Autumn!!!

  I love this time of year. There is nothing like breathing in the fresh, crisp air, watching the leaves change color, hear the geese flying overhead, or reaching down to pick up a woolly bear caterpillar!
 Autumn brings back many happy, childhood memories of  raking leaves and jumping in the huge piles we created, or hauling firewood up to the house in our little wagon, of Dad showing us how to stack neat, sturdy rows of wood, and of going on hay rides. I remember going with friends to pick apples one time. The apple orchard was apart of a cow pasture and every so often we would have to chase the cows away from us! After collecting all the apples we wanted, we took them to the mill where they were pressed into cider.
  Every year at this time, our family would head to the pumpkin farm. Sometimes we would get a pumpkin or two, but that was not the highlight of going. What we most enjoyed was going around the farmyard and seeing all the animals from the miniature goats, ponies, and pigs to the chickens, peacocks, and rabbits (the goats were my favorite).
  Then there is the memory of growing gigantic pumpkins for 4H. Ronnie and Wendy were the ones into that (I was too young at the time to enter), but I still had fun helping where I could and going to the auction at the end of the season. I still remember feeling bad that I couldn't participate in it, so the one year Ronnie  helped me grow a pumpkin. Though the pumpkin was registered under his name, it was considered mine and at the end of the year I received the profit after selling it. I'm sure I wasn't that big of a help, and maybe I was in the way more than anything else, though he never let on that I was. Looking back, I see the sacrifice he made to make his little sister happy and give her a fun memory.
 You know, that is part of what life is about, making memories. So this fall, why not take some time with a little brother or sister and make memories together! It could be jumping in the leaves, going for a walk in the woods, going apple picking, or even baking a pumpkin pie together!
 By the way, what are your favorite things about autumn? Do you have any fond memories of this time of year? I'd love to hear, so please share!

The Power of Prayer

The other night, I was listening to a message by Keith Daniel that was so good. It was titled "A Warning to America" and can be found on You Tube. I personally believe that every Christian needs to hear that message. I needed to hear it! He says some pretty strong things, but if we're truly honest and desperate enough for God and for His revival in this land then our hearts, I believe, will be open to what this man has to say.
  You know, I think it is so neat how God brings things our way at just the right time! After hearing that message, I came across some notes I had taken when reading some of Leonard Ravenhill's writings. So much of what Leonard Ravenhill wrote parallels so beautifully with the message Keith Daniel had brought forth. I thought I would take the time and share some of his writings with you. Below are some excerpts from his book "Why Revival Tarries".

 "The two prerequisites to successful Christian living are vision and passion, both of which are born in and maintained by prayer. The ministry of preaching is open to few; the ministry of prayer - the highest ministry of all human offices - is open to all. Spiritual adolescents say, 'I'll not go tonight, it's only the prayer meeting.' It may be that Satan has little cause to fear most preaching. Yet past experiences sting him to rally all his infernal army to fight against God's people praying. Modern Christians know little of  'binding and loosing', though the onus is on us - 'Whatsoever ye shall bind...' Have you done any of this lately? God is not prodigal with His power; but to be much for God, we must be much with God."

"The secret of praying is praying in secret."

"Prayer is profoundly simple and simply profound."

"Prayer is to the believer what capital is to the business man."

"Someone now warns us lest we become so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly use. Brother, this generation of believers is not, by and large, suffering from such a complex. The brutal, soul-shaking truth is that we are so earthly minded we are of no heavenly use." 

  Dear sisters, the time to get on our knees and cry out to God for our nation and for our loved ones is now. Let's not wait until it is too late.

 For anyone interested in Keith Daniel's message, the link to it is  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_25FtH1Lfrg&list=FLnqxlCQc0OODpaxs4GDf1rA&index=21

A Day of Refreshment

  Several months ago, the Lord impressed it upon my heart to have a ladies luncheon with words of encouragement and inspiration for young ladies in their calling as daughters. I had been reading the book 'So Much More' when I was inspired with this idea. I was struck with the realization of how vital our roles as daughters and mothers in the home are. Never before did I realize to what an extent a high calling that is. It is far more than "Oh! It would be so sweet to have a baby" or "It would be so fun to have my own home and decorate it just so!" I have come to see more than ever that all of civilization is brought forth out of our homes and that our society is only as strong and Christian as our homes are strong and Christian. Satan is on a war path out to destroy the home and family. We live in a society that has believed the lie that women's greatest success lies outside the home in the workforce, teaching Sunday School, or volunteering at some mission. There could be nothing farther from the truth. As women, whether we are a daughter, a wife, or a mother, we have the opportunity to be a sanctifying influence in our homes through our faithful prayers, our unwavering confidence in our menfolk, and our gentle, guiding hand in the lives of the young ones. We have the ability to make our homes the most blessed places on earth. Not only that, but all that comes forth from our homes, good or bad, will effect future generations. For example, do we ever give the impression to our children or siblings that they are an annoyance, that we can't wait to get away from them, or that other things are more important than spending time with them? Do we convey to them that they are of value, that we do love them and the things that are important to them are important to us? Believe me, this is a challenge for myself when I feel that I must get something done or when one of my own siblings seems extra cranky. How about the ways we treat our fathers, brothers, or for some of you, husbands? Do we admire them, show them respect, give them our hearts, support them, and submit to their leadership? Do we allow them to lead out? These our areas in which we can help create a stable enviroment, and that brings unity into our homes. Remember, what is in our homes will flow out into society.  
 Anyway, I was deeply impressed to share these truths with others thru a ladies luncheon. I shared these thoughts with my dear friend, Marcia, knowing that she, too, would have such a heart to encourage girls and young ladies in this high calling. (She was the one who gave me the book to read to begin with). As I had suspected, she too, had thought of doing something like this in the past. We began praying and planning as the Lord led and by August we had a daughterhood retreat scheduled for the end of the month.
 Marcia found a lovely secluded spot at a nearby state park with a pavilion and beautiful walking trails. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for it either! It ended up being just a small group of us, I think 18 altogether, which probably was just as well for it being our first time doing something like this. We decorated the tables vintage style and played soft music in the background. Marcia began with a talk on "It All Begins With God". She reflected on Psalm 16 and Rev. 4:11, pointing out that when we are walking in the path that God intended for us we receive fullness of joy, and most importantly, God receives the glory. After that, I did a talk on "Lessons from History". I focused on America's past, considered her at present, and then gave hope and vision for the future of our nation and for the generations to come. Later, we listened to Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin's CD "Strength and Dignity for Daughters" and after that we had a prayer and share time. In between sessions we would take walks along the trails and even waded in the running water nearby.
 I think it turned out to be a refreshing day for all of us. I praise God for making it happen. My prayer is that the message we brought forth to these girls will go into their hearts and that they will get a vision to bless their fathers and families, and that through their families they can have an impact on the world around them for the glory of God.