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From Your Window

Photo by: huntz

Wonder if we could try something over the weekend, and maybe into Monday. I think it would be interesting to see where we are coming from (i.e. region, young or older in the faith, special interests, personal challenges etc.)

I say this with some caution because one of the values of this kind of blog is that it is relatively anonymous and therefore provides a measure of safety. Some in the past have even indicated that because of situations they are going through it is extremely important not to give too much info about themselves, and have asked others who might know who they are to honor their needs. That’s important.

Window View of Bob in Cornwall England

Yet, we’ve also found that those who have felt comfortable telling us something about themselves and their story of faith has provided a deeper sense of understanding and appreciation for where we are coming from. Some routinely draw us into their lives in a way that enables us to care and to pray for one another even in this “virtual meeting place” we’ve been given.

We do have blog rules talk about staying on subject. I’m not as concerned about that at this point except if someone comes into the conversation with an ax to grind and tries to take over the blog. That has only happened a couple of times, and in those cases we have had to eventually deny access. More commonly, I think so much has been added to the conversation when you’ve felt free to include in your comments  things that are happening in your part of the world.

I have plenty of chance to let you know what I’ve been thinking. Would love increasingly to work issues and ideas that you’ve been thinking about into subsequent posts. If I don’t think we should go there, I’ll try to give you my reason :-)…

Actually, I already love the weather checks and regional tags that some of you have started adding to your comments.

So from my window in the Midwest of USA, 35 miles from Lake Michigan, we’re looking  for temperatures to warm up into the 60’s today. Spring is in the air. Ice is off the lakes, and I’m going to get out with friends for a round of golf this a.m. With the Masters (Golf) this weekend and Tiger on the move up the board,  will probably catch a bit of the coverage on TV.

Hope you’re able to enjoy the gift of today– wherever you are.

 

 

 


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111 Responses to “From Your Window”

  1. bubbles says:

    The birds are splendid this morning. The coffee is hot. The sun is rising in the sky and the early morning fog and mist is turning pink. The daffodils are nodding their heads under last night’s rain drops still on their petals. Our Heavenly Father is so good to us for giving us a lovely and peaceful spring morning. It is a happy sigh in the heart sort of morning.
    We had a delicious thunderstorm last night that lasted for about 45 minutes. One knows summer is just around the corner when thunderstorms come.

  2. refump says:

    The unusual (even for Minnesota) large amount of snow we had during this very looooong winter is finally all gone & we are suppose to get in the 70’s on Sunday. The long winters however, really do bring about a celebration of spring & helps us appreciate the nice weather.(I thing there is a spiritual application in there somewhere too). Hope to also be playing golf on Sunday PM if it doesn’t rain. Twins won their home opener yesterday. As my name indicates I officiate sports & will be referring 3 basketball games this afternoon. I tell people I get paid to exercise as I run up & down the basketball court although at 58 don’t know how much longer the joints will hold out! I have been happily married for 28 years & will be celebrating my 32nd wedding anniversary this summer (it’s a joke… just wanted everyone to know corny jokes are a big part of my life). We have 3 grown children & 2 grandchildren. I really enjoy this blog because it stimulates my thinking out side my small brain & prejudices. It helps give me a much broader perspective & takes God out of the small box I have built for him. Thanks Mart & everyone for your thoughts & input for helping me grow in my walk with God.

  3. rf2461 says:

    Mart,I have been reading your blog for months but this is the first time I have logged on. I took your blog as an invitation this morning. I have enjoyed your reflections and thoughts and your wonderful and faithful readers responses and comments. I live in the Mid-Atlantic region and have been a follower of Christ for over 35 years but have experienced periods of being in the miry clay. However, my walk has become much deeper in the last couple years. Recently I have been learning about the power of prayer and fasting and have seen how God has answered prayer and is changing lives in response. I stand in awe of Him. Thanks for the opportunity to share. Robin

  4. SFDBWV says:

    I have extra time this morning, a casualty of circumstance. We all have been suffering a serious chest cold here in my home the past couple weeks. Glenna has ended up in the hospital with pneumonia and Matthew and I are still carrying a cough.

    It is gray and foggy outside and only 39 degrees as I write. Like Mart we are expecting warmer weather in a few days.

    I have managed to persuade the deer to eat off the land and stay out of my back yard now that the snow is gone. This gives me the added advantage of feeding only the birds that come to sing for their meals.

    Yesterday a young 21 year old fellow was killed in a motorcycle accident a few miles from here. An old friend and grandmother to one of Matthews friends is laid to rest today as her family and friends gather together to celebrate her life.

    Life’s struggles will consume the day and as it is yet early there will be unexpected challenges come our way.

    Yet through it all, we will laugh, we will be comforted, we will have life and be thankful for all that God does for us, as we rely so heavily on His strength.

    Because in the end, we are always at His mercy and reminded of our own inability to control that which is not given us to.

    I pray that all of you have a beautiful day and are blessed in all you undertake.

    Steve

  5. oneg2dblu says:

    Mart… thank you for opening this window today.
    As I look out “my window” this morning in Melbourne, Fla. I see the dew drying up, the sun shining and the temps around 70 degrees climbing. My rowing shell is on the rack, waiting for a quick sanding, of the areas I tended to last night. My plan is to get it shipshape and row out to my friend this morning, whom I will soon see no longer, for he leaves my area for a solo world tour on the sailboat he has built. I’m bring him a bible as a gift to take with him. He has Christ in his heart already, but this gift of My love of the Lord, will be as cherished as the word itself, in fact, it is the word itself. LOL
    I was actually looking for an Expositor’ Bible that he uses daily, as another tool for myself, but insteasd of finding that, I was directed to purchasing a waterproof New Living translation, for him. Of course, my eye was taken by a smaller black covered volume as well, for it had the word SOLO on it. It contains the Word of God as well,but in a devotional format, from Eugene Peterson’s Message. So, for the first 160 days of his voyage, I am challanging my friend to open it daily, and allow it to bring us both what God has intended for us to share together, although we will be spearated until we meet again, by the Lord’s Design. When I finally get to say to him, “May the Lord go with you,”
    I will know that His Word also goes with him! To all…Have a Jesus Filled Day! I’ll give the bird bath a fresh filling before I leave. Gary :)

  6. florida7sun says:

    Beautiful day in Florida. Sunny; 90 degrees with a breeze. The palms and the people are getting ready to proclaim, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” – Mark 11:9

  7. bubbles says:

    For lo, the winter is past,the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of the birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. Song of Solomon 2:11-12

  8. jam200 says:

    Spring is in the air in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Hoping for sunshine and 41 degrees F today. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

  9. jnfarina says:

    Palatine, Illinois – heading for mid-60’s today and an unseasonable 82 degrees tomorrow! Contemplating the construction of a raised vegetable garden bed. Started some seeds indoors aboout a month ago and they are begging for release from their limited confines.

    Reading through the Bible-in-a-year again. I feel compelled to do this about every 4 or 5 years. I’m using ODB’s reading schedule. Saul has just been annointed first king of Israel by Samuel, who warned of the consequences of being subjected to a monarchy system of rule. It’s always a great comfort to know that the Lord’s plans will ultimately prevail inspite of the poor choices we often make.

  10. royalpalm says:

    From my window I can see the wide, blue sky with fluffs of clouds and the limitless expanse of the prairies. I see the winding river nearby with its 2ft. of frozen snow.

    The trees are bare and the flowers, long buried in the snow are now exposed. I rejoice in the thought that

    the same God who said in Ephesians 5:14,

    “ Awake, you who sleep,
    Arise from the dead,
    And Christ will give you light.”

    will soon also bring the plants and flowers back to life!

    Having grown up in an island in the Pacific, worked at the edge of the Sahara, and now living in the
    Canadian prairies, I have gained a keener appreciation of God’s power and majesty displayed in nature. Truly our God is an awesome God!!!

  11. pdcouture says:

    In the beautuful Northwest (whether it rains or shines) I am looking through one of the panes of the window that I try and look out each day. You see my window has many panes. One is this blog where we must think about different subjects and sometimes try and espouse a different take. The other panes are other devotionals that I read, my work, my family and friends. Some of the panes are cracked and need to be replaced but I can still see God through all of them. Sometimes I see the blessings and sometimes I see the hurt that is just waiting for the blessing to arrive. I would encourage all of you to look through the many panes of your window to the world and see what God would have you see and possibly do!

  12. poohpity says:

    I look out at the rainy day @ 54 degrees after our 100 degree week here in Mesa, AZ.

  13. poohpity says:

    One of the issues I would love to find out about and discuss are the reasons that we are experiencing so much bible illiteracy in our churches today. It seems strange when we have more than ever, so many translations in so many languages. It used to be the thing to do sitting and reading with our families every evening. Now even the bible studies in our churches seem to study different authors rather then the bible itself. Just very curious about that.

  14. cherielyn says:

    It’s 58 degrees and sunny, at noon, in my neck of the woods – NE Wisconsin, 40 miles from the border between Upper Michigan and Wisconsin and the Bay of Green Bay.

    We still have large patches of snow in the woods and remainder 2-3 ft high snowbanks on the sides of our driveway. Forecast calls for rain tonight and tomorrow. Hopefully that will eradicate a lot of the remaining snow. Our pond and nearby High Falls Reservoir are still frozen over, so it will be awhile before hubby, who is retired, can put his boat in to fish.

