Write.

You know, I like writing. Or at least I think I like writing. I say I like writing; when someone asks what my hobbies are I always begin 'Reading, writing...' But, most of the time that's where it ends. Yeah, I write in my journal pretty regularly, and I write letters, and I write for my school, and I really occasionally write something meaningful and heartfelt on this blog. But I don't write. I don't write.

Another thing that I want to do in life, is help someone, or some people. Really help them, and really change their world for the better, if not the world. Yes, I want to change the world! How good does that sound! I know it can be done, because others are doing it. Other young people like me. But, the fact is that I am doing nothing towards it, except dreaming, and wishing some amazing opportunity will just come along. And I'm not sure that it will. 

I have always wondered exactly how I could, or would, do something to help. Maybe not change the world, but make a difference. You know. I read of kids like me who go to Africa and help there, or join with the youth group from their church and raise tons of money. Or help all the homeless in their neighbourhood, or give Bibles to everyone in their community. But me? What am I doing? Nothing. What can I do? This is the question that gets to me, because I want to something. Truly I do. 

So here I was, humming through life a few days ago, doing one of the things that takes up far too much of my life, and does not help me achieve any of my goals: I was on Pinterest. Normally on pinterest, I browse through nice photos, pin a few, like a few, skip a few. Sometimes I read a quote that I think is good, inspirational, funny, or maybe slightly motivational. So I pin it, and promptly forget it. (Seriously, I learn so much when I happen to go looking back through one of my boards.) But this pin stuck with me. I was thinking about it all day, and all night. It made me think. Here it is:

 
 'That's it. That all you have to do to change the world. Write.' That's what I was thinking. 'You've always wanted to write, Self. You've always wanted to make a difference. Now go. Go write.' That's what I was thinking then, and that's what I've been thinking ever since. I am still thinking that. And that's why I am now writing this post. 

It sounds fancy, I know. I don't want you all to now go away expecting me to write amazing,  inspiring posts every week, with stories of how I am changing the world, because that's not how it's going to be. All I'm saying is that I am now inspired to write more. I'm inspired to stop wishing I could write, and just do it. And just maybe, I might benefit someone in the process. Join me?

If you would not be forgotten,

As soon as you are dead and rotten,

Either write something worth reading,

Or do something worth writing.

                                                  -Benjamin Franklin.

Consider the Lilies...

Well, hello. Sorry I haven't posted in a very long time... Life gets busy... Anyway, here are some photos I took recently...

I may not take very good photos, but up getting up close to flowers like these, makes me notice just how intricate, colourful, and thought out, and yet simple they are. Walking past, they just look ordinary, but up close, they're really detailed. Imagine if God didn't make flowers, or if he didn't make them all different colours... Our world would be rather monotonous... I like to think God made flowers just to make our days brighter and our world cheerier. :) Aren't you glad? 

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, 

that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Luke 12:27

The Way, the Truth, and the Life.

It's simple. I read it just the other day. It's simple, but it made sense, and it's kind of profound too. I thought so anyway... What do you think? 

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. " John 14:6

Without the Way, there is no going; without the Truth, there is no knowing; without the Life, there is no living. I am the Way, which you ought to follow; the Truth which you ought to believe, the Life, which you ought to hope for. I am the way invioable, the Truth infallible, the Life unending. I am the Way that is straightest, the truth that is highest, the life that is truest, the Life blessed, the Life uncreated. If you remain in My way, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31,32), and you shall lay hold on eternal life."
                                                                                                                      -Thomas a Kempis (The Imitation of Christ.) 

Don't Waste Good Problems!

Would I could bring the vision closer, nearer,      

And give to you a glimpse of what is mine,

Teach you to know that earth’s most cruel affliction

Is not beyond the hand of Love Divine.        

                                                                                -Oswald J. Smith

‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.’  Romans 8:28 

All things work together for good. All things. Earth’s most cruel affliction is not beyond the hand of Love Divine. God doesn't just help us get through tough times, He brings good out of them. I always thought this ‘all things working together for good’ meant  that the good that would come out of a trial or disappointment would be some kind of earthly good, like some visitors, or a new friend, book, computer, etc, or maybe getting to go on a holiday to the beach, or something like that. But last weekend we were learning about rejoicing through trials and disappointments because God uses them to help our characters grow. So the good that comes out of our trials and disappointments may not be finding a new skirt at a bargain price, or getting to go somewhere or to see someone- it might be of course, those things are good too- it might be just to improve our characters; make them more fit for heaven. 

