Yesterday, Today, Forever-

Every December a tiny house on the side table in the living room of our humble apartment in Germany, held our fascination! When mother lit the first advent candle on the wreath, it meant there were only 24 more days until Christmas. The three of us, my younger brother and sister and I, now had to memorize a short Scripture verse every day, which was printed in each of the 24 tiny windows of this fascinating cardboard Advent house. A small electric light shone through these tissue paper windows. It was so exquisite and charming! It was a quieter time when I was child. No one was rushing around in materialistic hustle and bustle. Each day after supper was a time for family devotions, carolling and reciting the newly learned verse. Times were tough; food was scarce; but we had Jesus and a huge extended family and that meant everything to us. To make things festive a small, fresh spruce Advent Wreath adorned the table. Each Sunday another candle was lit until there were four. As Christmas...

Angela was a beautiful baby! Forty years ago today God gave us a perfect little daughter who is now, thanks be to God, an amazing, talented, compassionate, kind and beautiful woman – a loving wife and mother of two of our grandchildren. Happy Birthday honey! We love you! May the next year bring you awesome adventures with the Lord!

Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood. Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of Albrecht Durer the Elder's children had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy. After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the ac...

Painting by Gustav Semler, a dear friend Thank you for the robin's song That sings so sweetly in the trees. Thank you for the warmth of sunshine The light caresses of each breeze! Thank you for the bright blue sky The soothing green upon the hill! Thank you for all the fragrant flowers, The babbling brook down by the mill. Thank you for golden fields of grain that started out from tiny seeds. Thank you for such abundant harvest! Thank you that you meet all my needs. Thank you for the love of family, Abundant joy, each morning new! Thank you for the joy of friendships, All good things, God, come from you! Thank you that you send upon us Awesome blessings every day! Thank you that You are my Father! You'll never leave me, come what may! Karin Ristau

My child, have LOVE even for those who despitefully use you, not just for your chosen few who are very close to you. Let words from your mouth be fountains of JOY , singing my praises day after day even if all is not going your way. Bring PEACE to those who live in turmoil and strife, whose heart is full of discontent. It is to those you have been sent. Have PATIENCE with those who do not think like you, who are so different, who have some weakness, who frustrate you, who cause you stress. My child, show KINDNESS to everyone. Be no respecter of color or creed, but show my love in every kind deed. Let GOODNESS be what you're noted for, Goodness that reflects ME in you, In everything that you choose to do. FAITHFULNESS shows even when you've been rejected again. Never give up when the going gets rough, And in temptations really hang tough. Let GENTLENESS be there for someone who's weak, where you are strong. Be there to guide, encourage, and cheer those who need your ass...

In this fallen world, we will always sin, No one is righteous, no, not even one. In all situations, we do know what’s right, Yet why does the right thing so seldom get done? Why do we teeter at the edge of temptation? Inclined to loose ground and almost fall in? Why don’t we stay as far away as we can? Why must we toy and play with each sin? Often we’re faced with dilemmas of choice! The decisions we make reveal what’s within. Anyone then, who knows the right thing to do, And fails to do it, is committing a sin. What this world needs is a strong moral center! Where can we learn what is wrong, what is right? GOD gives HIS POWER to do the right thing! HE gave the Light to fight the darkness of night! When you do the right thing there is great satisfaction! There’s a deep joy and a clean conscience too! Do the right thing! You will make a difference, In all that you think, that you say, that you do! Karin Ristau

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY! You are the love of my life! Opa, as he is known to his nine grandchildren, is seated here holding his youngest - Aidan!

Draw me closer to you, dear Lord, I prayed Search me and try me and transform me today. I'm yours dear Lord, I submit my will. Work in my life, I'll hold perfectly still. Then you sent rejection by friends I loved dearly, You moved my children so far away. You took home my best friend, who knew my own heart. You opened up wounds I thought hidden away. My husband's illness added great stress. Things at home weren’t the same anymore. You took our house, the best one I've had. My own health was changing as never before. My father’s death rather suddenly, Left unresolved memories which had me undone. At work the boss wouldn't talk to me, Because I spoke out against injustice to one. I became weary and sorely depressed And wondered how this could be? With all these bad things happening now I was sure YOU were drawing away from me. On mountains high I wanted to stay But I know, it’s in the valleys we grow. So whether it’s mountains, or whether it’s valleys, YOU will never...

Received this in an E-mail today and thought you'd like it! You can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish... I wondered why the base ball was getting bigger. Then it hit me. Police were called to a day care where a 3-yr-old was resisting a rest. Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now. To write with a broken pencil is pointless. When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate. The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large. A thief who stole a calendar got 12 months. A thief fell & broke his leg in wet cement. He became a hardened criminal. When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A. The dead batteries were given out free of charge. A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail. A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired. A will is a dead giveaway. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana. A backward poet writes inverse. In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feud...

