Old Things New Again

I'm back.  

Back to the world of Blogging.

Old-School.

I'm going to check in daily, Lord willing.

Come along for the ride...

Until tomorrow, Lord willing.

Sherry

This 'n That (July Musings)

Now that the heat wave is behind us, Autumn feels in front of us.  

It won't be long before we begin to morph into the winter months, 

activity and snow whirling about.   

The dogs will be happy.

If you were to stop by our place on any given day, you'd find the saw mill roaring, 

with Russ at the helm. 

If not the mill, the chain saw.  

Wood is the word these days.

But not before an early morning training session with Raz, each morning,

donned in his harness.

As for me, I carry an extra layer of dog fur on my clothes, 

from brushing out the beautiful Siberians and Alaskans who grace our kennel.

I'm looking forward to fall training {and 40 degree temps}, 

which consists of hooking up a team of dogs to our ATV.

But until then, I will enjoy what the Lord brings us each day.

Our garden blessings, and friends stopping by.

Until next time, dear friends, Lord willing.

Sherry

Pulling off the Trail

After much decision, I've decided I must take a break.

It's not desired, by any means, but it is necessary.

I won't be having Internet on our "40" for the next few weeks, 

{it's becoming lower and lower on the "priority" scale...}

and because it is difficult {ok, impossible} to continue posts
on public {our local library} computers,
I must take a break.

But soon, I will return.

With many tales from the trails...

And will start my look back on our life over the last decade,
and see how we morphed into this role of God-sufficient living.

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, 
so that whether I come and see you or am absent, 
I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, 
with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 
and not frightened in anything by your opponents. 
This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, 
but of your salvation, and that from God."

Philippians 1:27-28

Until then, dear friends, God willing.

Be Still and Know...

I haven't quite been able to put my finger on it.

The fact that I feel so...unproductive.

Perhaps it's because I follow so many amazing Blogs, where folks are doing so much.

Canning and such...

Baking goodies which we find on our "40"...

Or folks who travel across country on horses, and Bella the dog.
For the last 18 months.
Richard and Jeannette from Hearts Up Ranch.

And so much more...

But now, I think I know.  

This "abiding in Christ" business is hard work,
especially if you are trying to overcome a life of busy, never ceasing tasks.

And I see I'm not the only one doing it...abiding.

While reading my prayer partner Terri's Blog, from Our Crazy Farm,
my mind immediately pictured our horse, Raz.

Raz is 1/2 Mustang and 1/2 Thoroughbred.
Born on our friend's farm. 

Who came to us years ago,
untrained and young,
who has become a treasured team mate on our farm.
Both in the saddle and in harness.

He's big...

And he's a gentle soul, guided daily by another gentle soul.

He abides. 

He's totally "in the moment".

He listens to commands.

Gee.  Haw.  Back...back...back.  Over.  Ahead.  On bye.

 He is obedient and faithful.  Trusting in his master. 

Trusting his master will never ask more than what he is capable.

And teach him with baby steps.  Slow and easy.

Where some of us, me included, are on the run.
We think our way is the best way, the only way, and scurry about,
trying to make things right. 

On our own.

It's truly time to slow down.

Exhale.

And, as they say in the horse world, lick and chew, which means you are totally relaxed.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.” 

Psalm 46:10

Until tomorrow, abiding, God willing.

Fall Forward

As the summer officially comes to a close, our days are filled with tasks.

Today, it's wash-and-hang-on-the-line day, and hauling wood via horsepower day.

We hope your days are blissful, and full of peace, as you head into the work week 

or send your children off to school, if they are not schooled at home.

Until tomorrow, God willing.

Simply Abide - Sitting at His Feet

Most folks believe we live a slow life.

But, even for us, life gets too fast.

However, these past five days, we have toned it down a notch, 

to simply enjoy our time with young Jordan, who came back for an extended weekend visit.

These past five days, 

young Jordan has hit cans with his BB gun on our range (he has a good eye), 

driven the tractor (and even operated the front-end loader), 

loved on the sled dogs (and they loved back x 10), 

and picked tons of ripened blackberries (and filled his belly too!)

.

He also camped out (at the Bear's Den), 

made wood crafts (a drum, complete with head), 

hauled hay from a neighboring farm, 

assisted in training a newbie draft horse (my next Blog to come...)

spotted deer (twice!), 

and has eaten everything in sight, as well he should, as he is a growing boy.

That's the short list.

He will be 13 on the 13th.  

A true milestone in the life of a young man.

A young man who is firming up who he is in life.  

Who he will be.

But for now, he is just happy to enjoy each moment of each day.

And be a joy to us, during his visits.

Truth is, Jordan keeps us young...

and competitive, 

as evidenced by our blackberry pickin's.

But in the end, it is as it should be.

Papa Bear's pickin's are the largest.

Then Mama Bear.

Then Baby Bear.

But it could be that Baby Bear ate most of his along the way.  

Until tomorrow, God willing.  

Stop please.

Think about that phrase.  

God willing, as spoke by Paul in Romans 1:10.

It is by the grace of God that each of us will be here tomorrow.  

With that knowledge, don't run about and try to accomplish much.  

But instead, just sit at His feet.  

And abide.  

Simply abide.  

For the desire of Jesus is for you to put Him first.  

Have you put Him first today?

I'd love to hear from you.

Needing Inspiration Today?

This may fit the bill...

You will want to turn off the soothing music on Playlist - to your right.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, 

I delight in weaknesses, 

in insults,

in hardships, 

in persecutions, 

in difficulties. 

For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

 2nd Corinthians 12:10

Folks, this scripture speaks volumes to me.  

For the last week, I've felt and endured each of the above.  

Weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties.  

I can take weakness, and even hardships or difficulties,

but insults and persecutions cut me at the knees.  

Not so much for the hurt and pain of my flesh, 

but because I can't defend my Savior the way I so deeply desire.  

I feel like I'm fighting with a dull butter knife, instead of a sharp sword.  

The only way I know to get better at defending my God 

is to bury myself deeply into scripture.   

His word, His soothing promises.  

I hope someday I can shine the light of Christ Jesus 

to all who question His existence and final plan.  

Until then, I will abide in Him, and read His word.

Until tomorrow, abiding in Him, God willing.

The Vine and the Branches

 John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, 

while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.   

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. 
No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. 
Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
 
    “I am the vine; you are the branches. 
If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; 
apart from me you can do nothing.  

If you do not remain in me, 
you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; 

such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, 
ask whatever you wish, 
and it will be done for you.  

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, 
showing yourselves to be my disciples.

In Jesus' name, amen...

Until tomorrow, abiding in Jesus, God willing.

 

So, so Thirsty

 Truth is, I'm thirsting for knowledge.

Biblical knowledge.

Knowledge of the ages...stored for easy retrieval in my humble little brain.

Such a big task, that will continue until my last dying breath.

 Some days, I'm so antsy to do the work of the Lord.
I wonder if I can accomplish such a feat on our "40"...

And my desire to bear fruit is overwhelming at times.

But I know my biggest job is to abide in Christ, having taken the path of the cross.
Daily.

Whether it is with my husband, my neighbor, my family, the lady at the Post Office, etc. etc.

Your will, Lord.  Not my will.

I pray for this daily.

"The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked." 

1 John 2:4-6

Until tomorrow, God willing.