God’s rest

Posted on September 23, 2007 by Barbara Harper

This morning when I was posting the hymn below, I looked at Hebrews 4 about the rest that God gives. I felt at the time maybe I should post it, but refrained — I didn’t want to make two post right after each other. But that urging is till on my heart, so here it is. I pray that anyone reading who has not entered into His rest and ceased from trying to obtain it by their own works might find that blessed rest even today.

1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Safely Through Another Week

Posted on September 23, 2007 by Barbara Harper

By John Newton, 1774

Safely through another week God has brought us on our way;
Let us now a blessing seek, on th’approaching Sabbath day;
Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest,
Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest.

Mercies multiplied each hour through the week our praise demand;
Guarded by almighty power, fed and guided by His hand;
Though ungrateful we have been, only made returns of sin,
Though ungrateful we have been, only made returns of sin.

While we pray for pardoning grace, through the dear Redeemer’s Name,
Show Thy reconciled face, shine away our sin and shame;
From our worldly cares set free, may we rest this night with Thee,
From our worldly cares set free, may we rest this night with Thee.

Here we come Thy Name to praise, let us feel Thy presence near,
May Thy glory meet our eyes, while we in Thy house appear:
Here afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast,
Here afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast.

When the morn shall bid us rise, may we feel Thy presence near:
May Thy glory meet our eyes, when we in Thy house appear:
There afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast,
There afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast.

May Thy Gospel’s joyful sound conquer sinners, comfort saints;
May the fruits of grace abound, bring relief for all complaints;
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove till we join the church above,
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove till we join the church above!

Graphics courtesy of Creative Ladies Ministry Graphics

Fall Into Reading

Posted on September 22, 2007 by Barbara Harper

Katrina at Callapidder Days is hosting another Fall Into Reading challenge. She writes:

Because reading is a wonderful thing, and I like to do my part to share the love of reading with as many people as possible. But also because a challenge often gives me the motivation I need to read books I’ve been “meaning to read” or to finish books that I got half-way through and then abandoned. I use challenges as an opportunity to incorporate some variety into my reading (I tend to fall into reading ruts) and to try out new authors or new genres. My hope is that Fall Into Reading 2007 will give you the motivation and opportunity you need to reach your own reading goals.

Those reasons are exactly what I like about the challenge. If you’d like to participate, check the guidelines here. You’ll also find out there how to win an Amazon.com gift certificate! You can go here to link your post or find out what others are reading (I’ve started keeping a list of interesting things I see others reading).

My first two are non-fiction rolled over from my summer reading list:

Spirit of the Rainforest: A Yanomamo Shaman’s Story by Mark Ritchie, recommended by Jungle Mom.

In the Best Possible Light by Beneth Peters Jones, about Biblical femininity.

New books are:

Return to Me by Robin Lee Hatcher, about a prodigal daughter. I’ve seen this recommended by numbers of people and won a copy through Deena’s Pay It Forward Challenge at A Peek At My Bookshelf.

Simple Gifts by Lori Copeland.

The Parting, the first in a new series by Beverly Lewis, who is always good. Most, if not all of her stories are stem from her grandmother’s Amish heritage.

Just Beyond the Clouds by Karen Kingsbury, a sequel to A Thousand Tomorrows, continuing the story of Cody Gunner, dealing in this book with the care of his brother who has Down Syndrome.

Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon, a new novel about Father Tim of the Mitford series, due out in late October.

I also like to include at least one classic…I think this time it will be The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas pere. I was actually disappointed in his Three Musketeers and The Man In the Iron Mask, but I have heard good things about this one.

And, of course, there are my daily/weekly reads:

Queen of the Castle: 52 Weeks of Encouragement for the Uninspired, Domestically Challenged or Just Plain Tired Homemaker by Lynn Bowen Walker

Daily Light on the Daily Path compiled by the Samuel Bagster family

Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer

The Bible: Finishing Psalms, going on next to Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.

I may add more, depending on how I do with these. But these will keep me busy for a while.

Book Review: True Light

Posted on September 22, 2007 by Barbara Harper

I never used to read suspense novels, but once I was looking for Christian fiction my mom might read, and she liked suspense, so I looked in that category. It was then I first discovered Terri Blackstock through her Newpointe 911 series… and I was hooked. Not only were her stories suspenseful, but her characters were so real I felt I knew them, and the struggles they faced and the wrestlings they endured in their Christian lives were real as well.

I have to admit, though, that I wasn’t looking forward to the Restoration series, about a time when all the power in the world goes off all at once. And that had nothing to do with Terri — I knew the stories would be good. But it had to do with my knowing what an awful, miserable time I would have of it if such a thing really happened. I’m afraid I like my creature comforts all too well, and I knew I would encounter such attitudes by characters in the book. But because it was Terri, I bought the books.

I just finished True Light, the 3rd book in the series. The previous books dealt with the struggles with meeting basic needs through the main characters, the Branning family. This book primarily focuses on Mark Green, a friend of the family who has been distantly interested in their oldest daughter, Deni. Deni had been engaged to someone on the fast track to a career in Washington, DC, but through the changes she goes through and the difference in perspective she acquires as she matures, she breaks off the engagement in the last book. She and Mark are interested in each other, but cautious for various reasons.

