Earlier this morning, weaving in ends! 

Stephanie's progress as of Feb. 14. 

2 days worth of progress!! Steph's is going well and I'm quite pleased with mine. We've been somewhat lazy today. The athletes don't go at it everyday, all day, so we are taking it a bit easy today. I'm planning on zooming this evening while watching the alpine skiers risk life and limb for the glory of a gold medal and the awesome adrenaline rush they must get!! 

Day 1 progress of my (Dawn's) Olympic project. So far, so good! The Opening Ceremonies were okay. The biggest highlight for us was the skier made from dancers. That was amazing!! I'm looking forward to today's games. 

The "something special for someone special" is now in the hands of my dad. It's a gift for his *****day, although he's not acknowledging his *****day this year, so it's an "I love you" gift! It's made with Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk and was just a joy to create! 

Last night I went with a group of homeschool moms to see "The End of the Spear". I was aware of the controversy surrounding the lead actor, Chad Allen, and his homosexual activism, but decided to go and see for myself. I can only pray that during the time that Mr. Allen spent with the people and Steve Saint that he was somehow touched with the truth of the Gospel because the film itself, while good, really minimalizes the Gospel and the work that the missionaries were doing there.

The movie is good, it moves at a good pace, although it can be a bit confusing because many of the people look alike. It has a realism about it. But...Jesus is only mentioned as God's Son in what is the only reference to the Gospel, and that reference is somewhat veiled. It is said in a way that made sense to the natives and believers would get it, but it is not a strong enough statement to make unbelievers in a theater get it.

We never really get to see what motivated the missionaries. I have read Elisabeth Elliot's book Through the Gates of Splendor and these missionaries were so motivated by the desire to introduce Christ to those who had never heard of Him. They were motivated by their desire to be obedient to God's call upon their lives. They weren't there to play games or rack up points on their scorecard, they had a sincere desire to reach these lost people for Christ so that they would one day join them in Heaven.

Why are we so afraid to present Christianity to a starving world? What do we fear? We are told not to fear man, they can do nothing to us, yet we dumb it down, we shirk away from the entire truth. I know that they say a movie with a strong Christian message would never play well or make money and that a weak Christian message is better than none at all and someone might find Christ, but if we don't preach and teach exactly what Christianity is, if we dilute the message and make it user friendly, we are fooling ourselves and people are not truly being saved.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Without repentance, there can be no salvation. Paul writes in Acts 26:20b (NIV)
I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

If our deeds show no repentance for our sins, something must be wrong. Unfortunately, the movie does not show how the natives change, why they have repented, it just shows that some have.

At the end they had a wonderful opportunity to show what God's forgiveness is like, but they muted that as well. It's too bad, because they had an opportunity here to make a wonderful movie about committed Christian men dying for others and then seeing how God moves in people to draw them to Himself and grant forgiveness and salvation, but they softened the message to make it more palatable to the world.

All of that being said, you have to decide through prayer whether or not you will see this movie. I have chosen to pray that God will use this movie and the many opportunities Mr. Allen will have to converse with Christians to glorify Himself and bring Mr. Allen to Christ. If he is such an outspoken advocate for his current lifestyle, wouldn't he be a wonderful, outspoken testimony to God's grace, forgiveness, and righteousness. May the Lord bring conviction to his heart and may Mr. Allen receive God's truth.

Mom's socks...finally!! 

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me". God's grace. No one can save themselves, it is God's unmerited favor.

My knitting olympics challenge! I've joined the Yarn Harlot's knitting olympics. You can too! http://www.yarnharlot.ca

I think it's going to be a lot of fun. I'm using pattern no. 9 from DaleBaby book 155.

Babies are such a blessing!! In the past couple of weeks I've been blessed to visit with the babies of the babies I used to babysit for!! These were not just children I babysat, but they were very close friends of the family and I feel like a grandma. Baby 0's mom was like my first child. I actually babysat for her from the time she was 6 months old until she was 5 1/2 and it was every weekday (all day during the summer, after school during the school year). It was awesome to get to spend time with her and her new little one. I also got to spend time with the girlies-we have all been so busy that we haven't been able to have them out. I've promised them a night at the farm during lambing season (which is just a couple of weeks away!!)

I seem to be staying away from controversial subjects lately, although I had a wonderful conversation with my uncle this morning about politics and how great it is that the liberals are showing us just who they truly are!

