Hi wouldee, the reference to children frolicking in the meadow reminded me of when I was at school in Malvern and we used to go for afternoon walks along the Hills.

It was fun.

I enjoyed watching the baby lambs and the cows (freisans) in the fields.

John 19:28-34 (NIV) "Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Colossians 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to you also Cleo. I hope you had a wonderful time with your family.

It has been a beautiful sunny day here on the East Coast, albeit a little brisk.

Give Thanks

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son


And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"

(Don Moen)

I imagine many of us are busy, and perhaps more so at times such as Easter - with services and family gatherings, as well as normal committments.

I have had time to ponder this week on a few things, one of which is time. God gives us many blessings including that - He listens to our prayers and is always there.

I had 4 birthday cakes this year - starting with last monday on St Patrick's Day. A friend I met last year on that day in a local restaurant, after I invited her and her companion to join me at my table. The restaurant, being small was quite crowded. I have lunch with her usually, every tuesday, this week she wanted to make the traditional New England Boiled dinner for me and another friend she had invited.

I had a surprise birthday party organized by another friend on friday. It gave me pause to reflect, that we enjoy giving and receiving gifts, and I am a person who loves cards, but what impressed upon me more was "time". Each one of these precious people in my life had given their time, time to choose a gift or card, or pick up the cake, time to be there and share in the moment. Priceless.

God gave us everything, but He also gives us His time. He waits patiently for us to come to Him, to approach the throne of grace and accept Him as Lord.

The question is, how do we give Him our time in return?

Good morning everyone......I am still working on getting my computer up and running. Hubby has been working like a dog.....everything is fixed just can't get on line.......Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.....And at least thanked Christ once or twice for his amazing sacrifices for us...



Love you all and have missed you sooooo much.

Hello Debs, good to see you back here.

Wonderful Easter thank you.

I am so glad britty.......And how is life treating my dear sweet friend. I missed you guys horribly.

wonderfully well Debs.

in the company of three.



"Three poets in three distant ages born :
The first in loftiness of thought surpassed ;
The next in majesty ; in both the last."

Dryden

"Greece, Italy and England did Adorn."


Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own;
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow, do thy worst, for I have lived today

Dryden

Becoming A Woman Of Excellence

A woman of excellence
Is what I long to be
Filled with your godly wisdom
So it is part of me

A woman of integrity
No matter what I face
Standing up for righteousness
And for your saving grace

A woman of destiny
Living out your plan
Knowing where you’d have me walk
Being guided by your hand

A woman of promise
Standing on your word
Holding on to all the truths
While carrying out your work

A woman of compassion
For the ones in the dark
Those that do not know your love
And have darkness in their hearts

A woman that will never
Compromise the faith
With what the world may offer
But will keep the narrow way

A woman who loves Jesus
And will only follow Him
Gladly to give up the world
So His light can shine within

Lord this is my earnest prayer
As a daughter by your grace
Grow in me these qualities
As I walk with you in faith

© By M.S.Lowndes

In the Christian Coffeehouse Chat I would expect to find Christians, which for the most part I do...

I would also expect to find it being hosted by one who acts accordingly...

So then, I ask all of you who partake in this thread, would you go to a church being led by a person who claimed that they had a right relationship with 'God' but often spoke of things in ways that are definitely not accepted by Christianity in general?

A loud, boisterious, flirtacious, married, judgemental, and sexually outspoken woman who claims to have the personal guidance of 'God'?

Which 'God' then would we be following should we walk her path, which is not one claimed to be of divine origin, as described in the scriptures????????

Not for me to decide... I am just the messenger...






When asked if Gd created evil though...it all changed...




Here is some examples of behaviour coming from one who claims belief in the Bible, and the following of it... all just within the period of recent history...





Wow... I would not suggest saying those things to your pastor...

Good day!

Then, just today the audacity to suggest this...







Hello... do you see what I see?

A fraud... a fraud... a marvelous one too...

The File Room
By Joshua Harris

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "People I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed."

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told", "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Have Laughed At". Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Other I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents". I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards?

But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature. When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented. When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts", I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only and inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards.

But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot.

Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self- pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With". The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written in His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

Perfect Britty.... perfect!

Creative,

Thanks for dropping in. I hope you feel better for the visit.

If it were to make me feel better, I suppose I would or could...

Unfortunately, I am my own worst critic, and enemy at times...

Never have I set out to intentionally harm another in any way...

Your post was quite appropriate...

Sometimes buttons are pushed which had been long forgotten...

I am a reactionary being... which still harbors a worldly fingerprint's remains...

Sometimes that which can be seen from one outside of a situation, sees something that they felt was inappropriate.

Humanness is all of that...and more...

humble is a difficult place to reside in...

and yet we expect it of ourselves and demand it of others...

I see humanness..