It's funny really - God always knows

I work part time in our church office and one of the many things I do is type up the birthdays and wedding anniversary's for the last week. I pop this list in a little basket along with chocolates, pass it on cards and little stickers or bookmarks for the children.
On Sunday mornings at the beginning of each service the names are called out and if you are there you go forward for a chocolate and one of the other things you can choose and you are prayed for.

Last week was our wedding anniversary, but I had forgotten by the time I got to church this week and was in no hurry to go in and sit down as I had wanted to catch up with the 'greeters' on this week.
The Vicar called me in saying that of all the 6 people on the list I was the only one there.
In my hurry to put my basket down at a seat and go forward I just grabbed a choccy and card un-be-known that it was one I had put in for the men, as most cards have flowers or butterflies on them.
This one had a male runner/athlete on it and I was going to pop it back and get another but the vicar said "No, that's the one you choose".

The words were:
Never, never quit.
That caused a little giggle around the church as those who know me, know of the things that my hubby and I have faced and been through over the years.

It was like God knew I needed this card even to the point of the vicar not letting me change it before we knew what it said.

 
The words "Never, never quit" are from part of a famous speech Winston Churchill said:
 

“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense”

He was a man who suffered from depression so he also knew what hard times were like.

 

The piece of scripture was from
Philippians 3:13-14

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

It is a reminder that in all things God is in control, so never never forget.

God made certain promises to Moses’ forefathers hundreds of years earlier, and then it was Moses’ time to take his place in the plan of God. Accepting that you’re a small link in a big chain can be humbling, but once Moses understood it he was able to connect with and focus on something bigger than himself.
So he never gave up even though he didn't get to see the end when the Israelites entered the promised land

God’s Word

For the last few weeks our Vicar has been preaching on reading the Bible (the Word of God) and how to be walking in the influence of God’s Spirit, we need to know and hear the Word of God to know whether it is the truth. Not just little bits with a daily study reading but hunks (not a bag of chips but a whole meal).

I picked up an old daily reading and the message was the same.

Feed on God’s Word Each Day
Saturday, 1 May 2010
You’ll die spiritually if you don’t feed yourself on God’s Word each day!

Jeremiah 15:16

16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.

Today’s message at church was about setting up a ‘standard’. We were challenged among other things to make a stand for God. In 2 Chronicles 20: 15 and 17 we read that the people of Israel were told not to be afraid. God would fight their battle.

2 Chronicles 20:15-17

15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "

2 Chronicles 20:29-30

29 The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

And why did God do this? (29 +30)
Because they choose to seek help from God.

2 Chronicles 20:4-9 

4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'

Our Vicar shared Isaiah 59 and in verse 17 it says

17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak
`

He reminded us that for Jesus he had zeal for God’s house, when he overturned the money changers tables in the temple.

John 2:17

17 His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."

I felt a desire to go back to my bible study in a deeper way. The word of God is a lamp to show us the way.

Psalm 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

I have cleared out the mess in what I call the quiet room of our house. Here I can sit in the sun if it is shinning. I can see the plum tree and have the door or windows open to hear God’s creation. I am not distracted by other goings on and just rest in the comfort of God and read.

All scripture is from (New International Version)

Peach Crisp

This is a simple recipe that is great to pop into the oven while it is still hot from a roast or casserole and is a nice warming type pudding. I love it with whipped cream but it really is just as nice without.

During the cooking the topping sort of forms a thin custard with the juice, hence the reason not to put too much juice in.

1 and ½ 410gr (approx) cans of peaches
(different brands have different weights)
25gr butter
½ cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup coconut
1 ½ cups cornflakes
Nutmeg


Drain the peaches (reserving the liquid) and place peaches in an oven proof dish.
Add enough juice to come up to half the level of the fruit.
Heat the butter until just melted and add the sugar, egg and vanilla.
Beat well to combine with a whisk or hand beater.
Stir in coconut and cornflakes.
Add a sprinkle of nutmeg.
Pile on top of fruit and bake for 30 minutes at 180ºC or until lightly golden.
Serve warm or cold.
Left over juice (about 1 or 2 tablespoons) can be slowly added to cream and whipped to serve or freeze juice to add to other recipes or as ice-cubes for drinks.

Funerals

Today we had a funeral at church. I knew of the gentleman and his family as they live in our town but I didn't have a lot to do with the family.
Over the years I have administrated at a few funerals here but this was the first one that had a flower arrangement as well as the arrangement on the casket.

A local lady did it and it was just so beautiful I had to take a photo.

To get an idea of the size here is another shot taken further back in the church.
There were over 260 people there and some had to stand outside.

My job is to liaise with the funeral director, the family, vicar, caterer and any other people, i.e. the florist, and also organise a pianist and sound person, all before the day.
Then I have to have the pews moved so that the casket can be carried in and out with people either side and extra seating bought in and set up.

