"For as a man [or woman] thinks, so is he."

~ Proverbs 23:7 ~ 

"Take the risk of thinking for yourself."

~ Christopher Hitchens ~

"We know what a person thinks not when he tells us what he thinks, but by his actions."
~ Isaac Bashevis Singer ~

"Don't think of cost.

Think of value."

"If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you'll never get it done." ~ Bruce Lee ~

"If you're thinking like everyone else, then you aren't thinking." ~ marc and angel ~

"When you stop thinking of the wrong things,

the right things are easier to discern."

~ Sandra ~

"Self worth comes from one thing - thinking that you are worthy."  ~ Wayne Dyer ~

"If a person wants to be a part of your life, they will make an obvious effort to do so. Think twice before reserving a space in your heart for people who do not make an effort to stay." ~ unknown~

"Care about people's approval and you'll always be their prisoner." ~ Lao Tzu ~

"Casting down imaginations, 

and every high thing that exalteth iteself 

against the knowledge of God, 

and bringing into captivity 

every thought to the obedience of Christ."

~ 2 Corinthians 10:5 ~

Please pray for ~ Rebekah ~ Sandra ~ 

Sabbath Keeping - Forgiveness

(One reason it takes a long while to do barn chores is due to the great help...Mr. Molly climbs on the tractor, burrows into my lap and proceeds to oversee my efforts. The diesel tractor is rattling along and Mr. Molly purrs. When I climb down to pull the Hay Hut over the round bale, Mr. Molly climbs into my seat where he has a cat bird view. Even when he jumps off the tractor, he doesn't go far and I must go s.l.o.w.l.y to make sure he's away from the tires. He is a Very Trusting Boy.)

"Even to my old age and gray hair 

You are the one who will sustain me.

You made me and You will carry me;

You will sustain and You will rescue me.

I will remember the former things of long ago.

You are God, and there is no other!

You are God, and there is none like you."

~ Isaiah 46:4, 9 ~ 

"Our callings could be at stake

 if we don't allow God 

to deal with our chronic insecurities."

~ Beth Moore ~ 

"Embrace and love all of yourself - past, present, and future. Forgive yourself quickly and as often as necessary. Encourage yourself. Tell yourself good things about yourself." ~ Melody Beattie ~

"To forgive is indeed the best form of self-interest since anger, resentment, and revenge are corrosive of that 'summum bonum', the greatest good." ~ Bishop Desmond Tutu ~

"It is essential also to forgive yourself. 

Self-hatred is not pleasing to Me, and it is very unhealthy for you." 

~ Sarah Young, Jesus Always ~

"The more you know yourself, the more you forgive yourself." ~ Confucius ~

"People can be more forgiving than you can imagine.

But you have to forgive yourself. Let go of what's bitter

and move on."

~ Bill Cosby ~ 

"You cannot travel back in time to fix your mistakes, but you can learn from them and forgive yourself for not knowing better." ~ Leon Brown ~

"Forgiveness is for yourself because it frees you.

It lets you out of that prison you put yourself in."

~ Louise L. Hay ~ 

"When you forgive, you in no way change the past - but you sure do change the future."
~ Bernard Meltzer ~

"Forgiving is rediscovering the shining path of peace that at first you thought others took away when they betrayed you." ~ Dodinsky ~

"It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive.

Forgive everybody." ~ Maya Angelou ~ 

"Forgiving does not erase the bitter past.

A healed memory is not a deleted memory.

Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget 

creates a new way to remember.

We change the memory of our past 

into a hope for our future."

~ Lewis B. Smedes ~ 

"We all make mistakes, don't we?

But if you can't forgive yourself,

you'll always be an exile in your own life."

~ Curtis Sittenfield ~ 

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times

shall I forgive my brother who sins against me?

Up to seven times?"

Jesus answered, "I tell you,

not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!"

~ Matthew 18:21-22 ~ 

Please pray for ~ Alison ~ (If you've a name for this list, let me know.)

MAJOR WHINE with run on sentences: This past week, Rebekah told me moving was toward the top of most stressful life events. (Perhaps this is why God didn't let me move soon after Dave died; He knew I couldn't handle two such stressful events...wry smile.) Boxes are still 3 deep in the basement (including kitchen goods, bedroom things such as nightgowns, personals....you know...necessities!), the plumbing in the barn still isn't working because the plumber said he'd be here last week but not only didn't show, he didn't call, the studio has no insulation, heat, etc. and I'm waiting on John R. to return my dining room furniture he's had since May of last year. He's supposed to be restoring it but, thus far, I've only seen the Singer treadle sewing machine (he delivered about ten days ago). I'll show photos of the Singer this week and he did a wonderful job but he also told me he was bringing else everything last Wednesday. Now, he won't return phone calls, e-mails or texts and I'm sorely frustrated. Until I get the dining room chest, dish cupboard and 1800's "tall boy", all dishes are in boxes, the mantle is deep in candle holders, book cases are loaded with things that need a better home...on and on. Then...
BCBS decided to drop me January 1 and deigned to let me know February 2...how kind. BTW, did you know the CEO of Anthem BCBS makes $17 MILLION a year?! No wonder premiums are +$1000 a month with a $6,000 deductible! Then...
VAFB decided the truck didn't need to be insured and dropped it plus they STILL haven't changed my address. The old agent wants the commission so he's playing fast and loose with my new agent.
So, I've forgiven myself for the (many, many) wicked thoughts I've had this past week plus. However, I'm still working on forgiving the aforementioned for their misdeeds.
One thing at a time, eh?
P.S. I'm stopping now because it's getting depressing...all over again.
LOL

Sabbath Keeping - Redemption

(If you know to whom credit should be given, please advise.)

