Time Races By

"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

My life is passing so quickly.
Days merge, a blur
Weeks and months disappear, gone forever

What did I do?
Did I make each day count?
Did my life count?
Am I living in the moment?

Or am I just existing and riding the tide of life passing by? 

Will I leave my footprint as I pass?
Will it matter that I lived, that I existed?
Will I make a positive difference in anyone’s life?

Can I try to do that each day?
With little kindnesses and encouragements and smiles?

Can I treat my brother as myself, reflect a little of God’s love on each so each sees God through me?

If I can do that, then my life will matter as I race to my eternal home.

Then I will leave each of my footprints topped with the Cross for others to follow, 
as time races by.

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. Acts 20:24

               As I race through my life, 
      am I racing for the gold or to the Son?
      It really does make quite a difference
                  when I get to eternity.
                       Think about it.

Prayer Request:
Please pray for kindness, love and tolerance for all of us.  There is so much hate and intolerance that is growing in our country and around the world.  Please pray for God to take our hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh so we love God first and foremost.  And then that we love each (that is every other person in the world) as we love ourselves.  These are the 2 great commandments that Jesus gave us.

May God bless you greatly, my friend with His mighty love and grace.

Apology:  I apologize that it has taken me 2 months to publish another blog.  As my blog says, I have been very busy and the days flew by.  I will try very hard to publish every 2 weeks from now on.  I ask your forgiveness and appreciate your understanding. 

                    As your life races by,

            stop by the church of your choice,
               to review your road map for life.
                   God's Word, the Bible 
        is the best road map for life that exists.
     This church is near Paul Smith's College, NY.

                      This my church, 
          Knapps Station Community Church.
                   I feed my soul here 
            as I worship and study the Bible 
              and fellowship with others. 
         

All photos taken by Debbie McEwen

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 usually post every other Saturday.

Lately I have been very busy with Grandma duties on weekends 
    so I may try to post during the week.

                      As your life races by,
            remember to check out the beauty 
              that God places on your path.

What Will You Do to The Walls You Meet?

                                              Each of us is "under construction".                                       

If you think of everyone you meet
   as a wall under construction, 
   what will you do when you encounter them?

Do you add bricks and mortar?   Do you smooth the mortar and settle the bricks,
   or do you loosen the mortar 
   and knock down the bricks?
  
In other words, do you build up
   or do you knock down?

Every time we interact with other people,
   we do exactly that.
Our words and actions will either build up
   or knock down others.
We can either brighten someone’s day or darken it. We can bring Jesus’ light or Satan’s darkness.

It costs us nothing to give a store clerk a kind word       but may take the sting out of
   someone else’s thoughtless remark. 
A misbehaving child may need a hug 
   more than anything else. 
He or she may have been acting out 
   just to get attention. 
An act of love can turn around a life.

Our lives consist of a series of choices
   and each choice leads us to our final destination. The love we show may be passed on.
The bricks we lay make that wall stronger. 
The lack of love only tears down walls and lives. 

When we build up, it strengthens someone else, 
   it also shores up our souls against the darkness 
   that fights every moment to take over. 
Our building up, our laying of bricks can be small 
   or large actions. 
Even a smile can brighten a day 
   and spread Jesus’ love.

Sometimes we think we don’t matter, 
   that what we do really isn’t important, 
   but it is. 

There is a battle waging in the heavens 
   for each of us. 
Light versus darkness. 
What we do, gives ammunition to one side 
   – or the other.

I choose to lay bricks. I choose light!

What will you choose?

Ephesians 4:29 tells us ”Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give good grace to those who hear.”

  We've lost the brilliant reds and orange colored trees but the sun shining on                     these golden trees is beautiful on this glorious day.
   This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"
                   Psalm 118:24

                  This is a side road near Paul Smiths, NY a week ago.
                              I can choose to dread the snow
                 or choose to see the beauty that God places in my path
                     and edify others with the beauty that I see.

     The image of the trees on the water is only a distorted image of reality.
                                Do we only see the reflections of life?
                    For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; 
                                then we shall see face to face. 
                      Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, 
                    even as I am fully known.  1 Corinthians 13:12

                           I challenge you to choose the light
                and to soar above the evil that tries to fill this world. 
                 When you fly to the light, your heart will sing.
       Your choices to build up others will give strength to your wings
                                   and JOY to your soul.
                  When you fall short, as we all do, keep trying. 
                    God sees your efforts and loves you for it. 

All  photos taken by Debbie McEwen

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 usually post every other Saturday.

Lately I have been very busy with Grandma duties on weekends 
    so I may try to post during the week.

The next post should be in about 2 weeks.

                           

                Be blessed, my friend 
       and may your life reflect the beauty 
                of God's love in you.

