What a Fascinating Monday
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Posted:Feb 28, 2006 2:21 am
Last Updated:Mar 5, 2006 9:29 pm 1893 Views
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Yesterday was so cool. I went to work with Chris to help on this new building project he is doing.
The job is to take the old Rearsby Chapel which is a Weslayan House of God built in 1849 and convert it into an art studio.
This building is not only historic, but it envokes strong feelings when you are inside it. Looking at the walls and floors it is easy to wonder how many thousands of people must have worshipped in this place. To feel the sense of revival in the air that the preaching of Wesley wrought.
The building is brick, with plaster walls, the guys have been removing the plaster and my job was to shovel it up and wheel barrow it out to the side yard to be hauled off at a later time.
It was certainly hard work, but rewarding. All the while in anticipation that perhaps by some odd chance a relic or artifact might appear.
Today they are removing the hard wood floor. The dirt beneath has not seen daylight in over 157 years. We removed a few planks yesterday and there were olden time bricks supporting the beams. How nostalgic to hold one of those bricks in my hand and to think that a Christian of old had placed that brick beneath those beams so faithfully so long ago.
I asked Chris to save a few of the pieces of wood to make me a spice rack that he promised back before Christmas he would make for me sometime. It will be so way cool to have a spice rack made from the wood that was once a part of Rearsby Chapel House of God. What a precious treasure.
Well, all this may not be that exciting to anyone else, but to me it was simply fascinating.
To think that instead of tearing this old building down, someone saw fit to have it renovated and still useful. My favorite part is the giant half oval placard over the entrance way that reads: HOUSE OF GOD 1849 WESLAYAN. It looks as beautiful as the day it was made.
I thank God for all of my new experiences here in England; for the opportunity to help Chris with his work and for the blessing of seeing so much historical evidence of Christian worship all around me.
This is only one of the newer churches I have been blessed to see here, most are extremely older than this; some as old as 800 years old and more, with beautiful spires, church bells and such, and all are so very beautiful.
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To The Pure
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Posted:Feb 26, 2006 1:23 am
Last Updated:Mar 5, 2006 9:29 pm 1908 Views
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Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
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Schofield (Chris) I Apologize
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Posted:Feb 25, 2006 10:45 am
Last Updated:Mar 5, 2006 9:29 pm 1913 Views
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Chris asked me to blog an apology to you all because since he has been back from Barcelona he has not been able to log on to his Big Church account to respond to your blogs or post any new blogs of his own.
He is kindly upset, LOL, because as he puts it, the computer knows it belongs to him; the computer knows I am only using it,
yet, the computer is being unfaithful to him.
So, we have contacted BC to see if there is a way to resolve this issue.
In the meantime we are praying about it.
If anyone knows of a way for me to log out so he can log on, then we will look forward to your reply.
Computer Bible: Proverbs 20 : 6 ...,a faithful computer who can find?
Who would have thought that this would be the first relationship issue encountered by those who find matches on BC - Go Figure! LOL
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I Wanna Be Like You
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Posted:Feb 25, 2006 5:03 am
Last Updated:Mar 5, 2006 9:29 pm 1841 Views
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Did you know that the Bible tells us to imitate God?
It surely does! In EPHESIANS 5 : 1-2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly beloved and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
No doubt you have seen a imitating their parent or hero. Sometimes the parent is glad --sometimes embarrassed. Just as earthly imitate their parents, of God are supposed to imitate their Heavenly Father.
In what way are we to imitate God? Should we try to create planets or rule the universe?
(We're probably not quite ready for that! LOL )
We are to imitate God by walking in love instead of selfishness and condemnation. By being givers instead of takers.
I see the phrase "imitators of God" as very compelling and even unique - urging us to walk like Jesus did when He emptied Himself and took the form of a slave. This is not a call to a legal righteousness through the commandments, but a call to love; love is quite literally the fulfillment of the law.
The law of love is fulfilled by walking in perpetual forgiveness - to already forgive in advance of it's necessity. This is what theologians call prevenient grace.
The example of prevenient grace can be illustrated in a common social analogy. A lover woos someone special and receives the spontaneous gift of a promise of love in return.
This is how we show ourselves "sons of the Most High God; for He is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish" Luke 6:35
So Jesus again and again moves us to the love of all men by the example of God, teaching us that the only conduct befitting of such a Father is that they should manifest His universal love even to our enemies and all who exist.
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Short But Sweet
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Posted:Feb 24, 2006 8:19 am
Last Updated:Jun 19, 2006 5:02 am 2183 Views
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"Jesus wept" is the shortest verse of the Bible found in John 11 : 35.
