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The Refiner's Fire
A. W. Tozer
Ten thousand enemies cannot stop a Christian, cannot even slow him down, if he meets them in a attitude of complete trust in God. They will become to him like the atmosphere that resists the airplane, but which because the plane's designer knew how to take advantage of that resistance, actually lifts the plane aloft and holds it there for a journey of 2,000 miles. What would have been an enemy to the plane becomes a helpful servant to aid it on its way.
The main thing is this: we should never blame anyone or anything for our defeats. No matter how evil their intentions may be, they are altogether unable to harm us until we begin to blame them and use them as excuses for our own unbelief. Then they become potent to do us injury; nevertheless, we are to blame and not they.
If this should seem like a bit of theorizing, remember that always the greatest Christians have come out of hard times and tough situations. Tribulations actually worked for their spiritual perfection in that they taught them to trust not in themselves but in the Lord who raised the dead. They learned that the enemy could not block their progress unless they surrendered to the urgings of the flesh and began to complain. And slowly, they learned to stop complaining and start praising. It is that simple--and it works!

I lost my reply post - it started with a WOW! Glad I asked the question - Refiners Fire!
 Gl

I got a call from the California Realtor yesterday he and Gilbert had checked out a place for me. It is everything I am looking for in a new place to live in California. I told them what my bid would be and they will be  accepting bids on Friday this week. This is an answer to my prayers. I am hoping that my bid will be the one that is accepted and we can get on our way back to California.

On another note I got my fist Moderna  vaccine shot yesterday.I cannot understand why anyone would refuse to get the vaccine. on a side note trump was vaccinated in  January. Although I am not a fan of his but I know that some here are

Marilyn:  Things are hopping for you right now  -  looking good.

My dad would sing "The old rugged cross" really loud in the house.  That memory came back so fast - his favorite singer was George Beverly Shea.

I have decided not to take that place as much as I want it, the down payment and closing costs are just too much it would deplete our savings and leave nothing to move on.

QUOTE FOR TODAY...

" God can heal a broken heart, but, you need to give Him all the pieces "

Trust in the Lord...

Marilyn...
...just a personal thought, what or who are you saving your money for, if it is not to enjoy your retirement years...You have heard of that expression of...
You cant take it ( your money ) with you ( when you die )

Life is full of gambles, some pay off...so taking that gamble on the property you like may just be one of those gambles, do not live with regrets., of, why didn't we do it.....I am now facing a similar situation to you...praying my money outlives me, not the other way around, when i make my next and final move...

Jackie, the point is I don't have enough in savings for the down payment, closing costs, and the move. It would take thousands more than I have.

      Marilyn...
...something better is waiting for you...God will make sure of that, when the time is right...

Amen Jackie, I gave it all to God and Jesus I am to trust Him. s told me to just be a little more patient because he has just exactly the right place to me.

Good Day everyone!  We still have a bit of snow but it is drier than it should be - moisture is needed.  On the other hand, the temperature is mild and sunny and it is so nice to take our afternoon walk in sunshine.  We only drive when it is necessary these days - too many are angry at the world here and take it out on the roadways.  Prayers for common sense and safety.  May all your prayers be answered. 

Another Sunday of reading the church message at home.  I sure do miss the people.  But - we have our 2nd vaccines and obeyed all the scientific rules so we are over the waiting time to be checked OKAY to go.  Still being very cautious.  Don has two medical issues that would make him a critical case if he caught the evil virus.  Now, we feel a tad more comfortable but still staying in and watching everything we do to keep the germs away. 

The young people and those who are doubters of the virus have been rioting - thankfully not in our area.  They have set fires and even rolled a car over on the street.  Our police and fire men and women have to go out and control the crowds.  All about the shutdown.  Our parents had rules when WWII broke out - shortages of so many things and they didn't riot in the streets. 

We have a lot more phone conversations with family and friends and that is so comforting.  I am going through a basement closet and donating some stuff plus getting some sewing jobs in that have been waiting for me.....

Marilyn:  Keep us posted on your life plan...it will all fall into place and you will look back and see the good reasons. 

Janet:  What is happening in your neighborhood?   

An actor I have great respect for. Jim is always explaining salvation!

Guess what is up?  Snow - this front arrived hours earlier than predicted.  The cook is ready - I have baked and cooked some heat-up meals just in case and have candles, flashlights ready. 

