to give them insight into these extremely important historical events.  I know my faith has been increased, and I am sure yours will too, after listening to these lessons on America's history.

Prepare to be amazed! 
Khouse- Thanksgiving: America's Challenge, 66/40 radio broadcast by Dr. Chuck Missler.

Rough Seas Ahead

Remember the old man in Mary Poppins, who has a ship built upon the top of his home, and dresses in a Captain's uniform, keeping an eye on all the goings on, of the neighborhood, reporting all that he saw in nautical terms?

If that same old man were standing here looking over the lives of my parents, my siblings and me, he would most assuredly warn of us of rough seas ahead.

My Papa isn't doing too well, and we're on the verge, I'm afraid, of launching out into uncharted waters.  His health is deteriorating, he's had two hospital stays in the last month and it's obvious, he's not doing well at all.

Other than what I've shared before about my Papa's own health issues, for the most part our family has had very little illness or calamity to deal with, thus far, it seems.  Praise be to God alone for that fact.

Our Grandparents have all passed away from old age.  They were all fairly healthy except for whatever illness they had, shortly before their departing from this world and onto the next.

God is preparing our hearts, for all signs are telling us that we probably do not have a lot of time left with our Papa.  We're not sure, if we're down to weeks, or a few months, it's quite uncertain at this point.

We are a sentimental bunch, and so thankfully, even though we are separated by miles, we siblings have started sharing memories of our lives together, when once upon a time... we all lived under the same roof.

These facts, these memories, these are what we hold onto in times like this.  This is our common ground, where we all remember hopefully the best parts.  Who wants to drag up all the ugly parts at this time?  We've had enough of that.  It's not a white washing of the truth, not at all.  It's a choice to remember what was right, what was good, and what is worthy.  The things we need to hang onto and pass onto our children.  Stories, very real stories wrought with emotion, and loved.

Our memories are wrapped in the love we have for our parents and one another.

And so the ship we are on, is about to set sail on a course my siblings and I have not ever had to sail before.  Nor my mother.  I hope, as we sail through this stormy part of life, that once again, that closeness we cherished as children holds us together, that a Healing balm covers us, and binds us.  Our choices in life have taken us on different paths, we've all experienced different things since leaving the nest.  But I know there's a bond in us, a very strong bond that ties all of our hearts to home, and to one another.

It is true, home is where our story begins, and so many chapters have been filled in since that beginning for each one of us.  And so our story brings us back together again, and we're all boarding this ship, this ship that we cannot avoid.  We have absolutely no idea how long this particular voyage might be.  All we know, is that we have to be here for one another, for our Momma, and for our precious Papa.  

Thankfully we have a Captain, the Captain of our salvation.
(Heb. 2:10)

I know He'll guide us and protect us through the rough spots.

He is faithful.

The Magnitude of Grace- (Spurgeon)

My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Our weakness should be prized as making room for divine strength. We might never have known the power of grace if we had not felt the weakness of nature. Blessed be the Lord for the thorn in the flesh, and the messenger of Satan, when they drive us to the strength of God.

This is a precious word from our Lord's own lip. It has made the writer laugh for joy. God's grace enough for me! I should think it is. Is not the sky enough for the bird and the ocean enough for the fish? The All-Sufficient is sufficient for my largest want. He who is sufficient for earth and heaven is certainly able to meet the case of one poor worm like me.

Let us, then, fall back upon our God and His grace. If He does not remove our grief, He will enable us to bear it. His strength shall be poured into us till the worm shall thresh the mountains, and a nothing shall be victor over all the high and mighty ones. It is better for us to have God's strength than our own; for if we were a thousand times as strong as we are, it would amount to nothing in the face of the enemy; and if we could be weaker than we are, which is scarcely possible, yet we could do all things through Christ.

Letting Go...

The phone rang last night.

Mr. B called.

He's an elderly man from our fellowship.

And he's preparing for one of the hardest days of his life.

His request-

Could my daughter please help him?
He has one good photo of  himself
and the love of his life, his bride,
the most recent one. . . before she became so ill.
Could my daughter please enlarge and
touch up this photo for him,
so he can mat and frame it?

He used to run his own little side business,
matting and framing pictures and artwork.

He's very good at it. . .
and now his talent will be used
to make a tribute to his beautiful bride,
who has been by his side all these years.

