The Maze

In Baton Rouge every year there is a corn maze for the children to go through. Of course, parents go along with the smaller children. Corn is planted in a pattern and there are paths that you follow. One path leads out. The other path sometimes leads to confusion. "Where am I? Which way do I go now? I'm lost?" The teenagers from church went. They always come back with who got lost, who finished first etc. So tomorrow we will find out.

We, as Christians, sometimes, find ourselves in a maze of our own making. "Where am I? How did I get here? How do I get out?"

We, somehow missed the path the Lord had for us to follow. Do you ever get on a path that led to nowhere? You had to turn around and try to find your way back. Sometimes going around in circles?

I'm glad the Lord gives us signs to follow. Starting on a trip what is the first thing you do? Get a map and find the path for you to go to get there!

Right? Then follow the markers and signs that lead you to your destination.

The Lord has given us the Road Map , the BIBLE. There only two ways in it. The broadway that leads to destruction. The narrow way that leads to Heaven. We came to the cross roads one day and had to decide which way we would go. I'm so glad I took the narrow way.

On this way are a few mazes. We get in situations that muddle our minds

and we seem to be in a fog. Our heart is crushed at times, or maybe our friends are few. We might have a few tumbles and get discouraged. But we have Someone that leads the way and all we have to do is follow.

We were reading in our devotion this morning about the Temple being rent in twain. From the top to the botttom! That means we can enter into His Presense at any time and anywhere. We can find our way by listening to the whispers of The Blessed Holy Spirit. He will always lead us out of the maze and set our feet back on the right path.

Has your life been in a maze lately? If so, go to Jesus and let Him lead you out. He will lead you from a muddled maze to His Amazing Grace.

PUT YOUR TROUBLES HERE!

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord--and He shall sustain thee." Psalm 55:21

Cast your troubles where you have cast your sins; you have cast your sins onto Jesus--cast your troubles there also! As soon as the trouble comes, quick, the first thing, tell it to your Father in heaven! Remember, that the longer you take telling your trouble to God--the more your peace will be impaired. The longer the frost lasts--the more likely the ponds will be frozen. Oh! It is a happy way of smoothing sorrow, when we can cast our burden upon the Lord. Oh, you agitated Christians, do not dishonor your religion by always wearing a 'frown of concern'. Come, cast your burden upon the Lord. I see you staggering beneath a weight, which He would not feel. What seems to you a crushing burden--would be nothing but a bit of dust to Him. See! The Almighty bends His shoulders, and He says, "Here--put your troubles here!" "Casting all your care upon Him , for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7

By Charles Spurgeon

Great Give A Way

PUMPKIN PATCH AND SPICE PATCH GIVE A WAY I was reading my nieces blog ramblinroadstoeverywhere.blogspot.com and she was posting about a give a way on pumpkinpatchprimitivequiltshoppe.blogspot.com

27 patches for a nice quilt! Hop on over and mention I sent you.

Bearing One Another's Burdens

I do hope each of you have a wonderful Sabath Day. I am not able to go today but I certainly want to be there. I'm always afraid I'm going to miss something special.

Tuesday I drove to Jackson Ms. to help my sister get some of Mother's

stuff, that no one knew what to do with, organized so we could have a garage sale and get it out of the way. My sister-in-law from Arkansas came and we worked all day some Tuesday and Wednesday getting it all sorted out. Thursday I started having severe pain and called my husband. We met him and my daughter halfway and I came on home.

Have been going for therapy. After x-rays it turned out to be fibromyalgia. I can't take a lot of medications ao I am going alternative. I knew I had it but never so severe. Anyway, that's why I'm home today.

But, I am counting my blessings this Sabbath Day. God has been so good.

At the same time there are those that are carrying heavy loads today. Go to this dear sister's blog and read what she is going through. She needs our prayers. alleluiabelle.blogspot.com

Sometimes we take a prayer request so lightly. We never know what some one that is sitting right next to us in church might be going through. Let us bear one anothers burdens. In doing so our burdens won't seem so heavy. Read Alle's story and take time to pray for her and leave her a comment. I don't know her ~ but I could feel her agony and heartache through her writing.

