A little or big bloggy break

I don't know if you've noticed or not lately, but I have not been around to visit very much, or to post on my blog. Lately I have been having a hard time sitting down to visit and to post! The range of guilt I feel over that is just plain weird, so I have made the decision to suspend blogging until further notice, or until I just can't not blog anymore! I hope you will all understand if I don't visit as much. I so enjoy all the blogs I visit, and you have all aided in my further growth in Christ! I think I will leave you with the following verse!

May the Lord bless you and keep you

May He make his face to shine upon you

and be gracious to you

May He turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Praise and Coffee - Allendale!

Last night we had our very first Praise and Coffee here in Allendale! It was a fun night with a great bunch of ladies! I got to meet Nancy and Deb, whom I've seen comment on Mari's blog, plus Nancy's daughter who I did know, just not that she was Nancy's daughter! We had a great turn out and I hope that the ladies were blessed! Someone (Joanie) mentioned doing it once a month. I think we'll start out once a quarter!! Here are some pics of the night!Ya know I absolutely hate pictures of me!

This one turned out blurry, but Mari has a great one!

Nancy won the raffle!

Wordfilled Wednesday

1 Peter 1:23-25

For you have been born again,

not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,

through the living and enduring word of God.

For, "All men are like grass,

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;

the grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of the Lord stands forever."

And this is the word that was preached to you.

A night at the ballpark!

I hope that everyone had a great Mother's Day yesterday! Mine was very nice and relaxing! Saturday night Bekah got the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at our local minor league ball park with about 25 other kids! They did such an awesome job I thought I would share it here!

Bekah also won a White caps hat! Here is a picture of her in her new cap! The sweet little girl on Bekah's right is Cheri's daughter Arianna. We had alot of fun, but were wimps and went home early. Turns out the game went 15 innings! Kinda glad we left!

Can people really be Objective?

Objective

a3 a: expressing or dealing with facts or conditions as perceived without distortion by personal feelings, prejudices, or interpretations

As I was dropping my son off at school the other morning, this thought came to mind "Can the media and teachers really be objective?"

My children go to the public schools. The elementary school is pretty tame, alot of Christian teachers, but starting in the middle school where my son is teachers are more secular in their thinking. One teacher in particular (that my son hasn't had yet) is very pro evolution. Some of the children from our church have done an awesome job of standing up to him and proclaiming truth (I love that!) But it made me think "Is he supposed to be giving his opinion or just teaching the textbook?" "Shouldn't someone be confronting him on his objectivity?" Just teach it don't preach it! (I just made that up!)

Same thing with the news media! They should just be reporting NEWS, real news for that matter! They should not be on one side or the other! But we all know that does not happen!

So what do you say? "Can anyone truly be Objective, and in these 2 cases, what is our role?"

Do the animals see the rainbow and remember?!

During our awesome message last Sunday I saw something in Genesis Chapter 9 that stood out to me:

Genesis 9: 12-16

And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

Do you see it? God made that covenant between Noah and all living creatures! So I ask you, "Do you think the Animals see the rainbow and remember like we do?!"

Lord, we need you! - National Day of Prayer

We sing this song in church often! Today I desperately pray it again for our nation that moves further and further away from God!

I have been thinking alot about the current administration and their disregard for things of God. It does not surprise me, just sadden me, but then I remember a passage from my study of Ezekiel (which BTW I am trying to pull together my thoughts on what I learned from this study for a post). I'm only going to put selective verses, but I'm reading from Ezekiel 38.

Verses 10-12

'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. You will say, "I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land."

Verses 14-16

Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it? You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, O Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.

Verse 17

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Are you not the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel? At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them.

Verses 21-23

I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD. Every man's sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.'

You are probably wondering about right now where I am going - this is a prophecy of the future! What can that have to do with the current administration. Well here is my thought - See the "I's". Gog thinks he/they came up with this plan to attack Israel. They think they are so wise and that they are in control of the situation! But if you read the text God is the one that brings them to that mountain. He brings them there to destroy them. He sets the plan, they are merely pawns in a game where they think they are Kings! So my point being - This administration if there by God's design! I myself do not feel that it is for our earthly good, but brings God's plan clearer into view. God has a plan and His glory will be seen! World leaders may think they are wise, and cunning, but they are not the ones with the divine plan that has been set forth from before creation! That is who I am resting in - THE SOVEREIGN LORD!

His and Hers!

Steve finished the 2nd adirondack chair! Now they are sitting side by side and being enjoyed by US! They are very comfortable and very relaxing! He is thinking of building chairs similar to this to sell. If anyone in our area is interested.

Building a shelter on the Mountain!

Matthew 17: 1-5

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

Don't you just love mountain top experiences?! I do. The Lord brought this verse to mind the other night, because I was beginning to get down about all the hastles of life! When we go to church and worship God with our brothers and sisters in Christ it can be such a mountain top experience! That is what I had this past Sunday. The praise time just lifted me to his presence! Our Pastor speak the Word so well! I love to praise God and listen to His word being spoken! I was in his presence! I wanted to build a shelter there and stay there forever! Forget about the mundane, stressful, ridiculous hassles of life! "LORD, let me build a shelter and stay here!" , "I don't want to come down off this mountain!"