    A few robins returned and then, 3 days later, on Wed, March 23, we got 14 inches of snow. We wondered how they would survive. Looking forward to the return of the Canadian geese, sandhill cranes, hummingbirds and various other seasonal birds (too long a list to name them all).

    A pair of sandhill cranes have been visiting our yard & residing at our pond for about the last 4-5 summers. They will come, every morning to partake of the corn we put out for them & the wild turkeys. It is a wonderful sight to see them perform their mating ritual “dance” and when only one starts coming to the corn pile, we know that the other is tending a nest. Since they have never brought their young ones to the yard, we often wonder if their nest has been unsuccessful because of predators.

    Several years ago, we had a large, crippled female deer who had triplet fawns. It was delightful to see them when she visited. One time one of them even nursed right in our yard. I moved to this rural area from Milwaukee in 1975. Sure am glad I no longer live in the city! It’s wonderful being able to view and enjoy God’s creation right in my front & back yards.

    The last few weeks I’ve been busy caring for my mentally handicapped son who had surgery on March 24th. He has other medical issues going on that we are trying to get to the bottom of. He will be 44 on Easter. He lives on his own, but has been staying with me during his recovery.

    poohpity – my youngest sister moved to Mesa last summer! She met someone there, a year & a half earlier & they got married on Jan 1st. Hubby & I were out to visit her the end of January & beginning of February. The mountains are beautiful!

  15. phpatato says:

    Just outside Canada’s capital – Ottawa Ontario….Clouding over with rain in the forecast but with the cloud will come temps in the mid to high teens (celcius). The expected rain is welcome to wash the salty brine from roads (and the undercarriage of my truck) and to green up the grass. It will also push the frost out of the ground.

    I will go again, with my sister in the next hour, to take my 94 year old dad out for his drive. It is a joy for him to get out of the nursing home, to watch the geese fly north and to sip on a Tim Hortons steeped tea. It is a joy for us to be able to do this for him, about 3 times a week.

    Anyone familiar with the depressing situation within any long term care nursing home can identify with me when I say, it has been a long hard road to be responsible for one’s elderly parent/s. My battle is leaving some scars. But:
    There’s within my heart a melody,
    Jesus whispers sweet and low,
    Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,
    In all of life’s ebb and flow.

    My husband and I will be first time grandparents to twin boys this July.

    As Loretta (I miss you blogging) would say,

    I Love My Jesus!!!

    Pat

  16. cherielyn says:

    poohpity, I agree with you about Bible illiteracy. It is so sad. The Bible is the final authority, but so many people, today, are more interested in what this or that author of another book says, than what God, through the Bible, says on a subject. Ears being tickled by false teachers; a sign of the end times, for sure.

  17. dust says:

    i live in southeastern massachusts and today my wife and i (married 53 years) were out painting lawn furnature (in 60 degree F. temperture) and planting flower seeds and bulbs. I have lived a 100 feet from the house I was born in all my life (except for 4 years in the navy during the korean war.) Jesus has taken good care of us all these years and we have chickhens to feed eight of us and our garden and our neighbors.

  18. Bob in Cornwall England says:

    Just sent Mart a picture of my window on the world.
    don’t know if he wil share it.

    The window we look out of is very different to the window of our hearts.

    Just been walking the streets of my nearest town, for work, and have been amazed at how grand a bulding can look from the front but when you go behind it is a hovel of small flats (apartments)and is quite squalid.
    Our window does not always say who we are.
    The window I sent to Mart looks out over the sea and if you live in the middle of a contenant, as many of you do, then it looks so romantic. Believe me being behind that window is sometimes shere hell. Living in poverty and working all the hours you can.

    The only window that counts is the window that leads to Jesus, infact that is a door, but who cares.

    Bob

  19. Len Philpot says:

    Here in central Louisiana, it was in the mid 70s and about 90% humidity at 8:30 this morning, when I left on my bicycle ride. After 23 miles I called it done, which as short as that is pleases me in the context of my current ‘out of shapeness’. :-) Now it’s 4 pm and I’ve just come in from a bit of yard work with my sweetie. It’s now warmer but a tiny bit drier – Time it sit under the ceiling fan for a little while… maybe even daydream a bit about our upcoming trip to the Davis Mountains area of SW Texas this summer. :-)

    God blesses all the time, I’m just sometimes awful slow to recognize it, quite often only in retrospect. I need to remind myself (but don’t always) of Lamentations 3:21-23 – “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (ESV)

    Along with my siblings we’re trying to follow God’s lead on caring for our nearly 84 year old Alzheimer’s patient mother. He has been very good and completely providing. Not to minimize the challenges of such a situation, but despite some ‘light and momentary’ difficulties we’ve not experienced anything like some of the issues we’ve seen elsewhere.

    God is good (note to self: Just remember that!)

  20. InHisHands says:

    Good Afternoon;
    It is about 60 degrees out here in the desert. Been a day filled with many little blessings that make it very good.
    Found out yesterday that Joshua was given 2 years time and transfered to prison. My prayer is that the LORD will have someone waiting to work with him there and that he will, as the prodigal son, come to his senses. He has 2 years to think about it.
    There have been so many beutiful visions viewed from my windows, along with many sorrowful scenes, but always is GOD in the center no matter how the situation may appear otherwise. I love that He never changes and never forsakes us.
    More to share later, just wanted to check in today. Thank you all that keep us in your prayers – I pray for all I see in here, too.

  21. rxman says:

    Mart and friends,

    It is good to hear all of you opening yourselves up and sharing. It seems like when this happens, we know each other in a deeper way.

    I’m a pharmacist living in the upper great plains of the U.S. Spent the morning with a great group of guys in a bible study then worked til 4pm.

    I was raised in a Christian home but rebelled for a time after graduating from high school. Our prodigal God graciously allowed me back into His home when I was about 25yo and have been getting to know Him better every since. I am currently 53yo, happily married with 2 children (20yo girl and 16yo boy).

    A topic i have been wondering about is has God every spoken audibly to anyone.

  22. peterpugliese says:

    Mart,

    Thank you for your hospitality and for welcoming us to join you. Here in Pitsburgh Spring is making its debut as we enjoy beautiful sunrises along with the smell of blooming forsythia, crocuses, and dafodils. It’s great to see things come alive after their winter rest. Got in this evening and checked to see how you might be challenging us to think and was pleasantly surprised to read the topic. I’m married 32 years to my lovely bride, we will be celebrating our anniversary this month. Three grown children, one son -law, and one daughter -in – law, two grandchilden and another on the way, due within the next few weeks. Our youngest daughter is graduating from college this May, so there is much going on within our family. My hope is that as a family we can enjoy each other as we grow individually and together. Family dynamics are interesting at times. To grow in the love of God and being able to love and support each other is a
    prayer of mine as I walk with Him.

  23. bratimus says:

    The view from my window is a typical view, each window has a different view. It is a west coast view, spring is trying to break through.

    rxman man brought up a interesting topic.

    Would God put anyone through that trail of hearing His vioce. Since in todays society when you hear a voice you get a white jacket that lets you hug yourself.

  24. bratimus says:

    I keep listening for His voice.

  25. marma says:

    one2g…expressed well the view; pretty similar out my window, too (dew on the grass, etc.). Birds singing like crazy–one that especially goes non-stop with a call that sounds like “birdie birdie birdie birdie” to me as I hear it.

    The wrens are trying to build nests everywhere, even some very impractical places, like a parsley pot on the ground near the house. And the other day we had two black racer snakes checking that area out! It goes to show that some locations seems desireable, but are full of deadly dangers. We knew, even if the wrens didn’t, and for their sake, removed the nest-in-progress.

    Warm day and probably warmer heading towards Easter sunday. Reminds me of the warm springs we had back in the 1980’s and of going to sunrise service at Cypress Gardens and DoD at that time. It has been a few years since we’ve had that kind of warmth over Easter, but due to the lateness of the day this year (April 24, I believe) looks like we are in for another sticky one. Time will tell.

    Many Easter sundays have come and gone since I first trusted Christ back in High School. Looking back over the years, I’ve seen times when I’ve lost my first love, and times when I was very passionate about my faith. I’m wanting to go deeper these days, but part of that is learning how much in the shallows I have been and how going deeper–walking with God, listening to His voice over my desires==requires obedience. There’s so much for me to learn, and I believe much God wants to teach me.

  26. dja says:

    I wrote earlier, but for some reason, it disappeared before I could post it. I couldn’t take the time to re-type because we were leaving for a meeting at church. Two men were elected to the office of elder tonight. We were very thankful for the unity the Lord worked in our congregation- truly an answer to prayer.

    Although the weather was overcast outside my window today, inside was so very sunny because our daughter and son-in-law and our 2 granddaughters came for a visit. Then our younger son joined us for lunch. It was so very special! Our daughter (due in May with another little girl) and her family left after lunch to drive home to Virginia. I will travel to VA to help out after the baby is born.

    My husband and I will be married for 45 years in October. We were high school sweethearts. We have 2 sons and a daughter. Our older son married young, had 3 children and then his wife left him for someone else. He is now married to a wonderful woman, and although his 3 daughters do not live with him, he makes every effort to be their Dad. Although he talks about the Lord, he and his wife do not attend a church. Our younger son (the Prodigal) lives at home on and off. He currently is living with a woman and has had some hard consequences in his life because of the choices he has made. Our daughter and her husband are beautiful Christians, active in their church and by His grace, training their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

    We are so thankful for the children and grandchildren the Lord has given us. There has been much pain-our older son’s failed marriage and the pain he went through, our younger son’s rebellion and poor choices in relationships, numerous accidents, unemployment, surgeries, etc. I’m sure each one of my BTA brothers and sisters could write similar lists. There has also been much joy. Our blessings are too numerous to count. The Lord has been and is so good to us. He is a faithful Father, and His promise to never leave us nor forsake us is true!

