For Future Generations!

Traditions........ this is the time of year that we probably think the most of them, isn't it? Fall is one of my favorite times of year. I'm not able to do with the younger grandkids so many of the things I did with the older ones. But a few days ago, I remembered one of my favorite childhood memories........ ironing leaves with my grandmother, my mom, and my children. I decided I could do this with the grandkids.

I don't normally like to post pictures of myself. But I wanted these pictures taken for each of the grandkids, for their memory books. We had so much fun!

There are lots of our family traditions that I hope our grandkids will continue to pass on. They sort of give us "family identity," don't they?

Most of all, my prayer for my family is that they will forever find that "Our God is an awesome God!"

"Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord!" Psalm 102:18

Our Just "Deserts?"

God does not treat us as our sins deserve(Praise His Name!), or repay us according to our iniquities.......

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him:

As far as the east is from the west,..... so far has He removed our sins from us! (Whew.....how far is that? I sat by the window this morning and watched the sun come up over the Eastern sky...... I looked into eternity......That far? Okay, okay, so some of you remember my past, so do I. I wish I could forget it too. But, guess what? God doesn't remember it! PTL!)

God has compassion on His children(that's me). Now, this part is surely just for me......

God knows how we are formed , He remembers that we are dust. How keenly I feel this!

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children's children (Oh, God this is my prayer!),
with those who keep His covenant (our part) and remember to obey His laws.

Praise the Lord, all my soul, and all that is within me, Praise His holy name! Psalm 102

Wow! What a way to start a day! Hope yours is great as well.

God is Always on Time!

Is this a miracle? You decide, I know what I think!

Yesterday, I stopped at a yard sale with Avon and Joe, trying to finish up my Christmas list. I did get two incredible gifts for two of the grandchildren, for only $2 each. It was a lovely home and the lady had a Gateway computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse for sale. It was a 2000 Windows xp. She had used it up until two weeks ago, when she had updated to Windows 7 on a new computer.

The grandchildren had been using a "dinasaur" and many of the educational programs I found for them were just not compatible. I was interested and when she told me $25.00 I got excited. I called Jon and he said to get it.

Of course, it has the big bulky monitor, but for $25........ who cares. Jon Abram set it up, cleaned it up, and got it going for me. It doesn't have a wireless, but we turned the living room rug and ran an internet cord under it. Worked great! The monitor is bright and clear. The kids old one was soooooo grainy.
Joanne flew to Indiana this past week to see our sister, Pam. I loaned her my camera and begged her to take lots of pictures for me. I felt I was missing a third arm this week without my camera(now you know why no blogging.). Sis came in last night and I was so excited to download the pictures of her trip.

Guess what? My laptop crashed. Big time. We couldn't even bring it up with the recovery discs. Thank God, I still have 11 months left on my extended warranty! But the last time they serviced it, it was gone for 6 weeks........

So.........the day I get my $25 computer, my laptop goes zonk! So right now, I'm fumbling around on the larger keyboard and mouse, trying to get used to it! But hey, folks, I'm still here!

I was able to download my photos, web album them and email them. I was able to watch the Hobe Sound service via Internet on my large clear monitor.........

Okay, You decide.................as for me? Thank you, God!

Love Does the Impossible

You often hear me mention my sisters. Avon and Joanne. Our fourth Sis. Pam, lives in Indiana where her husband pastors. We haven't see Pam in almost three years, since Mom died.

Last week, Pam was in the hospital 6 days, very sick. We all longed to see her. Joanne decided, SHE HAD TO GO. Now, Joanne uses an electric wheelchair and walker and deals with constant incredible pain. I freaked out when I found out she was at a travel agency. I called her on her cell, pleading with her not to even think of going alone........ No use, she was determined!

So off she flew........ attendants met her and wheeled her to her gates. Talk about praying, did Avon and I ever! What a Sis! Love surely overcomes all obstacles. Here's the Great Lady..

