A Birthday Celebration

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A small gathering of friends celebrating one of the best things: the life of a friend.

The birthday man prepares to win.

The host (my beau, bottom left), T, and O

Preparing for the attack (on the candles)

ADRA on the Ground in Haiti

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For more than fifty years, ADRA (the Adventist Development and Relief Agency) has had a strong presence around the world.

During the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s, ADRA was the only non-governmental agency to maintain a presence in the country. As a child, I knew the family of a man who stayed in the country as a foreigner and miraculously came out alive.

But ADRA didn't and hasn't stopped its efforts there. It's on the ground in Haiti even today.

To read about
ADRA's immediate response to Haiti's earthquake, or its food and water distribution, visit its web site, where there will also be links to tell you how you can help.

Frozen Flowers

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{I very much wanted to post this with pictures, but could not find my camera to get the proper documentation. Simply use your imaginations!}

I received an e-mail this morning with these excellent words in it:

"When the mustard seed is cast into the ground, the tiny germ lays hold of every element that God has provided for its nutriment, and it speedily develops a sturdy growth. If you have faith like this, you will lay hold upon God’s word, and upon all the helpful agencies He has appointed. Thus your faith will strengthen, and will bring to your aid the power of heaven. The obstacles that are piled by Satan across your path, though apparently as insurmountable as the eternal hills, shall disappear before the demand of faith. 'Nothing shall be impossible unto you.'" Desire of Ages-431

What are the nutriments my faith is grasping hold of?

Giving thanks in all things, for this is God's will for me in Christ Jesus:

• the prayers of a faithful beau
• normal lab results from the doctor
• stress (all things--God would not bid us be thankful for that which would do us harm)
• lists
• my new shower (still a blessing)
• my job
• friends' e-mails
• the blessing of fellowship
• the promise and gift of the Holy Spirit
• this post, reminding me of my own reading a few days ago of John 16:20-22: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2009/12/its-part-of-receiving-gift.html
• remembering that God's plans are the best plans
• looking, with the eye of faith, to Jesus as my Shepherd, myself the helpless sheep, trusting myself to His care, always
• exercise, even in the bitter cold
• a quiet morning
• friend's first grandbaby born early this morning
• praying friends
• frozen flowers, although left in the car too long in the cold, still bring cheer at the thought I was thought of
• my hymnbook, propped up in the towell cupboard, easily viewed and sung from while my blow dryer joined the tunes

A Comforting Figure

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My readings have taken me far and wide in the last few days, far beyond the dust of this earth. May I share a few words that gave me a deep sense of peace and comfort in trial?

"Though the Revelation deals largely in figures, it does not deal in fictions. There is reality in all the things described, and we gain an understanding of the reality when we get a correct interpretation of the figures. Thus, in vision we know that the One upon the throne is God. He is really there. We know the Lamb symbolizes Christ. He too is really there." (Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, 420)

How can I worry or fret, when God is really there?

He is really there....taking care of all my needs, ruling the universe, making sure the plants grow and the planets follow their courses.

He too is really there....Pleading my case before the throne, having paid my debts with His own life blood.

"O infinite merit of the blood of Christ, which can cleanse us from all our pollutions, and make us meet to tread the holy hill of Zion! O infinite grace of God, which can prepare us to endure the glory, and give us boldness to enter into His presence, even with exceeding joy!" (Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, 422)

Faith and Overcoming

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"He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from sinning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God." White, Ellen G., Manuscript 161, 1897, p9

At first, the above words may seem a discouragement. But to me, they were courage in an hour of need. If God can keep us sinless for eternity when He comes again, surely He can and will grant us the victory now.

So often I feel overcome by my temptations and sins, as if there is no way out. How do I so easily forget that God provides a way out of every temptation as He promised in His Word, and through Christ I can overcome?

Scripture is overflowing with promises of new life and victory. Here are a few:

Isaiah 26:3, 4 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."
John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you..."
1 Corinthians 2:16 "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ."
Romans 6:6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."

Evening Surprise

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Who wouldn't want to come home to this after a day's work?

Summer Picnic

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Who could turn down a chance to go on a picnic on a day like this? Especially when put on by your sweetheart?





Simple sandwiches and fruit salad taste like the most luxurious feast in the world when eaten outside in good company.



Once our stomachs had their fill, we sat in the light of the fading sun and read from a Book, life's Light, filling minds with God's thoughts and words. A beautiful end to a beautiful day.