New Magazine~

I am such a farmgirl at heart, that I sometimes get teased about it. I would love to have a bit of property to have my little dream farm on. There is a farm I drive past on the way to a friends house, that is the perfect set up! Cute house, out buildings, a great barn, and space! I dream of a lavender farm, a CSA farm, of barn dances, aprons hanging on the line, flapping in the wind! This may be a dream that will come true in heaven, but till then, I will do my homesteading on a small scale, with my two chickens, Kevin and Peggy.

As I dream and play farmgirl, I will enjoy magazines like MaryJane's Farm and this new one I discovered, via a friend, about homesteading.

Homestead Community Post

They are worth a look see! It makes me want to don my apron and bake bread!!! Enjoy!

Good Friday

I have never understood why this is called Good Friday, as it was such a sad day for our Lord. Betrayed, His disciples scattered, He was spat upon, beat, slapped, ridiculed, denied, left alone...crucified. Yes, for us, it is good as His crucifixion brought us redemption, a final and pure sacrifice.

Christ asked His Father if possible...knowing His death was to be, had to be. For us that was good.

I often think of how He must have felt when the 12 around Him left Him. One betrays Him for money, one close to His heart, in fear denies Him, three times. How Christ's heart must have broken.

In the account of Peter's denial, in the book of Luke, after Peter denies Jesus for the third time, it says, 'The Lord turned and looked at Peter.' Can you imagine? How Peter's own heart must have ripped open at the remembrance of his own strong refusal to the Lord, "I will never deny you...' How he tried to prove that by cutting off the ear of the soldier, protecting his Savior, yet, now he remembers, he just denied Christ three times. My heart sinks at the thought for poor Peter.

Years ago I found the following poems, written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. A reminder to me, that though I often deny Christ in my fear and selfishness, He loves me still. Yes, I guess it is a very Good Friday.

The Look
The Saviour looked on Peter. Ay, no word,
No gesture of reproach; the Heavens serene
Though heavy with armed justice, did not lean
Their thunders that way: the forsaken Lord
Looked only, on the traitor. None record
What that look was, none guess; for those who have seen
Wronged lovers loving through a death-pang keen,
Or pale-cheeked martyrs smiling to a sword,
Have missed Jehovah at the judgment-call.
And Peter, from the height of blasphemy--
'I never knew this man '--did quail and fall
As knowing straight THAT GOD; and turned free
And went out speechless from the face of all
And filled the silence, weeping bitterly.

The Meaning of the Look
I think that look of Christ might seem to say -
'Thou Peter! art thou then a common stone
Which I at last must break my heart upon
For all God's charge to his high angels may
Guard my foot better ? Did I yesterday
Wash thy feet, my beloved, that they should run
Quick to deny me 'neath the morning sun ?
And do thy kisses, like the rest, betray ?
The cock crows coldly. - Go, and manifest
A late contrition, but no bootless fear!
For when thy final need is dreariest,
Thou shalt not be denied, as I am here;
My voice to God and angels shall attest,
Because I Know this man, let him be clear.'

Be a Fig!

 The farm I grew up on had a fig tree in the back yard. I made many a mud pie beneath it. Pastor Howard even sat next to me once, sharing a mud pie with me.  The tree really was more like an unruly, over grown bush. It was wonderful to hid in! Though at that time, I didn't like figs. I thought they were nasty! I am glad I grew out of that stage!

In my reading for Passion week, a fig tree has shown up. In Matthew 21. 18, we see the last miracle Jesus performed before His death. He withered a fig tree. Nothing spectacular compared to healing a blind man, or turning water to wine. He wanted a fig. He wanted a bit of refreshment. He saw a fig tree, and found no figs to be had, so he told the tree it would no longer bear fruit. The one thing he sought at that moment, the one thing capable of producing fruit for himself, for others. Now, it would no longer bear fruit.

Christ said if I abide in him and he in me, I will bear fruit. Producing fruit is faith in action. When the disciples questioned him as to why the tree withered at once, Jesus replied, ' If you have faith and do not doubt, you shall not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain,'be taken up and cast into the sea', it shall happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.'

What does Christ think of my produce? What does he find that is reminiscent of faith? Anything to satisfy his glory?

If Christ abides in me, and I in him, then bearing fruit is proof of my faith, it is intimacy with my Saviour. He in me...bearing fruit satisfies his glory. If I abide in Christ and He in me, and I am about my task of bearing fruit, it serves as a blessing to others. It will prove to be a 'one another'; love one another...serve one another, forgive one another..

If there had been figs on the tree, Jesus would have eaten, and been satisfied. Would not the disciples have followed his example?

Abide, and bear fruit...to satisfy...faith in action... to serve.

Go be a fig!

Holy and Beloved

Have you ever been somewhere, like a sporting event, or the mall, where there was so  much noise, that you felt barraged by every sound to the point of not being able to think a sensible thought? Such cacaphony that you felt pelted as if standing in a hail storm with no protection? So bombarded by the world, its standards and expectations that you were left bruised and beaten, feeling small and of little importance? I have.

This past week was on of those times. The feeling of constantly being pounded down a little more everyday. I was reminded of skills and talents, of qualifications I don't have. I was left feeling exhausted and small by the end of the week, as though branded with a scarlet L. Loser...failure...useless,  words that kept coming at me. But than Jesus....

It never ceases to amaze me how timely the truths of God's word are. How he has me to begin reading a book of the Bible, knowing that at just the right moment, on just the right day, certain verses would be exactly what I would need.  And in this case, only 2 words.