What Will You Choose?

                                 Sisson Road near Potsdam, NY

                          Which way will you choose for your path?

                                      Each one looks desirable.

                        Which one will get you where you need to be?

                          Only the Divine Navigator knows for sure.

                              He always directs us on the right path.

Life is a series of opportunities.
A right or a left turn.
A good or a not so good response to a situation.

For me it’s been a lot of mistakes and often the opportunity to resolve those mistakes.
A time to reflect that if God forgave me all the wrongs that I’ve done then I must forgive whatever and whoever has wronged me.

Nothing done to me could ever compare with the wrongs that I have done to God with my sins.

However, God made me and He knows I’m not perfect.
He sees deep into the innermost parts of my heart, soul and mind.
He sees my intentions, my efforts and the results.

In my heart of hearts, I believe that He regards my efforts and intentions as most important.

I can never do anything perfectly but I can keep trying.
I can try to do better today than I did yesterday.
I can pick myself up and brush myself off when I fall down or I can lay there and cry “poor me.”

I can try to do the right thing even when it’s killing me to do it.
And it never does kill me.

I can tell God I’m really sorry for all the bad I’ve ever done and continue to do – or not. My choice.

Either way, I’ll live till I die.

Then I’ll face eternity and the consequences of all my choices.

If I choose Jesus and ask forgiveness, all my sins are forgiven, never to be thought of again.

If I don’t choose Jesus, the consequences are too terrible to consider.

Knowing that, colors my thought processes these days and brings to mind the question, “What would Jesus do?”

I may forget this message from time to time but a little voice always comes to mind gently reminding me and encouraging me to choose His way.
He may give me consequences to my choices but never forces His way. It’s always my choice.

I’m really trying despite my many failures.

I certainly need all the prayers and help I can get to make the good choices, so please pray for me.

How about you?
What will you choose?

Please know that I’m praying for you too. 

None of us can make it on our own.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

               The weatherman said we had a "supermoon" last week 
                       meaning that the moon seemed very large 
                    because it was closer to the earth than usual.
                    At first it was partially hidden behind clouds .
     Then I zoomed in and got a better view when the clouds passed. 
     Life can seem one way when seen through the eyes of the world.
                       It is amazing what it becomes 
                when seen through the lens of God's word.

Commentary:

Right now the world seems a mess.  Our politics are filled with turmoil and scandal.  
The massive wildfires in California are burning out of control.  
Shootings and terrorist attacks are almost commonplace.  
The news is very depressing.  
Is there anything to give us any semblance of hope for our future?

A little baby boy was born two centuries ago into a world that had great similarities to our present one.
He grew up in an extremely oppressed society with almost no rights.

He sacrificed everything He had to teach us and model for us how to live and to know that HOPE is absolutely not dead and buried but alive and vibrant today and for every day to come.

As we progress in the Christmas season, look for reasons for HOPE.  
See the good that is around you and complement those people to encourage them.

Spread little seeds of kindness each and every day.  Make someone else's day a little brighter.  

Know that each act of kindness and love that you do will make the Christmas star shine a little brighter and help crowd out the darkness that is filling our world.

Rest assured that your acts of kindness and love will point others to Jesus who is the one true HOPE for this broken world.

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 icicle appeared on a power line in my backyard. 
                         I have no idea how it formed and hung on 
                              in such impossible circumstances  
                 Even nature gives us reason to HOPE for a brighter future.

May God bless you greatly, my friend!

  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 December 23, 2017.  

                   I will close with a beautiful sunset. 
                    May you always have HOPE for bright tomorrows!     

Do You Ever Feel Discouraged?

                           Have you ever noticed that the sunsets 

                           broken by clouds are the most beautiful?

                                  When times are at their worst,

             Jesus takes our pain, our problems and turns them around.

              He truly makes us beautiful, if we just allow Him to do so.

                 

Stressed?
Down in the dumps?
Overwhelmed?
Broken?
Like you messed up your life?

Fall down on your knees and look up.
Jesus is calling to you,
He says “Take My Hand, I’ll help you.
I’ll take your broken life and make you
   and your life beautiful.
I love you more than you can imagine.
I have loved you from before the beginning of time.
I know you are hurting.
I feel your pain.
My heart hurts so much when you are hurting.”

Jesus says Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29

Open your Bible and visit the church of your choice.
Get to know the One who paid for your sins
   with His life.
Put your life in His hands.
Tell Him you are sorry for all you ever did wrong.
He dying to forgive you
   and He will every single time you ask Him.

Life will continue to give you problems, difficulties, stress and turmoil but when you follow our Gentle Lord and Master, you will have peace in your soul, in your core.

When you turn to Him,
   Jesus will be with you every step of the way.
He will take your hand and walk with you
   through the rough patches of your life.

