STAND STILL

Here  it is Monday again.  I have ideas of what I want to do today. Just reporting in to say  we had a good day at church yesterday. Seem to be an encouraging time for the saints.  I am so thankful to be feeling better and able to really  get into the services.  

I am going to get into one of my rooms that needs a good cleaning.   While I am cleaning I want to stand still.
Not literally but in my soul.  Yesterday morning three sisters sang a song called  "Stand Still."  Here are the words.  Just think on them.  I know from experience that "standing still" is one of the  hardest things for me to do literally and spiritually.  

STAND STILL

The Father has a plan

Though its hard to see it now.

You feel you're walking all alone,

But he is there, no doubt.

When the storm  around you rages

And you're tossed to and fro,

When you're faced with decisions

Not sure which way to go.

Chorus:

Stand still and let God move.

Standing still is hard to do.

When you feel you have reached the end

He'll make a way for you.

Stand still and let God move.

When the enemy surrounds you

And the walls are closing in,

When the tide is swiftly rising,

And you wonder where He's been,

There has never been a moment

When His Arms weren't reaching out,

You can rest assure and be secure

God is moving right now.

Stand still and let God move.

Standing still is hard to do.

When you feel you have reached the end

He'll make a way for you.

Stand still and let god move.

Tag:  The answer will come

But only in His time.

 

 

CRACKED CUP

Do you have a particular cup you like to drink out of?

Do you have a cup like this in your cabinet?

I know, you would pitch it out.  I tried several times but it just did not work.   It was my husbands favorite coffee cup.  He drank coffee out of this cup for probably 20 years.  

It was a  spare cup our neighbor had when we lived in town.  For some reason  Silas liked this cup.  I wish I knew what  made him tick about this particular

cup!   At first it had a chipped lip.  Then over the years a crack started slowly down the side.  I mean, coffee would seeped through.  You can see the line. But that did not matter to him.  He wanted to enjoy his love affair with his cup and only half cup of coffee with nothing in it.  Ugh!  Taste like Quinine to me.  Well, guess I need to say it was bitter.  I have no idea what quinine taste like.  That's all he drinks at one time.  He is finished almost before I get started.  I like to savor my coffee. and  enjoy it with Splenda and creamer. 

I have a particular kind of cup I like to drink out of .  I had a set of four back in the  80's.  It is more like an old fashion coffee cup.  It is Corelle, round, not tall, with a good handle that you can grip.  I had one left and finally one day I found one more at a yard sale.  So I had two.  Then I went in a thrift store and found six for $.3.00,  Man, I was in business!  Still am!   But  more than the shape of the cup ~ it keeps coffee warm longer.  See, I have a good bonifide reason for my cup.  While the cracked cup was useless.  Well, almost!

 We always looked for a cup like the cracked cup.  Finally, one day, we found our "treasure".  Oh yes, now I can throw the old thing away.  Nothing doing!  He still wanted his cracked cup.  The found treasure went in the cabinet.

Finally, a few weeks ago the crack cup met it demise.  He held it like it was a baby.  Then, kerplunk!  It cracked clear through and was finished.  But remember~ he still has the "treasure" he found.  Now he finally  can drink coffee in a cup without a crack.  He said at first, coffee just did not taste the same in the newer one. 

I remember as a child that our handles would come off our cups and they may have had a small crack.  But we use them out of necessity.  But what makes someone drink out of a cracked cup is beyond me.  It surely is not all we have.  I have a cabinet full of cups that never get used.   

Our grandson comes over to drink coffee.  I noticed that he has a certain mug he wants for his coffee.  If he can't find it  ~~ he looks until he does.  Not another guy to try and figure out!   

Tell me, how any of you ever had this dilemma?   Or do I just have a bunch of "nutty guys" around here?

Always,  Aliene

PLEASE LET ME KNOW

S.O.S.      IS ANYONE READING THIS BLOG.  I THOUGHT MY COMMENTS WERE FIXED BUT I AM NOT HEARING EXCEPT FROM DEBORAH.  THERE MAY STILL BE A PROBLEM AND YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO COMMENT. I HAD THAT PROBLEM ON A FEW OF YOUR BLOGS THE PASS FEW WEEKS BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS FIXED ALSO.

WOULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON?  SOME OF YOU HAVE MY E-MAIL.  IF YOU CAN'T GET A COMMENT ON PLEASE E-MAIL ME TO LET ME KNOW.

IF YOU PUT A COMMENT ~ THE NEXT TIME YOU GET ON-LINE, CHECK AND SEE IF IT 
IS ON THERE.  THIS WOULD HELP ME TO KNOW.

IF I DON'T HEAR FROM YOU I AM GOING  TO CLOSE THIS BLOG DOWN.  IT'S NOT THAT I HAVE TO HAVE COMMENTS ~ I JUST NEED TO  KNOW IF THE THING IS 
WORKING.

I WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM YOU IF POSSIBLE.

Century Plant Going, Going, almost Gone

Century Plant  About Down.  How many months
has it been since it first started shooting a sprout upward?  I think the first of Summer!  We have watch this plant every time we drive down the road.  Seem to be changes every time we looked at it.  It shot upward, finally made a cauiflower-like bloom, stayed awhile, then started turning downward.  It is literally being pulled up by the roots and will  never have life again.


