A New Blanket of Snow

 MEnglebreit 

With each new snowfall our fallen world is somewhat softened.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd,


I shall not want.


He makes me lie down in green pastures;


He leads me beside quiet waters.


He restores my soul;


He guides me in the paths 

of righteousness
 for His name’s sake.

Even though I walk 

through the valley of the shadow of death,


I fear no evil, 

for You are with me;


Your rod and Your staff, 

they comfort me.


You prepare a table before me 

in the presence of my enemies;


You have anointed my head with oil;


My cup overflows.


Surely goodness and lovingkindness 

will follow me all the days of my life,


And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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Saying Goodbye to Winter Things......

Winter is still upon us as I write this. Cold, icy, snowy, bitter....

But inside we are thankful it is warm and snug.

February's pink things and hearts are now put away and even snowmen are tucked into boxes for next winter.  We might be able to make more snowmen outside, but inside I've brought out a few spring things just to encourage smiles.

Hope you are safe and warm also as we all anticipate Springtime!

Ecclesiastes 3

"There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens...

...He has made everything beautiful in its time. 

He has also set eternity in the human heart; 

yet no one can fathom what God has done 

from beginning to end.

I know that there is nothing better for people 

than to be happy and to do good while they live.

That each of them may eat and drink, 

and find satisfaction in all their toil—

this is the gift of God."...

*

Always the Gentleman

 

Midwestern Education and Patriotism

We recently stopped to visit a beautifully refurbished One Room Schoolhouse. On the informational sign it explained what it was like when the children were educated there during its heyday, and I found this quote extremely significant:

..."Daily studies included reading, writing, arithmetic, and spelling.  Children were called to the front of the room by age and learning level to recite their lessons to the teacher.  Topics such as honesty, patriotism, decency, and respect were incorporated daily."...

Sadly, this is very different than these last decades.

Children of the past grew up learning the dignity of humanity even if they did not personally know the LORD of the Bible.  They saw this dignity mentored to them in their families and communities as well as in their own school.

Thank you, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. who mentor truth to our young ones. It is a rare quality indeed, but so worthy.

May the LORD be glorified by our choices.

Colossians 3:17

..."Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."...

  

The Summer Snowman

This is a classic children's book - most probably not in any library now - although it should be. 

A simple story of family and community. It is a treasure if you can find one. 

Does anyone remember it?

Our own Summer Snowman now in the freezer waiting for July Fourth :o)

This one is very unique snowman with chocolate chips for buttons and eyes, a piece of cheese for the nose, and pussywillow sticks for arms  :o)

A Precious, Sweet Day of Love

From where did love first come?

"Let us praise the God of heaven and earth 

for His attribute of love!"

1 John 4:7-19

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; 

and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

By this the love of God was manifested in us, 

that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world 

so that we might live through Him.

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us 

and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, 

God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, 

because He has given us of His Spirit.

We have seen and testify that the Father has sent 

the Son to be the Savior of the world.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, 

God abides in him, and he in God.

We have come to know and have believed 

the love which God has for us. 

God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, 

and God abides in him.

By this, love is perfected with us, 

so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; 

because as He is, so also are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, 

because fear involves punishment, 

and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

We love, because He first loved us.

*

"His love is so far beyond "our" love - He is God and loves 

perfectly, righteously, steadfastly - 

with no wavering.

 

His love is based on His character which is 

perfect, righteous, and true 

to His purposes!

He graciously gives all who believe in Him, His Spirit, 

for one purpose - to bring glory to our heavenly Father!

The Spirit places love to God in our hearts - so we are enabled 

to praise His glorious Name!

Dear Believing friend - 

God loves you and cares for you tenderly, 

leading you to His great heart of love!

Asking the Lord to bless you with/from 

the riches of His amazing love!"

--Blessings to SJ

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A Vintage Greeting & Our Wonderful, Merciful Savior!

Wood Violets

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Wonderful, Merciful Savior

Wonderful, merciful Savior

Precious Redeemer and Friend

Who would have thought that a Lamb

Could rescue the souls of men

Oh, You rescue the souls of men

You are the One that we praise

You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for

Oh, our hearts always hunger for

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper

Spirit we long to embrace

You offer hope when our hearts have

Hopelessly lost our way

Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way

You are the One that we praise

You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for

Oh, our hearts always hunger for

Almighty, infinite Father

Faithfully loving Your own

Here in our weakness You find us

Falling before Your throne

Oh, we're falling before Your throne

You are the One that we praise

You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for

Oh, our hearts always hunger for

 -Eric Wyse

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Pretty and Pink!

 internet photo

Faithfulness, Devotion, Loyalty, Commitment...

 For this reason...

Mark 10:7-9

..."For this reason 

a man shall leave his father and mother,

and the two shall become one flesh;

so they are no longer two, but one flesh.

What therefore God has joined together, 

let no man separate.”...

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Rest for your souls

 

"Not-a-Schulz"

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 Matthew 20:20-21

...“A battered reed He will not break off,

And a smoldering wick He will not put out,

Until He leads justice to victory.

“And in His name the Gentiles will hope.”

Matthew 11:28-30

... “Come to Me, all who are weary 

and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

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Yes, until it gets messed up...

 

BUCKLES

LORD, have mercy on us!

Isaiah 38:17

..."Surely it was for my benefit

    that I suffered such anguish.

In Your love You kept me

    from the pit of destruction;

You have put all my sins

    behind Your back."...

Psalm 66:16-20

..."Come and hear, all you who fear God;

let me tell you what He has done for me.

I cried out to Him with my mouth;

His praise was on my tongue.

 

If I had cherished sin in my heart,

the Lord would not have listened;

 

but God has surely listened

and has heard my prayer.

Praise be to God,

who has not rejected my prayer

or withheld His love from me!

1 John 1:8-10

..."If we claim to be without sin, 

we deceive ourselves and 

the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, 

He is faithful and just and 

will forgive us our sins and 

purify us from all unrighteousness.

If we claim we have not sinned, 

we make Him out to be a liar and 

His word is not in us."

*

Still in the World

Be safe in Jesus! 

1 Peter 5:11

..."Therefore humble yourselves under 

the mighty hand of God, 

that He may exalt you at the proper time,

casting all your anxiety on Him, 

because He cares for you.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. 

Your adversary, the devil, prowls around 

like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing 

that the same experiences of suffering are being 

accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

After you have suffered for a little while, 

the God of all grace, who called you 

to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, 

confirm, strengthen and establish you.

To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

..."Rejoice always;

pray without ceasing;

in everything give thanks; 

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."...

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