How's my Eye?

"The hypocrite is like the waterman, that looks one way and rows another; the true Christian like the traveller, that has his journey’s end in his eye." ~ Matthew Henry

This morning I was reading Matthew 6:22...

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!"

.... pondering it's meaning and how the eye connects to the heart. Blue, brown, hazel those don't tell you much about the heart. Squinty, lazy, cross-eyed, don't tell much about the heart. God looks upon our hearts, and the health he is concerned with here is spiritual not physical. My eye, if it is a lamp, lights the way, implying direction. A lamp also reveals what was in darkness, like a flashlight which shines all the way to my heart. What is my eye focused on today? What is it focused on in life? The direction of my gaze, is my goal and my direction. I am to be a traveler with my eye on the journey's end. God's glory is the journey's end. Did I wake up this morning with my eye focused on God's glory? How can my day and my heart glorify Him? If I'm not rowing in the right direction, where am I headed? Lots of questions. God wants our gaze to be upon him, not wandering here and there or over our shoulder (you know what happened with the over the shoulder glance...I don't want to be a pillar!) The things of this world are like a shiny lure to a big fish, but in the end lead to death. There are so many worthless things which can turn my eye, but I have a Saviour who is glorious. Lord, help me today to keep my gaze on you, You are better.

The Day Before, Easter, Today

Changable, that's how I'd describe our weather over the past few days. These top two shots were the day before Easter when we got several inches of new snow. Dakota is obviously enjoying it more at this point than the humans , who've been led to believe that Easter is in the SPRINGTIME...
I was wondering how all the folks planning Easter egg hunts would like this weather. It would be easy to spot the eggs in the white snow I guess, UNLESS you buried them, hee...hee....

Still beautiful even if we're ready to say goodbye winter!

Wonderful worship at SGC, and happy chocotate grins preceded the most anticipated time of celebrating with dear friends.The Easter gathering was tons of fun! Below, the collegiate and almost collegiate guys having a little fun during dinner~ Dinner was followed by an Apples to Apples game with 15 players... all at one table...

Today, we took Matthew back to GCC, it was supposed to be an a.m. trip and prolonged itself to become a p.m. trip. This is a little pony that I always admire, NO, I do not need or want another horse (but he's sooooo cute!) We passed him on the way back, as you can see the weather did change from Sat to Mon.
Now a deep breath for the family as we depart from a happy, busy few days. The Lord blessed us with the sweetest times with our son, with our friends and with Him.

A Joyful Resurrection Day Everyone!

Technically it is Easter, so Happy Easter friends and family. I say technically, because I'm actually still in my day before Easter, just up way tooo late. I've been running around like that famous headless chicken and I'm just settling in to blog for a moment to reward myself with a pinch of peace. We're getting ready for a houseful, and the anticipation is at the erupting point. Things are clean (for us) my toilet's still dirty, but there's hope to do it tomorrow. The baking is nigh to done. One lonely pie with about 10 minutes left, leaving just enough time for a pre-crash post. We've crossed off so many list items (though we keep adding to the list, what's up with that?) I was thinking about the joy that is ahead of us as I/we work. Ordinary chores are more meaningful when those you love are to be blessed with the result. My Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for me, so that I could be with Him.

John 14 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

I know that my preparations for tomorrow are as nothing compared to what Jesus is preparing for his family. As I think of what he was willing to suffer on the cross to make a way for me to come to Him, I know that these preparations he's now making are Glorious. Jesus conquered sin and death and now prepares a place for me. If you don't know the way, remember what Jesus told Thomas~ I am the way.

Oh, How Sweet!

This little guy is the cutest baby in the world, huh? This is my newest little Nephew, my brother's boy. He looks so much like our dad (and his dad) in his baby pictures, lucky little fella! I just couldn't resist sharing. We live far apart, so at least I can oooh over the new pictures.

