We wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Blessed New Year!
Enjoy this video as we enter into the Twelve Days of Christmas! (click words to view video)
then enjoy the story below copied from an e-mail (original source unknown).
And remember the reason for the season(click words to view video)!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
The Advent Candles--Hope, Faith, Joy, and Love
Advent is a time of waiting. As I travel through this season, so many things echo a single theme. The candle's flame never shrinks as it lights further flames. Just as God's love never shrinks as it lights the fire within us and our love never shrinks as we pass it from one to another. A story of growing flames has come to me to explain the advent candles...
There was once a woman lost in the darkness, searching for anything that would make her life lighter, filled with HOPE that life would not always be this way.
And one day, after much searching, she found a single candle and lit it. And by this candle, she began to see what her life had become. She set about working to clean things up. She used the flame to light a fire to warm herself and began to wish that others could enjoy this warmth. She decided to cook food over the flames and to invite people to join her. She cooked, shopped, decorated and prepared in FAITH that the people would come.
And they did come! They gathered around the fire and shared stories! They filled their plates, as the room filled with laughter! And when it got dark outside, the woman lit more candles to keep it bright within! When the singing began, it was no surprise for who could contain the JOY of sharing such blessings!
But as it grew late, the visitors grew anxious. They knew that they would soon have to leave this place of light and enter back into their own darkness. The joy would be but a memory. The darkness would overtake them. But then, how could it if they kept the memory alive? What if they could take some of the light with them? What if their light could spread just as the woman's light had?
The woman knew what was in their hearts and minds. And the LOVE that she had found had given her a solution. She began to give out the candles that she had bought for just this occasion. And as the visitors carried their candles into the dark, she knew the light would continue to bless their homes! And she smiled from deep within as she planned her next gathering!!
May your advent be blessed with thoughtful meditations!! Get ready---He's coming!!
There was once a woman lost in the darkness, searching for anything that would make her life lighter, filled with HOPE that life would not always be this way.
And one day, after much searching, she found a single candle and lit it. And by this candle, she began to see what her life had become. She set about working to clean things up. She used the flame to light a fire to warm herself and began to wish that others could enjoy this warmth. She decided to cook food over the flames and to invite people to join her. She cooked, shopped, decorated and prepared in FAITH that the people would come.
And they did come! They gathered around the fire and shared stories! They filled their plates, as the room filled with laughter! And when it got dark outside, the woman lit more candles to keep it bright within! When the singing began, it was no surprise for who could contain the JOY of sharing such blessings!
But as it grew late, the visitors grew anxious. They knew that they would soon have to leave this place of light and enter back into their own darkness. The joy would be but a memory. The darkness would overtake them. But then, how could it if they kept the memory alive? What if they could take some of the light with them? What if their light could spread just as the woman's light had?
The woman knew what was in their hearts and minds. And the LOVE that she had found had given her a solution. She began to give out the candles that she had bought for just this occasion. And as the visitors carried their candles into the dark, she knew the light would continue to bless their homes! And she smiled from deep within as she planned her next gathering!!
May your advent be blessed with thoughtful meditations!! Get ready---He's coming!!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Summer May Be Over, But Not the Fun!
I hope you enjoy the pictures in our gallery of events that have happened! Now that school is back in my blogging time is cut short! And your brains may be full! So here's some fun with words that won't take much thinking on our part!
If you live backwards it is evil.
Trust begins and ends with the cross (t).
Resting equals serving on texting auto-spell-(really--try it! on your phone).
A racecar goes backwards and forwards, so does a kayak!(note their spelling, right?)
Desserts can reverse a stressed mood!
Now, it's your turn---send in your word fun by commenting to this blog!!
If you live backwards it is evil.
Trust begins and ends with the cross (t).
Resting equals serving on texting auto-spell-(really--try it! on your phone).
A racecar goes backwards and forwards, so does a kayak!(note their spelling, right?)
Desserts can reverse a stressed mood!
