tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50180679601736513552024-03-15T21:11:47.849-04:00THE FRONT PORCH VISIT--A SOUTHERN TRADITIONMarjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.comBlogger466125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-51178941394942241412024-03-14T08:09:00.006-04:002024-03-14T08:11:36.903-04:00CURSE OF THE LAW!<p>“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13,14. (NKJV).</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>“Here’s your sandwich. What’s wrong?” Timmy plopped down at the kitchen table.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtGkRAfDSBmPoKH9wUmURyMaiWKlGS0rCyjlpBOIeTKMttx4-IxlBdQbUSbJuS-J0yDzh8p7DiuMZuRQdEcZ6cHv7w-c07kA0mRDmPcPAN6u0jEXy7a7CE7229faMCFIgbjwUtgz6-uHR/s1600/hitter.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtGkRAfDSBmPoKH9wUmURyMaiWKlGS0rCyjlpBOIeTKMttx4-IxlBdQbUSbJuS-J0yDzh8p7DiuMZuRQdEcZ6cHv7w-c07kA0mRDmPcPAN6u0jEXy7a7CE7229faMCFIgbjwUtgz6-uHR/w237-h320/hitter.jpg" width="237" /></a><br />“Not hungry.” He shoved the plate away. <br /><br />“Want to talk about it?” His fist clenched.<br /><br />“I’ll never amount to anything, Grandfather.” His head dipped. “Sam yelled it when I struck out. With the bases loaded.”<br /><br />“Ouch. Can’t help you there. But I can tell you one thing. We all fail. Guess you got caught in the curse of the law.”<br /><br />Timmy's head snapped up. “What?” <br /><br />“Have rules in baseball?” He nodded. “Do they apply to everyone or just you?” Timmy bit his lip.<br /><br />“Son, we have laws to follow. The laws are not bad. Problem is? We can’t follow them all--we mess up.”<br /><br />“What should we do?”<br /><br />“When we fail, we’re separated. Sometimes deserve to die, or hang on a tree. But the Lord Jesus came. He died on the cross for me. For you. He took my curse on Himself so I might be blessed.”<br /><br />“What’s that got to do with baseball?”<br /><br />“Plan to play another game?” Timmy nodded. “But you said you’d never amount to anything.”<div><br /></div><div>Timmy's brow furrowed. "I was pretty mad."</div><div><br /></div><div>"So? What will you do about it?"<br /><br />“If the Lord took my curse--I’ll try again and practice a lot.” Timmy grinned. Grandfather chuckled, gave him a high five.<div><br /></div><div>"That's the spirit. Proud of you, son."<br /><br />Kingdom Thinking. According to the law, I’m required to live a perfect life. I failed. Big time. But the Lord Jesus came, died on the cross, so I could receive the promise of the Spirit, be set free. He loves me and promises never to leave me. He offers the same to you. <br /></div></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-25361886826769844542024-03-07T08:30:00.002-05:002024-03-07T08:32:09.748-05:00WHat A MESS!<p>“For He made Him who knew no sin <i>to be</i> sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21. (NKJV).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZZcd3hZ2Yp37H-MP4emPAv7m5MND1485Eht_yXkSwxSaiDR09QALZpG-M9ozHKWjKVA4Tg0PazeHyx6xh0yzOa5o_Mp-Orj0INnO_wyMmcM60UmKP_fbb7rDDz4ZD4z0X9dcTMcZ5GLt9RdgQrBYSQVO1o97P8uDIlYEjcT1HKfhVWEc9bRlAdQWUUmWL" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZZcd3hZ2Yp37H-MP4emPAv7m5MND1485Eht_yXkSwxSaiDR09QALZpG-M9ozHKWjKVA4Tg0PazeHyx6xh0yzOa5o_Mp-Orj0INnO_wyMmcM60UmKP_fbb7rDDz4ZD4z0X9dcTMcZ5GLt9RdgQrBYSQVO1o97P8uDIlYEjcT1HKfhVWEc9bRlAdQWUUmWL" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZZcd3hZ2Yp37H-MP4emPAv7m5MND1485Eht_yXkSwxSaiDR09QALZpG-M9ozHKWjKVA4Tg0PazeHyx6xh0yzOa5o_Mp-Orj0INnO_wyMmcM60UmKP_fbb7rDDz4ZD4z0X9dcTMcZ5GLt9RdgQrBYSQVO1o97P8uDIlYEjcT1HKfhVWEc9bRlAdQWUUmWL" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></div><p></p>“No time to lose, Timmy. Your suitcase?” Grandfather tossed it in the back seat. “What’s in it? Rocks? Only be gone for the weekend.<br /><br /><div>“Check the house again. Don’t want to leave anything important.” He waggled his eyebrows. Timmy grinned.<br /><br />“Got your shaving kit." He lifted it. "Not like last year.” <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2CNkAuMQ5XkVZ-OHCWhnvnYHNYmaGLWG1MaOkrPxf6UJMrUm76J4ieC47k1f_m1AhVYGJjHAvZlgxA4LrnSGya5h4ufBHKpVPPYR7GozjmyziN0KmFsr4BIX8ZHVaClErfgxxElKUbbNcJhOZhkt08YwJyiK5ToBXtJusiBya9SQCbK8hPshQPcqxszqi" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2CNkAuMQ5XkVZ-OHCWhnvnYHNYmaGLWG1MaOkrPxf6UJMrUm76J4ieC47k1f_m1AhVYGJjHAvZlgxA4LrnSGya5h4ufBHKpVPPYR7GozjmyziN0KmFsr4BIX8ZHVaClErfgxxElKUbbNcJhOZhkt08YwJyiK5ToBXtJusiBya9SQCbK8hPshQPcqxszqi=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br />“Okay then.” Buckled up, Timmy bounced. “Excited, are you? Expecting a great time with your cousins at the beach? Let’s have our traveling prayer.” After Amen, Grandfather winked. </div><div><br /></div><div>“And away we go.” He turned the key.</div><div><br /><i>Click. Click.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>“</i>What’s wrong?” Grandfather rested both hands on the steering wheel, eyed Timmy.<br /><br />“Battery’s dead. Have you...?” <div><br /></div><div>Timmy bit his bottom lip. “Guess I left the radio on when I washed the truck.” His lip trembled. “We won’t be able to go and it’s my fault.”<br /><br />“What a mess!” Grandfather slapped the steering wheel. “And it’s not stopping us. Hand me my cell. AAA will have us on the road in no time.” He hugged his grandson. “And next time? Turn off the radio?” </div><div><br /></div><div>Timmy's eyebrows furrowed. “You're not mad? You don't blame me? But like our Scripture this morning? Jesus took my sin on Him so I could be His.”<br /><br />“Couldn’t have said it better myself. Don't get me wrong. Sin is wrong, destructive. Has to be dealt with. The Lord Jesus did that for you--for me at Calvary. Now, we're His.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Timmy tilted his head. "So because I'm yours, you're there for me--loving me? Amazing."He reached over to his grandfather, fist-bumped his shoulder. "You're the best ever."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Absolutely." He glanced in his rearview mirror. "Here comes the AAA truck. Right on time."<br /><br />Kingdom Thinking. Like Grandfather's truck, I found myself loaded, ready to go--and powerless. To the world, all appeared well while I was a mess. Then the Lord Jesus offered me new life, His righteousness and power in me. He promises to love me and never forsake me. He offers the same to you. Won’t you come?</div></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-60407096680331009622024-02-29T08:03:00.002-05:002024-02-29T08:03:46.737-05:00THE PLAN!<p><br />“Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for<i> am</i> I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; <i>but</i> God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as<i> it is </i>this day, to save many people alive.’” Genesis 50:19-20. (NKJV).</p><p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsPl9PVg8Xe4fBU27n4-xYoBuhKyM8Sx5qzc8uJu2sm_LtJNBdk8MG9edunKZ-SpLSu_bmr2NPqCRO7dSo18QzLs9H29i8X_SQ1XGtc9QhsnOJVVP9g40N3CG76-5Zsr5bnC7a7lfrNKE/s1600/Joseph+5.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsPl9PVg8Xe4fBU27n4-xYoBuhKyM8Sx5qzc8uJu2sm_LtJNBdk8MG9edunKZ-SpLSu_bmr2NPqCRO7dSo18QzLs9H29i8X_SQ1XGtc9QhsnOJVVP9g40N3CG76-5Zsr5bnC7a7lfrNKE/s1600/Joseph+5.jpg" /></a>“It wasn't fair.” Timmy sat at the table, chin propped on his hand. “Joseph could have thrown the whole bunch into prison.”<br /><br />“Could have,” Grandfather said. “But remember, Joseph had the dreams from God and he trusted Him to fulfill them. He knew God had a plan.”<br /><br />“Plan?”<br /><br />“Yes. The Lord always has a plan. His plan is for His Glory and my good. He wants me to trust Him. My problem is I want to help Him.”<br /><br />“Like the watermelon patch? I’m sorry.” Grandfather chuckled.<br /><br />“Yep. Good example. I was puzzled to see the melons dying on the vine. When I checked them a few days before, they looked fine. I found the answer when I turned them over.”<br /><br />“I thought I would help you. I cut out a plug. Not ripe--stuck it back in so it could keep on growing. I got tired after a while so I quit.”<br /><br />“I’m glad. At least we’ll have a few melons to enjoy. The melons take time to ripen.” He cocked his head. "Think about Joseph. God gave him a dream many years before. Now he was second in command to Pharaoh. God put him in a place at the right time so he could help save God’s people.”<br /><br />“Grandfather, I know Joseph understood the plan at the end of the story. What about the time he was sold by his brothers? Or thrown in prison for something he didn’t do? It's hard to trust then.”<br /><br />“You’re right. It is hard to trust when things go wrong. I must choose to trust God when things don’t make sense. I know He has a plan, for you and for me. He loves you, son.”</p><p>"Loves me?" He tilted his head. </p><p>"Now let me get this straight. God Loves me and has a plan. My job is to trust Him all the time. Through good and bad?"</p><p>"Let's change the wording here. Instead of bad times let's call it testing time. His Word tells us He loves us and will never leave us."</p><p>"So trusting Him--that's my job?"</p><p>"Sums it up nicely." Grandfather chuckled. Timmy grinned.</p><p>Kingdom Thinking. I choose to trust God. A conscious effort on my part because He promises to love me with an everlasting love and never leave nor forsake me. That's the plan. He offers the same to you. Won’t you come?<br /><br /></p>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-46854777625510692552024-02-22T08:00:00.001-05:002024-02-22T08:03:58.068-05:00ARE YOU WILLING?<p>“And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus put out<i> His </i>hand and touched him, saying, ’I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” Matthew 8:2,3. (NKJV).</p><br />“Listen, Timmy, then decide.” Grandfather sat in his chair.