The time is close, he tells me.
He needs to start preparing. . .
for her memorial service.

His voice breaks,
my heart hurts. . .
and my eyes fill with tears.

We know it's inevitable,
we know what is about to happen,
but is anyone ever really ready when it's time?

She is ready, she is tired,
and the pain is unbearable.
She is ready to go home.
To her Lord Jesus.

And we all have to prepare our hearts,
we know the time is soon,
and we will have to let her go.

She is greatly loved, and cherished,
mostly by him and their children,
but also by so many others. . .
so many whose lives have been touched by her. 

And so my daughter will help him,
she will do all that he has asked. . .
to help him honor his precious bride,
as he prepares his heart, to let her go.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of His saints." 
Psalm 116:15

Getting Away

Here are a few pictures from our weekend getaway.

Mr. C decided it was time for us to spend some time in the great outdoors before the weather turns too chilly and possibly rainy, even though this fall is almost exactly the opposite of last fall.  Last year we were barely allowed any time outside at all.  It rained and rained for days on end, everything was a muddy, soggy mess here in this part of the county so we didn't get to do much last year.

Thankfully things are much drier this year, and we were able to get out and enjoy so much beauty!
We camped, hiked, explored trails, creeks, and caves.  We also saw wild Elk, and Trumpeter Swans
feeding in the valley. 

The view from one of the look-out points.
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Our campground faced this lovely scene.
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. 

A grand view on one of the trails we hiked.

Our eldest had a great time capturing images with
her beloved camera.
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We stood on this ledge for pictures.  YIKES!
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Mr. C held on tight to me, with his big strong arms,
it was SO windy!  
We were leaning into the wind, can you tell?
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We had such a good time, even though Mr. C and I have decided we need something more than a tent the next time we strike out on an adventure.  Age has a way of changing your mind about things...like how important a good nights rest is.  I'm quite certain the clean fresh air, and all the spectacular sights we beheld did help our frame of mind, despite the fact our backs were aching the next morning after sleeping on the ground.

On Sunday morning, after breakfast, we found ourselves in a bit of a predicament.  One of our gals accidentally locked our truck with the keys in it.  It's one of those times when you know it was just a mistake, but WHAT a mistake.  We had absolutely no phone service and we were miles away from help.  We were needing to break down camp and load everything up, clouds were looming in the sky, and we had no idea if it was about to rain or not.  It definitely looked like it was about to rain, and  possibly rain a lot!!!

Mr. C sent the gals to go hike down a path not far from us, so he could think on the situation and try to figure something out.  He prayed, and as he was walking around, he happened upon a piece of barbed wire fencing, minus the barbs.  He went back to the truck, and noticed the driver side door was not completely pushed to.  He was able to slide the stiff piece of fencing into the crack, and for what seemed like hours (but was actually only minutes) tried his best to push down on the power lock, "unlock" button.  It was no use, he couldn't apply enough pressure.  He then decided to make a hook on one end, and decided to try and lift the actual lock, bypassing the power lock button.  After a couple of tries he successfully pulled the lock up and unlocked the truck.  A wave of relief swept over us both.  His Bible was tucked safely inside the pocket of the door, and I just had to open it and just have a little praise time with our God.  And this was the passage I randomly turned to.  

Psalm 77:7-

 ⁷ Will the Lord cast off forever?
         And will He be favorable no more?
 ⁸ Has His mercy ceased forever?
         Has His promise failed forevermore?
 ⁹ Has God forgotten to be gracious?
         Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?  Selah
      
 ¹⁰ And I said, “This is my anguish;
         But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
 ¹¹ I will remember the works of the LORD;
         Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
 ¹² I will also meditate on all Your work,
         And talk of Your deeds.
 ¹³ Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;
         Who is so great a God as our God?
 ¹⁴ You are the God who does wonders;  

We took the Bible with us, and found our girls down by this beautiful creek, where the water had carved out the rock over many years, forming the most beautiful smooth curves and pools.  The trees in all their fall splendor, all around us, and Mr. C opened the Bible and read this passage aloud.

Is it any coincidence that all of these things came together in this way, to help us in our time of need?  We relied upon our God first, for help in this situation, and He supplied our need.  

