Do I Bug You, Lord?

         Part of Norwood Lake seen from Sober St. Road between Norwood and Norfolk, NY

Am I annoying?

I certainly make lots of mistakes,
            commit lots of sins
            some accidental
            some deliberate

Sometimes I’m good
Sometimes, I’m rotten
Sometimes I don’t even like me

Why do You always love me?

         God demonstrates His mighty love for us 
                    in unexpected ways.
         Notice the unexpected beauty He provides
                   in out of the way places.  

I’m just a very minor creature, no one special

But You always treat me special
            no matter what I do or don’t do

              My neighbor's trees are so pretty

You are the Creator and Lord of all the exists
            and You love me so much

I could never do enough to earn all You do,
            all You give

What would happen if we could see our world through God's eyes?  Would we see how beautiful it is and would we come to realize a tiny fraction of His mighty love?

You are so amazing

You bless me so greatly

      View from my back yard

Blessed, Blessed be Your most holy name.

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

Before It’s Too Late

Some say the end is somewhere around the bend, sometime in the future

But when?

                     View from dry bridge near Norwood, NY

How much time do I have?

Can I do everything I want and still “get ‘er done”?

I really don’t want to go to hell

But all that work to learn about Jesus, the Bible,
    the rules, going to church

Is it really necessary?

I want to have fun now

I want to do as I please

Isn’t that what everybody says and does?

Why do I have to be different?

I guess I like the way some of “those church people”    treat me but what they do looks like so much work

They do look happy

They invited me to church
     and said “no strings attached”

I suppose I could go just one time
     and see what this stuff is all about

They seem really concerned, even worried about me.

They said I need to be saved before it’s too late.

                    Cemetery near dry bridge Norwood, NY

But do I really?

They said this guy Jesus loves me.

Why should he?

They said He died just for me to make up for my sins

I’ve done a lot of sinning in my time

Why should He care what happens to me?

Maybe I’ve done too many bad things
   for Him to ever love me

They said I’m His child and He loves me so much
   that He died a terrible death just for me,
   to pay for all the sins I’ve ever done or ever will do

I guess it wouldn’t hurt to check out someone
   who loves me that much.

They said He’s reaching out His hand to me

  Is the shadow reaching out to the trees like God's loving hand reaches out to us, His precious, beautiful children?

That all I have to do is accept
   that outstretched hand
   and tell Him I’m sorry for what I’ve done wrong        and I can spend eternity with Him in heaven

   The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

   Psalm 23 1-4

Otherwise when I die, I go to the other place
   that’s “hot as blazes” for eternity.

They said Jesus is calling,
   telling me that His love for me is limitless

“Those church people” said they’d help me too.

What do I have to lose?

Maybe I better check this out before it’s too late.

                          Same cemetery

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who 
wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.  
1Timothy 2:3-6
  

The Old House in Fall

Rain thrums on her roof

Car wheels whoosh on the wet pavement nearby

Her flowers are asleep awaiting winter’s passage

Her still green lawn is littered with leaves
   from her near naked trees

Inside, the clock on the wall tick, tick, ticks

Faint hums come from the computer on the desk

The old house is quietly breathing

Witnessing the passage of time

Having seen decades of season changes

Having sheltered many families
   who have called her “Home”

Patiently enduring the changes
   they have made to her

Patiently facing whatever awaits her.

For everything there is a season, a time for 
every activity under heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1
(New Living Translation)

Book Review:



Christian Caregiving by Kenneth Haugk

This book gives insight into the world to Christian Caregiving, into giving care to the whole person from a Christian perspective. It discusses that we need to provide the care and leave it to God to provide the cure.  It discusses how caregivers' jobs are to meet the needs of their patients and to look to God for guidance.  It discusses things like even when we pray with someone, we should ask what they would like in the prayer to make our praying as beneficial to them as possible. This book is the basis of the Caring Ministry at Knapps Station Community Church.

Jesus said, " the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
Matthew 9:37-38

We at Knapps Station Community Church plant, tend, and harvest crops, but God causes the growth, the healing and the cure in people's lives.
Our God gives us the strength and compassion to reach out to others.
The motivation for our Christian caring is summarized in 1 John 4:19
"We love because he first loved us ".