Life is soggy on the farm today, and in most of this end of the country. The horses will be cooped up for a while. Because our pasture is small the horses can't get out when it's too mucky. They will either hurt themselves in the mud (they don't realize that high-speed stops in mud can cause injury) or destroy their paddock.

Today, I seemed to awaken with some unresolved fear, anger and guilt gripping my heart. It was left-over junk, I prayed through yesterday but it was not resolved because I was not putting my hope in God. (I had responded in anger to offense.) One thing I've discovered as a mom is that my kids are not going fulfill me, their love is imperfect. They hurt me, and I hurt them at times. Will I sink in hopelessness or trust God to make the changes in us? God was mercifully kind to speak so sweetly and directly to me this morning when those faithless fears were haunting me. I read:

Is. 41: 9 "You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
10 fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11 Behold, all who are incensed against you
shall be put to shame and confounded;
those who strive against you
shall be as nothing and shall perish.
12 You shall seek those who contend with you,
but you shall not find them;
those who war against you
shall be as nothing at all.
13 For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I am the one who helps you.”

14 Fear not, you worm Jacob,
you men of Israel!
I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord;
your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

Now the point is not to rejoice that my enemy will perish, but that the sin in myself and my offspring are not my battle. God fights my battles, and never loses. He is my helper and my strength. I am not alone to face my sin or to face arrows, that may even come from those whom I love dearly. He will be my Redeemer to rescue when I am sinking down. A redeemer recovers His property, I am his...a Redeemer restores honor. I am not worthy of honor on my own, but because I have a redeemer I receive honor, when sin would steal it.

The day's outlook was transformed when I went to God to listen to Him speak to my need through His Word, The Bible. Give it a try, it's so sweet.
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Life Unscripted

Heading out the door in about 5 minutes, so this'll be a short hello. Above you'll see a snapshot of life. Our family room to be more precise. So, the spring cleaning I mentioned yesterday has not worked it's way down here yet. I've actually made more mess as I'm in the midst of laundry and the sofa is it's temporary home. This day sort of whizzed by, a blur of baking, horses and MS Word problems, seems I'm outdated, and there's no updating. Sara started her volleyball season this week and is off to practice now. Barry also plays in a league for our church and helps coach Sara's team as well. Matthew's mixing schoolwork with facebook today. We're on our way to our church parent/teen care group and we are the bearers of the snack so I guess I'd better fly... the kids have been dieing to eat the brownies all day, alas the time is here. Well ta-ta.

Who is that?
Love this pic of Dakota looking at his reflection

Sara digs up a skunk cabbage-brave and wild (they stink!)

Oh, what a beautiful day on the farm. The sun is shining, the sky is blue. It's so funny how sunshine just seems to make everything bright inside and out. It is still brisk here, but the horses are out romping and rolling in the mud. If you don't know horses, that is the first thing they like to do when they escape from their stable prison...a good roll in the mud! I'm enjoying it as well, but don't feel inspired to go roll in the mud. We had a leisurely morning enjoying morning conversation with the collegiate. Put the corned beef in the crock-hey I'm Irish (1/4 at least), gotta have the brisket! Then off to do barn chores. Lunch, blog, next comes tackling some mess. The clutter is calling for spring cleaning! It will at least get a start today. Barry has diligently been digging through box after box of old records and papers and purging this week. It's a big chore.


Yesterday was a sabbath rest day. Wonderful worship, wonderful nap and wonderful fellowship with the kids friends visiting. Sara and her friend Peter trekked about the woods looking for photo ops. and exploring woodpecker habitat. Matthew had the guys over for video games, pizza/wings and general "hanging out." Sunday is usually the only nap day I get unless I'm sick or extremely worn out, and that makes it sweet.

Easter is less than a week away now, and as we prepare our home with spring cleaning and clean up for relatives or friends, I want to reflect on the cleaning that I don't have to do. I don't have to "clean up my act," do good works to earn my way into heaven. I couldn't if I tried. Jesus did the spring cleaning of my heart when he humbled himself to death on the cross on my behalf:

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Phil 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

As I dive into the spring cleaning this week, I will remember as I work, the exalted Christ who humbly died on a cross to cleanse me from the sin which I could not clean up.