Being surrounded by all the beauty that He created, and experiencing grace in a situation where we needed His help, just made the moment that more special. 

Meditate in your heart, and even outloud with your children, on all the good things that God has done for your family.  It will fill your heart to overflowing, to remember His goodness and His kindness.  
We must always remember that we serve the one and only true God, 
our great God, who does wonders!  Big wonders and small ones! 
I know this incident is such a small thing, 
but it speaks to my heart about how our God cares so much about us,
even in the little things, 
He cares.

  

This Weekend...

I painted this...

Our girls invited friends over to do this...

   

...and this...

His first time to carve a pumpkin...

& hers too,...they're both from Shanghai!

Her first time to carve too, AND he is her fiance'.  
Sweet couple!

Her first time to carve as well.
She usually paints them, but had fun carving!

      We ate waaay too many of these...       

We so enjoyed seeing these filled up, all around the table(alongside my 4 bargain finds that I painted last week), with our gals' friends, enjoying bowls of potato soup.  Too bad I was I so busy eating to take any pics of our meal together.  
A girl has to eat ya' know!

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                 Then on Sunday afternoon-

We visited this little, pioneer village, and... 

I devoured as much KETTLE CORN 
as Mr. C would let me.  

I honestly think I could eat that silver pan full, 
oh Kettle Corn, how I love thee!

 And this woman tried to convince us to wash clothes on a rub board, but I reminded her this was our day of rest...

 And this man taught us the name of this flag, 

"Stars and Bars" 

the one and only, 

now I know and now you do too!

I fell in love with this little porch and would 
have liked to sit a spell...
but we were in a hurry to go find some Mexican food,  
we're kind of random like that.

 

It was a wonderful, fun-filled weekend, but my most, absolute favorite memory from this weekend is this...

the SONG, we sang during Sunday morning worship...

between the verses of Just as I Am, we would proclaim in unison-

"I come broken to be mended, 

I come wounded to be healed,

I come desperate to be rescued, 

I come empty to be filled,

I come guilty to be pardoned-
by the Blood of Christ the Lamb, 

I am welcomed with open arms-
PRAISE GOD JUST AS I AM"

Needs Supplied

Well, this past weekend in our little town, our city council announced that it was time for the semi-annual city-wide yard sale event.

I don't know about any of you, but when I know we are in need of things I pray about those specific things, and I ask our God to help us find what we are needing at a good price.  He has never failed me on that.  Ever since our girls were little bitty, I would pray specifically for certain clothing needs, or household needs, and either someone would give us exactly what we needed, or I'd find things drastically discounted brand new, or find great items at someone's yard sale or a consignment shop.
 
I often like to shop at REAL yard sales.  There is a difference between a REAL yard sale, and a phony one.  The phony's are those that people have as often as possible, it's their little "side" business, and most of the time their items are not worth what they want you to pay.

We prefer real yard sales, the kind where "we just cleaned out all of our closets, and went through the house and are selling things we don't need anymore, and we really aren't hoping to make a small fortune, we just want to sell at a price so hopefully this stuff will gone by the end of the day, and we won't have to deal with it any longer, thank you very much!"

And those are exactly the types of sales we stumbled upon here in our little town.

Two women had one rack of clothes at their sale, and this rack was loaded down with some of the cutest, like new/brand new clothing items for unbelievable prices and oh, they happened to still be in style.  Not outdated, polyester, floral, frocks.  Good quality stuff, very cute stuff!!!

I had specifically prayed for a couple of casual shirts for the fall weather (that was here and should come back sometime soon hopefully).  I dreamed of something that wasn't skin tight, because we all know, any casual shirt coming from most stores these days is full of spandex and skin tight.  *sigh*   But, lo and behold, I found two, one was brand new, the other like new, .50c a piece.  They are very high quality and have plenty of room to be able to add layers underneath, and the colors are just my colors!!!  My gals and I found several things for casual, and for dressing up, everything priced between .50c and $1.00.  Thank you Father!!! 

Ever since Mr. C and I built our new dining room table, we have been on the lookout for chairs.  We needed at least ten to go all the way around.  We've looked all over, resale shops, yard sales, and a few furniture stores.  We honestly didn't mind if we mixed and matched, our table is very rustic, and so our chairs can be rustic too.  We just do not want wobbly.  Mr. C is tired of sitting on my antique "tea party chairs", as he lovingly calls them.  Old and fragile describes them well.  Maybe even rickety.  

