Yesterday, Today, Forever-

We arrived in Canada from the old country during the month of October. Our whole family went to live with my aunt and her family. What an adventure! All the cousins together! On the last day of the month our aunt told us that we as children needed to pretend we were hobos. She put patches on our clothing, told us to carry a bag on a stick, and go from door to door in this neighborhood and holler, "Halloween A-p-p-l-e-s!!" This was cousin fun and we collected enough apples to last the whole family until Christmas! What a strange custom this was in this new land! For an immigrant family this was an awesome help with the food budget. As the years passed, this event focused more and more on celebrating the dark and evil side of people. The day is just like any other day that God has made. I dislike intensely everything to do with witches, goblins, skulls and curses blood and guts and gore, ghosts and ghouls and skeletons haunted houses, slime and more I don't live in fear ...

Saw this over at another blog and decided to answer the questions and add a few more! Do your own ~ the only requirement is to answer in ONE word. 1. Where is your cell phone? Unavailable 2. Where is your significant other? Kitchen 3. Your hair color? Grey 4. Your mother? Aged 5. Your father? Heaven 6. Your favorite thing? Solitude 7. Your dream last night? Pleasant 8. Your dream/goal? Reachable 9. The room you’re in? Living 10. Your hobby? Poetry 11. Your fear? Falling 12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Vacation 13. Where were you last night? Out 14. What you’re not? Rude 15. One of your wish-list items? Cruise 16. Where you grew up? Canada 17. The last thing you did? Really ? 18. What are you wearing? Glasses 19. Your TV? Jeopardy 20. Your pet? Rock 21. Your computer? Mac 22. Your mood? Pensive 23. Missing someone? Yes 24. Your car? Toyota 25. Something you’re not wearing? Girdle 26. Favorite store? Laura’s ...

You are the Lord’s anointed, And you have been appointed To feed and care for His very own sheep. Because you’re His selection He’ll work on your perfection, With love everlasting, wide and deep. He is the potter, you are the clay, A perfect vessel you’ll be one day. It won’t be long if you’ll hold still. This process of designing, Through which you may be whining, Is done in His good and perfect will. He seeks your stubbornness to break, He knows the pressures you can take, He waits ‘til you give HIM full control. The changes He wants you to make, His Spirit works on for your sake. He’ll make you perfect and whole. He’ll mold a little stronger, He’s patient, He’ll wait longer. He’s always there, you can be sure! He’ll use each opportunity To show you your dependency. You’ll grow in HIM, in faith mature. To be like Christ is your desire, And may your spirit be on fire As you follow wherever He leads. Just keep your deep sense of gratitude, With your loving and gracious attitude, And th...

Out of the blue and totally unexpected I was tagged by Lady Dorothy of Daffodil Dreams! I didn't know I was in the game, LOL! I'm not even sure I know what to do! So here are my answers: 1. The older I get the more I have learned to come out of my shell. It doesn't come naturally. There are still some times and some people who discombobulate me. I don't know why! 2. If I'm stressed and overwhelmed I cry to release the inner tension. Once I've had a good cry I'm fine. I know, that's weird, nobody else does that! 4. As a young mom, whenever I felt anger rising for whatever reason, I always channeled my energy to either declutter the house, do the gardening, wash the car, organize the closets, redecorate or rearrange the furniture, wash the windows, re-organize the kitchen cupboards, or clean the garage. I'd be able to get into my zone, work off the building-up negative energy, focus on something else, and feel a great sense of satisfaction and achiev...

Blessed is the child whose parents love the Lord with all their heart. ~It will have a sure foundation of faith. Blessed is the child whose parents love each other and show it. ~It will enjoy security. Blessed is the child who is taught how to pray and to give thanks for meals. ~It will learn gratitude. Blessed is the child who is not compared to anyone else. ~It blesses others with its uniqueness. Blessed is the child whose parents remain teachable while teaching their children. ~It will appreciate all the school of life offers. Blessed is the child whose parents can also ask for forgiveness and who bear no grudges. ~It will learn meekness and humility. Blessed is the child whose parents speak respectfully to each other, to family and friends. ~ It will learn that everyone deserves to be valued, respected and appreciated. Blessed is the child whose parents allow other godly adults to love, influence and pray for their child. ~It will receive a life-time of benefits.

Saw this over at another blog - how true!

Yes, this poor body has aches and pains, But my mind, heart and soul are still bold. I’ve fixed my gaze on Christ Jesus, my Love! And that’s why my spirit will never grow old. Thinking thoughts positive, not pessimistic, Keeps my mind focused His Word to behold. I’ve fixed my gaze on Christ Jesus, my Strength, And that’s why my spirit will never grow old. The sweetest of joy keeps flooding my being, A merry heart brings real healing, I’m told. I’ve fixed my gaze on Christ Jesus, my Joy, And that’s why my spirit will never grow old. My arms open wide with a loving embrace My soul’s full of love, it will not be cold! I’ve fixed my gaze on Christ Jesus, my Source, And that’s why my spirit will never grow old. New birth has made me a princess! What joy! I’ll live forever! I’ll walk streets of gold! I’ve fixed my gaze on Christ Jesus, my King! And that’s why my spirit will never grow old. Karin Ristau ©

I would be like the radiant stars out in space Shining bright; guiding others along their way. I would be like the lilies in the valleys and fields, Just blooming and growing, needing no words to say. I would be like the moon in the indigo sky, Reflecting the light of Your glorious Son. I would be like the sun as it journeys the heavens And chases the darkness from everyone. I would soar on the wings of the splendid eagle, High in the heavens, above the discord and strife. I would be like the delicate snow-white dove, A spirit of joy, hope and love in another one’s life. I would be as a child in its Father’s strong arm, So sheltered, carefree, peaceful and still. Living in trust, embraced by His perfect love, Being secure, growing in faith and doing His Will. Karin Ristau