Every time I go out shopping, I marvel at the things I see. And when I find that something special, I feel it seems to say to me, "I'd be great for your new friend." "How your grandchild would love this!" "One of each for both your daughters!" "Oh, for son or hubby this can't miss!" When I spy a fitting gift, I’m like a child with a new toy! How my gift drawer’s overflowing! Surprising others gives such joy! And if I, a simple woman, Give many gifts, no strings attached, How much more our heavenly Father, Gives greater gifts that can’t be matched. Our gracious God in grace and wisdom, Always gives us what we need. Oftentimes through friends and family Who will show His love in deed. Open wide your heart, receive them, All these tokens of His love! Yes, our Father gives His children, Priceless presents from above. Karin Ristau

Revealing our feelings of frustrations, failures, and fears to others, might bring rejection, but only from humans, never from God. In fact, God works best through our weak position, for then His power is shown through us, His strength is seen in us, and He alone is glorified. Have you ever made a list of your weaknesses? Are you afraid to be so introspective? Will your self-sufficiency be shattered? That’s exactly what God has in mind! Off with the mask! Let’s make a list of all the weaknesses and circumstances that we cannot change, but let’s go a step further and contrast our list of weaknesses, with a list of the awesome attributes and qualities of God! Then we have a true estimation of ourselves, seeing God in all His Holiness, Majesty and Power, and ourselves as we really are. Of course, we would much rather that God showcase our strengths! After all, aren’t Spirit-filled Christians always victorious? However, an exercise of such reflective deep thought draws us closer to God bec...

From quiet homes and first beginnings, Out to the undiscovered ends, There’s nothing worth the wear of winning, But the laughter and love of friends. Hilaire Belloc Friendship is a sheltering tree. Samuel Taylor Coleridge A true friend walks in when the rest of the world walks out. You can always tell a real friend: when you’ve made a fool of yourself, he doesn’t think you’ve done a permanent job. Samuel Johnson The true way and the sure way to friendship is through humility, being open to each other, accepting each other just as we are, knowing each other. Mother Teresa Friendship is like a bank account; you cannot continue to draw on it without making deposits. Samuel Butler Friendship is love with understanding. Proverb Your friend is the person who knows all about you and still likes you. Elbert Hubbard The proper office of a friend is to side with you when you are in the wrong. Nearly anybody will side with you when you are in the right. Mark Twain The ornament of a house are the ...

Found this over at Wiens World and decided to post it on mine as well - with a few extra comments. Thanks Betty! Copy the whole list and highlight those you have done. 1. Started your own blog 2. Slept under the stars 3. Played in a band ~~played accordion in a guitar choir 4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower – AMAZING! 6. Given more than you can afford to charity ~~Given generously but probably could afford more! 7. Been to Disneyland/world 8. Climbed a mountain – in Banff, Alberta 9. Held a praying mantis 10. Sang a solo 11. Bungee jumped – I’d rip the rope! 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea ~~Crossed the Atlantic 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child ~~Fostered 3 children for a year 16. Had food poisoning 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty 18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. Slept on an overnight train 21. Had a pillow fight – probably! 22. Hitch hiked 23. Taken a sick day ...

The road once travelled is no longer there; It’s crushed, demolished, completely gone. There’s a bridge still spanning the little creek. But the road has succumbed – its work is done. It served us well those many years Thousands here traveled in bygone days, Winding their way through the countryside; Pastoral scenes much like Monet’s. If it could talk ~ oh, the stories be told ~ Of those who have traveled this rustic road! Some traveled lightly; some traveled fast Some moseyed along; others had a huge load. But now, that’s all in the distant past. It’s only there in the back of one’s mind. There’s a new road and you’d best make the change Keep traveling along ~ or you’ll get left behind! Karin Ristau

The load was getting heavier, the parcels burdensome. “How long must I still carry these?” Who can decide when this is done? He stopped to check each little package. He really had a lot. It’s not surprising that the load he carried, with each step heavier got. There was the time he was insulted, he had made sure not to forget. he carried that for quite a while, and it seemed heavy yet. She did remember once, there was a fight they had, Not sure what it was all about But that was one she’ll not forgive. Of that there is no doubt. And then there was the time, he stepped across my boundary. Yes, that was reason to withdraw with anger ~~ such a tragedy. And every day they added more to their collection; He would not let them off the hook. She had a perfect memory of the other’s deeds. In fact, they wrote them in their book. But something happened in his heart, as he was down upon his knees. One word, “Forgive,” He said; showed me His book. “Here, child, have you seen these?” And it was t...

