Posted By m j
A God Thing. I am seeing more and more of his hand work and ways. Last night we discovered that our one female golden Gracie is pregnant!!! We are so happy. She was breed to our new golden male Alex. We want this so bad. You see both dogs are service dogs. We have 2 families we want to help out with their puppies. The both have children with special needs, where a service dog can help out. My daughters and I train service dogs. Last night Tammy and her hubby one of the parents prayed that Gracie was going to have puppies. That was night we discovered she was. See a God thing. Another was they were looking for a new place to have the children with special needs to ride horse. Another God thing, because we have been praying about that for over a year. See another God thing. God sure is a great. He puts us together to help one another. God Bless, mj |
Posted By blessed mom in A Thankful heart
Today I had a conversation with a friend who is not a Christian ~ this friend has tried on various occasions to persuade me to accept the teachings of their church ~~ this person knows me well and paid me the most precious and lovely compliment a believer of the Lord Jesus could ever be told...... it has made my heart sing for Joy an I just needed to share it here with you all because so many of you love my Jesus as much as I do and will understand!! This person told me that " born again Christians like me and another Christian they know were content with Jesus and not looking for any thing else" ....... oh dear reader -- can I just tell you how my heart lept for JOY when this friend shared this with me???? Oh that I would always be content with my Jesus..... oh that I would always have such closeness to Him that I would never feel the need for "religion" or "other teachings" outside of what He has given us in His word...... oh, how that made my heart sing! One of my favorite songs is Shout to the Lord by Hillspring ........ My Jesus, My Savior,..... Lord there is none like you...... all of my days, I want to praise.... the wonders of your mighty hand.... My Jesus, My comfort.... tower of refuge and strength....let every breathe, all that I am.. never cease to worship YOU....... Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing... power and majesty praise to the King...... The mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of YOUR name .... I sing for joy at the work of your hands, forever I'll love you forever I'll stand.... nothing compares to the promise I have in YOU......... Praising Him! Gloria
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Posted By m j
I have been tagged !! Rule~ 1. Link the person who tagged you. Rule~2. Post the rules on your blog. Rule~3. Write 6 random things about yourself. Rule~ 4. Tag 6 people at the end of your blog. Rule~5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog. Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up. I was tagged by : http://www.homesteadblogger.com/avravounou/ 6 Things about me : 1. I love animals and have many. 2. I am a young grandma. I am 39 years old with 2 and 1 more on the way. 3. I did not know how to cook or clean when I moved out on my own 4. I love to grow veggies and can them. 5. My husband never know if we will have a new critter in our house when he comes home, 6. I love to read in bed snuggling one of my dogs. People I am tagging: 1. is : http://www.homesteadblogger.com/profiles/walkinginhisgrace/ 2. is : http://www.homesteadblogger.com/profiles/kjprice616/ 3. is : http://www.homesteadblogger.com/gabbie427/ 4. is : http://www.homesteadblogger.com/hopefulheart/ 5. is : http://www.homesteadblogger.com/abigasfarm/ 6. is : http://www.homesteadblogger.com/countrygirlsheartstr/ That is all . Hope I did it right. God bless, mj |
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.Posted By ~Rebekah~ in In The Readers Den
Scripture Reading Creation: Genesis 1:1-31; 2:1-4 Suggested Symbols: Sun, moon, stars, animals, earth |
Posted By ~Rebekah~ in In The Family Room
The Story Of The Jesse Tree
Jesse Tree Graphic Designed by Shalfleet
The Jesse Tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots." It is a vehicle to tell the Story of God in the Old Testament, and to connect the Advent Season with the faithfulness of God across 4,000 years of history. The Branch is a biblical sign of newness out of discouragement, which became a way to talk about the expected messiah (e.g., Jer 23:5). It is therefore an appropriate symbol of Jesus the Christ, who is the revelation of the grace and faithfulness of God. The Israelites through the descendants of Abraham were chosen by God to be a light to the nations. When they were imprisoned by the Egyptians, they cried out to God for deliverance from their oppression. And God responded: "I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their cry . . . I have come to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them to a good land" (Exod 3:7-8). And so He entered history in a marvelous way to deliver them and bring them into a place where they could worship God and serve Him in peace and joy instead of serving Pharaoh in hard service. God promised to be with them and to be their God, and they would be His people. But as they settled into the land that God had given them, "they forgot God, their Deliverer, who had done great things in Egypt" (Psa 106:21). As they grew secure in the land, they began to believe that "my power and the strength of my own hand have gotten me these things" (Deut 8:17). Even though God had raised up godly leaders like David, later kings and religious leaders served their own interests, and the people began to worship the false gods of the land. They even gave offerings to the idol ba’al, supposedly the god of rain and fertility of the land, thanking him for the prosperity they enjoyed. But God grieved because "she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished upon her silver and gold that they used for ba’al" (Hos 2:8). God had "planted [them] as a choice vine from the purest stock" (Jer 2:21) and had expected them to grow and flourish and carry out His purposes in the world. But they had degenerated into a wild bush with worthless fruit. Because they had forgotten God, they also forgot the call of God to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God" (Mic 6:8). God sent prophets