"Do not fear.

I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name.

You are mine."

~ Isaiah 43:1 ~

"Jesus took the tree of death

so you could have the tree of life."

~ Tim Keller ~

"God creates out of nothing. 

Wonderful you say. 

Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful:

He makes saints out of sinners."

~ Soren Kierkegaard ~ 

"Mere improvement is not redemption although redemption always improves people."
~ C. S. Lewis ~

"I thought I could have leaped from earth to heaven when I first saw my sins drowned in the Redeemer's Blood." ~ C. H. Spurgeon ~

"We want to avoid suffering, sin, death, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive His poured-out life and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others."
~ Elisabeth Elliott ~

"It is not so true that "prayer changes things" as that prayer changes me and I change things. God has so constituted things that prayer on the basis of Redemption alters the way in which a man looks at things. Prayer is not a question of altering things, externally, but of working wonders in a man's disposition." ~ Oswald Chambers ~

"I take literally the statement in the Gospel of John that God loves the world. I believe that the world was created and approved by love, that it subsists, coheres, and endures by love, and that, insofar as it is redeemable, it can be redeemed only by love. I believe that divine love, incarnate and indwelling in the world, summons the world always toward wholeness, which ultimately is reconciliation and atonement with God." ~ Wendell Berry ~

"If man had his way, the plan of redemption would be an endless and bloody conflict. In reality, salvation was bought not by Jesus' fist, but by His nail-pierced hands; not by muscle but by love; not by vengeance but by forgiveness; not by force but by sacrifice. Jesus Christ our Lord surrendered in order that He might win; He destroyed His enemies by dying for them and conquered death by allowing death to conquer Him." ~ A. W. Tozer ~

"Non-Christians seem to think that the Incarnation implies some particular merit or excellence in humanity. But of course it implies just the reverse: a particular demerit and depravity. No creature that deserved Redemption would need to be redeemed. They that are whole need not the physician. Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for; to make them worth it."
~ C. S. Lewis ~

"To be in Christ--that is Redemption;

but for Christ to be in you,

that is sanctification."

~ W. Ian Thomas ~

"By Christ's purchasing redemption, two things are intended: His satisfaction and His Merit; he one pays our debt, and so satisfies; the other procures our title, and so merits. The satisfaction of Christ is to free us from misery; the merit of Christ is to purchase happiness for us."
~ Jonathan Edwards ~

"The Son of God became a man 

to enable men to become sons of God."

~ C. S. Lewis ~

"In Him we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of our trespasses, 

according to the riches of His grace."

~ Ephesians 1:7 ~ 

Please pray for ~ Karen ~ Vicky and Dave ~ Steve ~ Rebekah ~ Kimberly's MIL and family ~ Debby ~ Sandra ~ 

I'm so far behind I don't know if...

~ Hay Jude, American Curly x Percheron gelding ~

I've found my rope or lost my horse! Seriously, it was wonderful having so much help packing and moving last August but the packing was done higgly piggly and I'm still unpacking boxes! The living room is three boxes deep in (a) stuff to give to church yard sale (raising money for missions), (b) trash to go to the dumpster and (c) empty boxes I want to keep to mail the last of the sheep fleeces to mill to be made into blankets and throws. Today was spent sorting out the metal bread rack in the laundry room; it holds cast iron cookware, enamel ware, food, spices and other sundry items needed at hand but not directly in the kitchen. The laundry room is smallish and holds one metal bread rack, washer, dryer, rolling cart and a smaller wooden floor cabinet for laundry supplies. I've got a vintage spice cabinet to attach to one wall and will put a hanging rod over the washer and dryer to utilize that real estate. I'd debated on shelves but think a hanging rod will better serve.

I would like to know...actually would love to know how a set of glasses or dishes or whatever...but a set...could get packed in so many different boxes! The kitchen island and dining room table (you are so going to love the dining room table...hand crafted cherry with live edges...stay tuned!) are both stacked with solo items, waiting for their partner(s) to be found so they can be either put away or put in the yard sale boxes. Someone told me I could sell this stuff on ebay and I snorted. Yeah, I need more work and the church is having a yard sale...a match made in heaven!

Friday night my family met at a local restaurant and this little charmer blessed us all. Mason is my great-nephew and his Dad is my go-to guy for help in the house, barn, studio and farm. JW is an electrician and has already done a lot of little jobs making my life so much easier. Seriously. Why would any decent electrician put the exhaust fan switch first on the light plate and then the light switch? Or, put the light switch to the basement at the bottom of the stairs? That's just plain dumb! JW fixed the switch so it's turned on from the door at the top of the stairs...much safer!

Steve, left, is my brother, and beside him is Daddy who'll be 90 this year. I think Daddy looks great, for any age, but especially for almost 90! He's the oldest living man in his family and Mom's family also has longevity; hopefully so will I.

Three generations, Mason's Dad, JW, is across the table and you can see a bit of Katie, Mason's Mom, in the right background. Mom (great-grandmother), Stephanie (my sister and Mason's grandmother) and Mason the first only boy on both sides of our family...big shoes but he'll handle them!

The crowd...parents, siblings, nephew, his wife and son, brother in law and Daddy at the register paying for this great crowd...THANKS DADDY! We ate at Hillside Family Restaurant which is just plain Southern cooking or, as I told Daddy, "Nothing fancy, just good grub" but I go for the company anyway. Anytime I can be with family, it's a Good Time!

Last week I bought 40 bales of hay and had to borrow Daddy's trailer to get it all home. There are six bales in the back of the truck and it took me 90 minutes to unload and stack it all in the barn. It's not the best hay but the horses like it and that's all that counts. I've got another source and will talk to him later this week.