Colossians 3 begins with the exhortation of setting my mind on the things above; that I have died, and that my life is hidden in Christ. The exhortation goes on to command I put aside the old self an with it and its evil practices. Then comes verse 12 with such glory and gentleness, '...as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved...' Those 2 words stopped me in my tracks. They washed over me in such a way that the din of the world and all its ridicules faded away. Holy and beloved. I am holy and beloved.

 My Saviour sees me through eyes of grace and mercy, of redemption and love. He holds me to His heart and speaks those words of truth and faithfulness, 'I chose you! You are holy and beloved!' All my failures, my shortcomings, my sin, my 'lack of's' aren't even part of the equation. He has called me to Himself for His purpose for His glory, and my good. He does not need, nor desires the worlds stamp of approval on my life, why should I?

I am His, chosen! I am His child, grafted in, and heir, of His royal priesthood! I am holy and beloved! These 2   wonderful, glorious, complete words are all I need to drown out the worlds ugly lies.

Holy and Beloved! Need more be said?

Sink or Swim!

I just recently purchased ad space in FOLK magazine. It will be in their May issue, which will be the first issue to be nationally distributed, which is why I purchased the ad.

I so want to see my tea business flourish, it would be a dream come true! May will be the 2 year anniversary of opening Turner Hill Tea. It has been tough, due to the economy, and finding the right niche' in which to promote the business. 

Time has been another factor. With having to work outside of the business limits my time and energy, which is really frustrating. I just lost one of my jobs, so I am using this time to not only look for work, but to clean up the website, and try to get Turner Hill Tea known. I figure it is time to either sink or swim time!

Here is a pix of the ad a friend created for me. Her daughter is creating a logo for me to use too!

What can you do? Pray, and tell all your tea drinking friends about Turner Hill Tea. Tell them you will never speak to them again if they don't, from here on out, purchase only from THT.  Okay not really. Well, maybe...

Testing Place

Can you imagine spending 40 days in  a place like this, fasting with only water to fill you? Jesus did. 40 days without food, harsh elements, and satan tempting and annoying Him. Missing a meal makes me cranky! Yet, Jesus did this for us. He endured these things as an example for us. He endured these things so we would know that in the darkest, harshest times in our lives, we can know our Saviour understands. Yesterday, I was given yet another opportunity to be in this testing place, and to make the decision to trust my Saviour with my circumstance.

 I have two part-time jobs, well, only one now. Last week I started a new job, working at a nursery, the plant kind. I was really excited, as I love gardening and have 5 years experience in the nursery business. I left a good paying, yet high pressure job that I didn't like, to take a lower paying job in an environment I am familiar with and enjoy. Yesterday was my 5th day on the job. 2.5 hours into the day, my supervisor took me aside and told me they were letting me go. I was floored! I had been told I was doing a great job, yet now I'm being sacked! She told me the owner decided he didn't want to work around the schedule of my other job, which he told me in my interview he was willing to do, that others who have worked there longer were giving him grief that the new girl had Sundays off. So, I emptied the pockets of my garden apron and clocked out.

Of course I bawled all the way to my daughters house in disbelief, fear, anger. 'What are You doing?' 'I don't understand!' I spent the next 50 minutes crying and talking to the Lord, trying to figure it all out. I had prayed specifically that I didn't want the job at the nursery if that was not were I was suppose to be. That I would stay at my other job and just make friends with it, if that was were I was to be. I told the Lord I didn't want the nursery job, just because I didn't like the other one. I wanted to be in  His will, bottom line!

But now this! 4 days and 2.5 hours on the job, and I'm done. It is still hard to wrap my brain around it. Why the Lord would lead in this way. Now the task at hand is looking for a new job. I don't even know where to start. At present I am gun shy, but the fact remains, I need to find a job. There will be bills to pay. I can't not be working. I don't understand. But, I have walked too long with the Lord, not to trust. There is no other option.

This morning Hannah texted me with Isaiah 43.1-7
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and through the rivers, 
they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
³ For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
⁴ Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.
⁵ Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.
⁶ I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,
⁷ everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

 Perfect words of comfort, for my Saviour who was tried and tempted, who bled and died for me. In this testing place, I will trust. I will know my Saviour better. Whatever His plan is for me, I will be stronger.

As I wait to see Him move, and lead me, I will do the next thing. Today it is helping do some grouting in the new church worship center, and later pick up Emily who is coming for a visit. I too, will relish in one of my favorite sounds, the first Robin of spring, and know that God is faithful.

Reconciliation

'...to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worth of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience, joyously giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints of light.' Colossians 1. 9-12

How can I please the Lord in all respects, to have spiritual wisdom and understanding, to bear fruit, to have steadfastness and patience, if I am not reconciled to God?

I was reconciled to Him at the time of my salvation, but daily I sin. Daily I st up barriers and road blocks that prevent me from being Christ-like. Each day I need to spend time before the throne, confessing my sins, and asking the Holy Spirit to make me aware through out the day of when I sin so that I can be johnny on the spot and confess then and there. Waiting for confession till the end of the day is like clocking in and out with a time card, allowing the sins to add up to make it worth the effort of confessing.

Letting sin build up make for a murky day. I can't see clearly, nor function as the Holy Spirit would like to direct.  My spiritual antennae can't pick up the right signals as the air is not clear. I realize during the busyness of the day I sometimes don't catch when I sin. But why wait till the end of the day? Why not make a conscious effort through out the day to stop and make confession, ask for forgiveness and make the path clear.

I need to continually be reconciled to the Lord so that I don't miss any opportunity to speak to another about the Lord, to minister to a hurting soul, to give encouragement to another.

Reconcile- to bring into agreement, or harmony; make compatible or consistent.
                 to reconsecrate.

'I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present you bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is is your spiritual service of worship.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12.1,2

Confession really is good for the soul.