Have you ever, without any specific reason for grieving just suddenly fallen into an uncontrollable weeping? One time that came upon me with great strength. I was alone when a sense of the mystery, the lonliness, the sadness of others mixed with the successes and failures of life all at once came over me.
Did Christ have such an experience and that was carried to such an intensity that no one else could ever feel or has ever felt?
Lazarus had finally at last closed his life to go and experience the victory of the heavenly glories. When Christ brought him back to life it was as if those glories were retreated from him so that he could return once more to experience the storms and dangers of earthly life.
But the main truth of this passage that hit home to me is it's proof of how very much our Lord is really one with us. That fact which mysteriously enough was brought home to us so vividly in this line of scripture, that we don't have a high priest who cannot understand our infirmities makes us by far more certain that He really can understand our feelings and He will not fail to come through for us.
Some might regard Christ's fullness of sympathy even to tears as a sign or proof of weakness. When I see Jesus weeping in this scripture I see a friend weeping over his friend and that only makes me love and respect him more for the honesty of his emotions and tenderness of his heart.
In this scripture Jesus is the perfect example of the very character of God in human form; and not just now and then, but in everything He did and everything He was giving us only an inkling of the anguish and wonder of God's compassion and sympathy with His needy and deperate creation, bringing us a revealation of how much God truly loves the suffering world.
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Misc. Home Remedies
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Posted:Feb 24, 2006 1:35 am
Last Updated:Mar 5, 2006 9:29 pm 1904 Views
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Home Remedies
WARNING: the following are for humor only!
If you are choking on an ice cube, don't panic. Simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat and presto. The blockage will be almost instantly removed.
Clumsy? Avoid cutting yourself while slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them while you chop away.
If you can't find a screwdriver, use a knife. If you break off the tip, it's an improved screwdriver.
For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.
A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.
Fool other drivers into thinking you have an expensive car phone by holding an old TV or video remote control up to your ear and occasionally swerving across the road and mounting the curb.
Paint a few old fruitcakes white and place them outside on the grass so people won't park on your lawn.
If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you will be afraid to cough.
Have a bad toothache? Smash your thumb with a hammer and you will forget about the toothache.
You only need two tools: Peanut Butter and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the Peanut butter.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.
Did You Know you can use the smoke alarm as a cooking timer?
Praying is helpful in home repair.
Work in the kitchen whenever you can ... many fine tools are there, its warm and dry, and you are close to the refrigerator.
If it's electronic, get a new one ... or consult a twelve-year-old.
Stay simple minded: Get a new battery; replace the bulb or fuse; see if the tank is empty; try turning it to the "on" switch; or just paint over it.
Always take credit for miracles. If you dropped the alarm clock while taking it apart and it suddenly starts working, you have "fixed" it.
Regardless of what people say, kicking, pounding, and throwing sometimes DOES help.
If something looks level, it is level.
If at first you don't succeed, redefine success.
Above all, if what you've done is stupid, but it works, ........ then it isn't stupid.
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What My Mother Taught Me
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Posted:Feb 23, 2006 6:07 am
Last Updated:Mar 5, 2006 9:29 pm 2018 Views
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My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE:
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside -- I just finished cleaning the floors!"
My mother taught me RELIGION:
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL:
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
My mother taught me LOGIC:
"Because I said so, that's why!"
My mother taught me FORESIGHT:
"Be sure you wear clean underwear in case you're in an accident."
My mother taught me IRONY:
"Keep laughing and I'll give you something to cry about."
My mother taught me about OSMOSIS:
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper!"
My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM:
"Will you look at the dirt on the back of your neck!"
My mother taught me about STAMINA:
"You'll sit there 'til all that spinach is finished."
My mother taught me about WEATHER:
"It looks as if a tornado swept through your room."
My mother taught me how to solve PHYSICS PROBLEMS:
"If I yelled because I saw a meteor coming toward you, would you listen then?"
My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY:
"If I've told you once, I've told you a million times -- don't exaggerate!!!"
My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE:
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION:
"Stop acting like your father!"
My mother taught me about ENVY:
"There are millions of less fortunate in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do!"
And let's not forget those all too famous MEMORY TESTS: "Who do you think you are?" "What did I just tell you?" and "Do you think I was born yesterday?"
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Christian Survival Kit
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Posted:Feb 23, 2006 5:54 am
Last Updated:Mar 5, 2006 9:29 pm 1990 Views
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Everyday Survival Kit
Toothpick
Rubberband
Band Aid
Pencil
Eraser
Chewing Gum
Mint
Candy kiss
Tea Bag
HERE'S WHY . . .