I can hear Daniel Miller now..."Well, you got it stacked!" Daniel has got to be one of the top three nicest men I've ever known! I've never heard him say a bad word about anyone and if I said to him, "Yeah, it looks a train wreck but I got it done", he would gently, but with a chuckle, say, "Well, you got it stacked out of the weather and that's what counts." What that man doesn't know about farming isn't worth knowing and he's handy at just about everything...farming, vet doctoring, carpentry, trimming horse/sheep/goat feet, repairing vehicles, farm equipment, plumbing, electricity. Seriously, he can put his hand to anything and make it work. Gosh, I miss him!

The Canada geese are nesting on the island and delight almost daily. When I see them, I go outside on the deck and talk to them...it's funny how they quiet so they can listen. I tell them, "Good Morning Geese! This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad! You're welcome here, please make your nests on the island where you'll be safe."

When I finish talking, they take flight, headed straight toward the house and I manage to get a couple of photos. They aren't good photos because I'm so busy being delighted, I forget to aim the camera! Yeah, I'm laughing at myself.

The first week in January it was bitter cold, snowy, windy and just plain miserable yet beautiful. This is the first home I've ever lived in with an HVAC system or water in the barn. I had sense of mind to get the HVAC system tended to...serviced for the year and also had a filter system for mold put in, but wasn't as savvy about the water in the barn. I forgot to unscrew the water hose from the faucet and the dang (Christian curse word...lol) froze, burst, thawed and it was horrible! I figured out how to turn off the main water supply and, thank God, it was separate from the water supply in the horse paddock. When I found Roark's Plumbing, I told them, "I'm making do so put me on your list and take care of the true emergencies." They came last week and turns out the problem is much worse than I thought; the break extends to underground, near the cut-off valve so they'll come this week to finish and to put in a frost free spigot which should stop this silly problem.

Last week it snowed 8 inches on the farm, even so, Sam P Spade, Secret Agent had to have surgery to remove an abscessed tumor on his neck. It took 40 minutes to drive 6 miles to Blackstone and then another hour to get to the vet clinic. All is well and Sam is back to his beautiful self; I'm grateful to Anytime Vet Clinic for their professional care and TLC (but I still miss Dr. Anne!).

On nice, meaning not raining/cold/windy, days the dogs and I go for a walk. Let me amend that: the dogs, a lot of cats and I go for a walk. Sadie is standing on the far side of the pond (some call it a lake), just above the 'c' in Cove. We were going to walk all the way around but I didn't feel like trudging through the underbrush; we turned and came back. I like this picture...it looks calm, peaceful and COLD! Temps dipped into the minus zero...as in 4 degrees below zero F, which is minus 15.5 degrees Celsius...COLD! As to electric bill...I have NEVER had an electric bill like this month! Gosh, I'm looking into alternative heat sources.

The driveway entrance is beautiful in all seasons but especially winter and spring. Those are Bradford Pear trees, not my favorite but as they die out, they'll be replaced with something else...perhaps fruit trees or river birch. I'm not sure yet.

I'm slowly figuring out how to find photos on the laptop...more updates coming, especially the Christmas special at church...which was hilarious! It was fabulous and so enjoyable. Another reason for slow posting...it takes me a l.o.n.g. time to put up a post with photos. There must be a faster, easier way but I don't know it so... . There are photos of the house and farm taken when I first moved here...can you believe it's been SIX months!? Yes, I'm still over the moon HAPPY!

Speaking of happy...don't forget tomorrow night is January's blue moon and supposed to be stellar.
Y'all be safe, take care of each other and be kind.

Ponder this ~ "Take time to work, it is the price of success.

Take time to think, it is the source of power.

Take time to play, it is the secret of perpetual youth.

Take time to read, it is the foundation of wisdom.

Take time to be friendly, it is the road to happiness.

Take time to dream, it is hitching your wagon to a star.

Take time to love and be loved, it is the privilege of the gods.

Take time to look around, it is too short a day to be selfish.

Take time to laugh, it is the music of the soul."

~ Old English Prayer ~ 

Sabbath Keeping

~ Ole Bones and her 4 kittens: Inky 1, Inky 2, Inky 3 and Pixie ~

"Whatever the activity in which you engage, 

do it with all your ability... ."

~ Ecclesiastes 9:10 ~

"...By being filled with the Spirit we are transformed, and by beholding we become mirrors. You always know when a man has been beholding the glory of the Lord; you feel in your inner spirit that he is the mirror of the Lord's own character. Beware of anything which would sully that mirror in you; it is nearly always a good thing, the good that is not the best." ~ Oswald Chambers ~

"You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with the best you have to give." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

"We are at our very best, and we are happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey toward the goal we've established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep. It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile." ~ Earl Nightingale ~

"A problem is a chance for you to do your best." ~ Duke Ellington ~

"When we do the best that we can,

we never know what miracle is wrought in our life,

or in the life of another."

~ Helen Keller ~ 

"It's no use saying, 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary."
~ Winston Churchill ~

"Always do your best in whatever you do;

set goals and seek challenges;

become a role model for those coming behind you; 

and always have God in your heart."

~ Charles F. Bolden ~ 

"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today." ~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr. ~

"Don't apologize for doing what you thought was best. All you can ever do, is your best. Even if that doesn't work out, don't diminish your efforts. Don't diminish your intent. Don't apologize for being human. Don't take on guilt that isn't yours. We are all growing, learning and evolving. Take the lesson forward." ~ Akiroq Brost ~

"Complaining while everyone else is actually doing something is you sucking."
~ Jennifer Cotton ~

"Do all the good you can,

in all the ways you can, 

to all the souls you can,

in every place you can,

at all the times you can,

with all the zeal you can,

as long as you ever can."