I hope each of you have a wonderful Sabbath day!

MISSIONARIES

I guess the Lord has been speaking to me about praying more for our missionaries. Sunday morning in Sunday School I was telling my nine year old bus girls about foreign missions. They seemed a little confused.

This is a fairly new class. I have a world wide mission map in the class. One little bus girl said "Oh, like those countries on the map." The lesson was on the parable of the stewarts and their talents.

Then when the message comes up Sunday night ~ our pastor spoke on Faith Promise Missions . So far the Lord has helped us to keep ours up to date. Anyway, Pastor's message was taken from 3 John. He brought out the 8th verse as the text. "We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. "

Fellowhelpers! He brought out that the wellbeloved Gaius was pastor

of the church. Then Diotrephes in v.9 who wanted to have the preeminence . He wanted to be first. He said some harsh words and those that did not agree ~he wanted to put them out of the church. (Know anyone like that?) But John was saying ! Don't follow those that are evil but those that doeth good.

Then he brought out Demetrius who had a good report of all men.

Wouldn't you like for that to be said about you? I wonder, when I passed from the scene ~ what will people say about me! May the Lord me to live in such a way that something good will be remembered.

Fellowhelpers! How can we help our fellow man. Especially those on the mission field. He said a lot more but somehow "Fellowhelpers by sending missionaries in our place" stuck in my mind.

Then Monday I got on kjvblogs.blogspot.com and Susan Hutchins had written about their work as missionaries in Canada. Did you know that Canada is a big mission field? I did not realize that until read her entry.

Go by and read her post.

Seems like all day Sunday the word "Missions" came up. Would you rather stay home and give and pray or would you rather go and sacrifice for the sake of the gospel. Our missionaries not only have cultural shock when they get to a field ~ but their whole way of life changes. How would you like to be in cold Canada right now? As far as I hear there is a need for more missionaries there. Will you pray that the Lord supply the need there and on all mission fields.

We have several couples from our church that will be leaving for the mission field. They are out raising their support now. We, as laymen , have a responsibility to those that are on a missin field field and those that are going. May God help us to be faithful fellowhelpers.

Christmas Ornaments!

For today I thought I would tell you about ornaments. You make them! I made a cheery pie and a blueberry pie out of this recipe years ago. I still have the cherry pie sitting in my kitchen. My sister has made Christmas ornaments out of the same mixture which I want to do this year. Just use cookie cutters! The direction for ornaments and pies are a little different. This only ornaments.

SALT DOUGH CLAY

For Christmas Ornaments only

1/2 c. salt

3/4 c. warm water

Let stand 5 minutes in Bowl

Add 2 c. all Purpose Flour

Stir until thoroughly combined

Knead dough 7-10 minutes until smooth

Roll out and cut with cookie cutter putting a hold in the top for hanging on a tree or wherever

Bake on Foil Covered Baking Sheet @ 350 for 1/2 hour

or until dry and light brown.

May be painted and finished off with a thin coat of shellac

or clear Acrylic.

The directions for pies are different so don't make pies with these directions.

If anyone makes anything post it on your blog. I'm going to see what I can come up with.

Love God and do as you please?

Love God and do as you please. This came up on Bible Commentary and left you hanging. So I went to see what really was the meaning. St. Augustine, an influential Christian author of the fourth century A.D., wrote this: "Love God and do as you please." On the surface, that may seem like a license for sin—"As long as I love God, I can do anything I want, and God's okay with whatever I do." But Augustine seemed to realize that if you genuinely love God, then you will want to do what honors him most. Just as a married woman who loves her husband will want to make him look good, lift him up, and honor him, so also a person who loves God will want to glorify, magnify, and honor him. If you truly love God, then his Holy Spirit will transform you such that what pleases God will become what pleases you. Jesus, who is God, made this observation: "If you love me, keep my commandments. " (John 14:15). Similarly, the Apostle John wrote, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grieveous." (1 John 5:3). And finally, the Psalmist wrote, "My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly." (Psalm 119:167). When we love God, then we want to obey him; obeying him becomes a sign that we love him. Jesus linked love for God with obeying the commandments (i.e., with obeying God's law) in this way: " JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIGHT" . And the second is like it: " THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40). "For whom he did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29). In this way, what pleases you and what pleases God become one and the same such that if you love God, you can do whatever pleases you and God will be pleased.

