Thursday was quite uneventful for me … I wasn’t feeling too well, so I just rested … needless to say, we didn’t get much done around here.  Lewis went to the jail last night and it was his night to speak to the men … he didn’t get home until after midnight, so I knew it was a good meeting.  We did watch a great Christian movie on TBN called “Another Perfect Stranger”.  Have any of you been able to see that one?  It is a sequel to “A Perfect Stranger” and it’s wonderful!  We laughed, we cried, and came away from it feeling how much God really does love us!  If you ever get a chance to see that, both my husband and I do highly recommend it.  If you have been able to see it, let me know what you thought about it.  

My cat, Mooshie, is sneezing … so far, and I’m so thankful, he’s the only one who’s had a cold here in our home this year!  Do cats get colds?  Hmmm?  He enjoys sitting in the window to keep a close eye on the bird/squirrel feeder … I do keep it opened a crack … he likes the cold air.  Maybe that’s why he’s sneezing.  It is still cold here … about 22*, so not as cold as it was Wednesday.  They are now saying we may get up near 60* by this next week, with rain.  I’d much rather have the snow and cold this time of year!  They are saying that California is going to get some major storms, mainly in the northern part with a possibility of 80 mille an hour winds in the Bay Area! Thankfully, that’s a little ways from where Ian is … but I’ll be calling him today, and I’ll find out how it is in his area.  That’s definitely a brisk ‘breeze’ that’s going to blow in out there!!  Lewis will be home early from work today, barring no complications, and we’ll be working on more things around here which will extend into our Saturday.  I should be taking before and after pictures … ya think?!  Well, I do still need to work on this site … now my words disappeared over there on the left.  Fun, fun!!  You all be blessed and have a wonderful day, in whatever you’ll be doing.  I’ll leave you with a bit of Friday Inspiration.   Hugs ~ Deborah <>< 

THE BIBLE & THE COAL BASKET

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson.  Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible.

His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.  One day the grandson asked,    
“Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book.  What good does reading the Bible do?”  The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.”  The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house.

The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was “impossible to carry water in a basket,” and he went to get a bucket instead.  The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water.  You can do this.  You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.

Out of breath, he said, “See Papa, it’s useless!”

“So you think it is useless?” The old man said, “Look at the basket.”  The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different.  Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean.  “Son, that’s what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.

That is the work of God in our lives.

To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son.

Take time to read a portion of God’s word each day.
~ Author Unknown

Don’t worry about what you do not understand …
worry about what you do understand in the Bible but do not live by.  ~Corrie Ten Boom

This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.  Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.  Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.  It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.  It is the travelers map, the pilgrims staff, the pilots compass, the soldiers sword, and the Christians character.  Here paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.  Christ is its grand object, our good is its design, and the glory of God its end.  It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.  Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.  It is given you in life and will be opened in the judgement and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labour, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.  ~Anonymous