I've been working on my "something special for someone special". I'm using Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk. Oh my, it's wonderful. I love knitting with it!!

Myself and Baby P! What a dollie! 

Myself and baby O. 1/2 of my girlies, too! 

I didn't realize it had been so long since I last posted. I still want to do a review of 2005, hopefully I'll get around to it.

My mom has been a fan of George Strait for a very long time and I've tried several times to get tickets for her to his concerts, but to no avail. Finally, this time, I did it! The concert was last night and we had a wonderful time. We went shopping and out to eat before we went to the concert. We enjoyed a wonderful chicken marsala/garlic mashed potato dinner at Mondo's.

The concert was very loud!! We went to the new arena in town, and while it's imposing, it's nothing special. I enjoyed it, but I don't understand why my heart had to thump and my purse buzz from the sound. Oh well. George sang for just under 2 hours, so we got our money's worth and mom can finally say she's been to his concert.

My weight loss continues. I was very excited. I went to weigh in at the dr's the other day and I was down another 5 lbs!!! And that was from the month including the holidays!! Working out is still a challenge (and I got completely away from it for about 4 weeks surrounding Christmas), but I'm sticking with it, it makes a huge difference in the scale moving.

I'm still trying to get some of my Christmas knitting projects done. Babies are beginning to pop up again (I still have a couple to complete from new arrivals in 2005), but the new ones aren't due until June and August. I'm working on something special for a special someone. I'll post it after it's been given.

My mom's Christmas present! Mr. George Strait 

Cowl scarf finished! 

A New Year! May it be a blessed one! When I don't have a headache, I plan on reviewing 2005 and looking ahead to 2006.

Thankfully, after 1 1/2 years, we are done car shopping. We were able to get a wonderful deal on a used 2005 Explorer. It has 4x4, so I'll be able to get up my hill when it's snowy or muddy.

Even with a headache, I can put down my New Year's "resolutions" (they are not changes that I can make on my own, I will need the Lord's help!).

1. Pastor Jim spent many Fridays teaching us about judging favorably. We often jump to rash conclusions, not really knowing people's situations or circumstances, and we tend to judge unfavorably. But, it's time to start making a concerted effort to judge favorably.

2. Less procrastination!! This is improving, only because of the Lord's help over the past 12 1/2 years, but it can still be a struggle.

3. Being a better wife! I have been blessed with such a wonderful husband, a man who keeps me where I need to be, he doesn't let me get carried away, which is so easy for me to do!

4. Being a better mom! I want to speak softly! I want to love fully!

The most important thing, I want to grow more intimate with my Lord and Savior. May He be the one who guides me, holds me accountable, teaches me! Less of me, more of HIM!!!

Golf club socks done!! 

A late Merry Christmas to all!!

I'm quite happy that it's over with. Not that I don't love Christmas, I do, but this year was particularly difficult. I'm still trying to deal with my daughter's miscarriage and the subsequent issues that has brought into our life. She has gotten an apartment and will be moving out this week, another sad spot for me. It's not that I don't want her to move out and get some life under her belt, it just feels sad to have life changing so dramatically.

I've felt quite meloncholy this holiday season. I'm so sad for all those that don't understand that "Jesus is the reason for the season". I'm sad that so many are perishing because they refuse to accept the Good News of why Jesus came. I've also been missing relatives that are no longer with us and those that live far away.

I've also been reflecting on 2005. I'm hoping to do a year-end synopsis later in the week. It certainly has been an eventful year.

I still have Christmas knitting to do.

The last three stockings, finally done!!! 

Golf footie socks. 

Lavender baby sweater for Penelope! 

Another stocking done, 3 more to duplicate stitch. Keep on knitting, knitting, knitting... 

2 more done! 

Two pumpkin hats, a baby bonnet, a pair of socks from yarn my mother-in-law handspun, and 2 more duplicate stitched stockings.

I haven't felt much like doing anything, but knitting. My stress is finally pouring out from the last couple of weeks. I've been struggling with my anxiety and depression, but I'm trying to keep on top of it. I've had trouble getting motivated to exercise and today I've really struggled with my appetite. I guess I could say I've binged a bit, but not much. I'm not going to put anything past my lips until 8:00 pm when I have my hershey kisses and my milk. Hopefully tomorrow will be an easier day.