to warn them of the consequences of failing to be His people. Amos warned them to "seek me and live" (5:4). Through Jeremiah, God promised them that if they would turn from their wicked ways He would bless them and be with them in the land (7:5-7). But he also said: "Take heed, O Jerusalem, or I shall turn from you in disgust, and make you a desolation" (6:8). Some of the people longed for new leaders, a new "anointed" (Heb: meshiach; Eng: messiah) shepherd king like David who would help them to become what God had called them to be. But most of the people would not listen. They continued to worship the idols of ba'al. They continued to cheat the poor, steal from each other, neglect the needy, and do all manner of evil. So God let them go their own way and suffer the consequences of their choices. The Babylonian armies came and destroyed the temple, the city of Jerusalem, the land, and took the people into slavery. The choice planting of God that had such promise, that God had tended so carefully and encouraged to grow, was cut down and became a mere stump (Isa 5:1-10). But God did not give up on this people! Even though they had disobeyed, even though they had forsaken God for other gods, even though they had miserably failed to be His people and to let Him be their God, the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob still loved them. He had made a commitment to these people that He would not allow to be undone even by their rejection of Him. He had already told them this through the prophets, but they had not understood then. Jeremiah had promised a day when God would again plant and build (31:28). And Isaiah had spoken of a time when God would cause a new shoot, a new king, to spring from the cut-off stump of the lineage of Jesse, David’s father (11:1). During the Exile, suffering under the consequences of sin, they had little reason to suppose that God would do anything new. Still, the old promises echoed across the years, even if they could not believe them or even understand them. In spite of their failures, in spite of their inability to envision a future beyond exile, there came a time when the prophets again announced a new thing, proclaiming "good tidings" to the people: "Here is your God!" (Isa 40:1-11). The Exile was ended! God would bring back to life a nation that was already dead (Eze 37). Long ago they had been slaves in Egypt, with nothing they could do to change their condition, and yet God had chosen to deliver. So now, in the midst of their failure and hopelessness, God had again entered history as Deliverer. They would have another chance to be His people, not because they had earned it, no more than they had deserved it the first time; but simply because God in His grace had chosen to forgive. They returned to the land. But across the years, they again struggled to obey and live up to their calling. They would never again slide into the worship of false gods. They had learned that lesson. But the great kingdom that they dreamed of restoring remained only a dream. They had hoped for a new king like David to lead them into a glorious future in which they would rule the world. They hoped to throw off the control of the Greeks and later the Romans and become a great nation. But it didn’t happen. And they became disillusioned and discouraged. So, they again hoped for God to raise up a new king, a new messiah, to deliver them from the oppression of the world. They longed for peace and deliverance from the tyranny of a sinful world. The prophets again brought the word of God to them, and promised a newness. Even though they struggled to understand and believe, they held onto the hope that the same God who brought slaves out of Egypt, and who brought exiles out of Babylon, could bring Messiah into the world! We know the rest of that story. God was faithful to that promise, and a new King was born in Bethlehem. So we can exclaim with the old man Simeon: "My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before all people, a light of revelation to the nations, and for glory to your people Israel!" (Luke 2:30-32). But we also know that the world is still with us. Even though we can have Peace and Joy through the presence of Jesus Christ, we still long for deliverance from the oppression of sin in the world. We long for the full reign of the King, and the Kingdom of Peace that He will bring. So, while we celebrate the birth of the Branch, the new shoot from the stump of Jesse, we still anticipate with hope the Second Advent, and await the completion of the promise. The Jesse Tree helps us retell this story, and express this hope. |
Posted By SimpleFolk
I can't believe that December is here! We've been very ill for the last several days. We had a lovely Thanksgiving, but that evening, I developed a high fever. At first, I was concerned with my incision (infection?) but as it turns out, it was flu. I am still running a low grade fever and feel very tired and weak. The boys are mending quickly, thank the Lord. The worst of it for them was the first 24 hours. My leg is very bruised and still swollen and painful. It's been difficult to do my daily tasks and so the boys are pitching in with laundry and such. The biopsy results have not come in, and it looks as though I will wait another week for them. We don't have our trees up yet, which has never happened! We will start this evening with some decorating and hopefully, be ready once the weekend comes. When I'm able, I want to take a walk around the farm to gather greens for garland. I'm planning a Christmas open house for friends and neighbors next weekend, so I pray that we can get well and stay well for the festivities.There's much to be done! I am making my "to do" list. I noticed that I need to polish the silver punch bowl. It seems only yesterday, I put it away! It only comes out for Christmas, and makes things seem so special. We have a bit of snow on the ground now which only adds to the charm of the season. There is much to look forward to! |
Posted By SimpleFolk
 For Today
Monday,December 1, 2008
Outside my Window... blowing snowflakes. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
I am thankful for... a little more energy today
From the kitchen...chicken soup and warm bread
I am reading...over some work for TOS that I needed to finish
I am hoping...for my test results to come in.
