Testing, Time & Tenacity

The three chairs (a winter project) that sat in the living room all Winter are done and headed out the door. I started out with an inferior cane which kept breaking. It didn't matter if it was dry or soaking wet, it broke when tugged on very hard. With the new cane, woven into the pattern it was designed to bear, I trust that these seats will stand the test of time. Along with the seat I included a sheet that gave instructions on how to keep a caned seat in good shape for years to come. It read (to this effect), "once or twice per year, spray the underside of your caned seat thoroughly with water and leaving it upside down (therefore, the seat not bearing any weight), allow to dry completely for 24 hours. This done, especially for the first five years of its life, should lengthen its life and allow it to stand the test of time."

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 

I Peter 5:6-10

We all know people, Christians as well as those who do not yet know the Lord Jesus, who are going through sufferings. As I read from I Peter this morning my heart and mind were jogged to remember those who are enduring hardship right now. I used to believe the Christian myth, that believers will be spared from suffering. We endure the same afflictions as the world. God has a purpose for you and I to suffer. He has his reasons for our sufferings. Since I am a believer though, I have this great assurance...He cares for me! I can simply cast my care upon Him!

If you would remember a couple from our town right now, Frank and Sherry, it would be so appreciated. My mother doesn't know what a testimony she was the other day when, while Sherry was sharing with her the burden of her heart; her husband, Frank, going through cancer treatments. Mom simply said, "Can we sit down right now, so that I can pray for him?" They did. Sherry went home and told Frank (who has said that he recently asked the Lord Jesus to come into his heart as Savior), he was thankful and said that he had just been praying about these things also. Sherry stopped at the Post Office to relate this all to me. Believers never know what a testimony our word and actions give. Aren't you glad? We are simply given instruction to "walk" in God's Word and let the results come from Him. For example, "Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." A command and a promise. God cannot lie! 

Mom, Mom & Me

We had a great afternoon on Saturday. It was Father's Day weekend, so Syd wanted to spend it like last year - golfing with his "Dad", Bob. Like last year, Mom V and her husband, Bob, were camping in the neighboring state. We took my Mom and all went over to visit.

Here they are, one year older and ready to head to a different golf course this year, Syd's pick. From the reports they didn't do very well, but with as little practice as each gets, it's just for fun anyway. Syd had new golf shoes this year and blames them for messing up his game (I never would have bought them for him if I'd known that!). Bob says, "I don't think it's the shoes!"

While the guys were away, we girls decided to go to a thrift store and for a little ride. Mom V was able to pick up a really NICE, heavy rag rug runner which just fit down the length of her camper, just what she was looking for. While we sat outside, snacking, I gave a call to my nephew's house - timing was just right - the twins were just getting ready to get up from their nap! Since it was right across the river, we went over.
They are 10 mos and one day here.

Great Grammy and Madison. She looks just like her Auntie, Anna here!

Madison, left and Katelyn, right.

The guys called us from the campsite, both hungry, so we headed South to get the beans & hot dogs ready. Had a nice feast and said our goodbyes. It was such a delightful afternoon!

What Are the Desires of My Heart?

In the quiet of this cool morning, after spending time in God's Word, He gave even more refreshing from the Bible through meditations from the kitchen sermon, Faith and Prayer, preached by Pastor Mike Allison. I hope that this short writing can be an encouragement to desire to know the Lord's heart deeper through prayer. Most of you are likely much better "pray-ers" than I am and may not need provoking in this area at all. The most desire I have in blogging is to encourage Christian ladies (and I know a few men do read, as they have commented) and write out God's Word, as God's promise is that the Word never returns void; so read if you'd like and if God leads.

I ask myself; what are the true desires of my heart? What are my most spoken prayer requests? It is good to get deep in meditation (thought) with the Lord from time to time and ask the hard questions. I even was taken back to seeking the desires in prayer life early on in our marriage and through the years. Most recently Syd and I have been (along with our friend Mike C) asking for God to send a great revival in our own hearts and among the churches across the country and the world. God has certainly answered prayer at Mike's church, though not at all in the way that we expected. I remember Mike saying, "I just don't see how God is going to do it, with no one else in my church praying along." (this not exact quote, and also I'm sure there was a remnant praying). All we could do was pray and encourage him to keep praying and now we have seen some of the results. Yes, it has begun with a huge church split, those desiring to keep the church pure being lead to leave to start a new congregation. No doubt, this is only the first step on the road to much growth in the lives of these people. We have had much rejoicing over the phone with our friend, Mike!

One huge prayer request that Syd and I have had for some years now (though we have not been nearly consistent enough in bringing it before the Lord) is for sound churches to be planted throughout our state and in neighboring ones. Having come from a home church who's Pastor was a church-planter, it has always been close to our hearts. We are in a dark corner of this United States. More than ever, though it has always been a need, people need the Word of God and the consistent testimony of sound, loving Christians; a city set on a hill.

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13,14

The sun peeks through the leaves of the woods outside my window. I've been out with the dogs and have checked out the garden for a few minutes. The dishes are done. it is with my second cup of coffee that I can again take God's Word and look at the verses that I was directed to. Tonight is prayer meeting. I pray that I'll be praying with more faith and fervency than ever, not for simply physical needs, but for spiritual most of all.

God Said It

I am so glad that when we read something from Scripture we can know that it is TRUTH! God cannot lie. On the Lord's Day we are going through the book of Romans. So much of this book speaks of the war of the flesh against the Spirit in a Christian's life, reminding me of a verse in Galatians (5:16), that says, "...walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh". It is TRUE. This verse was one of the first ones that my, then-Pastor (Gibbs) instructed me to memorize. From the time we were baby Christians, he pointed Syd and I to specific verses which he knew would be a help to us throughout our Christian lives. A verse from today's devotional, Feature, is from Philippians 4:6,7

“Be careful for nothing; but in  every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

It referred to this being A Recipe for Peace~how true!

