What is God’s Plan for You?

                            Lake Clear, NY in February
                     All nature sleeps awaiting the coming of Spring.
       Is your life on hold awaiting God letting you know His plan for you?

Did you know that God has a plan just for you?

Did you know that He formulated that plan
   long before you were born?

Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

At least I was amazed when I was told that.

I had no idea that I was so important
   that He thought about me
   from the beginning of time,
   that He decided that the world
   isn’t complete without me
   and my little part of His “big picture.”

                                 Brook near Nicholville, NY
                         Each little brook is an important part
                              of the complete ecosystem.
                     Each of us is an important part of God's plan.
 

You know of course, that the same applies to you
   as well.

Each of us is irreplaceable in God’s plan.

Now, how do we find out what that plan is?

I’ve been taking a bible study at Knapps Station Church about “Listening for the Voice of God
and Discerning the Voice of God.”

Our lesson for this week discusses that God’s voice reveals His plan for each for us and to each of us.

How can that be, you ask?

He speaks to each of us in a way
   special to each of us.

It really helps if you know some about the Bible
   and then know a little about God’s character
   so you can judge if the message you receive
   is from God or from Satan.

I have heard messages from God that came
   through other people, through something I read
   or even from TV.

What I mean is that I prayed or asked a question
    and I heard or read something that addressed
   or answered exactly what I was asking.

So how does God let you know what His plan is
   just for you?

                            Church near Paul Smith's College, NY
                       Worshipping and fellowship at a good church
                             will help put you on the right path.

You have to give Him a chance.

Pray about it and wait patiently.

Look for the unexpected.

I’ve found that He often has already started equipping or even fully equipping people for the plan or job He has for that person.  

        Chimney? Silo? Or what?  At Lake Placid, NY
             What was the plan for this structure?
                What is God's plan for your life?

I write a blog post and got lots of experience 

   writing on my job for many years.
   Actually, my family has told me that I wrote
   from the time I was a child. 
   Now I write for Him.  

Is this the extent of what He has in mind for me? 
   I have no idea but I know He will let me know.

You may already be engaged in His plan for you
   and not realize it yet.

  Because you were made to do that job,
   you probably gravitate to it somehow. 

               This little stream on Outer Main St. Potsdam, NY 
               wanders hither and yon toward its destination.
                     Is your life doing the same thing? 
                     Do you realize that your destination is VITAL
                        and your part in getting there 
                    can be accomplished by no one but YOU!

Remember that you are very important to God and    He wants to spend eternity with you in paradise.

Remember that you have a job to do now
   to prepare you for paradise.

Wait patiently for God to let you know what it is
   and then trust that He will make sure
   you can do it well.

 

When He lets you know His plan for you,

   jump in with both feet and don’t look back.  

You are in for the time of your life.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
   Ephesians 1:4

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."      Jeremiah 29:11

                      This ice castle at Lake Placid, NY 
              was constructed to celebrate the winter of 2017.
               You were made to celebrate our mighty Creator
                 and to spend eternity with Him in paradise.
                 Please remember how important you are.
                You play a vital part in God's mighty plan!

Commentary:

Spring is now officially upon us and it's often the time to plan for our gardens, our vacations and whatever for the upcoming summer.

       In the midst of all the snow and cold we keep getting,
                         even the lowly dandelion
               would be a welcome sight to me right now.

We are all in different seasons of our lives. Some of us are in the Spring, some in the summer and some of us are in the Fall or even Winter of our lives.

Wherever you are, my friend, what are your plans for the time after your Winter.  The end of this life may be in sight. None of us knows the day or the hour when the end may come.  Do you know where you will go next?  Are you looking forward to that?  The next step is forever without end.  Plan carefully. After you die, there are no second chances.  God gives those unlimited second chances now.  Use them wisely.

Choose carefully and be delighted with your planning for eternity.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
   Romans 6:23

                  God will make your soul bloom for eternity
                        - if you only accept His gift of love.

Book Reviews:

    A Voice in the Wind

An Echo in the Darkness



As Sure as the Dawn

This trilogy was written by Francine Rivers who weaves strong stories that give us page turners that are hard to put down.
These interlocking stories take place in the days of the early church and describe what life was like for those learning about Christ and struggling for their faith despite living in extremely evil times. There is a strong thread of love interwoven throughout.  I found them a very satisfying read.