~ John Wesley ~ 

"Whatever you do, 

work heartily,

as for the Lord and not for men,

knowing that from the Lord you will receive

the inheritance as your reward.

You are serving the Lord Christ."

~ Colossians 3:23-24 ~

Please pray for ~ a woman having surgery to amputate her leg ~ church going people who don't know Jesus as Savior and Friend ~ Dave and Vicki ~

Sabbath Keeping

"Declare His glory among the nations,

His marvelous deeds among all peoples."

~ 1 Chronicles 16:24 ~

"When I cannot read,

when I cannot think,

when I cannot even pray,

I can trust."

~ Hudson Taylor~

"Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't."  ~ John Piper ~

"My desires seem especially to be after weanedness from the world, perfect deadness to it, and that I may be crucified to all its allurements. My soul desires to feel itself more of a pilgrim and a stranger here below, that nothing may divert me from pressing through the lonely desert, till I arrive at my Father's house." ~ David Brainerd ~

"Expect great things from God,

attempt great things for God."

~ William Carey ~

"There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, "Mine!" ~ Abraham Kuyper ~

"I have a firm conviction that I am immortal until my work is complete." ~ Lottie Moon ~

"I am wired by nature to love the same toys that the world loves. I start to fit in. I start to love what others love. I start to call earth "home." Before you know it, I am calling luxuries "needs" and using my money just the way unbelievers do. I begin to forget the war. I don't think much about people perishing. Missions and unreached people drop out of my mind. I stop dreaming about the triumphs of grace.I sink into a secular mind-set that looks first to what man can do, not what God can do. It is a terrible sickness. And I thank God for those who have forced me again and again toward a wartime mind-set." ~ John Piper ~

"Go straight for souls and go for the worst." ~ William Booth ~

"Stand Fast,

Stand Firm,

Stand Sure,

Stand True."

~ Harrison Gray Otis ~ 

"The best remedy for a sick church is to put it on a missionary diet." ~David Livingstone ~

"Let nothing be said about anyone unless it passes through the three sieves: 

Is it true? 

Is it kind? 

Is it necessary."

~ Amy Carmichael ~ 

"Bloom where you're planted.

The mission field is under your feet."

~ Sandra ~

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age."

~ Matthew 28: 19-20 ~

Please pray for ~ Daisy ~ Mat ~ Jim ~ Steve ~ Rebekah ~ 

Sabbath Keeping - Beginnings

"And I sent messengers unto them, saying,

"I am doing a great work, 

so that I cannot come down.

Why should the work cease,

whilst I leave it and come down to you?"

~ Nehemiah 6:3 ~

"With the possible exception of the equator,

everything begins somewhere."

~ C. S. Lewis ~ 

"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance."

~ Oscar Wilde ~

"Become the friend you've always wanted and you'll always be in good company." ~ Sandra ~

"There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth - not going all the way, and not starting." ~ Buddha ~

"Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward." ~ C. S. Lewis ~

"Be willing to be a beginner every single morning." ~ Meister Eckhart ~

"The beginning is the most important part of the work." ~ Plato ~

"You can't go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending." ~ C. S. Lewis ~

"The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." ~ proverb ~

"Start by doing what's necessary; 

then do what's possible;

and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

~ Francis of Assisi ~ 

"The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works." ~ Augustine of Hippo ~

"Just as we end our holiday activities, we have this new year to celebrate. This is not a one day event, but our chance to live every precious day we are alive. Our lives are made up of one meaningful moment after another." ~ Alexandra Stoddard ~

"One of the great things about life is that you can start over. With God there are always new beginnings and second chances. He specializes in giving people fresh starts. While you may feel overwhelmed at times and held back by painful recollections, haunting fears, remorse, shame or guilt, God's power in your present life is not limited b what took place in your past. When you are governed and manipulated by your painful memories you allow your past to control you future. But when you choose to give God the controls He can do amazing things with the rest of your life. You can start now and have a brand-new ending." ~ Sue Augustine ~

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells."

~ 2 Peter 3:10-13 ~ 

Please pray for ~ Daisy ~ Mat and his son ~ Steve ~ Jim ~ Rebekah ~ Gloria ~ Janice ~ 

Last week the computer slept in, thus no Sabbath Keeping. This post is a welcome to 2018 and a suggestion to search (because I couldn't find it) for Andy Stanley's video on Nehemiah 6:3 entitled "I am doing a great work and cannot come down." Essentially, his message was: "What's that one thing you need to finish in order to make 2018 a better year for you and those around you?" It might be getting out of debt, putting down the booze, getting off drugs, stop gossiping, lose weight, finish that book, stop being negative, stop complaining, or ______________________. Fill in the blank with what's your thing to bring to completion? If you have two or three things, write them down and put them where you can see them every morning. Join me and every morning, focus on doing something to whittle down your thing(s) and move forward in joyful anticipation of a job well done.

NOTE: THANKS to Rainey for the Andy Stanley video link...here.

Welcome to 2018; choose to do your great work and be happy. 

My Holy Space is a Thin Place

Every now and again the flat top (as Daddy calls the lap top) computer likes to sleep in. Yesterday was such a day; for whatever reason, it wouldn't start and that's the reason there's no Sabbath Keeping post. That sort of threw my entire day off kilter and, after church, I spent the day inside except for tending to horses before dark. I was so off kilter I completely forgot about the new Bible study starting at 5 p.m. and only remembered twelve hours later when I was having morning devotions at 5 a.m.

