Fall is here. Actually I think the ‘official’ first day of autumn was a few days ago, but now it feels like it’s fall, so it’s fall. Everyone has on jackets (and stocking hats!), cornfields are emptying, there’s a delicious nip in the air, my Fujis are getting sweeter and sweeter, and the air conditioner is finally off – HOPEFULLY for good this year. We’ve used it heavily and are very thankful for it, but I’m glad to open the windows when it’s stuffy. Love that fall outdoorsy smell.
Anyway.
Church today was so good – maybe it’s redundant to say that so much but it really is so, so I’ll just keep saying it. This morning we read in Psalm 28 – verse 7 is one of my favorites: The Lord is my strength and my shield: my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Maybe it’s because I love to sing, or maybe it’s because we are so greatly blessed and I have so much about which to rejoice. Or maybe it’s because it’s so true; trusting in Him, I am helped. Or maybe it’s because of it all; I don’t really know. At any rate, it’s close to my heart and such a blessing to read. Then we read in John 13, where Jesus washes the disciples’ feet and Judas leaves them to betray Jesus. During the reading I was thinking about how Jesus knew the future, and He knew what was coming. That had to be so hard for him; we can’t begin to imagine it. John talked about that some then, among many other things. So many thoughts are flying through my mind but I’m not going to write the whole sermon; I’ll mention one more TakeAway which will challenge me. Although there are churches that do practice literal foot-washing and that is a good thing, we have never done that which is ok too. More importantly, though, is, that we regularly, always, daily strive to practice figurative foot-washing; that is, we need to have the servant attitude that Christ was demonstrating when he washed the disciples’ feet. Whew, that’s a hard challenge….thankfully, God will help us. The afternoon’s reading was I Chronicles 21, where Joab, against his wishes, numbered Israel for King David. One clear lesson was that even leaders need to heed the warnings of others who they lead; had King David heeded Joab’s warning, much heartache could have been averted. Steve had many other encouraging and convicting exhortations; I’ve written enough though and will try to put a link in here to our church website where the entire sermon can be heard. I’ve never done this before, but here goes…
Home right after church so the boys could get to the dairy to feed and then milk. A much-needed nap for Joshua, free time for others (four-wheeler, dirtbike, reading, swing…), and I got to walk with Dad…with a snack of a fresh-picked-right-from-the-tree Fuji apple. Mmmmmm. Doesn’t get much better than that. Beautiful blue sky dotted with fluffy cotton clouds, and that fall nip in the air…aahhh, life is good; God is good.
All this, and heaven too – and ONLY because He Bore It All.
My precious Savior suffered pain and agony, He bore it all that I might live;
He broke the bonds of sin and set the captive free, He bore it all that I might live, in His presence live.
They placed a crown of thorns upon my Savior’s head, He bore it all that I might live;
By cruel man with spear His side was pierced and bled, He bore it all that I might live, in His presence live.
Up Calv’ry’s hill in shame the blessed Savior trod, He bore it all that I might live;
Between two thieves they crucified the Son of God, He bore it all that I might live, in His presence live.
He bore it all that I might see His shining face,
He bore it (freely bore it) all, that I might (I with Him might) live.
I stood condemned to die but Jesus (freely) took my place,
He bore it all that I might live, in his presence live.
Hallelujah for the cross!
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ASK joined us for supper (G & G and Uncle Dave’s were invited but couldn’t come), and we enjoyed a calm (well, kind of) evening inside playing games etc. For Bibletime, we sang a few songs and reviewed the chapter we’re memorizing, and then everyone, all the way down to Jewel, told something he/she learned today. With 10 of us sharing, it took a little while, but it was really a good exercise. Ben told us about the object lesson ASK did (Lego house on sand and rock) and remembered the rock is Jesus Christ. Doesn’t get much simpler than that. Sarah and Jewel told us about their Sunday School lessons, and the rest of us shared something from either the morning or afternoon sermon. It was good; I hope we do it again sometime. Then evening chores and beds for all.
A few pictures of the evening:
Guess who won?
Milles Borne.
Of course Dad is on the bottom – his loving sons gang up on him. Dad had lots of turns on top, but I didn’t get the picture before the other loving son joined in.
That’s all.
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