until we only are being held on to

How long? 
The Psalmist also said, "how long, O Lord?".
Every trial seems to grow and grow in intensity until I am only being held on to.  Then- poof!- it's over. 
I am holding on to the truth that one day this present trial will be finished and life will seem easier again.
Is this how a weed feels when it is being pulled out of the soil?  If so, pull the weeds out and plant me with Your completely faithful seed.  Grow me into fruitfulness.

women

Stability.  It is a good thing to be strong, to be steady, to walk on a level path. 
Emotii.  Compassion.  Mercy.  Faithfulness.
Emotion:  weak-willed.  gullible.  wind-driven.
Instability.  Without self-control, along for the ride with no intention of holding on.

Where are the strong today?   

Faith.  My choice to have confidence in God, believing His word to be true and trustworthy, results in God acting and responding in His great faithfulness.  My small- His great. 
Hidden faults.  I am impressed with my dentist's state-of-the-art tools.  But one camera he has exposes hidden cracks...hidden faults, that indicate a problem.  At this point, I like my old dentist with none of these tools.  He always had good news.  But my present dentist always has bad news, it seems.  Psalm 19:12 - "Who can discern his errors?  Forgive my hidden faults."  It's true- we can't see our hidden faults.  God can see them clearly, and can forgive them.  A dentist can only remove and repair- God can forgive and restore.

Have confidence in God, with humility and love.  -Brother Lawrence.

4th of July

It's almost time to go watch this year's display of fireworks.  The sun has set, and it's getting dark outside.  We usually go too early and end up waiting and waiting, until we hear that first "bang"- and then we sit back and enjoy the show.  I love the 4th of July and what it means.  I love the history, the stories really, of the making of our nation.  This year it will be just Pat and I going- everyone else is doing something else. It's kind of sad that it won't be a family affair this year.  When something ends, there is always a new beginning and all the excitement that goes with it.  Three cheers for the red, white, and blue!

The Liverpool : Banberry Place!, European, Japanese and Domestic fabric, patterns and notions

The Liverpool : Banberry Place!, European, Japanese and Domestic fabric, patterns and notions

Rest for your Soul

There is a pathway that Jesus offers that leads to soul rest.
1. You find it by coming to Jesus when you're weary and heavy-burdened, and He gives rest.
2. Next we take His yoke upon us and learn from Him. (When we are the only one in the yoke, we aren't strong enough to pull very far, and He wants to us to learn a few things. Ouch! Do you like to be corrected?!)

Here is the secret: He is gentle and humble in heart.

God just takes it calmly and quietly- steadfastly. He says the burden is easy and the load is light, as we will see when we are yoked with Him. What is heavy and wearying for me is easy and light for Him. This isn't a training program that we will one day have no need for, but instead it becomes our lifestyle. Always yoked with Him. Rest for our souls will be found right there.

Check it out for yourself! Matthew 11:28-30.

Forgiveness

Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

Luke 11:4

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 1:7

Always keep a clean slate with the Lord, forgiving others as soon as the unforgiveness starts to creep in. Then I will always be in step with the Spirit, ready to fellowship with others who are also prepared, and the Holy Spirit will fellowship with us.

Where two or more are gathered together, there I am in the midst of them.