Folks have sent e-mails asking for more of the story as well as photos; here 'tis:

Above, the place Dave and I married and built a life together was built around 1870 (click here for photos) and we were the third family to live there. That farm, with many, many acres for sold for $300.00 in back taxes to Abindigo White; this would have been around the time of the Late Great Unpleasantness. Dave's mother was dandled on her Grandfather's knee, he being wounded during that War and claimed he was unfit for labor thereafter. Somehow he managed to sire more than two handful's of children, a fact Dave and I found enormously humorous. Dave's mother didn't see that same humor and was sorely put out with us. 

During Christmas holidays, 1900, the original brick house caught fire (some say it started in the kitchen) and burned to the ground. When a farm hand rode a quarter mile to Joe White's Store, where Mr. White was playing poker, to tell Mr. White his house was burning, it's reported Mr. White said, "Let 'er burn. I'll just build me a bigger and better one!"  Mr. White was known for his fondness for poker and after Mr. Thomas Hawkins, Master Carpenter, finished the job, Mr. White proposed they sit down to a game of poker. The stakes? If Mr. White won, he didn't pay Mr. Hawkins and if Mr. Hawkins won, he'd get double.

Mr. Hawkins walked away with the whiskey in his belly and went on to build many fine homes in southwest Virginia.

In 1948, Mr. White sold the farm, with many, many acres, to Mr. Gillespie, a relative of Dave's through his mother, and in 1995 Dave and I purchased the broken down homestead, outbuildings and almost thirty acres of land from the original Mr. G's grandson and Dave's cousin. 

It was here God gave me the reality of the dream He put into my six-year old heart. Both Mom and Daddy's people were agrarian's, both families being raised on hard scrabble farms in Appalachia. Daddy's Mothers' people were Scot's (Scotch being the tape...ahem) Irish and Mom's people, near as I can tell, were also from the United Kingdom. Dad's oral history, from his oldest sister, my beloved Aunt Bonnie, says our people came across the English Channel via Brittany or Normandy but almost certainly before either were so called by their "newer" names (newer being a relative word).  It's interesting, to me at least, I'm the fairest in the family and am easily identified as Celt, Scots or Irish. I've been blessed to live twice in a land I describe as a thin place; a holy space where God is close. Then again, that could be because I've walked the land and dedicated both farms for His use and glory. God's glory cannot be contained in either a beautiful location or between two people; God's glory, like God Himself, simply IS.

Christian Celts, or Celtic Christians if you prefer, believed there are places where God's presence or spirit is more accessible than other places. A place where heaven and earth seem to touch, rather reminding me of the Sistine Chapel ceiling where God and man almost touch fingers and where the Holy meets human, reminiscent of the Garden, prior to the Fall. I believe it's possible for two humans to experience, between them, such a thin place. A place where the Holy Spirit is at work in such a way as to pull back the Veil and a glimpse of Heaven disturbs the normal and make us Homesick if only for the briefest of moments. God's grace is both mysterious and a gift and it makes some uncomfortable. If they can't understand it, it must not be "real" Christianity or so say some modern preachers. In millennium gone by, mystics such as Julian of Norwich or Hildegard, were revered and I find it unfortunate modern day folks have to drag feminism into the fray. Just as the Twilight series dirties the blood of Christ, feminism dirties the purity of mystics.

How like us to decry that which we do not understand. As Shakespeare's Hamlet said, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." I say, "Let God out of His box; He's more than capable of handling His affairs than are we!"

The Celts said, "Heaven and earth are only three feet apart but in thin places, closer than three feet." Perhaps the most famous thin place is Iona, where Christianity in Scotland began and is on my "to-visit" list...soon.

Gosh! That was some tear, eh? 

Someone help me down off this soapbox, please!

My new home is a manufactured home, meaning it was built in four sections in a factory, trucked to this location and fitted together. In its own way, it is as amazing as the first farm house. Inside walls are twelve inches thick, it has lovely insulation, propane fireplace, house generator and, thanks to my nephew it has a whole house surge protector! While it has three floors, everything I need is on the center floor...master bed and bath, living room, half bath, kitchen/dining room combination, sun room turned into office and a laundry room. From the laundry room is a deck which will, soon, have a roof and be screened in so I can have an outside room.  Upstairs has two bedrooms, full bath and a sitting room. with a marvelous view due to an entire bank full of windows overlooking the pond. (Other photos here and here.) I intend to have a small chapel, perhaps seating six people, placed on the other side of the pond...no heat, no a.c. but with lots of windows with screens and a small alter. to kneel in prayer. A place to sit and ponder God's Word, His holiness; a place to sit, pray then meditate. Among the Holy Place a Holy Space to partake and witness the Thin Place thick with His love.

This view is while standing at the kitchen sink, over looking the pond and, into the distance, my far field. Current plans include a raised garden bed for veggies and cut flowers and a small orchard. Putting all between the back driveway and pond ensure water when summer's heat threatens the life of the plants.

This was one of the first photos, taken from the pond's dam, looking toward the house with that beautiful view blocked by lots and lots of trees.

All the one hundred foot pine trees have been cut down and the other trees, both beside the pond and beside the studio (to the left of the house) have been trimmed. Pine trees have very shallow roots and I didn't want to take one stormy night with my house caved in half. Yes, the pond is frozen but not totally over; it's not safe to skate or walk across. 

The original pole shed are the three bays on the left. The three bays on the right were added right after I moved in and already it seems the space is used in full. The tractor and equipment are hidden from view and when it's warmer, I'll re-arrange again. I like a tidy place, can you tell?

Yet again, God has blessed me with His grace, mercy, love, holding me in tender loving care. Once again God has brought me to a place where He not only cherishes me but lets me know I am cherished. None of us could count His myriad blessings. Oh, we could count the ones we know...breath in our body, food and drink, clothing, a Bible...but there are too many to count of His unknown blessings...safety when we didn't know we were in danger, protection from the ill will of another and on and on and on...