Well, after searching high and low with no success, we decided we would have to break down and purchase new chairs, we just haven't been able to find exactly what we were needing.  So, Mr. C set a budget price for what we could spend on new chairs.  We knew we couldn't afford the most expensive chairs most stores have to offer, but we hoped for better than the lowest priced because we know the lowest priced wouldn't last long and we'd get what we paid for.  Right before going to one store that a friend had suggested, I stopped at one of the sales here in our town, and they just happened to have 4 chairs sitting there that had just had their seats recovered.  $4.00 a piece!!!  Can I say that again???  $4.00 A PIECE!!!  They are solid, they do need paint, but they are good solid chairs, and I snatched 'em up!  Thank you Father!!!

Because we saved such a huge bundle on those 4, we now had more in the budget to go towards the remaining 6 that we needed.  After searching through pages of chairs, and comparing prices, I found a nicer chair within our budget to go with the 4 I had just found.  I had the guy email the pic to Mr. C at work, and Mr. C looked at it, did some figuring on the calculator, called the guy back and haggled with him on the price and got them even cheaper than what we originally thought we'd have to pay, 'cause we were talking his language, you know the language, called CASH!

The height of the backs are the same as the used ones, and after I paint the ones I found, they will look fine together.  In fact the seats are covered from what I can tell, with almost identical material.  Is that not the craziest thing ever???

Not really.  I've seen God do things like this for us time and time again.  And it always blows me away.

I did find some home decor as well, at another sale and once I get finished with repainting these things, I'll share some before and after photos. 

I know people who turn their noses up at yard sales and resale shops, but I'm not one of those.  I can't be one of those.  God has blessed us over and over, always meeting our needs, and helping us to stay within our budget, so that I, Mrs. C, can remain here in our home and be the keeper of this home God has graciously blessed us with.

There is an overabundance of wealth in this country, and with that, an overabundance of waste.  People get rid of things that still have years of use left, why not buy for less when you can and be good stewards with the provision God has blessed our families with.

Thank you God for your abundant blessings, may we use these blessings to glorify You, and be a blessing to others who enter our home.  May this place always be a reminder to us and all who enter here, that You are our most gracious God who always meets the needs of His children.  May we be faithful ministers of Your grace and love, giving and sharing with those who need to know Your goodness in their own lives.
In Jesus name we pray, amen.  And amen!



P.S.  If anyone needs a cute apron, maybe you'll win this one over at Big Dreams In A Little House  Just click on that title, and pop on over to her cute blog to enter.

Thank you Spurgeon...

  

God blessed our brother in Christ, Charles Spurgeon with the ability to communicate what our hearts need to hear most at just the right times it seems.  I can't wait to meet him someday and thank him for being a faithful servant of Christ. 

My husband is so good to share these devotions with me each morning..  I thought I would share this one today, as I know several families who are in the midst of different trials.

"Wherefore hast Thou afflicted Thy servant?"—Numbers 11:11.
  " OUR heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to try our faith. If our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test. Gilt is afraid of fire, but gold is not: the paste gem dreads to be touched by the diamond, but the true jewel fears no test. 

It is a poor faith which can only trust God when friends are true, the body full of health, and the business profitable; but that is true faith which holds by the Lord's faithfulness when friends are gone, when the body is sick, when spirits are depressed, and the light of our Father's countenance is hidden. 

A faith which can say, in the direst trouble, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him," is heaven-born faith. The Lord afflicts His servants to glorify Himself, for He is greatly glorified in the graces of His people, which are His own handiwork. When "tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope," the Lord is honoured by these growing virtues. 

We should never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched; nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress; nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of fire if the coals were not utterly consumed. 

The wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which His vessels of mercy are permitted to pass. Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy. There must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights. 

Could we be so supremely blessed in heaven, if we had not known the curse of sin and the sorrow of earth? 

Will not peace be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after toil? 

Will not the recollection of past sufferings enhance the bliss of the glorified? 

There are many other comfortable answers to the question with which we opened our brief meditation, let us muse upon it all day long."

Remember how faithful our Heavenly Father is at all times, every single day of our lives.  
I hope this devotion blesses each of you as it has me.