He will even carry you when you can’t walk anymore.

You will feel peace that defies the world’s logic.
You will learn the true meaning of the word JOY.
And you will never be discouraged again.
Because, with Jesus at your side, you are never alone.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Dear Friends:

I just finished writing this last night and then read about the shooting at the Walmart in Colorado.  My heart was broken.  I hurt so much for all the victims and the perpetrators who are hurting so much that they feel they must strike out.  We have had way too many tragedies this year.  One tragedy is too many but there have been so many more. 
What can we do?

We can be extra kind to everyone we have any contact with, especially the ones who may not behave like they "deserve it."  They just may need it the most and our act of kindness just might prevent them from doing something that they shouldn't.

Love with abandon.  Sew the seeds of your love and kindness.  And pray, pray, pray. You will make a mighty difference whether or not you ever see the results.

I would be grateful if you would pray for my husband, Tim who is having knee replacement surgery on Tuesday Nov. 7, 2017.  Thank you!

May you be mightily blessed, my friend.

Knapps Station Church will have their
Annual Bazaar
Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017
9 am to 3 pm
There will be a food sale
and a donation white elephant sale.

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 November 18, 2017.

           Jesus is the light that will bring hope and peace for tomorrow. 

                       Turn to Him and be blessed, my friend.

P.S.  Have you noticed how much I love sunsets?             God has given me so many beautiful ones.                       Through these beautiful sunsets, 

    He gives me great hope for my tomorrows 

                  - and yours too!

Your Eyes Must Gush Rivers of Grief, Lord.

                Does the color and JOY drain from Your loving eyes, Lord,
                  when you see the way we brutalize each other?

There is so much violence in the news.
So many people have been injured and killed.

Even children!

You made us because You love us
   and want us to spend eternity with You.

We have lost our way.

So many do not know You and even deny You.
So many do terrible things in Your name.

It must break Your loving heart.

It breaks mine.

As much as my tears flow,
   Your eyes must gush rivers of grief.

                            When we turn to Jesus and His way,
               there is light, life, peace and JOY shining through the darkness.

             

                  Out of His tears come rivers of life and beauty.        
                   Jesus is making all things beautiful in their time.

Has it always been this way?
History has not been pretty.
We have always brutalized each other.
Your Precious Son, Jesus,
   came at a terrible point in history
   when life for Your people was at its darkest.

He taught a different way then,
I know His message is still vital and relevant today.

Please guide us, guide me to do whatever we can
   to spread Your word, Your message of love.

Please help us to sow the seeds of love, of tolerance,    of forgiveness, of peace
   and of Your JOY that is never ending.

Please help us how to show others
   there is another way.

Your way

Help us to do our part to bring peace on earth
   so there are no more tears of grief,
   only tears of JOY.

                  Lord, please teach us to live Your way.  
        Help us do our part to bring light, color and Your JOY 
                   back into this dark, cold, cruel world.
              Please teach us to love as You have loved us.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, 

holy and dearly loved, 

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

Bear with each other and forgive one another. 

If any of you has a grievance against someone, forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

And over all these virtues put on love, 

which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

 Colossians 3:12-14


Book Review:


Sons of Encouragement by Francine Rivers is a wonderful compilation of stories of 5 unsung heros of the Bible.  Aaron, the Priest; Caleb, the warrior: Jonathan, the prince; Amos, the prophet and Silas, the scribe whose lives are fleshed out in this set of 5 fictional bible stories.  Ms. Rivers took the actual people from the Bible wrote these men into life with human qualities and faults and ultimately with a desire to follow and serve the One True God. Ms Rives has researched the Bible and its times so carefully that her writing has the flavor of reading an unabridged biblical account of these men. 

YUMMY, YUMMY!

Knapps Station Community Church will have their annual Chicken Pie Dinner on 

Thursday September 21, 2017.

Not to be missed!

Blessing:

May you be blessed, my friend in the knowledge that you have a loving father in heaven who is watching over you all the days of your life.  He sees what is happening in this world and will guide you over the rough patches and through the hard times that come to all of us.  He will take your hand and never let go- unless you tell Him to.  His love for you is never ending and He waits anxiously for you to join Him in heaven.  Lets all meet there together! 

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 September 9, 2017.

                              The road at our house is now paved.  

                            There is still finishing work to be done

            but the worst of the dust and very bumpy road are ended.

Bushels of Blessings

All creation sings the praises of the Lord
Every mountain, hill, stream and sunset shouts
  "The Great I Am made me
  Look at His creativity
  Behold what He can do and what He does
  None can compare with the one and only Yehovah
  Look at His handiwork 
    and let your heart shout His praises"

Bushels of Blessings

Praise you Lord for the bushels of blessings
   that cascade from heaven

I don’t always see them

I don’t always feel them

But You shower them down on me
   each and every day of my life

               Near boat docks in Ogdensburg, NY
   God smiles at us and gives us glimpses of heaven
         if we only open our eyes and our hearts.