Part of our study last weekend about rejoicing in trials, included some stories of a man who was a missionary in New Guinea. He faced a lot of trials. But he realized that God was strengthening his character through these trials, and giving him opportunities that otherwise, he never could have had. He concluded his sermon by saying ‘Don’t waste good problems!’ Because every time God sent him a problem to teach him a lesson, and he didn’t respond to it correctly, God would send him another one! If we want to improve our characters, we need to make good use of those problems! God uses them for our good.

 He also suggested that instead of saying good bye to our friends by saying ‘Have a good day!’ we should say ‘Don’t waste good problems!’  So, don’t waste good problems! Make sure you get every bit of good you can out of them!

Guest Post - Power of Prayer

Today I have a guest post for you. :) Or a semi-guest post maybe. Semi because the guest is my sister, Rachel (Thanks Chook!), and I helped her write it... Happy readings! :)    

"...We do not value the power and efficacy of prayer as we should. Prayer and faith will do what no power on earth can accomplish..." (HDL 56.3)

I'd like to tell you about a time when my prayers and faith accomplished what no power on earth could.

It was May 2012. One of my sister's rabbit's kittens had just died. It was the third time my sister's rabbit had kittens. It was the third time I had wanted to keep one for my own. It was the third time that the one that I loved, died. It didn't seem like I would ever get a rabbit, so Mum said I could get a lamb.

Next week we went to town. We'd done all our shopping, and were, I thought anyway, heading home, when Mum pulled over behind a car, that I recognized as a friend's car. She came to our car window and told Mum something. Then Mum said to me "Why don't you go see what she has in the back of her car?" So I did. I opened the boot of her car and inside was a box. And inside the box was...nothing. But outside the box was a small white lamb. And he was mine.

On the way home name suggestions were flying everywhere, and I finally decided on using about half of them. So my small white lamb received the title of 'Obadiah Albert Timothy Mitchell Micah James Granger.' Obee for short.

Obee seemed healthy enough, but we soon realized that he wasn't. He relished his milk, but there's a limit to how much milk a lamb can drink...when he hasn't gotten rid of the last bottleful. In other words my lamb had problems going to the toilet. I had seen several other lambs, including one of the previous ones I had, in this state of affairs and none of them lived to tell the story. Would my Obee come to the same fate? History repeats itself and I feared this would be the case. But I did more than feared. I prayed.

James 5:15 says 'And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.' And John 14:14 says 'If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.' Through a lot of prayer and faith, and many olive oil enemas lovingly administered by my sister, he got going a bit better.

I remember one Friday afternoon, Obee looked particularly sick. He was lying out in the sun, while we industriously cleaned the house. About every fifteen minutes I would either go to my room and pray, or go out to Obee and pray. It was hard to have faith that he would get well, especially when several members of my family had taken to calling him 'dead', and Oba-die-ah.

The next day we went over to our friends' place. Seeing as we were going to be gone the whole day, I took Obadiah with me. He wasn't getting any better, and the suggestion was made to leave the 'dead' lamb there. I refused, because I had asked God to make him better, and I knew He would. So Obee came home again. Many more prayers, many more tears, many more enemas, and many more days - Obadiah Albert Timothy... became well happy and healthy, just like all of his other sheepie friends.

Right now, looking out the window, I can see Obee, happily grazing, with his mouth full of green grass. He's fat and woolly. He's currently, still eating (no blockage now!), continuing on his merry way down our driveway paddock with his mate Mr. Phib. He is living proof that God answers prayer.

Obadiah Albert Timothy Mitchell Micah James Granger. :) 

Book Review - Hope Rising

You remember a while back I reviewed a book named 'Bridge called Hope'? Well, there is actually a kind of prequel to 'Bridge called Hope' and it is titled, 'Hope Rising.' It's written by the same lady; Kim Meeder. She and her husband Troy run a ranch in Oregon, called Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. They rescue abused, starving and sick 'beyond' recovery horses, and pair them with children of all ages (including that age we call 'adult') who are hurting - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

'Hope Rising' tells many stories - all 100% true - about children, youth and adults who have come to the ranch, broken and hopeless. There they have opportunity to groom, ride and spend time with a horse. Somehow animals seem to sense a persons feelings, and when these hurting people spend time with these horses, something happens. They feel loved, wanted, and needed.

