Sabbath Keeping

"The just shall live by faith."

~ Habakkuk 2:4 ~ 

"Fear and faith have something in common...they both ask us to believe in something we cannot see." ~ Joel Osteen ~

"There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.' ~ C. S. Lewis ~

"More faith than fear." 

~ Lena Schlabach ~

"Faithless is he who says farewell when the road darkens."

~ J. R. R. Tolkien ~ 

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
~ Corrie ten Boom ~

"Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want.
It is the belief that God will do what is right."
~ Max Lucado ~

"Therefore, dear Sir, love your solitude and try to sing out with the pain it causes you. For those who are near you are far away...and this shows that the space around you is beginning to grow vast...be happy about your growth, in which of course you can't take anyone with you, and be gentle with those who stay behind; be confident and calm in front of them and don't torment them with your doubts and don't frighten them with your faith or joy, which they wouldn't be able to comprehend. Seek out some simple and true feeling of what you have in common with them, which doesn't necessarily have to alter when you yourself change again and again; when you see them, love life in a form that is not your own and be indulgent toward those who are growing old, who are afraid of the aloneness that you trust...and don't expect any understanding; but believe in a love that is being stored up for you like an inheritance, and have faith that in this love there is a strength and a blessing so large that you can travel as far as you wish without having to step outside it." ~ Ranier Marie Rilke ~

"Sometimes God allows what He hates

to accomplish what He loves."

~ Joni Erickson Tada ~ 

"[To have Faith in Christ] means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint glean of Heaven is already inside you."
~ C. S. Lewis ~

"This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see."
~ Corrie ten Boom ~

"Did I not tell you if you believe, 

you will see the glory of God?"

~ Jesus, John 11:40 ~  

Please keep in prayer ~ Isaac's family (he celebrated his 8th birthday Friday and died today at noon) ~ 

Sabbath Keeping

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you,

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart."

~ Proverbs 3:3 ~ 

"Love yourself as much as you want to be loved." ~ Kush and Wizdom ~

"Don't lose yourself trying to hold onto to someone who doesn't care." ~ Sandra ~

"If you aren't happy single, 

you won't be happy in a relationship.

Love God and yourself and then

you'll be truly happy."

~ Healing Hope Now ~

"Talk to yourself like someone you love." ~ Brene' Brown ~

"Don't allow someone to judge you because they sin differently. Throughout the day and before you sleep at night, talk to God...tell Him about your day, ask His forgiveness, accept His love. Sleep peacefully." ~ Sandra ~

"You are loved more than you will ever know 

by someone who died to know you." 

~ Romans 5:8 ~ 

Please pray for ~ yourself...God made you in His image...let Him love you.

Where On Earth Is Sandra This Week?

Or, should I say S1 and S2?

Plenty of hints...

A top hat...

The harp is the national symbol of this country.

And this city is my home for a few days

and is this proof positive of my location.

Ponder this ~ it always seems impossible until it's done.

Sabbath Keeping

"If my people who are called by my name, 

will humble themselves and pray and seek my face 

and turn from their wicked ways, 

then I will hear from heaven,

and I will forgive their sin and heal their land."

~ 2 Chronicles 7:14 ~

"Good evening. Today our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and Federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our Nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed. Our country is strong.

A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.

Today our Nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescueworkers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our Government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, DC, to help with local rescue efforts.

Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.

The functions of our Government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.

The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.

I appreciate so very much the Members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.

America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.

Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me."

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night, and God bless America."

~ President George W. Bush, Address to the Nation, September 11, 2001 ~

Please keep in prayer ~ the United States of America and her Christian citizens to call upon God and be lead by Him as they contemplate their vote for Presidency in the November election ~

Good Times

Stephanie, Beloved Sistah, brought Daddy and Mom to Roanoke today where we had lunch and celebrated Dad's upcoming birthday. God blessed my siblings and I when He gave us to Jim and Gladys. We were raised in a Godly household and I remember family devotions, prayers before travel, prayers before a meal and we still do all these things. My whole life I've seen Mom and Daddy reading their Bible every single day and it was due to their influence I began reading my Bible every single day some decades ago.

However, to keep things interesting I'll tell you a little story from when I was about 14 years old. Dad and I were on the way home from evening church service, crossing the Lee Bridge and talking about the night sky. There weren't as many city lights then and the night sky could be seen dramatically as the moon rose over the James River.

Dad looked over at me. "Tell me something. Can you prove to me everything wasn't created fifteen minutes ago?"

GULP.

"Well, ummm. We're going across the Lee Bridge and it takes more than fifteen minutes to build a bridge."

"Yes, but what if it was created fifteen minutes ago? God created everything; how do you know He didn't create everything fifteen minutes ago?"

"What about Mom, Steve and Stephanie? We're headed home to them and they are older than fifteen minutes."

"Yes, but created that way fifteen minutes ago."

Not only did God give me Godly parents, He gave me parents that taught their children to THINK and to THINK for themselves although I never did come up with even a poor answer to Dad's question. My heritage is a rich gift and blessing, as are my parents.

Daddy blew my mind then and he continues asking hard questions and blowing my mind today. He makes me think and for that and many other reasons, I love him, and Mom, dearly! My heritage is a rich gift and blessing, as are my parents and siblings.

Happy Birthday, Dad! May you celebrate many more in good health and happiness and may you reach your goal of 100!

Ponder this ~ Can you prove everything isn't fifteen minutes old?