We're hoping to go car and carpet shopping tomorrow. Actually, it's going to be a pretty busy weekend. We are going to the Amanas on Sunday for a Christmas get-together and then back for a baby shower for baby Z.

Next week, I have to start Christmas shopping. I really need to make a list!! I have so many things that I wanted to knit, I'm not sure if I'm going to get it all done.

It has been quite a week.

On Sunday, my daughter was dealing with a fever from what we thought was a simple urinary tract infection. By the middle of the afternoon, her temperature had spiked to 105 degrees!!! I threw her in the car and headed to the hospital.

When we got there, her heart rate was 148 and her temperature was 103.6 in the ear. They quickly put her on a monitor and fluids. She was spotting and we were concerned about the baby, but they didn't seem to be to worried. By 7:00 pm, she was admitted. We found out that she had a kidney infection and, unfortunately, her pregnancy hormone levels were dropping. We held onto hope.

On Monday, we fought the temperature all day. She was spotting, but no cramping, there was still hope. Sadly, the cramping began in the middle of the night. Her boyfriend was with her, I had gone home to get some rest. She lost the baby around 5:00 am. I returned around 6:30 and we went through a harrowing morning. She ended up losing between 4 & 5 pints of blood and had to have a D&C.

She's extremely weak and sad, but we are finally home.

It was a scary experience. It was also a very sad time. I still feel the urge to cry when I think about it. I'm praying that she allows herself to grieve her little one. We will never know, this side of heaven, whether it was a little girl or little boy, but we know that Lord has a purpose and that He is good.

We've spent the last two days trying to get the house back into shape, get some laundry washed, and get some rest. I'm feeling a need to get some alone time-I need to reflect and give it all to the Lord.

Two more down! The stocking was actually knitted on my knitting machine last year, but my computer had quit working, so I had to duplicate stitch the design on. I meant to get them done much earlier in the year, but you know how that goes!! It actually went pretty quick, once I got started. I have 7 more to do before Christmas!!

I've been quite busy working on some Christmas orders, Christmas gifts, and baby sweaters. I have a couple of projects that will be done today. I often feel overwhelmed, but I'm trying to limit my computer time and really keep my hands busy. After this baby sweater, I'll only have one other that needs to be done before Christmas.

Our life has gotten a bit interesting, again. Oldest dd has moved back home. Things have been going well, but it requires us getting used to it again. Since she is expecting, I'm glad that she is home, getting better rest and a much better diet.

Well, I'm going to go put in "The Bishop's Wife" and work on finishing a Christmas stocking and the baby sweater.

Oh, it finally snowed!!! It's been so warm here, I was having trouble getting into the holiday spirit. Now, we have snow and I'm feeling all warm and cozy (when I'm not battling the nasty side of PMS!!).

Life is plugging along. Some days are so intense. God is so good! I can't begin to describe the profound and miraculous ways He has worked in recent days. His protection, His plan, His will, will not be thwarted. PRAISE GOD!!!

So...we went to bed quite early last night. I spent several hours over the course of the entire night thinking about cars, cell phones, and the Knitters Review. My goodness, my mind would just not shut off.

Hubby and I were able to get away for several hours yesterday, first time since harvest started. It was so nice! We were able to take our time and enjoy our lunch, visit several car lots, and attempt to upgrade our cell phones (I'll get to that fiasco in a moment!).

We have known for awhile now that we were going to have to start looking for a new vehicle-whether brand new or slightly used. We've been going back and forth about whether it should be a car (we currently have a wonderful Ford F-150 with almost 176,000 miles. It's been an awesome, very reliable vehicle-hard to give up!) or an SUV. Being small in stature, I really didn't want another big pickup, although I love mine, plus, they are quite expensive. We also want something that gets better gas mileage, but I don't want to go to small. We live in the country, on a gravel road, so some height and all-wheel or 4-wheel is a good idea. UGH! So, we hit several lots and have come down to the Ford Escape or a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I think we can get a little more for our money with the Cherokee, but we're just going to sit back and watch the adds and check the websites until December or January.

Oh, the cell phones! For goodness sakes! We use Cingular (it used to be AT&T). We knew that our contract was up, so we decided to go in and see what they could do for us and if we could save some money. Well, Cingular is going to this GSM technology (apparently the technology they've been using in Europe for years) and their phones no longer support analog. According to their map, we would probably not have service at our home and there were several other places in Iowa that we would not get service. Of course, along the interstates, etc., we would be okay, but probably not in the fields or our home. So, that leaves us with a dilemma. We left US Cellular after 9 years because of several things, including 3 different customer service people giving me three different answers to a question. That makes it sound rather simplistic, but the Attorney General became involved. So, our dilemma, bad coverage from our current provider, or bite the bullet and go back to US Cellular and get better coverage.

