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2008-06-18
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Beach Bums.jpg 2008-11-23
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barn.jpg 2008-11-23
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10-11-2008 Brightwaters Farms, Bayshore
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LutheranSeal.jpg 2004-06-08
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10-11-2008 Brightwaters Farms, Bayshore
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10-11-2008 Brightwaters Farms, Bayshore
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10-11-2008 Brightwaters Farms, Bayshore
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Judy's Boat Pt Jeff 9-19-08 146.jpg 2008-09-19
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June 12, 2007-1
Eliana gets sweet kisses from her big sister, Naomi DSCF0007.JPG 2007-06-12
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Text
Peace will rest on him
Luke 10:4-6 (New International Version)
4Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' 6If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.
Jesus sent out 72 faithful workers into the harvest field. He knew it would not be easy. He told them not to bring a purse or a bag or sandals. He did tell them to bring peace. Jesus says "If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him."
Stony Point is a retreat center upstate New York that was run by four sisters a hundred years ago. Originally the house was built as a private family summer home for a Manhattan businessman and his family. There is a Tiffany chandelier from his good friend of that name. Also, there is a crystal knob at the bottom of the staircase, announcing that the house was free of a mortgage. This was the second time I was at the house. The smell is like my grandfather's house in Indiana, built with similar materials in the same era. The low glow of the lights against burgandy walls set a tone of relaxation. I was so relaxed that I kept loosing things, starting with my name tag before our meeting began that evening! I began to understand different perspectives of why Jesus may have told the 72 people not to bring things with them!
I loved looking at the paintings that graced the walls are similar to some seascapes and landscapes. Now the tones were muted with far away memories of travels. I wondered if all of the travels were peaceful. Jesus knew that the mission of his people would not always be peaceful. He instructed them to go on not leave their peace where they were not welcome. He did want them to loose the peace they had. How special is this peace, this amazing gift of the Holy Spirit!
The weekend of fellowship was lovely and inspired by an energetic speaker. Three of us chose to relax in front of the living room fireplace. The glow warmed our soul and our feet after a day of walking upon soft pillows of golden fallen leaves. We took a deep breath. On woman read the mantle: Peace Be To This House. Yes, peace was in this home and peace rested on him. The blessing continues. Lord, I am most thankful for this wonderful blessing.
I AM COMTENT
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4: 11-13 NIV).
Materialism. What does this mean to you? Jesus asked one young man to give up his possessions and follow him. Why did he require this? Do we have to do this? Jesus wanted the young man to realize where his heart was. Where is your heart? No, we don't have to give everything away to be Christians. We do have to examine our heart.
I have complained for the past two years that I have too much stuff. I have given much of my stuff away. And I loved doing this. I am so content with less stuff, but also with sharing my heart with others. My daughter, who had a new home, has my sofa. I have to go to Connecticut from Long Island to see this sofa now. It is hers. I gave my mother's engagement ring to another daughter. It is hers. I gave my mother's watch and a necklace away, too. All to daughters. The important part of the material good was the heart behind it. I want them to carry my mother's heart with them.
Last night I watched a Pooh story online with my grandson. Pooh and friends found out that Eyeore did not ever have a birthday party. Things did not go as expected and gifts they gave did not work out as expected. Balloons created a disaster, a bracelet did not fit and squirrels at the best birthday cake ever. Pooh apologized for messing things up and promised to do a better job next year. But Eyeore told them it was the best birthday ever! Everyone was surprised! Eyeore thanked them for caring! He might have been hungry as the food was gone. He could have been in want of working presents, but he was full of love. Behind his sad eyes and slumped head, he was content. His heart was full of joy and he shared many kind words with his well-meaning friends. Is this what God wants us to have? Joy in our heart is special. Sharing and caring from the heart is even more special. This is a content life.
I have not been as good as Eyeore in my life. In my words and heart, I have had moments of discontent. I can hang my head down, too, like Eyeore. I am so thankful for the stuff I have in my life. I thank God that I can pass things along with a grateful heart. I thank God that I do not need the stuff to share His love everyday! I hang my head down in awe of my Lord who gives us a full heart of joy! My downcast eyes are full of His love!
Have a joyful day!
Joan
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Grow in purity 2 Timothy 3:13-16
SUNSET
Every night my sunset is accompanied by the evening news. Last night there was so much news that emphasizes the importance of the verse in 2 Timothy: grow in purity. "What is wrong with the youth today?" cried out a mother whose son was terribly attacked by other classmates in a most horrible way. Last year in my community, young boys attacked a man. This man's life was taken by the attack. There is so much hurt in the world. Why are young people even thinking about hurting people?
