December 2007 – The Welcome Home

The arm of the Lord

Many times I have stated or thought in times of trial: The arm or the hand of the Lord is not shortened that it cannot save – nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. I say this in response to difficult situations, poor health, wayward children, financial reverses or adversity and, among many other things, despair.

Have you ever sought to understand or answer: How long is the arm of the Lord or how great is the hand of the Lord? And if we cannot begin to answer the question: how long is the arm of the Lord, then how can we possibly fathom that the arm or the hand of the Lord is not shortened that it cannot save.

Behold, the LORD’S
hand is not shortened,
that it cannot save;
neither his ear heavy,
that it cannot hear:”
Isaiah 59.1

How great is the Hand of the Lord? The Lord who holds His hand over the sea… The Lord who shakes the trees of the wilderness… The Lord who calms the sea that the wind and the waves obey Him… The Lord who who says (Isaiah 52.2) “Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem?” Do you see: at. all. “Is my hand shortened at all…”

There is nothing too hard for the Lord. I may face a mountain of troubles, I may grieve or struggle with health trials or disappointment or loss or financial adversity – but this I know —I know— there is nothing too hard for the Lord. Nothing. The hand of the Lord is not shortened at all. There is no life, no situation, no trial, no hardship too far or too hard for the Lord. The hand of the Lord is not shortened at all. The enemy of God, the enemy of our souls would have us to believe otherwise. The enemy, the devil, would have us to believe that we are without hope, that we have failed too many times – or worse, that though we might not be failing at the moment, it’s only a matter of time where we will fail again and then again we will be too far for the Lord or beyond hope – beyond hope of ever doing better – ever getting things right. The enemy may even persuade us to believe that it would be better if we were dead – that our life is of little use – of little or no worth – that we are the only ones with the type of troubles or the sins or the perpetual destructive habits.

The enemy is constantly waring against our members seeking whom he may devour. He is at once our tempter, deceiver and accuser. Consider that when temptation comes, it is sweet… seemingly harmless, easy and without consequence: Here… have this food, tell this lie, destroy this evidence, no one will see, no one will know, tell that secret… or whatever. But then if we yield to temptation – whatever it is, instantly(!) our tempter becomes our accuser: Ha, how could you have been so dumb, how could you have done that, you always do that, you’ll never get past this, you’ll never be thin, healthy, strong, trustworthy, competent… or whatever.

But God. We turn to God, we turn to the Truth: And we hear: “Is my hand shortened at all…?”

I think of the verse: “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” (Psalm 34.6) You see, the Lord hears and the Lord heals and the Lord lifts. He is at once indeed Jehovah-jireh (the Lord our provider) and Jehovah-rapha (the Lord our healer) and Jehovah-shammah (The Lord is present) and Jehovah-Shalom (the Lord our peace).

He is our All in all – for this I know: He saved this girl. And if He thought on this girl, He will surely think on you. This poor girl cried and the LORD heard her and saved her out of all her troubles. Because this whosoever believed. This whosover believes.

That all the people
of the earth might know
the hand of the LORD,
that it is mighty:
that ye might fear the LORD
your God for ever.

Joshua 4.24

We trust in and proclaim His greatness… we consider that His arm is not short nor His hand shortened that it cannot save. Over the past week I have thought on the hand of the LORD… my own hand in pain because of gout/arthritis in my thumb – my hand has failed me, so to speak, a few times – pain prevented its use. But the Lord is never stilted or halted from His work – He is ever present, ever able, ever waiting, ever watching, ever providing, ever preparing, ever guiding, ever preventing… and on and on: ever able. And I marvel that the hand of the Lord is never shortened that it cannot save – no matter what, no matter when.

So, have you asked: How long is the arm of the Lord?

Just checking in…

Everything’s alright — time’s just tight.
Nothing new — just lots to do.
No time to write — even up late at night.
But one thing’s true — I’ve been thinking of you.
And there’s still lots to say — maybe later today.

flood update

We’ve had many inquiries as to our local rainfall and potential flooding of the River…

Here’s the NOAA link we’ve been watching… and, so far as we can tell, the flood danger has passed even though there’s still a tremendous amount of water over the banks of the Snohomish River!

For perspective, here’s a link I posted just after the flood in November of last year.

All’s well… God is still on the throne – a verse that I read during our first flood season in this old farmhouse always gives me great comfort and assurance: “The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King forever.” Psalm 29.10

So…
Sunshine or clouds — dry land or floods, warm summer breezes or cold blasting storms: The LORD reigns. He sits King forever.

— standing on dry ground.

Gift Ideas

A Christian Home

Gift Ideas For Any Occasion

· Give the gift of love and hope… a Bible and a letter of love to the recipient.

· A letter or a poem to one you love… along with a picture in a frame or card.

· Gifts of your time—these can be given to anyone… jobs you can do, things you can make, transportation you can provide, calls you can make.

