A New Year...May God Bless You

We are at the dawn of a New Year, what an amazing thought! Thinking back to the dawn of history we find man unaware of time as an issue. As our history moved forward, man found time a restraint on his ability to acquire and accomplish all he wanted to do.

Today, we are "global" with a sense of no time restraint. You can work yourself to death, burn your candle at both ends, have instant gratification at every level, but to what avail?
More stuff?... More pleasure?... More acclaim?

Time was given to us by God. To work all things under heaven and earth for His glory in us. To change our hearts and minds. To teach us to be patience, loving, understanding, generous and kind. To ward off the enemy of the soul and embrace the true freedom of life in the One who gives life.

We must learn to live with expectation and newness each day of each "year". Our is to grab hold of the day at hand and give it over to God for His pleasure in us. He is the giver of happiness and fulfillment where we can find it no other place. The world is devoid of these characteristics, some would differ in opinion, but true contentment come with the belief in Jesus Christ.

In the Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:1 we read:

To everything there is a season.
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.

What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?
I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts,
except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives,
and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor
- it is the gift of God.

I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.
That which is has already been;
And God requires an account of what is past.

Therefore, take everything into consideration, take the rush out of time and take time to ponder the majesty of God and creation, help your fellow man and bless others. Do this in the New Year...then you will truly be blessed!

Evenings Song…

Tonight I have retired to my soft feather bed. As I sit here reading my Bible, I stop to listen to the steady raindrops pelting my aged rooftop. The snow had stopped earlier in the afternoon and turned to rain as the temperature rose far above freezing. The wind is still actively directing the song and pitch of the heavenly notes. I have yet to decipher the tune, but it is a familiar one that “will” come to me!

I delight in the cracking and creaking of this old place. My candle rests securely in the holder on my nightstand, while the flame dances restlessly with the draft that passes through it. I am so happy that I have a warm dressing cape over my shoulders as I gaze at the flame with amusement.

Should I fall asleep, I am assured that the candle will burn itself out rather quickly, because its current length has dwindled to a mere stubble!

I think it is so clever a thought that my attire for the following day has been draped over the chair closest to the fireplace. I hope that in the morning I will be able to find them toasty warm if the fire promises to holds it’s flame for the duration of the night.

My divinity was a complete disaster today. I do "know" better not to make it when the moisture in the air becomes too great! I must lecture myself on the "rules of the kitchen" and "the making of divinity" before I set my mind to complete a task that will surely lead to ruination.

My eyes are becoming so heavy with sleep. I am not sure if it is age or just working so hard around the cottage today that wore me out! My bedtime bonnet is snuggly secure upon my head and I feel that I am ready to drift away to a dreamy state of contentment.

I pray that you are deliciously tucked away this evening also resting in the arms of the Lord. I pray that He keep you safe and warm tonight.

The Storm has arrived!

The storm has arrived with a vengence! The tree branches are falling to the ground with tremendous fury! I am safely inside after a brutal night of hail and snow. I sure believe we are experiencing our first blizzard of the season! My how astonishing!

I am so glad I penned up all the animals as I think that they would have not faired in the fields! I have a warm fire in the hearth and have make my porridge for the main meal today. I am so glad and thankful that the wood has been stacked inside by the fire. I am warm and happy today.

I hope that you are well and have plenty of projects to do while the storm persists. Blessings to you this day!

The turning of the day

The weather has turned to a blustery day! The reeds in the lake are bent south as the northernly winds approached which I am told to be a great event. I have gathered all the chickens and placed them in the hen house and they were not too please with that!

I also took the entire morning herding all the sheep to the pen. Since I live in the Cumbria District, everyone has some kind of sheep. I have been blessed with a great herd that grazes behind my modest home. I have cheviots, herdwicks, jacob, rough fell and ryeland sheep. The pen is very large and will hold all of them and it is far enough away from the large yew trees on my property so I don't have to worry about any limbs falling on them!

I do expect snow and hail, as it is that time of the year, so I intend to have a very large amount of the newly cut wood stacked in the hallway for this great storm! I think I will have Tommy Hillkirk stack the wood for me after school today, as he sometimes helps me around the house with the heavier tasks and besides I enjoy his company.

Do let me know how you fair on your side of the valley. I expect that you will endure it well, as you have been in the valley as long as I have. We will have to plan to meet after the winter's end for tea and scones, my personal favorite! I still have my modest ecquipauge' for transportation and can hook Emilia up to it on a moments notice. But, we will stay in touch.