KR...what can I say that hasn't already been said. I find it so interesting that liberals like to forget what Democrats in the recent past have done, but they can vilify and berate Republicans for the same line of defense.

I spent a good part of the middle of the night considering their take on Mr. Clinton's "indiscretions" as compared to the Libby issue. I've been told that lying about your sex life and lying about a CIA agent, especially during WARTIME, is like night and day.

I'm sorry, but I just don't see it. Lying is lying. A liar can't be trusted. Mr. Clinton broke trust with myself and many others by abusing the Office of the President. He didn't have enough self-control to wait until he was out of office or even just go in a supply closet. Lying about it showed his true character. Lying, cheating, adultery, all true. His character is deeply flawed. If Mr. Libby is truly guilty of lying, his character is flawed as well. Now I know that we are all sinners, we are all flawed, but, by the power of Jesus Christ, we can live in obedience.

I'm quite tired of the witch hunt mentality of the liberals and the media. It's become a sport of sorts-kick them while they are down, find something, anything, to discredit the Republicans. The hate-filled rhetoric is getting quite old and I think that it will backfire in the liberals faces. They are like bullies on the playground and eventually the bullied with get in their faces.

I started a felted bag out of Noro Koreyon this weekend. Almost done with that, just had to do something for myself before I get serious about Christmas gifts and orders. It's time to start putting in a big push.

Yeah, another one done! This is from a Sirdar pattern. I added the different color trim and put the ISU (daddy played football there) on the side. I knit it with Dreambaby DK. I know, I know, acrylic-but, it's so nice for the mom to just be able to throw it into the wash. Being a first time mommy, I didn't want to give her anything that required extra care.

Today, dd has two interviews, one with the State Senate and one with the House. She has applied to be a page for the 2006 legislative session. She enjoys politics and government and gets pretty excited by the process. We'll find out in a few weeks if she gets the job.

She also gets to go to the Paul McCartney concert tonight. She's a huge oldies fan and was so disappointed to hear that Grandma and Grandpa were going. Boy, was she surprised when she got her ticket for her 18th birthday! Tonight is the night and she's pretty excited. Of course, she needs two outfits for the day, professional, yet young for her interviews, fun and hip for tonight. Of course, she's wearing the poncho that she knit earlier this year. It's a perfect fit.

Sorry for that double post, blogger just wasn't cooperating with me that day! My edit page says there is only one, so I guess it will just have to stay that way.

I'm down another 2 pounds. Sometimes working out is challenging (well, most of the time), but I feel so much better the rest of the day. I'm hoping to start incorporating a one-mile walk just before supper, I think that I'll sleep better.

I look back six weeks ago and wonder why I wasn't motivated then. Why couldn't I turn from the food? What did my p.a. say that was so motivating? It wasn't anything that I didn't already know, but I think that the Lord knew that I had to have a push and He provided that. Occasionally food still calls my name, like last night. It seems that whenever I have a migraine coming on, I crave bad carbs. I indulged a little last night, but nothing that took me over my calorie limit. My headache was gone by this morning and I feel really good. I walked my 2 mile, with the hopes of walking one more this afternoon.

I've been trying to get all caught up on baby knits. I have several machine knit Christmas stockings from last year that I have to get duplicate stitched. My machine worked fine, but the computer on my old White 1502 has pooped out and since I have no idea where to send it, I just made the stockings plain and told everyone that I'd duplicate stitch the motif on. Well, it's almost November and I haven't even gotten one done. TIME TO GET BUSY!!!

Baby Z was able to come home from the hospital yesterday! He's doing so well. Of course, due to the chance of RSV, he'll pretty much be secluded at home for awhile, but at least they aren't stuck in the hospital.

Yesterday was one of those days that you wonder why you ever got out of bed! My hubby showed up for a steel load at 5:00 am and didn't leave until after 3:00 pm. It was crazy. Everyone passed the buck, no one really knew what was going on, and poor hubby got stuck just sitting in the truck when he could have been at home and been productive. My hubby has an intense work ethic and he can't stand wasting time! The mood that I was in, I could have really ripped into them, but hubby held me back!!

