Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV)

5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV)

Oak Tree

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods.  

As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right.  He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job. 

His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him.  He remembered family who had passed on.  His mind turned to the illness he had, that no one could cure.  His very soul was filled with anger, resentment, and frustration. 

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there..  And with tears in his eyes, he prayed: 

'Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life.  You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive.  I am sad, Lord, because I cannot.  I don't know how.  It is not fair Lord, I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive.  As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive.  My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray you teach me to do the one thing I cannot do:  Teach me to forgive.'

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder.  He opened his eyes.  Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt.  He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground.  He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them. 

He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross.  He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face.  As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak. 

'Have you ever told a lie?'  He asked? 

The man answered - 'Yes, Lord.' 

'Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?' 

The man answered - 'Yes, Lord.'  And the man sobbed more and more. 

'Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?' Jesus asked? 

And the man answered, 'Yes, Lord.' 

'Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?' 

The man, crying now, answered - 'Yes, Lord.' 

As Jesus asked many more times, 'Have you ever'? The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - 'Yes, Lord'. 

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus.  When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before. 

Jesus said, 'I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you.' 

It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is. 

Read the following first line slowly and let it sink in. 

If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it. 

BB & TB

                                          Meet Tweedy Bird

Tweety Meets Blue Bird

 

                                        Tweety & Blue Bird Together

1. Meet Tweedy Bird, our newest addition to the family
2. Tweedy meets Blue Bird
3. Tweedy & Blue Bird together at last

We tried to get Blue Bird (BB) on our hands, he would get shakey
and then stand offish, he didn't mind me getting into the cage, just
if I held my hand in the cage or tried to get him on it, so after much
thought I'd rather have a calm happy bird then a shakey bird
frightened of us.

We went today and bought Tweedy Bird to keep him company.
Blue Bird still isn't sure of Tweedy but they are together. Tweedy
loves the swing (BB not so much) and Tweedy loves the rings
 (BB not so much).. BB loves the mirror with the treat compartment,
Tweedy tried to take it over and BB let her know he wasn't having it...
This should be fun watching them..

One of them is churping away happy as a tick on a dog, the other one
is on the purch just watching... HUMMN

Photo Share

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Underground Railroad

Im really amazed at how a lot of people don't know the real meaning behind these statues, so they vandalize them, complain about them being racist, etc.  (They Are "NOT" Racist)

The image of a black 'footman' with a lantern signified the home was a stop on the Underground Railroad. These are largely a northern thing, and weren't commonly found in the South until after WWII when northerners moved there and brought this custom with them.

The clothing of the statue was also coded.
A striped jockey's shirt meant that this was a place to swap horses, while a footman in a tailed coat meant overnight lodgings/food, and a blue sailor's waistcoat meant the homeowner could take you to a port and get you on a ship to Canada.

I always laugh when I hear black folks talk about how racist these are, because honestly, the cats who had them were likely the LEAST racist. Later, these came back into popularity after WWII, and they were again coded to show the white homeowners supported early civil rights efforts, weren't Klan, etc.

http://www.lawnjock.com/lawn_jockey_history.html

http://www.loudounhistory.org/history/underground-railroad-jockey-statues.htm

1 Peter 4.10 (NIV)

                                   1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Each one should use whatever gift he has recieved to serve others
faithfully administering God's Grace in it's various forms.


Matthew 25: 37- 40 (NIV)

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

By the Grace of God, I have never known what it's like to be hungry. We've always had plenty, and joyfully shared with others

I believe my calling is to Bless others with the gifts God has Blessed me with, If I see you hungry, I'll feed you, If I see you cold, I knit you a covering, If your lonely, I share my time and love with you

What are you doing with the gifts God has Blessed you with???

Blue Boy 3

Well here it is already Saturday 1/23/2016 and much to share with you about BB.