I will take my leave now and ready for the storm. My love to you and Ernest.

A Day Gone By

Can you believe how fast the season is progressing? I have barely gotten enough time to pop the popcorn and string the cranberries on the tall fir tree that was cut especially for the entry of the cottage where the staircase rises up open to the next floor.

I have hand-dipped 20 wax candles which do have a tendency to burn very fast and they are quite smoky. Just like my pokey old fireplace in the parlor! ha But, I place them neatly within the tree branches inside the tiny wooden holders that were passed down to me from my great-grandmother from Germany!

Today I spent time making gifts for the neighbors on Christmas Day! How fun it will be to go and visit on this very blessed day!

I have found some beautiful material down at the general store in the village. It was very reasonable and I have just finished the bottice and have the remainder to complete by Christmas. I hope that I don't wait that long, as I would like to wear it before that!!

I received a nice letter from a friend on the other side of the firth. She told me of great things that were happening over in her village and the plans to rebuild their dilapidated town square! I find that news so unbelievable, such decadence in materials, but I must admit, to even have a town square in our small village would be very nice!

A fine young man down the way, cut up a fallen tree that came down on the side yard. It will make wonderful firewood now that I was almost without wood for the winter. I am so happy that he came an did such a wonderful deed. I am glad that there are still fine men in the world to help out a widowed woman. Praise the Lord!

Well, I must put on my apron and stoke the wood stove - I have so much to make for dinner this evening and I better get started. I hope that you are having a good day today.

Make way for the Lord as we celebrate His birth in 13 days!!

Just in time...

As I strolled through the open grasses by the foot of the lake I noticed leaves scattered across my path. I looked up to the nearly naked, trees to find the last of the brillant fall follage clinging on to the frail, thin branches.

"What a shame", I thought as I mused about the last village picnic, "just over there by that huge tree". It was a great day for visiting, sharing our tasty treats and fresh baked breads. How I will miss then again until next year.

But, even having said that I thought about the coming of winter and how I envisioned a warm, toasty fire in the parlor with a fresh brewed kettle of tea sitting by my favorite reading chair. I can't wait for the first winter snow to dust the firths and glens of my tiny, little village.

It is so easy to get all caught up in thought in this little place I call home. Not a day goes by when something doesn't capture my attention. Just today I went into a local shop to visit Margaret, she asked me if I would like to have a small position to keep me busy, knowing that I had become a widow. I told her that I thought that I was ready to take up the challenge of living again and wanted so much to do something that was pleasing.

I think that I might start in a few weeks, but I will continue to keep you posted by mail as I do indeed like writing to you about all my adventures throughout the year. Well, I must go now as I need to get home and warm my porrage for this evening. I invited over Mrs. Marsdale and her eldest son, Nathaniel. She lost her husband a few years back and Nathaniel has been such a wonderful help! Well, good day and God Bless.

Quotes of the Day...

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." ~Charles Schultz~

"Don't be afraid your life will end, be afraid it will never begin."
~Anonymous~

A Long Walk on a cool morning

This morning I arose with the chattering of a fat, grey squirrel just outside my bedroom window. He seemed to be saying, "Get up you sleepy head, there is so much to do today!"

I walked over to the fireplace to rearranged the embers from the previous night and to my delight they began to glow and egnite. Smiling, I removed my bed clothes and hung them in my large, walnut armoire. Finding the best shoes for walking and a comfortable warm outfit, I left my cosy cottage for a long, invigorating walk along the lake.

I met Thomas Bench, who by the way is the local baker! He was cheery as always and greeted me as we crossed paths. He informed me that he always walks every morning except Sunday morning of course, where he attends our local village church. We discussed his grandma, Anna Ricks, who is a dear older lady that lives out in the country, near the old stone millhouse. She and her husband, who has long since retired from the duties of the millhouse, enjoy a quiet and peaceful life. Thomas needed to rush off this morning because the bakery was soon to open. He always baked from very early in the morning and when everything was out of the oven, he took his walk around the lake. Well, anyway, I bid him farewell and went on my way.

The ducks were plenty in the lake, as were the great white swans. Honking and quacking away so early in the morning. I begun to concentrate on the crunching gravel of the narrow path as I made my way to the top of a ridge. I stopped for the very first time that I can recalled and thanked the Lord for such a precious way to start my day! I descended the steep path to resume my walking around the far end of the lake where the fisherman where casting their lines for the catches of the day.

