JUST AWAY

Off this early morn' to head to southern Alberta to visit our daughter and family who just moved there last week! Looking forward to seeing y'all when I get back! Pray that the Lord would provide the teaching jobs for both. Hubby is still with our son and family until next Thursday! Busy times - but God is good and gives new strength, mercy, hope and love for every new day. We also thank Him for the 2 day rain He sent!!!

Hugs,
Karin

GOD HEARS

Someone you love Lord is tired and weary;
Someone you love Lord is lonely today.
Someone you love
needs a touch from your hand Lord,
That’s why I’m here, to petition and pray.

You are at work Lord all over the world,
Yet You stop and listen to words that I say!
I may talk to God! Amazing this mystery!
In Your Presence I bow
and now humbly I pray.

It’s not my prayers that have inherent power!
Words straight from the heart –
weak, honest, sincere –
Are carried on wings
to the Throne of our Father
And HE is the Power!
Every prayer He does hear!

Sometimes when I’ve prayed,
He’s sent me to the lonely!
To show His love, give encouragement too!
So when God listens and hears all our prayers
He may send the answer
through me or through you!


Karin Ristau

SUNDAY PSALM

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

¹ LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?

² He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart

³ and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,

⁴ who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts,

⁵ who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
will never be shaken.

WOW!

Saw a blog recently called Woman of Wisdom hosted by Queenmothermamaw which reminded me of a poem I wrote many years ago. What caught my eye was that this lady is from Kentucky and we had the pleasure of living in KY for a year and half during hubby's sabbatical.
A very special time in our lives.

This poem was written more than 15 years ago
for a special women's celebration
at which I was the guest speaker.

For all of you who need this reminder today -
here it is!

You’re a woman of worth
Loved perfectly by the Lord!
Be a woman of wisdom,
Your life fully based on His Word,
Be a woman of wealth,
As you store up eternal treasure!
Be a woman of warmth
Giving and loving
In bountiful measure.
In valleys, as a woman of weeping
Discover His wellspring of joy;
With praises and singing and prayer
The works of the devil destroy.
Be a woman of wonder;
How God is working
In and through you!
Let your wisdom and wealth ,
Bring glory to Him in all that you do.
Be a woman of worship,
He alone is worthy of praise!
In everything giving thanks always
Your voice of true freedom raise.
Let your sweet, winning smile,
Your warm, welcome heart
Show others what life’s all about!
Don’t be a woman of worries,
Or fears, frustrations and doubt.
It is through Christ
You CAN do all things,
His strength is yours
Each new day on this earth!
Let no one persuade you
To think otherwise!
You are a woman of worth!

Karin Ristau
copyright

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA!

Happy Birthday, dearest Canada!
Best wishes we send you.
May our great nation honor God;
May you be strong and true.
May all God’s people in this land
Get on their knees to pray,
Repent from all their wickedness
Walk on the narrow way.
Each choose to do what’s true and right,
Be honest, humble all their days.
Then God will surely hear from heaven
And heal this Land; bless you always.
And may all those who still don’t know Him
Have their eyes opened so that they can see
Almighty God, through His Son Jesus Christ,
Extends to everyone Salvation, full and free!
We love our Land, our cherished home;
Our precious freedoms – every one.
May all your children give God thanks
When all is said and done!


Karin Ristau

PRAYING FOR THE CHAIR

Just read this post - Praying For The Chair by Jim at A Place For The God-Hungry!

Her name was Emma Daniel Gray.

Just the other day, she passed away.

I think many of us will be surprised to find that the person who does his/her job with a servant-hearted attitude as unto the Lord, a life-time of perhaps not being recognized by those they so lovingly serve, and possibly a feeling of not ever having made a difference, are, in fact, in God's eyes, the greater movers and shakers of this world than those who think much to highly of themselves - and we of them! I know that's a long sentence, but that's just how it poured out of my heart!

Loved the story! I'm sure there are many more like it that never make the news - yet God sees them all.

SUNDAY PSALM

PSALM 8

A psalm of David.

¹ O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

² From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

³ When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

⁴ what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

⁵ You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

⁶ You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

⁷ all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

⁸ the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

⁹ O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

UNANSWERED PRAYERS

Appreciated this article
at Nehemia Ministries
and was reminded of a poem
I wrote a long while ago.

BROKEN DREAMS

When no one’s around and we’re honest with God
We all have hidden and cherished dreams,
But when God says NO to our wishes and hopes
Accepting His Will may be painful it seems.

It’s so easy to be disappointed and sad,
To be so distraught over what we’ve let go,
That we forget all the blessings He’s given,
While we’re pining away
because He said, “No.”

Some goals for our life we may never realize
And that’s a hard pill to swallow.
With David of old reflect on your life,
But let not your thoughts in self-pity wallow!