Joanne and Pam, sisters #1 and # 3. Pam was totally surprised! She was so thrilled and called Joanne, "her miracle!"
Sarah and her husband, Pam's youngest daughter.
Sis, enjoying fall.

Pam and her youngest son, Josh.

Pam and Joanne in their church.

Sisters, how beautiful!

Thanks to God, for bringing Joanne safely home to us. We continue to pray for and miss Pam.

Child's Prayer, Number Two

Good morning, Dear Friends and Family,

Another beautiful morning has arrived. Although I must admit that Little Buddy "came up" before the sun! He's cried for several weeks to spend the night. So since Amy was getting home late yesterday from a field trip with Erica, we thought it would be the right time. He made a great "alarm clock" this morning. It was a good thing, or I would have over slept and he would have been late for school. Since I didn't go to sleep until after 2am, I was out of it.

He had so much fun here yesterday afternoon. I had saved the box from our $1000.03 hot water heater job. I knew the grandkids would love it. Little Buddy, being who he is, immediately set to "bugging" it. Out came his electrical wires, bulbs, batteries. I 've never seen so many wires. He had a blast with it.

We had a hard frost this week and the leaves have started to fall in earnest. I've bought wax paper for a little project with the grandkids, ironing leaves. Melinda asked me yesterday, "Nanny, are there enough leaves yet to pile and jump into?" One of a child's favorite pastime. I told her I didn't think so.

Well, after supper last night, Little Buddy brought out the rake and went to work! Rake, he did! By the time he had a nice little pile, it was beginning to grow dark. Nothing doing, but Nanny had to sit on the deck and watch the grand finale! Ready, set, go! He ran with all his might and jumped pell mell into his glorious pile of fall leaves. After a few Goliath leaps, he decided to magically change his leaves into a "first base." Little Buddy then proceeded to "slide into home," the leaves rustling as though they were a cheering crowd in the bleachers!

Okay, all you "grown ups" out there........ Close your eyes for a moment, take a deep breath........don't you smell the leaves, feel the air? For a moment in time........do you remember those joyous days of childhood?

Yesterday I read Job's lament. He bemoaned his birth, his youth, his old age. Finally God had to quiet Job with God's own questions. Where were you when? ......I gave orders to the morning, I disperse the lightning, gave birth to the frost, gave the oceans' their boundaries, provide for the raven, etc?

Last night, I was remined of our God's creation, order, and beauty once again. They say getting old is somewhat like a second childhood. I suppose it is, but not all of that is bad. Being like a child can sometimes cause us to take the time to "smell the roses" again, to value little things that really aren't so little at all. Little Buddy's bedtime prayer reminded me of all this! He was going faithfully through his list, when I heard words that made my face break out into a huge smile. "God bless Nanny, God bless Papa, and.........God, thank you for my pile of leaves!"

Okay........how about you? Maybe we need to take a few moments, look around us, look within ourselves........and thank God today for "our pile of leaves." Things that we rush through everyday without contemplating. Food, raiment, family, a child's laughter, companionship, a comfortable bed, friends, pets.... Maybe I need to take a moment and SAY some of the things that I think, but rush on by..........things such as "thank you," "I love you," "I appreciate you," etc. How will others know unless we tell them?

Today, I begin my reading in Psalms, one of the most beloved books. In chapter one, I found these words, we shall be like a tree planted by the water, which yields it's fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
What a positive promise! This time of year, we think of and decorate with the harvest! How good God is to me. He daily loadeth me with His wonderful blessings! A harvest of blessings, of His love to me. Today, with the windows open, I smell the fresh morning air. There is the hint of the promised rain...... I lift my heart, my praise to Him, I thank Him for "my pile of leaves!"

Linda

Psalm 8:2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise!

"Where then Does Wisdom Come From?"

Good morning, Dear Friends and Family,

I'm just finishing my second cup of coffee. It really tastes good this morning, considering it's about 45 degrees in my bedroom. Well, maybe not, but since it was 48 last night and I slept with my fan in the window, it's pretty chilly. Poor Hubby, he's over there covered with quilts and wearing his hoodie......... I think my thermostat is broken! It's supposed to get up to 77 today........