How I enjoy my walks, so much to see and hear! As I returned to my cottage I met Tellie making her way to the bakers for some fresh bread. Today, she told me, "I ran out of flour for this day and decided that I could go into town to get some bread from the baker, he always bakes the best!", she also said, "I think I will pick up some scones too!"

Well, she amuses me and I laughed out loud as she continued on her way. I think my village is so sweet and the people always interesting. I am ready to sit down now and have my breakfast too. Today is pourage with dried fruit and a spot of tea, this will warm me up from the great chill I got out on the lake. I hope to see my friends again soon.

A Wounded Heart

As I walked along the cobblestone path from the church courtyard yesterday morning, I delighted in the chirping & fussing of a colorful, thatched woodcock dancing along the mossy stone divide. “How brave young man as you ask for bits of food this cool, brisk dewy morning”, I reproached him. “Where is your young family”? I asked him as he sprung from rock to rock following me to the village. I reached into my great carpetbag for a portion of my small sandwich which I was saving for a dear friend who was taken ill late last night. “Here you are young man, eat up”, as I pulled off a small portion for the taking. “Be of good cheer”, as he dashed off into the densely entwined branches nestled over the path. “Margaret will not miss the small portion torn for a fine feathered friend”, I thought!

Church was a wound to my heart yesterday as the Reverend did not set forth an invitation to accept the love of Christ for dying on the cross of Calvary for their sins. I could not have quiet time with him then as he was surrounded by my fellow worshipers.

I will write him a long letter establishing my concern about his presentation today. I am not accustomed to raising my innermost convictions with the Reverend, but today I was convicted by the Holy Spirit that this was a blow to the Spirit. My, how could I not speak out if I felt such a tug at my heart? Anyway, I am in solemn contemplation now.

Well, I did arrive at Margaret's house slightly out of character, but seeing that her health was restored from the previous day, I soon cheered up and she delighted in the cucumber sandwich in which I presented to her in her confinment. She made no comment on the torn edge, so neither did I.

I will continue at a later time with more news of the day.

An Afternoon at the Manse!

The Reverend Kettering and the Mrs. took tea with a host of families from the village today at the Manse. I myself, was in attendance. We enjoyed the fine display of delictable fruit scones and breads that the baker delivered earlier in the morning. Along with our perfect cuppa, it was a very pleasant afternoon indeed!

To my great surprise, the manse contained several well appointed furnishings from the old country. They looked as though they had had very special care over the years and were very beautiful. In contrast, my eyes were drawn to an old sideboard in the sitting room that seemed strangely out of place, with its big timbered shelves and drawers. But, I thought it rude to inquire as to its origin and amused myself with the everchanging clouds as I peered through the lace dressed window.

Franklin and Mrs. Timbert was the first to arrive, he is the local barister in the county. Miss Wiggins and her guardian came, she lives down the lane in a small rocked faced cottage with amber and ruby colored glass paned windows.

Other guest that arrived were: Mr and Mrs. Braggert - wealthy landowners, Mr. Jonathan Simon - the Undertaker; Attison MacGregor and his wife Tellie, Attison runs the general store; Dr. Martin and Elenor Fielding, what an interesting array of town folk!

The time flew quickly! I enjoyed the gathering immensely and one by one we departed either by carriage or by foot into the cool, damp twilight.

Tonite I was content to comb my long, brown hair with my coarse bristle brush, which I was negligent to do the past few nights. I now sit by the fire in front of my dressing table caught up in the events of the day, smiling @ my reflection from the lit wicked candle with amusement. My hair is gathered with a crisp white ribbon that matches my bed clothes and satin slippers.

Very soon I feel I'll be snuggled up under my goose down bedwrap reading my favorite prose and my beloved King James Bible. I must say good evening to you, sweet dreams and God Bless!

A Weekend to Remember

Good Morning!

This is a weekend to remember. It is very cold here today, but yet I will brave the weather to attend Farmer's Market in the Square. People from all over the village congregate around the freshly picked winter vegetables in there bins to catch up on the news of the week. Mrs. Thomason had a fever but two days ago with a great chill, she has since broken the fever and regained her health, amazing!

The twins, Cordellia and Prudence have now entered the lady's college in Providence and expects to arrive by train later in the week. They will not be home until Christmas, which is a full 5 weeks away. How Edgar and Priscilla will pine for their two precious daughters. It is so amazing that 2 daughters can attend this fair institution at the same time. What a blessing!

I am hopeful that I can drop by the general store and pick up a few items for the cottage that have been dearly in need of replacing. There is a screen door that can no longer be fitting to use, the hinges are in need a replacement and that is just what will be done at a point later in the day. I am reminded that our bodies grow old and in need of replacements too, which makes me giggle at the thought!

