A Warm Kitchen, A Snowy Day

The snow is gently falling and the ground outside my kitchen window is blanketed in white. Before starting the dishes I switched on yet another message from Pastor Allison from Madison, Alabama. God has laid on my heart to take any opportunity where my hands are busy in the kitchen, to listen to His Word. Oh, how we need our hearts revived; daily, our minds renewed in the Scriptures!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return  unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." 

Isaiah 55:9-11  

We had a blessed Lord's Day! God is answering prayer in so many ways. More than ever we need revival in Christian's hearts and to go out to the lost, filled with His Spirit. I tried to post our Pastor Rhodes' Sunday message. When I got the CD home, it was blank. The wonderful message was from Romans 1:9. "God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit..."
No man may ever know what God is doing in the depths of each of our hearts, but God is our witness (which can be a blessing and a warning, combined). The verses Pastor shared concerning serving in the spirit were precious. I pray that I can get the message on CD and Pastor has agreed to let me share it with you via the blog.

A warm kitchen; 

snow on the windowsill; 

the sweet sound of God's Word 

and the smell of cranberry muffins... 

I pray that you have a blessed day in Him, those of you who are "IN Him". I pray for those readers who have not this precious relationship with our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. God is "near at hand" and ready to save any who will call upon Him in truth.

Ruger wants us to come out and play!

The entrance to Darling Hill on a snowy day last year

Feelings Come and Go

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12: 1,2

God, Himself beseeches us to get into His Word whether we "feel" like it or not. It is the Bible that cleanses us, corrects us and renews our mind. This Scripture does not say that it takes into account our "want to"s. Feelings come and go but God's Word stays the same! He convicts and comforts and the Holy Spirit is the one who renews our mind as we are obedient to Him. I am thankful for His working in my own heart this morning along these lines.

I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent ours with family, as many of you probably did. Three great-nephews and two great nieces were the youngest ones at our gathering. It was a joy that Mom could enjoy these young ones again, as they're growing up so quickly! After we all dispersed I realized that we didn't get a group picture, how sad.

Mom and great granddaughter, Riley (4 years old)

Mom and Titus (now 8 months) playing peek-a-boo!

Look who did ALL the dishes! Nathan! He shared that in years past, as he rode home, he would often think about all those dishes ---and WHO did them? This year he did something about it. Thanks, Naje!

It was a beautiful day for sliding, which the children spent a lot of time doing. I'm sorry that my camera was not more at-the-ready. It was a good day of renewing relationships with family members who we don't get to see very often.

This year is quickly coming to a close. The Lord has convicted me to be praying for revival in my own heart and in the hearts of individuals in the body of Christ. As I listened to a sermon this morning, the preacher (Mike Allison, Madison Baptist Church) quoted "...if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us...we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him". (from I Jn. 5:14,15)  It is the will of God that the true believers on this earth are filled with the Holy Spirit of God with power. This is not using the Holy Spirit wrongly, as some groups do. He is the One who fills us, revives us and makes believers powerhouses for Christ!

Such a misty day on Darling Hill. Everything is gray outside, but my heart is bright with the working of  God, as only He can do. I hope that yours is also!

Thanks for stopping by.

Two Clean Corners

Yesterday was a good day for cleaning! Getting ready for Thanksgiving seems to make me want to clean up corners that have been neglected, as I know what a mess I'm going to be making tonight and tomorrow morning, perhaps? The kitchen corner got it yesterday; just scrubbing greasy spots and re-lining the shelves, rearranging for ease of use, etc. Of course, with open shelving, unused dishes get pretty greasy too. Ha, ha! I covered some of them with plastic this time!

