Our Father Sees in Secret

Life on Darling Hill has taken on the morning chills. Many tomatoes are still hanging on the vines, as we truly have had not more than one night of frost warning yet. We still are in hopes that the Lord's sun is going to ripen the last several clusters of them!  A few days ago I was getting up at the top of the driveway and noticed a huge squash vine. The blossoms were full and nice but I knew that this dear volunteer (this is where we throw our old stuff from the garden) had little hope of making us any mature squashes. Yesterday, while on the phone with Syd, he informed me that we had a beautiful pumpkin!

In my haste, I had only looked at the surface; had even misidentified the plant! Syd took the time to step down over the bank and part the leaves, searching for even one little yellow, summer squash, when he was met with a pumpkin almost the size of a basketball! He said that it actually startled him.

In my hasty judgement I thought of the Scripture verse concerning a vine with no fruit, that it is "therefore good for nothing". Once the hidden fruit was revealed though, this reminded me of two section of verses from the Bible. "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but God looketh on the heart."I Samuel 6:17 and some verses from a text the Lord has been bringing me back to for many weeks now, "But when thou doest thine alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth; That thine alms may be in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee  openly. And ...when thou prayest, enter into thine closet, and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:3-6.

Sometimes "fruit" is not obvious to the passive observer. Even as regular, Bible-instructed Christians, we do not always see the fruit that lies within another believer. This may be because we are looking for a person who "turns the world upside down", as Paul and some of the early believers did. Often there is true fruit laying deep down in the heart of a Christian; fruit borne of spending much time with the Lord in prayer, getting to know His heart. These may be quiet, behind-the-scenes people whom the Lord uses so greatly in His service. The fruit might be hidden beneath the leaves, but it is there, doing its work. This morning I read a verse from John 7:24, "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgement."

The Lord used this "volunteer" pumpkin vine to help bring together in my heart, some teachings on judging others and to be careful not to look only for colorful, outward fruit, which the Lord does openly display in some of His servant's lives. Either way, the Lord will reward openly those who know Him as Savior and honestly walk with Him in truth. What a loving God we serve; One who wants to have close, intimate fellowship with His children.

Thank you for visiting the hill today. We hope you'll come up to see the colors that will be developing in the next few weeks!

Drying and Preparing

As I drove down Mud Lane the other day, what a picture the fields were with their rows of hay, piled neatly and evenly. The John Deere was working its way around the perimeter of the field. The air was perfect for drying hay.

This week was a busy one and the Lord is teaching me things about Himself (and myself) which I needed to learn. I am thankful that He is sufficient for all things. He is the one who brings conviction and forgiveness. I am so glad that, despite my sinful ways, He is there ready to forgive and to lovingly continue the work of grace. What a privilege, to be so intimately related to the Creator of the universe! As I viewed the neat rows of hay piled through the field it reminded me of how the Lord makes all things straight and keeps them in order if we will only let Him. He is "drying us" and preparing us to be useful in His service.

The colors are just starting to show in the trees. Here and there will be a splash of yellow and orange. This time of year is my very favorite, as the air begins to be crisp and mornings downright chilly. Our heater came on for the first time the other day. As I descended the stairs and heard it running I jumped down the last step and ran over to turn it down! It's just too early for the furnace! We will be covering the tomatoes before you know it.

Syd, Mom, Sarah and I headed over the hill to our local World's Fair last week. We saw so many people who we knew, talked and laughed a lot, walked a lot...and ATE a lot (though not nearly what I used to eat). An added bonus, we met up with our very dear friends, the Richardsons. Each year we see the same displays, walk through the same historic barns, eat the same foods, but the tradition of the fair is something I look forward to throughout the entire summer. As a child I used to be so happy that we were fortunate enough to live this close to THE WORLD'S FAIR! Mom even entered two items in Floral Hall this year.

Her saw, painted with the skyline view from her Darling Hill porch

Quilling Owl. Quilling is a method of twirling small pieces of paper on a small tool. These she fashioned on velvet to make a lovely owl in a little shadow-box frame

 My two small paintings and pen and ink brought a blue and two reds. Syd did not enter anything this year. We ran over one more time on Sunday evening, when we had to pick our items up. As the booths began to come down we made our way to the Barbecue tent, where we enjoyed just one more pulled pork sandwich.

I have been playing around with our tiny camera, trying various settings to see if we can start to get some CLEAR photos, to no avail. The three above were taken with it. Thankfully our computer does a great job at making them look like watercolor photos, which I like. Here are a couple:

A few photos of Autumns past:

a tiny Autumn tree, all decorated for the season!

Uncle Frank's cabin

Last night we spent time with Sarah and Mom, had dinner here and then just sat back and enjoyed coffee and a slideshow of friends and family photos on the computer. The rain is still pattering on the roof. A welcome sound, as we pray that the Lord will replenish the shallow well for us, as well as for others who have no water at this time.

Coco is with us again this week. They love having company

Knowledge too Wonderful!