The moments with no pain

The magnificent sunsets

The smiles that reflect Your love

The way You ALWAYS listen, always care,
   always answer when I pray

You are closer than a heartbeat away

Always there, loving me, guiding me
   if I will only cooperate

You chose me and loved me beyond measure
   from the instant that You chose me

When original sin changed me
   and what I am able to do,
   You intervened

You put Yourself in harm’s way
    to re-create the path back to You
    that sin had destroyed

You suffered the ultimate humiliation for me

Because You love me that much

Even when I ignore or deny You,
   You never forget me,
     
You never turn Your back on me

               God always helps us find a way 
        through all the clouds and storms of life

I don’t deserve all Your blessings
   and could never do enough
   to earn Your love and grace

But You do it anyhow

    I thank you Lord for the daily blessings You send.

Soon I will celebrate Thanksgiving
   and give thanks for all my blessings

With You and Your love,
   every day is cause for thanksgiving
   as You send Your bushels of blessings
   each and every day of my life

Thank You so much for all You do, 

   my wonderful, Loving Father.

Come and hear, all you who fear God;

let me tell you what he has done for me.          Psalm 66:16

                       Ogdensburg near Ford St. Extension
Most of the trees in the area have lost their leaves.  These brilliant red ones stand out
  with their magnificence
  just like a Christian living for Jesus.
Praise you, Jesus for their beauty.

Commentary:

Thanksgiving is Thursday.  I have so much to be grateful for this year.  My husband, Tim and I celebrated 43 years of marriage in July.  It is a blessing to realize that I am married to my best friend.

                       Tim and Simba the cat

It hasn't always been easy.  We've had many ups and downs.  However, the time since we began our walk with Jesus has been the very best so far. 

                          Swamp near Madrid, NY

Our walk has gone through the easy and the difficult.                With Jesus' help
   we will always find love and beauty together.

Tim had successful bariatric surgery in January and has lost almost 100 pounds since them.  He had successful cataract surgery on both eyes in October and complete hip replacement Nov. 8.  So far his recovery from the hip surgery has also gone very well.  

I KNOW that only God has control of our lives and has caused the surgeries to go so well. The good will and prayers of our wonderful church family at Knapps Station have also been instrumental in the positive outcomes.

Knapps Station Community Church

I am blessed with a loving family and many friends.

      On the 11 Mile Road between Santa Clara and Paul Smith's College, NY

              God, family and friends
      have helped us over many rough spots.

You, my readers have blessed me by checking out my blog posts and leaving comments.  Your encouragement has kept me going especially in the beginning when I felt like I was floundering.  

I guess I'm still muddling through but now I know that God is completely in control of my blog as well as my life.  He gives me the words and directs me to the pictures He wants me to use.  I could never do this on my own.  I am just the channel for Him to use to speak to you. I am blessed that He honors me by using me. 

                        A farm near Madrid, NY

              Round hay bales and a farm near Lisbon, NY

                        Grazing cows near Lisbon, NY


I feel that I live in "God's country" which is Northern New York State near the Canadian border.  My pictures should reflect my love for this area.

        

I could go on and on for a very long time counting my blessings.

I encourage you to think about your blessings.  No one is just lucky.  All good comes from God and He is so generous with His blessings.  The more you realize that it is God's intervention  that causes any good fortune and give Him credit, the more He will bless you.  

Sometimes blessings come in disguise and don't seem like blessings. Then you have to trust His timing, His love and His wisdom. Trust that He does all things for your good and know that it will all come out best for you in the long run.

                   Boat launch at Santa Clara, NY
God provides the boat to get you to the distant shore.  If the boat develops a leak, He helps you bail it. If you work with Him, He will never let you sink.


Trust Him and God will come through for you - every single time.  His love for you is limitless and He is anxious to show you how much He really loves you. 

Give Him a chance and get ready to be amazed!


I'm not doing a book review this time since the commentary is so long.  I'll be back to book reviews next time.


Blessing:


I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving
I wish you many bushels of blessings
    for the coming year and the rest of your life
I pray that you open your heart to the peace and love     that only our Blessed Lord can give
And I pray that our Blessed Redeemer greet you
    with open arms when you pass into eternity. 

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen - 

  used with permission

Please note that there is a translate box in the top right hand side of this blog post that will translate this into several different languages.  
Many thanks to my friend Jean Oathout for finding this feature and helping me add it to my blog.

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 12-3-2016

 Tim and Rev. Dave Tulloch.  "The mighty fishermen."