    I am so thankful for Been Thinking About. Mart, we are so blessed by your writings. I have enjoyed getting to know all of you on this blog and appreciate the various posts. I find it a privilege to pray for you. InHisHands, please know that I am praying for Josh and for you. Thank you for your prayers.
    ~Della

  27. tandgmartin says:

    I find this on Saturday evening. We’ve had a series of late storms, for us, here in Central California. One of the things I’ve been pondering personally is why, when I thought life would be easier and less complicated once we raised our four sons, are things seemingly getting more complex?
    So, there’s a look out my window at the weather in our area, and a look as to what’s going on inside.

  28. Bob in Cornwall England says:

    6:30am here and just getting light, sunrise at 6:40 and High Tide at 9:20

    Just been outside and the sea is calm, as calm as the north Atlantic can be!
    The last four days have been gorgeous with the Temperature around 18C but the forcast for today is 12-14C with lots of sunshine so the wind must be from up north instead of from Africa.
    I do appreciate Mart giving us a bit of space again to just chill out and be!
    Nice to chat about those little things that make life worth living.
    God takes care of the heavy burdens, allowing us to enjoy the little things in life, just like any daddy would do!

    Have a blessed day and enjoy your worship time with Him.
    Remember He enjoys it to and is blessed by you!

    Bob

  29. scout1 says:

    Mart -what a kind and welcoming post. Thank-you. Me and my son live in Texas -the hill country. It’s really late here but I just got home from work. I’ve enjoy the opportunity to share my thoughts with you and our Christian brothers and sisters. Thank you for this outlet. I’ve always loved the different ways that people think -it’s like a surprise gift every time! So, many ways that I wouldn’t have thought.

    I have had a thought about something. Our Daily Bread was my Dad’s favorite devotional. He wouldn’t go a day without reading it. It’s funny -he enjoyed reading Henry G. Boush (don’t know the spelling) devotionals because they were good but he loved saying that man’s name. “Henry G. Boush” Over and over. We would say, “O.K. Dad that’s enough! What a nut! Anyway, why don’t you have a page that shows the plan of salvation just in case a non-believer picks up the booklet? Just curious.

    I really enjoy reading about everyone. It’s nice to get a preview of some of the folks that we are going to spend eternity with. I know lots of time throughout the day I’ll think about something that someone has written on here -or wonder how they are doing.

    By the way, we could really use some rain down here. The bluebonnets have not been very good this year. We are very dry and need God’s provision for rain. Pray with me if you get a chance.

    Blessing, Lynda

    P.S. I remember the post you did about the golf shot that went over by the duck pond and scared the ducks. Here’s hoping that your swinging in the right direction!
    Or, maybe there were ducks there but after you hit you had to yell, “Duck” -I can’t remember :)

  30. BobbiLee says:

    Haven’t logged on for a while, but it is great to see a few of you from Mesa, Az. And yes, today was culture shock as we went from almost 100 degrees to the 50’s overnight. There has even been some snow on the mountains.I love our desert in spring after the rains of winter. The blooming in breathtaking. It is a good thing that the flora bloom in stages, else we could hardly stand the sight!

    The desert is always a spiritual lesson for me because of all the promises that God uses around pictures of the desert and wasteland.
    “I will turn the desert into pools of water,
    and the parched ground into springs.
    I will put in the desert
    the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
    I will set junipers in the wasteland,. . .” (Isa. ch. 41)
    God can take the wasteland of our lives and make them productive.

  31. BruceC says:

    Well it’s a nice cool Sunday morning. Yesterday wifey and I bought some more garden seeds. She plans to start some herb seeds in the house later today. Bought her a small rototiller with the money I saved from not smoking.(The Lord delivered me of it in Feb. after 40 years)
    We both enjoy gardening and the weather is getting nicer each day. All of God’s creatures are out and about to enjoy. Soon I will be able to get out and fly-fish for trout and spend some time in His creation!
    This morning I started to think that I will have to start to buy wood soon for the upcoming winter season again. We are on a limited income so I have to plan to buy some each month. In five months the frost will return. Sorry; but it’s true!
    Looking forward to church service this AM. The older I get the more I long for the Lord and the dimmer this world gets.
    God bless everyone!!!

    BruceC

  32. SFDBWV says:

    Sunday morning, it is 40 degrees and a dense fog here on the top of West Virginia this morning. The damp air filled with the songs of birds as they wake and prepare for the day.

    I brought Glenna home from the hospital yesterday, she is resting still. Matthew has had his breakfast and is kicked back in his chair watching his country music videos.

    As is a large part of the window on my life these days I am here at the computer sharing and viewing all of the other friends and their windows here on the RBC blog.

    The new day awaits me and new events I have yet to discover are on the menu, of this I am certain.

    I have enjoyed all the comments from everyone, and feel even closer to you all.

    Just so rxman gets an answer to his question; yes I have audibly heard the voice of God, both as a reassuring comfort as well as a very slight retort.

    Steve

  33. dja says:

    Steve, I’m so thankful to hear that Glenna is home from the hospital. In the past I was hospitalized for pneumonia, and so were 2 of my children. I pray that Glenna will be stronger everyday. I also pray for your family and enjoy hearing about Matthew and what is going on in your backyard.

    We have just stopped filling the feeders in our yard. Like Bruce, we are on a limited/fixed income, so at this time of the year the birds will need to forage. Bruce, we will start preparing for winter by getting our coal a little at a time, so it’s not such an expense next winter.

    Well, it’s time to get ready to go and worship the Lord. Have a blessed day everyone.

    ~Della

  34. saled says:

    Down East Maine has been home for my entire 54 years. When I was young, there was a bird call that I would hear while out fishing, playing softball, or just poking around the yard. The call was beautiful and haunting, and seemed to be calling me to wonderful places far away. I sometimes hunted for the bird that made the call, but never found it. I imagined that it was colorful and exotic. Well, far away places never happened for me, but soon after I became a Christian in my mid-twenties, I identified the bird call from a tape. It was not the call of a colorful, exotic bird, but of the common little white-throated sparrow.

    One of the things God has taught me in my thirty or so years as a Christian is that his work is much more often found in the common events of life than in the big things that everyone can see. I love my job as a teaching assistant at the local elementary school. I work with students in remedial reading and math. Every year in the weeks leading up to Easter, a student will ask me what Good Friday is. (They see it written in the planners where they write each day’s assignments.) It happened again last Wednesday when a sixth grade boy who has just this year learned to use the calendar asked me. I told him that it was the day when Christians remember that Jesus died on the cross and that it came just before Easter when they celebrate the fact that he came back to life. He looked at me and just said “oh”. We live in a very small town and I know that he has been to vacation Bible School at our local Baptist Church once or twice, but his family, like mine, does not attend church. My husband and I have attended and been members of two different churches in the past, and we are still dismayed by the two different pastor’s actions.

    I would like to see a discussion on how God views education in general, not just our American system where we try to stay away from religion. I have read that while it was Jesus who secured the redemption of the world by going to the cross, God has also allowed us to be part of the recovery effort. I think education, like medicine, is part of the effort.

    I love this blog. It has deepened and changed my thinking. Thanks to everyone who participates.

  35. cherielyn says:

    rxman & bratimus,

    In response to your question/comment:
    God spoke, audibly to me back in August, 1975 (can’t remember the exact date) and I shared the experience on the Been Thinking About blog “Working to Rest” on 5/3/09.

  36. cherielyn says:

    rxman & bratimus,
    I thought I had saved my post about hearing God audibly on another computer. I found it so am going to repost it now:

    (originally posted on 5/3/09 “Working to Rest”)
    “In the past couple months, some posts have brought to the forefront of my mind, several times, something that happened to me in the middle of the night back in late summer,1975. I DID hear God’s audible voice & I have no doubt that it was, indeed, HIS voice. Until now, I have shared it with only a couple people because I was afraid that people would think me crazy. I feel led to now share it with this family of friends – brothers & sisters in Christ.

    The details: A friend of ours took a long anticipated cross-country bicycle trip from California to New York. Enroute he stopped to see us and ended up having to stay several days due to bad weather, then continued on his trip. When he got 300 miles from his final destination he was hit & killed by a drunk driver. I was having very intense feelings of anger towards the man who snuffed out our friend’s life. Our local newspaper had published a story about our friend’s trip & visit with us. The local publisher was friends with the newspaper publisher in the town where our friend had been killed. Since they exchanged papers each week, they were each aware of the circumstances. Our local publisher gave us the paper that his friend had sent him which had the article describing the circumstances of the accident.

    Several nights after hearing the news of our friend’s death, I was awakened out of a sound sleep. I remember laying there, momentarily wondering what woke me up & thinking that perhaps we were having a storm & thunder woke me. Suddenly there was a very loud, booming voice; yet, at the same time the voice was very soft & gentle. I looked over at my husband & wondered why it hadn’t woken him up. It was then that I realized that only I could hear the voice.

