We Are Blessed...
(God's blessings are easier to see in hindsight)
Monday, November 11, 2024
Story to tell...
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Family...
Friday, January 20, 2023
Leaving a Legacy...
Initially, I thought this seemed very strange that anybody would even consider doing such a thing. However, the more I thought about it, it occurred to me that this person's family and loved ones were either honoring the wishes of the deceased, or even, more importantly, sharing a much deeper truth about them.
In Annie's article, she quoted Kay Andrews, for example, whose gravestone recipe for fudge was another one that Grant made for her online account. Kay's family described her as the most joyful loving person, who was always baking treats to give to others. Such food gifts, Kay's granddaughter noted "were really how she showed her love." Annie went on to say the fudge recipe gracing her gravestone may look like the only legacy Kay leaves behind, but in reality, the legacy was what she did with that fudge. She poured her time and energy into making something enjoyable and then gave it away with her love. She made others feel special and wanted through simple actions and simple gifts. Annie also mentioned 'We only have her fudge recipe to look at on this side of eternity, but who knows what we'll find on the other side" The fact is those simple actions that she faithfully did may have made an enormous impact for good.'
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Lisa's Linen Press
Lisa & dad with Linen Press |
Today, I was going through several DVD's which I have produced over the years and I came across one entitled "Lisa's Linen Press" which I recorded back in 2013, 3 years prior to our moving down to Upland, Indiana. As it turns out, I used this video to discuss it's building, beginning with harvesting of the wood used along with quite a bit of related information and thoughts about my woodworking hobby.
The video begins featuring Pat (my Son-in-law) and I, just joking around a little while harvesting the trees used. Most of the wood used in numerous projects over the years came from trees, which needed to be removed due to building construction, or like the ash trees, died due to the Emerald Ash Borer.
The entire video is 17 minutes long but I would encourage viewers to just sit back and enjoy a coffee or other refreshment while watching.
The video is below. Thankyou so much for your patience...
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Another story to tell...
Saturday, February 5, 2022
Who would have thought?...
My Childhood Red Brick House |
When we lived in the house, my parents and grandparents owned all of the property to the right of the house all the way to the corner of the block, filled with trees and field grass. It was a great place for me and my brother to play cowboys and indians! The grey house next door in this picture belonged to George and Marie Rancourt. I never knew any of their children as they were retired and any children would have left home long ago. George was formerly a master mechanic for Ford Motor Company and he had a workshop in his garage where he would make things using his Blacksmith equipment. George was the nicest friend I could have had growing up and he would let me turn the blower crank to blow on his red-hot coals heating up the steel! When George wasn't in his workshop, he would be on the glider on his front porch, where us kids would sit with him while he spun some kind of yarn to tell us. It was so funny because Marie would occasionally come out and scold him for making up all that stuff about how he was with the indians, or you name it.
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Your sleep will be sweet...
During recent devotions, Nicky Gumbel was talking about "You can trust God" and having confidence in the Lord. He talked about 6 different aspects, which included wisdom, peace, goodness, love, intimacy, and humility. The aspect, which really grabbed my attention, was peace. In particular, he said "peace comes from a right relationship with God." He also said, "Success at work, wealth and fame are of little value if you do not have peace."
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Psalm 103 of David...
I also wish to thank Mr. David Lanz, a wonderful pianist who gave me his permission to use his music for all of my videos produced for the church. If possible, view this video full screen and using headphones to fully appreciate David Lanz' music, which so nicely accompanies the biblical David's psalm...
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Over The Years...
Thursday, December 17, 2020
It's all about relationship...Spit & Whittle...
Spit & Whittle Zoom |
Thursday, November 12, 2020
One's Life...
This morning during devotions, I was struck by the proverbs cited by Nicki Gumbel during his discussion about faith. While there were several verses cited in Proverbs 27, the one that jumped off the page for me was verse 19:
" As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart" NIVThis Proverb's author, King Solomon, really nailed it because our life is a pretty good reflection of what we have striven to achieve.
Putting it another way, our life reflects upon the values which are most "dear" to us. While some might say they are victims of circumstance, I would say that how we deal with the realities of life, is a challenge for all of us. Our life truly reflects in large part what "values" or "drivers" are most important to us...family, friends, possessions, career, money, our faith, etc. The older I get, the more I realize the importance of this life lesson!
In prior BLOGS, I have quoted a former pastor and friend (the Micker), who told me over lunch one day, "It's all about relationship," I have since come to realize he was paraphrasing Jesus' whole ministry. Our relationship with Him should be reflected in our actions ongoing toward every other person whose path crosses ours. And, those who observe our actions each day should be able to see, experience, and know the values which are driving our lives.
As I think back over my life, one great personal example which comes to mind. Some 25 years ago, my family and I was stranded on the side of the road south of Cadillac, Michigan with my van and camper while returning home from a camping trip. My van had broken down and was not drivable. Out of nowhere, appears a perfect stranger and his wife, who passed us in their pickup truck while returning home from church. They turned around to see if they could help us.
They offered us a place to stay overnight while his son, a mechanic in Cadillac could do some welding and mechanical repairs to the engine. Ken and his wife Anna convinced the AAA towing service to tow our van with the camper attached 5 miles to their farm, where we could drop the camper off for the night, while proceeding to Cadillac with the van for the needed repairs. God led Ken and Anna to help us when we were in such need. We have been the best of friends ever since! We continue to love and support each other all these years later!
Let's resolve going forward, to look for ways Jesus can use us to reach out to others in need. As we bless others, our life is blessed as well. Thank you Lord!
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Retirement Begins...
Kathie, Sue, and Nan |
This week, my sweet Sister-in-law, Susan Jane, as I refer to her, begins a new chapter in her life. It's called Retirement...a much deserved new phase for her after many years of dedicated, hard work while attending to the financial aspects of her church. Sue's family and friends, her sisters, and I look forward in great expectation to many years of fun helping Sue enjoy this new phase of her life! She will soon be selling her Michigan home and relocating closer to her family and spending quality time with her grown son's, their spouses, and her two grandchildren. Her sisters, Kathie and Nan and I are anxiously looking forward to be an important part of Sue's retirement!
In a way, it almost seems strange to think that we no longer have to look for available weekends to get together, working out vacation days for a visit. Instead, we can just jump in the car and make it happen...any ole time!
Upon Your Retirement |
Kathie found this Retirement Prayer, which I framed using cherry from my workshop, as a special gift from Kathie and I to help Sue as she begins her retirement. We are so happy for her and look forward to many happy years together!
- May you always have work for your hands to do.
- May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
- May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
- May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
- May the hand of a friend always be near you.
- And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.