It is such a wonderful time of the fall season waiting for the bounty of which the Thanksgiving Day meal brings, not only the wonderful warm celebration of harvest, but the enjoyment of family and friends that drop by throughout the day that charm the lives of ordinary people such as myself!

I am so thankful to God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us.

I hope that this note finds you all well and satified in your place of dwelling.

Arabia

Today I write from Arabia, a very good place to be. I am learning to walk with the Holy Spirit guiding me and showing me my path.

I have spent many years going full tilt, boogie on my own, in my own steam and now I am just tired of doing that. I find myself at a new place in my walk with the Lord. Really seeking, knocking and experiencing His presense in my life.

I have been dusting off my old ambitions to paint and draw - wow, what a concept. Use my gifts and talents for the Lord, but how I say, I do not know where He leads, but I am sure that my path will be straight from here on out.

A New Day

Good Morning! It is beautiful here this morning after a refreshing fall shower during the night. The air is clean and the greens are greener! I find the weather to be fascinating, I should have been a meterologist!

I pray for God to show you Himself today in a most unusual and special way. That the Hand of God in your life to be unmistakable.

He will bring Glory to His name through His creation and you are one of them.

To Post or not to Post

I have been really slacken! I don't think anyone really reads this stuff anywho! ha ha

The sun is out and I think I am going to run outside. I am sitting at the coffee shop in Kingston and enjoying the brew, reading the paper and just thinking.

My intermittent message for my fans.

How Not to become a Christian By Greg Laurie

What does it mean to be a Christian? How do you become one? I'm glad you asked. First, let's look at three ways you cannot become a child of God. That's right. How not to become a Christian.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12–13) You cannot be a Christian simply by being born into a Christian family. I'm amazed at how some people, when asked how they know they are Christians, will answer, "Because I think my grandfather was," or, "Because my mother is a Christian." It's as though they believe their family somehow has Christian "genes." Having Christian parents is a great privilege. It's a wonderful thing to be raised with biblical values and to develop a Christian worldview. But you still must personally believe in Jesus. You cannot live off the faith of the family.You cannot make yourself a Christian by your own will. Not only does faith have nothing to do with your family background, it has nothing to do with desire.

You can't just say, "From this moment on, I am a Christian!" Becoming a Christian involves putting your trust in God. God is the one who saves you, not yourself. It would be like a drowning person trying to save himself or herself. Becoming a Christian involves turning away from sin and trusting Jesus and Jesus alone for your salvation. It involves saying "yes" to God's invitation to change your heart.You cannot become a Christian by compulsion. No one in the world can make you a Christian. No minister or priest can make you a Christian by mere baptism or a sacrament. You cannot be reborn through a ceremony, or by reading a creed, or by standing up or sitting down, or by going forward, or by kneeling at a bench. None of these things, in and of themselves, will make you a Christian.

Now that we've covered how not to become a Christian, let's look at how to become one.

We find the answer in the verse quoted above: "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

Being a Christian is not merely following a creed, though it would include that. It is not merely believing certain truths, though it is that, too. It is receiving Christ into your life as your Savior and Lord.There has to be a point when you are awakened to your spiritual need and say, "God, I know I'm a sinner. I know I don't measure up. Your light has crept into the crevices of my life, and you have exposed my spiritual nakedness. You have shown me my vulnerability and my need. At the same time, I know I can't become a Christian in my own strength. So I am coming to you on your terms. I am turning from my sin. I believe that your Son, Jesus, the Word who created all things, became a man and walked among us. I believe that he died on a cross for my sin. I put my trust in you. I choose to follow you."

THE IMPORTANCE OF ATTITUDE by Charles R. Swindoll

Philippians 2:3-5

This may shock you, but I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me, or say about me, my circumstances, or my position.

The attitude I choose keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitudes are right, there’s no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.

Yet we must admit that we spend more of our time concentrating and fretting over the things that can’t be changed than we do giving attention to the one that we can change, our choice of attitude. Stop and think about some of the things that suck up our attention and energy, all of them inescapable: the weather, the wind, people’s action and criticisms, who won or lost the game, delays at airports or waiting rooms, x-ray results, gas and food costs.

Quit wasting energy fighting the inescapable and turn your energy to keeping the right attitude. Those things we can’t do anything about shouldn’t even come up in our minds; the alternative is ulcers, cancer, sourness, depression.