    The voice then told me, “I want you to send that man a tract.” I resisted, but was given the same instruction. I still resisted, explaining how angry I was over it. I was not allowed to fall back to sleep. I finally promised that I would do it first thing in the morning. His voice then told me, “No, I want you to do it NOW!”

    I got out of bed and, in order not to wake my husband, sat on the floor in front of my dresser with a flashlight and began looking through my collection of tracts. I had quite a supply of them and it must have taken me at least a half hour to find the one that was most appropriate. I set it on the dresser and crawled back into bed. Again, His voice told me that it needed to be ready to mail. I again promised that I would do it in the morning. However, again I was not allowed to go back to sleep.

    I got back up, looked for the newspaper article to find out the name of the drunk driver and the town. Then applied a stamp to an envelope and addressed it to the man, in care of the jail in that town & inserted the tract and a short note about why I was sending it. I did not reveal my name or address.

    Once I was finished, I went back to bed and fell peacefully asleep. Nothing like that had happened to me before nor has happened since that experience.

    I often wonder what the outcome was and will only know when I get to heaven.

    Cheryl”

  37. SFDBWV says:

    Cheryl, I loved your story about the tract. It is written that we sheep know the voice of our Shepard. Well, in order to know it we have to hear it and when we do we know right away whose voice it is.

    God the healer was able to heal you and hopefully the drunken driver as well.

    Saled, It is also written that God gave us life and that we might live it abundantly. It is also written in the books of wisdom the importance of gaining instruction.

    Whereas our schools used to be able to offer Christ filled education and prayer, the enemy has twisted the truth of our freedoms in order to deny that freedom from us.

    We can change it, but we have to put people in office who can and will.

    The fog lifted and is replaced by a bright blue sky, though it is beginning to cloud up some. Matt is in his shower.

    Steve

  38. tracey5tgbtg says:

    Beautiful spring day outside my window here in the very middle of the US. Because of my husband’s military career, I have lived in OK, VA, CO, CA and England, which was my absolute favorite place to live – I’d go back in a heartbeat. The only flaw in England – virtually no Mexican food.

    I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior about 15 years ago. Previous to that, I’d certainly known about Him from being raised in a Catholic family and having 12 years of Catholic school. From school I learned to fear God and hell and spent most of my time trying to hide from God. I ran and ran and got as far away as I could from God. Which isn’t far, He’s always there.

    I’d been married about 7 years and had two small children when one night, God absolutely reached into my heart (long story, very long story) and I was overwhelmed by the complete and inifinite love that He has for me, and for every one else too.

    From that moment on, I was running to God instead of away. I wanted to know Him more and more and I still do. I seek after Him every day.

    Now, as Paul said in Philippians, I work out my salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in me, and also, “not that I have already obtained all this, or been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

  39. oneg2dblu says:

    Through the window… what we see, changes for us, as God changes us, He changes our perspective. When we can see what He sees… we have been given a “Blessed Sight,” that others do not know. We now see Him who illuminates the World around us.
    Today, as He opened the window, He woke us up. He nousished our Souls, provided all we need. He brought out the sun, He caused the scared little Black Racer, to find a more hidden spot!
    He let me see that those most majestic Sand Hill Cranes down here in Florida that I slow down for, or stop and wait patiently for, as they so proudly walk at their owm given place, always seemingly perfect for them.
    I see now, that they also are given great wings, seemingly perfect for them, which take them where ever He wants them to be, even as far away as Wisconsin.
    He gives us wings as well!
    I think we all hear Him speaking to us through these blog comments, through His Word, and thruogh the windows we look so expectantly through others words, always searching for His Voice and Coming! Just as He hears our prayers, we should hear His Voice throughout His Word! It is that small, still voice within us, always guiding, protecting, perserving, all those Christ Followers who hear Him as super-naturally audible! That is what the Silent Blinded World does not see, or hear! Be Blessed! Gary

  40. Mart De Haan says:

    Hey, just copied into the post on top a view from Bob in Cornwall England’s window!!

  41. poohpity says:

    Beautiful ocean view but such a lonely little plant in the window. Thanks for sharing.

    To any folks in Mesa, I am in for a cup of coffee or tea, that would be a blast.

    Love Deb

  42. phpatato says:

    I love your view Bob. Wow what a wonderful sight to behold. I am thinking how you can sit on the other side of that window pane and gaze into the heavens to feel the love of Christ seep into your soul and warm your heart. I am also thinking what it must look like when the wind is blowing, the waves are menacing and the biting rain is being whipped into the window. How you can gaze out, content, knowing that you are sheltered and safe, tucked snuggly under HIS wing of protection. Thank you for sharing your view with us.

  43. scout1 says:

    Bob -I love the picture that you sent. Thanks for sending it.

    Steve: I’m glad that Glenna is home. You are one super care-giver. May God bless you with a special blessing for being so giving and caring. :)

    Lynda

  44. foreverblessed says:

    Thanks for all your comments, that is sort of very nice, to meet everybody in an informal way. Mart I really like this!

    When I look out of my window at the back side of my house, I see a beautifull garde, full of all sorts of greene, the light green of the graas that is fresh in spring, the new leaves on the trees that are so thin and brlillanst light green as the sun rays shines through them, all the blossom flowers. I have made it a projekt for myself to draw the flowers, from the bud, the proces of opening up, and full bloom. I did it with a bulb flower this winter, and that was relaxed, it took about 2 weeks to open up. The spring is so fast, one day, I can hardly keep up with the growth.

    I live in the Netherlands, an hour drive away from Amsterdam. (The Netherlands is not the same as Amsterdam.
    Things happen there are not common for the rest. But maybe I have become blind for the slow changes in my society).

    This is a green country, enough rain, and so beautiful green, just like Ireland. I always wondered how it would be to live in the dessert, but Bobbilee sees it as a good thing! To appreciate spring more!

    What this garden stands for: that God wants me to cultivate His life in my heart, that it is like a beautiful garden, where HE lives, full of green to relax, flowers to enjoy, adn fruit to grow, so that He can send people to this garden that they can meet Him.
    (I wish I could be a better writer, to write this more handsomely, bubbles was it you who was learning poetry?)

    I came across this blog a few years ago, reading Oswald Chambers devotion every day, till one day the site didn’t function very well, and then I started going through the RBC site and found a live blog of been thinking.
    Now this is a site of christians who are alive today, and GOd speaks through their lives now, in their testimonies I can hear Him, (and yes, sometimes audibly) and so ended up here.
    (I am glad you posted this Cherilyn, I would not know how to get to a BT post from 2009)

  45. foreverblessed says:

    Does God speak to me now? I sometimes have more to write, but my last post was already so long. Should I stop?
    Here is some more that was on my mind:
    florida7 gave Mark 11:9, which sites Psalm 118:6
    And last night I sang the requiem of Mozart in a big church, in latin this verse says:
    Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini
    This talking about Jesus…
    but I pray all of us will be like that, that our inner life will reflect Him more and more.

  46. oneg2dblu says:

    Steve… my heart goes out to Glenna, I’m sure she is glad to be home and on the mend. Been there, done that, no fun at all! To have a caregiver like yourself there is huge and a blessing to all you serve, us included!!

    Bob in Cornwall… I lived right on the waterfront in Gloucester. Not the one in your England, but the one in New England, and that scene is one I know all to well, and cherished. Thanks for sharing it with Mart, and us!
    In which direction are you looking? My favorite veiw was the sunsets that blazed in the sky, and it always impressed me how much of an Artist the Lord is, He knows how to choose His Colors, and throws them around quite Masterfully. None can compare! Gary

  47. oneg2dblu says:

    None can compare to His Creation! :)

  48. geckos2010 says:

    The weather is suprizingly cold and we had fog early this morning. Very unusual for Tucson AZ. I will try and enjoy the cold, although not my favorite before the heat comes, which I do perfer. I did love seeing both mountain ranges, which we are surrounded by, with snow along the tops. The one greatest view I get to see daily on my drive into work is finger rock. It is a rock formation that looks like a hand with fingers folded except for the index finger which is pointing toward heaven. When my eyes gaze upon this it reminds me to always look toward Christ. The cacti were pretty badly damaged by the hard two day frost we had back in January, but with the recent rains new growth is showing through the brown damaged parts of our desert plants. Just as we can be badly damaged by unforeseen events, new growth can break through after a time. Our living water (Christ) can renew all brokeness.

  49. Bob in Cornwall England says:

    Tracey, I have eaten Mexican in England but it is usually one of those obscene Tacco Bell type places that you export so well.
    I have also eaten Mexican in Mexico, New Mexico and CA.
    But we do do a really good Indian Take Away!!

    Pooh/Deb, That plant was not alone as there is a window seat with more plants on below. Unfortunately, as I used the term was, that poor plant is no longer with us.

    Pat, You got it right, most of the time the rain and wind just presses against that window and, unfortunately the damp gets through.

    Steve, Somehow I missed the fact Glenna was going into Hospital, Please give her my love and best regards.

    Bob

  50. Bob in Cornwall England says:

    Garry,

    That window faces south but the other windows face west, so I get the full sunsets over the village in spring and autumn.
    Our Glouscester is way inland but is on the Bristol Channel/Severn Estury so has a large ancient dock area many centuries old.

  51. tracey5tgbtg says:

    Bob – I was hoping you’d notice my comment. We were in England more than 12 years ago. It was awesome. We lived right out of Peterborough at Alconbury. I miss the tea shops, the pubs, the bakeries, and even the Indian take-aways. I like to read your posts, because I always remember England when I read them.