God's Holy Mountain

I am grateful today, and this is why:

Hebrews 12:22 ...But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

What proceeded this passage was a reminder of how things were, how they used to be before we had this opportunity to come to Christ. God thundered, the people feared, no one could even touch the Mountain of God. God gave the people the ten commandments so that we would clearly be able to see the sin in ourselves which separates us from Him. Have you ever lied...you're a liar. Have you ever stolen...you're a thief. Have you ever lusted...you are an adulterer. Have you loved God perfectly? You are a guilty sinner and cannot approach God in that state. He won't simply overlook our sin.

Exodus 19:12- ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’

But now because Christ has removed the barrier caused by sin (my sin), I can come to Him. I do not fear that he will put me to death for coming to Him, contrary, He calls me to come to Him, "Come unto me..." This is only possible because he paid the penalty for my sin through His death on the cross, so now God sees me with the righteousness that belongs to His son Jesus. I am grateful because I can come to him. I belong to the Kingdom, so I will not be shaken- nothing can separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord. Are you certain that when God shakes the earth and heavens you will stand? You can be sure... turn away from your sin and receive the pardon which he has offered... before it's too late. And if you already have, be grateful today.... and enjoy the festal gathering.

This is a shot our dear son took at college. He's been doing a bit of photography in his "free time." He's taken some very nice shots. My format seems a bit off.

Wanted to update anyone who had prayed for the man in the accident that I asked prayer for back in "My Headache." He passed away last Friday. He leaves behind a wife and two small boys.

The kitty is safely home from surgery, not too stir-crazy...yet. He has to be "contained" for 10 days. We'll see how that goes. Horses did well with their hoof trimmings/shoeing. One horse doesn't like the nails to be pounded in and was nervous, but all went well. I'm going to take a nap and then tackle some housework.
Gnight (in the afternoon)

Scouter gets snipped

Our newest addition to the kitty family on the farm is recovering from his "little surgery" today. Tomorrow, bright and early he comes home. He's a cute little guy who arrived with his stray mommy this summer. Surgery today, as he's coming of age and we don't want to propagate the problem that brought him to us. He is notably scared of the husband, and is the first animal that I've known to not like Barry. Barry is rather mystified at the whys of it all, as he is accustomed to loving and being loved by God's creatures. Scout's favorite recreational activity is pouncing on unsuspecting feet under the covers at night, which is great sport for him until he gets an uncovered foot which leads to screams and blood. He is the only kitty here that does not believe in retracting those claws and so it can be hard for him to find a human playmate.

Sara also saw the doc today and now being treated for an infection in her toe. She's o.k. has to take an antibiotic. The doctor trip meant a mother daughter outing to one of our favorite thrift stores (we love thrift stores) as it is near the doc. We love coming back with a bag of "finds" at a fraction of the retail, it's a ball for us. I'm glad Sara enjoys it as much as I do so we can share the fun!

Tomorrow the farrier comes as soon as we return with the kitty. It takes about half the day to get all of the horses trimmed and shod (not everyone gets shoes.) So it is a loooooong day and I'm always ready to crash when he leaves (and frozen like a Popsicle at this time of year.) We always hope and pray for good horsey behavior when he comes, it can become very stressful when a very large animal is unhappy with the farrier.

Matthew's busy with mid-terms this week and we're looking forward to having him home this weekend for spring break until after Easter.

Saw a big tom turkey out behind the house when we got up yesterday, I took pictures but they weren't blog worthy. Lots of deer hanging out too. Who knows what we'll see out the window tomorrow? Thank you Lord that where we walk, we walk with You.
G'Night All

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,and to walk humbly with your God?