For me, my prayer today, and every day...

By God's grace: 

1. do not worry  

2. pray about everything  3. be thankful !

A Reminder of Praise!

It seems a gray day outside; rather overcast. The forecast inside is just the opposite. Today's kitchen sermon was one by Pastor Peter Laitres. He was a former pastor of my mom and dad's last church.
The sermon was taken from Psalm 145. If you want to hear it, go to sermon audio.com and look up by last name of speaker. What a blessing! As I was listening, I realized that praising God (though I am often lacking in this area) is the first and main reason that I blog. What do we have to boast in? - nothing, but our God and His Word! I'll not mention all that Pastor Laitres relayed, but would encourage you to take just 40 minutes or so to be encouraged in the Lord!

“I will extol thee, my God, O King; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.” Psalm 145:1

God brought to my memory again, to be thankful for a mother who has taught me through her example and continues to teach me to praise our God daily. Remember, your children are watching you - especially in the day to day words you speak. We have no children and you don't know how many times we've heard, "well, if you had kids you'd...." One thing I do know is that God's Word is true. Whether we have children or not, we impact the ones who we are around, whether our own or someone else's. Pastor Laitres addresses that subject and it's just another thing that was a blessing contained in this sermon. Of course, the Word of God is our best teacher.

I hope that you have a blessed day and thanks so much for stopping by the Hill.

“One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.” Ps. 145:4

Simply Walking and Working

     “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” 

I Thessalonians 5:24

Such beautiful days in the garden lately. Actually I have not got the whole garden even planted yet. I did buy my tomatoes and squash plants yesterday though! Digging in the dirt, transplanting, putting in flowers...these things are just a joy, aren't they? Once everything was in the ground last night, the rains came and the Lord watered all the new plants. I am sorry for you readers who have been getting that terrible hail. We are hearing of it out in the mid-west. I hope that things have not gotten too damaged at your place.

The little hummingbird has now decided that it's o.k. for others to come to the feeder. I cut the sugar level down to 1/2 of what it was at the beginning of the season. My instructions on the nectar said to only do 3 to 1 ratio on the nectar at first, then cut it to 6/1. I don't think I'll do the 3/1 again next year. At one point there were 6 or 7 hummingbirds just whizzing all around our back porch. They seemed to be all on a sugar-high! I tried taking a picture, but a video would have been more appropriate. If you were standing out there, it actually would've been a little scary!

Remembering our old, faithful dog, Ranger. He LOVED Darling Hill. Here he is amongst the birches out in front of Mom's house. I am just remembering, under these very trees is where he was put to sleep on his final day. He was a good dog.

Thank you for stopping by the hill this morning. I hope that today's Scripture text is an encouragement for each Christian to "keep on keeping on" and to "not be weary in well-doing". The sermons on the Lord's day were so wonderful on the love of God and being armed to stand against the wiles of the devil, walking in the Spirit. Yesterday's kitchen-sermon at our house was such a wonderful follow-up and reminder for Christians to HATE sin, turn completely away from it; simply walking in the Spirit. What a wonderful thing to be a Christian and to know that God does the work. Some think that it is just too "simple-minded" to trust and obey. We are to take His Word by faith and walk with the simple faith of a little child. Let's remember also to encourage one another!

The Gospel:

Christ died for our sins,

He was buried,

He rose again the third day,

according to the Scriptures

I Corinthians 15:3,4

Those of you readers who do not KNOW the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior yet; After you leave Darling Hill, Please take a walk on the "Romans Road" by reading Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23 and Romans 10:9,10

A Memorial Memorial Day

We are thankful for all those who have served in our Armed Forces and want to express a continued, "Thanks" to all who are presently serving. What a blessing to live in a free country!

We have had a beautiful Memorial Day, and hope that you have too. Seldom do we celebrate with family cookouts or get-togethers. Syd and I usually kick off the Summer with a good clean-up around the place. He worked on getting one of Mom's mowers going, which never actually happened. Our string trimmer was working though, so he was able to get the lawn around her house and down both sides of the long driveway done. We fed him first, to be sure he'd have the strength to work! ha, ha! Syd, Mom and I sat outside our house and had pork sandwiches, macaroni salad and coffee. Then while Syd worked at her house, Mom helped me finish up some weeding that I'd started this morning. She LOVES to weed, I tolerate it...just LOVE the reward of what it looks like when we're done.

as you can see, there was already A LOT of new growth, mostly dandelions!

Ruger was very helpful, as usual. Here, they are both saying "hi, get back to work!"

We were happy that the sun was not out full. Beautiful clouds floated through the sky, a raindrop fell once in a while too, just to cool us. We didn't work long, just raked up what I'd pulled in the morning.

Another project, almost finished...

The post to the right still will have more stones cemented on extreme right side, thus making it wider

 The part that is new is here, at the top. Syd got the "V" cut and mounted, which I was so happy to see. We're still not sure of the "flat" stone on this right post. We keep looking for one that will match the one to the left. One of these days, there it will be on the side of the road.

Not sure why, but Sturm's left ear kept standing up like this yesterday; guess he's waving at you!

 And, yes, the little hummingbird is still guarding his feeder. Here he is, perched nearby. This is day three.

We hope that you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Thanks for stopping by Darling Hill!

An idea from my friend, Barb. She had mentioned that she should start selling Dandelions, she had so MANY! It gave me an idea for a little roadside sign:

      ~Dandelion Greens For Sale~

       Dig-Your-Own