<br /><br />"Eli came from the field, holding his arm against his chest. He brushed off his wife's concern.<div><br /></div><div>"‘I bruised it, Naomi. Nothing to worry about.’ The next morning, in pain, he insisted he complete his work. Another night of sleeplessness. Something had to be done. 'I’ll go to the priest.’<br /><br />“The priest took one look. ‘Leprosy. Go--to the leper’s cave.'<br /><br />“‘Please, let me tell my wife and children goodbye.’ The priest pointed in the direction of the cave. Shoulders slumped, Eli walked away. To live a life of painful exile.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW03ChO6rE9KhITXGyad64tq06qtljasbUPhbUKjNZOVDkU5hU2Y_T0lLVRR4zxbW7ofmv-TAbcI6zSHwEEdADykf_M1dmLI1OGj0AKHtwK7wQ_Y0Nxx3PbZbtc4w-s0mp-0opGLcu7lJV/s1600/008-lumo-man-leprosy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW03ChO6rE9KhITXGyad64tq06qtljasbUPhbUKjNZOVDkU5hU2Y_T0lLVRR4zxbW7ofmv-TAbcI6zSHwEEdADykf_M1dmLI1OGj0AKHtwK7wQ_Y0Nxx3PbZbtc4w-s0mp-0opGLcu7lJV/w320-h240/008-lumo-man-leprosy.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />“Naomi and the children brought food, left it on the rock by the cave. The children grew up, married, left home. Still, Naomi came.<br /><br />“‘Have you heard, Eli? The rabbi is coming. They say he heals the sick, even raises the dead. Let’s go hear him,’ Naomi said.<br /><br />“‘I can’t be near healthy people.' How if? Could he take the chance? In the company of the excited people, they didn’t notice him.<br /><br />"Eli ran to the rabbi, fell down, and worshiped Him. ‘If you are willing, Lord, you can make me clean.' The Lord Jesus touched him. ‘I’m willing. Be cleansed.'</div><div><br /></div><div>"Grandfather? Did the Lord Jesus heal him?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Yes. He was willing." Grandfather's brow wrinkled. "Son, we have the leprosy of sin. Maybe our festering sores of unforgiveness, jealousy, and, you fill in the blank, aren't evident to others but the Lord Jesus knows and He comes. He says, 'I'm willing. I'll take your place. Only the healing power of My blood can wash you clean, make you new.'</div><div><br /></div><div>"Me, too, Grandfather? I'm willing."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Absolutely, son. Absolutely." He hugged his grandson.<br /><br />Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus stood before me and offered His everlasting love and forgiveness. He cleansed me and made me whole. Are you willing? He is. You decide.</div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-76142613553546812982024-02-15T08:05:00.001-05:002024-02-15T08:22:12.330-05:00THE SECRET OF WAITING!<p>“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew <i>their</i> strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 41:31. (NKJV).</p><br />“I need to rest, Grandfather. We've come a long way.” Timmy dropped his backpack.<br /><br />“Not far enough, but we can sit for a few minutes, catch our breath.” He looked out over the cliff. “A long way to the bottom, huh?”<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IrAjvotmnpPPRu3-UldWOINhkXabc1eHnlIy0yHdz4dVqNhUt6gy8NWgo6GJ0MeNVZ1fzj3CI_fbCYb2US_PmPcSFxEJSygWRJhloauZBztnDKV1sTIHSQ_GxUCukIuPHUE2WBWkM37A/s1600/flying-bald-eagle-doug-lloyd.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IrAjvotmnpPPRu3-UldWOINhkXabc1eHnlIy0yHdz4dVqNhUt6gy8NWgo6GJ0MeNVZ1fzj3CI_fbCYb2US_PmPcSFxEJSygWRJhloauZBztnDKV1sTIHSQ_GxUCukIuPHUE2WBWkM37A/s320/flying-bald-eagle-doug-lloyd.jpg" width="320" /></a>“A long way,” Timmy echoed. “Will we sleep in a log cabin tonight?” <br /><br />“Absolutely. Okay, enough rest. Let’s be on our way.” He picked up his pack. <div><br /></div><div>“See that eagle?” Grandfather pointed to the bald eagle riding the thermals. "Looks like he’s working but he’s not.”<br /><br />“If he’s not working, why isn’t he falling out of the sky?”<br /><br />“He’s learned the secret of waiting.” Timmy made a face.<br /><br />“How can an eagle learn a secret? Who taught him?” <br /><br />“The Lord gave him the instinct to know how to glide. He uses the thermals to boost him up.”<br /><br />“Wish I could do that.”<br /><br />“But you rest in other ways. Take swimming. When you tire, you flip on your back and float. You rest, let the water hold you up.”<br /><br />“Never thought about it like that. Guess I take a lot for granted.” <br /><br />“God’s Word tells us when we're weary or feel faint, we need to wait on Him or to put it another way--rest in Him. He gives us His rest.”<br /><br />“Sounds easy. Then why don’t we?” <br /><br />“We think we have to trust in ourselves, our strength. But we get tired, sometimes quit.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Timmy's brow furrowed. "I've been taught all my life to learn to be independent. You know, tie my own shoes, think for myself--"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Which is necessary. May be why we find it difficult to wait on the Lord." He chuckled. "Waiting doesn't mean we're doing nothing. Waiting can be an exercise in trusting and believing God is in control and will lift us up on the thermals of His love and power."</div><div><br /></div><div>"How's that work?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"You've proved it in these last few minutes. Did you learn anything? Did you sit and do nothing?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Timmy grinned. "Got it, Grandfather. You've taught me an important lesson. This entire time we've been resting. As we wait on God, He loves me and is teaching me to listen and learn." </div><div><br /></div><div>He hugged Grandfather. "Thank you."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Welcome."</div><div><br /></div><div>Timmy picked up his pack. “Let’s go. The rest was what I needed.” Grandfather grinned.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Both you and me." He gave his grandson a high five.</div><div><br />Kingdom Thinking. The Lord promises never to leave nor forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love. His strength and love renews me. He offers the same to you. </div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-5388705075442608812024-02-07T17:23:00.001-05:002024-02-08T08:02:51.712-05:00A MIGHTY SWORD!<p>“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7. (NKJV).</p><div><div><br /></div><div>“Grandfather?" Timmy poked his shoulder. "Are you awake?” </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg99dmkWn1dHI7YAdXYze5hqzm95UP225p8NXKERQi2wE1h-k1dYmQjEy87_Ku2DArjvfxUk2cBrscFFotI89mZLtfEIJI2vmc0oxiB0-nr9MUxp_pb7iH4UMokth1dvpIgfUq7qmjRcoF/s1600/images%253Asword.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg99dmkWn1dHI7YAdXYze5hqzm95UP225p8NXKERQi2wE1h-k1dYmQjEy87_Ku2DArjvfxUk2cBrscFFotI89mZLtfEIJI2vmc0oxiB0-nr9MUxp_pb7iH4UMokth1dvpIgfUq7qmjRcoF/w248-h320/images%253Asword.jpg" width="248" /></a>“I am now.” He snapped on his light. “Bad dream?”</div><div><br /></div><div>“A scary one. Can I sleep in your room? I brought my pillow and sleeping bag.” Pallet made, Timmy crawled in.<br /><br />“Grandfather?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Yes?"</div><div><br /></div><div>" I can’t go to sleep.”<br /><br />“Have you used your sword?”<br /><br />Timmy sat up. “I don’t have a sword.”<br /><br />“Remember when you asked the Lord Jesus to come into your heart at camp?”<br /><br />“Yessir.”<br /><br />“Then you have a sword. Timmy, the Lord Jesus is a mighty warrior. He is the One who protects us.”<br /><br />“Then why do I have bad dreams, get so scared?”<br /><br />“Stand up.” Grandfather put his shirt on Timmy, then his jacket, hat, and shoes. “Now, march.”<br /><br />“I can’t stand up straight. This stuff of yours is heavy.”<br /><br />“Ah, they weren’t made for you, were they?” Timmy shook his head. “Just as I’m removing the extra clothing from you, the Lord Jesus removes the things that wear us down, make us afraid. But we have to agree with Him, ask Him. So He gives us a sword, His Word, His promises.”<br /><br />“Like 2 Timothy 1:7? That verse can be my sword?”<br /><br />“Absolutely. Hide it in your heart. Use it when needed. The Lord knows we’ll add extra stuff to our lives. Stuff that hurts, weighs us down. The Bible calls it sin. His sword cuts it away.”<br /><br />“Thank you, Grandfather,” Timmy said. “I’ll keep my sword where I can reach it.”</div><div><br /></div><div>"Be careful. The Sword is mighty sharp." </div><div><br /></div><div>"Yessir." He yawned. "Night, Grandfather. Love you."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Night, son. Love you more."</div><div><br /></div><div>Kingdom Thinking. I need power, love, and a sound mind to live in this world. The Lord Jesus gives me His Word, filled with His promises. He promises He’ll never leave nor forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love. He offers the same to you. Won’t you come?</div></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-74866358112263307472024-02-01T08:15:00.004-05:002024-02-01T08:17:26.440-05:00TRUST AND TRUTH!<p>“In Him you also <i>trusted</i>, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13,14. (NKJV).</p><br />"Another long story?" Timmy leaned back on the sofa, hands behind his head.<br /><br />"You can call a halt anytime." Grandfather chuckled.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFmIG9UGtCf-dy5uSYCbmTSJugEF6bGTEAkeR16aio9zALY9bQ1HjknCiPX6tVG7O89jKK4FpBaDgBGCiRhn6ekcfdrrHLwGLzfdEJxzA5xj-RSSH2fwKBAQZ8h8KGT1R8y5uAPKe6638/s1600/romantic-739161__180.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFmIG9UGtCf-dy5uSYCbmTSJugEF6bGTEAkeR16aio9zALY9bQ1HjknCiPX6tVG7O89jKK4FpBaDgBGCiRhn6ekcfdrrHLwGLzfdEJxzA5xj-RSSH2fwKBAQZ8h8KGT1R8y5uAPKe6638/s320/romantic-739161__180.jpg" width="256" /></a><div>"They were great friends. Now their friendship had grown into something more. Soon he would be leaving. </div><br />"Years before he'd get his degree, she understood that. It didn’t keep the sadness from her heart. He came to say goodbye, his car packed and ready for the trip.