the climb

One of the marks of spiritual maturity is the quiet confidence that God is in control ... without the need to understand why He does what He does.

Charles R. Swindoll

and let me add to that thought ... let's keep on climbing, regardless of how steep or rough the road may get!

* * * * * * * * * *

Leo sends his warm thanks for all the sweet birthday greetings ... he did have a good day ... *smile*

joyful fields

Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it.

Psalm 96:12

The songwriter has compared the rolling hills to the "footprints of a mighty God" and the "ripples of a coming storm." Those who fear and reverence the Almighty need fear nothing else. The One who fashioned the endless hills with a wave of His hand loves and cares for His own.

(taken from RBC calendar ... which encourages my heart everytime i look at their selections!)

how's your reception?

the wind in the willows has a new meaning at our place ... the willows love the rain and the hot temps we’ve had ... they love it so much that they grow at least 10 feet right before our eyes ... unfortunately our little satellite dish doesn’t like the protection they try to give it ... in fact, the dish hates it so much that it refuses to beam that old picture down into our tv ...

uh, did i ever mention that Leo loves his sports? on tv? .... hmmm ... there was a slight problem this weekend ... only CNN came in strong ... the rest kind of fizzled on the screen ...

so today (after the torrential rains and 110 km winds we had on the weekend) ... Leo spent some painstaking time snipping away at the upward growing shoots ... thankfully his back didn’t give out on him ... when i got home, i took over the cutting job and voila, there is a baseball game on the tube once again!

doesn’t that just remind you of our own hearts? ... we have our spiritual satellite dish tuned into God’s signal, yet the reception is fuzzy ... earthly woes and cares block the signal ... we have a distorted image in our hearts and minds ... we just aren’t getting the whole picture!!!! when we allow the Lord to clear the pathway to our hearts and minds, then and only then do we get 100% reception ....

God's yellow pages

hope your Sunday is blessed...

for quick scripture verse references, check out this neat link ... CLICK HERE ... called God's yellow pages ...

 

prayer works wonders

"I awoke hungering and thirsting just to live a life of fellowship with God - With an immeasurable desire to be holy, acceptable to God, I opened my bible and while reading some words of Jesus - A heaven of Love came into my heart. My soul melted like wax before fire ... "
Samuel Logan Brengle (picture and quote copied from Decision Magazine)

blogging is a wonderful way to meet praying Saints of God ... i do thank you for taking time to pray for me ... the Lord gave me a good sleep last night ... then this morning i spent time in prayer and in the Word ... now i feel more optimistic ...

David quoted part of I Peter 5:10 to me in his comment ... so i took that chapter and also chapter 4 as a point of meditation this morning ... the sleep refreshed my body and God's word refreshed my heart ...

i asked His forgiveness for my rotten attitude too ... so today was my Sunday (tomorrow being the beginning of my work week) ... i had a day of rest, a day of worship and a day of fun! the fun part included a swim and sauna at my aunt's ... it was so relaxing ...

whenever we really get discouraged about our problems and life in general ... i guess we need to wait a day - things sometimes do get better ...

Extremes

HELP! i seem to be lost in a wilderness of anxiety and unrest ... funny (well, not a ha ha type funny) how these things can creep up on a person ... i need to be lead out of this maze, because i can't seem to find the right things to do to "make it better" ... sigh ...

i think the extremes of the the past 2 months have taken their toll ... so here is my little whine about it ...

first work started ... all was fine, a routine was established ...
then the rains came for the month of June and all kind of problems ... Leo's health took a toll as well ... now the extreme muggy heat has hit us, along with kingsize mosquitoes ... work is busy busy busy ... and we've had a fair bit of company ... Leo is still not feeling well ...

the last 2-3 days i've been weepy and totally disgruntled ... i hate when that happens ...

yes, i've been praying ... i know the answer is on it's way ... in the meantime i am just treading water to keep from going under ... another sigh ...

moderation in everything would be a good thing about now ...

i think i need more sleep ... hopefully when i wake up - poof - it'll be all better ... do you think?

resting ... tomorrow's another day

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes couarge is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow'.

Mary Ann Radmacher

a Rock above the storm

“You will never find Jesus so precious as when the world is one vast howling wilderness. Then he is like a rose blooming in the midst of the desolation, a rock rising above the storm.”

—Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Ancestral Home

here is a picture i took while in Finland 2 years ago ... the lake is located within my ancestral home ... we lived there once upon a time ... and my dad's family still lives there ...

there is a lovely little wooden sauna tucked behind the trees ... also a large barbeque pit built within a gazebo ... the family farm is beyond the hills you see in the background ... it is a place that will always remain in my heart of hearts ...

my brother is there right now, even as i type this note! it is his turn to visit with dad's family ... tomorrow they will have a gathering of the clan on the shores of these waters ... a large tent will be erected ... all the cousins will bring food ... they will have a large bonfire and make pancakes on the outdoor grill ... visit and get reaquainted with a cousin who was only a name to some ... and yes - i wish i were there too - but now it is my brother's turn to experience this wonderful familial time ...

of course my mind goes to another homecoming ... the one set on the shores of eternity ... heaven's gathering will be even more glorious, when we finally arrive at our eternal home ... Jesus will have that banquet He promised us, all prepared ... a banquet for those who have accepted His gift of salvation ... that free love gift He offers to all ... forgiveness of our sins ...

as much as i long to be celebrating century old family ties in the land of my birth ... my heart yearns for my true Home - in heaven - the land of my rebirth ...

from Long Lake, Manitoba

made it

oops ... the bear pictures were taken here in Manitoba ... Long Lake Manitoba to be exact ... near a mining community called Bissett ... i had to correct my error from the previous post ... also to let you see that the bear did at least touch the bird feeder!

anyway ... at the moment it is "hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work i go ... " ... hum hum hum hum ... i hope to wake up before i start the drive tho' ... the Lord usually sends a guardian angel or two to help in that area .... *smile*

busy busy busy

still hanging around

just got back from the city ... and i still have company - though work and the park awaits me tomorrow ...

just had to share this photo from northwestern Ontario ... what an energetic bear!

hopefully this weekend will bring a few quieter evenings and some blogging chatter ...

blessings on you ...

the path

i was just thinking ...

even though the path i was orginially going to take gets waterlogged ... i should still have a little faith ... there is always another way around (notice the stones on the side - we used them to skip over the flooded part) ...

i think i may make my life more difficult then it needs to be!!! i just have to open my eyes - the answer to my problem might be close at hand ...

maybe it's the same for you ....

after the rain ...

i suppose the good thing about the rain, is the bloom of colour afterwards ...

i do have to confess that this bout of weather has been most trying ... Leo suffers through it ... i feel so badly for him and others with chronic health issues ...

this rain has been so steady and relentless that farmers have lost crops and roads have been flooded ... it wasn't a fun weather event by any means ... :o(

but there is always hope that the sun will continue to shine, as it has today ...

i thought i would post a praise picture ... to cheer my soggy old spirits!

and the rains came down ...

on my way to work this morning, i discovered that our 2 miles of dirt road had flooded in 4 different areas! sigh ... we have gotten so much of that liquid sunshine here in "sunny" Manitoba (which shall soon be re-named "soggy" Manitoba!) ... in the afternoon the sun finally made an appearance ... it is scheduled to beam down on us for 2 days before the rains start again ...

i think i want to build me an ark! so with that in mind, here are some things to be learned from Noah ... as shared by some unknown e-mailer ...

1. Don't miss the boat
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5. Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you're stressed, float a while.
10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

wondering out loud

We wait for the Lord, our Beloved,

Our Comforter, Master and Friend

The Substance of all that we hope for,

Beginning of faith and its end;

We watch for our Savior and Bridegroom,

Who loved us and made us His own;

For Him we are looking and longing:

For Jesus, and Jesus alone.

- Annie Johnson Flint

every generation wonders if Jesus is coming during their lifetime ... i don't know how you feel about that thought ... i long for it ... for Jesus ... my Redeemer ....

i scanned the above picture from the July Decision magazine ...

it just got me to thinking, to hoping ... maybe it should scare me to think that one day i will face God ... but because i've placed my faith in Jesus - who has forgiven me my sins - i look forward to seeing Him ... being in His presence ... away from earthly cares and fears ...

i sometimes whisper to Him ... even so, come Lord Jesus, come ...

Five things I miss from Childhood

Five Things I Miss From Childhood

i was tagged by Gayla from Heart Journey, and Peg from blessed beyond belief, for a walk down memory lane ...

Five things i miss from childhood (in no particular order):

1. the excitement of summer vacation ... the thought of endless summer days, stretching on f-o-r-e-v-e-r and the hope of at least one day spent at the beach ...

2. the "firsts" seemed to be more thrilling as a child ... riding a bike for the first time ... the first sleep over at a friend's ... the first $$ earned ... the first time i dove into the deep end at the pool ...

3. i miss going to the movies with my dad and brother ... or having coffee with the family in the evenings and chatting about everyday stuff ...

