Mother's Day

A blogger friend wrote a beautiful letter in memory of her mother. I hope you can take a moment to read it, a blessing from above :)

http://lauraelizabeths.blogspot.ca/2016/05/a-letter.html

A Thought About Biblical Contradictions

 this morning 4 degrees Celsius (brr) and quite breezy

From time to time I will read a post about Biblical contradictions, sometimes from the atheist's view and sometimes explanations of seeming contradictions from a Christian perspective.

Today is a gloriously sunny day, much like last Easter (resurrection) Sunday was, except the day before yesterday it was warm and sunny and today it is quite chilly. It had me thinking about the seeming contradiction in it. One person describing today might talk about the beautiful sunshine, birds singing, etc, and another might describe it as very bone chilling cold, the need for extra warm clothing, etc....and on the surface at a quick glance the descriptions might seem to be opposing and contradictory, and yet they are not, the two depictions actually give added information and support each other in describing the real facts of the matter.

So next time you see a seeming contradiction in the Bible, look a little deeper, and you may find that little nugget of something special, that breathes a fresh and new life into the narrative.

Mine is admittedly an oversimplification of this topic. To get an indepth study into Biblical (perceived) contradictions, please visit this website:
 http://www.debate.org.uk/debate-topics/apologetic/contrads/

Blogging vs. Time

We've been incredibly busy lately so I haven't had much time for blogging...  The past week or so I've been digging around the yard doing gardening.

As you can see I still have a lot of work to do...

Not a whole lot is in bloom right now, the tulips just finished, and I started annuals from seeds, and sadly they still are only about 2 inches tall, and also started a vegetable garden, which isn't showing anything yet, I'd show you in pictures, but it's kinda depressing...

Working out in the yard with plants and dirt always brings to mind Jesus parable about the sower and the four soils:

Luke 8:4-15 (KJV)

 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold.

And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Now the parable is this:

The seed is the word of God.

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.


When I was a child in the SDA church I remember a sermon preached on the four soils, and I remember sending a hope to heaven that I was "good soil". I'm thankful for this parable because it opened my eyes to the truth, and how easily it could be snatched away from me by an evil enemy of my soul, and instilled in me the notion that I had to be tenacious and stubborn...thankfully those are traits I have (sometimes to other people's frustration) and are put to good use in my walk with Jesus :) 

Spring!

Today I had to do a couple of errands so I took a walk and went downtown...and on the way I saw

crocuses!

and

a nice scene for a future needlepoint project? maybe...

and a reminder....

the beauty of the day was offset 

by

this reminder

that this world is cursed with 

death

and

corruption

and then in my own garden...

yellow crocuses

I hope I have purple ones also...

I planted bulbs last fall...

they were a mix of yellow, purple and white...

these are the first to bloom! 

I love them <3

There have been a few things that have been heavy on my mind and heart, but I am still ruminating

over them, perhaps they will be the subject of a post in the near future. In the meantime 

I'll be thankful for these blessings and reminders, and will pray about the other things....

Today....

Today was such a gorgeous day...beautiful, truly, a lovely blessing from God, reminder that spring is just around the bend...

a couple miles down that way is our house :)

a nice farm...

what a cool barn!

 another nice farm, reminds me of autumn....

 however, it was taken today,

 I spy with my little eye...

another farm!

the snow is melting...

hubby says there will be one more storm

maybe two

I hope he's wrong...

I was afraid to get more than a couple

I thought they would turn out to be dry...

they are delicious...

wishing I bought more :)

and I bought this little gift for our kitchen window

a little violet...so cheerful!

The Lord blesses me in more ways than I can count, how often do I take Him and His gifts to me for granted? How many seconds are there in a day? Thank you Jesus for loving me and forgiving me and for helping me understand that your ways are higher than my ways...than man's (and woman's) ways. Thank you for teaching me about your way.

Avoid Such People

2Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV)

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

For people will be
lovers of self,
lovers of money,
proud,
arrogant,
abusive,
disobedient to their parents,
ungrateful,
unholy,
heartless,
unappeasable,
slanderous,
without self-control,
brutal,
not loving good,
treacherous,
reckless,
swollen with conceit,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

having the appearance of godliness,
                                                  but denying its power.

Avoid such people.


Recently I saw a clever quote on Facebook meant to encourage those who have been rejected by someone. It stated that these persons who would leave you were just garbage anyway and they helped you by taking the garbage (themselves) out. The above list reminds me of the "garbage" that we don't need in our lives and are better without. Doesn't it read like a list of things you see and hear about on the evening news every night? 