<div><br /></div><div>“'Walk with me in the garden?' They followed the winding path and crossed the bridge. He stopped, knelt. He opened a white box. Nestled inside, a diamond solitaire sparkled in the sunlight.<br /><br />“'Will you marry me?' he said. 'I don’t know the exact date but I want to spend my life with you.'<br /><br />"The ring fit perfectly. Now engaged to be married, every time she began to wonder, she'd look at her treasure. </div><div><br /></div><div>"'No, not a dream. He is coming back for me.' She wore the guarantee on her left hand.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Was that you?" Timmy swung his feet to the floor.</div><div><br /></div><div>Grandfather grinned. "I had to make sure your grandmother knew I was serious." He bit his lip. "Reminds me of how the Lord lets us know He's coming back."</div><div><br /></div><div>"What do you mean?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"He tells us in the Word after we hear the truth, and believe, He seals us with the Holy Spirit of promise. He is the guarantee of our inheritance. The Greek word for guarantee can indicate an engagement ring. A gift from the Lord Jesus, our Bridegroom, to us, the bride. All to the praise of His glory.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Grandfather, how can I be sure I have the guarantee?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"You heard the truth of how you were saved by grace because you're a sinner?" Timmy nodded. "You believe the Lord Jesus died in your place and is the Truth?" </div><div><br /></div><div>"With all my heart." He placed his hand on his chest.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Then, son. You have received His Seal of the Holy Spirit."</div><div><br /></div><div>Timmy stood, hugged his grandfather. "I'm so glad."</div><div><br /></div><div>"As am I." He squeezed him tight.<br /><br />Kingdom Thinking. The Lord promises never to leave nor forsake me and loves me with an everlasting love. He sealed me with the Holy Spirit of promise. When doubts come, I remember His promises and praise Him for His goodness. He loves you, too. His arms are open to receive you. Won't you come?<br /><br /></div></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-55655836362098006262024-01-25T08:19:00.001-05:002024-01-25T08:20:24.144-05:00TUNNEL VISION!<p> “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:20, 21. (NKJV).</p><br /><br />“Remember, Cing. When we finish our shopping you'll get to choose one thing.” Her three-year-old granddaughter sat in the shopping cart swinging her legs, waiting for Grandmother to check the items off the list. Finally she chose.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTElVayMQgVPjlzyv-gNbAd-DOs8Cdc9tRKTBKHoQR65BxjWFx7pUhDW0uYhC9Jn7aGPqA7-4qfF6jsPZOgGlAKOGEDRN7rMNATMgWVYm_G4a4h_0JoDO6uYLzMhVjBqwOtmjr7DEWY4wO/s1600/46b21b6dc723cbc53792c7679d4daf3f.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTElVayMQgVPjlzyv-gNbAd-DOs8Cdc9tRKTBKHoQR65BxjWFx7pUhDW0uYhC9Jn7aGPqA7-4qfF6jsPZOgGlAKOGEDRN7rMNATMgWVYm_G4a4h_0JoDO6uYLzMhVjBqwOtmjr7DEWY4wO/s1600/46b21b6dc723cbc53792c7679d4daf3f.jpg" /></a>“Love my gift, Grandmother. I’ll work in the garden with you.” She clutched a set of miniature gardening tools in her chubby hands and sang her song. <br /><br /> “A gardening we shall go, a gardening we shall go, hi ho <br /> the cheerio, a gardening we shall...”<br /><br />Folks smiled at the happy child commenting on her sweet nature and smiling face.<br /><br />At the check-out counter, Cing stopped in the middle of the chorus.<br /><br />“Reese’s,” she said. She tossed the garden tools to the side. “I want Reese’s.” She pointed to the beautiful display of her favorite candy--Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on her eye level. Her waterfall of tears didn’t help.<br /><br />“I’m sorry but we have to leave,” Grandmother told the lady working the register. “There are no perishables.” She lifted Cing and pushed the buggy out of the way.<br /><br />The lady looked at her, smiled. “No problem. I’ll be happy to replace the merchandise.”<br /><br />On their way out, a shocked Cing cut off the waterworks. “I’ll be good.”<br /><br />“We’ll return again--another day,” Grandmother promised."<div><br /></div><div> She nodded, hiccuped. </div><div><br /></div><div>"I want the very best for you, Cing."<div><br /></div><div>"'Cause you love me?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"The most in the world." She knelt, opened her arms.</div><div><br /></div><div> Cing's lip trembled into a smile as she snuggled in--safe and secure.</div><div><br />Kingdom Thinking. Like Cing, I suffer from tunnel vision. I stand at the checkout counter of the world where a multitude of choices are visible. Good things promising to satisfy as well as obstacles--Cancer, disease, hurting people. The Lord Jesus gives me understanding He is the One True God. He loves me. He says, “Keep yourself from idols, child.” Sometimes He removes the situation but other times He takes me aside to wait for His Perfect Timing. How about you? Do you know He loves you? </div></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-4788623876957610372024-01-11T07:56:00.000-05:002024-01-11T07:56:58.586-05:00PLANTING=FERTILIZING AND TENDING!<p>“He also spoke this parable: ‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then said he to the keeper of his vineyard, Look, for three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground? But he answered and said unto him, Sir, let it alone this year also, until I shall dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, <i>well. </i>But if not, after that you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9. (NKJV).</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>“Grandfather. The story? Let's finish it.” He smiled, lifted the book.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0rHT-X9br2LjVZfxx8T_XKqhVTqL0Yew3uPcK1W7u2Iyp4Ze7owdIQNk6ahfBCc7NTUXSWGE9mNzTYkxqpDB5eQ_e2PDlDEbx1CwaODEc0K4akwf3v38kYsaAb46kMdJxI4hNJ5TIvtN/s1600/047d53e121fcc26445212ac0b9b66c7a.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0rHT-X9br2LjVZfxx8T_XKqhVTqL0Yew3uPcK1W7u2Iyp4Ze7owdIQNk6ahfBCc7NTUXSWGE9mNzTYkxqpDB5eQ_e2PDlDEbx1CwaODEc0K4akwf3v38kYsaAb46kMdJxI4hNJ5TIvtN/w224-h400/047d53e121fcc26445212ac0b9b66c7a.jpg" width="224" /></a>“‘He’ll never amount to anything. Look at his history,' the sheriff said.<br /><br />“‘No. I’ll never give up.’ His mother lifted her chin. She'd never believe her son was no good. She'd read <i>The Parable of the Fig Tree.</i><br /><br />“When the owner of the vineyard demanded the tree be cut down, the keeper of the vineyard asked for more time. ‘Let me work the soil, fertilize it, tend it,’ he said.<br /><br />“She would do the same for her boy. He was worth more than a million fig trees. She’d dedicated him to the Lord when he was a young child. Was she not his keeper?<br /><br />“She fell to her knees, asked the Lord for wisdom and guidance, and wept as she prayed. ‘You can do anything, Lord.’ <br /><br />“Her friend when asked for prayer support, said. ‘What if He doesn’t answer your prayer?’<br /><br />“‘He will, but if He doesn’t answer as I ask, I know with confidence He knows best. I trust Him.’” Grandfather looked up.<br /><br />“What happened?” Timmy's eyebrows dipped. Grandfather shrugged.<br /><br />“We’re not told the end of the story but our Lord Jesus knows I need to get down to business. It’s not enough to chat with the Owner of the Vineyard. He knows me and wants me to see what He can do when I trust Him.” <div><br /></div><div>Timmy tilted his head. “What about digging around the tree?”</div><div><br /></div><div>Grandfather smiled. “Ahh. That's me, on my knees, pouring out my heart in prayer--tending and fertilizing.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Timmy grinned, hugged his grandfather. “Love you.” Grandfather hugged him tight.<br /><br />Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus promises never to leave nor forsake me even when I'm the most pitiful tree in the vineyard. His love for me, the most powerful ingredient, is the secret of bearing fruit as I am tended. He offers His love to you. Think about that!</div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-34139391211371864992024-01-04T08:05:00.000-05:002024-01-04T08:05:59.555-05:00THE BLOSSOMING ROSE!<p>“The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing.” Isaiah 35:1. (NKJV).</p><p><br /></p><p>“Look, Grandfather. A Cherokee Rose. On the side of the road.”</p>“You’re right, Cing. Your grandmother will love it. It grows wild in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Beautiful, isn’t it?” Grandfather dug a small root of the rose. “A gift for my bride.” He winked.<br /><br />“Ouch! It may be beautiful but these thorns hurt.”<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWznXnwGxI-zILMw5BT7ctLNriYO4pICxjJVrD4-ZT-Ja3imC9bQZfXrCmg0vpWdZVuDTxE3B6owzIvub0-RzZjv0G5BsmQ3g4_xyK7BRgG62uZjea_Gipp_Z8QGTJ9BUufMGpnVeGZUgp/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWznXnwGxI-zILMw5BT7ctLNriYO4pICxjJVrD4-ZT-Ja3imC9bQZfXrCmg0vpWdZVuDTxE3B6owzIvub0-RzZjv0G5BsmQ3g4_xyK7BRgG62uZjea_Gipp_Z8QGTJ9BUufMGpnVeGZUgp/s200/IMG_0572.JPG" width="150" /></a>Grandfather chuckled. “Even with these gloves.”<br /><br />Back home, Grandfather selected a spot beside the garden shed, an oak tree nearby. “Let’s get this rose planted. Hold it steady.”<br /><br />“Will it bloom soon?”<br /><br />“Hope so. We’ll tend it, give it plenty of TLC.”<br /><br />Years passed. Healthy leaves. No blooms. Until a hurricane hit the lowcountry, bringing down several trees. Still, the rose clung to the oak tree by the shed.