We show our love for others by reaching out to those in need by phone calls, sending cards, making meals, hospital visits, nursing home visits, home visits, nursery coverage and the power of prayer. Individuals do not have to be members of our church to be recipients of these services.  We extend our minisry to anyone in our area and pray for everyone whose need is made known to us.

Our ultimate reason for caring is Jesus Christ. Knowing this affects our identity, attitude, confidence and perspective as a Christian Caregiver.

Knapps Station Community Church


Commentary:

Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight.

The old saying is that we "fall back" in Autumn and "spring ahead" in Spring. Let us resolve to try our best not to fall back on our old habits but to always spring ahead striving toward Our Father and our eternal home with Him.

This is my 26th blog post, the completion of my first year of blogging.  It has been a great blessing for me and I am so grateful that you have shared it with me. You will bless me greatly if you join me for this next year. I would welcome your comments and suggestions to make my blog relevant and helpful for you.  God's blessings on you.

The Spirit Help Us To Pray
is a new blog post from my friend Jean Oathout.  You may find it informative and helpful.

                 When we follow Jesus,
           we shine with His light and love.


Blessing:

May the blessings of our Loving Father fall on you
   as the leaves fall from the trees.
And may His blessings remain with you
   all the days of your life.

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 11-19-2016

                                    An Amish buggy

Why Did I Do That?

  

The rainbow is a sign of God's faithfulness to us. 

Did you ever say or do anything you wish you could take back? 

I can remember speaking so many unkind or foolish words, committing so many ungodly actions.  

I never killed anyone or robbed a bank or beat up anyone but I have thought nasty thoughts.  I have said hurtful words.  I did some things that I really wish I never had.  

I have asked God and others for forgiveness but I so wish I could take back the hurtful things I have said and done.  It bothers me that I hurt others and most of all that I hurt God with my thoughts, words and deeds.  

I have wondered why I did those things.  It occurs to me that they were learning experiences and I'm trying very hard to learn from them.
  
I’m learning to watch what thoughts I allow to stay in my mind. My thoughts affect my words and ultimately my actions. 

I’m learning to be more watchful especially during stressful times.  I’m learning that I must carefully choose what I think, say and do rather than to merely allow them to happen as they will.  

I’m learning to feed my mind, that is my thoughts, with God’s word (the Bible) rather than the stuff that the world is promoting.  Then I have the “good stuff” (Godly stuff) to fall back on when I need it.  

I will never be perfect but with the effort I have less to regret and so more to offer for God’s honor and glory.

     Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it.

    Keep your mouth free of perversity;

keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

    Let your eyes look straight ahead;

fix your gaze directly before you.

Proverbs 4:23-25

When I look at the beauty all around me, I see the love and magnificence of God.  I never cease to be amazed by His attention to detail and how He decorates the world for our enjoyment.

Amazing

It is amazing how loving, forgiving and patient you are with me, Lord.  Your quiet voice gently encourages me to do what You know is best.  

There are times when I just do as I please.  Other times I am very obedient but certainly not always.  Sometimes I feel like a very young child just foolishly wanting things her way.  

There are times when You give consequences as any loving parent does to teach Your child right from wrong.  Usually You just gently nudge.  

You never fail to show Your incredible love.  

Considering my advanced age, most of the rebellion should be out of my system by now.  But it’s not.  

You were so patient and loving from the time I first discovered You.  You are just as patient now.  

I’m trying to listen more closely and trying to be obedient but I fall short so many times.  

No matter how many times You have to repeat Yourself, You are never impatient, never cross.  You just keep encouraging me.  

You keep refining me, guiding me along the right path, Your path, showing me the way home for eternity.  

How blessed I am to have my wonderful, amazing Father.

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;  Daniel 9:9

                                                                      Crocuses

                                         A raft of geese at  Black Lake, NY

                            View from Burlington, VT

Will Spring Never Come??

Grass is trying to turn green but recent freezing cold stalls it in place.

Trees are budded.  Tulip leaves have risen 3 or 4 inches out of the ground.  Frigid chills prevent further progress.

Even blue skies with wispy clouds and bright sunshine are overwhelmed by wintry winds bitter bite.

Mother Nature is teasing.  She gave us Springtime warmth and then brought back late Winter’s chill.  I had heard the joyful songs of froggy peepers and spring birds but the renewed chill has silenced them. 