Blue Bird seems to be a very happy little bird. Most of the day light hours he's busy singing churping away, then when I finish the evening dishes he quiets down mostly for the night, but when we turn off the lights for the night, he's quiet as a mouse... smile

BB doesn't care if we put out hands in his cage.He's not flighty in the least, until today. Our first lesson in hand training. I just put my hand in the cage flat open and left it the cage while I gently talked to him for several minutes.. Yes he seemed to know something was different. He did get some excited but kept coming back to his purch to be close by, yet free to escape if need be.... Tomorrow we try again

Have a Blessed day one in all

Blue Boy 2

We made it through our first night together. This silly bird sings and makes so much noise, I had forgotten how much noise parakeets make with our last set of birds being finches (little computers sounds)

Funny thing, when I put my hands into his cage, he's not at all flighty/scared or anything un-usual. I think maybe by this weekend I'll begin to hand train him and see how that goes. For the mean time I just want him to get used to our walking up the his cage and chatting with him.

When all the lights went off last evening, he quieted down and remained quiet through-out the night. When Ron awoke this morning to let Snickers (our lil doggie) he turned on the light and low and behold, Blue Boy began his singing & noise... I told Ron, when the lights on, looks like its free for all around here... smile

So glad we got our new little friend, I've missed having the beauty of God's little feather friends making such lovely sounds to sooth our souls inside

Have a Blessed day one & all

Blue Boy

I know, I know, I said after my finches died no more birds for us, well we were up
at the Paws for Cause thrift store a couple weeks ago to drop off alot of things I
gathered together, and right there in my eye sight they had this nice big bird cage
on sale for $10.-, now I ask you could you pass it by, like I said, honey I think
we need to get this...

Today, we went to Scales & Tails pet store and yep, we got Blue Boy, just
couldn't help myself. I also got a travel cage $10....- in case we have to take
him to the vet or something. He has not stopped singing and making noise
since we brought him home... I'm a happy girl, Ron and I have alwys had
birds ever since we married 44 yrs ago...

1st photo is Blue Boy in his permant home cage
2nd photo, Blue Boy in his travel cage,

Proverbs 19

Fear-of-God is life itself, a full life, and serene -
 no nasty surprises. ( Prov. 19:23 MSG)

The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rest content, untouched by trouble ( Prov.19:23 NIV)

Bloom Where Your Planted

                                           "Bloom where your planted"


 Stop looking at richer soul, better water system, or your neighbors
yard. Right where you are is where God wants you to be, make the
most of every day, every opportunity, and Bloom as you were meant to.

Stop all the what it's, if I lived here or there, if I could do this or that,
go to this school, work at this or that job, had a better employer, etc...
BLOOM WHERE YOUR PLANTED, right where you are right now.
...

You may not be where you desire to be, but know you can make your
life and that of others around you better, so pull up your attitude, put
a smile on your face, and make the best of your situation. Even the
worse situation ever looks better with a smile on your face, and
blooms in your heart

Yarn Bowls

Yarn Bowls © Joe Ottendorf

Last year when yarn bowls came out and all the knitters and crocheters
wanted one, I also wanted one, but knew we couldn't afford one. They
were selling anywhere from $20.- to &55.- & $65.- and that my friends
will buy alot of grocery's.


Christmas 2014
 Every Christmas, My brother & wife come to spend Christmas with
Mom (for those of you who don't know, My Mom lives next door to us)
and they brought a friend with them (Joe Ottendorf). They called me
over and Joe had brought me a green yarn bowl and presented it to me
for Christmas. I was on top of the world because I had wanted one and
couldn't justify spending the money on one. Joe makes them from
pottery and I fell in love with my yarn bowl... I told Joe I would treasure
it always and thanked him and have used my bowl 24/7 for the entire year,
and when I thought of Joe's gift I've sent special Prayers Heaven ward in
his behalf..

