The Ultimate Sacrifice

I believe I was nine or ten years old at the time. I was walking through the kitchen and noticed that Mom, after getting off the phone with Dad, looked upset and worried. She gathered the four oldest, (Josh, Jeremiah, Jonathan and I) into the living room to talk to us.  My first thought was that something bad happened to Dad or maybe a friend of ours. When she explained what happened to the twin towers and the terrorist who flew those planes, I was a little relived. In my young mind, I couldn’t comprehend this terrible attack that had happened in our country.  “Why does it matter to us?”, I thought. Bad things happen all the time…  As I heard more and more about it, I began to realize what a major attack this really was, but it was only within the past few years that I have really begun to realize the full extent of what happened; but I don’t think I can ever know completely, unless I was there.

   September 11 2001 marks a tragic day. Tragic, because of the many, many lives that were lost.  But through all of the destruction,  death, and pain, there were those  who grew stronger through it, and many who’s lives were changed by it. Was your life changed? Did you live differently, think, or act differently after 9/11? Life keeps moving on, as time will stop for no one, but as that time goes by, did we continue on as if nothing happened, or did America pull together, to work as one nation, under God, by whom we live and breath and have our being this day? What do you think? What have you done?

Thank-you to all the firefighters, policemen, and workers who gave their lives for us. Thank-you to those who did not stand by, but acted in a way that would help others. Most of all, thank-you to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself as the ultimate sacrifice for we who are unworthy of his amazing grace. Never forget what He has done. Do not be afraid to tell of it, and never stop fighting to defend it.

Jehovah

I'm having some camera troubles, so I'm afraid you'll have to wait for todays Feeling Feminine post, and I'll see if I can recover the pictures. I hope you instead take to heart the words of the hymn in this post.

O the deep love of Jesus, our human minds shall never comprehend! We serve an awesome God. Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider!  

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current
Of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to
Thy glorious rest above!

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth
never, nevermore!
How He watches o'er His loved ones,
died to call them all His own
how for them He intercedeth, watcheth
o'er them from the throne!


Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus,
'Tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!

As Thou Goest, Step by Step, I Will Open Up the Way Before Thee Proverbs 4:12

 

From the notebook of Arthur E. Ritchie

Child of my love, fear not the unknown morrow,
Dread not the new demand life makes of thee;
Thy ignorance doth hold no cause for sorrow
Since what thou knowest not is known of Me.

Thou canst not see the hidden meaning
Of my command, but thou the light shall gain;
Walk on in faith, upon My promise leaning,
And AS THOU GOEST, all shall be made plain.


One step thou seest -- then go forward boldly,
One step is far enough for faith to see;
Take that, and thy next duty shall be told thee,
For STEP BY STEP thy Lord is leading thee.

Stand not in fear thy adversaries counting,
Dare every peril, save to disobey;
Thou shalt march on, all obstacles surmounting,
For I the Strong, WILL OPEN UP THE WAY.

Wherefore go gladly to the task assigned thee,
Having my promise, needing nothing more
Than just to know, wher'er the future find thee,
In all thy journeying I go BEFORE.

Christmas Thoughts, and Ramblings...

The days are seem to be going by fast! (Or for some, extremely slow) Here are some things to ponder as we get caught up in the activity and joy of the holiday.

(*picture taken from the internet*)

. Christmas should be a time of peace on earth. Not a busy, hectic time that we forget the One we should be celebrating.



. Don't worry and fret about all the things that need to or aren't getting done. If the gifts are late, and the cookies are not yet made, the house is a mess and it seems we have a whole load of presents still to wrap, don't fret and waste time worrying about it.
The gifts will come eventually, and no matter when the cookies are done, the memory of it is there. A messy house, though not always preferred is a sign of a living, healthy, and happy home.



. We shouldn't be worried about sharing our joy and hospitality with others, or be pulled back from the true Christmas spirit on account of busyness.


. Take time to sit back, enjoy the snowfall, smiling children, and all the festivities that the holiday brings. Most of all, thank the One who blesses you with it all, and for His coming to earth; Jesus Christ. He's all that should really matter in the hustle bustle of this Christmas season.


. Read the Christmas story together as a family. Make sure the focus is on Jesus Christ.


. A great way to explain to little ones who have trouble understanding why Christmas is not about presents but about Jesus is, tell them that we are celebrating Jesus' birthday. Maybe even make a cake that says "Happy Birthday Jesus!" It will certainly create a lasting memory.



. Adopt into your family, some fun traditions that honor each other and God. Traditions that can be passed on for generations.

Our family has an ornament exchange. We pick two names. One name is the person we have for gifts, and the other for the person we will buy stocking stuffers and ornaments for. We must have a reason that we picked that certain ornament for our person. Also, we like to be "secret angel" and do small kind things or give little gifts leading up to Christmas in secret, to our person who we will buy gifts for. If you already have some of your own, I'd love to hear them!

What are some of your traditions?


What are the hardest things for you to remember in this season?

Most of all, are you ready to give an effort and make Christ our ultimate focus not just on Christmas, but throughout the whole year?


I dearly hope, to all my readers, that you have a wonderful, blessed, and Christ honoring Christmas.

God Bless.


Merry Christmas!


Kelsey

Mustard Seed Faith

Matt 17:20 "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."