A blessing that I forgot to share, a new stove! It's not something we were shopping for at all. We've been using our little apartment-sized stove for many years. After moving out of the little camper several years ago a friend loaned us the little stove (which was quite a bit bigger than the one in the camper was). A neighbor called us several weeks ago and asked, "would you guys like an almost-new stove?" They'd had it 5 years, but you'd never know it, and were troubled about a part that it needed for the oven (the neighbor won't fool with anything propane if it gets broken). Syd got the new part and voila! a new stove! I thank the Lord for this unexpected blessing. The turkey will fit in this oven, even with our huge turkey roaster, which we haven't been able to use for years. I won't have to buy a foil roaster and bend it to fit anymore!

Due to an ice storm today, I will work at the PO during the afternoon, but this morning's corner was up in the "bath-room" which is simply a corner of our bedroom (only a tub and shelving). LOTS of stuff got thrown away after going through the plastic "shoeboxes" that house all our toiletries, etc. Shelves scrubbed down and now it's neat and orderly.  No pictures, as the bedroom is still quite the "storage-area", having no storage sheds, etc.

The new "Butch" arrived. Poor little beat-up butch had to be thrown away. I would have let Stum keep him, except he's full of little plastic beanies. THAT's why he's called a Beanie Baby!

The other night Mom pointed out a cute picture, as she was sitting on the couch beside them. I didn't think I could get it without waking one of them. Ruger was asleep on the floor too, but these two just seemed to need their picture taken alone. You know, some people say that dogs and their master's start to look alike after a while? Maybe it's just the hair and shirt color... One thing for sure, they're both SO CUTE!

Yes, they're both really asleep, no faking

Today's sermon was from Mike Allison, a preacher whom we have grown to really be blessed in hearing. "Being Disciples". He really challenges me and provokes me to love and to good works.

Salvation is free; Discipleship costs

Thank you so much for stopping up on the hill today. We hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving. Take care in your travels, as it's icy in our corner!

The Fire of God's Word

In speaking with a dear friend over the phone last night we learned of a preacher who has touched his heart in a holy, special way. This morning I got online and looked up the preacher's name on SermonAudio.com. I do believe that this on-line medium is SO useful in blessing the hearts of Christians who are willing and desirous to hear and heed the Word on a daily basis. I don't use it in place of getting alone with God, but we listen to sermons in our home in addition to our daily, personal Bible study. Sunday morning we listened to the old-time preacher, John Rice and also to a dear friend, Evangelist Chuck Crabtree. These prepare our hearts for coming together with our church family and being fed by our own pastor on the Lord's Day.  Today's sermon was one that our friend, Mike, had mentioned to us last night. It was of God. The sermon, Why No Revival, was given by Mike Allison from Madison Baptist Church (Madison, Alabama). I know nothing of this man, except that Mike asked us to listen to one or two sermons by him. God used it in my heart.

Probably more than anything, the Church of God today needs revival. It can start today in my heart and in yours, if you are a born again believer. It, no doubt, has started in other hearts of people within our church already, who are praying for me. Our buddy, Mike, is burdened for his church in South Carolina. Mike's prayers for revival among that family can start a great hunger in the hearts of others for whom he is praying. I need to remember not to put limits on the power of God!

After hearing John Rice preach on Sunday morning, while sitting in the pew, God was working in my heart along these lines. You know in your own experience how He does it, sometimes only by a thought or verse of Scripture that starts in your mind then comes to rest in your heart. I'm trying to learn not just to let these go, to become "fleeting thoughts". One of the things that God reminded me of on Sunday was not to let anyone thwart God's work in my life, by 'a discouraging word'. Just keep on going with God no matter how someone reacts to you or misjudges your motives. Remember that we do the same thing from time to time and need to keep these confessed to both God and our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Part of revival is being so close to the Lord that we are super-sensitive to how we treat Him and others, but not super-sensitive to how others treat us. God is so perfectly balanced. He is the only one Who can balance us, as He created balance!

I am encouraging you in the Lord because of the way He encouraged me today. I hope you have a wonderful Winter day. It is cold outside (21 degrees) but God gives the warmth of the cabin and most of all the warmth of His Spirit in my heart. I pray that He will set the Church on fire for Him.