Toothpick -- to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others. (Matt 7: 1 )
Rubberband -- to remind you to be flexible, things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out. (Romans 8: 28 )
Band Aid -- to remind you to heal hurt feelings... yours or someone else's. (Col. 3: 12-14 )
Pencil -- to remind you to list your blessings everyday. (Eph 1: 3 )
Eraser -- to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and its okay.
(Gen. 50: 15-21 )
Chewing Gum-- to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything. (Phil. 4: 13 )
Mint -- to remind you that you are worth a mint to your heavenly father. (John 3: 16-17 )
Candy Kiss -- to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday. (1 John 4: 7 )
Tea Bag -- to remind you to relax daily and to think about God's Blessings. (1 Thess 5 : 1 8 )
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This is my gift to you. JESUS LOVES YOU -- don't ever forget it.
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Projects - Resolutions - Prayers.
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Posted:Feb 23, 2006 4:46 am
Last Updated:Mar 5, 2006 9:29 pm 1815 Views
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Well, my quilt top is finished. I have completely hand sewn it double reinforced and now I am looking forward to anchoring it to the woolen blanket and shopping for some fabric to complete the back and edges.
Also, on a lighter note, I have lost the weight I intended and am toning up following my New Year's resoloution to get in better shape. I still have a bit to go yet to be where my new projected goal is set for.
My package of folders I ordered from the states should be here in about 2 more weeks so I can go forward with organizing this pile of paperwork and move on with the Sign of Jonah project. Also, hopefully a week or two after that my CD I need to do the Greek/Hebrew literal translations should arrive.
Until then I am comforting myself by reading some really good books. More John Bunyan. Since reading The Pilgrim's Progress I have been very interested in learning more about his faith. His testimony is awesome. The printed edition I have of his book is 1867, I picked it up at a used book stand in town for 50 pence. How cool is that?
Also, another great book, The Jew of Tarsus, Paul, gee I do adore him. It is written by a Jew who is explaining the customs and lifestyle of Saul before his conversion so that we as Christians can have a deeper cultural understanding of where he was coming from and find more fulfilling meaning from the Biblical standpoint of his ministry and words.
Please pray for Chris, since I have come to England and been praying for the success of his building business he is so overloaded he has hired another helper and needs to hire many more. It is cold and rainy and snowing a lot so it breaks my heart to see him leave to go work in that kind of weather.
Well, the stew I cooked yesterday was fabulous, just like Grandma used to make. Wish I could've had you all over for dinner.
Anyhow, let me go now and get some housecleaning done. Don't forget how much I love ya'll and enjoy your fellowship. God is such a good God, isn't He?
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What I Want In A Man
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Posted:Feb 22, 2006 10:26 am
Last Updated:Jun 22, 2006 11:48 am 2004 Views
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What I Want in a Man - Original List (Age 22)
Handsome
Charming
Financially successful
A caring listener
Witty
In good shape
Dresses with style
Appreciates finer things
Full of thoughtful surprises
An imaginative, romantic lover
What I Want in a Man - Revised List (Age 32)
Nice looking - prefer hair on his head
Opens car doors, holds chairs
Has enough money for a nice dinner
Listens more than talks
Laughs at my jokes
Carries bags of groceries with ease
Owns at least one tie
Appreciates a good home-cooked meal
Remembers birthdays and anniversaries
Seeks romance at least once a week
What I Want in a Man - Revised List (Age 42)
Not too ugly - bald head OK
Doesn't drive off until I'm in the car
Works steady - splurges on dinner on occasion
Nods head when I'm talking
Usually remembers punch lines of jokes
Is in good enough shape to rearrange the furniture
Wears a shirt that covers his stomach
Knows not to buy champagne with screw-top lids
Remembers to put the toilet seat down
Shaves on most weekends
What I Want in a Man - Revised List (Age 52)
Keeps hair in nose and ears trimmed
Doesn't belch or scratch in public
Doesn't borrow money too often
Doesn't nod off to sleep when I'm talking
Doesn't re-tell same joke too many times
Is in good enough shape to get off couch on weekends
Usually wears matching socks and fresh underwear
Appreciates a good TV dinner
Remembers your name on occasion
Shaves some weekends
What I Want in a Man - Revised List (Age 62)
Doesn't scare small
Remembers where bathroom is
Doesn't require much money for upkeep
Only snores lightly when awake, though loudly when asleep
Remembers why he's laughing
Is in good enough shape to stand up by himself
Usually wears some clothes
Likes soft foods
Remembers where he left his teeth
Remembers that it is a weekend
What I Want in a Man - Revised List (Age 72 and over)
A heartbeat.
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