Down-to-Earth and Up-to-Heaven

Today was my day to post at Out of the Ordinary. It’s just a little post on why I love theology and why you should, too.

There are two reasons:

• Theology grows our love for God and love spurs our obedience to him.
• Theology grows our love for God and makes our hearts sing.

Read the whole post.

Thankful Thursday

My life right now is filled with blessings upon blessings. Every day is filled with good and perfect gifts: afternoon sunshine, fresh berries, friendly neighbors, a houseful of visitors, a walk in the bush with a spirited dog or two. I am busy and I am happy. I am thankful. 

I have had trials, too, in the past year, and I am thankful for my heavenly Father’s care through it all. There were many mercies and much strength received. Now, in this season, the troubles are behind me, and it’s been smooth sailing for a while. I am thankful for it all: God’s help when thing are difficult, his help when things are easy. 

I am thankful that God is faithful and his mercies are new every morning. His mercies will carry me through tomorrow, whether it’s one more smooth sail or the the first day of another season of trials.

Status Report: September

Sitting…on the couch in the living room.

Eating…crackers and cheese, my bedtime snack.

Wondering…where the day went. Actually, I know where it went. I took care of little Natalie today while her mother worked, and relearned how busy toddlers are and how much attention they require. And after supper, baby Amelia and her family came over for a visit. So there you have it; that’s where my day went.

Planning…to make blueberry-raspberry jam tomorrow. You know how all the raspberry jam recipes say to sieve the berries to remove half the seeds? I always mix raspberries with another fruit when I’m making jam and figure that if my jam is only half raspberry, it’s pretty much the same as taking out half the seeds—and a whole lot easier.

Plugging…shamelessly, the new blog Out of the Ordinary. There should be new posts up every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from now on out. So check in often, or better yet, put it on your feed reader.

Letting…go, a little reluctantly, of summer’s long daylight and warmer temps, and

Enjoying…the colors of fall, especially the yellow leaves covering the front yard. 

Also enjoying…fall’s frequent northern light displays on clear nights. Sunday night, my son woke me at 1am to see them. I was annoyed, at first, but it was the best show I’ve seen in years—a wide swath of dancing green and violet across the middle of the sky—and altogether worth the interrupted sleep. 

Anticipating...the garden’s end. Sometime before the beginning of October I’ll have everything in and it’ll all be over for this year. Between now and then, I have lots of work to do.

Yawning…because it’s time to say goodnight.

Wishing…you sweet dreams and a joyful September.

Copying…Lisa.