Two Hoots

A few months ago I was told by someone that another particular person did not give two hoots about what I thought. Now I do not believe that the person concerned was purposely intending to be nasty or hurtful to me but those words 'couldn't give two hoots what you think' had a deep impact on my thoughts process. My thoughts ran like this: Does the person who said those words to me give two hoots about what I think? Does anyone really give two hoots about what I think? After all, I don't live in a mansion and have plenty of cash to flash around. I have my health issues. I do not belong to some popular political party, big church or esteemed organization. I am not a celebrity. I do not go along with all the 'leftie' thinking that's going about today. So, why should anyone give two hoots what I think? My opinion is worthless. It does not matter. So, why bother giving it? In fact, why should I spend so much time preparing little Bible-based studies, thoughts and picture texts to share on the internet, if no one gives two hoots what I think?

I had to stop right there for I must confess I felt a wee bit like Jeremiah in the Bible. God's Word is a joy to me and I love to share it in the little way I can. However, if people do not give two hoots what I think, or even what I share from God's Word, why should I keep doing it? When Jeremiah was derided daily and mocked for speaking God's Word, he decided to stop telling it BUT he found that God's Word was so burning within him that he just could not hold back from speaking it (cp. Jeremiah 20v7-9). That kind of describes a bit of how I feel. Life has a big void if I cannot share God's Word...that message that so burns within my heart to get out, even if no one gives two hoots what I think.

A couple of weeks back I opened Facebook one morning and two precious promises that God had given me years ago just came up in my newsfeed. John 15v16; Exodus 33v14.

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." John 15v16 KJV

"And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Exodus 33v14 KJV

This was no accident. God was showing me that even if some people didn't give two hoots about what I thought, He had chosen me and He cares about me. I am important to Him. It matters to Him what I think. He wants my opinions to be so rooted in the Bible that I am actually propagating HIS will.

When I stop to think about it, I have as much right to my opinion as those people who don't give two hoots what I think. My desire is to ever give Bible-based opinions that promote godly living. I may not be rich, strong or powerful and I may be deemed foolish, unimportant, useless or a failure by some people but by God's grace I intend to continue living for Him. He has said:

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12v9 KJV

I may be weak and unimportant by this world's standards but remember God uses such people that He alone should have all the glory (1 Corinthians 1v26-31). This gives me great encouragement to keep going, even when I know that others couldn't give two hoots what I think. 

In conclusion, your opinion is not more important than mine, just because I dare to differ with you, or even because you couldn't give two hoots what I think.

We all have the right to our opinion but that does not mean we are right. We may be sincere in what we think and believe but we can be sincerely wrong. So, we all need to make sure that our opinions line up with what God says in His Word, not against it, because one day we are all going to be judged by the standard of God's Word (cp. John 12v48). At the end of the day, it is what God says that matters!

Thanks for taking time to read this blog post. Hope I haven't come across too harshly but I just wanted to share how God encouraged me to keep going when I was made to feel inferior.

Rhonda

Spring cleaning

It's Spring! Hooray. Can't you feel spring in the air? I love it. The bushes all around us beginning to bud. The daffodils are out and other little plants starting to peep out of the winter soil. (Actually, the daffodils are nearly finished and it's tulip time already). The days are getting longer and soon the clocks will go forward to bring in British summer time. Newborn lambs and other baby animals arriving. It makes me think of the Bible verse:

"The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land." Song of Solomon 2:12 KJV

The time for Spring cleaning is here, that time when you give your house an extra deep clean to get rid of all that winter dirt. The bright days are showing it up and you want to get in behind furniture and machines to remove the dust and cobwebs. So out comes the dusters, polish, cleaning agents and even bleach. The yard outside maybe needs a power hose to remove the green. The garage or garden shed needs a clear out too. Well, that's the general idea but I'm not too good at doing it.

Spring cleaning makes me think about the Israelites in the Bible clearing all the leaven out of their houses at Passover time. Not a bit was to remain (Exodus 12v15). Leaven is a picture of sin (1Corinthians 5v6-8). We need to be diligent to ensure that sin is removed from our lives, lest it rises to control us.

Adrian took some days off work a few weeks ago and we spent two of those days spring cleaning. He cleaned the guttering and wiped the fascia board. What muck he took out! I took to washing down the walls inside where the dogs had rubbed up against them with their wet coats, and to pulling out furniture removing dirt and cobwebs.

Day two was a bigger job than I expected.... clearing out the attic. Wow! It's one thing to put things up in the attic out of the way but it's quite another to have an attic full of boxes and accumulated rubbish...some of it there since the year 2000! Adrian had to go twice to the dump with stuff. 

Well, two days did us and I've still lots to do. Cleaning windows and a kitchen deep clean are included on that list. Plenty of elbow grease needed! Painting and a garden make-over have to wait until the weather gets a bit warmer.

My thoughts are bursting with application but here are just a few:

1. Deep clean is necessary to get rid of much ingrained and hidden dirt.
Spiritually speaking, we need to get rid of sins like envy, pride, jealousy, lust, selfishness and covetousness that are hidden deep in our hearts. They will lead to more sins if allowed to stay. See Mark 7v20-23.

2. You discover precious memories and things you had forgotten about. 
Maybe it's a bunch of old photos, a gift from someone special, a book or prize with sentimental value, some work of art, or a toy that brings those memories flooding back....and maybe tears too as we reminisce. Often as we sincerely search our lives with the spotlight of scripture, we can go back to reminisce on past blessings God gave us and times of great accomplishments and encouragements in our Christian walk.