<br /><br />The following spring, Cing called. “Grandfather, come quick. You’re not going to believe this.”<br /><br />She ran ahead. “Look.” <br /><br />On the edge of the garden shed, entwined in the oak limbs, <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikeSRvk6287FTNiTZyDF_wN-uvhEH0MoHnOVfFtSyNaTYlHaQ_BuI0iJBf-_CJ3C2k5qk6doiH2jcDyd2MM8OiJZ5HeXsvHGxAVOurjSJE-sGDM2Gd43VD-Z7_pkETG6eotVd5cKJictvX_m2bLs6Q6hcBdHWkRE8wseuA7XyfOnCNH1uyyX_WrLkL5lLB" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikeSRvk6287FTNiTZyDF_wN-uvhEH0MoHnOVfFtSyNaTYlHaQ_BuI0iJBf-_CJ3C2k5qk6doiH2jcDyd2MM8OiJZ5HeXsvHGxAVOurjSJE-sGDM2Gd43VD-Z7_pkETG6eotVd5cKJictvX_m2bLs6Q6hcBdHWkRE8wseuA7XyfOnCNH1uyyX_WrLkL5lLB=w320-h214" width="320" /></a></div>the Cherokee Rose bloomed.</div><div><br />“Amazing.” He looked at the space created by the downed trees. <br /><div><br /></div><div>“Why did it wait so long to bloom, Grandfather?”</div><div><br /></div><div>“Didn't have enough sunlight to nourish it properly.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Cing chewed on her lip. “You're saying we need hurricanes to make room for our rose to bloom?” She placed her hand over her heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>“Couldn't have put it better, Cing. Or maybe I'll change your name to Rose. What do you think?”</div><div><br /></div><div>“I think I'll go fetch your bride.” She chuckled as Grandfather grinned.</div><div><br /></div><div>“You do that!”</div><div><br /></div><div>Kingdom Thinking. When storms come, I look at the damage and clean up. But storms bring changes that let the light shine in. Changes that allow me to see the Lord Jesus loves me with an everlasting love. He promises never to leave nor forsake me, especially in the storms of life. He promises the same to you. Won’t you come to Him? <br /></div></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-7665976954312014112023-12-28T08:11:00.003-05:002023-12-28T08:26:26.098-05:00THE PERFECT SACRIFICE!<p> “Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present <i>Him</i> to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, <i>Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord</i>), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, <i>A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” </i>Luke 2:22. (NKJV).</p><i><br /></i>“But isn't Jesus God?” Grandfather nodded. “Then why present Him to the Lord in Jerusalem?”<br /><br />“The law stated every firstborn male is holy to the Lord. His parents fulfilled the law when they presented Him at the Temple.”<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJf5ieFfYdedy7K11bL_wGEnZcDQY__-eiAMyjaCRmSRCqdndAVCQl-JBln6-kIRupAyIqtAlnWiahCfk5FCZPeu9YMZPJ-1VRbOOjp77XOCzI7E699pLCkCAyWCvHdTqcplK27rZgL21P/s1600/Christ+presented+at+temple.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJf5ieFfYdedy7K11bL_wGEnZcDQY__-eiAMyjaCRmSRCqdndAVCQl-JBln6-kIRupAyIqtAlnWiahCfk5FCZPeu9YMZPJ-1VRbOOjp77XOCzI7E699pLCkCAyWCvHdTqcplK27rZgL21P/w320-h213/Christ+presented+at+temple.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqC32KPWgdKlBndxZiQB3uzkRxe-L6tpq_gLE4XqVwf_EO-av5rtnbumKxsuqVrbbGggfrau48an5QUg1_Qb4wwT-aEUL14crzfBYBGhgQcunFMBY_jVNOdfAfsJgENboQGvbzvO0RTmt/s1600/AT+THE+TEMPLE.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><div>“So the sacrifice was for Him?” Grandfather shook his head. “I don’t get it.”</div><br />“The sacrifice was for the new mother. She would offer a pair of turtledoves and be declared ceremonially clean.”<br /><br />“Wait, Grandfather. I thought the Lord Jesus was the sacrifice for sin.”<br /><br />“You’re right. But this was before He died on the cross. Think about it. Mary had to offer a sacrifice for her sins. All she could afford were two turtledoves, while in her arms, she held the Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world.”<br /><br />Silence.<br /><br />“Timmy?”<br /><br />“Umm, it’s awesome when you think about it,” his eyebrows dipped. “But hard to understand.”<br /><br />Grandfather put his arm around Timmy’s shoulders. “We don’t have to understand to praise Him and be thankful. He knows our hearts, son, and we need Someone perfect to offer Himself in our place.” </div><div><br /></div><div>“To think He loves us that much. Still think it's hard to understand.”</div><div><br /></div><div>“Totally agree,” Grandfather said as he hugged his grandson.<br /><br />Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus provided the way by offering Himself as my sacrifice. He loves me and promises never to leave nor forsake me. He offers the same to you. Think about it!</div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-81555598541448208112023-12-14T08:05:00.000-05:002023-12-14T08:07:29.917-05:00HEART-LOVE!<p>“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7. (NKJV).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAGC46FDraCdpU815RoFn3RpXVLF5MsdEv4h0-cqX-O63pPpiOLqc60IO7vUYKE-bQfGd7w-PiGjYIQt6zrXjYSjiHqSs6cjBzOjPTw96Np8Rl6LS-9PNqUzrCPSdzFrc0muGbBF6cieJ/s1600/village-nativity-586796__340.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAGC46FDraCdpU815RoFn3RpXVLF5MsdEv4h0-cqX-O63pPpiOLqc60IO7vUYKE-bQfGd7w-PiGjYIQt6zrXjYSjiHqSs6cjBzOjPTw96Np8Rl6LS-9PNqUzrCPSdzFrc0muGbBF6cieJ/w400-h264/village-nativity-586796__340.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />“Donkey, cow, lamb. I like the animals to look at the Baby Jesus, Grandfather.”<br /><br />“And the boy with an orange in his hand?”<br /><br />Timmy grinned. “It’s the only small boy I had. Baby Jesus won’t like the orange?”<br /><br />“He’ll love it if the gift is ‘heart-love.’ That’s why He came, to be born in a stable, to live a perfect life. See the lamb in the stable?” Timmy nodded.<br /><br />“The lamb, perfect and unblemished, was the sacrifice for sins. At the perfect time in history, the Lord God sent His Son into the world to be the sacrificial Lamb who would die for our sins.”<br /><br />“That’s hard to understand.”<br /><br />“Indeed it is. Down through the centuries, people refused to believe because they didn't understand. But that doesn’t change the promise of God. The Lord Jesus is the perfect sacrifice, the only one recognized by the Lord God.”<br /><br />“So ‘heart-love’ is when our hearts love God and others?”<div><br /></div><div>Grandfather smiled. "God is Love and He began the 'heart-love' when He sent His Son to take my place."</div><div><br /></div><div>"'Heart-love' for me, too?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Absolutely."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Wow. With all the people in the world, that's a lot of 'heart-love.'</div><div><br /></div><div>"Indeed, son."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Can we share it with Mr. Brunson? He's sad and I'd like to tell him about heart-love." </div><div><br /></div><div>Grandfather grabbed his jacket. "Ready when you are."<br /><br />Kingdom Thinking. From the manger to Calvary, the Lord Jesus prepared the way for whosoever believes in Him. He loves us “who’s” with an everlasting love. He promises never to leave nor forsake us. He offers you a room in His Inn. Won’t you come?<br /></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-82388373098401775232023-12-07T08:19:00.005-05:002023-12-07T08:20:36.982-05:00INTERRUPTED BY JOY!<p><br />“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10,11. (NKJV).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguhxAH8O292F_5CDGqByO7QhG3BW8asj0S06L4-f7RMwkxOg-nSld5Jfr_RY24Vv6DMuAhTTbuPk7Y7ajxCG3BtTcxErPMZeGm61_RiwWnNB0pjfzc5AFXGM6bNwYAKgs14YwM41JdiKb_TOefre11bGMCuvCxYjypvJtaLA_v0NpxW6GHvD0VkOZgm_uo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />“There. The bright star in the evening sky,” Grandfather pointed into the heavens. “See it?“<br /><br />“Wow. It’s amazing.” Timmy gazed upward.<br /><br />"As bright and beautiful as it is, it doesn’t compare to the light the shepherds saw that night."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUMb4aP_XuhDlHzDRF7F5QFIyI2Pg9OrGTovxCtOoYNSjUgNdZCkqZTwTrkPY1qrZn2H4UE3VivaZ23d0qtOgssI_k-7MgXyM6PnPWRpenHuiRhNIYgj-wRK0MYYhnnELDV5ikne74sS5kRkwbtSXBCHB4DcO3ipcSzKGV9DoqmL2tme63Pvm2qX87c1ZI" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="640" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUMb4aP_XuhDlHzDRF7F5QFIyI2Pg9OrGTovxCtOoYNSjUgNdZCkqZTwTrkPY1qrZn2H4UE3VivaZ23d0qtOgssI_k-7MgXyM6PnPWRpenHuiRhNIYgj-wRK0MYYhnnELDV5ikne74sS5kRkwbtSXBCHB4DcO3ipcSzKGV9DoqmL2tme63Pvm2qX87c1ZI=w320-h181" width="320" /></a></div>“I’d have been terrified.”<div><br /></div><div> Grandfather chuckled. “You could say the same for them. They were watching over the sheep when suddenly light flooded them and an angel of the Lord told them not to be afraid..."<div><br />“Why didn’t the angel come to them during the day? Think that would have helped?”<br /><br />“Don’t think so, Timmy. God had been silent for a long time. The Romans were in charge of the country. Times were bad. The future seemed bleak.”<br /><br />“That’s when we need the light, right?”<br /><br />“Absolutely. Hopelessness cripples us, causes us to doubt. When we’re interrupted by joy, the light shines the brightest.”<br /><br />“Wonder what it was like? To hear the angel of the Lord bring the good news?”<br /><br />“Just a minute. You do realize this event filters down to us today?” Grandfather tilted his head, his left eyebrow cocked.<br /><br />“Don’t understand.”<br /><br />“This good news wasn’t only for the shepherds. The angel declared the message for all people. That’s you and me.” He put his arm around Timmy’s shoulders, smiling at his look of awe.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Me? Never thought of it like that." He looked into Grandfather's face. "Wow! Who do we tell?