Wednesday 29 April 2009

Weeds !! ?? !!

I just got in from working in the yard. These nasty little "flowers" are starting to show their heads - blooms in my yard - dandelions! I consider them weeds - they will take over my yard if I don't keep them under control - they have to go! I watch them through out the growing season. The house next door has been empty for sometime, the owner does not control the dandelion growth - they have almost taken over the yard - and - the seedlings blow into my yard! Oh well, I just need to really stay focused on my own weeds.

I wonder, is there a spiritual application here? I wonder if I am watching out for the 'weeds' satan tries to plant in my life? In the fall I do a weed control plan for the dandelions - so that in the spring the weeds are in better control. We need to keep faithful in God's Word and prayer to keep satans weeds in check. Pray that I do as mama and I pray for you.

Monday 27 April 2009

Mock Auction Over!

I intentionally covered the table in the first auction post. I wanted people to look at the value of the items with what information I gave you. The table was just as valuable covered as uncovered - except you did not know it. In a sense, it's value was hidden. The flowers and the afghan had no real bearing on the value of the table. although, for a 100 years or better the table has been serving as it was intended.

God has a purpose and a design for each life - that is why He created us. some of us have not really allowed him to use us accordingly. We have held back - refused or just don't see our worth. We need to let him use us.

Secondly, look at all the lives around you that their value is hidden or covered by negative life circumstances. Hidden sometime by choice and fear. Particularly children. Lets each of us, as we mingle with others, be positive, an encourager to those around us. Lets really love the kids - okay?

Mama and papa pray for you all. Some by name and even those of you who stop by but never drop us a note. God Bless!

Saturday 25 April 2009

Silent Auction continued !!

Thought maybe I had better include a picture of the table - maybe that would help.

Table is an antique - mama's grandmother got the table as a wedding gift over a 100 years ago. It is now mama's.

Any questions??

Thursday 23 April 2009

FOR SALE! Silent Auction!

I hope you will participate in the 'mock' auction. Papa is trying to make a point, will you help? What is your bid?

UP FOR AUCTION: Two African Violet plants, one Afghan (Hand Made), and table included.

You may stop by and look at the items if you are in the area.

Lets have some fun, again, what is your bid??

Bidding will close at noon on Saturday, April 25th, EST.

THIS IS STRICTLY A "PRETEND" AUCTION! Spiritual application to follow if we get some participation - Bid as if you would really buy the items.

Monday 20 April 2009

Fireproof!

Yesterday our church started a 6 week help group using the 'FIREPROOF - your marriage' materials - (one group meets on Sundays and one group starts this Wednesday night) Mama and I were invited by the group organizers/facilitators to participate in the groups. I attended yesterday, mama works in the nursery on Sundays. We will attend together on Wednesday nights. I believe in 2 weeks mama should be all straightened out.

Seriously, pray for us. We have been married almost 44 years now. We both still screw up. But we want to share our 44 years of commitment to each other. Not because we have done it right, but because in spite of the "fires & smoke" we have - "never left our partner behind."

So as a blogging friend, would you on Sundays and Wednesdays say a little prayer for us? After all mama may be stuck with me for many years to come - !!

Saturday 18 April 2009

Izzy !

Izzy is a beautiful Registered Quarter Horse - with excellent conformation. She is a 15 year old mare that is well trained. A great trail horse and has done a lot of parade work.

She is starting to develop a bad little habit that Susan (her owner) and I are trying to correct immediately. Susan and I are trail riding buddies. Izzy lays back her ears and swings her head in your direction when you begin to tack her up. Just trying to lay the blanket on her back will get Izzy started. Susan will not tolerate that and has stepped up her scolding when Izzy mis behaves. Once Izzy is all tacked up she behaves very well.

Sometime I find myself getting a little over confident and telling God that I am fine and I don't need to do that anymore. Maybe I can put off my praying until a little later, or maybe read His word later. After all, I have been His child for years now - this Christian walk is just all routine stuff - right?