Early Winter Musings

Well, it's certainly been a while since I've seen any of you! It's not that you haven't been stopping up on Darling Hill...I just haven't been home!

Winter has come to the hill, as it has to many of you. Snow still lays all over the ground, with tufts of grass interspersed all around. The sun did its best to chase the snow away yesterday and I noticed it did down in the lower lying areas. Here on Darling Hill it's still hanging on. It is so nice to look down through the trees out back and see wayyy down into the woods. That is something my Mom always enjoys and I notice it more and more each year. The first time is when I am driving out of her driveway and realize that Mom can still see me from "her waving-window", as the leaves of the big birch tree are completely gone. She can now watch and wave us out the entire driveway!

Butch is on the right, if you can't tell

Poor little Butch. He's Syd's Beanie Baby - ha, ha! Well, he has a story. It's a short one. Evidently Beanie Babies have "birthdays", and it's printed on their tag. All the years Syd was growing up his nickname was Butch. ALL of his father's side of the family called him that. His uncle Brent still does. Aunt Euleta (our DEAREST Aunt on Syd's side) passed away only a couple years ago now. Some years before, she picked up this little Beanie named Butch. Syd just HAD to have it because his birthday is October 2nd - just like MY Butch's birthday! We thought it was uncanny, so he's sat around in our living room for quite a few years now. Sturm stays in his crate when we are gone from the house. WELL, evidently the crate got just a little too close to the bookshelf the other day. Sturm and Butch got into a fighting match, and Butch lost.  That evening Syd looked over at the shelf and said, "Where's Butch?" There he was, laying in the crate, without an eye and a nose. I think Syd felt quite bad, though he didn't let on. The next morning I got on Amazon and there's a new Butch on his way to us as I type. (Don't tell Syd, o.k.?)

"Who, me?" yes, he looks innocent here

Ruger went through a time late Fall. He had a "problem", unmentionable, and had to wear a cone. Here he is waiting for his supper. Poor guy. Thankfully we only had to leave that on him for one day. He had alot of trouble maneuvering around our little cabin, believe me!

yep, he figured out a way to EAT!

While he was in the cone, I saw a T shirt in a catalog. A picture of a black lab, wearing one. It read, "It's all fun and games till somebody ends up on a CONE"

I do not remember if I had a picture of how TALL our zinnas got this Fall. I love zinnias and gerbera daisys because of their intense color. One of these photos shows what Syd's starting out at our front door. The stone posts will be where our log pillars will rest, holding up the stoop. I know I said I wouldn't post pictures till the project is completed, but couldn't show you the zinnia without the post.

Another thing uncovered when the leaves left us. We had no idea this nest was in our nearby tree.

The Lord has brought me to the end of my "OIC" position at the post office. Officer In Charge just means acting-postmaster but no raise. That's o.k. He had me there for a reason. It was a whole year ago when the position started. I can't believe how quickly the year went! The past two months were the most intense, as they were 5.5 days per week. Thankfully God answered prayer and brought along a couple of people from nearby offices to come and fill in from time to time. All in all it was a good experience, but I am happy that it is over and I do feel a little more free. Now I can take Mom to doctor appointments once in a while and also help out at the office where I do bookkeeping. Poor David, my boss up there, he is incredibly patient, having TWO women work for him who also work for the post office! I'm thankful that he's so flexible. The Lord has also brought along a few side jobs for me. I have three chair caning projects to get started on. Will post pics another day.

"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous; and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart."

Psalm32:11

I'm thankful that God has made me "upright in heart" because of His Son, Jesus Christ! My acceptance of His blood shed on the cross, to take away my sin. Jesus, rising from the grave and conquering death - - This is life indeed!

I'm glad you've been patient and have come to visit Darling Hill even though I've not posted in SO long. I hope you have a good day. The sunrise was GLORIOUS this morning. Mom and I were up and watching the orange and pink spread across the sky. Enjoy this early winter day!