The one that seems the most innocuous and may actually be the most deadly is the "having a form of godliness but denying His power". It's so easy to think that a "religious person" is a good person. There are many (I believe) that are so religious, so seemingly good, and proper, and like an angel of light....but there's an important piece of the puzzle that is missing! The goodness is of themselves and not of the Lord. They will soak in your compliments and praise, forgetting that it is God who made them and if there are gifts of the Spirit, they are His gifts and He gets the glory, honor and praise, we are simply His servants, and perhaps if we are very blessed: His friends.

How many deceivers are out there, wolves pretending to be sheep, doing a pretty convincing job of it too... however they will be outed, and if they are very blessed, they will receive the gift of true repentance and God's grace...but until then, we should avoid them, pray for them but do not join them thereby giving the impression that you agree with such things.

Here's a better way, rather than surrounding yourself with false friends:

 1Pe 3:4-4 (KJV)
 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands...

this was taken by me on one of our road trips
so serene :)

 

October in September

All of September has been feeling like October...fall is early this year and I'm hearing that we are in for a bitterly cold and long winter. Oh well, nature needs a reboot. At least I've had a very nice summer...

Last weekend we were able to get away and visit Bolt Castle

 this is actually the children's castle, 

the main caste is much larger

this is the gateway for boats coming in, 

the whole castle is so beautiful, and the story is very sad

 You just have to see it for yourself

this is the world's shortest international bridge

it crosses the St. Lawrence from the U.S. to Canada

The U.S. flag is washed out, can barely see it on right,

Canadian flag is to the left

Don't know why the Dutch flag is in the middle...?

but being Dutch, I think it's cool :)

Look at all those pickled beets!

A local market had beets on sale: a ten pound bag was only $3!!! That picture is of 30 lbs of pickled beets canned to enjoy during the cold winter when I don't feel like running to the market! As long as I have a freezer and canned foods and potatoes/rice I can hibernate and not come back out til spring! 

Hope you are having a blessed fall as well.

Today...

A neighbor asked me to doggie sit today.

Her dog is very cute and sweet, but oh so spoiled!

She came with instructions (verbal and written):

I only had her until noon so many of the instructions didn't apply...

When it was time for a morning walk, I went to the washroom, and when I came out she was whimpering...on the stairs...she was stuck and wanted me to bring her down.

She waited patiently while I took this pic of her.

I forgot to bring my phone...but on our walk one of my neighbors had put out some vegetables...sometimes people here put them out and ask for a dollar or two, but she had them out for FREE! The price was so right :) I brought home some beets and green beans....

...and wished I had taken a picture of her veggie stand. So I decided to go back for a picture and one more beet (she had a couple dozen on the table, she said she discovered she hates beets and had grown a bumper crop of them)...but when I got there, everything was there except for the beets...

They were piled up in front where the empty space now is...

Also I had seen a frog in a tree by our little creek. I looked to see if it was still there. It was...but the sun was getting real hot and he was running out of shade...

It looked so uncomfortable there...so I moved it...

much better! Thank you so much!

                                             Now I can move around and not get scorched!






When we got home, I tried to give the dog her lunch, but the long walk had worn her out...

Then her owner came back and it was time for my house guest to go home.

The Battle

This morning I awoke thinking about what people have been saying on the various "social media" outlets about Robin Williams. It is indeed very sad what happened to him. I found something that included some quotes of his, that shed light on what was actually going on in his life.

Excerpt:

“Yeah! Literally, it's like possession ‑ all of a sudden you're in, and because it's in front of a live audience, you just get this energy that just starts going…But there's also that thing ‑ it is possession. In the old days you'd be burned for it…But there is something empowering about it. I mean, it is a place where you are totally ‑ it is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, where you really can become this other force. Maybe that's why I don't need to play evil characters [in movies], 'cause sometimes onstage you can cross that line and come back. Clubs are a weird kind of petri-dish environment. I mean, that's where people can get as dark as they can in comedy ‑ in the name of comedy, be talking about outrageous stuff and somehow come out the other side. I mean, that's one place where you really want to push it”
 (Robin Williams, "Robin Williams,” by James Kaplan, US Weekly, January, 1999, p. 53).
 Article link click here

The article goes on to say that many in the entertainment industry admit to having made such unholy alliances, otherwise known as "having made a deal with the devil" like in the story "The Devil and Daniel Webster", and of course even that can be repented of...however the devil won't make it easy. We were all once the devil's property, in some sense having been in alliance with him, but Jesus provided the way out.