    Beautiful view from the picture you posted.

  52. Bob in Cornwall England says:

    Just an aside, as I know you lot in the USA like to quote Ellevation, population and all that.

    That Window sits at 50.08 Degrees North and 5.31 Degrees West.

    The headland you can see sits at 49.99 North and 5.26 West

    Virtally the most southern point of the Mainland British Isles.

    So you are looking right across the 50th Parallel, Just a thought!

    Bob

  53. phpatato says:

    Steve

    Sending my Get Well Wishes and hugs to Glenna. I am hoping that she is up and about very shortly!!!

    Pat

  54. Jason says:

    Hello to everyone
    I have enjoyed reading about where everyone is from. As I’ve said before I live in a small city in Saskatchewan, Canada. Spring has arrived here and it’s 12 degrees celsius right now. I’ve been a Christian for about 10 years, about the same time as I’ve been with my wife. We have no kids but enjoy our 3 shih-tzu dogs.
    I’m 38 years old and my wife, Colleen is 48. I haven’t read or posted for a while, hopefully I will have more time to do so now.

  55. Regina says:

    Good Evening All

    Hope all is well in your lives. Haven’t talked to you in about a week. Totally missed conversing with you! I’ve just been busy and distracted with chores lately. Looking forward to talking with you soon. :-) My throat is a little sore tonight, so I welcome any and all prayers.

    Sunny and warm in Texas today. Beautiful weather, but we’re under a thunderstorm watch/warning right now.

    Blessings to all,

  56. marma says:

    Bob in Cornwall: Don’t know if you will get to see this before Mart posts a new blog entry.

    Thanks for the beautiful picture. My mom was in Cornwall about fifteen years ago for an art class (she was an art teacher before she retired) and brought back many beautiful pictures; she was enchanted with the place, and so were we when we saw her pictures.

    One thing I’ve learned from you is that you can live in the most beautiful places in the world, and yet still have hard times to go through, experience real pain, and be desolate if not for Christ.

    I sometimes tire of the the hot muggy summers here and long for better summer climes (being a snowbird wouldn’t be too bad), but know that Florida is where God has me to be for now.

    Heaven is a person, not a place. That’s something I learn every day.

    However, places like Cornwall remind me of the beauty God is capable of, and has in store for eternity.

  57. sbrewster says:

    I just two my two little Bichons out before putting them up for the night. It is a wonderfully mild night here in Maryland. The stars are out and since my house is situated east – I always look for the Eastern Star. The tree pollen is very high and with my allergies it didn’t take long for me to feel the effects. Yesterday, my husband and I took our daughter to the Cherry Blossom Parade and Festival – it was really chilly especially as we paddled around the Tidal Basin in our little paddle-boat. Afterwards we visited the Holocaust Museum and then headed to the Japanese Festival. Tomorrow temps are expected to be in the mid-80s.

    Blessings to all and good night.

  58. sbrewster says:

    Sorry that is to read “I just took my two little Bichons…”

  59. Bob in Cornwall England says:

    Marma,

    I doubt Mart will change the subject too quickly. If I understand him right, I think he quite enjoys sitting back and listening to us chat among ourselves. A bit of R & R for him. We should continually pray for Mart and lift him up to Jesus because the work he does, while being truly amazing is also a great strain.

    Marma,

    Your comment:-

    “One thing I’ve learned from you is that you can live in the most beautiful places in the world, and yet still have hard times to go through, experience real pain, and be desolate if not for Christ.”

    Just think of those people who don’t live in “the most beautiful places in the world”
    Inner cities, Lybia, Africa, even Some parts of Japan.
    We should thank God for who and where we are but constantly be thinking and praying for those less fortunate. That sounds a bit patronizing but is not ment that way. I to know hardship and have had years of plenty, like Paul daid, we must be content in both.

    God Bless All

    Bob xxx

  60. Bob in Cornwall England says:

    Sorry, “Like Paul Said”

    Too early in the day! off to work right now.

  61. SFDBWV says:

    Thank you all who are concerned and have offered prayers for my wife Glenna Jean. She is mending well and appreciates all of your concerns.

    I am so thankful that Mart put up Bob’s window, Bob does live in a beautiful place and is himself a beautiful soul.

    I have to chuckle a bit as pooh said she was up for coffee or tea with anyone there in her corner of AZ. I have coffee every morning with all of you right here on the North Branch of the Potomac high in the mountains of West Virginia. I am able to go to the Netherlands with foreverblessed and sit on the coast of England with Bob, see the weather in NEPA with Della, go north to Canada with Pat and now Jason, up state NY with Bruce, down state Maine with Saled, and the great state of Texas with Regina and Lynda.

    I can’t mention Texas without remembering my friend Charlotte who was a cherished fried and allowed my family to be blessed with hers for the last few years of her life.

    I know I have left out several, but only due to the restrictions of time and memory.

    I just want you all to know how grateful I am for all of you, and thank you all for coming together every day or every now and then here at this place and sharing a part of your selves with us, with coffee, tea or drink of choice.

    Steve

  62. tallmark says:

    Just back after 10 days off to visit grandbabies in Salt Lake. Vacation great but phone messages started in last night and 1st text came a 7:50 so the day is off and running as my wife and I get back to work and the challenges we left. I read about endurance before I went to sleep last night. I think that Job 37:14 helps me when I am pressed down; …stop and consider God’s wonder. Each of you offered a day brightener for me. Thanks you. A quick prayer for my wife Margaret and her challenges at ther dance studio would be appreciated. Pray for her understanding and endurance. Pray for teachable moments. For we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. May you see God today. He’s always there if we look.

  63. tallmark says:

    Oh, btw, greetings from the U.P of Michigan. It’s a gray windy morning and there is still a bit of snow back inthe trees and on the south sides of some of the roads. Rivers are running high (which is great for whitewater kayaking!) and here on the west end of the U.P. we are thinking spring. My snowboard is put away and the fishing and kayak boats will be in the water soon. Waiting for things to green up. It’s wxciting to think about!

  64. bep77 says:

    Good morning. I’m new to the comment section but not the blog.I joined the comment section because I felt invited by Mart. been reading for several months and some I share with my husband and we discuss and undoubtly it will lead us to looking up in the Bible.

    I do not have a riveting testimony and for that I am so blessed. But that is not to say that life and my spiritual life has been a bowl full of cherries. I like to think that Jesus is my bestest friend ever. I certainly do talk to Him in that way. So, I guess I could say that we have our days when I flounder,but I know that this friend will never leave me!

    The weather this past weekend in the heart of the USA, OHIO, was warm and muggy. Rain this morning, cold front expected to move thru. I love what ever weather God sends and in Ohio we get it all. I don’t like the severe storms, but who does? Weather or life? Mk 4:41 And they were filled with awe, and said to one another,”who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?
    In closing I want to quote a young man I worked with who passed away last summer. “every day is a good day”.

  65. oneg2dblu says:

    From “your” window? … having owned many houses in my life, and having many windows as well, I’m most impressed to know that I have never owned anything that God did not provide. After all… Everything ever created belongs to Him!
    Man can make up all the Documents for Ownership, post the legal notices, survey the land and establish its borders, but God has made it all possible, and God really owns it all!
    Everything we will ever see out our windows, He has provided. Praise God that He has given us the sight to see Him in All Things!
    What man can equal his possessions, his love of sharing it with us, and his ability, to Bless us beyond our ability? Only an Almighty Loving God! To think he has also given us, His Inheritance,through Our Faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, which He has also provided. AMEN!
    That is what I see out my window…or should I say…His Window! Gary

  66. nyekis says:

    Here in Kenya,this is our rainy season,we experience good weather being in the tropics ,no winters summers,i mean i can put on my suit and go to work every day of the year and do not need aircon .

    However currently am looking at political development in my country with a lot of interest.Just last week six Kenyans had a date with luis Moreno Ocampo the prosecutor of International Criminal Court (ICC)over their possible involvement in the post election violence after Kenya’s presidential elections in december 2007.

    There is a lot of tension with a number of people feeling like ICC is a discriminatory court that is focusing too much in trying Africans.Many people are becoming apprehensive that big countries like USA,INDIA CHINA,are not signatory to the ICC,with its head office at the Hague, but would push for indictment of Africans,Right now there is a huge political meeting going on a few meters from my office attended by over 100 members of parliament welcoming the Six Kenya’s back from the Hague.As a christian sometimes i do not know what to think.

  67. oneg2dblu says:

    Len Philpot… 4.9 4:08 Thanks for taking us along on your 23 miler! Although I have more than a few centuries under my belt, it also means I’ve got to dust off the old cannondale and get going again! Any layoff taken, means you need to start up again! Thanks for the inspiration and SHARING! Gary

  68. joemk says:

    Hi everyone, its Monday morning here in south bend, Indiana. Its wet from the rain and thunderstorms last night. we had a wonderful weekend – sunshine and temperatures in the 70s for the first time this spring. we spent some time outside just marvelling at the wonder of our creator’s masterpiece – nature.

    my wife and I grew up in east africa, came to the US mid west about six years ago (we thought snow was beautiful initially but now the winters are very very hard for us). we have been married for seven years, we have a beautiful five yr old daughter and are expecting our second this summer. I grew up in church but never had a personal relationship with Jesus and I rebelled against faith in my teens until an Irish priest asked me to read the gospels and ask God to help me understand. I still didn’t trust God until a tragedy early on in our marriage (death of a child)brought me to my knees in submission to God. we go to a wonderful, spirit-filled church where my faith has really grown (Granger Community Church). I just finished reading Richard J. Foster’s 1964 best seller on prayer and would highly recommend it. I am not a regular contributor to the blog but I make an effort every day before I begin work to read your thoughts Mart (as well as ODB). Its great to meet all of you after so much sharing …

    God bless you Mart and all of you wonderful people.

