Communion

Don't take communion for granted. You out there, do you really know how important it is to come to the table of the Lord? I tell you, you don't have any idea what you're missing when you're unable to partake. I speak from experience. I sit in church on Sunday morning crying on the inside because I'm unble to come to the table with other believers, not because of something I've done, but because of it being a closed communion. I am not critizing the church. I do believe that the Pastors need to know who is taking the Sacrament. I want Christians to take a long, hard look at what is happening when they meet the Lord at the table. It is not something you do because others are doing it. It is not something you do because it's expected, you do it because it was instituted by Christ Himself. Read ICor. 11:23-26.

I recently went to another church out of the area and communion was offered. Now I was in a dilemma. Communion to them was lets give it out, take it, and move on. Nothing special. No thanks. No reading from the Word. No time for self examination. I sat there with the elements in my hand, thinking, "what in the world am I going to do with this?" It felt wrong. I have waited and waited to take of the Lord, and now I couldn't do it. I learned something important that day. Communion is Holy and should be treated as Holy. It is not something you do in passing.

"Oh Lord God, I come before you with a contrite heart. I am not worthy to even speak your name because of my sinful nature. I lift my hands to you and surrender my life to you. I pray Lord, that I become like a little child. I sing praises to you, for what you have done for me. I thank you that you have thrown my sins as far as the East is from the West. I thank you Lord, that my sins have been forgiven."

Next time you take the Sacrament, remember why you are taking it and for what purpose. Do not take it for granted.

For Lauren

This is a writing I did for a card I made for Lauren on her 18th birthday. I repeat it here and am adding on a few lines.

You have turned into a beautiful young woman.
I can't believe 18 years have come and gone.
I remember the day your were born.
There was so much excitement in the air.
I could hardly wait for you to make an entrance.
I rmember your first wobbly steps,and your first tooth.
I remember putting you on my knee,
Swinging you over my head.
You would laugh and cry out for more.
Where have the years gone?
Before you know it you will have graduated from college
And begun a new life.
My prayer for you is that you will always hold God above all things.
That you will respect and honor those attributes that God has placed within you.
That you will love with an unconditional love the people God puts in your life,
And that your life will shine for all to see.

Your life is about to change again with marriage soon to be.
A husband, God has given you to cherish and to love.
A rich blessing upon your life be given.
God's Spirit forever rest upon your home.
Your giving spirit and love for life has been a joy to see.
For as you have given, much will be given to you.
May the grace of God go with you wherever He may lead.

Grandma

Zoned Out

Here I sit on the computer going from one website to another looking for churches and historical buildings around the Edwardsville area. I'm not paying a bit of attention to what is going on around me. When I am looking for ideas to put to canvas I zone out. My surprise was when I finished and got up to do my devotions that I noticed all the chairs in the kitchen were stacked up behind me. What in the world? Dave is sitting down, panting like mad. Lo and behold, he had scrubbed my whole kitchen floor. Bless his heart. I guess its my turn now to get to work.

What is the Heart?

The heart is considered to be the very center and core of life. Our deepest thoughts are held in our hearts. Proverbs 23:7 says, "For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is." The heart holds our true beliefs. As I look at it and try to understand, most people equate the heart with emotion, but I see it as emotions being the 'voice' of the heart.

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19 NKJ

We must get our hearts back on track. We have a sinful nature and we sin everyday, but thanks be to God, because of the Cross we have been washed clean. Our sins are forgiven. Amen and Amen!

Glory be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Make A Generational Journal

I am putting together a journal of my family. We have been very lax in passing down our family tree so I got pen and paper together about 8 years ago and started. Not sure when I'll finish but am passing it down to the first married, which is Lauren. It is up to her to continue the trend and pass down to her children the history of the Broadhurst/Weast family. When I finish with my part, Dave is going to do his side of the family, Raynor/DeVries. Hope it doesn't take him as long as it has taken me. Heaven forbid!

If you who read this haven't given it any thought, remember that when the Lord takes you home, will there be someone to pass down your family history? Our children need to know where they come from, how the family got here, and to the best of your knowledge where those family members are today.

I am trying to remember all those stories my dad and mom told me on growing up. Those little antidotes that bring a smile into your life, plus those not so pleasant rememberances.

I will say, I really enjoy writing so it's not a chore for me, but a real joy.

OK Lauren, treasure it, because it is part of who you are.

Russell & Kayla's Wedding

What a great wedding with dancing, good food, laughter, and seeing friends and relatives.
After the wedding they staying in Maryland for a couple of days before catching the limo to NY. From NY they flew to Europe and ended up in Sicily. Their tour guide while there was an old friend of Sandy's. They had a great time but too soon they said, their honeymoon was over. Back to the real world.