Yesterday I wrote about the fool, who has said in his heart there is no God. Today I found the counterpart in Job 28.........the thoughts about wisdom. I found these awesome words:

Where then does wisdom come from?

God understands the way to it, and He alone knows where it dwells,
For He views the ends of the earth, and sees everything under the heavens.

When He established the force of the wind and measured out the waters,
When He made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, then He looked at wisdom and appraised it: He confirmed it and tested it.

And He said to man, "The fear of the Lord.....that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."

Whew! There it is folks. So why is foolish man still trying to figure it out? One may obtain knowledge through study, research, resources........but one only obtains wisdom through living. Why must man so often learn through his own devices that bring him nothing but heartache and eventually destruction?

The longer I live the more I've learned that indeed, God's way is the right way, God's way is the best way. No, His laws and precepts don't deprive me of rights and privileges. They build a perimeter of safety around me. They box me in from foolish choices that weave a web of sin that brings only painful consequences. They open the doorway to freedom and joy. Note, I said, joy. God hasn't promised His children all sunny skies. But He has promised to go with them through every storm. Happiness is a choice. But His joy is truly unspeakable and full of glory.

"It pays to serve Jesus, it pays every day. It pays every step of the way!" The words of this song have grown more precious to me every day that I've grown older, for I've found it to be true. From a young person, even to now, down to old age. He's never failed to be enough, more than I ever dreamed He could be.

Well, I only intended to print the scripture, but somehow my heart just had to say, "Yea, and Amen!"

Love to you all today,
Linda

"No God, No Guilt"

Good morning, Dear Friends and Family,

I'm still dragging along here. Must admit, I'm still propped up in bed. The weather seems to be playing yo yo.

I wonder how many of you saw one of the prominent news headlines this morning. NY City Subways to begin special advertisement on their subways, starting the 26 of this month,"No God, No Guilt, De baptize."

I thought about that........no guilt? You know guilt is rather synonymous with conscience, isn't is? I remember as a child how awful I felt when I felt guilty. Totally miserable! I had no peace until I made my wrong right. Even as an adult, how do you feel when you feel guilt? Guilt, conscience, the Holy Spirit......... I've often said that Peace is the thermometer of our soul. I thank God for His faithfulness in disturbing my peace when I'm in dangerous territory.

So what happens when one feels no guilt, no pang of conscience, no inner disturbance? Ever seen a child grow harder as he ages? One naturally becomes concerned about this state. Riding over ones guilt soon wrecks havoc to ones behavior.

I hope my neighbor would feel guilt if he considered stealing from me. I hope one would feel guilt about the possibility of cheating on ones taxes. I hope ones husband would feel guilt about an unhealthy environment that might lead to unfaithfulness to his wife. I tremble to think of our society without guilt! We're already seeing a good dose of it. Mothers that can murder their children, babies left in trash cans, fathers wiping out their whole families, teenagers that think the world owes them everything...

No guilt? I found these words in my morning reading in Job.

They said to God,"Leave us alone! What can the Almighty do to us? Yet it was He who filled their houses with good things, so I stood aloof from the counsel of the wicked.

Yet they say to God, "Leave us alone! We have no desire to know your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve ? What would we gain by praying to Him?

In some ways, over the centuries........man hasn't' changed much, has he? He still has a heart to exalt himself against the Creator. He still needs to shake his fist at God.

The fool hath said in his heart, "There is no God." None of this ranting seemed to dampen Job's allegiance... for we read his testimony,

"I know that my Redeemer lives.. and in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes....I, and not another! How my heart years within me!"

Wow! "No God, No Guilt?"Bill boards, books, Hollywood, governments....have tried to extinguish the Flame. They've tried to destroy our Faith, our God, our Christ.......

NO GOD? My praise rings loud and clear this morning with Job,

I know that my Redeemer lives! He lives within my heart! Praise His Name!

Linda