This and That

The past few weeks have been full. Here are some highlights.

This is Sayre's ginger bread church. It is "Cold Springs Chapel". He made it with his friends, Luke and Samuel, who also each made one .

The Christmas season would not have been complete without a visit to Liset's. Here she is with one of her precious daughters. Would you believe this Lady is a grandmother?



The Franco's made a lovely gingerbread home.



We were priviledged to have my dear Mother-in-law with us for a week. It made Christmas even more of a family event!



We also had our friend Chelsey with us for several days. She brought her several rabbits and three goats, two of which she bottle feeds. They were really cute!

Times of Testings

We read in James "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations". Temptations: trials, testings. What are these temptations? Are they real obvious when they happen? Will I recognize the temptation when it happens? Will I have time to think through my choices when the temptation comes?

I've been realizing that these temptations are not solicitations to do wrong. In verse 13 we read "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man." Instead, they are actually tests. Trial runs, if you will.

They are opportunities for US to see the real condition of our heart. They are things that happen which ellicit a response from us, and they are almost always unexpected. They often involve an emotional response from us.

I remember the illustration that Jim Berg uses ~ the tea bag illustration. When you pour hot water over your tea bag, what's inside comes out! When the boiling water of a trial is poured upon us, our response is determined by the contents of our own heart! If our heart is lacking virtue, or the fruit of the Spirit, well ~ we can be rather ugly. But if the fruit of the Spirit is developing nicely through the grace God gives us, we need not worry about biting our tongue, or making and effort to be kind when the test comes.

Often, the Spirit is working in us, showing us our sin and need to become more like Christ. If we are in Christ, he will keep us informed about sin. But sometimes we get discouraged, thinking we will never "get over" this particular problem! Oh how deep are the roots of these sinful bad habits! But these trials are opportunities to practice making right choices; "knowing this that the trial of our faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

So what trials will you and I face today? Unexpected interuptions? Spilled milk under the refrigerator? Rebellion of a child? Sickness? Let's remember to "count it all joy when . . ."

A Hymn for The Lord's Day

This time of year, many people may wonder about the significance of Chritmas. Why would a culture go to such extremes to celebrate the coming of a round elderly gentleman in a red suit? I would ask, "Why would we?".
I would like you to know the real significance of Christmas. The meaning is in the very name: Christ mass. The celebration is Christ.
But why is He important? Because He is God. He came from Heaven to make the one sacrifice for our sins that would be enough to pay the penalty for our sins. Unless that sacrifice was made, we would spend eternity in Hell after our life here on earth is over.
Maybe you don't believe in spiritual things. Maybe you believe there is no life after death. Many have been in the same state of unbelief. But the subject warrents very serious thought. Many have spent their lives searching for the meaning of life.

The hymn for today is not a Christmas hymn, but it has been on my heart. It is from my heart to you.

No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus

Charles F. Weigle 1871-1966


I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus
Since I found in Him a Friend so strong and true;
I would tell you how He changed my life completely-
He did something that no other friend could do.

No on ever cared for me like Jesus,
There's no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me-
O how much He cared for me.

All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me,
All my heart was full of misery and woe;

Jesus placed His strong and loving arms around me,
And He led me in the way I ought to go.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There's no ther friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me-
O how much He cared for me.

Ev'ry day He comes to me with new assurance,
More and more I understand His words of love;
But I'll never know just why He came to save me,
Till some day I see His blessed face above.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There's no other friend so kind as He;

No one else could take the sin and darkness from me-
O how much He cared for me.


You can become a follower of Christ and recieve pardon for your sins.
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:5)

Snowflakes and Stocking Caps

Here in South Carolina, we seem to have a decided shortage on snow! But it HAS been cold! Cold enough for warm hats!

Last year, I made up this little hat design for Hamlin because he needed something to keep the cold air off his little neck.

There are probably many variations on this theme, but I call this a "Hoodie".

It is made in this Precious Baby Blue ~ with a little creamy snowflake


and also in Sweet Pea Pink ~ with a little boullion rose.

Hoodies will soon be found in the Shoppe!

Baby does NOT come with hoodie!!!!!

A Hymn For The Lord's Day: Our Great Saviour

OUR GREAT SAVIOUR

by J. Wilbur Chapman 1859-1918


Jesus! What a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Saviour, makes me whole.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him;

Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my vict'ry wins.

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows o'er me roll,

Even when my heart is breaking,

He, my Comfort, helps my soul

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night o'er takes me,

He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More that all in Him I find,
He hath granted me forgiveness,

I am His, and He is mine.

Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.