There is a pureness of the heart and the mind that can prevent such horrible atrocities. We must be active in seeking purity. What is purity? The secret lies in our saviour's words: "Love one another."
Look at the youth in your life. Do they have an opportunity to grow in love and purity? Do you have any idea how to show the youth these charactieristics?
Last Sunday many of the youth in confirmation class made baked goods for the congregation in a service event. One girl brought yummy brownies. They went fast and people looked for more. More baked goods came in for the second service. One boy was happy that he was providing joy to others. In fact, he seemed really surprised that something as simple as bringing cookies could make people happy. It was good to share! I asked him to come and help at a future fund raiser. His eyes opened with delight. He smiled so big that it made me smile too. This was purity.
Grow in love today. Be aware of your actions and reactions. Give plenty of love today. Show our young people that love is the guide to how to live. May our youth have love and growth in purity. May sunset news be graced with good news. A few more baked goods will be okay, too!
Joan
October 15th
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SUNRISE
Sunrise brings inspiration of purity. In my house that might mean clean clothes on a Monday Morning. Now this is pretty important. I have to go to work. I have to be pleasant for other people. No one needs to look at a wrinkly, spotty collar on my blouse at the start of a new week. I can’t hide everything with my smile!
However, I know that in places not too far from me purity is not important. Purity may mean a room without weapons. I turn on the tv and watch the news-- it is frightening and takes away any peace. What can I do about it? Of course, I turn off the television and focus on the sunrise painting orange over the green leafed tree tops. I remember how important God’s word is in my life. I pray for God’s word to become important in other’s life. 2 Timothy says that “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of…All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” I can smile. This is not only where true life is found, it has a love that is cleaner than Monday morning clothes.
2 Timothy 3:13-16 (New International Version)
13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
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Ecclesiastes 1:16
I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge."
The green backpack was empty, except for a list of school supplies. It was the beginning of summer and the beginning of the new school year was forever away. Each time I went to the store I picked up one item. One time I picked up a coloring book. Another time I found pencils. I couldn’t help wonder about who would receive the backpack. The note said it was for a boy. Would he be about seven years old? Would he look at this present and be thankful? Or would he think “strange color, but whatever.” Then he would reach forward and grab the bag, dragging it along his side, wondering how much homework he would have that day. “Great, pencils. I’m no good at math.” He would think. But he would smile at his friends. “Yeah, I have the same bag! Cool car inside!” Their laughter would make me happy because I knew that they felt like they fit in to their classroom. Their teacher would be so thankful that the boys had the necessary supplies. She would smile at their laughter. It would be the teacher who would hope for growth in wisdom!
School comes quickly. There are many needs of the student. The teacher knows particular learning needs of the student. The parent or guardian knows what they need to supply. The stores know what they need to stock on the shelves. The student may be thinking about other needs. Some may be thinking about a need to see friends. Others may be thinking about a need to please the teacher. Above all these needs are Jesus.
May Jesus guide your heart today. May all students have their needs met and may their God given talents grow. May wisdom be found in everyone’s efforts to grow in knowledge and faith.
Now it is August. The weather is hot and a little refreshing after so much rain this season. I have been blessed with visions of lilies, sunflowers, zinnias. There are many flowers of the field. God takes care of them all. That is a simple statement. I can complicate this statement, but do I need to do this? God must have other needs for the flowers besides beauty. Scientists learn about vitamins that come from sunflower seeds. Squirrels must have learned about that, too, because one year they took all of my sunflowers. I was amazed that they took the entire sunflower away just when the seeds were ripe for eating!
God has given us many more blessings for our day. He has given us His word. These words are also beautiful and varied like flowers. No one can take them away from us, but we can share them with anyone we meet. His word is waiting. His word is always ready and ripe for reading. Enjoy.
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Matthew 6:28 (New International Version)
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
July's message:
The new devotion is on how God does know us. Also, we recognize him. It is comforting to know that nothing can keep us from our Father's love.
Amen.
Joan
This week we celebrate the fourth of July. Some people look back at the past history of our country. They thank God for a country of freedom: freedom of worship, freedom of education, freedom of choice. Some just want to have fun. No matter where you fit, make sure your choice shows brotherly love to your neighbor. Thank God for your choice of freedom to peace. Amen
There is a new devotion on "You don't know my past...in church."