4. i miss going to school ... the learning, the friends, the dread of a "mean" teacher - only to find out the teacher was GREAT (i've only had one "real mean" teacher in all of my childhood - the rest i loved!) ..

5. i miss the innocent laughter ...

i do NOT miss: having no control over where i lived, who lived with us, what i did with my free time ... having to eat things i didn't like ... not being able to read when i wanted too ...

i like being an adult way more ... :o) ... i actually had my "childhood", in the first years of my marriage ... one thing about being an adult, childhood memories are now looked at through rosy tinted glasses (with the senior moments of forgetfulness, this is happening more often!), i try to pick out the memories that bring a smile ... and i found that there were more than enough ....

Here's the tag part:

Remove the first person from the following list,
bump everyone up one spot and put your name in the number 5 spot.
Please link all of the blogs as they are linked now or risk future blog-shunning.
(Do you think this would really happen?) ((NOT!))

Jetty Betty

Heart Journey

blessed beyond belief

Thro' a Glass Darkly

Now, select four unsuspecting souls and add them to the list:
Knitter Kat
Blogin Idiot
Operation for a Soldier
I Like Being There

i think the above blog buds will have different experiences to share ...

if we only believe it ...

resting amidst rush

it's amazing how the Lord has given me moments to breath in, despite the hurry and activity of the past week ... it's come in different forms ... water was one ... just watching it rush and flow along ... even the sound was relaxing ...

another instance was the stillness found at city park ... the shade of a tree and a bench to sit on ... time to just watch the squirrels chase each other and listen to the laughter of children enjoying their summer freedom ...

here's wishing you tranquil moments in the week ahead ...

clouds

going to the beach

we went to the beach today and there was this unusual cloud formation ... so i stopped the car and took a pic, just to post ... cool clouds, eh?

busy day

country lane

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy ... Psalm 16:11

busy day in my little world ... 2 sets of company ... one staying with us ... all from Finland ... so i'm getting some practise in my Finn chatter ... :o)

tomorrow will be a touring type of day ... blessings!!!

do you think?

If I knew you and you knew me,

If both of us could clearly see,

And with an inner sight divine,

The meaning of your heart and mine,

I'm sure that we would differ less,

And clasp our hands in friendliness;

Our thoughts would pleasantly agree

If I knew you and you knew me.

Nixon Waterman

monday morning

have you ever wondered why a blogger stops posting? you know how you get to "know" someone a wee bit, through their comments on your blog ... and then by reading their blog?

well an English gentleman by the name of Stuart used to leave wonderful scripture verses and encouragement on my blog ... he posted thoughtfully about knowing the peace that comes through a healing faith in Jesus, on his own blog - Peace of Mind.

his last post was on May 9th ... then no more posts or comments ...

just the other day, his son e-mailed some of Stuart's blogging buds saying that his dad had passed away unexpectantly on May10th ... how very very kind of his son to do that ... i would have always wondered what happened to him ...

i went to Stuart's blog to re-read the poem he had posted the day before his sudden death ... it was entitled Eternal Light ... now Stuart is in that Eternal Light ...


i'm off to work (tho' this is Monday, it is my Friday ... ) ... this will be my busy week, lots of company and special events to attend ... so if i sound distracted and rushed in the next few posts ... it will probably be because i am ... *smile* ...

BLESSINGS on your week ...

remembering Isa

once upon a time ... long long ago ...

4 years ago, i made a Father's day card for my dad ... knowing in my heart that this would be the last one ... it was ... he died 4 months later, at the young age of 72 ...

it's funny how that *missing* feeling inside can still take over and make me so sad ...

a friend told me that even though her father had been gone for over 20 years, she still missed him terribly ... for me, the pain isn't as sharp anymore - but i would like to see his face and the way his eyes would light up at the sight of me ...

he loved me ... i know that ... tho' he wasn't a very demonstrative man ... in fact, the days he spent dieing - were the days he openly displayed his affection ... he held my hand, and even kissed my cheek ... that was a major show of love from this very stoic Finlander ...

my dad's addictions were something he battled all his life ... when he was in control of them - he was the best of fathers ... when they controlled him - well i won't go there today ...

i wonder why God gives us the particular parents that He does? it must be for an eternal reason ... so i do thank my Heavenly Father, for the lessons learned from my earthly father ...

this father's day i remember ... dancing with my dad, my little feet on top of his, as he waltzed a giggling little girl around the room ... i remember putting my hand in his hand and feeling secure ... i remember a wave and a crooked smile ... i remember isa ...