The very first story in the book is of a young boy, whose father abused him terribly. He had never known love in his life. Kim took him over to one of their horses, and together they groomed and saddled the horse, Hobbs. Kim showed him how to hold the reins, and what to do. Suddenly, the horse literally reached his neck around the little boy and hugged him.

'...For a brief moment , this battered child was allowed to be nothing more than a little boy who was loved by a pony. Adam's head slowly dropped until it rested against Hobbs' neck. Like a whispered prayer, more to himself than to anyone else, he began saying over and over, "He likes me...he likes me...he likes me." ...Moments passed and the boy's hug melted into long strokes on both sides of the pony's neck. The stony tomb that had once imprisoned Adam's heart began to crumble under newfound love... With his arms still around the pony, he turned and looked up at me. "He likes me!" he said again. But this time he said it out loud, with a convincing sparkle in his eyes...'

This book also tells stories of horse rescues, of horse races, of hope, and other stories related to life on the ranch. It tells of an 'ordinary girl' who made it her mission to rescue some dying horses; it tells of a grandfather who had a horse named after him; it tells of a girl who was abused, who found hope in coming to the ranch, and whose prayers for a horse were miraculously answered. It tells stories of hope rising.

I really, really enjoyed reading this book. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me think, How can I share hope with those around me? It inspired me to live to give. It encouraged me that ordinary little souls like me can do something. It was one of those books I couldn't put down until it was finished... In other words: It is a really awesome book! Go read it! :) 

A Little Bit of Life O' Late...

The first day of August 2013. This year is going really fast. Has anyone else noticed that? Or at least it was the first day of August when I wrote that. Now, it's almost the first day of September. I've been neglecting this poor little blog a bit of late. (I know I just posted the other day, but it  was a guest post, and they don't require any thought from me. So if you want to do a guest post...:D) But the problem is I'm currently not really inspired to write anything... and that is a problem. But maybe, I'll be able to conjure something up... Or random somethings...

*************

Here is a poem I discovered the other day. I just thought it was so true of many people today...and me too. Not wanting to give up something in order to help others. And also how that by refusing to share what they had, they lost all; they all died. I expect in the end if we do the same we'll reap the same results...

The Cold Within

Six humans trapped by happenstance

In bleak and bitter cold;

Each one possessed a stick of wood,

Or so the story's told.

Their dying fire in need of logs,

The first man held his back;

For of the faces round the fire

He noticed one was black.

The next man looking cross the way

Saw one not of his church,

And couldn't bring himself to give

The fire his stick of birch.

The third one sat in tattered clothes;

He gave his coat a hitch.

Why should his log be put to use

To warm the idle rich?

The rich man just sat back and thought

Of the wealth he had in store,

And how to keep what he had earned

From the lazy, shiftless poor.

The black man's face bespoke revenge

As the fire passed from his sight;

For all he saw in his stick of wood

Was a chance to spite the white.

The last man of this forlorn group

Did nought except for gain.

Giving only to those who gave

Was how he played the game.

Their logs held tight in death's still hands

Was proof of human sin.

They didn't die from the cold without,

But from the cold within.

************

 It's still August, and we're still having frosts, and we've had some wet and windy weather these last few weeks, but spring is coming. I can tell spring is coming. Here is how I can tell spring is coming:

There are flowers coming out...

...there are vegetables ripening...

...there are buds on the fruit trees...

...and there are sunny days... (Okay, winter has sunny days too...) 

I can tell spring is coming by the signs. It's the same with Jesus' second coming. We can tell it's getting closer because of the signs we can see all around us. 