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"The next person we meet." </div><div><br /></div><div>Timmy grabbed Grandfather's hand. "What are we waiting for? Let's go."<br /><br />Kingdom Thinking. I was interrupted by joy the moment I realized the Lord Jesus included me. The tidings of great joy because of His great love is for all people. That includes you. Isn't that the best news ever?<br /></div></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-50964606411322088742023-11-30T07:58:00.000-05:002023-11-30T08:00:00.449-05:00A NEW DAY!<p>“<i>Through</i> the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. <i>They are </i>new every morning; Great<i> is</i> Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22, 23. (NKJV).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47ELhyphenhyphenpiALBOTPUAtTWcM37DV2diXBkfgEb9zf-5SSmlssdl0NY5JqPgKdMrvwGJDf4OJtjELh49q1q43PuIYA_Zdt3CwYSAG01w_T0fElYycwuBJkxSm5wx3UlGjkY4lWAxPafxZnT8e/s1600/Unknown%253Asunrise1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47ELhyphenhyphenpiALBOTPUAtTWcM37DV2diXBkfgEb9zf-5SSmlssdl0NY5JqPgKdMrvwGJDf4OJtjELh49q1q43PuIYA_Zdt3CwYSAG01w_T0fElYycwuBJkxSm5wx3UlGjkY4lWAxPafxZnT8e/s200/Unknown%253Asunrise1.jpg" width="200" /></a>“Grandfather. I don’t know what to do.” Timmy came into the kitchen as Grandfather poured a cup of coffee.<br /><br />“The nightmare again, son?”<br /><br />Timmy put his head in his hands. “Always the same. The fire's burning my hands. I can't put it out no matter what I try.”<br /><br /><div>Grandfather looked into his grandson's tortured eyes, prayed. <i>Lord, tell me what to say. Please set him free.</i><br /><br />Timmy continued, “I prayed but I--”<br /><br />“We’re going about this all wrong. You’ve asked forgiveness?” Timmy nodded. “In 1 John 1:9, God’s Word tells us He forgives us and cleanses us. So you’re forgiven.”<br /><br />“Then why these dreams?” Timmy brow furrowed.<br /><br />“The enemy is torturing you. He remembers the things that scare us but The Lord Jesus chooses to forget them, to wash us clean. Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed. His compassions are new every morning.”<br /><br />“What can I do?”<br /><br />“Grab your pad and pencil. First, write down the dream, then we’ll pray over it. Next, write your prayer to the Lord Jesus across the written dream. Be sure to put His name across it.”<br /><br />“I don’t see how that will help--”</div><div><br /></div><div>"Sometimes we need to see our prayer to Him. Lay it down before Him. In black and white.<br /><br />“His promises are faithful and true. When our lives look dark and impossible, our Lord's mercies never leave us. Sit, son. Write it down.”</div><div><br /></div><div>"Done. Now what?" </div><div><br /></div><div>"We put it in His Hands. He is Faithful."</div><div><br /></div><div>"I just transferred it to Him?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Indeed, son." He hugged his grandson. "A new day."<br /><br />Kingdom thinking. Nightmares that come from life’s journey often stalk me. But the Lord Jesus is more powerful. His mercies never fail. He promises to love me with an everlasting love and never leave nor forsake me. His compassion gives me a new day. He promises the same to you. Won’t you come?<br /></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-76265264867457608552023-11-23T07:47:00.000-05:002023-11-23T07:47:07.637-05:00THE FLAVOR OF THANKS!<p>“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. (NKJV).</p><br />“In everything?” Timmy tilted his head.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgres3gUJnBc5h5ekzlpZlLtQBtJfAvjctTsxbrMGoLv4wwrYQhqt2PoqxdFlxrl29fqUICEL30UXmM8cqzrwvLtnIa-wGZSWRCy5vj1R_nj50nGkKpyIA8xSHkwvjwWAGB5ZyYGj9aT7kG/s1600/Unknown.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgres3gUJnBc5h5ekzlpZlLtQBtJfAvjctTsxbrMGoLv4wwrYQhqt2PoqxdFlxrl29fqUICEL30UXmM8cqzrwvLtnIa-wGZSWRCy5vj1R_nj50nGkKpyIA8xSHkwvjwWAGB5ZyYGj9aT7kG/w320-h194/Unknown.jpg" width="320" /></a>“Even bad things?” His shoulders drooped. “When I don’t feel like it?”<br /><br />“Yes, son,” Grandfather said. “Now mind you, I didn’t say it was easy but it’s necessary.”<br /><br /><div>Grandfather smiled. “I have a Thanks Box on the kitchen table. Each time you follow the Thanks Rule, you’re allowed to open it. What do you say?”<br /><br />“I don’t know, Grandfather. Sounds silly to have a Thanks Box. What will my friends say?”<br /><br />Grandfather rubbed the back of his neck. “You decide what’s more important--giving thanks in everything or pleasing your friends.”<br /><br />“I’ll wait. Okay if I go over to Sam’s?” At Grandfather’s nod, he left.<br /><br />Later that afternoon Timmy came into the kitchen, jerked to a stop. “Grandfather, is that the Thanks Box on the table?” He leaned close. “Sure is wrapped nice.”<br /><br />“There’s one way to find out what’s inside,” Grandfather leaned against the door frame. “But you must follow the rules.”<br /><br />Timmy stared at the box, turned on his heel. At the kitchen door, he did an about-face. “I’m sorry I was stubborn. Thank you for loving me, Grandfather.”<br /><br />“Check out the Thanks Box. Go on. Open it.” Grandfather laughed as Timmy flushed with pleasure.<br /><br />“All kinds of chocolates,” he said.<br /><br />“Not all your favorites but they’re chocolateS.”</div><div><br /></div><div>“Just think, Grandfather. I would’ve missed this if I didn't give thanks. He popped the chocolate-covered caramel in his mouth, closed his eyes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eyes wide flew open. “Grandfather, wonder what I’ve missed by not giving thanks?”</div><div><br /></div><div>Grandfather smiled. “Guess we’ll never know but that can change.”</div><div><br /></div><div>“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” He hugged his grandfather.</div><div><br />Kingdom Thinking. Giving thanks in everything doesn’t mean I manipulate the Lord. The wonderful result of rejoicing and giving thanks is the change in my flavor of thanks--my attitude. The Lord Jesus promises to love me and never leave nor forsake me. He offers the same to you. <br /></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-39724401066036937482023-11-16T08:03:00.001-05:002023-11-16T08:03:25.916-05:00ALLOWED TO SEE!<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">“And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ Then He touched their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith let it be to you.’ And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying 'See that no one knows it.'” Matthew 9:28-30. (NKJV).</span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />“Grandfather, they saw after the Lord Jesus touched them?”<br /><br />“They did.”<br /><br />"If they were blind, how did they know Jesus?”<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaB-wJ4jrl9M5IBLOoICIoJheh3vxtmK2NEjgboXbTcnvlY_yISm2P-DkBQDzWXX0_MkkDVxy4qr421o5MmWEz_6dGURdsj6ZSRfZJ29NXeofo73dqPcsB9BnIvfbbI7YxWl5I0B0Y4WP7/s1600/80_jesus-heals-a-man-born-blind_1800x1200_72dpi_2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaB-wJ4jrl9M5IBLOoICIoJheh3vxtmK2NEjgboXbTcnvlY_yISm2P-DkBQDzWXX0_MkkDVxy4qr421o5MmWEz_6dGURdsj6ZSRfZJ29NXeofo73dqPcsB9BnIvfbbI7YxWl5I0B0Y4WP7/w320-h213/80_jesus-heals-a-man-born-blind_1800x1200_72dpi_2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Maybe someone told them or they recognized His voice?” Timmy tilted his head.<br /><br />“Why didn't He give them new eyes? Why'd they have to ask?” Grandfather leaned back in his chair, a twinkle in his eye.<br /><br />"Remember the morning you tangled the cord to your kite?" Timmy nodded. "The more you tried, the more tangled it became--one big mess." Grandfather chuckled.<br /><br />"Finally I asked you for help." Timmy grinned and you said, ‘Do you really want my help?'"<br /><br />"Right. Once you agreed and believed I could untangle the cord, you trusted me with it. <br /><br />“The Lord Jesus wants us to trust Him, to believe in Him, son. When the blind men said they believed, He touched their eyes, said, 'According to your faith let it be to you.'<br /><br />"Can you imagine? Blind one minute and seeing the next. Then He warned them to tell no one about this."<br /><br />"Why?"<br /><br />“Our Lord loves us and wants us to come to Him, not for what we can get from Him. He wants us to love Him and share His Love."</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Oh. He allows me to see so I can help others find Jesus?"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Absolutely, son. We can lead others to the Lord Jesus. He opens their eyes."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Amazing."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Amazing, indeed, son." He hugged his grandson.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />Kingdom Thinking. My eyes although open couldn’t see the important things in life. Then the Lord Jesus came. He touched me and allowed me to see He loves me and promises never to leave nor forsake me. He offers the same to you. </span><br /></div></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-42967250196932425962023-11-09T08:16:00.000-05:002023-11-09T08:16:12.252-05:00 A WITNESS? WHO ME?<p>"For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard." Acts 22:15. (NKJV),</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI7p749wWxoJNX_8KBo6ip7Apr8RgBMqjmHL9-hviZ_gMXkBBUutLLmYriYoLpBXQh1d1UtdaUX_2GVySVOklRxR5Fr1JxfcNmwk-8C90K7_nrYtnAMLn5voerCU_5CpyLXjb5HkouOxm/s1600/images.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI7p749wWxoJNX_8KBo6ip7Apr8RgBMqjmHL9-hviZ_gMXkBBUutLLmYriYoLpBXQh1d1UtdaUX_2GVySVOklRxR5Fr1JxfcNmwk-8C90K7_nrYtnAMLn5voerCU_5CpyLXjb5HkouOxm/s1600/images.jpg" /></a>“Who me? A witness? Don't think so--wouldn't know what to say.”<br /><br />“What is a witness, son?” <div><br /></div><div>Timmy’s brow furrowed. “Someone who tells what happened.”