Every time I see a man or woman in military attire, my heart tugs a little or a lot. On this Veterans Day, I thank God for each branch of our military, and for the men and women who have served and sacrificed to protect our country and our freedom. The personal cost has been exceedingly great. I pray God’s protecting hand on those who currently serve and risk their lives moment by moment on our behalf.
November of Thanksgiving, Day 11
by rosemary. November 11th, 2010. Posted in Giving Thanks. 4 Comments.
This morning my devotional reading leads me to recount the mercies of the Lord during a long period when I was so overwhelmed by sorrows that I despaired of life. I thought I could go no lower. It was then that God—in His great, great mercy—took me lower still and gave me the gift of repentance. What a surprising and astonishing thing it was, to find out that that my great problem was not my sorrow, but my sin. He changed my wailing to a song of joy, and I was the calf released from the stall. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall (Malachi 4:2).
I am so thankful.
I think he’s right.
by rosemary. November 10th, 2010. Posted in Family, Quotes. 2 Comments.
Was talking with Nate about women who take great pride in their outward appearance, in being pretty; but when you interact with them, you find out very quickly that they’re really not very pleasant, let alone godly, in their behavior.
Nate: “Fake beauty is the real ugly.”
We laughed, but I think he has something there.
November of Thanksgiving, Day 10
by rosemary. November 10th, 2010. Posted in Giving Thanks. 4 Comments.
I’m thankful for this day, another opportunity to love God and serve Him.
I’m thankful for my dear husband, who is at this moment cooking my breakfast.
November of Thanksgiving, Day 9
by rosemary. November 9th, 2010. Posted in Giving Thanks. 1 Comment.
I’m thankful for the folks who arrived safely at the lodge today, just as the snow began.
A defective smoke detector caused our fire alarm system to go off, automatically notifying the fire department. I’m thankful that everything got fixed and tested just in time for our guests to arrive this afternoon. It’s always something, isn’t it?
I’m thankful for the surety that God will be with us in the days ahead.
It’s been a long day, and I’m thankful for a night of rest.
November of Thanksgiving, Day 8
by rosemary. November 8th, 2010. Posted in Giving Thanks. 1 Comment.
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
–Ralph Waldo Emerson
Whaddaya know—a meme
by rosemary. November 7th, 2010. Posted in Blogging, Ordinary things. 7 Comments.
Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a meme post. Not to fear; Elle of A Complete Thought posted a meme and tagged 6 people, of whom I am one.
Rules and Regulations (which, according to Elle, need not be strictly followed):
Answer the 8 questions. Come up with another 8 questions and tag another 8 people to answer them. Does that make this the Crazy Eights meme?
Unveiling Elle’s 8 questions, and my answers:
1. Will you drink regular coffee after 4 p.m.?
Goodness, no. I’m an old lady, remember? I’d still be awake and cranky at 2 a.m. if I had caffeine at that hour.
2. Do you take your coffee black or with creamer?
Black and bold! When we lived in Holland I sweetened with sugar because it was like espresso, but I like it unadulterated now.
3. When you sleep in of a morning, how late is it when you do get up?
On the exceedingly rare occasion that I make it to 7:30, I am delighted and feeling decadent. But worried that the coffee is all gone.
4. What is your version of comfy clothes?
Soft, baggy pants, and a baggy long-sleeved top. Socks. No shoes.
5. Slippers, slipper socks, moccasins or sheepskin booties?
Just thick cotton socks, otherwise my feet get too hot and complain. Unless I’m really cold. Then socks and slipper booties, but not sheepskin.
6. Which, if any, high school or college reunions have you attended?
None. They lost track of me and I never know when they take place. I’m kind of chicken anyway….but a college reunion might be fun, since Harry would go too.
7. How many times have you changed your hairstyle in the last 2 decades?
Caught me! I’ve had variations of a bob haircut for forever. I slap on a headband when I cook for lodge guests. Boring, I know, but I’m a simple girl.
8. If you went back to college tomorrow, what would you major in this time?
I’d like to major in theology, but I’m not sure I have the mental acuity, or the energy. May I skip going back to college and take piano lessons instead? I’d love to be able to play hymns. Nothing fancy, just recognizable. Hopefully.
Wasn’t that fun? So here are my new questions, and new tagees:
1. What is your earliest childhood memory?
2. Do you usually wear an apron when you cook or clean your home?
3. With what do you top your hot cocoa: marshmallows, marshmallow crème, whipped cream, nothing at all?
4. Will you have a fresh or artificial Christmas tree this year?
5. Colored lights or clear?
6. Tell us about your favorite piece of furniture in your home.
7. If you could spend six months anywhere in the world, expenses paid, where would you choose to go and what would you be doing?
8. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? Just kidding. Couldn’t resist throwing that in…
9. If you were given a million dollars, tax free, what would you do with it?
And I’m tagging:
Dorothy of Field Stone Cottage
Jen of Like Snow in May
Rebecca of Rebecca Writes
Ellen of The Happy Wonderer
Lisa of Lisa Notes
Persis of Tried With Fire
If you’re willing to take up the meme mantle, I look forward to reading your answers! Thanks!
November of Thanksgiving, Day 7
by rosemary. November 7th, 2010. Posted in Giving Thanks. 1 Comment.
Thanks be to God for this:
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. -Philippians 1:6 ESV
To remember this…
by rosemary. November 7th, 2010. Posted in Quotes. 2 Comments.
Christian, make your life a clear testimony. Be like the stream in which you can see every stone at the bottom—not like a muddy creek where you can only see the surface, but clear and transparent, so that your heart’s love for God and man may be visible to all. You need not say, “I am true”; be true. Do not boast of integrity, but be upright. Then your testimony will be such that men cannot help seeing it. Never, on account of fear of feeble man, restrain your witness. Your lips have been warmed with a coal off the altar; let them speak as heaven-touched lips should do. “In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand” (Ecc.11:6). Do not watch the clouds or consult the wind; in season and out of season witness for the Savior, and if it transpires that for Christ’s sake and the Gospel’s you must endure suffering in any shape, do not shrink, but rejoice in the honor conferred upon you, that you are counted worthy to suffer with your Lord. And find joy also in this—that your sufferings, your losses, and persecutions shall make you a platform from which with more vigor and with greater power you will witness for Christ Jesus. Study your great example, and be filled with His Spirit. Remember that you need much teaching, much upholding, much grace, and much humility if your witnessing is to be to your Master’s glory. -Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening
O infinite, astonishing mercy, that God should take dust and ashes into so near a bond of love as to be our God! Let us live as those who have God as their own, and walk in holy lives, that others may see there is something of God in us. -Thomas Watson, The Ten Commandments, in Voices from the Past
Oh my heart; God, help us.
Sunday Hymn: Jesus Paid It All
by rosemary. November 7th, 2010. Posted in Hymns. 1 Comment.
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim,
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
Refrain
And now complete in Him
My robe His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side,
I am divinely blest.
Refrain
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.
Refrain
When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.
Refrain
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down
All down at Jesus’ feet.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
-Elvina M. Hall, 1865