The Case For Easter by Lee Strobel

Do you wonder why we celebrate Easter?  Is all that talk about Jesus rising from the dead for real?  Lee Strobel goes to the historical experts to explore if the Christian belief has validity.  I recommend this little book filled with facts to answer just those questions.

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Knapps Station Community Church

If you have children and live in the area, or even just like to work with kids, keep the evenings of the second week of July open.  Knapps Station Church will have their annual Vacation Bible School or VBS for short. 
This year the theme will be Operation Arctic and promises to be lots of fun for all those involved.  
Stay tuned in for more information and pictures of last year's event.

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Giving God the Time of Day is today's blog post by my friend Jean Oathout.  Do you take time to spend with Him?  Do you drink in His presence and feel the JOY and peace that only He can bring?

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What Children Can Teach Us  is a recent blog post by my friend Jane Ault.  We may think that children have little idea of what life is about but, given a chance, they will surprise, enlighten and delight us with their understandings.

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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. 

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Blessing:

May you be blessed by discovering
   our Loving Father's plan for your life.
May you find great fulfillment
   in living out that plan.
May our Creator bless you daily
   with His mighty love, His forgiving grace
   and His unending JOY.

                    And may your heart soar
     and fly into the arms of He who loves you.

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

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 April 8, 2017

May God bless you greatly until we meet again.

                       A "snow dog" from this winter.

                  God gives us rainbows and promises
                          all throughout our lives
                       regardless of what is going on.

                Just as the sun goes down in a blaze of glory,
                      may your life shine now and forever
                        with the brilliance of God's love.

And the Angels Rejoiced!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14 KJV

Why all the celebration?

          Where darkness had filled the world, 
                     God has sent JOY 
      in the person of His most beloved, only son.  
                 Let the world REJOICE.  

The greatest event since creation has just happened.

Was it the presents?
Or the trees?

                      Tree at Knapps Station Community Church

Was it all the decorations?

Or the festivities?
Or the great food?

No!

It was the Child

The One born in a stable

This barn is on the Barker Road Potsdam and probably has electricity and running water. Those amenities were not available when Jesus was born.  
Would you want your baby born in a barn, even a "modern" barn?  God did!!

The One whose mother and earthly father
said “Yes” to an angel

          Nativity scene at Knapps Station Community Church

The One who loves you and me so much He came from His throne in heaven to save us from ourselves

The One born to die to save us from our sins
The One whose love for us is limitless
The One who is the Son of God Almighty

The One who chose to become the lowliest
and most helpless of people   
a tiny baby born to a teenage girl
who was a nobody in the eyes of the world

The One who is Lord of all creation

That’s why the angels sang and rejoiced

Will you join in and celebrate
the greatest love story of all time?

For God so loved the world 
that he gave his one and only Son, 
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

                               Nativity Scene in Norwood, NY             

Commentary:

Route 56 between Potsdam and Norwood, NY.  Are you ready to open your heart to the light and love that the Father is patiently and lovingly waiting to give you?

We are about to celebrate Christmas. Are you ready? I'm not asking if your shopping is done, tree decorated and presents wrapped. I'm asking if you are ready to receive Christ in your heart?

Do you realize that the Almighty One who created everything that exists, loves you so much that He sent His Son to become a human baby? 

This was THE God who became a human baby who was born and lived to teach us how God wants us to live and how to treat each other. 

He taught how much He, Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit love us and want us to spend eternity with them. 

He taught us to love God first and foremost and to love each other as we love ourselves.

We cannot do this or anything without God's help. 

We only need to ask Him and He will help us. 

He never stops loving us and will guide us to the Home we were meant to live in for eternity - if we cooperate.

Are you ready for Christmas?

                Church in Lake Placid.  
         Whatever church you choose, go home for Christmas and always.
                         Open your heart 
         and allow the JOY that is Jesus fill you with peace and love.

Knapps Station Community Church would be a great one to visit and stay with.  It is a true church family that will love you where and who you are.  It will nourish your soul and lead you to the Lord who loves you and is waiting for you to come Home.

Have you opened your heart to the One who loves you enough to become a human like you and me and die for our sins? 

Just open your heart. Ask Him for His help. Ask His forgiveness for whatever you have done wrong.

Follow the One who will never lead you astray and get ready for the ride of a lifetime as He leads you Home.

Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.  Psalm 62:18

           Road to my neighbor on Route 35 near West Potsdam, NY

Can You Hear the Cheering? 