<br /><br />“Right. Do you trust what anyone says?” </div><div><br /></div><div>Timmy chewed on his bottom lip. “No. Someone who tells the truth?”<br /><br />“Right, again. You trust Mr. Jim?” At Timmy’s nod, he said, "Why?” <br /><br />“'Cause he’s nice to me. He stood up for me when those bullies chased me, remember? He was sweeping the sidewalk in front of his store and...”<br /><br />“I remember. So he looks out for you?”<br /><br />“More than that, Grandfather. He’s my friend.” Grandfather smiled.<br /><br />“Now we’re getting somewhere. You see, son, being a witness is more than talk. It’s the way we act, the way we live. When the Lord Jesus is in your heart, He’s the one who witnesses as you allow Him to fill your life.”<br /><br />“That’s not easy. I still do bad things.”<br /><br />“I get it. We humans tend to do that.” Grandfather chuckled as he put his arm around his grandson. “We have hope and the Lord Jesus commands we let others know they can have hope, too.”</div><div><br />“Even the bullies?”<br /><br />“Even the bullies.” He squeezed Timmy’s shoulder. "When we extend kindness when it's not expected, we're witnessing. Sometimes not saying anything shouts loud and clear."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Like Mr. Jim? He didn't yell at those boys. Talked with them really soft-like. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Oh. Now I understand. Did you know two of them come to his Sunday School class?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Good to know, son."</div><div><br /></div><div>"You know what? I want to be a witness."</div><div><br /></div><div>"You are, son. As we share His love and kindness, we're witnessing." He patted his grandson on the back.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kingdom Thinking. I was wrong. Witnessing includes more than sticking a track in someone’s hand. It’s a way of life. The Lord Jesus promises to love me and never leave nor forsake me. In my daily walk, He reaches out to others through me. He’ll do the same for you. Won’t you come?<br /></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-16936819726252767832023-11-02T08:51:00.002-04:002023-11-02T09:51:04.641-04:00STORMS AND OTHER HARD TIMES!<p>"And Peter answered Him and said, 'Lord, if it's You, command me to come to You on the water.' So He said, 'Come.' And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind <i>was</i> boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!'" Matthew 14:28-30).<br /><br />"What's the matter, Timmy?" Grandfather sat by him on the back steps.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6IC-Euzt-WbK4Re82kEvsfLXmuHUute57OWamW8Sr9d5e3MxUENCobxun0u_6FOl-hfegrQ-YRrqzpdGmgjcAbOOYULUV5xRAB897LkG9B8eraJaShduussz8Rdzt2GD3hCzK-HFqbt9/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6IC-Euzt-WbK4Re82kEvsfLXmuHUute57OWamW8Sr9d5e3MxUENCobxun0u_6FOl-hfegrQ-YRrqzpdGmgjcAbOOYULUV5xRAB897LkG9B8eraJaShduussz8Rdzt2GD3hCzK-HFqbt9/w320-h240/thumbnail.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Shoulders slumped, he wrung his hands.<br /><br />Grandfather waited a minute, and said, "Want to tell me about it?"<br /><br />"Jake made fun of me in front of my friends. Says only sissies go to Sunday School and church. That real men don't need a crutch."</p><p>"Hmm. Let me tell you about a big guy, a real man. Made his living as a fisherman. One day, the Lord Jesus called him to fish for men."<br /><br />"Whoa, Grandfather. What's this got to do with Jake?" Grandfather held up his hand.<br /><br />"The fishermen shoved their boat out into the waters. By evening a storm came up, the waves tossed the boat like it was made of cardboard. They were terrified, even more so when they saw a figure walking on the water. Until He called out to them. </p><p>"'It's I. Don't be afraid.' </p><p>"This big tough guy, Peter, says, 'If it's you, command me to come to You.' </p><p>"'Come,' He said.</p><p>Peter crawled out of the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus, but he looked down. Saw the waves licking his feet. 'I can't do this,' he thought and sank."</p><p>"Wait, Grandfather. What you're saying is, when the waves get strong and are tossing me about, I'm not supposed to pay attention to them?' Timmy shook his head. "That's hard, really hard."<br /><br />"I agree. In fact, it's impossible." Timmy's sucked in a deep breath. "Unless the Hand that reaches for you, is the hand of the Lord Jesus." He released his breath with a sigh.<br /><br />"We all need a Savior, Timmy. One who comes to us in the storms of life."<br /><br />"Even you, Grandfather?"<br /><br />Grandfather smiled. "Especially me, Timmy. We never outgrow our need for the Lord Jesus. You know what?" </p><p>Timmy shook his head.</p><p>"He's always there--"</p><p>"But we don't recognize Him 'til He says, 'Come?'"</p><p>"You got that right, son." He squeezed his grandson's shoulder.<br /><br />Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus came to me in a storm. He lifted me up out of the turbulent waters. He promises to love me and never forsake me. Do you have storms in your life? Call out to the Lord Jesus. He's there and He'll take your hand and lift you up.</p>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-48630481047467617472023-10-25T20:17:00.006-04:002023-10-26T08:53:37.540-04:00SCULPTING—THE PROCESS!<p>“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments And His commandments are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:3. (NKJV).</p><br />“I don’t feel like it.” Grandfather walked over to Timmy, felt his forehead.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwuYjPVC7RArCkrU5xUfp8ZAvYiwEyY1M7tRHaVkqLnIwz_kc7l9GVWCOIDA0hUKk2QjhynsCJ0_9Jzy3WfSSSLuCABLLGCOHUwnugaMT3MTsDWncsV7zWRqObKPu6aSB8rmf-zONyxtQ/s1600/clay-hands-child-blue-closeup-78515498.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwuYjPVC7RArCkrU5xUfp8ZAvYiwEyY1M7tRHaVkqLnIwz_kc7l9GVWCOIDA0hUKk2QjhynsCJ0_9Jzy3WfSSSLuCABLLGCOHUwnugaMT3MTsDWncsV7zWRqObKPu6aSB8rmf-zONyxtQ/w320-h236/clay-hands-child-blue-closeup-78515498.jpg" width="320" /></a>“No fever. Pain?” Timmy mumbled, stretched out on the sofa. Grandfather covered him with a blanket. “You rest.”<br /><br />A few minutes later Grandfather came into the den with his coat. “You’ll be okay while I’m gone?”<br /><br />“Where’re you going?” <br /><br />“Thought I’d run over to Charleston. I have some errands...”<br /><br />“Charleston? Let me grab my jacket.” Grandfather’s eyebrow arched.<br /><br />“I wouldn’t want you to go in your condition.” Timmy dipped his head.<br /><br />“Sorry, Grandfather, guess I was feeling sorry for myself.”<br /><br />Grandfather draped his coat on the back of a chair. “Want to talk about it?”<br /><br />“I’m tired of everyone telling me what to do. At school, at home...” <div><br /></div><div>Grandfather smiled. “You think that now but later you’ll realize you're being sculpted into a fine young man.” Timmy's lips twisted.<br /><br />“Remember when you used to play with clay? You’d work on something until you had it right. Then you’d bring it to me to admire. I still have the little dog you made that resembled my Jack. I treasure it.”<br /><br />“You kept it?” Timmy’s face, wreathed in a smile, watched Grandfather nod.<br /><br />“That’s what we do when we love someone. We keep the things they made us and protect them--like the commandments of the Lord.<br /><br />“When I think of how God loves me, I’m amazed. He gave His commandments for my good, never to burden me down.”<br /><br />“He's sculpting me? He loves me that much?” Timmy shook his head. "That’s hard to understand.” Grandfather hugged Timmy.<div><br /></div><div>"It is but it doesn't make it any less true. You're that important to Him."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Wow. If He loves me that much, the least I can do is...what can I do for Him?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Love Him with all that you are! He's awesome and He'll show the way."<br /><br />Kingdom Thinking. The love of God is difficult to understand. I know He loves me and will never leave me, but at times I feel unloved and alone. Then I force myself to remember he’s sculpting me. He loves you, too. You don’t have to understand, just accept His love. It will not be a burden.<br /></div></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-86393993583926120942023-10-19T08:40:00.000-04:002023-10-19T08:40:34.000-04:00HOPE! A POINT OF VIEW!<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #141823;">"We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.</span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #141823;">” Romans 5:3,4. (NKJV).</span><br /><br /></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica;">“I don’t understand, Grandfather. Why do we have troubles?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica;">“There was once an old violin maker. His violins made the sweetest music you ever heard.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica;">“Did he have a special type of wood?” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0G_x4GD6fPG0L6U-YjZio5UlKva9f61CdrMFAoC1Z5kFBDMXhNSQeCwVmmfUj2yEityYpofGyo-N1-r8cmhYnjSPrJXWYdsRd3dYzUe7r8i76woK4s7Yf4ggl_ArjG4EjfsK0Vj1nLCK/s1600/b4782c7031294126c9a249df72d2251c.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0G_x4GD6fPG0L6U-YjZio5UlKva9f61CdrMFAoC1Z5kFBDMXhNSQeCwVmmfUj2yEityYpofGyo-N1-r8cmhYnjSPrJXWYdsRd3dYzUe7r8i76woK4s7Yf4ggl_ArjG4EjfsK0Vj1nLCK/w229-h400/b4782c7031294126c9a249df72d2251c.jpg" width="229" /></span></a><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;">“You could say that. His fellow violin makers envied him and begged to know why his violins differed from theirs. He finally shared his secret.