Let’s choose each day and every day to keep an attitude of faith and joy and belief and compassion.

Take charge of your own mind!

PASSIVE MEN, WILD WOMEN

I just love Chuck and his wisdom. What he says is always so refreshing!

by Charles R. Swindoll

Ephesians 5:22-33

Those words aren’t original with me. They came from a shrink living in Marin County, California—Pierre Mornell, who wrote a book that bears that title. The issue that concerned Dr. Mornell is found in Christian marriages just as often as in non-Christian ones.

It’s the problem of the husband who is “inactive, inarticulate, lethargic, and withdrawn at home. In his relationship to his wife he is passive. And his passivity drives her crazy.” He’s not necessarily incompetent and dull. At work he may be extremely successful and articulate. And she’s not necessarily rebellious and overactive. She may be a good mother, talented, and well-respected by her peers.

At home, however, the husband says, in a dozen different ways, “I’m tired . . . just leave me alone.” She makes requests; he ignores them. She gets louder; he retreats further. She adds pressure; he lapses into sullen silence. Ultimately he withdraws; she goes “wild.”
Numerous, often complex, reasons lie behind such standoffs, but a couple of extremely important factors stand out.

First, men and women are different, and these differences don’t decrease or disappear once people get married. (I’ve discovered that they gain momentum!) It helps immensely to try to put oneself in the partner’s shoes (albeit an extremely tough thing to do) and to realize the other’s needs and viewpoint. If you fail to do that, you wind up on the sofa.

Second, harmonious partnerships are the result of hard work; they never “just happen.” I don’t know of anything that helps this process more than deep, honest, regular communication. Read those last four words again, please. That’s not just talking; it’s also listening. And not just listening, but also hearing. Not just hearing, but also responding, calmly and kindly.

The “hard work” also includes giving just as much as taking, modeling whatever you’re expecting, forgiving as quickly as confronting, putting into the marriage more than you ever expect out of it. Yes, more. In one word it means being unselfish.

Few things are better for breaking the passive-wild syndrome than taking off for a couple of days together. Without the kids. Without the briefcase. Without an agenda.
This will go a long way toward keeping you off a counselor’s couch . . . or, for that matter, off your own sofa.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how well are you and your spouse communicating?

TURNING TURMOIL INTO PEACE

By Charles R. Swindoll

Philippians 4

When Christians are up against a wall, it’s interesting that they finally turn to prayer. The only thing that will work is the last thing we try. Take a look at this: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).

Most Christians are so familiar with those words, I fear they may have lost their punch. To guard against that, let’s read them from another translation—The Amplified Bible: “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Now that’s a mouthful! If I understand this correctly, the anxiety that mounts up inside me, the growing irritation and the struggles that make me churn, will be dissipated and, in fact, replaced with inner peace if I will simply talk to my God. Prayer is the single most significant thing that will help turn inner turmoil into peace. Prayer is the answer.

Fear Nothing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY LABELLE!!!!!

Wisdom is a Choice

Proverbs 1

Solomon writes a metaphorical warning from the perspective of "Wisdom".

"INSIGHT to be free to sail the seven seas, you must make yourself a slave to the compass. Every freedom has a corresponding slavery. We can be free from the toothbrush and a slave to cavities or a slave to the toothbrush and free from cavities. For everything we want, we must give up something else. Wisdom calls us to slavery. If we become a slave to wisdom, we must heed the Word of God and shun sin.

If we neglect these, distress and anguish will come. We will experience the natural consequences of our actions. There is no escape from this cause-and-effect law.

Rededicate yourself to becoming a "wise" person. Wisdom begins with "fearing" (respecting) the Lord. It is to His glory and also to our best interest. We live daily with choices, perhaps if we truly desire to become wise we first must step out of the way of ourselves and view life through the eyes of our Savior!

Summer Interlude

It is summer...lazy, warm and full of life. I am reminded of the fact that I am always in the care of my most precious Savior, Jesus Christ. I have had a few bumps in my road as we hit mid stride, but lessons can be gleaned from all experiences and challenges we face in life.

Recently, it was brought to my attention that a dear sister in the Lord gave me a scripture verse, Isaiah 43:18-19 - It basically says to forget the former things, remember them no more, that I am to perceive it with my heart that the Lord will make a new thing for me in the wilderness, streams and a path. I can be nurished here as I commune with the Living God to direct my path for His glory. I can't imagine being anywhere else right now.

There is much beauty around me that I will soak up for the remainder of the summer! Praise Jesus for the gift of life.