There  has to be a spiritual application here somewhere.
I guess we could compare the plant itself to youth.  Growing, turning green, getting taller and fuller and just resting there a few years.  It has to  be under going some transformation inside somewhere for the next stage of life.  Youth is like that!  Just enjoying life, no worries, no cares, no responsibility.

Then finally one day after many years it matures enough to put out a stalk.  Like youth trying to find itself.
That stalk grows and grows and keeps growing.  No limit.  Pass the fence post, pass the house roof, pass the electric wires, way up until you cannot see what is going on at the top.
During youth and onward, making decisions that will affect the rest of their life.  (We need the Lord to make these decisions to be a successful Christian.)  Each notch (like a bamboo) is a test or trial that we had to go through to get higher.  I would like to count the notches in that stalk, but I can't.  There are plenty.

Sometimes it looks like the weight of the plant will pull the whole thing down.   Isn't that so in life?  Seems like sometimes our trials and testing will pull us down, but we keep our eyes on the Son who will give us more life as we go along.  Another notch, another trial, another victory.  We might look to man as  a prop but we will surely fall.  So far this plant has needed no prop, but it is coming down slowly. 

The whole root system is dying is dying and one day soon the whole plant will be uprooted probably to be replaced by another one.  They do make babies in their youth.  These babies are waiting for their chance to bloom.  We will one day leave this old world only leaving our influence on our children or those we come in contact with.  May somehow we be remembered as this plant.  I will never forget the Century Plant!
There are people that have come and gone in my life that definitely made a lasting impression on me for the good.  The Century Plant will never have life again, but I'm so glad we will have Life Eternal as we place our life into the the Father that breathed life into us.

As I think more on the Century Plant I am sure that more applications will come to mind.  It is a once in a lifetime experience.  Depends on  the plant and it's beginning.  Have a blessed Day.
                   

                                              

God's Tender-Mercies

 This flower seems to be one of the last to bloom before fall sets in.  I believe the date has already arrived and it is a little cooler but for the south the humiditity is 100%.

Aren't you glad for the Loving-Kindness of our God?  His mercies are new every morning.  Every day is a new day that He has given us to live.  I have tried, with His help, not to dwell on what has been, but to look forward to what will be.  My husband got this atricle in e-mail which is so true.

With all the problems the World is facing, it can be unsettling to the
mind.

Today, I will share with you the top ten predictions that are true! 

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth..

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still honor the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.


Isn't It Great To Remember Who Is Really In Control,
And that; "the Word of the Lord endures forever."

( 1 Peter 1:25 )

I want to see if my comments are working so if you read this just say "I was here".

We have so often praised Mary and thought Martha choose the lesser part.   This is what James Smith in 1859 said about Mary.

  "MARY"
 Luke 10:39 "And she gad a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus feet and heard His word."
Let us notice Mary's POSITION. She was sitting at the feet of Jesus. Most probably He was reclining on the couch, and she went and took her place behind Him, where she could hear what He said, and occasionally get a glimpse of His face.

It is the posture of HUMILITY—she took the lowest place. She had no wish to be seen, nor did she regard her own ease—she was intent on getting good from Jesus.

It was the posture of ATTENTION—she wished to catch every word, and to understand all that the Lord was saying. If Jesus is teaching—then Mary will attend and listen.

It was the posture of a LEARNER—she was a disciple of Jesus, therefore she sat down at His feet, that she may receive of His words. He need not now say unto her, "Learn of Me," for she was most anxious to do so.

It was the posture of SATISFACTION—if she could but be within the sound of His voice, within the sight of His eye—it was enough for Mary. Anywhere with Jesus—would satisfy her!

It was also the posture of REPOSE—here at the feet of Jesus, she found rest unto her soul. Her desires were satisfied, her love was gratified, her hungry soul was fed. It was enough.

Being at the feet of Jesus was to her—a kind of earthly heaven.

Mary sat at the feet of Jesus in a humble cottage.
She now sits by His side in the heavenly mansion!

Reader, how is it with you?

Are you humble enough to take a seat at the feet of Jesus?

Is it your delight to listen to His words?

Are you like a little child desiring to learn of Him, and be taught by Him?

Are you satisfied—if you can but get near to Jesus?

Do you find sweet and refreshing repose in His presence?

I'm bum-fizzled!  Whatever that means.  Maybe I had better look it up.  But I think you know what I mean. Don't know where to go from here. 
I can't get comments to show on my blog.  I can go into comments and put them on there.  Sometimes I can't leave comments.  Something about your blogs not being safe.  


A lot of times I can't post anything.  Seems to be things coming up that I have no idea where they come from.  I am on my husbands computer now.  He has gone into cookies on mine  to see if he can find part of the trouble.