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;">"When selecting wood for his violins, he didn’t go into the protected valleys but combed the rugged mountain to get trees anchored securely due to the fierce storms. The weather-beaten ones held a quality of beauty and tone.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica;">“That makes a difference?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica;">“It does. Like me, I don’t learn when the days are filled with sunshine. It’s during the storms I need hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica;">"Like the old violin maker, our Heavenly Father knows the storms of life which He allows, will cause my roots to go deep in Him. When I'm hurting, I turn to Him--like a child who's happy when all is well. But when he gets hurt, he runs to his mother. She lifts him and whispers words of love and comfort.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica;">“I never thought of it like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica;">“Remember the Lord Jesus is in the process of building our character and hope. He promises to love us and never leave us, no matter how difficult the storm."</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica;">“But I don’t feel He’s there.”</span></div><div><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><span>“</span><span>Ah, Timmy. P</span><span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif">oint of view, son. We look at the storm's swirling clouds and ferocious teeth, not the One who</span>’<span face=""calibri" , sans-serif">s using it for our good.”</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica;">"So. I change my point of view? Look to Jesus and not my problems?"</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(20, 24, 35);">"Absolutely, son. Always." He hugged his grandson.<br /></span></span><span style="color: #141823;"><span face="calibri, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">Kingdom Thinking. Knowing our Lord Jesus is there during the tribulations (storms), allows me to learn perseverance which produces character which produces Hope. Do you need hope? Perhaps you need to change your point of view. </span></span></span></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-73680672853281791742023-10-12T08:26:00.001-04:002023-10-12T09:00:38.807-04:00WHERE ARE YOU?<p><br />“Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, ‘Where <i>are</i> you?' So he said, ‘I heard Your voice in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.’ And He said, ‘Who told you that you <i>were</i> naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?’” Genesis 3:9-11. (NKJV).</p><br />“Timmy?” Grandfather called his grandson.<div><br /></div><div> Silence. </div><div><br /></div><div>He searched his favorite places. Eyebrows furrowed, he walked into the guest bedroom.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgd6YrDyiH2HMo1fIYfQ46ui1rz9p0khzIYcwZXd-SQIx23d1htw_-Ey1SU2HCTC_D-s7Cd9IDqT9JADCQDTH0jIxQ6t7t8iRuUiLwJM04-SQGBnpWAkkwAcUu1Lyn-IDvA6153CELlqdPMtNtB0GphbiXoBoFt5c1_5yS_vFPrTOrRBnIjmpnb4Hf_Z2pW" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="768" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgd6YrDyiH2HMo1fIYfQ46ui1rz9p0khzIYcwZXd-SQIx23d1htw_-Ey1SU2HCTC_D-s7Cd9IDqT9JADCQDTH0jIxQ6t7t8iRuUiLwJM04-SQGBnpWAkkwAcUu1Lyn-IDvA6153CELlqdPMtNtB0GphbiXoBoFt5c1_5yS_vFPrTOrRBnIjmpnb4Hf_Z2pW=w320-h298" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i>Did the bed skirt move? </i></div><div><i><br /></i><div>He<i> </i>got down on his knees, lifted it.</div><div><br />“Why're you hiding, son?” Timmy scooted to the other side of the bed, large blue eyes glistening, his lips trembling.<br /><br />“Cause I’m bad. And. And I’m scared.”<br /><br />On his stomach, Grandfather wiggled under the bed, joined Timmy. He looked around. “Good hiding place, huh? Kind of dark.” Timmy nodded.<br /><br />“Want to tell me why you think you’re bad and scared?”<br /><br />“’Cause he said so.”<br /><br />“Who told you that you were bad?” Grandfather touched Timmy’s hand. “It’s okay, son. Tell me.” </div><div><br /></div><div>"Mr. Sims. Said I'd ruined his flowers."</div><div><br /></div><div>“Did you?”<br /><br />Timmy shook his head. "I didn’t, Grandfather.” Tears streaked his cheeks. Grandfather nodded, hugged him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later, Grandfather pulled Timmy beside him on the sofa. "Son, we need to talk. You know I love you?" Timmy nodded. "The Lord Jesus loves you more and promises to be with you--"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Me?" He put his hand over his heart. "Even when I'm scared and hide?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Always and forever. The problem is we have an enemy who doesn't want us to believe God. He tells us we're bad and not good enough for God to love. So--we hide." Timmy nodded.</div><div><br /></div><div>"But the good news is God loves us so much He comes to find us--"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Like you did, Grandfather?" Timmy sat up, a smile brightening his face.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Yes, son. The Lord Jesus loves His children and wants us to know He'll never leave us." Timmy leaned against his grandfather, smiled.</div><div><br /></div><div>"I'm so glad."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Me, too, son. Me, too."</div><div><br />Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus loves me with an everlasting love and promises never to leave nor forsake me. He promises the same to you. Where are You? Won’t you come to Him?<br /></div></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-21164409054857835902023-10-05T08:20:00.001-04:002023-10-05T10:58:54.898-04:00BLUEBERRIES AND ME!<p><br /> <span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;">"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." Colossians 2:6,7. (NKJV).</span></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8828084743685811828" itemprop="description articleBody" style="font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 610px;"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br />“Check these out, Timmy.” He lifted the branch of berries. “These'll taste mighty good.”</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUmu6y1luU3uiC-P1_aokcpyDH9FClEJ2iJFxbEfOs-z_9t3ZWBG77o1JCHn8YjVkd_KcZ4TIq_cK7su18Tw9mtjMSGc-89TMAGGSLUWVv9BD0yr-XTvYvYg3jJzFyAu2gnsbW21u3xjjBlpwMThnO3S9GX4Ymh0vkIARPF5anK9vxaknuKp6lHJnzhifg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUmu6y1luU3uiC-P1_aokcpyDH9FClEJ2iJFxbEfOs-z_9t3ZWBG77o1JCHn8YjVkd_KcZ4TIq_cK7su18Tw9mtjMSGc-89TMAGGSLUWVv9BD0yr-XTvYvYg3jJzFyAu2gnsbW21u3xjjBlpwMThnO3S9GX4Ymh0vkIARPF5anK9vxaknuKp6lHJnzhifg=w213-h320" width="213" /></a></div>Grandfather smiled. “This is the largest bush. Planted in enriched soil with the proper light. Just the way they like it. They're happy...”</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">“Because we cleaned around them,” Timmy said. “The honeysuckle and weeds tried to take over.”</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">“Beautiful berries on these plants so we must be diligent. We like the berries but birds, deer, and other critters take their share.” Work finished they took a break. Clean pine straw banked the plants, giving them space.</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">“Thanks, son. Looks great.” Timmy nodded as he lifted his glass of lemonade.</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">“You know, Timmy, we’re planted with the Lord’s tender loving care. But we don’t stop there. Just as we’ve received Him, we need to walk in Him, become established in His ways. Really important to study His word and fellowship with His children.”</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">“That’s hard, Grandfather. How can I do that?”</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">“Remember when you were a little fellow, you wanted to walk in my shoes?” Timmy grinned. “You placed your feet on my shoes and we'd walk around the room. Were you walking? Or me?”</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">“We both walked--at the same time,” Timmy chuckled.</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">“Actually I walked, son. You enjoyed the ride!” </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Timmy's eyebrows dipped. "So what are you saying?"</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">As we're rooted in the Lord, and become established in Him, we're visible to the world. He does the work, creating the fruit in our lives. We praise Him with thanksgiving."</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">"Amazing."</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Amazing, indeed. Praise the Lord."</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Kingdom Thinking. So many times I take credit when it wasn’t me at all. As I am rooted in the Lord Jesus, I'm the visible one, so I praise Him and thank Him who loves me and promises never to leave me. He offers the same to you. Won’t you trust in Him?</div></div></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-63950297062889088282023-09-28T08:19:00.001-04:002023-09-28T08:23:10.062-04:00SILENT AND SNEAKY!<p>“Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump.” 1 Corinthians 5:8. (NKJV).</p><br />“What are you making, Grandmother?"<br /><div><br /></div><div>“Rolls for dinner, Janie. Want to help?” </div><div><br /></div><div>“Wait for me.” She dragged a kitchen chair to the counter, eyed the mixing bowl and ingredients. Grandmother handed the measured flour to her granddaughter who dumped it into the bowl.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySK6scgrk6yGisUEqXp3lj8L1ibx0lTwRJETEWPxshsE_pnCb0hRbwBSxTrWIBnp167GYbknGyB3zYeEw76Qc4dePeHmIIn8LyNkrcM3xRSpsWyvucPvbEVn_Px063NHdFjzsRSWFT0ul/s1600/240_F_109913810_6ZrXElnVDmnUauedOnurZk24weGkexwa.