Now, it's your turn---send in your word fun by commenting to this blog!!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Photo Gallery-Wild Water Week
Wild Water Week was a great week of learning from water stories found in the Bible! From Moses basket traveling down the river to the plagues to the parting of the Red Sea! From Jonah's experience of a storm and being swallowed by a whale! From Noah following God's directions and saving the world from a flood! From miracles of water to wine, walking on water, finding fish in empty waters, and the baptism of Christ! From all of these stories we learned to depend on and obey God, even when it seems like He is asking the impossible!  |
| Oragami snakes reminded us of Moses' miraculous staff! |
Homecoming, A Memorable Day
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| click here to search for specific graves |
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
A belated Welcome to our New Members!
We are so glad to welcome our newest members!
We are so glad you have joined us! We are very blessed by this couple as well as their daughter and grandsons who are often a part of our activities!! Thanks for all you have done for this church and the part that you will play in our future! God Bless Us one and all!
 |
| Gary and Marilyn Stout |
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
From The Pulpit-July 10, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
It's All In the Name-Ruth Study-week 3
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Ruthless-Week 2-Part 2
Ever wonder where the word Ruthless came from? You never hear someone described as being ruthful, but actually that would be an appropriate word for someone who was not ruthless--in other words, someone was being like Ruth.
Ruth was a loyal to her mother-in-law, taking care of her even when it might have been easier to leave her and only take care of herself. Ruth was a hard-worker, working diligently in the fields and not taking unnecessary breaks. She was humble, giving immediate thanks to Boaz when he offered her a safe place to work. She was thoughtful when she took her left-over lunch home to Naomi. She was honest as she told Naomi all that happened during her day. And she later proved to be trusting of the right people, when she listened to and followed Naomi's advice.
Always thinking past herself and considering others--that was Ruth. And that is about as far from Ruthless as you can get!
Ruth was a loyal to her mother-in-law, taking care of her even when it might have been easier to leave her and only take care of herself. Ruth was a hard-worker, working diligently in the fields and not taking unnecessary breaks. She was humble, giving immediate thanks to Boaz when he offered her a safe place to work. She was thoughtful when she took her left-over lunch home to Naomi. She was honest as she told Naomi all that happened during her day. And she later proved to be trusting of the right people, when she listened to and followed Naomi's advice.
Always thinking past herself and considering others--that was Ruth. And that is about as far from Ruthless as you can get!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Ruth-Week 2-Part 1
Our study of Ruth this week brought to mind 2 points. So, yea to our Bible Study leader, it is worthy of 2 entries!
One point that we studied is the barley harvest and how that actually worked in "Bible times", without today's technology. It was actually a detailed process and I am again reminded of how the Bible often teaches with real world connections to everyday life.
Barley Harvest Step 1--Cutting the plants
This was done with a large scythe--you know that long, curved blade on the end of a long pole. The workers swung these in long arches to cut down the tall stalks. It made me think of the first thing you do when you meet people. You "swing out" in general questions to learn a little about them.
Barley Harvest Step 2--Bundling the Sheaths
Workers would come behind the cutters and grab up a bundle of the tall stalks. They would then wrap these into bundles. Isn't this what you mentally do when you meet someone? Once you get to know a little about them, you begin to bundle them to you and perhaps your friends that have a mutual interests or concerns.
Barley Harvest Step 3--Thrashing
The bundles of barley stalks would be taken to the thrashing floor and simply through shaking and beating them against something the grains are loosened from the stems. Relationships often go through a thrashing as well. As we get to know others better we find out about how they have been "thrashed" by life. In both cases, this takes alot of time and it is alot of work, leaving you very tired and worn!
Barley Harvest Step 4--Getting Rid of the Chaff
Once the grains are loose, it is important to get rid of the waste. The stems are often burned or recycled in other ways. Sometimes the stems, leaves, etc. were mixed with mud to make bricks. The seeds themselves are also covered in loose bits and "skins" that have to be separated. This separation is easily done by gathering the seeds in a flat basket and tossing the seeds in the air, letting the wind take away the light weight chaff. In our relationship scenario, this likens itself to support groups in which we gather and bounce ideas off of one another, getting rid of the bad thoughts and keeping the good. How awesome if we can actually reuse what we learn and make "bricks" of thoughts that help support us later.