Nothing Like Daddy's love

A sweet snuggle from last summer, a precious moment's rest in Daddy's arms, loved and at peace. I remember fondly the many snuggles as a girl in my Daddy's lap. This is the love my heavenly Father delights in, the moments when I rest in His arms are His delight as well as mine. When I rest here, He gives me faith to trust that He is who He is and is able to accomplish on my behalf what is for my best. Perhaps not the many things that I thought I should be doing when I was not resting with my gaze upon His face. I spend far too much time lamenting my sin and not enough time gazing upon His face. When my eyes are on His, I long to do nothing but obey Him. I am not thinking about my temptations, failures or foibles. I will be tempted and fail and fall, but He is my Daddy, Abba, and will love me. So I will trust him.
G'Night

Matt. 19:14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Haven't been writing much lately, as I've had a lot of headaches this week, but wanted to say hello to the world today as I'm feeling well again. Yesterday I felt O.K. as well, but it was grocery day and that is a big operation of many hours, followed by a crash landing. We tend to shop big approx. once a month and it was the day. It is a bit warmer today (40ish) and the horses are out to play. Was looking through our pics trying to find a springy one, because I wanted to inspire myself and to remember how lovely the flowers and leaves are, and happened on this one which someone in the family took last summer. I just marvel at the beauty God has created. Every time I step out the door I could take a new shot that displays beauty which he has created for His Glory and our pleasure. I'm sure this beauty draws me to think of him.

My mind turns to the contrast of this beauty, with the appalling scene of the very same God who created the flowers and sunsets, his Son's body, shredded and pouring out blood for me on the cross...displays His Glory all the more. No beauty on earth can compare to God's gift of himself for man, making the (my) hideous heart beautiful. Everything our eyes see will pass away. God's glory remains.

Is. 60:19The sun shall no more be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you, but the Lord shall be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory and your beauty.

20Your sun shall no more go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself, for the Lord shall be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.

21Your people also shall all be [uncompromisingly and consistently] righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified. (Amp.)

Three Amigas go Down!

The Message
Ps133:1-3 How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!

What a Ride!

This is what we're doing with our riding arena
these days! What a ball Sara and Friends had!
The horses are happy too (see below)!

Weekend of Snowy Fun

My Headache Yesterday

Yesterday was a very eventful day. Early rise to be to church early for worship team practice, worship service. A great message from my pastor required a lot of extra effort for me since I've had a nagging headache for three days. So was ready to head out the door right away and home to bed, completely focused on myself, my pain, my needs. The Lord had something to say to me about my pain and self-focus. It is interesting that pain is a gift from him which I dare say reveals more about us than we'd often like to know. I left church with thoughts only of my bed and myself, period. Shortly after getting on the expressway home I came upon an accident scene with a little boy with a desperate look on his face and a mother waving for help. It was a serious accident. I pulled over because there were no emergency workers on the scene, and the little boy's desperate look was irresistible. "My boot, my boot," he cried, his snowboot laying in the expressway. I guess a coping mechanism kicked in for him to be focused on the boot, with his own pain, a wrecked truck and dad laying helplessly in the snow. I reassured him that I'd get his boot, and did. Another gentleman helped me get him settled on the tail gate of the truck and assess how he was. He seemed to have minor injuries, maybe a broken foot. I walked from that scene to where I guess Dad had been thrown to, he was in serious condition. His skull was broken and brain exposed, but he was breathing. I removed the other little boy from that scene, knowing these were not good images for a small child to linger on and held his hand at his brother's side waiting for help. I was privileged to be able to hold a confused little boy's hand and hold mom as moments later her husband was life flighted away. As I left the scene, my thoughts were no longer on myself or on my headache. God had shown me real need. I was no longer longing to satisfy myself, comfort myself...a small glimspe of what an hour could be for if not spent caring for me. I'm grateful for my headache and what it taught me.

(Please say a prayer for this family, I don't know how things turned out)