I've downsized in home, about half, and increased in land, more than half again and am, again, caught in one of His thin places. Like Daddy says, "I'm ready to go but I'm not homesick" and will enjoy God's peace, calm, joy, content to rest and work in Him until I go Home. Folks say, "Be blessed" and that's all right but I say, "God bless you" because I want His blessings. I ask for His blessings and I also give His blessings away because God cannot fill an already full vessel.

We are blessed to be a blessing.

Ponder this ~ Thomas Jones, a Welsh preacher, said, "

"Our Lord is great, and great His praise
From just this one small part of earth,
Then what of the image of His greatness
Which comes from the whole of His fine work?
...What of the greatness and pure loveliness,
Of God Himself?"

What indeed?!

Sabbath Keeping ~ New Year's Eve 2017

"Forget the former things; 

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up;

do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland."

~ Isaiah 43:18-19 ~

"All discarded lovers should be given a second chance,

but with somebody else."

~ Mae West ~ 

"What are you allowing to stop you from letting go and starting over?"

"You may have a fresh start any time you choose, for this thing we call "failure" is not the falling down but the staying down." ~ Mary Pickford ~

"For last year's words belong to last year's language

And next year's words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning."

~ T. S. Elliot ~

"The beginning is always today." ~ Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley ~

"The first step towards getting somewhere 

is to decide you're not going to stay where you are."

~ J. P. Morgan ~ 

"The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become - because He made us. He invented us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be...It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own." ~ C. S. Lewis ~

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." ~ Seneca ~

"The chief beauty about time

is that you cannot waste it in advance.

The next year, the next day, 

the next hour are lying ready for you,

as perfect, as unspoiled,

as if you had never wasted or misapplied 

a single moment in all your life.

You can turn over a new leaf every hour

if you choose."

~ Arnold Bennett ~ 

"When someone you love dies, you are given the gift of "second chances". Their eulogy is a reminder that the living can turn their lives around at any point. You're not bound by the past; that is who you used to be. You're reminded that your feelings are not who you are, but how you felt at that moment. Your bad choices defined you yesterday, but they are not who you are today. Your future doesn't have to travel the same path with the same people. You can start over. You don't have to apologize to people that won't listen. You don't have to justify your feelings or actions, during a difficult time in your life. You don't have to put up with people that are insecure and want you to fail. All you have to do is walk forward with a positive outlook, and trust that God has a plan that is greater than the sorrow you left behind. The people of quality that were meant to be in your life won't need you to explain the beauty of your heart. They already understand what being human is---a roller coaster ride of emotions during rainstorms and sunshine, sprinkled with moments when you can almost reach the stars." ~ Shannon L. Alder

"You are never too old to set another goal or dream another dream." 

~ C. S. Lewis ~

"God reminds us of the past lest we get into a shallow security in the present."

~ Oswald Chambers ~ 

"And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been."

~ Ranier Maria Wilke ~

"And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command 

but one we have had from the beginning. 

I ask that we love one another. 

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. 

As you have heard from the beginning, 

his command is that you walk in love." ~ 2 John 1:5-6 ~ 

Please pray for ~ Sharon's family and friends as they wend their way through the shadow lands ~ Rebekah ~ Jim ~ Betty ~ 

In 2018 may you be overwhelmed with God's grace, mercy, love, favor, kindness, and, in turn, shower those in your sphere of influence with love.

Sharon answered Him saying, "Lord, I believe"

Sharon D. died last week. We've known each other for nigh on thirty years and while our friendship wasn't deep it was abiding and based on a mutual faith in and love for Jesus. Her celebration home going and memorial service was this week and the band of family and friends gathered were bonded through a mutual love of Jesus and Sharon. She was a Christian, a Godly woman of strong faith who lived her faith in small ways and large, both quietly and strongly. If she said she was praying for you, you could consider it fait accompli.

As I sat in the small chapel I thought over the years and was startled to realize Sharon and I mostly knew each other through our leaving. One or the other of us would leave central Virginia for Texas or South Carolina or Southwest Virginia. These leavings were always preceded by Bible study and prayer.  One of the very few times in my life God spoke to me using another person, He used Sharon. I was in a dither, trying to be at peace with a decision to uproot and move to S.C. Sharon quietly opened her Bible and said, "God is impressing upon me to read this verse" and she did. That same verse was one I'd read earlier in the week and a few days later was quoted by my Mom. To this day, other than me (and, of course, God) no one knows the connection or the verse.

God still speaks but we must daily be in His Word to perceive His whisper. 

Later, I told Sharon how God had used her to help me, both of us knowing it was another of His mysterious ways of dealing with His daughters.

Years later I met Dave and after a six year courtship we decided to move and marry on the front lawn of Thistle Cove Farm. Sharon was there in spirit and prayer then visited later with her best friend, Marti.

Sharon and I weren't intimates. We didn't delve into each other's lives and plumb the depths. We were women who held the other in high esteem and prayer, celebrating Jesus, secure in the knowledge we'd end our earthly days "absent in the body, present with the Lord".

Sharon was five days younger than I and has a daughter, Cat, who has a fiance, Will. The three of them had one last wonderful adventure when they traveled to Europe this Autumn. The photo montage shows extreme happiness on those three faces as they traipsed across alpines and villages. I think watching that video again and again will help with the grief process but as I told Cat, "Grief takes as long as it takes. It can't be rushed or ignored else it show up later in ways you don't want or need to deal with." As C. S. Lewis said, "Sorrow is not a state but a process." Dave's been dead six plus years and the grief still catches me unaware. I'm not in a puddle on a daily, or even weekly, basis but the grief is as real as it ever was with the gaping emptiness just as huge. (And please don't e-mail me with the advice to "get over it" but if you want to give words of encouragement, edification and love, those are gladly accepted!).