Hooray!

My computer is up and running again after a week of silence. This was a long week waiting to get up and going. Thank you Matt for fixing my friend here. What did we do before cell phones and computers? Now I can get busy and start moving along with my blog. Now I just have to figure out how to upload pictures so you can see my sunny smile everytime you log on. Out for now, but tomorrow is a new day.

God's Handiwork

Having a great time with my painting. Have several jobs in the making, one of which is painting glassware for my granddaughters wedding in August.
Everytime I look out my window or go for a drive I want to capture the beauty of the surrounding area by putting it on canvas. Sometimes, I just shut my eyes and try and see what the finished painting will look like. If I can see the finish, I know where to begin. Other times, I just begin with colors that I have blended together and see what happens. One of my Fall pictures that I painted began just like that and it happens to be one my favorites.
One of the draw backs with my painting is that I lose all track of time. Time is meaningless when I am creating something out of a blank canvas.
I thank God for such a wonderful gift. A way to show God's most beautiful creation.
May I never lose sight of who gave me this gift and may I always show gratitude for this gift He has given me.

Oh My!

Just heard from my sister Sandi, and she tells me that Russell has loaded up the truck and is heading my way with a king size bed and 2 dressers. Oh me, oh my, where am I going to put that 300 pound armoire? Definitely, not upstairs. Was hoping to sell my furniture first before Russ came. Anybody need new furniture??? Okay, Cindi, Bill, and David get ready. Get those muscles in shape.

A Home Motto

Whoever you are who enters here,
Forget the struggling world outside.
Wipe your feet upon the mat,
Enter into quiet rest.

Leave at the door all evil thoughts.
All strife and stress that life brings your way.
Come in and visit for a while.
Enjoy our home and all within.

Once inside this place of rest,
You'll find no strife nor fear of life.
A friendly voice you will hear.
No unkind word shall be spoken.

Here you will find God's love abounds.
All hurts and worries are cast aside.
All seems remote, His love so strong.
So come sit and listen a while.

Take a moment of your time.
Leave behind your worries and fears.
Wipe your feet upon the mat.
Enter into quiet rest.

Where Do I Go From Here?

Have you ever wondered what God wants from you? I too, have been in that position. It is no fun not knowning which direction to go. Only time well spent with our Lord will give you the answers to all your questions. It is a process that only you can walk. You can search for answers among your friends, you can make your lists of what you'd like to do, and you can even pray. While all those things are good, it is only part of the answer. Sit quietly with your bible, make sure you have paper and pen and start talking with God and ask those questions you have stored up in your mind.
Do the answers come quickly? Most of the time, No! It takes time to build relationships and it takes time to hear what the Word is saying to you. It is well worth every effort you put out. We know that God wants good things for His children. He will never lead astray nor will He ever forsake you.

Psalm 121, "I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth......."

Where do I go from here?
If I go to the left
I feel a call to the right.
If I go to the right
I feel a call to the left.
I am torn in two.
My ears are deaf
I try to hear.
All I hear is my own voice.
I want to follow your lead.
Your voice is afar.
Open the eyes of my heart.
Clear my mind.
Destroy the barrier that lies between us.
Let me hear clearly.
Where do I go from here?

This was written during a quiet time back in 2002. My answers did come after many days of seeking His direction. Seek the Lord now while there is still time.

Glory be to the Lord.

Back Home

It's good to be back home in Illinois again, though I miss the family back in MD. Seems like every time we return we have a car load. In fact, we had to leave some stuff behind because not one more thing would fit. Dave just shakes his head and I keep saying, "just one more thing because I don't want to leave something behind." I have to admit that this is ridiculous.
Right now all I'm going to do is curl up with a good book and worry about putting things away tomorrow.

Faith

A very little word with a huge meaning.

Hebrews 11 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." It is the absolute trust toward another person. To put ourselves completely into God's capable hands. When troubles come our way do we rely on Christ to handle the problem or do we turn a deaf ear to Him and go off on our own? I have learned that only He has the answer to my most difficult situations. This is the time when prayer must come before anything else. The hardest thing is to pray as Jesus did in the garden, "if it be your will......" His answers are not always the answers we want. We hurt, we cry, and we even get angry with God when things don't work out our way. Sometimes, we have to go through pain to understand what pain is and to teach us that pain helps us to grow in faith. God loves us and wants only the best for us. If you allow God to lead the way you will find that your life will never be the same.

Proverbs 3:5,6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."