Jesus to His Mother by J.R.. Miller

It was on the cross that Jesus paid his last tribute of love and honor to his mother.   The nails were in his hands and feet and he hung there in agony.  He was dying in deepest shame.  The obloquy of the world was pouring its blackest tides upon his head.  In the throng below,, his eye fell on a little group of loving friends, and among them he saw his mother.   Full as his heart was of its own anguish, it was not too full to give thought to her.  She would have no protector now.  The storms would beat in merciless fury upon her unsheltered head.  Besides the bitterness of her bereavement there must be the shame she must endure on his account, the shame of being the mother of one who died on a cross.  His heart felt all this, and there, in the midst of his own agony, he made provision for her, preparing a home and shelter for her.  Amid the dark scenes of the cross his example shines like star in the bosom of the blackest clouds saying to us, "Honor they father and they mother."

Gleanings from 'The Hiding Place" Corrie Ten Boom

"Sometimes I would slip the Bible from its little sack with 

hands that shook, so mysterious had it become to me. 

It was new; it had just been written. 

I marveled sometimes that the ink was dry. 

I had believed the Bible always, but reading it now 

had nothing to do with belief. 

It was simply a description of the way things were--

of hell and heaven, 

of how men act and how God acts. 

I had read a thousand times the story of Jesus' arrest --

how soldiers had slapped him, 

laughed at Him, 

flogged Him. 

Now such happenings had faces and voices."

~Corrie Ten Boom 

"The Hiding Place"

 

If you asked my family, they would tell you I am not an "emotional" mama.  I never have been.  They have seen me cry in church services where the Holy Spirit was moving more than the day to day moments of life.  Now my heart cries over many things...the injustices in the world, the desire for salvation to come to all my family and that they walk close to Him each day, the overwhelming awe for the mercy I receive each moment from a loving Father who knows my many faults and shortcomings yet still loves me, and more.   Even though I've read her story before, you cannot help but cry when you read "The Hiding Place".  

Your heart breaks that anyone could ignore such brutal inhumanity such as was inflicted in Europe by the Nazis.  Yet my heart wonders how many injustices I miss or am immune to each day while trying to get my daily list done and am about my own business.  

Encouragement in our God, who keeps you in His arms, is found when you read the many miracles experienced in the dark, brutally cold, crowded, flea-infested prison.  It's hard to complain about cobwebs and piles of laundry when you know how really blessed and free you are.  But you can live in a prison of your own design, if you walk in fear and miss the blessings He pours out each day for you.

If you want a quick read that will truly build your faith in our amazing God, who provides and cares for your every need, who is with you in the darkest of times, who has purposes and designs for your life this is the book for you.  Be sure to have tissues handy for the tears of heartache and the tears of thankfulness.

So much to do....so little time

Outside the trees are blowing sporadically in the grey sky while sprinkles of rain drops come down off and on throughout the afternoon.  Inside our home is warmth and coziness with most of it's members around the dining room table.  Two children are working on origami while two others are practicing their music.  Two other children are looking and sorting through the rock collection.  All the while I am answering e-mails, reading Pride and Prejudice for my co-op class, planning school and work for the week as beefy-vegetable and cabbage soup is permeating the air around us.  There is a floor to be mopped, clothes to be folded, and bathrooms to be scrubbed but for now I will enjoy these moments of togetherness that pass by so quickly.

I Peter 1:24
²⁴For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  ²⁵But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.

Whom do you want to get noticed?

"When Jesus entered Jerusalem many people spread their clothing and palm branches on the street to honor the Lord.
"Jesus was riding, as the prophets foretold, on a donkey.  In this was the feet of Jesus did not touch the street adorned with clothes and branches, but instead the donkey walked right over them.

"It would have been very stupid of the donkey if she had imagined that she was very important.  It was not for her that the people threw their clothes on the streets."

Stupid are those who spread the good news of Jesus and expect to receive glory themselves.  The glory should go to Jesus.  

Excerpted from, "He Cares for You" by Corrie Ten Boom.

One door closes....and another opens

I've managed a warehouse for a missionary for about the last 5 years.  It's been a great blessing for our family to work together.  However, the business is closing this month.  It wasn't a total surprise as just a few years ago we were shipping sometimes 500 books a week and now we were shipping maybe 20.  It was a great provision from the Lord when we needed it.  As I was praying about what our new season would look like and knowing finances were going to be difficult if my husband didn't get cabinet jobs, I was sure of God's provision again.  In a very short time, we were given the opportunity of taking over the home school consignment store in the Augusta area.  Although it has made October very difficult with closing down a warehouse and starting a new business at the same time, (not to mention home schooling, teaching high school classes in our co-op...and would you believe my family still wanted to eat and wear clean clothes!!)  it's been exciting too.  I began a face book group "Big Happy Family Books" and will try to list books as they come in the store to keep folks abreast of what is available.  Although these are very uncertain times in our economy, I'm optimistic about our new direction.  Hoping to do a better job posting on this blog, along with my cooking and saving money blogs since we will be home more.  Thank you Lord for your provision!