  69. nyekis says:

    In my Church i Chair a committee of Justice Peace and Reconciliation,I have tried a lot to talk people to think and act in a peaceful manner but my biggest challenge are people who were evicted from their home during that post election violence and are living in make shift camps in their own country ,some of whom were relatively well to do ,people who had their own farm,houses crops in the field cattle business etc.

    They will look at you straight at your face and ask you ,how you expect them to forgive people that are still living in houses that they never built while the owners are sleeping out in the cold.These are had times for a Christian ,however we have to keep preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ,God is a very forgiving yet unforgiving God.If you forgive he forgives and if you do not forgive,he does not forgive and he does not negotiate.

    How much justice do you get by taking six individuals to court while over 600,000 people were evicted from their homes and have became internally displaced persons.

    What some Victims wonder is whom it will benefit to jail if ever it comes to that only six individuals,while the real criminals are those still occupying others homes,digging others farms and enjoying what they never worked for.

    How do you explain Peace to people living like that.How do you reconcile such a people.What message would Jesus have preached to such people were he to visit them?

  70. InHisHands says:

    Not sure how much of my inner window has been posted in the past, but I will try to open the window a bit more today.
    I was born and raised in Ohio, but have spent more than twice my lifetime in the desert – from Kingman, Az. to 29 Palms, Ca. While I miss the many viewing pleasures of my birth state, I have grown to love the desert (though not a great fan of the 120 degree summers.)
    I have borne 6 children and have 2 that went straight to Heaven in early term. With my hubby’s son we have 7. We have 22 living grandchildren (8 came with in to the family with the marriages,) and one on the way (due in Sept.)
    Many consequences of my life from living outside of God’s Will, but that is another window to open.
    Wish I knew how to post pictures to you Mart, the sunrises and sunsets here are *Awe inspiring*.
    Though my children have chosen their own paths to walk they have all confessed Jesus as savior and been baptised as a profession of that faith. Which is why I often get so confused by their choices, but must remember that God’s promises will prevail in the end.
    This blog has been such a spiritual and emotional blessing to me – I am grateful for the privilege to pray for you all and to see the answer to those prayers when reading the posts. You have also blessed me BTA family by keeping us in your prayers.
    Oh yea, my husband and I just celebrated our 19th anniversary – God so wonderfully blessed me with him and we have and are growing in the LORD together.
    There is much more I would like to share, but this has already gotten quite long so – hope to open the window further another time. Thank you for letting me share.
    It is supposed to get up to the mid 60’s today – ever sunny here.

  71. foreverblessed says:

    So many new comers, very nice!

    I would like to comment to nyekis, as he tells about the tension in Kenya, having been to the Hague this weekend (not to the ICC, but singing about Jesus the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, but He can only do that when sins are acknowledged).
    That same tension you mention is going on in Serbia, former Yugoslavie.
    And these people, who have done real criminal things in the nineties go about unpunished, and leave Serbia in a grip.
    The bottom line is, it is no use pointing fingers to others countries, it is best that the criminal being done in your own country is coming to the surface. (It realy is a shame US is not part of the ICC, it gives a bad example).

    It is the same when we are called by God, He shows us our sins and we repent and come to Him and are cleansed. What use is it if we say: well, my partner has done much more wrong, what about him/her?
    Would we not acknowledge our sin, until the other has done the same?
    GOd would answer: I am working with you now, because I find an open door.

    Spring can come when the old self is buried and dead, then we can stretch out for the new life in Christ. Forget the other.
    Nyekis, I pray for you, that you will know how to answer these hurting people!

  72. foreverblessed says:

    Psam 20 is a good one to pray for them!

  73. InHisHands says:

    Oh, there is a bit more to this window – about 7 years ago, my husband and I talked our son John and his wife into signing guardianship of their 4 girls to us. Their chosen lifestyle was going to get the girls taken and we did not want them separated. Two of the girls came to John in the marriage and two are his. We still have them. John is doing better but has yet to close that part of his life and is living with a wonderful woman and they have a son. They have the girls on most weekends and some of their vacation times, but he needs to get his life together enough to get the girls back. We are in our 60’s and it is draining, to say the least – but, we have told him if he wants to get the girls back, he needs to go through the court to do so – We are in prayer that God will turn him around and help him do that, but wonder if we are going to finish the raising ourselves.
    Between him and Josh life has been interesting and kept us turning to God moment by moment to seek His guidance, and for strength to get through each day.
    I do not feel worthy to have this undertaking and need prayer to be more kind and loving toward each of these little ones.
    Thank you again for this opportunity.
    Bob, I love the picture and your comments bless my heart.
    Steve, so blessed to read of answered prayer, glad that Glenna is home and recovering.
    Della, thank you so much for your prayers.

    All of you, have a truly blessed day in the LORD this day and thank you for sharing.

  74. poohpity says:

    I was thinking about a few more topics;

    #1. What does spiritual growth look like?

    #2. What is dependence on God?

    #3. Who does God want us to be?

    #4. What does it really mean to be a Christian?

    #5. If God said this or that is going to happen can we change it?

  75. poohpity says:

    #6. What is meant by Matthew 23:4 in light of Matthew 11:29,30.

  76. oneg2dblu says:

    pooh… your not drifting off of the subject line are you? Sounds like a bible study to me! LOL

    If God is the Strong Man… and He is!
    Then, the only way to rob “His House,” would be to Misrepresent His Gospel,by tweeking a few words here and there, leaving out a few hard teachings here and there, and allowing Satan to wrap his Cords of Deception into the “always thinking “Sinful Minds of Man, always filling in the blanks for God, only to get himself off course!
    Who better to deliver such… then man’s elect, instead of God’s? Case in point, listening to the Pharisies and avoiding where Moses, and God’s Word, was trying to take God’s People!
    But, I hold off on my thoughts on that,rather than mis-direct the topic of, “From Your Window”
    Outside my window the temps over 90 now, was 70 @ 7AM!

    For someone today who is facing a challenge:

    “There is no Love without Forgiveness, and the is no Forgiveness withiout Love.” Bryant H. Mc Gill

    “He who is devoid of the power to forgive, is devoid of the power to love.” Martin Luther King Jr.

    I’ll assume they knew the Word of God, and they chose to follow it! In His Love, GARY :)

  77. injesusname says:

    Hello to all from windy warm and humid Toronto, Pooh you have stirred up my spirit with your comment questions. Looking through my window what does spiritual growth look like to me? A process that has taken a life time. It was a crack in the wall so small that only a tiny bit of light could make it through, I was nine and I went to a Bible study at a friends house, if anyone accepted Jesus that day they were to be given a nice new KJV Bible. We were quite poor and I had never had anything new so I accepted Jesus. As my life has grown I realised that crack was the Cross, and as long as I focused on that narrow beam of light (narrow is the gate that leads to salvation) my life continued to be blessed inside and out. The crack is now a door way and that light is shown to everyone I can show it to. No I don’t stand on a box and preach, I let my actions do the talking as Jesus lives in me, the process has taken all of the fear of tomorrow away. The Tribulation is coming, many can see it but deny its approach because of fear, get on your knees and submit EVERYTHING! to HIM! This to me is the second comment, dependence on God is simply that! My worries, my hurts, my pains, my joys, my loves, everything is given to Him through prayer and fasting, I can’t take a breath without thanking God for the honor of being his child, and thanking Him for that Honor! The third what does God want me to be? He wants me to be whatever I want to be. And if the other two questions are working in my life I will work within His will and give, love, cherish, lift up, be patient, where ever I can serve! My life is not bound by anything! Yet as Paul said there are things that are really not acceptable when we proclaim Christ, and it isn’t difficult to follow His example and still prosper in this world. I think that being a Christian and what that really means is “walk Christs talk” this means there are way to many “Plastic People” professing to be Christians today, if I really was walking the talk I would stand out in the crowd today not blend in with it! I would be “helping the elderly cross the street” “giving up my seat on the bus” for someone who needed it, “sparing the change in my pocket” for someone who hasn’t been blessed as I have been. Ghandi once said (paraphrasing here) I like your Christ but I don’t like your Christians! The world is watching us, the Bar is set Very High for us, after all if our righteousness doesn’t exceed that of the Scribes and Pharasee’s you won’t make it into the Kingdom of God! They were outwordly righteous but the most important part is to complete questions one two and three to allow four to work! You see God set the bar for us and when we allow spirital growth, depend on Him for everything, live a life that honors Him, He now gives us the knowledge and understanding we need to be a REAL CHRISTIAN!(through His Spirit) You see we only show up at the theater it is God who bought us the ticket, seats us, and supplies all we need to see the show! And number five I was once told by a very wise pastor and mentor that God has the ability to be in the past in the present and in the future all at the same time! This is how he sees all and I believe He will change the destiny of a Nation or an Individual if they turn and submit to His will, as is with scripture there are times where God changed His mind after saying something terrible would happen, but when those prophesied against changed and repented God changed the outcome. Guess I just wrote a book, Blessings to All of You!!

