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.

Are You Naked Before the Lord?

                          Do you see the beauty that is inside you?
                      God makes all things beautiful, including you!

Do you bare your soul and heart to Him?

Do you open all your innermost, secret parts to Him?

Do you acknowledge all your faults to Him?

You know the ones you don’t want anyone to know about?

Do you realize that He already knows you so well that there is no part of you that is hidden from Him?

Regardless of your hidden faults,
   and we all have them.

Regardless of the walls that we put up,
   God knows us better than we know ourselves.

And He loves us anyhow.

Remember, He made us.

We only have to acknowledge our faults,
   missteps and sins and tell Him we are sorry
   and He will forgive us

.

Do we know our little children so well
   that there is nothing they can do
   that we don’t know about?

It’s the same with God

.

Do we forgive anything our children do
   when they say they are sorry?  Of course!

God is our father and He will do the same for us.

There is no reason to try to hide anything from Him.  He knows it anyhow.

 

The best part is that
   He will help us through any problem
   we may have if we only go to Him.  

He’s just waiting for us to say:

   "Daddy, I have this problem, this concern."  

Talk with Him all about it.  

And He will help you through it.

It’s so freeing to know that He knows
   everything there is to know about you.

          God is the blue sky in the midst of the grayest clouds.
 He sees the beauty and solutions behind all our issues and problems. 

He is aware of every wart, every pimple,
   every thought, every desire that you have.  

He knows everything you ever did
   or even thought about doing.  

He knows every word that ever came out
   of your mouth, including the ones you didn’t say.

In His eyes, you are naked and He loves you.

So open up. Lay it all out for Him
   and feel the incredible love
   that only He can give.  

Give your all to Him and let Him work on you
   and your life.

Get ready for the ride of a lifetime.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13

                                         God is waiting for you.
Nature is sleeping awaiting the touch of Spring to bring new life.
Is your soul sleeping awaiting you to reach out for God's touch of new life.

Commentary:

Right now it is early spring.  We get periods of very cold and periods of really warm weather.  The ground is bare. Nature is still sleeping.  Trees are bare.

                 
Everything is exposed.  I do hear birds sing at times and have seen robins in the yard.  This is a messy, dirty time of year.  We like to call it the "mud season." My kitchen floor shows it at times.

My life is like that, very messy.  However, my "mud season" never ends.  My life never stops being messy and dirty.

I have learned that God sees me as an open book and I've stopped trying to hide anything from Him. 
I've also learned how very much He loves me with all my faults and failings.  

If I just let Him, He will take my messy, life and make me as beautiful as the most glorious Spring day.

Just as the spring flowers grow out of the mud and dirt,
God makes our lives blossom with His love.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1John 4:10

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

Book Reviews 

Heart Connections by Jane Ault

Do you ever wish you had a closer relationship with God?  Do ever wish for a true heart connection with your Father?  Jane has the gift of transparency in her writing.  She shares her struggles and victories in establishing just such a connection.

This book is available by contacting Jane directly through her email janeault1@gmail.com.  

The Paperbag Christmas by Kevin Alan Milne

I know this is NOT Christmas time BUT this is a really sweet book that I just had to write about.  The spirit of love and friendship never go out of season.  This is the story of 2 boys who discover the real meaning of Christmas and want the season to never end.  I borrowed it from Knapps Station Library and really enjoyed it.

The Secret of Happiness by Billy Graham

The great Dr. Billy Graham discusses the immense happiness that can be found by living the Beatitudes given by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.  Another book borrowed from the Knapps Station Library that I heartily recommend.

Ruth, Under the Wings of God by John Piper

This is the story of Ruth as told to young David by his grandfather Obed.  King David was Ruth's great grandson and he never got to meet her.  However, he never tired of hearing about her.  It was a delight to read.

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

Knapps Station Community Church 

Knapps Station Community Church sends children to Camp Mandaville each year.

Mandaville Camp & Retreat Center, operating under BCM International, has been offering Christian summer camp and retreat experiences to the North Country since 1974. With a winterized lodge, creation center meeting area, seasonal cabins, and 2 outpost campsites, we offer year-round programming for all ages. It is our desire to evangelize and disciple people of all ages for Jesus Christ through Bible-based camp and retreat experiences that will result in a deeper personal commitment to Christ and active involvement in a local church.

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


God's Will and Prevailing Prayer

This new blog post by my friend Jean Oathout deals with surrendering to the Holy Spirit and actively seeking the will of God.  It ties in very well with the bible study we are currently having at Knapps Station Church about listening for the voice of God.

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

Learning to Love in Simple Ways 
is the Jane Ault's new blog post.  She gives simple and effective ways to improve your "love life" with the rest of the human race and with God.

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

Voice of the Martyrs 

Raise a prayer force for Christian prisoners

Marat Niyazaliev

Yklas Kabduakasov

Yuri Pak

Zhao Weiliang

Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel

Asia Bibi

Alimujiang Yimiti

Ebrahim Firouzi

Imran Ghafur

Hassan Abduraheem

Haile Nayzgi

Kidane Weldou

Lacheng Ren

Petr Jasek

Yang Hua

****************************************** Blessing

May our Loving Father bless you with the knowledge that He loves you with all your faults and failings.
Know that He loves you enough to die a terrible death so you can spend eternity with Him - if you choose to accept His invitation.
May you be blessed with the wisdom to accept His invitation and spend eternity in bliss.

And may your life be as beautiful as this sunset!

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

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 March 25, 2017

May God bless you greatly until we meet again.

The swamp on the Back Hannawa Road Potsdam, NY sleeps
waiting for the signal to burst forth with new life.

                          Pond on the Back Hannawa Road.

                                           

                                   Amish buggy

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.