I am hearing... some soft Christmas music. Around the house...we're taking a "sick day" and resting.
One of my favorite things... the warm quilt I've had over my lap today.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... a Christmas party, an Old Fashioned Christmas celebration at an 1800's farm (can't wait!) decorating our home for the season
A picture thought to share for the day... (Ginger folks from last year. We can't wait to make more!)  Please stop by to visit Peggy to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook! |
Posted By Gabbie
Well the busy shopping season of the year is upon us! How are you gals coming along on your shopping endeavors??? As you may know from reading it before, I am making ALOT of the presents for my friends and family this year. I have one thing bought for Matthew and we will both buy one large toy for Noah, but most of it is homemade by myself. Maybe Matthew will help me wrap them since I will be making them all???!!! However, on Thanksgiving Day, Matthew's mother reminded me we still needed to do our family shopping. Matthew's parents give each family (Matthew and his 2 sisters) a certain amount of money to spend. The best part is, we get to pick out what the money is spent on and can pick it out ourselves! The rules to this are, we can pick and use the money on anything we want, but we can not have it until Christmas. NO PROBLEM right???? Well, this can work several different ways. Either Patty (my MIL) will go shopping with us for our things, or we can find them online and she will order them, etc. Well, some of you may not know this yet, but I HATE SHOPPING AFTER THANKSGIVING!!! Each year, I try to get all my Christmas shopping, decorating supplies and yes, even groceries for the month of December shopped for ahead of time. (If I do need something like milk, bread, etc. Matthew usually gets them for me! LMSO) So I told my MIL I would much rather do my shopping for myself and Noah online (Matthew will needd to pick out what he wants and let his mom know whether he wants it ordered online or to go shopping, etc.) because so many companies will offer free shipping on all orders and online specials, etc. Well, after looking all over last for toys for Noah, I realized that the toy companies, etc. are only offering free shipping on the items they want you to buy like discounted old out of date things (like beach Bum Barney......I kid you not.........they still have Barney junk out there. LMSO) And the sales and specials....HA! Almost non-existant. $5 off here, $2 there, but no big wonderful spectacular sales (and this is the day to get them.....Cyber Monday) like I found at these same stores last year. Sad isn't it???? So, as much as I hate shopping this time of year, I think I may end up calling the MIL, and telling her I would rather do some of Noah's shopping for him at Wal-Mart. I have already taken him down the toy aisles and made mental note of the items he ooohed and ahhhed over, so I know what he wants and yes I approve of them. LMSO My shopping on the other hand will most likely be done online. I want some new clothes, and maybe some crafting and sewing books and supplies. Some may think I am silly about this, but I have become much more practical in years past. I don't need anything really!!! And these are things I wouldn't spend my money on myself probably. Crafting and sewing items will be made into things for my friends, family, and little one. I am excited to get busy tonight picking things out online that I want. LMSO So, how are all of you doing??? Are you finding out that you are buying more practical items than you were in the past??? Are you spending more or less than you have in the past? Are you making lots of things this year? |
Posted By Gabbie
This Sunday, we had our Thanksgiving dinner here at our house with my hubby's family. I did all the cooking (because neither are clean people and don't cook anything that tastes good....sorry, not trying to be mean, but it is true) and was thrilled to do so. Matthew's sister, Melanie brought ice and pop, and his mother brought a cheeseball and some crackers that no one touched. My only complaint would be Melanie got here late. And I am not even sure why, she had her parents come by and pick up her 5 year old, Mindi much earlier. So, why she ended up being almost 30 minutes late I don't know. I am one of those people who tells everyone we will EAT at noon, so show up a little early and visit if you want. Not to be mean, but when I sazy we will EAT at noon, I mean it....not 10 after....not 15 or 30 minutes after. I spend the whole day Saturday chopping, mixing, cooking and baking (with the help of girlfriends), and I spent all Sunday morning tidying up, getting things in the oven to cook or heat up, etc. and after going to all that trouble you could at least SHOW UP ON TIME! Sorry, but as you can obviously see, this is a big pet peeve of mine. Melanie and Matthew ended up playing Wii and then playing online games on dueling laptops at the dining room table. I told Matthew later I was a bit miffed that they both ignored the rest of us all day, and that