Can you even begin to understand what it meant for Jesus Christ to be both God AND Man?  I find that the more I think on it, the less I understand it...but yet, the more I BELIEVE and recognize it! In reading the gospels, we see Jesus spending entire nights in prayer to His Father. He and His Father were ONE, yet the Man, Christ, spent long periods in prayer; resisting temptation perhaps, committing His thoughts and ministry to God, pouring out His cares concerning the onslaughts of wicked people around Him. These are all speculation of course. All I know is that He shared with His disciples that they should, "watch, that ye enter not into temptation." Jesus Christ certainly was the single-best example of going to God in prayer!

During our Sunday School class this week I was teaching on personal discipleship.When we opened to Hebrews 5:8 and 9 we read, "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made PERFECT, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him." I cannot really understand what it meant for Jesus to learn ANYTHING, say nothing of "obedience". He WAS obedience! We all stopped and were quiet for a bit while I tried to know what the Lord would want me to say in explanation of that verse. We concluded that, though Jesus was totally God and totally man, we don't fully understand it because we are ONLY 'man'. The children and I shared thesethoughts; that Jesus could NOT have sinned because He was God; that Jesus was tempted in all the same points as we were, without sinning; and I shared that Jesus, as a Man, also CHOSE not to sin against His holy Father.  How do you ever conclude such thoughts and really get them settled in the heart? We decided that we just won't fully understand the God/man until we get to Heaven.

But one thing I do know; He understands me...
"Oh Lord, thou hast searched me and known me"..."Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."! I am so glad that God understands everything about me and "my thought afar off". (these verses from Psalm 139). We take all of our life getting to know even a little about ourselves. I am glad that God reveals our "self" to us little by little; hopefully as we are yielding to Him, so that He can change and mold us to be more like Jesus Christ. Sometimes the more we know, the less we know. Thankfully it is the Lord who is doing the work and He won't stop until the day of Jesus Christ!

Just some "wonder"ful thoughts for the day. Thank you so much for stopping by Darling Hill. I'm sorry that the posts have been fewer and farther between. I pray that Autumn-life slows down a bit, but until it does, God is moving us along and we're thankful for His provision and watch-care through each day.

Looking forward to Autumn walks along Darling Hill Road with Mom again soon!

Blessed Rain

"Today is a beautiful day for ducks", as they say...It is also a beautiful day for filling the streams and wells!

Praise the Lord for the wonderful rain. When I would awake in the night it sounded glorious to hear blessed rain falling on the roof. So far it has rained all morning, but looks like it is brightening up out there now. I would not mind another full day or two of gentle drizzle.

In thinking about rain I tried to find some photos that would keep me in the rainy day mode. I find that I just don't take many pictures on wet days!  

This lovely little duck was in brother, Dennis' pond last year. The pond is dried up right now.

Not a happy day to remember in the Northeast, Tropical Storm Irene.
It makes for a good rainy-day picture though

It's truly "a great day for ducks"!

"For He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good; and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:45

I thank the Lord for His faithfulness to His children and for His kindness, even toward His enemies. The greatest demonstration of God's love toward all of mankind was sending the Son, Jesus Christ, to shed His blood upon Calvary's cross, thus opening the way to reconciliation with the Father.  "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Praise the Lord that, in whatever situation we find ourselves, God is always there. He was there first! Jesus suffered in all points, like we have (yet without sin!). Nothing comes as a surprise to our Heavenly Father and He has control of all things. God never does anything wrong. There is nothing in which we can "charge God with folly".

As I meditated on these thoughts earlier today, I realized that I have absolutely NOTHING to complain about. Complaining, for a child of God, is a form of charging God with folly. It is my "little way" (which is not 'little') of saying that He has made a mistake in this, or that, area. Praise the Lord that 'He remembers that we are dust'. The psalmist does speak of "pouring out my complaint" to God through prayer. I am glad that we can come before a personal God, with 'open face' and am thankful that He understands us, totally. I never want to make excuses for sin though.

The world says, "into every life a little rain must fall", as though these rainstorms are only trials. Knowing the Lord as Savior means that we can look at rainstorms as a great blessing!

I hope that you readers in the West and mid-West are getting some of these raindrops too. I do remember to pray for you who have been without water for so long. Take care and thanks so much for stopping by Darling Hill today!

Once, in a Blue Moon

It's a beautiful Labor Day weekend. We have had two great campfires with family. There was plenty of sweet, roasted corn on the cob Friday night.  I believe I counted 15 of us. Of course, no party of ours is complete without dogs. There are seven of them here this weekend, though 8 on Friday night! Koba is the newest addition. She belongs to Bobbi Jo (niece) and Danny, but Sturm and Ruger want her to move in with us.

Koba, so proud of her corn husk!

obviously, everyone had to take turns checking her out...

 and holding her.....

Ruger says, 'Can I hold her now'?  He was so very gentle with her

                                                     

                                                                     Niece, Vello's friend, Abby

                                       

                                                 Sarah with Koba.