I watched a video on Facebook of a young hockey player helping a younger mentally challenged hockey player make a goal.

The younger one could just barely stay upright and skate forward. 

The older one would move the puck in range so the younger one could hit the puck a little and skate closer and closer the goal. 

The goalie got out of the way so the younger one could hit the puck into the net. 

The little guy raised his arm in victory and the goalie rubbed his head in approval. I’m sure he was beaming under his mask.

I think my trip with God is like that
 and I am the challenged child.

Jesus doesn’t force me to follow.

He doesn’t push me toward the Goal. 

He encourages me. He puts the puck in my reach. He helps me every step of the way. He stays beside me when I am afraid and having difficulty. 

He has been there. He lived as a human so He knows what I am going through. 

He helps me get up when I fall down as I have so many times. 

I can choose to go the wrong way and He won’t stop me but He will try to redirect me if I only cooperate. 

He has never given up on me regardless of my sins and missteps. 

Just as everyone watching the event on the video must have been cheering, I believe the angels in heaven cheer for us as we take each little step forward and cooperate despite the many difficulties that life and Satan put in our path. 

We only have to trust in the one who loves us more than earthly life itself and He will guide us to our heavenly Goal. 

Can you hear the cheering?

He holds each of us in palm of His Mighty Hand and loves us each so much that "even the hairs on our heads are numbered." 

Taste and see that the LORD is good; 
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.  
Psalm 34:8




Book Reviews:



Cradle, Cross and Crown by Billy Graham

This tiny gem has writings by Billy Graham and poems by Ruth Graham celebrating what Christmas is really all about.



On This Holy Night The Heart of Christmas

Another little gem with writings by some of the most popular modern authors giving insight into the reason we need to celebrate this blessed season.



The Life God Blesses by Jim Cymbala

Another great Jim Cymbala book that discusses why God blesses some people more than others.  Why would that be?  Read it and gain insight and hopefully be greatly blessed by God!  Available at the Knapps Station Church library.




A Biography of Jesus 32 Simple Lessons from His Life by Tom J.Crowley

Short snippets that give insight into the life of the one born to save us from ourselves.  Available at the Knapps Station Church library.


Faith Conquers Doubt
Blog post by my friend Jean Oathout.


Blessing:
May the light of the Christmas Star
  shine brightly on you 
  today and forever more
May it bring you the Peace, Love and JOY
  of the Christ Child!

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 12-31-2016, the last for this year!

                    Is this Charlie Brown's Christmas tree??

           All creation knows instinctively to look to the Creator 

                                  and to honor Him.

                          We people need to realize this
              and REJOICE in the One who is come to save us.

Home for Eternity

        From the boat launch in Ogdensburg, NY over the St. Lawrence River,
                              the sunset was spectacular Monday night.
             Is this a glimpse of the glory
      that we will see when we face our Maker?
            I ask "Have I followed Him faithfully
      and will I get to enjoy this glory for eternity?
                      I can't earn heaven,
             it's always a free gift from God
              but am I accepting this gift?
      Am I sharing this "good news" with others?

Home for Eternity

When we walk with God,
He takes our hand and guides us along.

He walks with us all the days of our lives.
He helps us over the rough spots.

He rejoices in our happy times.

Sometimes we fall. 
When we do, we need to get up,
brush ourselves off and keep going.

                   An "innocent" vine grows up an electric pole.
         How long before the vine causes problems unless it is cleaned away?
       Sin and "innocent" habits can creep up on us and cause serious problems
                     unless we clean them away.

If we get dirty,
and we will from time to time
as we walk along life's path,
we must wash our hands
to remove the dirt and sin
that we can acquire. 

God never stops offering His hand
to help and guide us. 

However, the dirt and sin
that get on our hands,
gets between us and Him. 

They prevent the closeness
that He wants us to have. 

Jesus died for us,
so we can wash away our sins
with His blood. 

We only have to admit
what we did that was wrong
and tell Him we are sorry. 

Then our sins and dirt
are washed away, gone forever.

We regain our closeness with God. 

Each time we do this,
God smiles and hugs us. 

He is our loving father
who knows we will fall from time to time. 

He just asks that we keep getting up, washing off the sin that separates us from Him and keep going. 

Our Father
wants all His children home for eternity. 

As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life. 1 John 2:24-25

                           Another beautiful sunset last week.
              Will you join Him for eternity?