Update on our grandson who had the roll over truck crash and injuries (over a month ago).  He is healing nicely and he has chatted with the fire chief about joining when he is totally healed.  They will welcome him.  He is a compassionate fellow and always eager to help - just like our two other grands.  So proud of their caring.

My easy to sew project is ready - lets hope we don't lose electricity.  My trusty old Featherweight Singer is oiled and waiting to work.  Even if I only sew pot holders at least that will be therapy (in my mind). 

I have not heard "Turn your eyes.." for years = will take a break and listen to this one  ---super thanks!

Hello!  It's a good thing this computer finds this place accidentally, or I may never get in again!  Crazy.  I have no idea why I have so much trouble finding our nest.  Too many nights spent out in the cold, instead of in our cozy little spot!

We actually got a really lovely rain yesterday!!  When Darrel went out for the mail, he checked, and we had a full inch; and it was still raining.  Praise the Lord for that moisture, we really needed it here!  Carol, how much snow did you get?  The prediction we heard for Denver was 24 inches!

Marilyn, prayers for a less expensive, but lovely and fitting place for you.  As you said, God has the perfect place, and I pray you find it soon.

We (or at least this half of the "we") are getting really antsy to go on a trip.  Darrel was looking at a catalog from Oceania Cruise lines and found a cruise around the world.  He showed it to me and asked my opinion. When I saw it was 180 days, I said I didn't know that I wanted to be gone that long!!  How about picking a 2 or 3 weeks one, at least to see if we like it first? 

I have a jaw tooth that is giving me lots of pain.  It did this a year or so ago, and the dentist said it is a "pond stone."  I had never heard of such before.  He said the tooth has formed a hard mass inside, and when it moves, it causes that pain.  It's so sudden it always catches me off guard.  Hurts like the dickens!  And the only remedy he could suggest was swishing my mouth with Hydrogen Peroxide.  It does help, but it's happening so often I will have to start carrying a bottle with me!  Dentist said he had had this condition before, I said, Good!  Then you know I'm not kidding about the pain!  The two times before I had it, it went away in a couple of days, but this has been a week, and really often, even when I move at night, it grabs me.  Well, this, too, shall pass, and I know it is trivial compared to so many people's problems.  Sorry for complaining.  But had any of you ever heard of "pond stones" in teeth?

Carol, so good to hear your grandson is healing nicely.  So much to be thankful for!

Darn Daylight Savings time starts again today.  So we are up early, going to church after a bit.

I want to come back and listen to the music later--hoping I can find
my way "home'.

Wishing blessings for all of you!

For the life of me, I cannot get out of Quick Reply.  I am not sure this will work either.

The sun is shining and our blizzard is over - hooray!  We needed this moisture so much but we did not need the heaps of snow blown in - we will take it.  Scads of problems with cars - it looks like my neighbors stayed home and few are out there this morning.  The road isn't plowed yet. We did not lose our electricity - it did flicker a little.  Everything is beautiful with heaps of snow on the evergreen trees.

Janet:  Welcome home!  I have never heard of pound stone but it sounds painful.  Prayer for a healing!  Did you have any of that snowstorm at the beginning - before you sent it this way?      

We live in a Denver suburb that is actually higher altitude than Denver so we tend to have more snow than the city.  All this moisture is heaven sent because of our dry climate and all the fires last summer/fall.   

 

Janet:  Good to see you.  Marilyn:  Keep us posted on the place you will find - it will happen.

Janet thank uo so much for he prayers. I am having some trouble seeing smaller print on everything, I got one of those sheet magnifiers and  it just doesn't magnify enough. Then another problem is the type looks lighter than before. Even when I try to read instructions either on the web or in booklets. I wish those everything was in bold and large print.

Marilyn If you go up to the top by the URL there are 3 dots. If you tab on to those 3 dots there is a drop down menu.  If you scroll down that tab you will see the word zoom  Click on the plus and enlarge the print to make everything easier to read.  I forget many times to change the size of the print. I'm sorry about that, I hope this helps you to be able read easier!
 Keep us up to date on your move, we are all praying for you!
 
This has been an interesting day, John was home early morning and was off the bus run, back to the truck this evening and for the balance of the week he will be doing the afternoon bus run then the truck run.  All  part of the goal we have set.
 It is rough going for us however we will meet our goal this way.

Carol, Janet and Jacqueline it is good to see you.  I have tried to reach out to Oldiesman to learn how to do more on the site!  Pray that he answers!

Have a great day and God Bless

A dear cousin has passed away night before last, he was 88 and was in hospital in LA for a little better than a week.  His heart gave out, at least he wasn't labeled a COVID.  I am struggling but maintaining that stiff upper lip that our Scottish relatives expect. I am so thankful that we were able to see him over Christmas 2019.

Judy...
...sorry to hear of the loss of your cousin yesterday...I too spent yesterday afternoon and through the night in hospital, only to be released home before mid day today, an hour or so ago...I am better than yesterday but still not right...

Good Day from a sunny day that is almost melting the snow.  We still cannot take a walk until either the snow melts or sidewalks are cleared. 

Judy:  Good for you two on planning and taking charge of your situation - I wish you all the best.  You certainly deserve to "cut back" on lifestyle to take care of each other.  Prayers for your situation. 

Marilyn:  I use #3 print size - is this alright with you?

Jackie:  Sending a prayer for your health to improve. 

Mentioning this irritation ever since the pandemic - we get tons of phone calls and emails regarding something to buy - and all kinds of scams.  So frustrating.  We have to answer the phone because so many relatives and friends, etc we need to know who is calling.  There is something so evil about all the people trying to take advantage and take your money.  Wishing them jail time and worse. 

I made a bunch of Swedish pancakes to store in the fridge and we had some this morning.  It is a thin batter topped with Lingonberry sauce.  We used to find the sauce in Minnesota but it is rare here.   o

Carol #3 is fine I like that y'all use the bold as well.I use #4

Whew...I finally made it!!  As Tom's Uncle Otis used to say: "I've been troo da mill" with computer/internet/phone problems!  I decided I wanted to get rid of my landline and go with Consumer Cellular so my grandson picked out the phone I should have (according to him) and even sent screen savers and a case and wall charger.  I set about trying to set up this iPhone with great trepidation and about the same time Microsoft decided to upgrade!  I had to redo a lot of my accounts and passwords and set up new ones for some accounts. 

I had the landline for more than 20 years. First with Verizon then Frontier and lately Zipley fiber.  Seems when Zipley bought Frontier, Frontier froze their customers' accounts and required a backup email/password to get access.  I never got that memo. When Zipley released my number to Consumer Cellular a couple weeks ago I suddenly couldn't get into my Frontier.com email.  Of course, I did the "I forgot my password" routine but they kept telling me whatever I came up with to change it was wrong.  I'd try enough times that I'd be locked out and told to try again in 24 hours.  Very frustrating to say the least!

 My good friend, Nita, told me, when I told her I was getting a "smart" phone, "Don't let it bully you."  Well, it has done a good job of doing just that!  I had to get a guru to come out and get this mess straightened out.  The tech haggled with the "experts" at Frontier for nearly an hour before finally getting past the recordings and speaking with a human being.  I still handle this whole thing with great caution because it surely does intimidate me.  This old woman is coming into the new techie world on tiptoes and bated breath, but I am here.

Now that I've got that excuse down I'll be back in every once in a while to let y'all know I'm still around. (much better than being a square, y'know) 

Y'all take care and be safe. 

Jane - WELCOME HOME! 

We hope to see Nita soon.

Here, it is another day of snow and that it will last for the next five days.  It is so beautiful and quiet out in the ravine with the trees dripping clumps of snow - so quiet.  Our daughter drove here for a nice visit yesterday - she is the dynamo of our family - she is looking for another job since her entire group was laid off - that is the way they do it these days. 

Interesting comments on the technology we use today.  We have to have a land line and a cell phone (because the phone company is too slow at fixing any problem). 

So sad about our church having to lay off a wonderful woman who was the 2nd. pastor. 

Thankful for my family, relatives and good friends.  Thankful for CP -

There has been another terrible shooting - it is all over the news.  Prayers for all the families and friends who lost loved ones. 

Very sad news in our area with another shooting - this time a Muslim killed 10 people in a grocery store.  Such a violent country we have at times.  A policeman (father of 7 children) lost his life.  I mention Muslim because our news will keep that fact quiet.

Does anyone have good news to report?  We are grateful for the snow even though it is a storm - we need the moisture after so many mountain fires last year.  Grateful that the grocery stores are working hard to keep the flow of food on our tables.  Not to mention, there are so many people volunteering to help with food delivery and also with the groups of covid shots carried out every day.