Mark’s father and brothers were evil men, and many of the townspeople attribute to him the characteristics of his family, even though he has shown himself to be faithful, inventive, helpful and caring. When a young man is shot over a deer he just killed, every man who brought a deer home that morning is questioned. Mark happened to have been one of the men, and in many people’s minds that and his family associations convict him. The rest of the book deals primarily with his relationship with Deni, the prejudices against Mark, the greed of people, the strain on the police department with the increase in crime and lack of manpower, and Mark’s wrestlings with thoughts of revenge versus forgiveness toward the people who wrong him. There are some powerful sections as well as keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat sections. It gives one much to think about. I highly recommend this series!

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt: Paper

Posted on September 21, 2007 by Barbara Harper

PhotoHunt

Theme: Paper | Become a Photo Hunter | View Blogroll

I love pretty note cards and stationery. Even though most of my communication is electronic now, I still love sending and receiving notes on beautiful paper. I have to restrain myself from buying more because I have a backlog.

I also love the gorgeous paper available for scrapbooking, note card making, and other paper crafts.

See what kinds of photos other people have come up with for the “paper” theme at tnchick’s site here.

(By the way, here’s a free tip for remembering that stationery is for writing paper and stationary is for an unmoving object: the one for paper has an e, and you can remember “e for envelope.” That’s the only way I could keep them straight for a long time.)

Maybe I need to color that gray…

Posted on September 21, 2007 by Barbara Harper

At the grocery store check-out today, the cashier looked at the decorated big cookie for Jesse’s birthday party from the bakery and said, “Oh, is your grandson having a birthday?”

That would be my son, thank you very much. 😕

Show and Tell Friday: Autumn door decorations

Posted on September 21, 2007 by Barbara Harper

Kelli at There’s No Place Like Home hosts “Show and Tell Friday” asking “Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there’s a story behind your special something, that’s even better! If you would like to join in, all you have to do is post your “Show and Tell” on your blog, copy the post link, come over here and add it to Mr. Linky. Guidelines are here.“

I’ve told you before that I love hearts….so when I saw this heart-shaped autumn wreath at Hobby Lobby I just couldn’t resist.

I usually look for something small and matching for our “back doors” (actually the doors by the driveway. As many come to those doors as to the front), and HL also had these.

Those are all the fall decorations I have up so far — it has only started to feel like fall the last few days. I hope to put more out this weekend or the beginning of next week. This afternoon some friends of Jesse’s are coming over for a belated birthday sleep-over, and we’re all supposed to go tomorrow to one of those places with video games, laser tags, go-carts, etc. So I need to dash off to the store and do a few things to get ready.

Have a good week-end!

Senior portraits

Posted on September 20, 2007 by Barbara Harper

A few days ago Dawn at 4:53 am, one of my must-reads, posted a challenge from new-to-me Donna at Quiet Life to publish our senior portraits.

I thought that would be fun, though, after getting these out to look at, I realized they’re not really my favorite photos. I think my smile looks kind of smarmy and I look kind of snobbish in them — though I hope I wasn’t really that way! Our Christian school was very small, and they sent us to a portrait studio for these pictures. I should have gone with some other people and made it a fun and relaxed time. As it was I felt uncomfortable and unsure of myself. These are the only two shots in which I was smiling.

These are from 1975:

Yes, Dawn, I do remember the drapes. Unfortunately they used these fluffy pink off-the-shoulder ones for us. It just looks…wrong. Another girl came back with photos of herself wearing a blue velvet drape — I think she and her mom told the photographer they didn’t like the pink fluff and asked if there were any other options. I wish I had known there were! But I’ve never worn anything off-the-shoulder and just didn’t like it at all.

I’d love to see your senior portrait! Let me know if you post one.

I may have messed up feed readers today…

Posted on September 20, 2007 by Barbara Harper

If you view my blog through a feed reader, it may look like I have made a ton of posts today when I have only been editing.

WordPress has a limit to how many photos we can upload before we have to pay a fee, and I was at my limit. So I have been going back through several old posts to find uploaded pictures, found those on Picasa and uploaded them to Flickr, posted the html from Flickr back into my posts, and deleted the upload file from WP.

I’m not completely finished, but I have done about all I can stand to for today. I have created some more space here, though, and that was the goal. From now on I want to save the space here for clip art and such and keep photos at Flickr.

Works For Me Wednesday: Emergency Lighting

Posted on September 19, 2007 by Barbara Harper

Our power doesn’t go out real often, but it does often enough that we keep some supplies handy to deal with it.

Our bathroom has no windows and no other light source without electricity. Recently when our power went out before I had taken my shower, I got out this little battery-operated lantern. We had originally gotten it for camping but for some reason it was still in the house rather than out in the shed with the other camping equipment.

My husband also had the little touch-operated light next to it and put it on the wall above the shower. Both helped greatly! And both would also be useful for children’s room or for going from room to room. You wouldn’t want to leave them on all evening and run the batteries down: candles or an oil lamp up where little ones can’t reach them would be better for general room lighting over a long period. But when you need lighting for a short time, or in a small space where it wouldn’t be safe to use candles, or around children, these are great.

The lantern can be found in stores with camping equipment (this one came from Wal-mart): the push-button light can be found with with light bulbs (I don’t know where this one was purchased, but I have found similar ones at Home Depot).

Another power outage lighting tip: I used to have a flashlight in many rooms in case the power went out, but then we often couldn’t remember where they were. I finally gathered all the flashlights and candles together in labeled storage boxes in one closet.