Yesterday, Today, Forever-

I thank you, dear God, that I’m not like Thomas, Questioning, doubting, distrustful again. Thank you that I’m confident, positive, and so assured, And my life every day honours your name. I thank you, dear God, that I’m not like Peter, Impulsive and brash. What a character flaw! I thank you that I’ve been blessed with such dignity And others, of me, stand in awe. I thank you, dear God, that I’m not like Elijah Parked by a tree and feeling depressed. I thank you that I’ve got a fun disposition Have real self-control, never show that I’m stressed. I thank you, dear God, that I’m not like Jonah Resistant, reluctant, and running away. I thank you that I am humble and meek, Always willing and ready to submit and obey. I thank you, dear God, that I’m not like Moses, So self-sufficient, yet overburdened, reluctant to share his task. I thank you that you’ve made me a tower of strength, Just keep me efficient is all that I ask. O Father, forgive us when thoughts such as these, Enter our hearts...

I recall a deeper, darker time years ago and just felt like I needed to share what I struggled with THEN, in the hope that it would help someone who is perhaps there right NOW! Just remember: God is faithful! If the entire world should leave, HE will never, ever leave you! HE will supply your every need! ******************************************************************* I came to Jesus all battered and worn musty memories had my spirit quite torn as they flashed from deep recesses, causing such grief. To examine the feelings and to find relief, I had to look deeper than ever before, shallow thinking would never get at the core. Something had triggered what lay dormant for years! It was foreboding, stealing joy, bringing tears. Inwardly dreading what would be found there I had suppressed it, fearing despair. I had turned the other cheek, so why was I not free, why were all these memories now tormenting me? With a voice full of patience God said, "Come child, it is best to deal wit...

Click on the picture to link you! His Name is Jesus – The Promise of God’s Love Fulfilled by Max Lucado is a stunning hard-cover gift book with artistically embossed lettering outside, good sized font inside and enclosed in a sturdy cover. Although the outward appearance of the whole book is a feast for the senses, it is the content that powerfully shows us Jesus, the Son of God. “He stilled a storm with one command. He raised the dead with one proclamation. He rerouted the history of the world with one life,” writes Max Lucado as part of the preface before he covers “His Birth, His Mission, His Death, His Resurrection and His Legacy” in the rest of the book. This book is a compilation of 20 previous works of Lucado which include prose, personal contemplations and poetry. I like that the best of his previous works is all about Jesus! An excellent choice as a gift or keepsake for all kinds of occasions, such as baptism, confirmation, graduation, birthdays or weddings! It’s filled ...

A picture of my mom, a faithful volunteer for decades! This was her Saturday Craft Sales table - a weekly fundraiser. She is now a resident in the place she volunteered! HURRAY FOR VOLUNTEERS EVERYWHERE! GOD BLESS YOU! A symphony of services Where each one plays his part, Together make sweet melody, That’s really quite an art. Each day you step onto the stage Your skills and talents share. Your love you show our residents. They know when you've been there! You put a smile upon their face. You listen and you care. You take the time to sing a song, To hold a hand in prayer. You laugh together, play a game, And very soon you find That you have made a brand new friend, Who stole your heart, and you don't mind! Those are the joys of volunteering. And you return again, it's true, Because the love you gave away Is coming back to you. We thank you for your active part In our great symphony. Your very presence fills this place, With music and sweet harmony. Karin Ristau

Just breathtaking! And from such a young girl! What a blessing!

There is the wonderful story about a man named Fiorello LaGuardia. LaGuardia is the name of the one airport in New York. LaGuardia was the mayor of Manhattan during the worst days of the depression. He was called “little flower” because he was only five foot four and always wore a carnation in his belt. One bitterly cold night in January of 1935, the mayor turned up at a night court that served the poorest ward of the city. LaGuardia dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench himself. Within a few minutes, a tattered old woman was brought before him, charged with stealing a loaf of bread. She told LaGuardia that her daughter's husband had deserted her, her daughter was sick, and her two grandchildren were starving. But the shopkeeper, from whom the bread was stolen, refused to drop the charges. The man told the mayor. "She's got to be punished to teach other people around here a lesson." LaGuardia sighed. He turned to the woman and said "I...

Our daughter-in-law, Melissa, took this photo of the pretty pot of tulips we got her for Easter! Winter's white blanket has melted away, Warm breezes gently are blowing. Sun sends her rays to awaken the flowers. New life through everything's flowing. Birds have returned with their beautiful song. Trees are now dressing in velvety green. Blossoms abound with a lovely perfume. Everywhere new life is seen. Just as the earth is now filled with new life Christ brings to your heart the newness of spring. Old passed away behold all things are new! Gratefully praise Him and sing. Praise be to God, our Creator, our King! Let everything that has breath praises sing! God in His Majesty new life did bring! Karin Ristau