Christmas 2015
 Well yesterday my brother (Lanny & wife Delores) came down from
Branson to spend the day with Mom again, and yes they brought Joe
with them again. Mom called me over there again (I try to stay at home
so Lanny can have some one on one time alone with Mom when he comes
to visit as I do when my Sister (Stacy) comes to visit). I went over and
Joe presented me with another yarn bowl, this time is Brick Oven Red
 and just as beautiful as my green one. Again I thanked him for his loving
gift and said I'd treasure it always,

For someone who wanted a yarn bowl, and never said anything to anyone
about wanting one, God knew my heart and used Joe to Bless me not once
but twice with yarn bowls... Thank You Jesus

I'm thinking I'll use my green bowl for my knitting, and my red one for
Crocheting, Maybe... smile, or maybe both or knitting, only the Lord
knows... Smile

Joe Ottendorf makes and sells his Pottory Yarn Bowls (made by hand
here in the Ozarks - Look on the bottom of bowls, you'll see Joe's name
and Made in the Ozarks along with the year he made it) in Craft Stores
in Branson, so if your wanting one, You'd be Blessing a "Vet", as well as
Blessing a "Hillbilly" here and from the Ozarks. Look for Joe's Pottory
Yarn Bowls and I thank you in advance for your support

Spiritual Adoption

                           Please spiritually adopt an unborn baby.

Every day over 4,000 babies are killed by abortion. 
They have so little protection only the hand of God
can end this massacre.  Prayer is the best weapon
to help them-the most effective.

Say this prayer every day for nine months to save a
baby’s life!

“Heavenly Father, My Precious Jesus, I love you very
much. I beg you to spare the life of [baby’s name] the
unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted who is in
danger of abortion.”

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” (Jeremiah 1:5) 

Please pray! The babies are counting on us.

Remember to pray daily for your spiritual adopted baby
and the baby's parents.  During your earthly life this
spiritually adopted child of yours is known only to God,
but in the world to come it is hoped that you will meet the
child whose life was spared by your prayers and spend eternal
happiness with them.  This prayer will make a difference between
life and death for a special child.

This is done by encouraging people to "spiritually adopt" an
unborn baby, and to follow their baby along the path to being born.

How does it work?
It's very simple. Participants pledge to pray for nine months
for a baby in danger of abortion.  While this child will remain
unknown to his or her 'spiritual parent', God knows who the
child is. Many people have found that naming 'their child'
helps to keep them focused on the reality that their prayers
are helping to save a particular baby from the harm of abortion.

The Spiritual Adoption  is for anyone who is concerned about
abortion, and who is willing to pray for babies in danger of
abortion, "that they might have life and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

Precious Lord, let your mantle of protection fall upon all the
unborn children of the world. Save them from any harm and nurture
within their souls a predisposition towards holiness. Amen.

“Heavenly Father, My Precious Jesus, I love you very much. I
beg you to spare the life of [baby’s name] the unborn baby that
I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion.”

Homeless Packs

Homeless Packs

 

These are 2 different types of homeless packs you can put together to give to those who are less fortunate & or homeless.

 

The top photo show a great pack to keep in your car (1 for each person in your family) just in case of an emergency. One never knows when you might have a need for this and you would thrilled to have something to nibble on if broken down waiting for help to come along.

Knitted Knockers

As you can see I've been busy making some Knitted Knockers. The 4 that
are stuffed and ready to be worn. I carry with me when I'm out in public
so when someone asks what I'm knitting I can show them and offer some
to them if they are in need. The others are ready to be stuffed and shared
with other as needed.


Knockers are always free of charge and given to women who have gone
through cancer or any type of breast surgery's etc.. If your in need of a
knitted knockers there is a form on the website
http://www.knittedknockers.org to fill out and usually within a weeks
time the mail man will deliver it to you, (always completely free of charge)


If you would like to knit or crochet some knockers, there are free
patterns to download for your use also FREE of charge. Also if
you wanting to knit in the round (with 4 needles) there is a wonderful
step by step video to show you how and what to do. There is
also a 2 needle pattern for normal knitting. and yes a crochet
pattern as well.


You can make them up and give them away in your community, ~OR~
make them up and send in a box full to Barbara Demorest @
Knitted Knockers 1780 Iowa St Bellingham WA. 98229 and she and her
group of volenteers will stuff them and send them out to ladies waiting
to receive them


Knitted Knockers:
http://www.knittedknockers.org


Knitted Knockers - find us on face book and join the wonderful
group of women touching other women's lives and making a
difference with our gift of love.