Yesterday, Today, Forever-

with permission from Irene Seaman , Academy Florists, Winnipeg, MB! PSALM 31 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth. I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD. I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my afflicti...

To say a special 'thank you' to the many pastors who provide worship services for our seniors, I printed this poem on lovely cardstock and made it into a bookmark. I hosted a program, which included a delicious lunch lovingly prepared by our own kitchen staff. People in conflict; Going through grief; People in pain Just seeking relief. People in heartbreak; Deep sorrow; despair People in sin Need love and care. People need leaders Truth teaching too. Widows and orphans God sent them YOU. People need Scripture That is not all People need Jesus! You’ve heard God’s call! Comforting words Compassionate tears Praying hands Listening ears Encouraging touch Affectionate heart Joyful smile There’s a good start. Infusion of hope, Drying their tears. Touching their heart With laughter and cheers. Listening is loving. Caring is giving. Singing a new song! That’s ministry living. People need people And you’re people too. Shepherd’s Care is thrilled To have pastors like you! Your servant he...

IT IS JESUS Verse 1 In my heart shines Light that’s brighter than a sunrise! It is Jesus! It is Jesus! Never can the works of darkness with its bold lies, Stop the radiance of this Light within my heart. CHORUS: It is Jesus, It is Jesus! He’s the Son of God! The Sun of righteousness! When the lights of day and night fade in their glory Jesus Christ, is still the Bright and Morning Star. Verse 2 Who has called us out of darkness to sing praises? It is Jesus! It is Jesus! For He opens eyes, forgives our sins, and saves us. So proclaim the Light, the Way, the Truth, the Life! Verse 3 For He changes not, He’s not like shifting shadows. It is Jesus! It is Jesus! He will be your strength and comfort in life’s sorrows, Hand in hand He’ll light your path to heaven’s home! English Lyrics by Karin Ristau Can be sung to the German Song, "Es ist Jesus"

Let me be so heavenly minded That I am more earthly good. Let me focus my eyes first on Jesus, And then do the things that I should. Let me serve You, my Lord, not out of duty, Rather cultivate healthy habits of heart. Let the fruit of the Spirit be seen in me daily Might I have the courage to do my part. Let me see with your tender eyes, my Lord That there are deep needs in everyone's life. For if Christ is living within me I will love others as I do myself. Let me have ears that listen, my Lord, Hearing the things they do not say. Encouraging, comforting, bringing new hope To weary pilgrims along their way. Let my hands, be your gentle hands, my God, With caring touch, blessing a body today, In tenderness stroking a loved one's cheek or Folding my hands with someone as we pray. Let my feet walk where your feet have walked, Showing true kindness to all those in need. Going where I have not dared go before, To bring the Good News in word and in deed. Let my life make a differen...

“He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).” "These seven words found in John 3:30 contain the entire mystery of God’s dealings with man from ages past to eternity future. “He [Christ] must increase.” All of God’s works are towards this end of increasing Christ. In other words, everything God has done, is doing, and will do is related towards revealing His Son and bringing us into the full-knowledge (epignosis) of Him. The goal is for Christ to have the preeminence in all things, beginning with us individually as disciples, then with the Church, and finally with all creation, “that He may be All in All.” He MUST increase. Isaiah tells us that there will be no end of the increase of His government and peace. In the beginning was the Word, and we can see how God has worked steadily from the beginning to increase Christ. From types and shadows in the Old Testament we see Christ coming into view. Then the Word is made flesh and dwells among us, and Christ is increased yet ag...

Think about it! Is it hard when God tells you (or me), the one who has been hurt, criticized or maligned, to be the first to extend love, mercy and forgiveness? Joseph did that with his brothers! Jesus did! And he wants us to do it too! "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Col. 3:13 The first person to be set free from the shackles of rancor, anger and bitterness will be you!

Psalm 108 A song. A psalm of David. 1 My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. 2 Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. 3 I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 4 For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. 6 Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered. 7 God has spoken from his sanctuary: "In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Succoth. 8 Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter. 9 Moab is my washbasin, upon Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph." 10 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? 11 Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us and no longer g...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR EVI!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! On Monday, May 15th, 1972 God gave to us our second daughter, a beautiful baby! She was born in Flushing Memorial Hospital, Flushing, NY with Dr. Kiss doing the delivery. What an exciting time in our lives! The wonderful women of the Immanuel Baptist Church, where we were the pastor family, held a surprise baby shower for us. I especially loved that they even had gifts for our 3 year old. What a generous, thoughtful group. They are forever in our hearts. Our daughter is a loving, godly wife, a beautiful, creative, compassionate woman, a skilled teacher's assistant and mother of four of our 9 grandchildren! We love you! We wish you awesome adventures with the Lord in the coming year! Check out her blog at Keeping Up With Yesterday! (She tells me that access has inadvertently been cut off by Google. Hopefully it can be restored soon.)

Just reposting my thoughts here. What are we going to do today? I know that I have my own plans perfectly laid out; there is so much on my to-do list. But my heart’s desire is to follow your plans for my life. Lord, surprise me with out-of-the-ordinary adventures. Using my time to discover more about who I am, trying desperately to understand the inner workings of my soul, dwelling on my weaknesses and my need to be transformed, is an exercise in futility. Spending my time in discovering more about you Lord, all your wonderful attributes, will assuredly produce by your Holy Spirit the transformation I seek. Life is not about how you fit into my story, but rather how my life fits into the story of God with humanity. Though each new day reveals another facet of you, we will never exhaust it all. You are awesome, worthy of awe! Thank you for showing me the direction of my journey one step at a time. Your plans for my life are perfect. Your provisions for the trip are wonderful. Your promi...