Freely Given to Us

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."  I Corinthians 2:12

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We certainly did. Ours started off with Syd and myself spending Friday, our 33rd anniversary, on a nice outing together. We had a doctor's appointment, ran errands, did some food shopping and then walked 9 holes on a beautiful country-farm golf course. The weather was lovely and the company was extraordinary!

Our Saturday afternoon was spent with special friends, Paul and Susan.

You know, there are certain friends who just uplift you in the Lord. These are two of them. I love spending time walking and talking with Susan and my mom, both bubbling over with the love of the Lord Jesus! These friendships are freely given to us of God. What a wonderful place Heaven will be when true believers are all together, worshipping and serving God together for eternity!

A few photos of our day...

The apples are SO abundant this year!

Mom and Susan on Mom's prayer rock

Boaz got the jump on Ruger in "the dog race"

Sturm just LOVES Boaz

The dogs were thrilled to see their friend. Several nights ago we said, "Ruger, is BOAZ coming to see you?" He went to the window and sat, looking out for quite some time, and whined.

We had lunch and then took a walk to the top of Darling Hill for some apple-picking and then homemade apple pie plus a wonderful Maine blueberry pie that they brought. Coffee and a long time of talking finished up our afternoon. We were sorry to see them go.

Lately my sweetie has been working on some stone pillars out at our front door. It's always been my vision to have stone posts for our log pillars to rest upon (holding up the roof of our stoop). Somehow field stones just give the front of any house a sturdy look and it's what I've hoped for for quite some time. He's almost got them done and I won't show a picture till they are. Part of Friday was spent driving out along back roads, scouring the ditches and side banks for "that perfect rock". Isn't it wonderful that the Lord gives us these simple, FREE, pleasures? No one has to ask permission to stop on the side of the road to pick a wildflower or to pick up a toad or turtle crossing our path. These beautiful rocks alongside the dirt roads are here for us to freely take and use. We are still waiting for the perfect, matching (or closely) top-stones to finish off the pillars before we cut the final logs to rest upon them.

The verse at the top of the page was from the Scripture passage I was reading this morning. The most important FREE gift was that of Jesus, Who died upon the cross in our place. He took the sin that we were born with. He took the death that we would have had to die. Jesus did that for everyone, the payment has been made, but we must TAKE the free gift before it can belong to us. I have believed God's Word and taken that gift - Have you?

We have the freedom to worship God according to our conscience. Praise the Lord that we still live in a "free" country.  Many of our freedoms are being lost. I am in prayer this morning concerning the court decision that is soon to be made in Greece, NY. It has been challenged and is coming to court, that the chaplains cannot close prayer "in Jesus' name". Without Jesus, His death and resurrection, our religion would be in vain. God's Word commands believers to pray in Jesus name.

Thanks for stopping at the Hill. I hope you can get out and enjoy the freedom of the beautiful Fall day. Most importantly, if you have not taken the most important Freedom, that of salvation through Jesus, I hope you will receive that today!

A Walk in the Leaves

The house smells like apples and squash today. Mom and I have been walking up and down the lane, as we can't get enough of this blue sky and orange leaves! After lunch at my house we walked back up to pick bags of apples, back down to the house to get them cooking, then the dogs and I walked Mom back up, leaving her to stroll up on her hill.

Some photos from this lovely Fall day:

Unfortunately, the town is 'upgrading' our road to a class 3. It may not look it here, but they cut brush away from the edges of the road and have had several loads of new gravel put down, widening the road by a few feet. We suppose it will cut down on some wear-and-tear on Syd's truck this Winter. Still, something about not being on the class 4 lane makes me feel a little sad.

The first thing I thought when I saw this was, "A running dog gathers no leaves".

More apples are waiting to be made into sauce, so I will go for now. You picked a gorgeous day to visit the Hill. Hope you'll stop back up soon!