This morning I was thinking about my flesh, my selfishness, my pride, my hypocrisy...and it made me think of Jesus seeing all of it and saying "I forgive you". Do I deserve that? Does anyone? No, of course not.

The devil is always there to temp us, to try to dissuade us from following the truth, and Jesus is ever there to give us the strength to follow Him, however it requires the one thing that many do not want to do: it requires renouncing this world and all of the deceptions and foolishness and arrogance etc in it, and also the fame and fortune it offers in exchange for a life of poverty in Christ. That doesn't mean I am to throw all my possessions away and live on the streets homeless, but it might...in that if I do find that I like Job have everything taken away from me, that I do not curse God but remember that even if I only have my life left, and my body is covered with sores and am in agony, it is still more than I deserve because how can I who came from nothing (before I was created) deserve anything?

I've listened to the Pilgrim's Progress excerpts on Sermon Audio before, and listened to this one again this morning. It describes our battle very well:

Battle with Apollyon

Despite all the wonderful things people are saying about Robin Williams he was a human being and one that we should not be elevating onto a pedestal. He was unhappy with his life, and if he could have surrendered that to Jesus we might have seen a different outcome. I've heard people say "He was a Christian"...but I'm not convinced, and that isn't the point anyway. We shouldn't idolize anyone, and we shouldn't make a martyr out of him. Jesus is the only one who is allowed our worship, He alone paid the price for our sins.

 I hope you who read here will live a life of gratitude to God no matter how horrible you think your life is, and if you think your life is extremely blessed all the more reason to thank Him.

Summer Days

This summer is turning out to be glorious!

The lilies are just beginning to open

the photos don't do the lilies color justice...

the potted plants take my breath away, 

these are just outside of our indoor dining room

in our outside dining area :)

our plants have been taking a beating

from the recent hailstorms and hard rain

over the last couple of weeks;

the hastas are a little shredded,

but they're pushing out flower stalks...

Ken made the Adirondack chair from scratch!

 and from the street side (what passing cars see)

Happy Canada Day!

(July 1st)

Today...

Busy morning, but oh so beautiful!!!

I needed to take a trip to the market. I got a few sale items...thought it would come to about $30-40...Ha! Over $50, sigh. On the way back home I decided to stop at a landmark that I pass often and always say to myself: "One day I'll stop there and take a look". Today was that day.

That is the main monument where the "last stand" took place in the

Battle of the Longwoods

...and the beautiful wooded area behind the monument

men fought here bravely...

...this plaque tells the story of the events that took place here

...and a close up of the British casualties brings up a familiar name

When I got home, I saw a little friend, and was able to snap a photo with my phone:

taken through a double-pained window

the effect is a little blurry...

can you see him?

Hope you are having a beautiful day as well!

Spring Things

Last weekend we were really busy. Because the weather is finally more springy we've been getting a bit of gardening done. Weekend before last we put in some perennials along the side of the house

There is a path at the front of our house which my hubby says he will extend to wrap around the side, linking the paths that are now at the front and the back of the house, and give a frame to our planted areas...but that won't happen until next year, so it'll look a little messy in the meantime. Our plants are doing so well that we decided to add color with some annuals we found on sale

The bright red flowers are New Zealand impatiens. I'm going to try to bring them into the house during the winter, as well as the geraniums and the begonias in these next planters:

I got these little starter plants at a really good price. By the time I got to the garden store the nicest plants had already found other homes. There wasn't much left to choose from, so I got an assortment of odds and ends of what was left. They were a bit beat up, and only one or two six-paks of each kind to choose from, so I have a bit of a hodge-podge. This is how it looks from the street:

We just did it this way for a quick temporary fix

Next year the planter boxes will be at the bottom of the picket fence, and it will be a more sturdy construction

We also got some plants that weren't on sale:

These cost a bit more but the effect was worth it (I think)...I wasn't so sure about the black petunias, but when we put it all together it worked out very well. Hubby said "I told you so" :)

The bright red flowers at the front and rear of the bicycle are the same type as in the previous picture of the front of the house; New Zealand impatiens. I had a couple left over so I put them in with our perennials. I also had a few of our bargain flowers left over, so I put them here:

Aren't the hastas beautiful!!??!!!

That's where our sidewalk ends for now, but it will wrap around the side...hopefully next year.

Now that I've gotten so much spring gardening and cleaning accomplished, maybe I'll be able to spend a little more time blogging.

 .