As we sat around the fire, I hear brother, Kim, say..."Cyndy, bring your camera if you want to see Grammy up a tree!"
Here is what I saw...

hmmmm! what have we here?

Uh-oh! I think Aunt Cyndy spotted us!

"helloooo"

Great Grammy with Beth, Tristan (hiding) and Lucius

She's 83 but has LOTS of energy. I hope I have this much when I'm 33 years older than now! Truthfully, I hope that the Lord has come to take us all home before then, but IF I'm still here, I'd love to be this spry. The grand kids and great grand kids have such fun with Gram!

The blue moon was lovely, though so hard to get a photo of. I did manage to get one of last night's horizon. Check out the fire - doesn't it resemble an evil cat, with his huge tail in the air and an ugly face? Still, I thought it was beautiful.

We spent a beautiful Lord's Day together around the Word of God. Pastor was teaching from the book of James. "I will show thee my faith by my works". What practical teaching James gave about the out-working of one's faith in Christ!

I hope you all have a good Labor Day. It is nearing the end of Summer (I call the entire month of September "summer"). Sarah, Mom and I were talking about how quickly time passes, we were bemoaning it, actually...but the Lord has impressed upon my heart during the last few days...why look at it in a negative way? He is just bringing the day of the Rapture quicker!! "Even so, Come, Lord Jesus".

Thanks for stopping up to Darling Hill!

"Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward; they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee ; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered." Psalm 40:5

Confidence in God's Constancy

           "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."  Matthew 11:6

I have asked myself this week, How is my confidence in God and the Lord Jesus Christ? I had shared with you a whole week ago now, that these have been busy days. It is amazing, the influence which over-activity has on one's mind. Things spin so fast in the brain that it is hard to think on spiritual things enough to put them into words. I asked the Lord this morning to help my brain to have the ability to meditate on His Word, even when outer circumstances pull and press. The verse, "Be still and know that I am God," comes to mind; which, I suppose means purely stillness of the soul. Today I determined to put a few thoughts into a post. I do hope that they're not too scattered to be understood. 

These most recent quiet times with the Lord have been precious; those hours and minutes that come before the day really begins. Today I read about the raising of Lazarus. Jesus said, "Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" Sometimes I notice that when I'm "on the mount" (spiritually and/or circumstantially) it is easy to believe that the Lord can provide and answer prayer, but is it as easy to believe Him and have confidence in the Lord (not be offended in Him) down in the valley, when life seems a little out of control, or when my feathers get ruffled? These are the very times when I should be still (at least on the inside) and know that He is God, and is going to be the same as He was yesterday, ten years ago and through eternity! I read a quote, "Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict...Faith is unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us." 

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we do not know what to pray for. At prayer meeting last night I prayed that we Christians would 'be hard on ourselves'. After praying it I realized that this is exactly what I need to do. In the light of God's great holiness I must bring myself up against sin all the time. What confidence in the Lord this takes; no confidence in the flesh, but only in the power of the Lord. If I am not offended in Christ, I will be always offended by sins and weights that come along to beset me.

Today it seems that the Lord is reminding me that if I am to see His glory, I must not draw back, but 'believe', take a hard look at sin and forsake it and I must not be offended in Him but have confidence in His constancy. Those of us who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ serve a God who will never leave us or forsake us. He is personal and wants this close abiding relationship with us, His branches. We are truly blessed!

Be still

Look to God, in prayer

Read and meditate in His Word

Trust
(P.S. this picture is not mine. I found it on the web)

God Directs Our Paths

These have been exhausting weeks! For a lady who wishes to focus on her home, being gone from it every day of the week is a matter of prayer for me. I am thankful, though, that these extra hours came as no surprise to the dear Lord, Who we serve, whether in the home or out of it. He has given the grace for the hour and has done so abundantly!  I know that a few of you had already been making this a matter of prayer and I thank you for that.

You may or may not know that I work in 8 different Post Offices (covering for any postmaster who cannot be there on any given day) and also have a bookkeeping job here in our hometown. It seems that all the PMs have needed lots of coverage over this beautiful Summer season and my 12 hr/week job has had to fit in there between them all. I am praying that my September and October calendar does not fill up quite so much as July and August did.

I am sure that we Christians all do this same thing; when we wake in the morning we thank the Lord for the strength and energy to face whatever He puts in our path today. He surely does give grace and strength. My dear hubby has been applying for jobs online and hoofing it to many interviews. God has provided food from the garden and taken care of us through so many various means, including extra PO hours. I am thankful that I can be a help, not only in the home, but outside it also. The Lord knows my heart, that I would rather be home at least two days per week, but He has other plans for me at this time and is reminding me that, as His child, I oughtn't try to change His plans. For the believer, waiting on the Lord should be the easiest thing ever. I must admit that I have been guilty of trying to direct my own orchestra of life at times.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."   ~Proverbs 3:5,6

What perfect verses to apply my heart to! It is a comfort to know that our God has ALL understanding and that He directs our paths. There have been people during these weeks who I would not have had the opportunity to speak with, had I not been in "God's path", but leaning unto my own understanding instead.