I received my new Dale Baby Book 155 today. The patterns are absolutely gorgeous. I saw that it was in the states in the Family Circle Easy Knitting magazine and I fell in love with the particular design that they showed. As soon as I get caught up, I'll get it done for darling Baby L. The colors are vivid and fun and the pattern is traditional. (It's Design 9, if anyone wants to take a look). I ordered it from www.spinblessing.com . Susan is just great, she carries all things Dale, and is extremely helpful. I try to get all my Dale yarn and books from her.

Well, I've got laundry to do and a sweater to complete so I'd better "get a move on" as my mom would say!

Another new baby! Our next door neighbors had their new little boy last evening. I'm excited to get to meet him. Babies, babies, everywhere!!

We've have some gorgeous fall weather here. Sunny, warm, breezy. It's been good for getting the crop out of the field, but, Praise God!, the crop is large and we're all running out of places to keep it! It's a good problem to have. With fuel prices so high, it's also a blessing that we aren't having to dry our corn, nature is taking care of that for us.

I am looking forward to some cooler weather. I enjoy drizzly, dreary, cool fall days. I know, I'm strange that way. I call the "sweatshirts and soup" days. I think that fall is my favorite season. It makes you want to snuggle and get cozy.

We had a strange happening with our luscious puppy, Liberty, today. Our mailman actually tried to pepper spray her. Now, I admit, she hates him, but she was in our driveway, he was across the road at the giant mailbox that we bought just so he wouldn't have to get out of his car. He seems to be quite petrified of her. Instead of giving her a treat (like the Schwan's guy), he just makes the situation worse by attempting to hurt her. Makes me crazy! This dog lets little babies crawl all over her and pull her hair. She just looks at me as if to say, "Are we done yet?" She is an awesome dog, she just doesn't like the mailman and delivery trucks. I could have understood it if she was bouncing off his car, but that wasn't the case. My husband thinks we should put a sign on the mailbox that reads, "To H*** with the dog, beware of the owners!" Might have to try that!

I'd better get knitting, these babies keep coming early and I'm getting behind!

From Baby A to Baby Z

From Baby A to Baby Z. The L family has a new addition. Isn’t he adorable. He had to come a little early too, Mommy was having trouble with her blood pressure and toxemia. He weighed in at 4 lb ½ oz, and is 16 ½ inches long. He’s doing well, nursing and off oxygen. He’s just so handsome!!!

I have news, too! I’m going to be a grandma. Just found out middle of last week. Although my daughter is young and not very settled, we will love this new little baby and do all that we can to help Mommy and Daddy. We have a ways to go, she’s only a month along. She’s due to give birth on my husband’s grandmothers 92nd birthday. Wouldn’t that be something…the oldest and the youngest sharing a birthday!

The happy couple! What a joy-filled bride!

Yesterday was a blessed day! We were blessed to share in witnessing the covenant vows of a wonderful, godly young couple. We were all deeply touched as her father not only gave her away, but gave the key to her heart (an actual key from a locket that he had given her years ago, she had given him the key to it-the key to her heart) to her groom. He challenged them to be a biblical couple. The groom sang to his bride, and sang of God "Our Mighty Fortress". They shared their first kiss on the altar yesterday. A moment to be remembered and treasured. I was doubly blessed that she carried the blessing bag that I knitted for her. It carried the blessings of many special people in her life. She is a walking miracle, she is a cancer survivor, cancer that could not be cured with chemo or radiation. They removed the tumor and then prayer warriors went into action, praying for over a year. She ate a special diet and we waited. She was declared cancer free by the specialists at the University of Iowa. A true miracle. So, to watch her marry the man God has chosen for her was such an amazing moment!

My diet is going okay, although the scale hasn't moved, my clothes are fitting much better. I've been exercising everyday (except Sunday!) and eating around 1500 calories. I'm feeling so much stronger. Not having the scale move is a bit discouraging, but I'm trusting more in the fact that I'm doing what I should and that the clothes are fitting looser.

We had a wonderful young pastor from Mexico at church this morning. He works in the LaLoma area (outside of Torreon). His father has an amazing testimony and the children have followed suit, serving the Lord without reservation. Francisco came with his young wife and their 1 year daughter. He showed us a slide show of the people and situation down there. Despite incredible poverty and harsh conditions, the Lord continues to draw people to Himself. They have a full church (which still needs windows, a solid roof, and a floor) and these people are growing in their faith and are spreading the Gospel.