I try to leave comments on yours.  Sometimes I succeed, sometimes not.  I am working on doing a complete new blog.  So far I have the basics set up.  But not knowing exactly  what I am doing it is trial and error.  I was able to post today on the KJV BLOG. I may go see if I can copy here.  In the meantime I am still here.  Try to let me know you are there if you can.
                                                Always, Aliene

DAY BY DAY

DAY BY DAY

Lina Sandell Berg, 1832–1903

"Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage;be not afraid. neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."  Joshua 1:9

It is a common tendency for us to look ahead. We wonder—what will happen next?     Because  the future does not look very bright we can't help but wonder what it may bring.  We wonder about some health problem we may be encountering.  We might be concerned about  financial difficulties.  Sometimes life throws us a curve and  we long for a reassuring word of comfort.  In this day none of us are assured of  what we may face this very day.

On December 22, 1988 I passed by Mom and Dad's.  Dad was outside raking leaves with the smaller grand children.  I suppose up until that time, I took life for granted.  In the wee hours of  the next morning Dad was gone from us in at the hands of a murderer.  We all needed a reassuring word of comfort.  Needless to say, the Lord brought us all through this, but it was not an easy thing.  At his funeral the  I wanted the song," Day by Day" sung.  Many times since then, this song would come to mind ~ knowing that whatever the day held
the Lord would be right there to help me.  He has never failed me.  I thankHim for that!
“Day by Day” was written by a young Swedish woman who learned early in life the all-important lesson of living each day with the conscious presence and strength of her Lord. Lina Sandell has often been called the “Fanny Crosby of Sweden” for her many contributions to gospel hymnody. From her pen flowed approximately 650 hymns which strongly influenced the waves of revival that swept the Scandinavian countries during the latter half of the 19th century.
At the age of 26 Lina had an experience that greatly influenced her life. She was accompanying her father aboard ship to the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, across Lake Vattern. The ship gave a sudden lurch and Lina’s father, a devout Lutheran minister, fell overboard and drowned before the eyes of his devoted daughter. Although Lina had written many hymn texts prior to this tragic experience, now more than ever poetic thoughts that expressed a tender, child-like trust in her Lord began to flow freely from her broken heart.  Day by day was one of them.

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials 

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
 Gives unto each day what He deems best.

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Ev’ry day the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me, 

He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r. 

The protection of His child and treasure
 Is a charge that on Himself He laid:

“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

   

        A verse that was put to music is one of my favorite.  I  find comfort in quoting it or humming it.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not for I am with thee,

Be not dismayed for I am thy God.

I will strengthen thee;

Yea, I will help thee,

Yea, I will up hold thee

With the right hand of my righteous.

We can take comfort in God's Word each and every day!

Couldn't find the teapots

But it really doesn't matter.

Just got me a chair

So I could sit 

And not get any sadder.

I got myself some roses

To smell as I sit and pray,

About who got my teapots

Will they confess this day?

Lord, help then to be honest

As they ponder this little sin.

I really want my teapots

But I guess I'll forgive.

(If you are the culprit. come on, 'fess up.)

Love ya, anyway,  

Aliene

Going, going,going, gone

Gone, Gone, Gone, Gone

My teapots are gone,

Some wanted then awful bad

To take away my song.

PSE was the first one to cackle

Saying she didn't take them.

Others think  they will return

And things will straighten out.

But for some insane reason

I really have my doubts.

Unless someone comes to my rescue

Which is doubtful too.

They would help, this I know

But they don't know what to do. 

I thought you were ignoring me

No comments did I get

Until I went inside and checked

 Where comments are, I bet.

Yep, there they were, (hurray)

My friends were there

So I put them on my blog 

So just in case you wonder

Why you don't see me,

You'll know, my friend

I'm in despair

About ready to quit, you see?

Until I get some needed help

Which surely is not in view.

 But as each day appears

   My thoughts will be of you.

Always,  Aliene

 I'm just checking to see if this gizmo is working yet.  Seems it changes everytime I open it.  I'm about ready to do something - except I have no idea what to do.  I'm going to look at some tutorials and learn more about how to bring things back.  Or maybe i should say ~ try and learn.  I did not see any comments on the blog but when I went in I saw the comments.  so I know you are seeing the post and commenting but it doesn't show on the post. 

Part of my side bar is messed up and my beautiful teaposts are gone again although they were on here this morning.  I am th eonly one to use this computer.  If any of you have any ideas let me know.  I know some of you know way more than I do .   

The teapot is one of my flea market finds.  I found several more but just have  not been able to get them up.

When I get this working again I will show you.  In the meantime ~ I am still here.

This is the throw after I finished it.  The black block has my son's initials and the year.  This was so easy to do.  I did it in my spare time in two weeks.  One Christmas present down.

I am in the process of  finishing my pillows that I quilted.  These will be for gifts also.  I will post them when I get them done.  

I have been having computer problems.  I am using my husbands computer now.  For some reason I am going through the same thing as before on my blog.   The border is gone and I cannot download pictures.  Silas is working on mine right now. to see if he can restore and get things going again.

I can comment but the gizmo is on the blink again.  I have tried to get this much on my blog but was unsuccessful.   I did not know if  Silas had what I needed, but he did. 

I will try and get something on here soon.  In the meantime I hope and pray each of you have a blessed weekend.

Always, Aliene