Thoughts for the Month ~ May

[JudyB]

Today would you believe it we have about 6 inches of snow on the ground! This is May for goodness sake!

[JudyB]

Janet:  You posted in April again.  I can't move it for you.

[JudyB]

From Chris:
Chris Saunders
 
"God gives grace, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you, cleanse your hands you sinners, purify your hearts you double minded." James.

It is no good telling a Christian "resist the devil and he will flee from you"
Don't ever do this, this command is qualified. Why should the devil flee from you if you are living just like an unbeliever, with a sinful life and no power?
Why should he flee from you.?

It says " Draw near to God and He will draw near to you".
Think about this.. You are only safe in Christ, and walking in obedience to Him. Judas walked with Christ and lived a double life. Which Christ knew all about, and at a certain time Satan entered into him and he was cursed of all men. Judas did not draw near to God ever.
Yet he had the name of being a disciple, even the Eleven did not know what he was doing.
Draw near to God. Confess your sins.
1 John ch 1 v 9.
Live a Holy life in Christ.
Then the devil will flee from you!

[JudyB]

[Carol]

Thankful for the beautiful music.  I have not seen the name of Sandi Patty for years and years.  Such a strong voice.  I will listen to His eye is on the sparrow - remembering? I think - George Beverly Shay? 

Today, for a few hours, 3 of our children and three grandchildren (one came with a new girlfriend) came to sit in our back yard on the grass - we had sweets and sandwiches and spent all our time chatting behind our masks.  It brought tears when I saw them - they had a long drive each way and came to visit.  Bringing so many flowers, now I need more potting soil. Our daughter found six packs of active yeast.  Hooray, now I can use my old bread machine. 

Churches are really having a struggle with all the layoff's and shut-downs.  People are not able to contribute - I do appreciate most food has not jumped in price but time will tell if that still holds true.  If they suddenly have no income - that is a really anxious time for so many.  Don was out of work one time and our house would not sell - I had to work all kinds of temporary jobs and was always fearful that I wouldn't catch on fast enough.  Remembering that time - when taking a daily walk of praying for some sign and in the midst of the sidewalk there suddenly was a yellow flower blooming through a crack in the cement.  Such perseverance - I took that as a sign of a struggle that we could get through and we did.  Always thankful.

Judy:  Six inches of snow on the ground - well, I hope you need the moisture. 

 

[JudyB]

It is a hard saying but must be stated that God has no grandchildren, you may have grandchildren but God cannot. If you are truly saved, then you are a child of God, but your children are not related to God through you.

You may hope that God may have pity upon your children because you are known to Him, He cannot..if God winked His eye and let them..as sinners..enter into Heaven..then Our Lord Jesus Christ would have suffered and died for nothing.
All sinners have to die to self, all rebels have to surrender at the cross.
God has no grandchildren..you sons and daughters of Christians have to realise that
The day will come when you have to surrender to Christ or perish, it will do you no good to say..my mum, my dad, know God....yes they do, by grace, they are known by God and related to Him through the death of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ but you are still not.
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..

[JudyB]

Carol, Usually May is the beginning of the tiny horrible blackflies the take gouges out of you, also the mosquitos.  This year that is delayed. So are the trees, dandelions, tulips, and other beautiful spring things.

We are planning on a fair sized garden this year, hoping to feed all who help with the planting weeding and harvesting.  I am hoping that isn't delayed as well!

It is wonderful having Doug close by. He has bought an RV trailer, and has parked it in the driveway. As a trucker he is gone during the week and home on weekend.  It is so wonderful so see him regularly.

[Jacqueline]

Autistic and blind boy puts my singing voice to shame...

[Jane Walker]

Now that has my eyes leaking!  A blind boy longing to see the Lord

[Jacqueline]

Jane Walker...
... yes, i do hope our God hears him and grants him his wish...

[Carol]

Bless this special child! 