"Come to Me" ... Jesus said

sometimes we may be carrying a load of worries, and not even realize it ... Matthew 11:28-30 and versions of that thought, have been meeting me in various places ...

so as i leave for work this a.m., i thought i would share this particular translation of that verse ...

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest . . . For My yoke is wholesome, (useful, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant) and My burden is light and easy to be borne."

Jesus is waiting to help us out, in the everyday worries and also the big life changing concerns ... and not only "help" us, but completely take our care from us ... if we leave it with Him ...

Here comes the sun ...

the sun is out for a second day in a row ... wa hoo!!! we really are called "sunny Manitoba" for a reason ... though this June we all thought of changing that tag!

with the sun, comes an attempt to mow the foot high lawn ... but what is life, if not a challenge ... *grin* ...

Charles Swindoll's note for this day is: Jesus promised people "rest" if they would come to Him, not an endless list of unrealistic, high powered expectations. He even said His yoke wold be "easy"and His burden "light." He was something else. He stilll is!

this is my last day off before i head back to the salt mines in the park tomorrow ... i will try to balance it just right ... to enjoy, to work, to have realistic expectations ... how 'bout you?

afternoon blessings

"they toil not nor spin"

today has been a better day ... yesterday's rains are behind me ... and it has been beautifully sunny ... soggy, but there is hopes of drying up here in Manitoba!

as i was puttering around outside, i noticed this lovely wild orchid (i think it is from the orchid family, correct me if i'm wrong) ... they come up every year in the channel running behind our house ... all by itself, wild and beautiful ... God dresses up His creations in such finery ... no one to see ... until i came along and snapped a photo ...

AND i think i will have to get reading glasses ... i have glasses for driving but i find them such a nuisance ... but if they keep those pesky headaches at bay ... well Praise the Lord for glasses then! :o)

i'm off to do some more puttering ... just wanted to share the lovely wildflower ...

wednesday morning complaints!

this pic reminded me of ME!!! i'm the bulldog ... really ... the one eyed squint is what i feel like doing ... and the squirrel is whoever/whatever comes across my path ... *rye smile* ...

actually we're entering a busy period with visitors, etc ... and with the weather being so damp, my list of "to do's", is more like "to do ... not!" ... you know the feeling ... of course to top it all off, leo feels quite poorly and i'm having a few health issues (like eye strain and headaches) ... thought i would just share a little of that ... just unloading a wee bit ... in case you think of me, so you can pray for me ... thanks!

"The Great Physician, always has the right remedy."

2,000-year-old palm seed germinates

this story really captured my imagination ... i just found this so very interesting ... interesting enough to share!

2,000-year-old palm seed germinates
Last Updated Mon, 13 Jun 2005 11:12:18 EDT

copied from: CBC News

Israeli scientists say they've succeeded in growing a sapling from what's believed to be the oldest seed ever germinated – a date palm seed 2,000 years old.

One of the scientists leading the project said she hopes the ancient DNA from the seed will reveal medicinal secrets that have disappeared from the modern plant.

Sarah Sallon, of the Louis Borick Natural Medicine Research Centre in Jerusalem, said on the weekend that her team used seeds from archeological excavations at Masada, the ancient fortress where Jewish rebels committed mass suicide rather than be captured by the Romans in AD 73.

Researchers have named the plant Methuselah after the biblical character said to have lived for nearly a millennium.

The palm is now 30 centimetres tall, with leaves much longer than the modern date leaf.
Sallon and her colleagues sent a leaf for DNA testing, which may reveal clues to the tree's ancient medical applications.

DNA results are expected in the coming weeks.

"Dates were highly medicinal. They had an enormous amount of use in ancient times for infections, for tumours," Sallon told the Associated Press. "We're researching medicinal plants for all we're worth. We think that ancient medicines of the past can be the medicines of the future."

The date palms that grow in Israel today are from a strain originating in Iraq, but were imported from California.

Sallon said that before Methuselah, the oldest seed to have been germinated was a 1,200-year-old lotus seed from China.

through the clouds

with the rains we've had recently, there have also been spectacular cloud formations of various colours and shapes ... occasionally i've caught glimpses of a golden light filtering down through the clouds ... a light that makes everything else pale in its wake ... i sometimes imagine that the Lord has left the door to heaven open just a wee bit, just enough so that a little of His Glorious Light escapes ... streaming down to touch the faces of those looking up ...

a bit of whimsy on this Sunday night ... Lord bless your week ...

Grads! and Congrats!

if you get a chance, go over to Bekah's Musings to give your Congrats to Bekah, on this her graduation weekend ... now it's off to college! Remember when? i sorta do ...