Psalms 84:10

Better is one day in your courts

than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Well I can't stay up on that mountain. I have to be about the work of the Lord, just like Peter, James and John! They couldn't stay either. They had to come down off that mountain. The experience was a wonderful memory that I am sure they looked back on for comfort and encouragement as they continued in their God given responsibilities - even to the point of death. Yesterday Bob, Mari's wonderful husband read from Genesis about Enoch. He read the verse that said "Enoch walked with God and was no more because God took him". We often think of the last part of that verse "and was no more, because God took him", we often don't think about the first part "Enoch walked with God". I may not be able to have constant mountaintop experiences, but God is always with me! I can walk with him each day! He will continue to lead and guide me, and sometimes, he will bring me back to that mountain for encouragement!

Thank you Lord, that you are always with me! That you care for me, and encourage me!

I LOVE YOU!

your daughter

Praise and Coffee Night! - Allendale

Edit: A sweet wonderful anonymous person told me I had the date wrong on this post! It is the 21st of May, not the 20th!

Praise and Coffee Night - Allendale!

Thursday May 21th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

Stonebridge Apartment Community Room

11265 Washington St.

Allendale, MI

Here is a map

Bring your own special drink from a local coffee house or enjoy the delicious brew coffee we will provide! Dessert will also be provided! We can't have a fun night together without something sweet now can we?!

If you visit my blog and leave in the area, please feel free to come and bring a friend! Let's get together praise God and encourage fellow sisters in Christ!

RSVP here or email me at: skjbvh4(at)allcom(dot)(net)

Our Windy Adventure!

A couple of Friday's ago we decided to go on a little camping adventure to Pentwater. The weather was supposed to be beautiful so we thought it would be a good time to try out tent camping again. That is how we started camping, with a tent, but now we have a wonderful 27 foot travel trailer that has spoiled us! In a couple of years we want to go out west, but we know our truck won't be able to pull our trailer through the mountains. Hence we need to find other mode of sleeping arrangements! The weekend was laid out before us: biking, hiking, fishing, sounded great! But alas with Michigan, just wait 15 minutes and the weather will change! We got up to the State park in Pentwater and immediately looked for the lot that would protect us and our tent from the mighty wind ablowin'! We finally found one (there were only like 4 other campers in the park) Pentwater state park is quite how shall I say: open!!!! After we got everything set up (we all worked together well), we headed for dinner in downtown Pentwater. Then when we came back we went for your customary walk! It didn't last long! The sand was really wipin'! You can see from the one picture below that Bekah though going low was a good idea (silly girl)!

We go to bed early to read, because it's to windy for a fire (one of my favorite things) and then about 10:00 turn out the lights. I should probably tell you hear that earlier I had been by the bathrooms and read about emergency procedures. One of the was in case of high winds a steady siren will sound. So off to bed we go! Around 12:30 (of course I was the only one awake watching the top of the tent go back and forth), a siren goes off in the town of Pentwater! I lean over to Steve and tell him "honey I hear a siren, do you think we should check on what's going on?" and I kid you not, these were his exact words "I thought it was the noon siren". Never wake a man out of a sound sleep and ask a silly question!!

Long story shorter - we made it through the night, got the tent put away before the deluge began and headed home! All in all it was a great night! We realized we can still sleep in a tent, so Yellowstone and Grand Tetons here we come, in a couple of years!!!

Here we are the next morning, showing that we survived and still loved each other!

Mom Dare

Lisa over at Extravagant Grace has challenged us Mother's to love our children -- including spiritual children -- in a tangible manner with a deep Christ-like love! She's daring us to live out a Godly, sacrificial love to every little one and big one who turns to us for training, mentoring, guidance, encouragement, and support.

I've decided to take her up on that dare! She's also having a couple of give aways! Check it out! I DARE YOU!

A Right of Passage!

Today is the first time we mowed our lawn this year. Last year my husband thought it was time Jeremiah learned to mow the lawn so he went on Craig's list and bought a self propelled lawn mower. Well today was the day! Here is a picture of Jeremiah doing a very good job of mowing! Steve had to tell me that there are several safety stops on this machine so I needn't worry about appendages coming off! Thank goodness! One less thing for this control freak to worry about! I hope you are all having a great Saturday. I am heading back out to the Adirondack chair now!

Hymn 365

I received this in an e-mail today and it just made me chuckle! Thought I would share it with all of you!

Hymn #365

This is a hoot, but I suspect the minister didn't appreciate it. You will
love this.

A minister was completing a temperance sermon. With great emphasis
he said, 'If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and pour it
into
the river.'

With even greater emphasis he said, 'And if I had All the wine
in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river..'

And then finally, shaking his fist in the air, he Said, ' And if I had
all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river.'
Sermon complete, he sat down.

The song leader stood very cautiously and announced With a smile, nearly
laughing, 'For our closing song, Let us sing Hymn #365, ' Shall
We Gather at the River
Smile, life is too short not to SMILE!
If this brightened your day Don't let it stop here Pass it on with a smile

Keep spreading the Cheer.

Have a Blessed Weekend!

Fphoto Friday

I'm loving picnik.com! I have a little patch out in my front yard where I tried to grow tulips and daffodils. Because of tree roots it didn't really work well. I have two tulips in that patch. This is the only one worth taking a picture of: