A Sunny Rainy Day Thought...

"It does not matter what my circumstances are, I can be as sure of abiding in Jesus in them as in a prayer meeting."  - a quote I read today

How true! If I only expect God to be at "excitement point" all the time, there is none of the serenity of the life hid with Christ in God there.

"Abide in me, and I in you; as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can  ye, except ye abide in me." John 15:4

In 1 Peter 2, I was reminded this morning that I was redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus and that He "was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." (I Peter 2:20, 21)

What a wonderful reminder that I must be as serene in my walk whether on the mountain top with Him or way down deep in the valleys. It is ashamed that a Christian can ever get "bored" with life on any given day. We have a wonderful God to serve! It should show that He is really a REALITY in my life all the time!

Infused in God's Word

As I listen to the rain on the tin porch roof it is a relaxing sound. Hardly would I know that it is after 7:30 a.m. On mornings like this it is easy to curl up with a good book and drop back off to sleep. There are dishes to do and projects waiting to be picked up and finished, so no sleeping this day. My hubby has been getting up at 3:45 for several weeks as he must be at his post by 5:00 a.m. While I'm in "recovery" he's been encouraging me to stay in bed and sleep till at least 6:00. The days of recovery are coming to an end, however, and I'm afraid that this sleeping till 6 is going to spoil me. With the rain this morning though, I did just that!

It takes God's Word to really bring you out of a "funk" (I don't know what that word actually means, so am sorry if I'm using an inappropriate one, just sounds like an awful state to be in!) Perhaps it does not happen to you, but sometimes I think that when a string of situations come along that are especially burdensome it's easy to get into a "funk" spiritually. God's Word says that "there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man". No present state that I find myself in is unique. The Lord has seen it all and promises to bring me through!

In reading my Bible today I was reminded that Matthew 11:28 says, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." It also commands me to take His yoke upon me and to learn of Him. One of my favorite old Testament Scripture verses is, "Come ye children; hearken unto me and I will teach you the fear of the Lord." What amazing results ensue when we COME to Him. "Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe". Do you ever sing that little children's chorus? What a victorious Christian life we will have when we simply open God's Word with prayer and, depending upon His strength, obey what He tells us in it.

A New Project:  This one will take weeks to see results

Comfrey and Plantain Salve ~ for healing scratches and especially good for rashes (including diaper)

I use my oven with pilot light to dry my herbs. 

The comfrey leaves came from my friend Dottie because I have seen no comfrey on Darling Hill. I will give the recipe to anyone who wants it. There are plantain growing all over our driveway. They thrive in the sandy soils. In the photo below you'll see dried dandelion. It was only put in for color and is for another salve altogether - sorry for any confusion.

The next step is to add the olive oil, just over the top of dried, broken leaves

The infusion process takes 4-6 weeks! The woman who wrote the recipe did a "triple infusion" - which could take 12-18 weeks. I'm too impatient for that. I'll try about 5 weeks and see how it comes out. Infusing it longer brings stronger healing properties. We get surface scratches here (hee, hee!)
Well, it's on to the dishes and a few other things waiting in the wings.

When I look at the jars of dried up, broken leaves being covered with the pure oil it does bring to mind the Word of God that can infuse us (if we will open, read and heed it), cleanse our wounds and purify our hearts. I want to be like those broken leaves, steeping in the balm of His Word, don't you? Christians have the Great Physician ready always to teach and to purify. What great riches are here before us.

Any of my praying friends: I have a burdensome, unspoken prayer request. It does not have to do with me directly but is very near and dear to Syd's and my hearts. Thank you for praying for it when you think to do so.

I hope you have a productive and delightful day. Thanks for stopping by the Hill!