"Talk to me about the truth of religion and I'll listen gladly. Talk to me about the duty of religion and I'll listen submissively. But don't come talking to me about the consolations of religion or I shall suspect that you don't understand." ~ C. S. Lewis ~ 

Grief is a foreign country with an unknown language and there's no guide book. Most of us don't want to visit but if we live long enough, we'll get to to that land. God alone knows how long we'll reside there but He is with us (me) each and every moment. Had He not been, I would have followed Dave.

Sharon, don't rest in peace. You're free from pain, suffering and all the ties that bound you to earth. No doubt you heard, "Well done thou good and faithful servant" and have joined that great celebration choir. Who knows the plans God has for us and for His glory but, for those who love Him and are called, those plans include Heaven for all eternity. He has work yet for each of us; I know, beyond a shadow of doubt, you'll work joyfully as you gaze upon Jesus' face. Just as you've done.

The last time we saw each other we held hands and I whispered a quiet prayer into your ear. I also wanted you to tell Dave, if allowed, I'm doing okay but as my greedy brain cast about for the right way and words to pray, I forgot my question.  People tell me Dave is watching over me and hears me should I talk to him but I'm not comfortable with that notion and can't find anything Biblical to support it. I am comfortable knowing God watches over me and gives His angels watch care as well. In ways large and small God lets us (me) know He cares. When I arrived at the chapel, the greeter handed me a yellow rose. Yellow roses were the number two choice Dave always gave me and in being handed that yellow rose, God let me know He knows and He cares. I hope He was as loving toward the others in that room.

Sharon, once again our friendship is based on leaving. I was born first and you're leaving first. Now, as does Gabriel, and with that great cloud of witnesses gone before, you're standing in the presence of Almighty God! That makes me shout and dims the grief; Praise God!

Ponder this ~ "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even though they die and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

And Sharon answered Him saying, "Lord, I believe."

Sabbath Keeping - Christmas Eve 2017

"Come, thou long expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation,

joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,

born a child and yet a King,

born to reign in us forever,

now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit

rule in all our hearts alone;

by thine all sufficient merit,

raise us to thy glorious throne."

~ Charles Wesley ~ 

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."
~ Luke 2:1-19 ~

Please remember in prayer ~ those family and friends of Sharon D. who passed away this week ~ Rebekah ~ Jim ~ military members ~ all those working on Christmas Day ~ EMS ~ law enforcement ~ hospital staff ~ ...thank you all for your service!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Sabbath Keeping

"The Lord God is my strength, 

and He will make my feet like hinds' feet,

and He will make me walk upon mine high places."

~ Habakkuk 3:19 ~ 

"Sometimes God will put a Goliath in your path for you to find the David within you."

"Nothing is so strong as gentleness,

nothing so gentle as real strength."

~ Francis de Sales ~

"In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength."
~ Robert E. Lee ~

"Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light." ~ Helen Keller ~

"It is not the cares of today, but the cares of tomorrow, that weigh a man down. For the needs of today we have corresponding strength given. For the morrow we are told to trust. It is not ours yet. It is when tomorrow's burdens is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear." ~ George Macdonald ~

"Deny your weakness, and you will never realize God's strength in you."

~ Joni Eareckson Tada ~ 

"Only he who can say, "The Lord is the strength of my life" can say, "Of whom shall I be afraid?"
~ Alexander MacLaren ~

"No one enjoys feeling weak, whether it is emotionally, spiritually or physically. There is something within the human spirit that wants to resist the thought of weakness. Many times this is nothing more than our human pride at work. Just as weakness carries a great potential for strength, pride carries an equally great potential for defeat." ~ Charles Stanley ~

"Faith upholds a Christian under all trials, by assuring him that every painful dispensation is under the direction of his Lord; that chastisements are a token of His love; that the season, measure, and continuance of his sufferings, are appointed by Infinite Wisdom, and designed to work for his everlasting good; and that grace and strength shall be afforded him, according to his need."
~ John Newton ~

"I am mended by my sickness,

enriched by my poverty, 

and strengthened by my weakness."

~ Abraham Wright ~ 

"When I have kept Him waiting when I ought not, He has waited even then. Always waiting - so patient with my foolishness, my weakness, my fear. Our fellowship is with God, and fellowship is friendship, and friendship means that partnership which, on His part, is the accommodating of His strength to my weakness." ~ G. Campbell Morgan ~

"If we desire our faith to be strengthened, we should not shrink from opportunities where our faith may be tried, and therefore, through trial, be strengthened." ~ George Mueller ~

"Remember, is is not your weakness that will get in the way of God's working through you, but your delusions of strength. His strength is made perfect in our weakness! Point to His strength by being willing to admit your weakness." ~ Paul David Tripp ~

"Do not work so hard for Christ that you have no strength to pray,

for prayer requires strength."

~ Hudson Taylor ~ 

"Prayer is the acid test of the inner man's strength. A strong spirit is capable of praying much more and praying with all perseverance until the answer comes. A weak one grows weary and fainthearted in the maintenance of praying." ~ Watchman Nee ~

"The remedy for discouragement is the Word of God. When you feed your heart and mind with its truth, you regain your perspective and find renewed strength." ~ Warren Wiersbe ~

"Occasions of adversity best discover how great virtue or strength each one hath. For occasions do not make a man frail, but they show what he is." ~ Thomas a Kempis ~

"It is the consciousness of the threefold joy of the Lord, His joy in ransoming us, His joy in dwelling within us as our Savior and Power for fruitbearing and His joy in possessing us, as His Bride and His delight; it is the consciousness of this joy which is our real strength. Our joy in Him may be a fluctuating thing; His joy in us knows no change." ~ Hudson Taylor ~

"God will not permit any troubles to come upon us,

unless He has a specific plan 

by which a great blessing can come out of the difficulty."

