Hi everyone.? I trust that the Lord is leading you and guiding you in His ways this summer.? I wanted to highlight a few resource materials from Above Rubies in the next few blog entries.? Today, there are 2 dvds I want to mention.? The first is called The Family Meal Table.? I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s such a great resource that I mention it here again.? Nancy Campbell (Above Rubies) clearly explains the importance of the family meal table.? Making the meal table a priority is her vision.? Although Nancy does most of the teaching, there are wonderful clips of various families who explain how the family is fed physically and spiritually at the family meal table.? If you’re wondering how to begin implementing this too often lost way of life, you will want to get this.? I have a couple copies for sale, but you may check the Above Rubies website as well.? Email me at??? jane@vvn.net if you want to buy a copy from me and we’ll make arrangements.
The second dvd is called Rejuvenate with Serene and focuses on the basics of healthy eating.? This can be enjoyed by the whole family and is available from Above Rubies.? Serene is one of Nancy Campbell’s daughters.? There are recipes included and an interview with Nancy Campbell.? You will enjoy seeing Serene at work in her kitchen preparing different dishes and discussing the importance of healthy eating.
Celebrations, celebrations, celebrations…….that is what May and June typically consist of.? We celebrate the end of the school year.? We celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.? There may be some bridal or baby showers, graduation parties, weddings, birthdays, etc.? The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us, there is a time for everything under heaven.? God is sovereign and He reigns on high.? As we live in His fear, that is – wanting His stamp of approval on everything we do, we begin to grow in wisdom.? As we celebrate and rejoice with those around us in their milestones,? let us be ever mindful of His utter goodness, His mercy and kindness towards us.
My life is changing.? I am seeing loved ones and elderly neighbors leave this earth.? I am seeing new babies being born.? I am, by God’s grace alone, learning to accept all of these events, to embrace the moment, to enjoy even more living in His presence.
Today, our congregation celebrated its 20 year anniversary.? Our Pastor has been preaching about addiction, temptation, Christ’s death on the cross to take our sins away, hope in the Saviour.? So, he continued the series.
An interesting observation is that as technology has developed greatly in the past 100 years, this has not improved our spiritual state.? We are just as much sinners today as the folks living 100 years ago, and going way back to biblical times.
I know this is kind of a rambling entry, but that’s ok.? An entry isn’t a polished essay to be handed into a professor.
The people in Old Testament times needed a Saviour just as much as the folks living in the Little House on the Prairie days.? And we need a Saviour just as much as all those folks.? How I give thanks for the Lord reaching down and changing my heart of stone into a heart of flesh, for washing my sins away by the blood of Jesus Christ!
After the service today, which included a celebration of the Lord’s Table (Communion), we set up tables to have a church luncheon, to sup together.? Everyone brought a dish to pass/share, and some ladies cooked chicken and pasta for all.? When we eat together, we get to know one another better.
Following the luncheon, there was a planned program of recounting the Lord’s work at our church which included a video clip of our pastor and a dvd summary of the past 20 years.? “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!”? There was an open microphone for a while; several adults and children told how the Lord worked or recited Scripture.
It was a joyous celebration!
Well, Opa and I, along with 2 of our daughters (now Aunties), took a long weekend trip to the South to see our first grandchild.? A good friend emailed me and asked what that was like.? I would have to say that it’s truly indescribable.? Seeing the tiny fragile features of this little grandson up close, holding him in my arms, is just tremendous!? Words are inadequate.? God is so good, and His handiwork of creating a tiny new life in the womb, then being able to meet the little one that was formed in the secret place is truly only something a loving, Mighty, Powerful God could do.? As I leave the keyboard to shed a few quiet tears of utter joy, rejoice with our family in this birth.? Truly, God is good!