I Can’t Do This but You Can, Lord

You can see the power and might of the upcoming storm in this sunset just as you can see the power and might of our Maker in all that is around us.

I can’t make this happen but You can

I can’t get well on my own, 

   only You can make it happen

I can’t improve my relationship with friends
    and family, on my own
You can make it happen

                        Life can be dark and foreboding.  
                We can fear what is lurking in the shadows.  
              Jesus is the light shining through the darkness
                who will lead us to safety, love and peace.

I can’t improve my finances on my own

Only You can make it happen

This blue iris has never bloomed before.  God makes all things beautiful in their time.  It is very welcome this year.

My friend is very sick,
   the doctors can only do so much
You can heal her

I was very sick and had surgery
You guided the doctors and support staff
You brought me where I am now,
   well on my way to complete recovery


You are in complete control

After the rain comes the rainbow.  God is there through every storm that life sends our way.  He makes all things beautiful in their time.

I know when I put my life in Your hands,
   I am completely safe

When I put my situation in Your hands,
I have complete trust that You will manage everything in my best interest

I make such messes.

When I give it all to You, You make my messes 

  into something beautiful.

Actually You make all things beautiful in Your time

I am so weak, You are completely powerful

How blessed I am that You are so loving and caring

You do not squash me like the annoying bug
   that I am.

                    Lord, thank you for seeing the beauty that is in me
                        and for loving me even when I am at my worst.

Instead, You are the Master Potter who is shaping me    into the perfect child that You will take home
   to paradise

I can’t do this on my own, only You can

And I know You will

Thank You, Father.

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome...Deuteronomy 10:17

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 

1 John 3:1

Please Lord

My friend is so sick.

Her poor body has endured so much.

Only You know what is best right now

But if it be Your will, if this be in Your time
  and Your way

Please heal her

                  Please give her the love that only You can provide.  
               Please let her feel the wonderful JOY of Your healing touch

If You take her, I know she will go to heaven
  and have no regrets

But I will miss her so much if You take her home now

  
I cry for myself and for the others who love her

We need her

She is such a loving soul who cares so much
  for so many people

As Jesus, said, Your will not mine be done

But I know You listen and You care

So I’m asking, I’m knocking and I’m seeking

And pleading with my Loving Father

Please Lord, heal her.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."  Matthew 7:7

                         Racquette River on Miner St.  Canton, NY

The Lord is My Shepherd

{A Psalm of David.} 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  

Psalm 23: 1-4  King James Version

**************************************

Book Reviews

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis   Mr. Lewis argues and explains many aspects of Christianity such as why 2 people become the 2 halves of a whole unit when they marry.  He discusses that there is a universal understanding of right and wrong, of fairness that all people have though often do not follow. 

This is my first time reading this book.  There is so much meat to digest that I must read it at least one more time to fully appreciate the great insights that Mr. Lewis offers.

This is a book to be read slowly and digested in bites.  I recommend this highly.

Esther by John Piper

This gem is a lovely poem by a great preacher as well as a book of lovely paintings.  It is the story of Esther, Queen of Persia who just happened to be a Jew. She risked everything to save her people.

The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers

Just what is a "sin eater" and can he save your soul?

This historical novel by master story-teller Francine Rivers is a riveting tale of a young girl with a very guilty conscience.  She seeks the sin eater to take away her guilt and finds her heart's true desire.  I borrowed this page turner from the Knapps Station Church Library.  Please note:  The book jacket on the book I borrowed is different from the picture above.

******************************************

Voice of the Martyrs 

Please pray for our brothers and sisters who do not have the freedom to worship as they choose.
Many suffer and die for their faith.
We are so blessed to worship as we choose.
Many died to give us this freedom
May we never lose this freedom.
And may we never take it for granted.

****************************************************

Knapps Station Community Church

Our Strawberry Shortcake Dinner was a great (and delicious) success as evidenced by all the happy diners who told me as much.

Upcoming is 

Operation Arctic Vacation Bible School.

Mark your calendars: 6 to 8 pm on July 10 to 14 (Monday to Friday)for a really cool time.  Come for the fun, the snacks, the crafts, the great music, the fellowship and learn how much God loves you.  I help with the puppet show at the opening and closing of each day and have so much fun with the kids especially the little ones.  

As an added bonus, there is NO CHARGE for your child to attend.

Friday night is Family Fun Night and the whole family is invited for fun and a barbecue. 

                     *************

Come and see our float at the 4th of July Parade in Norwood, NY.

******************************************

Seven R's of Restful Living - Resist Resentment

Seven R's of Restful Living - Reduce Committments

My friend Jane Ault has written 2 excellent blog posts that give us great advice to help us live more restfully with more time for ourselves and for God.

******************************************

We are Most Godlike When We Share God's Travail

My friend Jean Oathout's blog discusses the importance of putting your passion and deep-down care into your prayers.  God does not want wishy-washy prayers.  He wants you to pray like it's really important to you.  I think when it becomes really important to you, it becomes really important to Him too.

******************************************

Blessing:

May you be blessed in the knowledge that you have a Loving Father who is all powerful and all loving.

He is capable of creating the universe and a butterfly - at the same time.

He is the voice of thunder and the voice of your newborn child.

May you always know that even when you are powerless, you have a Father who always has your back and He never turns His back on you!

Your prayers mean the world to Him.

He always listens and answers.

The friend who was so ill that I wrote "Please Lord" for is on the mend.  Thank You and Praise You Lord!

Update:  I got word today that she has yet more complications.  Please pray for her and all the people on your heart.  God really does listen.  He's just waiting for us to ask.  God bless you greatly, my friend!

              With God all things are possible.

               His mercies are never ending.

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen unless otherwise noted- used with permission

All bible reference from the NIV
   unless otherwise noted

If you are interested,
   you can click on the Blog Archive 

  dates on the top right side of this post
  to connect to previous blog posts

I would love to hear from you either on the
   comment section of this blog post
   or through my email

   debbieamcewen@gmail.com 

I post every other Saturday 

The next post will be July 1, 2017

Playground at Knapps Station Church

The Girl's Club made this a couple of weeks ago.

More pix of the road construction in front of our house.

                A deer in our back yard.