2011

Best Wishes for a Happy New Year to all of you!


O LORD,
Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed
   in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains,
         sanctifies, aids every hour,
   that I may not be one moment apart from thee,
   but may rely on thy Spirit,,,
...Give me thy grace to sanctify me,
   thy comforts to cheer,
   thy wisdom to teach,
   thy right hand to guide,
   thy counsel to instruct,
   thy law to judge,
   thy presence to stabilize.
May thy fear be my awe,
   thy triumphs my joy.

--from The Valley of Vision, New Year

Merry Christmas!

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us;
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art,
dear Desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

 

Merry Christmas everyone!

A Father's Role

 In this article, found on the Gospel Coalition website today, it talks about how important the father's role in church attendance is to the spiritual growth and church attendance of his children as they mature into adulthood.

There are some sobering statistics cited.

While Shoveling Snow...

It is another brisk and snowy morning here.  Yet, I must be thankful that we did not get near as much snow as our neighbors in Butler County or even up in Grove City, where my son lives.  It seems this little snow storm, with it's lake effect bands, really dumped in some places and yet left others relatively unscathed.  Although, since Monday, I have had to shovel and plow each day the couple of inches that came during the late afternoon and evening giving the appearance that I had done nothing at all in the morning hours.

This morning, when I went out, I was greeted with a sweet smell.  At first I couldn't put my finger (nose) on it, but then it came to me...wood smoke. I looked around at the neighbors' chimneys until I spotted the lovely smoke rising like whispers from it's brick surroundings.  Then I remembered...Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's fireplace, nor his wood burner, nor the fragrance that emanates thereof.  There is yet another sin for which I need to repent.

I miss my wood burner.

Going out to the "big city" today.  I haven't been anywhere since Sunday.  Haircut, groceries, pharmacy, apple guy (I need cider), food gift delivery and a stop for the hubby at Busy Beaver.  Busy day.

Lord, Help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill;
      unbelief mars my confidence,
      sin makes me forget thee
Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots.
--from Resting on God in the book, Valley of Visions

Observations While Shopping During the Christmas Season

A"quick" trip to the local grocery store and farmer's market to pick up some apples, milk and beer (for making the best chili), turned into an extended shopping trip.

First stop was "The Apple Guy".  Bless his heart, he will be there with apples and cider until just before Christmas--in any weather.  It is a delightful day (in comparison to what we have had lately) and we were able to chat a bit. 

Next stop, Shop N Save.  I'm sure it is Shop and Save, but that is not how it is said in Western PA.  Example:  "I'm go'n dawn to the Shop N Save ta git some milk n'at."  Well, it seems that this store was the place to be!  It was packed, no doubt with the regular Saturday shoppers, but with those stocking up for the coming snow storm, not to mention the ladies laden with sugar and spices ready to do some baking.  I only came for milk.  In my cart were bananas, Hershey kisses (baking, of course), eggs (more baking) and finally, milk.  Upon turning the corner to head to the checkout, there were a sea of people waiting in lines.  The first checkout land is the "Express" lane.  That line was weaving all the way back to the deli counter.  Bad sign.  It wasn't long before I could see it was breaking up and there were rumors being spread that the register was down...indeed, the light was out.  So, all those folks headed for the already crowed regular checkout lanes.  These lanes were now headed back the aisles, which was making navigation interesting.  I picked a lane that looked reasonable.  By "reasonable", I mean that five people ahead of me did not have carts full to the brim for the next two weeks.

It is during my waiting time, that I was watch and listen to the people around me.  Behind me, old friends had found each other and there was much teasing and laughter.  Several people ahead of me, a woman, who was clearly put out about something, was expressing a stone cold face to the poor cashier.  There was some sort of issue with one of her purchases that required a change of cashiers, and this woman had to make a trip to the front desk.  The woman just ahead of me, smiling a pleasant carrying her clementines, said something nice to the new cashier.  I don't know what was said, but her expression changed to being on the verge of tears to a smile.  Words really can be gifts of gold wrapped in silver boxes.

Packing up my meager purchases, I headed off to the pizza shop where I can purchases single bottles of beer.  Since it was a nice day, I thought I would make the walk down the sidewalk and through the closed in part of the shopping center, to the pizza shop...praying my hip didn't give out.  Inside this little mini, and I do mean "mini" mall, Santa was seeing little ones.  I knew it before I opened the door...there was a screaming child outside with her grandma.  "I don't want to see him!!!"  Inside there was a short line, but also screaming children and a I wonder if Santa may not have been the problem, but the person dressed as a reindeer.  Creepy.

Safely out the door, I headed to the pizza shop.  Usually this place is busy, but it was strangely quiet...ahh, not quite lunch time.  There was a man making pizza dough by hand, who said he would be right with me.  I set my groceries down and waited several minutes until a young man appeared from the kitchen (who apparently could not wait on me until he put the hood on from his sweatshirt....then promptly removed it when I told him what I needed.  There are things I don't understand.  I asked for some Black and Tan.  Well, it seems that they were out of Black and Tan.  He asked if a Porter would do.  Now, of course, my beer knowledge is very limited, but I knew I needed something dark for the chili.  Along comes a customer from the back corner for a refill from the tap (it is just past 11 am).  The clerk asked him if a Porter is what I needed.  He said that, indeed, a Porter is darker and would be a great choice.  This little town is full of helpful people--really.  You never know when one is going to show up.  The man making the pizza dough hollered that the gentleman was an expert.  OK then.  Upon leaving, I noticed a small sign, "Beer makes everything better."  Now I know.

Packing up all my bags again, I head for the car.  The sun is shining the temperature is above freezing, I now know that beer makes everything better.  I can clean the bathroom and do some laundry knowing that I have learned much today.

**CORRECTION  It seems that the store really is Shop 'N Save...figures...Western Pennsylvania.

O LORD GOD,
There is no blessing we implore but thou art able to give,
   hast promised to give,
   hast given already to countless multitudes,
   all unworthy and guilty like ourselves;
Make us willing to receive the supply of our need from thy bounty....
...Help us to be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day,
   to enter upon the sabbath mindful of it solemnities, duties,
      and privileges,
   setting all things worldly aside while we worship thee.
--an excerpt from Future Blessings,  from the Valley of Vision

Winter Delight

The 2011 Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog arrived yesterday!  It is full of the lovely colors of spring and summer fruits, veggies, herbs and flowers.  A true delight during this cold spell.

Those Christmas cards may have to wait for a bit...


Thy bounty is seen
   in the relations that train us,
      the laws the defend us,
      the homes that shelter us,
      the food that builds us,
      the raiment that comforts us,
      the continuance of our health, members, senses,
         understanding, memory, affection will...
...May we be alive to every call of duty, accepting without question
   thy determination of our circumstances and our service.
--an excerpt from Bounty, from the Valley of Vision

Big Sis on the Big Screen at Wal Mart

One of my favorite blogs is Granny Miller.  This woman really does know so very much about life and living it in an agrarian, true American way.  She has taught me so much!

This is from her latest post:

Walmart is Helping Big Brother With Propaganda

While Katherine and I do not agree on everything, she has a great deal of wisdom. 

I'll let you ponder her insights.