'But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.' Luke 21:9-11 

************

Well, you wouldn't believe it I know, but last week I turned sixteen. I had been thinking about the fact that I was turning sixteen for months before it actually happened. See, I figured turning sixteen was a pretty big step (I now think otherwise) so I wanted to do something special. I wanted to celebrate. But I didn't know how or where or what. I really had no idea what I wanted to do. Ideally of course, I would have all my friends over. But that is quite impossible. So, I decided that it would be fine to just do 'nothing.' Then we learned some people we had recently met were having Bright Lights on my birthday. (Bright Lights is basically a meeting for girls where we study/talk about a particular topic, with an older girl leading. We also sang, and memorized scripture.)  I wasn't sure if I wanted to go or not... meeting new people...spending the day with people I hardly knew...and it was one of the other girls birthdays too and they were having a surprise party afterwards for her...so I thought that might be a bit awkward... (Partially because I had made some biscuits for the occasion, and they did not turn out how they ought to have.) 

But we went. :) And honestly, it was the best birthday I can remember having, and sooo much better than anything I had imagined. We had the Bright Lights meeting and that was good. But it didn't stop there. :) After, we had afternoon tea (or some of us did anyway), then we did a photography scavenger hunt which was really fun, and then by the time we talked and played around a bit, it was dinner time! So we stayed for dinner and talked some more, and then left. Rather, reluctantly left. It was so good. I just felt so blessed! It was so much more than I'd imagined. 

Also, a few weeks before my birthday we bought an expensive 'tool', that was to be part of my birthday present. So I was seriously not expecting any presents. But.. my family still gave me some gifts! I was honestly surprised, and that just made things all the better. And, I dare say, I received the most birthday cards I can remember too. Now... this is not to prove how popular I am. It is to prove how blessed I am. I'm just feeling so blessed of late I had to share. And these birthday blessings were a good place to start. :) 

It reminds me of this verse: ...and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.'  (Malachi 3:10) 

It also reminds me of the things I have been reading lately. 'Elli: Coming of age in the Holocaust', which I posted about here, and since then I have read another book 'Tears of the Rain.' It tells the story of an American family who went to Liberia, Africa, as missionaries for a couple of years. The things described in this book, the way the people live over there, starving, living in shacks built out of whatever they can lay there hands on, of the wars they have lived through and the horrible things they endured, of the orphanages filled with starving, sick and dying children, whose parents died in the war... It says to me yet again, I, we, have so much. We are so blessed. We live in comfort, have families to call our own, and eat as much as we please. (Or I do anyway.:P) We need to realize how blessed we are, like Shanna quoted Ellen White as saying in the previous post, we've nothing to fear except as we forget the way the Lord has led/blessed us in the past. 

So, how has God been blessed you of late? 

************

Anyway, I think that is the end of my random somethings... I hope you were encouraged somehow. :) And don't forget that you are blessings to me too. :) 

'The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.' Psalms 37:23-24  

My current favourite verse. :) 

Guest Post - Remembering How God has Led Us in the Past...

Wells. I have something different for you... (A change is as good as a holiday, right?) A guest post by my good friend Shanna! Thanks Shanna! 

     ‘In reviewing our past history, having travelled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.’ {CET 204.1}   

This quote reminded me of what Jessica has been saying in some of her previous posts {at the beginning of her blog} about prayer and how we need to ask God for things specifically. But instead of just asking for things we need to remember how God has led us in the past, so we can be encouraged, and continue in our journey heavenward!

In my past experience I can definitely see how God has led me and my family. From buying and selling houses, (which involves moving house many times!); living in a house in the process of being built, with humans, who all make mistakes (including me!), and trying to stay close to the Lord. Even though I sometimes lose my way and take my eyes of Him; I can still see his hand! The trials that I have passed through, have only strengthened my walk with Him, and even though it was hard, God put them there for a reason. With Mrs White I can say, Praise God!

We need to remember to keep our eyes on Jesus. We might lose our way, but I would like to encourage you, as soon as you realize that you have made a mistake, to turn your eyes back to Jesus! Don’t even hesitate to come back to Jesus just as you are, as soon as you see your need! Jesus is waiting for you; will you come?

Look back on your past experiences, see how God has led you in every step, and with Mrs White say Praise God!

So Much.

I've just finished reading a book. Elli: Coming of Age in the Holocaust. It's the true story of a young Jewish girl, who lived through World War II, and experienced  the horrors or several concentration camps. She was thirteen when her and her family went to the camps; they were there for about eighteen months. When the war was over and they were free, she looked to be sixty years old.  I'm not doing a book review of this book, because I seem to have lost my knack for writing them... But this book really showed me how blessed I am.