Remember your victories, learn from your defeats
Give Him the praise and the glory!
Thank Him for all the good He has done.
Keep living for Him, He’s still writing your story!

Serve God with your whole heart,
in joy and contentment.
Be strong and courageous. Be not afraid.
You’re never alone in your journey of life.
God will not fail you! Be not dismayed.

Do not look back! Keep your eye on the goal!
Only what’s done for Christ will last!
Don’t rest on your laurels
or deny your mistakes!
The future looks brighter
than any day past!

Karin Ristau

ONE HAPPY CAMPER

Lakeside hall and cabin in the woods at Lake Nutimik, Whiteshell area of Manitoba, Canada
My favorite childhood Camp!

With the same anticipation I had for Christmas as a child, I looked forward to camp every year! As immigrants we could not afford camp. Our Sunday school offered an exciting option! All children who memorized 152 verses of Scripture a year received all camp expenses paid. Imagine that! What a snap! Every Sunday I recited my verses to my teacher who kept track and assigned the next ones. For 6 years camp was paid! My motives as a child were obviously not that noble. I just wanted to go to have fun. But God saw to it that I received the huge benefit of having His Word hid in my heart.

My very first camp at age eleven remains a blessed memory! Camp Counsellor Ida Hoffman told the stories of Jesus with such love. When at the end of one of her stories she asked, “Would anyone here like to invite Jesus into their heart?” I rushed up front. I understood that my heart was black with sin and that the red blood of Jesus would wash it white as snow. I accepted Jesus, became His child and someday will walk with Him on streets of gold. We even sang a chorus like that. Wow, I would be His forever! That same fall I was baptized because I wanted to obey His Word and show other people that I now belonged to Jesus and had received His Holy Spirit as my Teacher.

Life was not easy, but filled with insecurity and confusion. Many fears, uncertainties, difficulties and bewildering things I kept deeply hidden, locked in my heart because I reasoned that no one really cared or understood. But each and every year that wonderful camp time rolled around again. So what if every meal consisted of a 101 variations of Klik luncheon meat that had been generously donated! The truth teachings provided a firm, solid foundation. It was a time of spiritual thirst-quenching, hearty servings of the Bread of Life, and fun and fellowship around the lakeside campfires! Jesus was more real to me at camp than anywhere else! His awesome grace shone as the incredible sunrises over the lake, infusing new hope. That’s where I still go today in my mind’s eye when I want to be alone with my Lord, down by the rock at the shore. What a peaceful place!

No wonder that when I turned sixteen, even though I always had summer jobs, I gladly volunteered as camp counsellor. What a thrilling way to serve the Lord! Every summer was spent teaching at camp until I married and moved away. Teaching and counselling nurtured the children in the love of Jesus, but also provided excellent ministry experience for me. Lasting friendships and delightful, even hilarious, side splitting memories are mine forever. Camp is where I found the lover of my soul, Jesus. Children’s Camp was a crucial and significant time in my life, and still holds a special place in my heart.

Now as an adult who sees tenting in the back country or camping in a motor home a self-inflicted hassle and cause of stress, I do, however, find it refreshing to be removed from the duties and distractions of life for a time, to enjoy Christian fellowship in a casual, natural setting, and to soak up God’s Word in order to continue to grow in Christ-likeness. Camp creates meaningful memories! This summer, I encourage you to balance your activity, step away from your day-to-day work, enjoy a nature setting and meet with God to explore the deeper meaning of life. Become one happy camper and soak up the SON!!

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE

From Ruth's Blog - check out her many gorgeous photos here

Matthew 6:26

²⁶Look at the birds of the air;

they do not sow or reap

or store away in barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuable than they?

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

IN HONOR OF FATHERS

My father's hands provide well for our family,
In quiet strength he leads and he protects.
Gently he guides, builds up, gives affirmation,
Each child in truth and tenderness corrects.

My father's soul
is blessed with joy and gladness
He sees each one with tender eyes of love.
He finds new strength
while listening, talking, praying,
With God, His heavenly Father up above.

My father's heart is open wide for others.
He shares his faith and is a loyal friend.
Gives of himself in ways one cannot measure,
Is patient, kind, each quarrel he will mend.

CHORUS:
My father's love, a precious, treasured blessing!
It gives assurance for the trials I face.
It conquers fear, gives strength for every testing.
I know his love, his heart of grace!

Karin Ristau

Mel. But until then

PANTENE COMMERCIAL

Trying to catch up on reading all my blog places I visit (I don't imagine I'll ever get done because you've all been so busy writing while I was away!!) I found this post over at Family Fountain. Pop over for a visit to Warren's blog to see this video! Very creative........had tears in my eyes.....