                                Swamp near Lisbon, NY

                                 A swamp near Lisbon, NY
   Even swamps are decked out waiting for eternity.

                              At boat launch in Madrid, NY
The Good Shepherd leads me beside the still waters and restores my soul.

                    view from my kitchen window, my little piece of eternity

       Toys donated by the people of the area for needy children         

 My Brother's Keeper

Am I my brother's keeper?

Am I responsible for anyone besides myself,
 my family, my friends?

Who is my family?

Who are my friends?

Am I not a part of the family of man?

Did not the Father bestow upon me the gifts,
talents and blessings that I enjoy every day?

Did He not direct me to share those gifts,
talents and blessings with my brothers?

Did He not say, “That which you do the least
of your brothers, that you do unto Me?"

When I die and face God for my judgement,
how will I answer Him when He asks,
“Were you, your brother's keeper?

Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"  Genesis 4:9

             Handmade quilts donated for the Outreach Program 

               There are so many ways
     you can choose to be your "Brother's Keeper"
             

Thoughts for Today

Tomorrow Sept. 11th is the anniversary of one of the worst tragedies that our country has ever known.  It is the anniversary of 9/11 when our country was attacked by enemies of our very way of life. So many lives were lost both that day and in the aftermath with the search in the rubble and the exposure to toxic materials by the first respondents. Many heroes were made that day and in the days to come.  Our country has never been quite the same since.

We can respond and commemorate with hate, resentment and suspicion OR we can choose to follow Jesus" example when He was tortured to death on the cross.  Jesus is actually God Almighty, in the person of God's Son.  He had and has infinite power and control.  He could have done anything to those who hurt Him. He chose to forgive.  Jesus said "Father forgive them, they know not what they do."  

Can we at least choose kindness regardless of what others have or haven't done?  Can we set the Christian example to lead others to Christ?
They may not "deserve" to be forgiven and to receive our kindness BUT do we "deserve" all that God does for us?  I, for one, do not deserve all the love, grace, mercy and JOY that God constantly gives me.

Can we show why America is the very best of countries because of our love for our fellow man?

Ask yourself, "What would Jesus do?" and try your very best to follow His example. 

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  Matthew 7:12


Book Review



C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity

This is an interesting background piece on one of our foremost Christian authors.  He was brilliant and started out believing there is no God.  His incredible journey led to such a strong belief in God that he lost great academic honors because he wrote arguments supporting God.  He wrote the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and many others.



Outrageous Grace

This page turner reveals what real Christian love looks like amidst heart wrenching tragedy.  Grace Fabian and her husband were missionaries and bible translators in Papua New Guinea.  Her husband was murdered.  Read how she deals with this heart break and finds "outrageous grace" in the midst of anguish. 


Knapps Station Community Church

This is my church.  I have been fed spiritually here as I never had before.

(Check out the website for directions and lots of other great information.)

It's a great place to feed your soul the "good stuff" from the Bible.

Knapps Station Community Church
3035 County Route 47
Norwood, NY
will hold its Annual Chicken Pie Supper
On September 22, 2016 in the church dining hall 
starting at 5 pm.
Menu:  
Homemade chicken pie with mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, green beans, rolls, with apple crisp or pumpkin pie for dessert.
Prices for a dinner:  $8.00 for adults, $4.00 for children, those under 5 or over 90 are free.
Takeouts are available starting at 4:30 pm
Whole chicken pies are available for $10.00 each
if pre-ordered by September 16.
Call  244-3159 or 212-9771 to pre-order or if questions.

I would also like to suggest that you check out the blog page for my friend, Jean Oathout.  I have received much good information and many blessings from her blog:

Treasures in Christ

Importunity is Toil and Travail  is one of her recent blog posts and is very inspiring.

                             A small farm near Lisbon, NY.
                       Many families in Northern New York
            used to support themselves by operating small family farms.
                                Maybe this one still does.


The Blessing

May you be blessed with a close relationship
   with our Loving Maker
May you come to know and love Him
   all the days of your life
May you learn the great JOY that comes

   from putting Him first in your life
   and treating others as you want to be treated
Your rewards will be heavenly

            I just had to add another shot of that magnificent sunset.

Blessings for you,my friend for a wonderful week. 

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen - 

  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 9-24-2016

         Fungi growing on a tree.  I thought they were interesting.
                        Tim spotted them as we drove by.