I am living in a nice, warm, comfortable and spacious house. I am wearing nice, well-fitting warm clothes. In fact I just got some new clothes today. I have just eaten my third meal of the day, and at every meal, I ate well. I am not living in constant fear of death in a gas chamber. I am not outside working hard in the freezing weather all day every day. It is windy, wet and cold outside right now. But I wouldn't even know, except I can hear it outside my window. I am not yelled at and treated like an animal. I am not a number. I am blessed. I have my Mum, my brother and my sister all here with me. We are all healthy and happy.

This book tells a true story. I can't write it off by thinking, 'Oh, well. It didn't really happen anyway.' It happened. All the time I was reading it, I kept contrasting Elli's life and hardship - what she had to face every day, just in order to survive - to my own life. It is such a contrast. I have everything. She had nothing. Reading this book changed the saying for me -'Be thankful for small mercies.'- to 'Be thankful for all mercies.' 

Why Blog?

This has been the question on my mind of late. Before I had a blog, I thought it would be great to have one. I thought I would write posts every week, no big deal; I thought I would eventually get lots of readers, and yeah. But it's not quite like that. It takes time to sit down and write a post. It gets discouraging when no one comments, and I start to wonder is it worth me blogging. There are so many other blogs out there, why am I wasting my time? My blog is nothing special compared to everyone else's. I'm not a photographer, I don't write great stories or poems, I don't have amazing insights to share on life. I wonder why I blog...

Then I read a book. A short book. It's called 'More Than Numbers. Blogging for people not stats.' and it's written by Trina Holden. It made me stop, and think. What is my reason for blogging? What is my goal, what do I hope to achieve by it? Am I just trying to get readers, followers, comments? Am I blogging for myself or for others? If I'm blogging for myself then yeah, the amount of followers I have, and comments I get mean everything. But if I'm blogging for others, they are insignificant. So long as someone, even just one person, reads my blog and is somehow blessed or encouraged or inspired, then my blog is worth it. I have ten followers at the moment. If I look at that number from a blogging-for-me perspective that is not many at all. I've seen some blogs where they have thousands of followers. But if I look at that number from a blogging-for-them perspective that is heaps! Imagine if ten people were to come to my house once a week!

Trina ends the book by saying:

Seek depth over width,

Service over fame,

Seek to bless rather than impress,

and most of all

to ignore the numbers and

seek to have Kingdom Impact with your blog. 

I want to do that. I want my blog to be a service to others. I want to bless others. To inspire them, to encourage them. I want to bless you, my readers, to inspire you, encourage you. But not like big me instructing all my little followers. Not like that at all. You aren't my followers, you are my fellowers. We're pressing together toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 3:14)

We're in this together.

Let You Heart be Broken.

Sometimes I see something that touches my heart. Like this photo. (There are many more. Take a look at my 'Touch my Heart' board on Pinterest. )

It makes me think,  How can I help? What can I do to help them? I have so much in comparison. I live with my family in a nice home, I have plenty of clothes to wear, always something to eat and drink, and always shelter, warmth, and love. I am blessed. Now...how can I share what I have? I don't know. I really don't. But I found this song yesterday that really summed up all my thoughts. 

'Let Your Heart be Broken.'

Let your heart be broken for a world in need:

Feed the mouths that hunger, soothe the wounds that bleed,

Give the cup of water, and the loaf of bread-

Be the hands of Jesus, serving in His stead.

Here on earth applying principles of love,

Visible expression - God still rules above -

Living illustration of the Living Word

To the minds of all who're never heard.

Blest to be a blessing, privileged to care,

Challenged by the need - apparent every where.

Where mankind is wanting, fill the vacant place.

Be the means through which the Lord reveals His grace.

Add to your believing deeds that prove it true,

Knowing Christ as saviour, make Him master too.

Follow in His footsteps, go where He has trod:

In the world's great trouble risk yourself for God.

Let your heart be tender and your vision clear:

See mankind as God sees, serve him far and near.

Let your heart be broken by a brother's pain;

Share your rich resources, give and give again.