· Magazine subscriptions… these are a favourite in many homes and you can bring a lot of joy to a family by remembering them with a gift subscription. One of our favourites to give are subscriptions to Taste of Home or Quick Cooking or any number of their other publications…. My step dad enjoyed the Reminisce magazine and I know that many women love the Country Woman magazine… all by Reiman publications. You can call them at (800) 344-6913 or visit their website

· Maybe you know someone who would enjoy a Reader’s Digest subscription… or a subscription to another magazine or monthly publication. For women… wonderful magazines: In addition to Above Rubies, Seasons at Home, The Old Schoolhouse, An Encouraging Word, Homeschooling Today.

· Maybe this is the year you would like to present a child with a new Bible, or a special journal and pen.

· Books! Perhaps a new program for the computer…

· A set of pens and stationery and a “lap-desk.”

· A large drawing tablet and pastels or a special calligraphy tablet and pens.

· Scrapbooking supplies, papers, pens, tape, scissors or cutting tools.

· Art books! Canvases and oil paints.

· Acrylic paints and wooden objects to finish.

· A tree or plants for the home.

· Yarn and knitting needles… embroidery kits… material, pattern and thread… Books!

· A bucket of tools, gloves, bulbs, seeds, kneeling pad for weeding and gardening.

· A cribbage board and cards, Uno, Pit or Rook.

· A basket of mugs, hot chocolate mix and marshmallows, cookies and a book of poetry.

· A harmonica… and a songbook.

· An apron, cookbook stand, kitchen timer or clock.

· Wall calendar for 2008! Maybe find one in a wooden wall frame ( or make one!)

· Walking shoes! Rubberboots… Dearfoam slippers.

· A basket of rubber stamps, ink, pens, blank stationery.

· Sew a pair of satin pillow cases…

· Do a chore(s) for someone!!!! Clean the shop… clean & vacuum the car… paint the bathroom… rake the yard… cut and stack the wood… clean the fridge… sew some curtains… make a plan to prune the trees… do a basket of mending… or a basket of ironing…

· gift card to Starbucks inside a starbucks mug

· Kitchen towels, washcloths, pot-holders

· Plastic numbers and letters for the refrigerator… magnets, picture holder magnets

· Hair care supplies, brush, comb, clips or bands

· Vase of flowers… candles… doily and box of pretty matches

· Bath bubbles, salts, sponge, soaps, candles, powder

· Shirt and tie… socks and slippers… belt and wallet… pen & pencil set…

· Teapot, teacups, teas, vanilla sugar, paper doilies, butter cookies

· CD’s of hymns or special music

· Video… favourite movie or an instructional video

· New journal, pens, book mark, candle

· Finger paint, finger paint paper, sponges cut into shapes…

· Music lessons

· Perhaps you could put together a basket of mixes or ingredients for a special meal.

· How about a basket of tools and a “how to” project book…

· A basket of kitchen gadgets… and favourite recipes you write out on cards…

· If you are a canner and baker, how about a basket of items you canned this
summer along with a couple of baked goods.

· And for your neighbors, how about a plate of assorted breads and cookies and a special card with the message of the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Give your family the great gift of long lasting value and encouragement: be a sweet, loving, diligent, lovable, faithful, loyal, dependable, industrious, honest, virtuous, modest, careful, honourable, sincere and joyful mother.

II Timothy 3.1-17

Today in my reading in chapter 3, I found great encouragement when seen in light of the previous day’s reading in 2Timothy and then, what I consider to be, atrocities in the ‘church’ today as i wrote in the previous blog entry. So, Chapter 2, in summary: “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus… the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also… Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things… If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself… Of these things put them in remembrance…” (2T2.1-2, 7, 13, 14)

It was then here in 2Timothy 3 (and I’ll post the chapter in its entirety for edification and inspiration) that I gleaned great encouragement personally and for our home and for other believers in these ‘perilous’ times. And these are perilous times. When leaders of nations are corrupt, when teachers of the Word become corrupt and misleading – by worldly methods and means of self promotion and propagation of foolishness and false teachings in the name of ‘Christianity’ literally blasphemeing the Word of God; when many fathers disregard high morals /will not protect and lead their homes, provide for the care and nurture of their children and when many women turn aside to silly fables, disregard the teachings of the Word, many mothers turn away from guiding the home and loving and training up their children and many children rebel against the teachings and admonitions of their parents; when marriage, home and family are not esteemed highly and when forwardness is lauded and modesty is mocked, when impropriety, foolishness and vulgarity are lauded and righteousness, honour and purity are disparaged; when these and so much more are so prevalent…. these. are. perilous. times.

But God.

2 Timothy 3.1-17

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with diverse lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

I know this is simply a ladies blog… and I’m not attempting to direct courses here… but I do implore brothers and sisters in Christ to study the Scriptures. I pray that we would seek wisdom and the work of the Holy Spirit… that we would be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10.16).

And, again, may we be not silly women laden with sins, led away with diverse lusts, ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.