Enough games, Mother Nature.  Allow Spring to awaken.
 

Arise Sister Spring. Come and dance the joyful dance of new life. 

My soul craves your warm breezes, the spring green of your new grass and newly minted leaves, the bright colors of your early flowers and your bird songs.  I even miss your buzzing insects.

Awaken.   

Bring your warmth, your colors and your new life.  

Come and touch my soul.  

Rejuvenate me.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Psalms 51:10

                            Bridge at Rouses Point, NY

 Springtime Blessings

May our Divine Lord bless you with renewed faith
May He bless you with renewal of mind and soul and body
And may your days be blessed with His everlasting joy.

    Even in the absence of visible life, there is beauty in all God has created.

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 
  on the top right side of this post to connect 
  to previous blog posts
I post every other Saturday 
The next post will be 4-23-2016
I hope to see you then.  
In the meantime, God's blessings on you, my friend.  Debbie 

New Beginnings

We have begun a new year.  It’s the time for new beginnings.  We want to start over and do better.  We may resolve to eat healthy, to exercise more, to manage our time and money better or to have better relationships with our friends and family.  It’s the time to do whatever will make our lives and our souls better.

There is no time like the present to develop a better relationship with God.

 

If you don’t do it already, read the bible, even a little, every day.  It’s the owner’s manual that God gave you for your life. It may have been written thousands of years ago but people don’t change.  People then were doing the same things that they are today. 

In the bible, God is telling you what you need to do to live the way you were made to live.  Just like your computer or car, you need to read the owner’s manual to avoid problems and to resolve the problems that come up.  If you check out your bible regularly, think of the problems you might be able to avoid in your life. 

Spend a little time every day just sitting and talking to God about your life.  Let Him know what your hopes and dreams are.  Let Him know your concerns.  Ask Him to help.  

And listen for His answers.  Listen for that still small voice that may come from the least likely source. 

God is listening for you.  He really cares and He desperately wants to hear from you. He already knows everything about you but He really wants to hear it from you.  

Your time with Him is so precious.  

Just call out to Him in your heart or your voice and know that He is listening.  

Like any good father, He will answer, and know it will be what is best and when it is best.

. 

Let’s make this the best year yet for our healthy bodies and wallets most importantly for our healthy souls.

For the word if the Lord is alive and active.  Hebrews 4:12
...your father knows what you need before you ask.  Matthew 6:8
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care.  And even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.  Matthew 10:29-31

Snowy Delight

The snowflakes caress my face as they fall
They flutter about as if dancing a ball
They cover the ground with gems sparkling bright
They change the dull world into magical night

The lights from the cars change white flakes to gems
With colors entrancing all living men
The water being frozen in this magical way
With hues of the rainbow flying astray

The night has a veil like a whispery dream
The image implied but not easily seen
It teases our senses, defies our dull sight
The new fallen snow turns our dark world to bright

I open the door and go into the house
Glancing out of the window, the lights I do douse
The fluttering snow creates a mystical sight
Adieu ordinary, welcome snowy delight

They speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty and I will meditate on Your wonderful works.  Psalms 145:5

The Snow

            By Debbie (LaBaff) McEwen written in 1968 at age 18

It falls softy
It falls gently
It falls suddenly
Yet it dominates the world it enters
It changes the dull, complacent earth to a land of enchantment
It changes the brown earth to a white-blanketed wonderland of delight
It’s filled with snowmen and icicles and snowballs
It’s a playground for children of all ages
It’s a font of youth
It brings out the inner self in everyone
The first snowfall creates a kind of madness, the nice type
that makes everyone quite happy
It reflects a special beauty that only snow can bring
It’s a happy, quiet time, a time of thought
It’s Mother Nature’s sleeping time
It’s one of my favorite times
The joy of walking through unbroken snow is great
It can be violent
It can bring sorrow
It can be inconvenient
But for the most part, I love it
It’s one of God’s wonders

May our Loving Father sprinkle His blessings on you
as He sprinkles snowflakes on the earth awaiting His touch
May He fill your life with His bounty, love and grace

And may you bloom with His joy

May you have a blessed week.          Debbie

All bible quotations are from the New International Version
All photos taken by Debbie McEwen