Barley Harvest Step 5--Using the Barley
This is actually multiple steps as well that include roasting the seed, grinding the seed into flour, and then using it for baking bread. In other words, recognizing and celebrating why you went to all that hard work--in order to feed yourself and others and make bodies stronger so that they can go out and work some more.
As in so many areas, we see a cycle of work and relax, of effort and comfort--a cycle where each step is valuable and can't be skipped--the need to be thorough--and a never ending process.
So, what step of your harvest will you be working on today?
One point that we studied is the barley harvest and how that actually worked in "Bible times", without today's technology. It was actually a detailed process and I am again reminded of how the Bible often teaches with real world connections to everyday life.
Barley Harvest Step 1--Cutting the plants
This was done with a large scythe--you know that long, curved blade on the end of a long pole. The workers swung these in long arches to cut down the tall stalks. It made me think of the first thing you do when you meet people. You "swing out" in general questions to learn a little about them.
Barley Harvest Step 2--Bundling the Sheaths
Workers would come behind the cutters and grab up a bundle of the tall stalks. They would then wrap these into bundles. Isn't this what you mentally do when you meet someone? Once you get to know a little about them, you begin to bundle them to you and perhaps your friends that have a mutual interests or concerns.
Barley Harvest Step 3--Thrashing
The bundles of barley stalks would be taken to the thrashing floor and simply through shaking and beating them against something the grains are loosened from the stems. Relationships often go through a thrashing as well. As we get to know others better we find out about how they have been "thrashed" by life. In both cases, this takes alot of time and it is alot of work, leaving you very tired and worn!
Barley Harvest Step 4--Getting Rid of the Chaff
Once the grains are loose, it is important to get rid of the waste. The stems are often burned or recycled in other ways. Sometimes the stems, leaves, etc. were mixed with mud to make bricks. The seeds themselves are also covered in loose bits and "skins" that have to be separated. This separation is easily done by gathering the seeds in a flat basket and tossing the seeds in the air, letting the wind take away the light weight chaff. In our relationship scenario, this likens itself to support groups in which we gather and bounce ideas off of one another, getting rid of the bad thoughts and keeping the good. How awesome if we can actually reuse what we learn and make "bricks" of thoughts that help support us later.
Barley Harvest Step 5--Using the Barley
This is actually multiple steps as well that include roasting the seed, grinding the seed into flour, and then using it for baking bread. In other words, recognizing and celebrating why you went to all that hard work--in order to feed yourself and others and make bodies stronger so that they can go out and work some more.
As in so many areas, we see a cycle of work and relax, of effort and comfort--a cycle where each step is valuable and can't be skipped--the need to be thorough--and a never ending process.
So, what step of your harvest will you be working on today?
Friday, June 10, 2011
How Do You Like Your Mother-in-Law?
Monday night's discussion as the Women's Bible Study group began studying Ruth was very enlightening. Our faithful leader asked us, "How do you and your Mother-in-Law get along? and How do you get along with your daughter-in-laws?" It was alot of fun to hear each others' stories. Some of us were taken under our mother-in-law's wing right away. Some of us had to earn a place in the family. Some of us are still working on it! As for daughter-in-laws--that was a mixed bag as well. We even compared how different it can be to be a step-mother-in-law! Now that really could get a bad rap!
I was reminded again of what a blessing it is to study and share ideas with a group of women from many generations. From women who got married at 14 and started their family right away and now have "oodles" of grandchildren to brag on--to career women who waited awhile who are just getting started--to adopted, combined families of later marriages that take on a different dynamic as well--to women who are in the throes of raising a family. No matter what our current state, we all bring such richness to the discussions and make our Bible current and alive!
Naomi and Ruth have already become more real to me through our discussion of their relationship--the emotions of leaving home countries, returning to home countries, being left widowed and alone, clinging to other women for support. These are all very common experiences and ones that God blesses us through. I can't wait to talk about Chapter 2 this Monday! Come join us!