~ Peter Marshall ~ 

"But the Lord is faithful,

and He will strengthen you

and protect you from the evil one."

~ 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ~

Please pray for ~ Rebekah ~ Jim ~ Sharon ~ Molly's son ~ Rick ~ 

Quiet Mornings Begin the Day

Mornings, for the most part, get off to a quiet and slow start, just like this post.

When the front door opens, this is the facing wall; a few things that mean something to me or make a statement about me. All photos with natural light, untouched so therefore, sometimes, difficult to make out. Just like life a lot of times, eh?

Starting at top, going clockwise..."LOVE RULES. Hold Hands ...Often. Say I Love You. Encourage Each Other. Stay on the Same Team. Remember why you fell in love. Be the first to say I'm sorry. LAUGH Everyday. Kiss Just Because. Live Happily Ever After."

A photo of an Irish cottage in a rough barn wood frame.

The Road to the house of a friend is never long.

Bless This Home brass plaque and in the center:

HAPPY IS A home THAT SHELTERS A friend.

These things bless and warm me every time I enter my home; I hope others feel the same.

Needful things...a place to hang keys that's handy but out of sight of the entrance. This is an old rake head, topped with a beautiful braided fabric...I call it a fob but there's probably a more correct name. Again, something old, given new life and future...just like me, bless His Name forever.

This photo probably shouldn't be included but as I've little reason to bow to convention now...it's under the key rake and where I perch to put on work boots in the morning. The bench is hand crafted and has been with me for twenty, or more, years. Under the bench is a boot tray to catch dirty and wet boots and the strange object to the left is the boot remover Daddy and Mom made me a few decades ago.

This metal deer is on the wall in front of the boot tray and reminds me of unicorns which I believe were hunted into existence some thousands of years ago. Did you know the Bible mentions unicorns? People say they don't exist and they are correct, they don't now but I truly believe they used to exist. This site tells the numbers of extinct animals; in 2006 it was 784 and today it's 905; it's happening too rapidly and it frightens me. We humans are given stewardship over the Earth and, for the most part, I'm thinking we're not doing a commendable job.

This old ladder is hand crafted with rope rungs and holds a small collection of rugs amassed by Dave and I while traveling the world. The wooden grain shovel is also hand crafted and has a chip due to use in days past.

Morning light cast lamp shadow against the wall; the sofa table is in the living room, behind the sofa and a favorite spot for yellow roses, a creche, a non-working antique clock and on either end, two glass lamps filled with shells. The wooden case to the left holds CD's of favorite music and a candle holder made by a WV friend.

I

There are several book cases in the living room but none of them are yet put to rights. I'm still unpacking boxes, and will be unpacking boxes by Valentine Day is my guess, so I'm putting things out that bring me joy...as I unpack them. This photo of Mom and Daddy, married 66 years, rests beside my little Irish tea pot and mug. The mug wasn't made in Ireland but has a little sheep on it so compliments, I think, the tea pot. It all rests in a trugg atop a handmade book given me when I taught in Russia.

OH JOY! One thing unpacked is my collection of animals bells. A dear friend, ML, gave me a little sheep bell she purchased on a trip to London and that started the collection. There are horse, sheep, goat, cow bells from Romania, Poland, Russia, Hungary, Czech Republic...mostly Eastern Europe.

This little creche was purchased at a thrift store with figures surrounding Jesus. Some folks "stage" a creche so Mary and Joseph are on one side with Wise Men, shepherd and animals facing. That's good but I like Jesus in the middle with everyone in a circle...like He is in our hearts, you know?

Somewhere is another block with an R but who knows where?

This poster has been with me since 1989, the year Dave and I met and, for a short while, lived in Maui. Lion Coffee is my favorite brand and Kona my favorite coffee. Is it silly for a senior citizen to have a poster in her home? I surely hope not because this isn't the only poster that's going to be put on my walls!

No idea who did this stitch work of the Lord's Prayer but, again, it's not the only stitch work going on the walls. More to follow, eventually.

Over the dividing wall between living and dining room is hung this crochet piece. It's held to a couple of pieces of old barn wood and looks wonderful! (I think so anyway.)

That's it for now; don't want to bore the socks off you nor strain your eye sight -LOL-. I always feel "funny" showing photos of my home...who's interested anyway? There's a lot LOT of calm, peace, quiet, serenity with hand crafted pieces and memories galore. If you've read my blog for any time atall you know I'm big on stories and almost every single thing in this house has a story; sometimes the story goes back a few generations.

Even so, all this stuff isn't as important as the folks who visit whether for a few hours or days. It's the folks I want to make welcome, to say, "Sit a spell, relax, put down your worries for a while. We'll have some short bread and tea (hot or cold), chin wag or not and before you leave, I'll tuck you in prayer." Life is shorter than we think and probably want so take time daily to treat yourself, to remind yourself you are made in God's image. Then, when you've gotten your gumption going, share your special self with a stranger. Give them a smile, a piece of Dove chocolate, pay their toll or buy them coffee. Tis the season of giving so give to be emptied and God will fill you again.

Ponder this ~ "To have been spared in the war and seen victory, to have been given the chance to rest and to re-adjust myself, to have fallen in love completely and unreservedly, makes all one's personal and even the world's troubles seem small and petty." (In a letter written to Princess Elizabeth, around 1946, according to Philip Eade, author of Young Prince Philip: His Turbulent Early Life.)"

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married 70 years on November 20, 2017.