Teaset and China Cabinet

This is a tea set that Mom had for years. I always told her she had to leave it to me. So I got it, but frankly I would rather have Mom if she could Have been in good health. But God knows best and He took her Home. I seriously doubt china cabinets or tea sets are on her mind now. I googled the pattern but have not come across it yet. If anyone knows please let me know. As for the china cabinet to the left ~ I think everyone in the family had their name behind it. I did not put my name because I had no hopes of getting it. It seem to be the most~ what I would call ~sentimental piece of furniture in the house. Thanks to my brothers and sisters ~ it was passed on to me. I am so thankful to them. Everytime I look at it I get teary eyed. It makes me think of Dad first. He got this for Mother way before he passed away ~ which will be 21 years Christmas Day. Then I really think Mom enjoyed all of us telling her ~ well, maybe not everyone, but me telling her just where I would put it. I did not have a clue that I would ever get it. Then my siblings who so graciously gave up their claim to it. That china cabinet will always keep us together as a family. I can always look on the back and see their names. As for the other tea sets in the china cabinet ~ they were given to me over the years. I have put some of them on my blog. If you are wondering where I put the china cabinet ~ it is right where my brother and husband put it when they brought it to its new home. Katty-cornered in the living room. It matches my piano and furniture perfect so I just left it there. Just thought I would share that with you since it meant so much to me!

Amish Friendship Bread

Did any of you receive a batch of the Amish Friendship Bread that was so popular a few years ago? There was one called Herman that went around the south. Now to get Herman ~ you have to get a starter from a friend. It made four batches. You give two away and kept two for yourself. Use one batch to make several loaves of Friendshipship Bread and keep one for another starter of Herman. Seems Herman is quite popular once he gets started. But you have to keep the love affair going with him or you might lose him. Then you will have to go back to the Amish to get a starter. At least that is what is told. But guess what? I was looking through some of Mom's old recipes and came across Herman. The starter was so simple. 1 cup sugar, one cup plain flour and 1 cup milk. You have to really be faithful to Herman or he might harden his heart. You have to check in on him at least once a day. (Now wouldn't you want your lover to check in at least once a day?) After you get Herman started in a large deep plastic or glass bowl and covered with a cloth ~ all you do is stir him every day for 17 days. On day 18 you do nothing, (Poor Baby ~No one is checking on him on this day.) On days 9, 20, and 21 you have to stir him. On day 22 you stir and add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup plain flour, 1 cup milk. Stir again. Days 23-26 you peek in on Herman and stir him up good. On day 27 you add 1 cup sugar, one cup plain flour and 1 cup milk. You should have about 4 cups of Herman Starter. Now Herman loves to travel. So take 1 cup and give to a friend. Then take another cup and give to another friend. You see, Herman likes to meet people. So keep him going! You will have 2 cups of batches left for yourself. Divide and use one batch to make your Friendship Bread. (I make loaves to give out during the holidays) You can keep the other starter and get Herman going again. I have never gotten Herman started up. Only twice was a starter given to me. But I started Herman four days ago. He will be done in time for the holidays. I got a starter last year and make little loaves with alluminun pans. Just put clear plastic wrap on top and tie a bow around it. Great little gifts to pass out. Include the recipe for a starter. Herman would love that! I have the recipe for the Amish Friendship Bread just in case any one are interested. I know you would love to meet Herman! He's fun to be around. Oh, by the way, DO NOT USE A METAL SPOON TO STIR HIM WITH. He has an allergy or something to metals. I'm not sure what.

Two Horses

Two Horses ~ Author Unknown

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As you stand and watch these two friends, you’ll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owner of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see. Good friends are like this You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I’ll listen for yours.

Closed Doors?

Just a few thoughts today that's been running through my mind.

I was thinking that we sometimes think we know best about certain situations in life. But as things have come and gone in my life I know that God knows best! How many times did it seem a door was closed when we needed it opened? We may, with best intentions, decide upon a course of action, then find the way is blocked before us.