Judy:  I am so happy that you have this special time with Doug.  Thank you for the tips on Irish bread. The black flies sound awful.  In Minnesota, they have Lake flies and they stick to siding and cars.  Of course, they have mosquitoes and they like to bite skin on animals and people. 

 

[JudyB]

[JudyB]

[Carol]

Nice harmony - thanks again. 

Tonight is the monthly ZOOM meeting of the quilt group.  It will be the second online meeting for us. How nice it is to not drive across the city to someone's house.  Don has found an online cribbage game and he can play against one friend at least. 

[JudyB]

https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=1EJB9JNU&utm_content=buffer8c204&utm_medium=fbpage&utm_source=faith&utm_campaign=cdupdate&fbclid=IwAR0yRt39YvRIAOL3NsxIshtDg-Cw1ihjw1GI6oVCOjPpPhCZJIASVmefTpo

[JudyB]

https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=YG76DGNX&utm_content=bufferf2ca9&utm_medium=fbpage&utm_source=faith&utm_campaign=cdupdate&fbclid=IwAR0aUkoE4ROHYOQqd_2oK2NEa9DHJoCer4gnz29eX7VDzuvEjM53lAWk-k8

[JudyB]

[JudyB]

[JudyB]

Chris Saunders
 
"Is any sick among you?
Let him call for the Elders of the church, and let them pray over him anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick person and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he has commited sins, they shall be forgiven. " James.

Controversial today?
Oh yes, very, in most Pentecostal fellowships this practice has been ongoing for many, many years, do people get healed.. Some do..some don't.
Many churches don't even have Elders..
Isn't the book of James written to Jews... Of course it is. Chapter one tells us.. "to the twelve tribes scattered abroad" Contrary to many there are no "lost" tribes they are scattered all over the world and still keep up their customs.
But isn't all the bible for our instruction? Of course it is. 2Tim ch 3 v 16.
Should we practise these instructions for the healing of the sick today, why not.. But all the quack preachers do it, well criminals use guns..
It all depends upon the user.
Maybe Satan has tried to destroy credibility in this passage so we won't believe it.
Have I personally been prayed over and anointed by Elders.. Yes, several times, over my forty odd years as a believer, was I healed.. Several times.. Were there times when I wasn't healed.. Yes.. But that doesn't change my belief in God's word.
Have I prayed for anyone and seen God heal them.. Yes.
Have I prayed for others and they weren't healed.. Yes.
We shall leave it there for now.
God bless and encourage you this day.

[Carol]

Crossview Church is sorta in my territory.  I know the street - however, all churches are closed (as far s I know). It is a terrible time for church to meet their monthly bills as there are many many lost jobs as well. 

Thanks for "Blessed Assurance".  We do like listening to the "oldies". 

I spent time in the basement sewing area and barely fixed the machine problem.  It did get fixed.  I have a throw/quilt ready to sew together with the three layers - top, batting, and back.  It is all scraps and whatever - forcing myself to not buy any cotton fabric.  If the church has the annual handiwork sale before Christmas, I will gift it.  We certainly have no need for one more quilt.  Our church supports many things including a school in a poor area and also families of our military.  Some of them, especially with children, have trouble buying school supplies and even food. 

Today, we watched 30 old planes fly over - super neat!  Neighbors were outside too - nice to chat with my neighbor. 

We have a weekly prayer list we can read with our news letter.  There are names of people who are listed for many reasons, health and healing is one reason.  Years ago, I went through training to bring communion to anyone who wished.  Loved loved loved it - and trained for volunteer at a hospital where I slept overnight one night per month.  Sometimes, no sleep - we took turns since the daytime chaplain would be gone.  I loved it - wish I had the energy again.

One thing noticeable to us with this virus - neighbors want to talk and they miss our close encounters.  I miss it too - we have to be super careful and not let anyone in so we talk outdoors spaced apart.  It helps. 

Judy and Chris:

Thanks for your ongoing uplifting messages.   