  78. poohpity says:

    Actually Gary that was a question Mart asked when he stated, “I have plenty of chance to let you know what I’ve been thinking. Would love increasingly to work issues and ideas that you’ve been thinking about into subsequent posts. If I don’t think we should go there, I’ll try to give you my reason :-)…”. So as I read the whole post of Mart’s I put in the things that I would like to think about.

  79. poohpity says:

    It was the fifth paragraph after the one on blog rules and comments.

  80. poohpity says:

    injesusname, I was just thinking that even people who do not profess belief in Jesus do those nice things too. That was why I thought it would be neat to discuss it further. :-)

  81. injesusname says:

    I may have over discussed, and do apologise for being so lenghty. In response doing those things is only part of the formula, you have to believe it and practice it in our minds, only God can see that part!! After all true Character is what I do when no-one else is in the room!! :)

  82. poohpity says:

    No apologies needed and you are so right that God knows our hearts and sees us when no one else is around. We can not hide anything from Him and yet he still loves us so much. Comforting isn’t it?

  83. chfranke says:

    Looks like Mart taking a roll call and just about missed the boat. It is so good to hear the news from all of you about what’s happenin’ in your lives and in what part of the globe you live in.
    I live in mid-Michigan and get weather that Mart gets when he gets done with it, since he lives @ 50 miles to the west of here. I wouldn’t call it left overs because it is so very varied and pleasing to the eyes in so many ways all year round.
    Been busy tied up in transitions at our church for the last 6 months so haven’t been able to keep as close a track on you guys as I’d have liked. So, like a couple other people here, I’d like to tackle that subject some time.
    Went to a funeral today in Holland, Mi. on the east coast of Lake Michigan (waved at you, Mart, as I went by) and met a retired pastor there who said his church (in a different Michigan community) is going through the same type of problems I’m dealing with here. Mainline denominations seem to be coming apart. It feels like the Bible is being twisted and the people are being led in wrong direction but when I try to say anything I’m told to be quiet. It also feels like age discrimination. I turn 68 in May. So many signs about the end of an age.
    There is another reason I like this blog so much and that is there is a healthy mix of male and female. The points of view exchanged here are wonderful from that angle, too.
    Well, I’ll close now and see if I missed the boat.
    Chuck

  84. oneg2dblu says:

    I wish I had gotten more out of Sunday School, but I was busy looking out the windows! LOL
    I thank God for some Levity in Life, as we all sometimes get just a little too real, about everything! :)
    I sure would like to see some more pictures of the blogger’s windows, so we all have a chance to look out!
    I remember a joke about devotionals, it went something like this: We need to watch out when having Our Daily Bread, in the Upper Room, by those Open Windows!
    Gary

  85. poohpity says:

    Hey Chuck it has been a long time. Glad to hear from you again you were missed.;-)

  86. Mart De Haan says:

    Hearing from so many of you has been great! Am going to wait one more day before changing post.

    Woke up this morning to read that Japan’s Nuclear Safety Commission has raised the warning level for the Fukushima power plant. Later read explanation that this reflects cumulative impact of the crisis rather than a sudden deterioration. Additional details said situation is stabilizing. Reminded me of how little we actually know at any given moment, and how easy it is to jump to conclusions one way or the other.

    Also got an anonymous e-mail overnight warning that world is going to end on May 21. Wondering how many of you have been affected by this latest round of date-setting.

    Still thinking maybe today… maybe not… is the wisest way to live… while, in the meantime, overwhelmed at the wonder of a raindrop– and so much more.

  87. SFDBWV says:

    Well Mart if you are still wondering at the marvel of a rain drop there are plenty here this morning to marvel at. A gentle spring rain that will help bring the flowers of May into being.

    It is no secret that Matthew would like the end of the world to happen, and May 21 is as good a day as any.

    Interestingly I did a study on the “rapture” some years ago and found the author stressing that we should live as if each day were that day. That by living in that mood we demonstrate our faith.

    Though to me it is also like the people of the early Corinthian church who sold all they had and sat down expecting God to snatch them away right away and were disappointed when He didn’t.

    I have to live each day as if it is my last, but also plan for a tomorrow…wise use of Scripture knowledge.

    As I have read about so many churches that are under attack from within, it does seem that we may be living in the age of the Laodicean church, yet it is also that no one wants to surrender their bible knowledge to a church leader or put themselves under the authority of a Pastor. So unlike the Laodicean church we have become followers who are both “hot and cold” rather than lukewarm

    It seems that we are in a rebellion of “ME”. I know more than the pastor, I know more than the person next to me, I have endless books and have found a translation of the Bible that agrees with “ME”….This seems to be the attitude of the church today….That is to “ME”.

    Steve

  88. bratimus says:

    Isn’t May 21st around the same time they want to raise the debt ceiling for the U.S.. Wasn’t the word Armegeden on the economy used if they don’t. The coincidence is just funny in a sad way.

    Still dark out so hard to say what is out there, up to early from rough dreams.

    Just a west coast boy

  89. bratimus says:

    P.S. The end will come in God time

  90. florida7sun says:

    Thank you Steve for your post this morning.

    I have discovered that each new day is a day we can rejoice in the knowledge that He loves us, He cares for us, and we can labor with great anticipation of His soon return. With Christ each new day is the Sabbath, for we can rest in the assurance of His Word.

    Today is also the day of salvation. This is a precious time to receive His abiding grace, to give honor and glory to our Lord, and to lovingly lead those He has placed in our path to Him and His cross.

    I was blessed this morning by J.C. Ryle’s quote:

    “If we profess to have any real Christianity, let us strive to be of John the Baptist’s spirit. Let us study humility. This is the grace with which all must begin, who would be saved. We have no true religion about us, until we cast away our high thoughts, and feel ourselves sinners. This is the grace which all saints may follow after, and which none have any excuse for neglecting.”

    As Bratimus is also quoted above, “The end will come in God time.”

    Ray

  91. BruceC says:

    Mart,

    Thank you so much for this blog and the chance to express ourselves. Been to Bible studies in the past that were “timed” and you just didn’t get much of a chance.
    I have thought the same also. “Is this the day?” The events in the world seem to point to its coming soon. But we must be watchful and live for the day and plan for the next as some have said.
    In the meantime I too will wonder about some of the things of creation that go unnoticed.

    Please pray for my wife and I as we are going to join the church we started attending last August. Wish we had found this church years ago.

    BruceC
    Soli Deo Gloria!

  92. SFDBWV says:

    Bratimus, when I was a young teenager in the Marines I was stationed in Santa Ana, I also had uncles that lived up in Eureka, and have visited much of the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington.

    It is hard to pick a favorite amongst such beauty, but if I had to I would suppose the Redwood forests are my favorite places in the west coastal states.

    Ray, if I may I will give you an “Amen”. Today is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.

    Bruce I am happy for you that you have found a good place to fellowship, as always you and everyone here on the blog is offered up in prayer by me every day…more than once.

    Matthew is in the middle of his morning exercises and is resting a little, this gives me a chance to say hello and add a comment. I will be off to a busy day and don’t know when I will be back, but I will keep an eye out for what everyone has to say as often as I can.

    Steve

  93. foreverblessed says:

    Thanks Steve, so are you and yours in my prayers, and InHisHands, I have now 2 sons of her in my prayers.
    Today! is the day.
    Ray, the humility is what I want to go on with
    Lets open our windows and doors for Jesus, Pride is an agent that blocks the door for Christ to enter.
    Pride, and knowing it al, thinking that I know lots of things in the bible.
    I remember my old church, they thought that lukewarmness was coming in to destroy the church, while in fact it was needed that the doors and windows be opened to the real message of the Gospel,
    Grace through Christ’s death, new life in faith in Him,
    letting all reality go, and walk behind Him.
    Is different then holding on to church doctrines.
    (I am not saying that w ecan water down the truth, there is no life except in Jesus)
    And to this day I have found that the old man in me is much bigger then I thought it was.
    Today I can open my windows (or doors who cares Bob, you gave e a laugh ) for Him,Jesus.

    (I lost my comment, while typing being logged in, tryed which button it was, maybe backspace, or enter, or tabs, suddenly it does something else. So I now type this is a document, copy and paste to post it.)

  94. foreverblessed says:

    About Today:

    read this today in a devotional, april 4 God at eventide
    Jesus speaks:

    In Eternal Life there are no time-limits. So My sacrifice was for you today, this hour, as truly as ever it was for those who watched Me on Calvary. I am the changeless One. The same yesterday and forever. Sacrificing Myself today, rising today. You then, once you embrace Eternal Life, enter into My Suffering, and help to carry My Cross, as truly today as if you had walked beside Me to Calvary.

  95. foreverblessed says:

    About wrong doctrines we hold on to, we think they are the truth:
    the next day april 5 Jesus says:

    Redeemed
    Agony and heartache, pain and loneliness, such as no human being has ever known, were the price of your redemption.

    Truly you are not your own.

    You are bought with the price. You belong to Me.

    You are Mine to use, Mine to love, Mine to provide for.

    Man does not understand the infinite Love of the Divine. Man teaches that as I bought him, so he has to serve, obey, and live for me.

    He fails to understand that because he is Mine, bought by Me, it is My responsibility to supply his every need. His part is to realize My ownership and to claim My Love and Power.

