Spiritual Disciplines

Tomorrow, January 6th, is the beginning of a joining together of many peoples from around North America and the world. Prayer, Fasting, Bible Studies, introducing people to the love and power of the Lord Jesus Christ and His message of Peace. Our pastor has been teaching for a year on "spirituality". Being spiritual in a secular world. Living the Christian life as the Bible teaches and not as peoples opinions of what and how a Christian should act and live. The principles are easy to see, sometimes hard to follow because of carnality. I want what I want when I want it, no waiting, thank you very much. If so and so can have that, then I should have it too. They said that, so I can say this. Tit for tat. No one will see if I take this, it is small, no one will miss it, besides it is just as much mine, I deserve it. Oh, the thoughts and intents of the heart can be our undoing. Putting thoughts and intents under submission is a hard task. Refusing to think evil, ungodly and selfish thoughts requires discipline AND filling our mind with wholesome things. Spiritual things.
"8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. " Philipians 4:8 NLT
I cannot say that this blog keeps me from doing wholesome things, nor does it lead me into things not spiritual...quite the contrary...the thoughts behind most postings are to give God all credit and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ. Now I have to say, Jack and I have already begun part of the disciplines before tomorrow, specifically reading the 4 Gospels...and we have already noticed something special happening! So, to honor our Pastors' request to abstain from internet activites other than business (this blog is pure pleasure), I shall not blog until the fast has ended on February 3, 2008. So, until then - the Lord Bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and give you peace.

Grace to you

Grammie Betimes

Anniversary

Hello, Jack had a very lovely plant waiting for me on the table when I got home from work. He usually gets home from driving the school bus first. Turns on the lights, turns up the heat, sometimes puts water on for tea or hot chocolate, Jack gets the house ready for when I come through the door. He is most times sitting in his favorite chair by the "wood stove" reading his current favorite book. I get a "Hi, My Honey"...hug and kiss when I come in. Now, isn't that just the nicest way to come home! We discussed dinner tonight. The original plan to "go out" for our anniversary was quickly laid aside when we both realized the holiday schedule, work and general wintry conditions made staying home a much nicer option for our weary bones. So, Jack picked up the phone and ordered a pizza to be delivered. The young man came in no time, we tipped him heartily as the pizza was a whole lot cheaper than the meal out would have been. He was thrilled! "WOW! You folks are great!" We laughed (remembering our sons' pizza delivering experiences and how helpful good tips were) and thanked him for being so prompt with such a yummy delight. We have an excellent pizzeria in town - Rosario's - very yummy. It is not often that we order pizza, it is more a treat than going to a restaurant! We savored cheese and mushroom and Italian sausage on the perfect crust. Left over soda, still fizzy mind you, from Sunday topped our meal off. Tomorrow we can have left over pizza! How many years? 17. Good number. 17. Used to be a magazine named 17, don't know if it is around any more. One less than 18. For some reason Jack is looking forward to 18. I like 17 just fine. It is where we are now. OK, so there you have it, our anniversary night. No philosophising or catchy thoughts. A good ole, plain ole Happy Anniversary night that has fit the bill and satisfied well. It is 9pm and I will be retiring to the warmth of flannel sheets in a flannel nightie. Thanks so much for stopping by. Lord bless you and yours. Grace and Peace Grammie Betimes

Happy 2008

It snowed this first day of 2008. It snowed yesterday as well. It has been snowing alot, and it is beautiful! Yesterday when I got up, I did not look out the window, so when we opened the shade and saw the snow capped feeder, I was astounded, I thought the forecast had said snow was coming later in the day, ...yes that is a morning, pre dawn shot! Yesterday was December 31, 2007. Last night was our church Watch Night Service. A time of focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ, a Holy Communion service, a Footwashing service, much singing and worship, a sermon and an introduction to the planned January times of prayer and fasting. Then a huge blowout pot luck dinner where one and all enjoyed the fruits and good cooking of one and all. It was a wonderful and very full filling time. Jack and I were in bed plenty before midnight. Today we got out our wonderful new camera and watched the birds at the feeders much of the morning, snapping a shot here and there. Looking up the birds in our new bird books to identify them. Reading, snapping pictures, resting, chatting. It was a wonderfully peaceful and fulfilling morning. So here are some of our pictures. We wanted to share with you. Happy 2008. Let your hearts sing and rejoice!

Grace and Peace to all.

PS Thank you Michelle for the editing tip