Thursday 16 April 2009

Brother & Sister

This is one of my favorite pictures - this was taken early one spring day - flying kites. This is my son and daughter - they have always been close and on speaking terms.

To me the closeness of siblings needs to be nurtured and encouraged. Years ago both went through serious challenges due to choices made in their lives - today, years later, after living states apart - they are now 15 minutes from each other and are supportive of each other.

Those of us that are brothers and sisters in Christ need to learn from that. We need to learn to get along and be supportive of each other. My two children are as different as night and day, but they love each other. Lets look today and see if we have any 'brother & sister' relationships we need to mend or restore.

Tuesday 14 April 2009

Brigham Young - Mormon Leader

The lady to the left (Ann Eliza Webb Young Denning) was Brigham Young's 27th and final wife. It was speculated at his death he had 19 living wives, but Ann Eliza filed for a divorce and part of Brigham Young's assets. He defaulted, was actually put in jail over night and shortly thereafter died. Ann Eliza married Moses Denning, prominent banker in Manistee, MI. Soooo ??

Well, let me continue. Moses Denning built her a beautiful home (1880's), with many bedrooms, several stairs, parlor doors that rolled into the walls, a lovely home over-looking Manistee Lake - an overflow of the Manistee River.

My grandmother became the owner of that great home and I can remember playing in that huge house as a boy. Many wonderful games of "Hide-N-Seek"! Slid down the long banister to the main hall many a time. heh heh!

A few years ago I was going through some of the old legal documents of my parents and found the old Land Contract and actually found Ann Eliza's original signature on the document! It is now part of my historical documents of my family history.

What interesting tidbits of history have you found in your family history?? Maybe next time I will tell you about my grandparents who were killed and scalped by Indians!

I wonder what Ann Eliza and Brigham Young are doing now in eternity ??

Sunday 12 April 2009

He is Risen! Risen Indeed!


Happy Easter! He Is Risen! Risen Indeed!

Hope that today finds you enjoying the freshness of Spring - knowing that our Savior is risen!

Today we will all be together as a family. We are excited! Hope you can be with your family today.

If you have some broken relationships, perhaps today YOU can take some steps to mend those.

Be aware that He is coming again!

Friday 10 April 2009

Did you lose a cat ??

Mama found this cat and is having a fit with it! It is tearing up our house! If we don't find the owner soon we will have to take it to the pet shelter.

Maybe some evening I will sneak it into my mother-in-laws house. She lives alone and it would be nice for her to have a pet. Yep, thats what I will do!

Tuesday 7 April 2009

Ouch! That hurt!

A couple of days ago I took my first fall off from Amos. Fortunately, neither of us were hurt.

We were in the outside arena going through some exercises prior to going on a trail ride. We started to have a difference of opinion as to which way we were to go. Suddenly Amos stumbled, lost his footing, went to his knees and then went completely down. I rode him completely to the ground, it happened very fast. I was able to get my feet out of the stirrups and was trying to quickly get off when he decided to get up! Not good - I went rolling on the ground! I strained some old muscles (they are all old!) and hurt for a few days.

Have you ever depended upon Christ to lead you, have Him stumble and throw you into a heap? No? I didn't think so. We can always depend on Him not to stumble. We can go with him, confident He will lead and not fail.

I ride Amos with confidence and determination that he will get me to our destination. But he could fail and in his weakness stumble. Yet, I trust Amos and I am willing to trust in his strength and power. And yet, Christ sometimes has to challenge me to trust Him - how foolish can I be?

Monday 6 April 2009

Snow! Should have stayed in FL !

Woke up this morning to fresh snow! Not good! at least the deer are starting to move around.

I have been gone the last four days. Mama let Papa go to Equine Affaire at Columbus, Ohio. Lots of horses, clinics and walking. Got back Sunday afternoon.

Hope this latest snow fall disappears quickly - the snow plow just went by! Brrrr! Papa is too old for this!