“Who am I really?” she thought to herself After he preached that we should ‘Get Real.’ Was she not the person she thought who she was? Perhaps her perception of 'self' had to heal. Should she believe what the others have said? The good and the bad? The harsh and the kind? So many friends loved her to pieces. Perhaps did their love for her render them blind? One day to a friend she unburdened her past With fear let him see the depth of her soul. For a moment what he thought, truly mattered. Did he agree she was authentic and whole? Will the real person please take a step to the light! Was the real person the one who she was in the past? Was she all those labels they had stuck her with? Or did telling her story free her at last? Who is she now, day in and day out? Is she the one she always wished she could be? Perhaps she is who ‘they’ gossiped and whispered. Is she just deluded, refusing ‘their truth’ to see? Her thoughts simply rambled and would not keep still. Father, I need ...

How do I conquer the battles of life? What do I do when there's discord and strife? How do I cope when there's turmoil within? When my soul's sad and my heart cannot sing? Who is the source of my strength? How do I juggle demands made on me? Who, what and where should have priority? How do I cope when my energy's faded? When outlook and attitude seem somewhat jaded? Who is the source of strength? Where do I go to recharge my soul? Find purpose in life, to be made whole? How can I give, and, yes, keep on giving To others, and make life worth living? Who is the source of my strength? My help comes from Jesus, God's precious Son! Only through Him are all victories won! His Spirit teaches, comforts and guides, His Word is the truth in which I abide. He is the only source of my strength. I'm touched by His love, redeemed by His grace, Renewed to keep giving just where I am placed. To glorify Him is my heart's desire! Through your Spirit, Lord, keep me on fire! Ye...

Never the first to be picked on a team ~ I just wasn’t great at games with a ball ~ But if they needed one as a last resort, It was then on me they would call. Now this has followed me all of my life, And some would feel sorry or pity me. But I made up my mind a long time ago, To be the best pinch hitter there ever would be. I promised my Lord with sincere attitude, “We can’t all be part of the in-crowd I see, But if someone needs me, yet I’m not their first choice, Help me do my best, and serve willingly. “ If I’m not even last on anyone’s list Rejected by some, not thought of at all, That is ok. But should they ever have need Let me not turn them away; but gladly offer my all. Great treasures, as silver or gold, have I none! But such as I have, a word of praise or persistent prayer, A listening ear, willing hands, a loving heart, If someone needs those, please let me volunteer. If someone should ever have need of my gifts I won’t say no, and I’ll give my heart’s best. Yes, I pray it ...

Builder of Bridges Preacher of Good News Mender of Quarrels A Man of Prayer. Speaker at Funerals Performer of Weddings Devoted Father Who’s always there. His children submissive, To others respectful. This noble task Is rewarding, exciting! A good reputation A gracious, kind host, A sensible person Not given to fighting. Keeper of Confidences Dignified, gentle, Husband of one A trusted, good friend. A loyal disciple An excellent teacher, A dynamic leader There’s just no end! A humble servant No lover of money, Above reproach, Of drink not a fan. A man after God’s heart, In faithful devotion He serves His King! He’s a prince of a man! Karin Ristau

The pastor may be like King David, a man after God’s own heart! But pastors are people too; I’m guessing that’s not news to anyone. I could be wrong, but they too may have insecurities, anxieties, quirky personalities and perhaps unresolved emotional issues. Just like the rest of humanity to whom they’ve been sent to minister God’s love! God calls these spiritual leaders however, to “prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Eph.4:11-12. Wow, we are actually partners in this ministry! We are in teamwork to demonstrate how the Father’s love and grace flows freely to one another. We need to build one another up through encouragement, loving support and nurturing of our faith. We also sharpen one another by telling the truth in love. God opens doors for ways to serve together where He is already at work. Almost every pastor’s wife I know delights when her hubby is loved, esteemed and appreciated by the whole church family. Maybe she secret...

“I just can’t meet their expectations of me,” a friend confided as I listened to relationship concerns. There was that word again. What a feeling of heaviness these perceived expectations were causing! EXPECTATIONS! Beliefs that certain specific things need to happen in the near future for us to achieve satisfaction Beliefs that other people’s behaviors, based on our previous experience with them, will actually contribute to that satisfaction Belief that what we expect to happen, should, in fact, happen in a certain way Beliefs that our expectations are always realistic and the only ones that matter When I was young I understood the word ‘expectations’ to be the same as ‘living in expectancy.’ You know, looking forward to Christmas, passing the exam I studied for, going on a trip, getting a great job, falling in love, getting married, having babies, and so on and so on. Over the years I’ve learned to distinguish more clearly between the two words. Today the word ‘expectations’ mo...

You all remember the story. Martha feels stuck in the kitchen, preparing the meal for Jesus and his disciples, her most welcome family friends and guests. She can hear the laughter and the fun as it floats through the window to the front porch. They are sharing love and fellowship with one another. She would rather be there with them instead of slaving over a hot stove. We are not told this in the story, but I believe that Martha and her sister, Mary, had both been working hard before the guests arrived; cleaning the house, planning the menu, purchasing the food, preparing it, setting the table and so forth. Now that the guests are here, after the initial warm-hearted greetings when they arrived, Martha is the one who senses that the responsibility of getting the meal on the table is largely in her hands. Mary is once again doing what she does best, just sitting with the guests, hanging onto every word Jesus says. Rather than get angry and harbour resentment, Martha is outspoken a...