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySK6scgrk6yGisUEqXp3lj8L1ibx0lTwRJETEWPxshsE_pnCb0hRbwBSxTrWIBnp167GYbknGyB3zYeEw76Qc4dePeHmIIn8LyNkrcM3xRSpsWyvucPvbEVn_Px063NHdFjzsRSWFT0ul/w320-h210/240_F_109913810_6ZrXElnVDmnUauedOnurZk24weGkexwa.jpg" width="320" /></a>“Grandmother, why do the rolls get big when we put them in the oven?”</div><div><br /></div><div>“See this bowl?” Janie nodded. “It’s yeast with a little sugar and water added or its other name is leaven.”<br /><br />“It’s bubbling.”<br /><br />“That’s how it works. Mixed into our bread mixture, the yeast feeds off the sugar, multiplies, gives off the byproducts of carbon dioxide and alcohol. As the bread cooks, the heat kills the yeast, leaving tiny holes in the bread while the alcohol evaporates.”<br /><br />“The rolls get infected with that stuff? Don’t understand but I like your rolls. They’re delicious.” Grandmother smiled.<br /><br />“The Bible calls sin in our lives leaven. We see the results but it works undercover--silent and sneaky. We’re often unaware of its power and don’t remember allowing it into our lives.”<br /><br />“I watched you put the leaven in the mixture.” She tilted her head, a frown on her forehead.<br /><br />“Actually you saw the bubbling and knew it was working. You never saw the leaven itself. The Bible instructs us to purge out the old leaven--half truths, bad attitudes...”<br /><br /> “Not being nice to my brother? That's hard.” Grandmother smiled.<br /><br />“Yes, it is. Because it's difficult, I turn to the Lord, ask His forgiveness. He washes away the leaven--the infection of sin.”<br /><br />“My brother's hard to love sometimes. Will the Lord wash my leaven away, too?” She nodded, hugged her granddaughter.</div><div><br /></div><div>"The Lord Jesus will. But we have to be willing for Him to wash us clean."</div><div><br /></div><div>"I'm willing, Grandmother. Will you help me ask Him?" She leaned against Grandmother's shoulder, closed her eyes.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Of course. 'Lord, we come to You asking for cleansing for Janie...'"<br /><br />Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus promises to love me and never leave me. He removes the leaven from my life. He'll remove the leaven from your life, too, and restore you to wholeness. Won’t you come?</div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-70254521489576816332023-09-21T08:30:00.001-04:002023-09-21T08:32:57.034-04:00HIS SECRET SERVICE!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5XAqVYdr-gNo88zyTgiW8-yAdkBqOOagFN2mly5e9Z8E3a_XNsywOKBfy8BwWcMk-Wk_kPY1NfM1Twt_UQaOsHykrJ7cO00zUOSeIPXUcdpERndex77qhM7TERLXLdeMPGEVZHTmUzq9VPrpVRjHIIg9xy6wvWKyMUDqgkQzSdcdsXH8qHR6ITqJBOzkT" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5XAqVYdr-gNo88zyTgiW8-yAdkBqOOagFN2mly5e9Z8E3a_XNsywOKBfy8BwWcMk-Wk_kPY1NfM1Twt_UQaOsHykrJ7cO00zUOSeIPXUcdpERndex77qhM7TERLXLdeMPGEVZHTmUzq9VPrpVRjHIIg9xy6wvWKyMUDqgkQzSdcdsXH8qHR6ITqJBOzkT" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>“The king’s heart <i>is</i> in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1. (NKJV)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA5UEFbqQdcxi2zoQwESYaLm824pFb8FLDxuD_HyFnkjZPQa3bkDiLsSd6-PPlLPRRdjp0Yo0ldj7rZRE0-qfpA4avkbzyoJJpn52UMT1UpEU49JH2AS2N4gvPxCYVNKYTveqo1h5BqGzYugsTIvCKo10DKPg4GqtP4PssSqB-eJfvQho565lKLEc2Kf1v" style="clear: right; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"> </a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPNbdYpjlb9S4cV8Duj_jDQGbG3I0N3P6A_qnNkKK0ZcJvKY238szDRyFT5LDnaZRAB-iBvPE4RJtAXscCiahBN5_YXAOeg4y3pSz4g8NIf95k6po4MQ0r5gnxULeXXPdBci5Y1N5Up3G3YdlUxJHOpHcvhWM8YVMkFCnXSFQ1FJhX0Mr3dGvrcFr9FJyw" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a></div><p></p>“That’s one crooked river, Grandfather. Twists and turns. Powerful, isn’t it?”<br /><br />“It appears so. But things aren't always as they seem. One flood could change the river’s course.”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxsj63ZayUxVt6BfZU7rKSFDEGkdQ_y753R2iaXIX0xnNxZlpIqLvzjSlAG0JwyOAfJWPwjARA72fVRdbm5UMQtLPnLugx2t45bbUqK-ZFKLcETXdbVXe3xmCxFi9Y1qyNFOt0SCVPGVdepqoxmcjsjdm0-lS_L92hON7sViL6-14U8W4uxr7rctnnPH0r" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="250" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxsj63ZayUxVt6BfZU7rKSFDEGkdQ_y753R2iaXIX0xnNxZlpIqLvzjSlAG0JwyOAfJWPwjARA72fVRdbm5UMQtLPnLugx2t45bbUqK-ZFKLcETXdbVXe3xmCxFi9Y1qyNFOt0SCVPGVdepqoxmcjsjdm0-lS_L92hON7sViL6-14U8W4uxr7rctnnPH0r" width="297" /></a></div><br />“Talking about the Bible verse we learned? But Grandfather, it seems impossible.”<br /><br />“Does.” He tilted his head, eyebrow cocked. “That’s a hard lesson to learn, son.<br /><br />“Remember our drive through the mountains? You thought we were going downhill but we were going up? We can’t rely on our feelings. They’ll confuse us.”<br /><br />“Yeah. I was positive we were going down. Until I looked behind us.”<br /><br />“Or the summer day you thought water covered the road up ahead? When we got there...”<br /><br />“Dry. So what’s this supposed to teach me?”<br /><br />“To understand the Lord Jesus is in control--all the time. When the storms of life hit, it appears He’s forgotten me. Not true. <br /><br />“Once you learn the secret the King’s in control, you can rest in Him. He has your back.”<br /><br />“Do you always remember the secret?”<br /><br />“Got me there, son.” Grandfather chuckled. “Have to confess I’ve forgotten a time or two."<br /><br />“So, I’m in the Lord Jesus’ Secret Service?”<br /><br />“Indeed, son. Good thinking.”<div><br /></div><div>"If I'm in His Secret Service and you--wonder how many are?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Too many to count. So we praise Him for loving us as we serve."</div><div><br /></div><div>"I can do that." Timmy hugged his grandfather. "I'm so glad we serve together." <br /><br />Kingdom Thinking. My problem? I look at the news the world shows--wars and rumors of wars and find it difficult to remember the Lord Jesus is in control. But! He promises to love me and never leave me. He keeps His promises. How about you? Would you like to be in His Secret Service?<br /><br /></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5018067960173651355.post-78897408342929975402023-09-14T08:43:00.000-04:002023-09-14T08:45:31.827-04:00HE BEGINS! HE COMPLETES!<p><br />“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” Philippians 1:3-6. (NKJV).</p><p><br /></p><p>"Timmy. Time to get to work."</p><div>"Coming, Grandfather." The squeaky wheel of the wheelbarrow loaded with hedge clippers and supplies announced his arrival. "I've got the rake, too."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Doing a great job, son. The boxwood hedges look fantastic." Honeysuckle vines, sumac, and weeds filled the wheelbarrow. "Huh. Those weeds were taking over."</div><div><br /></div><div>"You missed that vine growing up the side of the potting shed, Grandfather. Want me to pull it?"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCeYNZf-_bW0w-rdZ7kjYTYDLYr9ZFsFSfHHpNih1KR_fw7vHXKeeU28GPYFFBNwrRLJVYWXxzOxJ2yHGdQVovGARCHh0a42DquTBPE0pNQFsBatGn_0Oy1wUrq_GK6Y0to5EcGlizn4xVJjPryPuNmbazMKeZm9BDkAEAsx_qy2de9LeplBL79VYYP_B9" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1000" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCeYNZf-_bW0w-rdZ7kjYTYDLYr9ZFsFSfHHpNih1KR_fw7vHXKeeU28GPYFFBNwrRLJVYWXxzOxJ2yHGdQVovGARCHh0a42DquTBPE0pNQFsBatGn_0Oy1wUrq_GK6Y0to5EcGlizn4xVJjPryPuNmbazMKeZm9BDkAEAsx_qy2de9LeplBL79VYYP_B9" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>"Naw. I'll get it. Just a big tug should bring it out of the ground--<br /><br />"Ahh. Oh, no! Run, Timmy." A hornet led the swarm. "Run!" Fire radiated in the area above his thumb. Another on his forehead. Attacked by angry bald-faced hornets for invasion of territory.</div><div><br /></div><div>Timmy whizzed past, not having to be told again. By the time Grandfather made it to the back porch, Timmy held a basin of ice for his battle wounds.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Man, Grandfather. You almost passed me."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Had a great incentive, Timmy. A painful attack can do that." Timmy grinned. "Thank you for the ice. It helps."</div><div><br /></div><div>"What about the wheelbarrow? Are we leaving it out by the shed?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"You better believe it! We'll wait 'til those hornets calm down, return to their nest." He tilted his head.</div><div><br /></div><div>"it's amazing, isn't it?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"What is?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"I thought I was doing a great job. Just clipping and cleaning. Until I disturbed the hornets. Then the day became memorable. At that point, I called on the Lord to help and protect us."</div><div><br /></div><div>"You know what, Grandfather?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Tell me."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Every time I pick up hedge clippers or trim a hedge, I'll remember today. Might even tell everybody about it at the next family reunion."</div><div><br /></div><div>Grandfather chuckled. "Like the scripture. 'I thank my God for every remembrance of you.' God is working in all that we do. Even when we disturb bald-faced hornets. We serve an awesome God."</div><div><br />Kingdom Thinking. This life journey is filled with joys and sorrows. I'm confident of the fellowship for the Lord Jesus promised He'll never leave me nor forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love. He began the work and He will complete it. He'll do the same for you. Won’t you trust Him?<br /></div>Marjorie Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921305674139662221noreply@blogger.com0