"The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them." Psalm 16:3

So thankful for having a praying mother and also very thankful for the joys of being a mom and a grandmother! PRAY FOR MOTHERS Lift hands in prayer for new and younger mothers As they train toddlers in the way to go; They need great patience and sweet tenderness, Let God’s great love through their heart overflow! Pray fervently for mothers of our teens; That they raise godly offspring in each family. The most important calling they could ever have; Guiding with warmth and wisdom, wit and sensitivity. Fold hands in prayer for older mothers, Whose children have all grown and left the nest. For that’s the time a mom is needed in a different way; She built their firm foundation; may they now call her blessed. Thank you, our dearest Father, You bless the generations Of mothers who are faithful in serving You and others. As they are yielded to Your plan and purpose in their lives Lord, may Your favour rest each day upon all mothers. Karin Ristau

MOTHER Mother's hands are busy every moment As with love they daily do each task. As she teaches each one of her children Gives an answer for each thing they ask. But the greatest work she does accomplish When she folds her tired hands in prayer, Taking time to speak with God, her Father. He restores her strength, He's always there. Mother's hands give comfort and assurance, Lovingly they soothe a feverish brow. Tender touch will heal a bruise, a sorrow And the pain just goes away somehow. But the greatest healing is accomplished, When she folds expectant hands in prayer, Brings each little one, to God her Father Who heals every heartache, wipes each tear. Mother's hands are also there for others As she opens wide her arms of love. Yes, her generous, helping, faithful spirit Is a special gift from God above. But the greatest gift she gives to others, Is to whisper each one's name with care, To her gracious God and heavenly Father Who knows every need and answers pra...

This has been coming through the e-mail! Have a good laugh! According to a news report, a certain private school in Washington was recently faced with a unique problem. A number of 12-year-old girls had begun to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night the maintenance man would remove them and the next day the girls would put them back. Finally the principal decided that something had to be done. She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the maintenance man who had to clean the mirrors every night (you can just imagine the yawns from the little princesses). To demonstrate how difficult it was to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squ...

When I was a child and a young Christian I was told that my Christian witness was - to be different from the other children. I didn't swear, didn't drink, didn't dance, didn't smoke or go to movies; you know, all the things I didn't or wasn't allowed to do. I was also to be different by - going to Sunday School and church every Sunday, by learning Scripture verses, by saying grace before meals in public, by doing good works, by_____________ (add your own) etc. etc. etc. I don't recall leading a friend to Christ through this method. Rather I recall having a sense of being just a little bit better than others! Over the years I've gone door to door to hand out tracts, to introduce our church and to invite to special events at the church or in the community. I prayed for some people, but I don't recall anyone coming to the knowledge of Christ this way either. In my adult years I found that taking the time to listen to someone in need, showing someone an...

Very interesting post yesterday over at Murphy's Devotions called Hairline Fractures . I agree with Murphy that hairline fractures in many things like bones, glass, foundations are not desirable; not a good thing! I stopped using my crystal pitcher once it got a hairline crack. I also agree with her that hairline fractures in our wrong belief system are good. Say what? She writes, "When a person has been the object of ridicule and cruelty, they usually begin to believe they are the problem. They believe they are defective and worthless. Surely their parents would not lie to them or falsely label them?!?! If they are blamed for everything and labeled by the family as the "identified patient." It must be true, right?" So true and unfortunate that people believe these lies! I've seen when people are labeled, blamed, ridiculed, bullied, abused, etc. that most of them build strong protective walls. Some feel safer, more secure inside those walls. What they don...

MOM - M AKER O F M EMORIES Each mom is a maker of memories In the life of God's gift, her dear child. All precious memories she's busy creating Start with a love that is tender and mild! Deep affection comes from her caring heart. A word of encouragement freely said, A loving, warm touch and a big bear hug, An approving smile, cannot be misread. A comforting hand on a feverish brow; Gently rocking her crying baby to sleep; Kneeling in prayer for her fam'ly and friends; Makes meaningful memories. How treasured! How deep! Daily she needs new strength from her Father - to be positive, nurturing, full of mercy and grace. She should be praised by her husband and children! That she is loved surely shows on her face! The myriad memories her love has created For her children, their friends, in long bygone days, And the fear of the Lord that she has imparted Will bless her in old age in untold sweet ways! Karin Ristau

Found this over at Beauty for Ashes and wanted to share it with you:

I live: in the beautiful capital city of Alberta, Canada I work: as Pastoral Care Assistant in a long-term care centre I smell: my hand lotion. Pretty! I listen: to 930 The Light ONLY when I’m driving; to resident's concerns and problems. I hide: money for a rainy day in my special hiding place I walk: when the light turns green, lol I write: on my laptop now – poetry, devotional material, E-mail, correspondence. I see: people who are lonely; people who need a smile; for miles because I live on the 9th floor! I sing: in my heart before I fall asleep and I sing alto with friends in ministry to seniors I can: have a positive attitude even when others have lost theirs; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I watch: my step – I’m not so sure-footed as when I was young, having had knee surgery. I daydream: seldom, but when I do, I daydream of what might still come and I also go down memory lane – remembering the good, the bad and the ugly, but without animosity! I want...