We know the Lord has led and guided us, unfailingly in the past. Does the road block mean we can just jump over it or go around it? We have never doubted God's guidance before, we know what it means to have the Lord's Presence with us and He has always provided. But now we find ourselves in a situation where we have no way to go. If we jump over or go around the roadblock we know danger is ahead.

Who is hindering our onward march? Paul wrote in 1Thessalonians 2:18

"Wherefore we would come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us! " Did not Satan hindered Daniel's prayer for 21 days? Daniel 10:12-13 "Then said he unto me, Fear not Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, Thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdon of Persia withstood me, one and twenty days: but lo,Michael, one of the chief prince, came to help me."

Sometimes a hindered prayer may be a roadblock. Satan will fight and make us believe there is no way out. If we try, within ourselves, we will miserably fail and get out of God's will. But, if we, with patience , will hold on and remember God is working in our behalf, we will come out victorious.

We need to know if this thing is from Satan or from the Lord. So that means we need discernment to decide the difference. No matter the roadblocks ~ we need to "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7 We need to be sensitive to the leadings of the Holy spirit in our lives. We are to keep on praying and with a heart toward God we will find that sooner or later, after seeking the will of God, why in His wisdom He closed one door only to open another. In this open door is the answer.

God's time may not have yet come, in whatever situation or roadblock you may have come against. But don't knock against the roadblocks. Just stop and know that the Lord has not forgotten you. He may be preparing you for something good. Your answer is on the way. Just rest in Him and let Him give you rest and peace that only the Lord can give. He will wotk the "situation" in your life out in such a way that you will be amazed.

God's hindrance is one method of His guidance.

Sometimes the lions' mouths are shut

Sometimes God bids us fight or fly;

Sometimes He feeds us by the brook;

Sometimes the flowing streams run dry.

Sometimes the burning flames are quenched;

Sometimes with sevenfold het they glow;

Sometimes His hand divides the waves;

Sometimes His billows overflow.

Sometimes He turns the sword aside;

Sometimes He lets the sharp blade smite;

Sometimes our foes are at our heels,

Sometimes He hides us from their sight.

We may not choose, nor would we dare,

The path in which our feet shall tread;

Enough that He that path hath made,

And He, Himself shall walk ahead.

The danger that His love allows

Is safer than our fears may know;

The peril that His care permits

Is our defence where'er we go.

Annie Johnson Flint

The Son

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art." The young man held out this package. "I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this." The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift." The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?" There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will somebody bid for this painting. Who will start the bidding? $100? $200?" Another voice yelled angrily, "We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs and Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids" But still the auctioneer continued. "The son The son Who’ll take the son?" Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I’ll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. “We have $10, who will bid $20?" “Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters” "$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?" The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10" A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let’s get on with the collection" The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I’m sorry, the auction is over." "What about the paintings?" I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything" God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: "The son, the son, who’ll take the son?" Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

I had this riddle for years. I gave it to my son when he was a young man and it did not take him long to figure it out. Some of you have probably seen it. If not, it is a challenge. Try it! This riddle was written by a lady in California in response to an offer from a gentleman in Philadelphia, that he would pay anyone $1,000 who could write a puzzle he could not solve. He failed to solve it and paid the money. Adam, God made out of dust, But thought it best to make me first, So I was made before now, To answer God's most holy plan, A living being I became, And Adam gave to me my name, I from his presence then withdrew, And more of Adam I never knew. I did my Maker's law obey, Nor never went from it astray, Thousands of miles I go in fear, But seldom on earth appear, For purpose wise which God did see, He put a living soul in me, A soul from me God did claim, And took from me the soul had fled, I was the same as when first made, And without hands or feet or soul, I travel on from pole to pole, I labor hard by day, by night, To fallen man I give great light, Thousands of people, young and old, Will by my death great light behold, No right or wrong can I conceive, The Scripture I cannot believe Although my name therein is found, They are to me an empty sound, No fear of death doth trouble me, Real happiness I'll never see, To Heaven I shall never go, or to Hell below. Now when these lines you slowly read Go search your Bible with all speed, For that my name is written there, I do honestly to you declare, "The answer is ONE word."