Father, I need time alone with You again! Before the busyness of life has my thoughts racing, I will come running into Your outstretched arms. “Be still and know that I am God,” You whisper tenderly. Be - just be! Doing nothing! It is not a waste of time, but a wait in time! Still – pure silence. Listening intently! It is not emptying my mind of noise, But filling my mind to overflowing With Your life-giving Word, Thus displacing empty words of my enemies. So that any outside noise is not even distracting. Know – not just mental ascent, But a without a shadow of doubt knowing In the inner most parts of my being that I AM is God, my God, my Father, Who Loved me yesterday, Loves me today and will Love me forever. That is knowledge too wonderful and complex for me to grasp! I'm humbled to think that the Creator of this vast Universe, Takes time to be alone with me again! Thank you Father! AMEN

Growth is more of Christ and less of me He must increase and I decrease! He must receive the glory that I’d want; All prideful striving on my part must cease. Now if I want to really find my SELF Then all of SELF must first be lost. I must be changed from deep inside And never count the pain or cost. Then I’ll reflect HIM more and more; More each new day than yesterday. If HIS disciple I do claim to be I’ll walk with joy upon the narrow way. If emptied of myself and yielded to the Lord. No glory will be mine in anything I do. He will be all I truly want and need He is the One who changes and makes new! Karin Ristau

Recently a dear friend of mine spoke about the simple, tissue paper decorated jar, filled with little love notes, her young daughter gave her a long time ago. She shared how much reading the declarations of her child's love meant to her when they were going through a difficult stretch with her now that she was an adult. She was so happy and thankful for the blessings of a wonderfully restored relationship since then. I remembered praying for the whole family during their difficult time and even writing a poem for their encouragement! I remembered being so thrilled for answered prayer! I also suddenly remembered to again read the little treasure notes in my Memory Jar at home! Nine years ago our second daughter was expecting twins! She and her little family lived so far away from us - a 10 hour drive! We missed them very much. As her time came closer she had to move in with us because the little hospital in that northern town was not equipped for her high-risk pregnancy. Her hu...

Two of my youth volunteers presented this dialogue in a program a few years back. It was done in German. I've put it into English. For presentation the voice of God should be hidden. I'm sure there could be a little tweaking done here and there, but I'm leaving it 'as is.' Speaker : "Our Father, who art in Heaven...” God: "Yes??" Speaker: "Hey, who is interrupting me at prayer?" God: "What do you mean ‚interrupting’; you just addressed ME!?" Speaker: "I was just praying, like I always do. Nobody has ever bothered me before. That’s how I do it every morning. I don't remember hearing a voice before." God: "Oh, would you like to be left alone then?" Speaker: "Hm, don’t know what I should say…perhaps I’ll just continue." Speaker: "...hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven." God: "If I might be permitted to interrupt. What do you actu...

Were there no fools, there would be no wise men. -- German Proverb Never get in a battle of wits without ammunition. -- American Proverb We judge others by their acts, but ourselves by our intentions. -- American Proverb Speaking comes by nature, silence by understanding. -- German Proverb Almost anything is easier to get into than out of. Whether you think you can or think you can't -- you're right. -- Henry Ford When you open a door, don't forget to close it. Treat your mouth accordingly. -- Jewish Proverb One false step brings everlasting grief. Short pleasure, long lament. -- Chinese Proverb True friendship is one soul shared by two bodies. -- Mexican Proverb

Not always, but sometimes I just talk too much! Help me to bring encouraging, edifying words, Instead of words of criticism and condemnation. Help me to speak words of love and affection Instead of vain flattery and ego boosting. Help me to have open, loving and honest conversation Instead of taking perverse delight in self-righteous confrontation. Help me to utter words of caring and concern, Instead of something trite and superficial. Let me flow forth rivers of refreshing water Instead of spewing gravel and irritating sand. Let me always speak truth, Instead of giving a one-sided perspective and half-truths Let me be quick to speak comfort Instead of keeping sanctimonious silence. Where there are hurt feelings and pain Let me bring healing words and affirmation Where I want to vigorously defend myself Let me realize that hearing the other side is always the wiser choice. Keep me from carelessly sowing seeds of strife Where I should mind my own business. Keep me from pronouncing judg...

The golden rays played on the mirror of the lake I sensed you come and sit quietly beside me at the shore. The morning breeze gently caressed my hand. Or was that you? It was then I knew. You were the one! The darkness quickly vanished with the rising sun. My heart danced with wild abandon. I felt like a little girl. Why, I was 11, just a child! Your very presence pierced my soul. I knew you could read my every thought, yet I was not ashamed. I felt your arms encircle me in a tender embrace You promised never to leave me! I never felt so light, so free, and perfectly complete! You whispered lovingly what you had freely done for me. I gave you both my hands and my heart to be yours forever. I needed you; you saved me! My love for you has grown since our first encounter by the lake. You have kept all your promises. The richness and fullness of your forever love is my greatest joy! Jesus, Lover of my soul Karin Ristau