It's such a testimony to the fact that our circumstances should not determine our joy or contentment. I feel for the millions of people (especially in this country) that feel that they can't be happy because so and so is in office or they don't have the latest toy from Apple. They are bitter and negative and joyless. They condemn believers in Jesus Christ, calling us every name in the book, refusing to see the truth. May the Lord bring conviction of sin to their hearts and forgiveness through Jesus Christ to their souls!

My most recent pair of socks. I started a pair last night that are made with Lorna's Laces, Childsplay. Lots of fun!

I decided that I need to be blogging about my most recent undertaking. I had mentioned several months ago that I was doing weight watchers, well, I fell off the wagon during the summer (lots of family issues, etc.). So, I go to the doctor 3 weeks ago and get my blood work results! Everything was to high, except my good cholesterol, which was to low! So, she gave me the most motivating lecture that I've ever had in my life! I came out of the office knowing what I needed to do and totally ready.

Over the past three weeks, I've been exercising every day for 30 minutes (Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds-the 2 mile walk) and eating 1500 calories or less. I've lost 9 pounds. Praise God! I'm really beginning to grasp that I don't need to be eating 24/7. That most of the time, it didn't even taste good to me, it was just habitual. I'm so excited to be building up stamina and I can tell my body is changing. I want to lose another 50 lbs. I can do it, I've done it before.

I can't say enough good things about Walk Away the Pounds. You don't have to be coordinated, you don't have to know anything about exercise, you just do it and it works. It's quite a workout, but it invigorates and gives me more energy.

Now, that all being said, today has been a tough day. I got up at 5:30 with hubby and so this afternoon I'm sleepy and I've got the munchies. I've hung in there, said several prayers, and am patiently waiting for hubby to get home so that I can enjoy some chicken tortilla soup!

I'm still feeling overwhelmed by all the projects I need to get done. I'm trying to finish up a little vest, then I have two October babies to knit for, plus make some beaded bags to sell at the market the 15th and 16th.

I did get my vacation scrapbook done yesterday, and that was one thing off my plate. I still have tons of pictures to get scrapbooked, but that will come in time!

I know it's been awhile since I last posted. Life has been full and wonderful.

We've gone to two showers, a baby shower for Baby A and a wedding shower for Kristen (who's bridal blessing bag is pictured below). Both showers were loads of fun. It's so wonderful amazing to have such wonderful, fun, sweet-spirited, godly friends. You could feel the joy! I pray that others would let go of their negativity and see the joy that is found only in the Lord!

Here's a recent picture of Baby A, who now weighs 8 lb. 10 oz. She's just adorable! Aunty Dawn couldn't resist another outfit for her! She'll get it at Bible study tomorrow.

We've begun working through "Created to be his Help meet" by Debi Pearl. It is an awesome book! It's not about changing your husband, it's about changing yourself. It's about understanding why men are the way they are and understanding why you are the way you are and how to change it to meet God's requirements for how we should be. It really makes a woman think and I think it goes to show just how often the demise of a marriage isn't about the man, but the woman. I'm learning to enjoy serving and life!

I've been trying to get caught up with my knitting. I can't believe how many babies have been born this year. Twins were born to the daughter of a friend of mine on Friday. A little boy and a little girl, both beautiful and healthy. I think that there are only 4 more to be born in the next 4 months, but I could be off by one or two. It's hard to keep up. They all give us a lot of joy!

So, I'm off to keep working on keeping up!!

Kristen's Blessing Bag

Look-At-Me

It has been a long week. The devastation playing out on the tv is almost to bear. It is comforting to know that these are the birth pains. Jesus is coming! Listen to the sermon at www.zoar.us. Funny how the Lord works things out, this sermon was just part of the continuing series on the book of Luke.

Luke 21:5 through Luke 21:28 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."
"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. 1By standing firm you will gain life.
"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Judgment is drawing near for those who continue to turn their backs on the salvation offered in Jesus Christ. Things happening today are just a shadow of the wrath that is to come. Praise God that there is salvation through Jesus Christ. He paid the penalty for my sins and everyone else's, if they just turn to Him and receive the free gift (free to you and me, but it cost Him everything).

Another one done!