Praying for someone is good
Praying with someone is better!

Faith

"Help me to believe what I know"  Dr. Dilday

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."  Matthew 21:22


Strengthen my faith O Lord, that I may be free to do thy work! 


"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."  1Corinthians 2:5

Oh my!  I was taking stock of the front yard yesterday afternoon, planning what needs to be done and what needs to be left alone.  Low and behold, there at the end of the gutter at the downspout were two pretty little pines trees, sprouted and growing as pretty as you please.  Well, that is a sure sign to get it in gear and clean the gutters out.  The only problem is that end of the house is about 20 feet to the gutter and I will not climb that far without proper supervision.  So, a good excuse to put it off until I can find a responsible person to take care of that problem - usually my son. 

I have to clean some dead and damaged limbs out of the pear trees.  These trees have been here over fifty years and have to be petted and pampered at this stage.  My pears had some kind of blight last year, previously mentioned here, but they seem to have recovered from this.  This year the squirrels feasted on the blooms and the nuts from the baby pears dropping them to the ground for the rabbits to feast on as they came along.  Therefore, I had no pears this year either, which makes for two years in a row there will be no preserves.  I am thinking I am feeding God's creatures more than keeping food in the pantry.

There are many changes taking place in all our lives and this takes adjustments and reorganizing.  I am thankful for all of God's blessing for all time, but especially over the last few months.  I am thankful for God hearing and answering our prayers when our cousins serving this country were concerned.  One cousin arrived home safe and sound from Iraq this week. Thank you sweet Jesus!

My redneck chihuahuas are having quite a time adjusting to the drastic change in temperatures we have experienced over the last 3 weeks.  They have returned to their cuddle mode for warmth and have been spending more time inside.  They love the hot sun of summer, but that is passed and they are now waiting for me to build the first fire of fall so they can warm their backsides.

Have much to do so until next time  . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Christians

I just received an email stating that 86% of Americans are Christian and encouraging Christians to stand up for keeping God in our country via the pledge ofallegiance, In God We Trust on our coins, prayer in our schools and school events and all the other ways that OUR government is trying to cater to the non believers by removing God from out country.

As Christians we have prayed for peace, for love, for understanding, for acceptance and yet what we fail to realize is that Christians have been fighting throughout the ages for the right to worship and not become slaves to believers of other religions.  Yes, I said fighting - not turning the other cheek.  We all wish for and pray for peace and harmony throughout the world, but that is not happening.  There comes a time when we must be prepared to fight for our beliefs. 

Am I a radical?  Goodness no, but I am willing to give my life so that the Christian belief and way of life can survive. 

Until next time . . .

Happy Reading!
Belle

God's World

We didn't have any measurable rain for 5 weeks.  A mist once when a large cloud passed to our south, but that only made us hunger for something more substantial.  And finally on Sunday, God sent a blessing with more than 3 inches of cleansing rain and then again this afternoon a good shower!

That is what is meant by God's time.  Sometimes we know what we need, we just need to be patient and wait.  God provides in his own time.  Sometimes we think we know what we need, but God knows what our future holds and he provides what we need when we need it.  We are suppose to turn our lives over to Him and trust Him to handle our problems, needs, and desires, but we are such a demanding people.  We don't have time to wait.  Like small children, we want what we want when we want it.  Patience is the one thing I continually pray for in my life.  I need to wait for God and know he will lead me in the direction he wants me to go.


The air is much cooler after the rain this afternoon and I am hoping that tomorrow I can get back to the yard work and the many things I have neglected in my outside world.  I have been so anxious for the cooler temperatures, but know by the end of the year I will once again be anticipating the warm sun on my face and the ability to spend hours outside without being bundled up.

Until next time  . . .
Happy Reading!
Belle

Happy Mother's Day

Today is the day of Thanksgiving for the Mother's of this world.  For me it is a day of Thanksgiving for my children and grandchildren.  The times of getting up in the middle of the night, getting through the terrible twos, the sometimes terrific threes, the sickness, the injuries, the stubbornness, all the trials and tribulations of childhood are forgotten by the smiles on the faces of just one accomplishment.  The minutes, hours, and days of happiness and joy brought about by a child are irreplaceable.

I am proud of the people that my children have become in spite of my inexperience.  My children have provided me with the greatest gift I could ever receive and that is my grandchildren.  To my son-in-law and daughter-in-law, thank you for being the parents that you are and instilling in my grandchildren the joy of living and the love of God.

I thank you!

To the rest of you Mother's and Grandmother's out there I hope you have a peaceful, joy filled day.  Some of you have children and grandchildren serving our country on foreign lands and will not be seeing them this year on this special day.  My prayer for you and them is for a safe and happy day.   May they return to you unharmed with a smile on their face and joy in their hearts. 





Happy Reading!
Belle 

Thank You, Preacher Mac!

I sat in the same pew I did 50 years ago and the memories came flooding back.  With Johnny, Gwen, Billy, Barbara, Donald, Dennis, Dean and the rest easily slouched down in the pew behind.  Janice, Diane, Mary Ann and I would peek over the top to watch them as the good old gospel songs were sung and we all waited for Preacher Mac to call his "Syrup Soppers" to the front to listen to our special Bible story and sing our special songs.  There was not a child in that church that did not know that Jesus loved every one of us and we were His.   He made his children a part of the church, keeping the families worshipping together. 

Preacher Mac didn't wait to teach us, but he grasp our little minds early with love and caring and showed us that we belonged to Jesus.   We were left with no doubt that Jesus had claimed us, would protect us, and guide us through life.  We felt the security of Jesus' love. 

Through Preacher Mac's stories we learned the Bible from front to back, from God's great creations to his son returning to gather us all up unto the heavens at the end of time.  We were taught not only the words of the Bible, but how it applies to our lives today.  He taught us fear out of reverance and the joy found in living our lives for Christ Jesus. 

Preacher Mac was a special man.  He could reprimand from the pulpit without offending, yet each and every offender knew he was being admonished, leavingmany wondering how did he find out about that.  He had a Bible verse for every occurrance and didn't just share the verse, but  could explain exactly how it applied to each of us and our situations.  He knew his people and he knew his Bible.

Our little church flourished under his ministry.  No one missed church on Sunday and if we did Preacher Mac would visit or call before services on Sunday night.  During his ministry we had more "dinners on the ground" than any other time, because everyone wanted to eat with the preacher. 

Preacher Mac taught us to give thanks when God'a sun comes up in the morning giving us another day to His moon rising at night signaling the time for rest from our labors.  God created it all for our benefit and enjoyment that we might glorify Him.  Preacher Mac belived and taught that we should pray continually asking God to guide our thoughts, steps and actions.  If it would not be pleasing to God, leave it alone.

There are many scholarly pastors in the world, but few great teachers.  Preacher Mac was touched by God and it was evident in the way he lived his life and preached the Gospel.  I thank God for sending him to our little Church and enriching all the lives of those that had the honor of knowing him.  This little "Syrup Sopper" remembers.