Craft Show, GOP Grand Opening, TATERS, Antique Tractors

Saturday past, the Thompson Valley Community Center hosted their annual craft show and I always spend too much money...according to my wallet but not the crafters...grin. Mr. P. makes the most fabulous wood products...as evidenced by the solid oak side table I brought home. I believe he uses mortise and tenon but he could also be hiding the nails...don't think so though. Even without the drawer, it was so heavy I was panting and had to rest a couple few times between car and house. 

Mr. P's table of wooden bowls, lamps, cutting boards, trays, etc. and Mrs. P. does lovely paintings on some of the woodwork. Mr. P. told me, "You need to come over; I've got a whole outbuilding full of stuff." I replied, "Last time I visited you and Mrs. P. it cost so much money I had to write a check." We both laughed because I bought more than a dozen Christmas gifts (and ended up keeping a lot some) and didn't come close to damaging my checking account. (Yeah, I am a sucker for hand crafted goodies and plan a visit to his outbuilding...soon!)

His prices are downright reasonable; these three pieces---cutting board, bowel and rolling pin---costs fifty dollars for the set; I'm ashamed to tell you how much what I paid for my table. 

These are scrubbies, crocheted from tulle and designed to use at the kitchen sink, although one could use them as bath scrubbies. The one I've been using is long past prime but still usable so it's great to find more; the price was so good, I bought three and since they're thick, it'll take a long while to wear out.

After the craft show, it was time to visit the grand opening of the Republican Party in Tazewell County.

Ribbon cutting...left to right...Lynn Ratliff, Chris Ratliff, Party Chairman, Morgan Griffith, 9th Congressional District House Rep, covering slightly more area than the state of New Jersey (unbelievable!); Senator Ben Chaffin and Tamara Neo, local lawyer and, along with her husband, Flux Neo, operate Neo Law Firm. I'm not much on glad handing but did want to shake Senator Chaffin's hand so I could introduce myself and say, "Senator Chaffin, I voted for you and would like to tell you why." He thanked me and said, "Why did you vote for me?" I don't think what I said was what he expected. "Because, sir, I know where you go to church." 

I'm not sure but I believe he blushed. "Yes sir; I've been a visitor in your church and believe you to be a man of God who will endeavor to be fair and honest in your dealings." All those things are true; I have been a visitor in the church he attends and believe a person doesn't attend a truly Evangelical church unless they believe in what's being preached and taught. After meeting him, I believe him to be a humble man as well. I don't go much for the belief that Christians shouldn't be in politics and, in fact, believe Christians should be in politics. I don't care for pagan rule, locally, statewide or in DC and am weary of well meaning idiots saying, "separation of church and state" as if Christians shouldn't have a say in how we are governed! 

The reason I went to the Republican Party Grand Opening is, I'm tired of only complaining and want to be part of the solution. I'm tired of people pontificating on Facebook and their blogs about why they believe Trump can't be trusted or why Clinton is the devil's spawn. Actually, I've stopped listening or reading when folks want to yammer on and on and on and...about their opinion so I'm working at the GOP office a few hours a week so I can say I actually made a difference instead of just made chin music. 

Sunday past, the TATERS...aka Tazewell Antique Tractor & Equipment Riders... visited the Cove. This group of antique tractor enthusiasts have their own Facebook page and a fair number of folks who haul their antique, and not so antique, tractors around Tazewell County to enjoy the fellowship, beautiful days and, in the case of the Cove, a benefit hot dog supper.

For those of you to whom such things matter, my apologies but I cannot tell you the year of this John Deere tractor. Bob H. is driving and I love how he's rigged a canopy for shade...something I need for my twenty-plus year old Deere.

This tractor is driven by Daddy John, valley neighbor, the same Daddy John who cuts and bales my hay but on a different tractor. I seem to recall this is a 1930's Ferguson tractor and believe he told me tractors with back skinny wheels and two closely spaced front wheels are most dangerous for mountainous terrain. I believe it and even though my Deere is much safer and has 4-wheel drive, there are still places on my farm that frighten me but not Daniel, a sometimes farm helper.

There were two of these Ford tractors and looked both sturdy, compact and a lot safer than the tractors with two small front wheels. I believe there were more than 30 tractors and a couple of UTV's (utility terrain vehicles) riding from the Cove Community Center, across Rt 91---the only primary dirt road in the Commonwealth of Virginia---and back again. They left around 2:00 and returned around 5:30 for their hot dog supper.

Bob Moss, Chairman, wearing the straw hat, welcomed the TATERS prior to asking Pastor Danny to bless the meal. Bob is celebrating his 19th year of being the Tazewell Bulldogs 'voice' at the Friday night football games. (Bob also dug the hole to bury Lightly, my first mare, last November...still haven't been able to write about that event.)

I've got a couple of short videos showcasing the tractors to put on youtube; will let you know once they're on-line, hopefully, first of the week. Frankly, after mostly standing for six hours on concrete, my back is crippled and I've been existing on Aleve, Aspirin and the occasional heavy duty Ibuprofen for grins good measure. A good part of my week has been spent with a heating pad between me and the floor, while I'm reading great books. Speaking of...are you familiar with Joe Pickett, Wyoming Game Warden? This series is written by C. J. Box and I have consumed as many novels as I can wrap my hands around! Who doesn't love cowboys, eh?

Thank you for your kind comments on A Girl With a Dream Becomes a Woman With a Vision post; my plan is to respond Sunday, after church, depending on pain level.

Ponder this ~ Don't get so busy making money to buy the things you want that you forget about the things money can't buy.