Melanie just expected me to be at her daughter's beck and call every 15 minutes when she needed something. Melanie was irritated with me because if Mindi asked, "can I have some Root Beer?", I would say, "Let's ask Mommy.". I am one of those parents who doesn't just give someone else's child something to shut them up without asking if they are allowed to have it. Especially since Mindi has ADHD and is not allowed to have certain foods. But Melanie would say, YES she can have the rootbeer, geesh. Finally in the afternoon, I told Matthew, I was DONE (off to the side, so she couldn't hear) I told him they hadn't spent enough time with the children, and I was sick of taking care of everyone and everything while they sat there in their own little world and ignored everyone. By now, his own parents had already left (after his father fell asleep on the couch for an hour). Matthew asked Melanie to leave shortly after that because she made a BIG DEAL out of the fact that my 2.5 year old KISSED his 5 year old cusion on the lips. GEESH! She was rather permiscuous in highschool and has no real morals, but she told me that Mindi is taught that boys should not kiss you until you are married. I understand her point, and it is important to teach your child to not grow up and sleep around with all the men and play with their emotions like your mommy did. But a 2.5 and a 5 year old??? Come on???? She told me I obviously grew up in a different kind of family where things like that were excepted....and I said, with ones under 5 yeah.....with older children....no! She left, and hubby and I had a talk about how well the day had went except for those things. He promised to not get out the laptops and games and such next time until he had visited with the adults and I told him thank you for realizing he had spent WAY too much time on the computer. I told him I did have a good time visiting with his parents and watching the little ones play (even though Mindi is rather bossy telling Noah what he could and could not do. I finally told her sweetie, this is Noah's house and he knows the rules here, and if he needs corrected, then I will handle it.) and make play food in the play kitchen. They both loved that! Anyway, we survived, and we have lots of yummy leftovers. I had a few girlfriends stop by today after college classes to eat with me. We heated up plates of food and talked and giggled while eating them while Caina's little one Shayla and my Noah played and had fun. They were so cute together! One time, Noah fell and I went in to see if he was ok because he was crying, and Shayla had grabbed his hands and was going to lead him to me. SO CUTE!!! (He is so funny. He needs the compassion of the pat on the back and the hug, etc. and he sits there on your lap until he decides he wants to play again, which this time was less than 1 minute, and then he stops in mid cry, in mid tear even, and gets down as if nothing ever happened. LMSO He cracks me up) Hubby forgot to take leftovers to work with him today, so he ate something else, but he told me to remind him to make up a dish to take with him tomorrow!!! He was rather jealous when he called home at lunch time and I told him I was eating leftovers and boy were they good! LMSO
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Posted By Abundant Blessings Farm in A day in the life
The week ahead is filled with activities....but fun activities!!! Wednesday, we're "watching" a friend's BIL. He's mentally at the age of about 5, but is over 50 years old. They are going to the public school to teach an abstinence program (so proud of them!!). When they come to pick him up, we're headed for our milk run. I'm really looking forward to getting milk this week. The gal and her husband we buy milk from moved into a new rental home, and out of her parents' home this past weekend. We have a gift for her and can't wait to give it to her! Thursday...at this moment, looks like we'll be home as usual that day. :) Friday is our homeschool group's Christmas craft party. I actually have chosen my craft already! Yeah, me! Saturday, we're headed to town to see Handel's Messiah at a local church. We've never seen this and are really looking forward to it!
We bought our tree yesterday. And brought home a bag full of trimmings to decorate with. Yep, it helps to be married to someone who works there... I think we'll get it put up tonight, provided we get some other decorating done today. We have a TON of boxes of decorations...and I do mean a ton....that need to be unloaded and taken back to the attic so we can move around in there! The living room is small...and the boxes just make it feel smaller. Next week doesn't look as busy...that may be the week we get started on cookies. I also am making a cake for a friend of mine for her grandson's baptism later this month. I need to get her approval on the design. Lots to do, lots to do...but I just love the holidays....only wish the season lasted longer... I'm off to make some hot chocolate for my red nosed babes who've been outside trying to play in the tiny bit of snow that fell this morning... Have a blessed day!! |