[JudyB]

"The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availed much.
Elijah was a man with the same passions as we, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it didn't rain for three years and six months." James 5.
Now then, a man just like us, same faults, same weaknesses, same desires, but he had God's ear, God knew him as His Prophet, a man who would do exactly as he was told, he lived rough, looked rough, but he wasn't bothered about looking nice, he was bothered about living right in a wrong world. He was bothered about the amount of sinning that was going on around him in Ahab and Jezebel's kingdom, Baal the false God was being worshipped as commanded by the Queen, and his frustration was answered by God, and it did not rain.. a hot land with no rain, everything burning up, much worse than we have ever gone through, and God told him to hide away for he was now a wanted man.
Ravens fed him and he drank from a little Brook named Cherith..( Cherith means a cutting, a separation) and that is very apt!
So day after day, the same, waiting for a word from God, living in fear of Jezebel's rage.
But an obedient man, a proper man, who did not dally with sin, a man after God's own heart and so God listened to him and used him.
Could that be you.. Me?
May God continue to work on us.

[JudyB]

[Carol]

We just had a call from #3 child.  He just found out he has Shingles and was headed toward a pharmacy.  Apparently, if born before 1980, everyone carries the dormant virus.  Both Don and I had Shingle vaccinations after a church friend said, "If you have to mortgage the house - pay for the Shingle shot.  I remember her having a very painful recovery.   My next shot is on the list when I go for an annual physical. 

Some animal or very big bird has poked a hole in our steep part of the front roof.  Birds are swooping around - several years ago, we had to pay for a bee colony to be safely placed in a new home.  It cost us $100 to "save the bees".  This is a new mystery.

How is everyone feeling?  This is almost like being trapped in a 3 day snow storm in some ways.  I am so grateful for electricity still working and water isn't frozen. 

Judy:  We had hail but no snow.  Three days now predicted to be into the 80's - we call it whiplash weather. 

Janet:  What is happening in your world now?  How is your church handling the shuttered doors?     

[JudyB]

[JudyB]

This mighty man of God has gone to be with his Lord and Saviour... Listen to the end!

https://www.facebook.com/StopPlayingChurch/videos/828834300506943/

[Jacqueline]

Where is Janet, has anyone local to her been checking up on her welfare and her safety during this C Virus pandemic, she has been absent since the 8th May...this is not like her...

[Rebot]

Greetings Jackie  Yes, no sign of Janet.  Our thoughts are with Janet.   Ellie

[JudyB]

Janet was on Facebook today. 

I have become increasingly discouraged this month with the lack of response on here.

I received a text message that Pat's house has finally sold.  Janice and Andrew have been really busy the past year clearing it out and getting it ready for sale.  This is the end of an era for my family in Guelph. Time to move on!

Have a great week everyone!

[Carol]

Judy:  I haven't had much to say - every day is really dull without contact with friends and family.  the word malaise comes to mind.  Congrats on selling the house.  It has to be sad for you and the family - we are glad that we had one evening with Pat when they drove out of their way to spend a night.  "Time to move on" is a great attitude.

I am supposed to be on the quilting group tonight when they meet on Zoom.  I just cannot do it - nothing to report, no time to even think of sewing something.  We have a grandson's graduation from college party coming up this week, and he is looking for work - isn't everyone?  I feel so sorry for the kids getting out of school with limited opportunities.  They are all hard workers so something will come along.

 

Our church opened - we can listen to a message on the internet and prefer to not go into the building yet. So very strange. Very good news that you found Janet on Facebook.  I do not check there all the time. 

Time for the news, hope and pray for a vaccine.   

[Rebot]

Greetings Judy  Our lifestyles have changed these past few months.  New ways of shopping with stores allowing one or two people at a time.  Family and friends not allowed in ones home.  Places of worship with closed doors.  As Carol splendidly said prayers for a new vaccine.  Ellie