  96. SFDBWV says:

    Today marks the start of the American Civil War, April 12, 1861. I am an avid historian and can’t seem to get enough of the photographs and stories of the people and times during that awful and sad period of history.

    I also live near the center of much of the battles and activity of the period and are connected by only a couple generations of family that lived during the times.

    Much like going to Sunday school as a child, we as children never really absorbed much of the events and reading we were exposed to and so as we mature we are astounded by the information we finally “hear” and wish we had paid more attention to history, just as we wish now we had more attentive in Sunday school.

    I have always thought the people of that generation were very different from the generation we see today. However they were profoundly faith filled and each side of the conflict was sure God was on their side.

    Their letters to their loved ones were always filled with references to our Lord and the expected hope of being reunited with them either when the war was over or when they were there in paradise.

    When you look at photographs of these men and women, their faces could be the same faces we see in the mirror every day or in the eyes of people we pass by on the street.

    When you see the photos of the death and horrors of the battlefields you wonder how people of such profound faith could be capable of such carnage.

    Somewhere there in the learning of history, one sees that mankind has been waging war with his brothers ever since Cain killed Abel.

    Whereas the brutality of killing has gotten “cleaner” the brutality of violent death is still just as ugly as the first recorded death.

    It is in these moments that I realize we are not really as different as I thought from any generation of mankind in our ability to wage war and be convinced that God is on our side.

    I don’t know who it was that emailed Mart and warned him of the end of the world coming May 21st, but isn’t it fitting that when the end does finally come it will be during war once again..

    Steve

  97. marma says:

    Mart- read your 4:29 post. So much scary stuff in the news–Coming to this blog and reading the comments has been a cup of fresh water today. A reminder of the faithfulness of God.

    Bob in C: Thanks for the reminder to pray believers worldwide and for the gospel to go forth. Having read many of your posts, I know you mean it sincerely.

  98. poohpity says:

    I have attended the same church since 1989 we have gone through three pastors. The current pastor was the associate pastor when I first started going to that church and is such a good teacher but because of gossip and slander left. The elders of the church went to him to make amends after an interim pastor left, to ask him to lead the church.

    The Lord had put on his heart a dream of leading new believers to the Lord and reaching the younger generation. Well there is one Sunday school that has been the same since the beginning of the church. The folks in that Sunday school complained about music, different programs, how the church was lead and the list of complaints go on and on. Then 2 Sunday’s ago the current pastor said he had to leave also because he could longer bare under all the criticism, complaints, gossip, back biting and felt that he was not the person to lead the church to growth.

    From the outside looking in the one thing that is always stuck is that one Sunday school which consists of the majority of the problems. If the church is not run the way they think it should be run then they butcher a person’s spirit similar to the religious leaders in Jesus’s time. They spent so much time in their little world and anyone who had any different thoughts or ideas they butchered and hung them out to dry. They totally missed the point of encouragement, love and many others principles of the bible yet they finger pointed at others to the point of the ruining the church but they still do not see.

    I guess there is a big difference in church goers and followers of Christ (the body). No one wants to poke out their own eye or break their own arm or cut off an ear or break their own heart yet that is exactly what they do to their brothers/sisters in Christ.

  99. bookfinder says:

    WOW… This is my first time to comment and I am speechless. Just FYI. I have been following all of you for a very long time and have grown to love you. Please don’t ever stop sharing. And Mart is the best ever. God Be With You All on this most wonderful day! In His Family desert mother

  100. bookfinder says:

    Oh BTW… Phoenix Arizona

  101. dja says:

    Pooh, I am so sorry you are having these problems at your church. My husband is an elder in our church, and I know first hand what complaints, criticism, back-biting and gossip feels like. I guess it shouldn’t shock me when people are like this when they want things to go their way, but it still shocks me. There have been times I have felt like running away when my husband has been slam-dunked because someone doesn’t like something. Instead of speaking in love, the murmurring begins. Thankfully, the Lord knows all and is over all. He knows our hearts, and, thankfully, He holds our hearts, especially at these hurting times. I am sorry for your Pastor and pray that the Lord will draw near to him. I will be praying for you, Pooh. I know it’s so easy to be angry with folks who do this, but the Lord will enable you to love them and work to help your church through this.

    InHisHands: I, too, am now praying for John as well as Josh. Also for you and your husband as you take care of those little ones. May the Lord strengthen you each new day. I’m in my 60’s and don’t know if I could do that on a daily basis.

    Steve: Thank you for remembering the anniversary of the Civil War. There were pictures posted on the internet today that were found showing children. How hard it must have been for them. My heart aches when I see pictures of children in these settings from long ago. I always have a hard time looking at the children who had to work in the mines years ago.
    Praying Glenna is feeling stronger each day, and that Matthew’s day is a pleasant on. I pray for him always.

    ~Della

  102. elishatb86 says:

    Hello! (Talofa from American Samoa)
    Im from a small island in the Pacific Ocean and have been reading -Been Thinking- for quite some time.
    Thank you for the invitation Mart, just thought Id say hello and let you know that with the Internet, Ive been able to read and be encouraged by you all–Steve, Della, Poohpity, BruceC, Gary…
    To God Be the Glory, Be Blessed sisters and brothers in Christ.

  103. SFDBWV says:

    Sometimes I wonder why God lets things get so far out of hand within His Church. In trying to understand the matter I am always taken to a place that causes me to compare the old Roman Catholic Church as well as the Eastern Orthodox churches against the structure and organizations of the Protestant churches.

    Am left wondering if the lay people in these older churches can have the same negative impact on their priest’s? I can’t think that lay people have any decision in the placement or removal of any priest’s, but then I am totally ignorant of how those churches are administered.

    Want to add a comment surrounding Poohs church experience. I will try and make it short.

    There is a fellow who lives here in our community who many years ago was considered by most to just be a little mouthy obnoxious jerk. Well he had a heart attack at a very early age and ended up in the hospital, told that he was as near death as one can get without dying….He got religion right away.

    He quickly joined the local Methodist church and within a few months began running the show.

    The parish pastor would not control him, but would allow him to disrupt services take over the various revival programs that were presented and systematically run off most of the congregation.

    When I was speaking to another person who did not attend church anywhere, the subject of this fellow came up and from the lips of this non believer came wisdom and truth.

    He said well you know that fellow was always a jerk, and now that he has religion all he is, is a religious jerk.

    I have to wonder just how many believers have allowed their old nature to be replaced by the nature of Christ, and wonder what their eternal future has in store for them?

    Steve

    Della, thank you for your kind sentiments, Glenna is doing much better.

  104. SFDBWV says:

    elishatb86, hello and welcome to the community.

    Steve

  105. elishatb86 says:

    Thanks for the welcome Steve…somehow I knew you would be the first to say Hello…it is beautiful and sunny here in American Samoa and were heading towards our winter season (rainy)speaking about churches…youd be surprised how many weve got here in this corner of God’s Creation…all…still walking towards Gods Glory…oh, before I forget, I also meant to say hello to Bob, in Cornwall…Have a blessed day everyone!

  106. poohpity says:

    Della, I left the church about 2 months ago but wrote a letter of encouragement for him not to give up the dreams the Lord gave him despite the damaged he has suffered at the mouth of those church folks.

  107. bratimus says:

    Letters of Encouragement

    Lot of the New Testament where letters of encouragement to body of believers through out the the church. We hear of many buildings that they call churches having troubles.

    Sometimes it seems to me that some church goers have turn going to Sunday service as going to visit an idol or building, more for the apperance then for the substance.

    hears a little tail of two men a pastor once told me

    One man gets up early Sunday morning and goes fishing thinking of God the whole time.

    the other man gets up goes to Sunday Church service and thinks of how he is going to go fishing after church sevice.

    Gone fishing

  108. oneg2dblu says:

    elishatb86… with all the unsetteled rumblings in this ever darkening world today, what a joy to hear another’s voice, with a steady light, bringing another view out of your window, in American Samoa. Now that is a view for us all to think about.
    It makes me wonder why more voices do not get heard, and then, I think about why wouldn’t some remain silent?
    Like pooh’s, “kid in a candy store” scenario, I couldn’t keep my mouth shut at first, which got me in hot water with some, so I understand fully now why there are lookers and learners, who choose to stay silent, for now…
    Actually, we need “All Our Voices Engaged,” to make a more Joyful Noise unto the Lord. I trust that word opened up a way for someone else.
    so, I too welcome our “Newest Voice for Him,” even with that little, Island Accent, we get your message, LOUD AND CLEAR! Gary :)

  109. Bob in Cornwall England says:

    Hello elishatb86,and Welcome!

  110. Romi says:

    Hi,
    Better late than never…
    I live in Japan. The prefecture where I live in is relatively close to Fukushima. We experienced the earthquakes on March 11, but we weren’t affected by the tsunami. We believe that our area hasn’t been contaminated by the radiation, so far. I watch the news on these disasters on TV every day, and praying with those who have been affected.
    Blessings to you.

  111. oneg2dblu says:

    Romi… Welcome! Most of the others have moved on to other topics, so they do not see your post here.
    I occasionally look back, and found your, “Hi” waiting!
    So, hello from sunny Florida. Glad to hear you are in a safe area and trust you will move, if you need to.
    Please share some more with us, at the latest topic,
    don’t worry about going off topic to say hello, we expect it! In Christ, Gary

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