I have people I can call on to help but it is a very long day and today I also had to get my normal Friday jobs done as well. I hardly sat down but at the end of it all when everyone had gone I sat and took in the beautiful  display of flowers again and pondered the "meaning of life" and the wonders of God's creation.
Some would say the flowers were a waste of money and that now who is going to see them, but God gave these to us to enjoy. I certianly did and the parish will on Sunday morning at church.
Sure they will perish and pass away but their moment of glory was seen today by many.

Isaiah 40:1-9

Comfort for God's People

1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.

3 A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.

4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

6 A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.

7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.

8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

All scripture is from (New International Version)

Wedding Anniversary

Yes today was our 32nd Wedding Anniversary.
We don't buy each other gifts but we received some cards and a dear lady who we have come to know, through her working with Harry on his CV, dropped in with a lovely orchid and card.

Harry did say this morning that we would do what ever I liked this evening so I said I wouldn't be cooking.
I decided we would go out for tea, just him and I and somewhere local so we could walk.
Harry likes The Settlers Inn although I would have preferred somewhere else, we went there and were the only ones eating in for the night. It was like being waited on in our own little house in a way, and a lovely time to just be together.

Its not the most flash of places and it has been on the market for a year, but in the mean time it is a very reasonably priced place to eat.

We sat on the left by the window

We sat in a little alcove by the window and could watch the passers-by below.

People made comments today on the achievement of 32 years.
We don't feel that it is a big "number" as both our parents reached 45 years and my parents have recently celebrated their 57th.
But then I think of what we individually and as a couple have been through over the 32 years and agree that yes we have done well and come through a lot to reach our 32nd.
In this day not many marriages stay together for this long or because they wait until later years the chances of both being alive by the time they get into the 30th's and 40th's can be hard to reach.
But for us we have learnt that a lasting marriage requires commitment, consideration, compassion and communication to come through the times when things are tough.

We have five beautiful children, two of them married to lovely men and two grandchildren.

Praise God that He is in control and will continue to bless us with more years.

Mumsey's Chocolate Truffles

This is one of my save on food waste recipes. I use old left over biscuits or cake that has gone a bit hard rather than moldy. You can just use essences like vanilla / rum / brandy and fruit juice if it is for children, but you may want to use alcohol if it is for adults.

Mumsey’s Truffles

250gr of old homemade biscuits (or cake)
100gr soft butter (not melted)
¼ cup cocoa
½ cup icing sugar
½ cup coconut
½ tsp essence of your choice
1-2 Tbsp fruit juice (or rum/brandy or other alcohol of your choice)

Crumb the biscuits/cake in the food processor.
Add softened butter and process for a few seconds.
Add cocoa, icing sugar and coconut.
Process, scraping down the sides to make sure all is finely chopped and combined.
Add essence and liquid of choice.
I tip it into a bowl and stir with a spoon to make sure it is all mixed up.
You have to sort of judge how much juice you need. You don’t want it too moist or the “balls” will flatten a little before they are set. Too dry and the mixture won’t stick together.
Mold into balls and roll in extra coconut or chocolate hail.
Refrigerate or you could freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Great to do for Christmas, well before the busyness of the season.

My Playlist - Perfect Time

You will notice that when you pop onto my blog now, songs seem to start!!

It is from my Mixpod which is a selection of my songs I have added to an online Ipod on here.

If you don't want to listen to it, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the little speaker image on the top right hand corner and the mute will go on.
Or if you would like to listen but at a different volume, move the volume control just above the 'mute' button to the volume you would like.

I have added the videos with the songs and if you would like to watch them then click on the 'video' button just under the little screen on the top left of the playlist and it will enlarge the screen and you can watch. These videos are part of what I have down loaded not something I have made up.

I would like to tell you a little about some of the songs I have chosen and what they mean to me. The first one is:

Perfect time 

This song is sung by Máire Brennan or Moya Brennan and I have had a copy of the song for a few years.
It is from her DVD titled Perfect Time
I see this song as God telling us we are not alone.
The things of the past are in the past.
Jesus is the only way to peace and this song is like a reaffirmation of faith.
I am not afraid to learn God's ways and grow, expecting all is in His Perfect Time.

Believe me
I'm not afraid to

Teach me
To learn your ways
Carry me
Under your wings
In your perfect time

Only you
Can dreams come true
Only you
Can make me shine
Only you
Can days be right
In your perfect time

I know You told me that I'm not alone

You know I couldn't do it on my own
See my eyes are older now
Broken dreams behind
Fill my heart with precious love
I know it's there to find

Believe me
I'm not afraid to.....

Precious love
You give me
precious love
I know forgiveness is the key not pride
I want to heal this pain I hide inside
Free my fears and promise me
That you won't let me go
You're the one to comfort me
The past my God You know

Believe me
I'm not afraid to...