                                                                  -Bryan Jefferey Leech

The tune of this song really adds to it as well. But I can't find it on YouTube, so you'll just have to use your imagination. Think slow, minor, passionate. After reading and singing and pondering this these words, I added to them:

'Lord, this song has touched my weak and wand'ring heart,

I am willing, waiting, help me do my part.

Teach me of Your ways, and give me of Your love,

May I spend my life preparing for above.' 

Look Up!

This afternoon, well really it was evening, but I prefer the word afternoon, so we’ll call it afternoon. This afternoon we went for a walk. We started out walking through the paddock and then went on the road the rest of the way. I was walking along with my head down listening to everyone else’s conversations. (Or is that called eavesdropping?) I seem to have this habit of looking at the ground while I walk. So my view consisted of stones, leaves, a few sticks, and mud. How exciting! Did I really go for a walk just to see some wet dirt? So I thought ‘How entirely stupid that I am walking along here looking at a piece of average ground, nothing special, nothing amazing, when I could be looking up. Up at green paddocks, and trees with a road winding through them, sheep and cows… Up at the sky which was filled with clouds and shades of a sunset…’  

How often do we look down as we travel our way through life, looking down, when we could look up? How often do we focus our thoughts and time and attention on all the ‘down’ things in life when we could be looking up? Up to Jesus, up to all that He does for us, up to all the blessings He’s given us, up to all the ways He can help us with the ‘down’ things in life…  Look up! 

Prayer...

About a week ago I was reading A Man Called Peter by Catherine Marshell, and an excerpt from one of Peter's sermons, "Why Worry", stood out to me. It was an answer to the often asked question, "How much should I do to help God answer my prayers, and how much should I leave to Him?" I thought it was a really good explanation of why sometimes it seems God doesn't answer our prayers. 


"When faced with problems that worry us, we should, by all means, talk them over with the Lord.
We should, because He wants us to, turn the matter over to Him.
But God may insist on bringing up other matters as a prerequisite to His answering our prayers.

If we want to trust God,
   but feel that our faith is hardly strong enough for such a venture, then we can, with every confidence, ask Him to give us the faith too,

for faith is a gift of God. 

What, after all, do I mean, when I speak of taking worries to the Lord and leaving them there?

Let me use the simplest illustration of which i can think.

Suppose a child has a broken toy.

He believes that his father can mend it.

He brings the toy to his father, saying that he himself has tried to fix it and has failed.

He asks his father to do it for him.

The father gladly agrees...

   takes the toy

      and begins to work.

Now obviously, the father can do his work most quickly and easily, if the child makes no attempt to interfere, but simply sits quietly watching.

   or even goes about other business

with never a doubt that the toy is being sucessfully mended.

But what do most of God's children do in such a situation?

Often we stand by, offering a lot of meaningless advice and some rather silly criticism.

We even get a little impatient, because it is taking so long,

   and we try to help

      and get our hands in the Father's way, generally hindering His work. 

Finally, in our desperation, we may even grab the toy out of our Father's hands entirely, saying rather bitterly that we hadn't really thought He could fix it anyway,

   that we had given Him a chance,

       and that He had failed us.

There are times when God asks us to mend some broken relationships,

   to do something to make the way straight before Him.

But never forget that His plans may include simply turning over your problem

   doing nothing else...

       just shutting out all doubt and worry.

This is the kind of solution that God loves because it glorifies Him.

And we are glad to say:

   "I didn't do anything but just believe.

    God did it all.

       Give Him the credit.!"

Why not give Him the chance with your problems?

God can fix it for you.

He is eager to do it."

Book Review || Storm Over the Prairie

I've just finished reading a book called 'Storm Over the Prairie', by Kathryn L. Wrote. I bought this book at an op shop just over a year ago for the grand sum of fifty cents, and I've read it quite a few times since then.    It's quite an old book - copyright 1982 - so I'm not sure if it's still in print or not...Anyway.

This book tells the story of Marta. Marta grew up as the second youngest child, and only girl in a family of eight children. Marta was a hardworking young tomboy, who loved nothing more than to be with her horse, Beauty. She and Beauty would go for Sunday afternoon walks to the lake. When Marta gained her Father's permission to enter the cross-country horse race, she and Beauty practised for it every day on a secret course in the valley. On the day, Marta was in the lead, headed for the finish line, when someone's dirty little trick came into effect. Marta won the trophy, but Beauty was dead. In her heart, Marta wondered how a loving God could take away her only friend.

Marta put horses out of her head and began to take an interest in school and the other topics her classmates discussed. She started going to dances, and spending time with a young man named Abe Stiltmeir. She enjoyed his company, and often went to the trouble of making herself new dresses for the picnics they went on together. One moonlight night Abe told Marta that he loved her, and wanted her to be his wife. Memories came rushing back to Marta about the last time she had allowed herself to love something. She couldn't allow herself to love Abe.

But after several months, Marta's friend convinced her to come to another dance. And at the dance was Abe. They found themselves alone outside. 'I love you too' Marta said. They began making plans for their marriage. Marta and her mother made the dress and sewed sheets and quilts in preparation.

One day as they were sewing together, Marta's mother told her some interesting history. Marta's mother had grown up in Germany, and married a German man. They had had two children, a boy and a girl. But her husband was killed, and when she later married Marta's  father and moved to America, her parents insisted that the children stay behind. Marta had a sister.

Not long after that, and before the wedding, Marta's mother died. Marta felt as if part of her were being buried along with her mother's form. She felt she had nothing left to give Abe. She wondered why God, if there was a God, chose to take away her mother.

Life went on and a few months later they were married. Life took on a new meaning for Marta. Sometime later Marta found out she was pregnant. She had seen her mother almost die giving birth to Marta's younger brother, and she was scared. But she gave birth to a healthy girl, whom they named Mary.

As Mary grew older she became an object of war between her parents. They were fighting against each other for her affections. Because Mary preferred the outdoors more than cooking and cleaning, Abe usually won. And Marta  and Abe's relationship deteriorated. As Marta's father lay dying he pleaded with Marta to make things right.

Things did get better, and soon Marta discovered she was pregnant again. Mary was ecstatic at the prospect of having a new brother or sister, and when Willie arrived the two were inseparable. When Willie was about two, Abe and Mary took him down to the pond to go paddling. Abe went out a bit deeper, leaving Mary in charge. But Willie choked on a stone, and before Abe could do anything, it was too late.

Marta was distraught and decided if that was what God was like, she'd rather not have anything to do with him. She made Abe promise that they would raise Mary without religion. And so it was. But one day a preacher came to town doing revival meetings. The girls at school were all talking about it, and Mary wanted to go. Marta grudgingly let her. Mary went, and received Jesus into her heart. She was thrilled with her new found saviour and spent every spare moment devouring her Bible. But Marta wanted nothing to do with God, or any religion, and Abe sided with Mary. Their relationship and home was, once again, crumbling.

One day Marta received an unexpected letter. The return address was 'Frankfurt, Germany.' It was from her long-lost, in fact never known, half sister. Marta had a sister. Here was a gift she understood. 'For the first time in her life, Marta talked with God.'

This is really only a short book - 119 pages - a brief account of Marta's life. So it doesn't read exactly like a story book. And while it might have sounded a bit like it to begin with, it is not a love story. It is the story of Marta's gradual rejection of God, and then her acceptance of him. I like this book because it shows that, even though it might not look like it, God still understands and cares about us.

I sewed.

You know how over there in my blurb about my self it says I like sewing? Well... I thought it was about time I did more than said I like it. Like doing it, for example. So yesterday I did some sewing. I found a piece of dark green cotton knit fabric... 

And some cute buttons...

And I made a neck-warmer. 

It was really easy. I just cut a strip of fabric 45 inches long, and 7 inches wide. Then i joined it together like a tube, turned it in the right way, made some buttonholes, sewed on some buttons, and 'Hey Presto!' I'm done! It really was that easy. 

And then I enjoyed making that one so much, I found some more cute fabric...

And i made another one for my sister.

It is knit fabric on the outside, and polar fleece on the inside.  

So... there's my sewing efforts. Super easy, super simple, super quick, super fun, and super functional. 

Have I inspired you to make one yet? 

On my mind...

A couple of days ago my sister read a story to us about a girl named Amy. Amy was struggling to accept the fact that her family were going to Africa to do mission work. Then she had this dream:

"Cocoa-coloured children surrounded Amy where she sat cross-legged on a mud floor in a tiny hut. Their dark eyes gazed up at Amy in mute appeal as they pressed in around her. Some of their stomachs were swollen from malnutrition and the little clothes they wore were tattered and dirty.

Amy's heart melted as a grimy little toddler climbed into her lap and wrapped little brown arms around her neck. Another girl snuggled up to her side, and a little boy plopped down at her feet. Soon hosts of little children were surrounding her, pressing in closer and climbing all over her. Amy had no idea where they were all coming from.

It seemed their dark brown eyes and eager hands were longing for something. Amy tried to help. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come. She felt entirely helpless.

And yet, the children came. Soon the hut was full of tiny children. Some lay on the floor moaning. Two toddlers climbed into her arms, crowding the former occupant out. Others simply stared with chocolate brown eyes full of hurt and longing. A few clung to her skirt and whimpered to be held.

But still more children came. Amy was beginning to think the hut would bulge at the sides when she glanced out the door to see scores more of little boys and girls hobbling, walking, crawling, running, always coming toward the hut.

Amy tried to once more to speak, to somehow comfort the little ones who stared so sadly at her. But no words came. She tried to gesture her love for them, but they only stared in confusion. Finally, one by one, they filed back down the dusty path, stopping occasionally to throw her a look of hurt and longing that knifed Amy's very being."

This description really just - I don't know. Spoke to me? I feel like Amy, how can I help them? 

Also this morning I did a survey that told me about how many slaves I have working for my family. Guess how many? 57... 57 people, mostly children, are working, slaving, to make the things my family uses. Our clothes, our mobile phone, our gadgets... 

(You can find out how many slaves your family has working for you at http://slaveryfootprint.org)

These things have just really been on my mind...

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Now listen to this letter from a girl who benefits from the money I give to Amazima. 

"Dear sponsor,

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am writing for you this letter to remind you that I love what you are doing for me.

First of all I thank you for the great work done of paying my school fees and I am very happy because I'm in Amazima ministry.

My name is Namkumba Betty. I am in primary five. I am 11 years old. I love playing net ball. I love playing net ball and I love playing with my friends. My best best friend is Kisakye Rebecca and I want to become a nurse in the future.

From your loving child,

Namkumba Betty"

Isn't that just so sweet? It really made my day when it came in the mail...

Anyway I know this is a bit of an all-over-the-place kind of post, but, like I said,  it's just what I've been thinking about of late. :) 

God is at the Anvil...

This is a poem I read in my Literature schoolbook recently. For some reason I just really liked it. So much so, that I am actually memorizing it. It is describing a sunset...

God is at the anvil, beating out the sun,

Where the molten metal spills,

At his forge among the hills,

He has hammered out the glory of a day that's done.

God is at the anvil, welding golden bars,

In the scarlet- streaming flame,

He is fashioning a frame,

For the shimmering silver beauty of the evening stars.

                                                             -Lew Sarett

A Bike Ride...

Yesterday my brother and I went for a bike ride...down the road...

...and up the lane...

...all the way to the end...

...and I was thinking as I rode along...

...how much our journey down the lane is like our journey to heaven...

...there are signs to tell us what is up ahead...

 ...there are little tokens of God's love...

 ...there are barriers to keep us on the right path...

...and there is joy at the end of the journey. :)

Thank you Lord...

Often in the morning, as part of my devotions I list ten things I am thankful to God for. It really makes me think, I have so much to be thankful for. 870 million people in this world do not even have enough food to eat... Here is my list of 'Thank you Lord's' from a couple of days ago.

1. Thank you Lord for the rain that fell yesterday and the night before.

2. Thank you Lord for the fun we had yesterday...in puddles...in polka dotty gumboots...with an umbrella...with the camera...   

 

 

3. Thank you Lord that it's sunny now. (Not that we would say no to more rain, though...)

4. Thank you Lord for food to eat...I can smell some right now...

5. Thank you Lord for a warm fire, for frosty mornings like this one.

6. Thank you Lord for my family. I couldn't imagine life without them.

 

7. Thank you Lord for my pets.

 

8. Thank you Lord that I have all I could need, and more.

9. Thank you Lord for the birds that I can see out my window...magpies...parrots...fairy wrens...

10. Thank you Lord for you Word...

What are you thankful for today?