If you are busy, are you too busy? If you are too busy, are you too busy at home? Or are you busying yourself about the town? It is important to do what we are supposed to do. It is important for children to learn. It is important for adults to watch children. It is important to keep spouses happy. Read the Devotion on Titus about being busy. Have a blessed day! Joan
I have added words about the heart. You can read them on the devotion page. Have a heart-ful day! Pray for those who have loved ones in the hospital. Pray for those who have loved ones that are no longer in their arms. May they know that the arms of Jesus are strong and ever-loving! Amen.
Today I wrote about emotions. God addressed them right away in Chapter four of Genesis. He told Cain to "get a hold of his emotions." How do you think Cain was supposed to do that? My first thought goes to putting the best construction on something. My mother-in-law said "If you can't say anything nice, don's say anythig at all." This is not easy for me to do when I do not have control over my emotions.
We are to witness and take care of God's children. He didn't say only the ones who come from our town or country. He didn't say only the ones that we agree with or like. He didn't say only the ones that make us feel good about ourselves. Take a look at the people you reach out to each day. Are you controlling your emotions?
Read the Devotion for a talk on Genesis 4. You will be truly blessed.
Thank-you in the Name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!
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BLOG SITE
I am taking a class to earn a Master's of Online Teaching at the University of Illinois. I had an assignment to create a blog site. This will actually be useful to me for the Parish Nurse health outreach! I started it on June 16th, the day my grandaughter is to have eye surgery for a rare childhood glaucoma at Columbia Presbyterian. This is her third surgery. I pray for her sight and for my insight. Joan
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Laodicean
The National Spelling Bee final winner is broadcast on the news every year. This year the winner spelled the word "Laodicean" correctly. The news casters reported "I don't even know what that means." Then he gave a meaning : lukewarm. I turned to my husband and remarked "I guess he doesn't read the Bible. I wonder if any of the Spelling Bee judges really knew what it meant." My Pastor husband proceeded to discuss their lack of knowledge about the pronounciation of the word. No, they probably have no idea of where the word came from. That is okay. That is what makes Bible Study so interesting. There is so much to learn. There is so much history in the Bible as well. The Laodiceans were not "into" serving Jesus with their whole heart. Revelations even mentions this church and God says in this book that he would rather "spew you out of my mouth" if you are to be lukewarm. He does not want us to be like the Laodiceans. He wants you to be excited about your faith in Jesus! Yes, sing in your heart with joy! Put your energy of love for Christ into life as you share His love with the people you come in contact with each and every day. Enjoy your special blessings with great joy! Go! Go! Go!
Devotions has a new addition on this chapter. Enjoy reading and praying!
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Memorial Day. Happy Memorial Day. I read the book of Proverbs and God tells me that a man will be happy who fears the Lord, who keeps God's commandments. Well, I know how miserable I am at keeping the commandments. Ginny Wirsing, at a recent retreat in Sag Harbor, showed the group who attended how breaking just one commandment breaks all commandments. Gee--how can we be happy, then? God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus fulfilled the law and kept the commandments. He gave us a new commandment: to love one another. This is our new wisdom. Jesus is our friend and we are His friend. There are many who do not know this law of love.
How does being happy on Memorial Day fit in with this concept? Our souls in service protect this country which was established under God.
Because of them, we continue to be able to share our blessings with our family, friends and neighbors all over the world. Proverbs talks about evil. We are to flee evil. The service members help protect us from evil. This brings humbleness and quietness to my soul. I am quiet when I think about the dignity of the sacrifice of the living and the dead. May God continue to bless us. Amen.
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Mother May I? This was a game that I remember playing over at Leslie's house when I was five years old. I had fun, but I remember being serious about not breaking the rules. I don't think I understood about winning, but I did understand that if I broke the rule--if I didn't say "May I?"--I would not be included in the game anymore. Did I see that as loosing? Not exactly. I just saw it as not going with my friends.
In church I try to follow certain rules, too. I don't see it as winning or loosing. I see it as trying to be like Jesus. If I break a rule in church, though, I believe that there is forgiveness. Lots and lots of forgiveness. I will always be with my friends. My concern, however, is will my friends go with me?
I may not be the best witness. I may not be who everyone wants to be like. Jesus is that person. Jesus is the ultimate witness for God our Father as the one who loves us unconditionally, with full forgiveness. Jesus is the one that everyone wants to be like. Follow Jesus. Be with Him. May I? Yes. Always. Joan
Read the Monthly Message under "MORE." Mary Sackett lead the ladies this past Saturday, May 2nd, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Middle Island, NY. This was a very inspirational morning. Her notes are shared on this page!
Galations 5: 22-26: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
11/23/2009 2:18:57 AM