I was reminded again of what a blessing it is to study and share ideas with a group of women from many generations. From women who got married at 14 and started their family right away and now have "oodles" of grandchildren to brag on--to career women who waited awhile who are just getting started--to adopted, combined families of later marriages that take on a different dynamic as well--to women who are in the throes of raising a family. No matter what our current state, we all bring such richness to the discussions and make our Bible current and alive!
Naomi and Ruth have already become more real to me through our discussion of their relationship--the emotions of leaving home countries, returning to home countries, being left widowed and alone, clinging to other women for support. These are all very common experiences and ones that God blesses us through. I can't wait to talk about Chapter 2 this Monday! Come join us!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Poetic License?
Who else noticed that the movie "A Night with the King" took some poetic license? Now some of it, I understand. A movie is not good without some added drama--the running through the rain scene built suspense and could have happened that way. The dancing in the garden built character for Esther. And even the reading to Xerxes added depth to help us understand why Xerxes may have chosen her other than her beauty and performance when called upon. These aspects did not take away from my bible reading, but added some visuals that made my second reading more enjoyable.
But some of the changes actually changed some of the story. What about the timeline? I felt that leaving out one of the dinners really changed the mood and personality of Haman. In the movie, he seemed to be above and more in control than Esther. He knew more than the Bible version allowed. He seemed to have information to "hold over" Esther. The movie also did not portray Haman begging Esther for his life, but instead taunting her. That is a whole different feeling and mood, as well. Leaving out the first dinner, also changed the reason why the king couldn't sleep. I always thought that he was curious about Esther's request.
The biggest difference that I felt really changed the story was when Haman was so clear about the people being Jewish. In the Bible, this was always kept hidden so the king did not seem to understand the vastness of his decree. In the movie, parading through the streets, Mordecai was declared a Jew. It did make me wonder, how public this discrimination was in those times. It would make sense that Haman would have announced this because it was the reasoning behind Mordecai's "disrespect" and law-breaking behavior. But I thought it took away from Haman's justification against Mordecai because it gave him a very good reason to disobey the law and promoted the Jewish faith by honoring his actions and the reason for those actions.
I guess knowing the story from the Bible made the movie a little more confusing. I wonder how the movie appeared to those who had not studied this book before their viewing. All in all--it is still a good story and I enjoyed the movie's portrayal.
I guess the ultimate point of the Esther story is still that classic line--"Who knows whether you have not come...for such a time as this?"
But some of the changes actually changed some of the story. What about the timeline? I felt that leaving out one of the dinners really changed the mood and personality of Haman. In the movie, he seemed to be above and more in control than Esther. He knew more than the Bible version allowed. He seemed to have information to "hold over" Esther. The movie also did not portray Haman begging Esther for his life, but instead taunting her. That is a whole different feeling and mood, as well. Leaving out the first dinner, also changed the reason why the king couldn't sleep. I always thought that he was curious about Esther's request.
The biggest difference that I felt really changed the story was when Haman was so clear about the people being Jewish. In the Bible, this was always kept hidden so the king did not seem to understand the vastness of his decree. In the movie, parading through the streets, Mordecai was declared a Jew. It did make me wonder, how public this discrimination was in those times. It would make sense that Haman would have announced this because it was the reasoning behind Mordecai's "disrespect" and law-breaking behavior. But I thought it took away from Haman's justification against Mordecai because it gave him a very good reason to disobey the law and promoted the Jewish faith by honoring his actions and the reason for those actions.
I guess knowing the story from the Bible made the movie a little more confusing. I wonder how the movie appeared to those who had not studied this book before their viewing. All in all--it is still a good story and I enjoyed the movie's portrayal.
I guess the ultimate point of the Esther story is still that classic line--"Who knows whether you have not come...for such a time as this?"
Monday, May 30, 2011
One Night with a King
Our women's bible study was great tonight! Complete with popcorn and chocolate! And the movie stayed fairly true to the Bible!! It was a great way to review the study of Esther that we had done before! Thanks for all those who helped put it together! I can't wait for next Monday, when we start the study of Ruth! Anyone is welcome to join us at 6:00!!
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