3. You may throw out things others preferred to keep.
When we had finished our attic clear-out, Isaac informed me that it would have been nice to have kept the horrible histories series that he had collected when he was a child. Oops, sorry, too late, they're dumped! Why didn't he tell me in time? Yes, sometimes we don't see the value in things that mean something to other people.

4. You must be involved in your own spring cleaning to get satisfactory results, even if it's only to give instructions on what you want done, kept, or dumped. I had to get up into the attic to do the clear-out and clean-up. It had to be done right, my way. 😄 I wouldn't trust others to do it to my liking. 😏 Christian, when it come to a spiritual spring clean in your life, you must search your own life before God in the light of scripture. Psalm 119v9; 139v23-24.

5. Be careful not to dump things you should keep. 
Imagine having dumped something and then realizing later that you should have kept it. Make sure the fruit of the Spirit is growing in your life. See Galatians 5v22-16.

I conclude with this little Bible verse:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4v23 

Sandy Cove

Where better to have a St. Patrick's day stroll than down by Sandy Cove near Kinsale in Co.Cork? Adrian has some treasured memories of summer camps spent near there. So, he parked up the car in view of the sea and we went for a walk. There's a pathway that winds from Sandy Cove along by some cliffs to the ruins of an old church. It is that path we took on Sunday afternoon.

We had not planned to end up there when we set out for a drive. So, I was not dressed for the occasion. Some parts of the path were mucky but not impassable, even for me. It certainly was not a path you would walk in the dark nor would I stand too close to the edge of a cliff! Nonetheless, on that cold Spring day in March we walked and talked and enjoyed some lovely views. My photos just cannot capture the beauty.

Then, we came to a sign which said 'Beware of the BULL' and as I looked on the other side of the path another sign read 'WARNING DANGEROUS CLIFFS Keep away'.  Our chances did not seem great if a bull came charging! So, as I have a phobia of bulls since childhood, I decided to turn back. Adrian continued to the ruins of the little old church and took a couple of photos.

I dandered back, enjoying the views. But as I was almost back to the car, I noticed another warning sign that read 'Dangerous cliffs, Fire Hazard, No Barbeques'. I had walked right passed it before and never even noticed it.

Sometimes life's pathway takes us passed some dangers. There is many a place we can fall and others where we can get burnt. We can get stuck in the muck of everyday life and forget to lift our eyes to the Almighty Creator and Sustainer of life. The enemy may come charging at us. We may even lead others astray into danger. But there are warnings from faithful friends and the Word of God for us to heed. And, yes, many a time we do choose to ignore them and walk right on or maybe we do not even notice the warning signs.

As I was nearly back to the car, I could see the moon starting to appear to view in the sky and I just could not help but think:
One day the sun will finally set on our lives and eternal day will begin for those who belong to the Lord. What a day that will be when my Jesus I will see!

My 2018 Memories

I really do not know how to describe 2018 but it has been another year of challenges and precious memories for me. I cannot relive it but I can reflect on how good God has been to me. I have experienced His grace in ways I do not fully realize. I am just sharing a few memories in this blog post.

The 'Beast from the East' hit Ireland at the end of Feb/beginning of March. It was a dangerous time for everyone who had to work and drive in it but Cesar and I were able to keep warm inside.

I had the privilege of helping to organize the Lifeboat children's mission in June which Everett Smith took and was greatly encouraged in it. I do not have any photos of it.

During it my beautiful corgi dog Cesar died. You can read about him in my blog
Poor Cesar's Gone

Then, Freya and Bridie arrived to stay at our house and what a difference two puppies have made in our home! They are best mates and spoilt rotten but our garden is just like a big playpen lol.

I finally got our dining room decorated, after a lot of work stripping wallpaper off, preparing walls and painting...but I had the satisfaction of doing it myself.

I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful hot summer. Adrian and I had lots of day trips throughout Northern Ireland. We, also, visited Kells in Co.Kilkenny...beautiful place, I had never been there before; Tramore in Co.Waterford where Adrian was saved, as well as our old favourites Cork and Kerry. I am just sharing a collage of photos of them.

Adrian and I enjoyed a lovely holiday in Carlisle and Lake District area in September. We were so glad to have had this time before settling back into winter work. It truly is a beautiful area with some breath-taking views.

I thought I would try my hand at crocheting a cushion cover, making the pattern up as I went along. After a lot of trial and error, ripping out and crocheting I finally got a design I am satisfied with. I wrote down a rough pattern of what I did and hopefully you can find it here:

Crochet Cushion Cover Pattern

I do not make New Year resolutions, so don't expect to read any here. 😀 but here is a bit of my thinking (for what it's worth), based on some observations I made in 2018:

1. Friendship works two ways but not everyone wishes to communicate the way you would like them to.
2. Forgiveness, trust and respect are three different things. Humility and contrition are necessary ingredients for forgiveness. Trust may never be regained after hypocrisy and lies. Respect is earned but not by flaunting yourself as being 'holier than thou.'
3. Do not let someone else's wrongdoing cause you to stumble in your Christian faith or cause you to grow bitter. Surely, you do not want to become a hindrance to God's work or a castaway? Keep your eyes on Christ and move into the new year with faith and hope.

We cannot change the past but we can look to the future and make 2019 count for God.

Wishing you every blessing for 2019
Rhonda

Christmas Grace

This year (2018) I chose 2 Corinthians 8v9 as my Christmas Bible verse and over the Christmas period have been thinking about various aspects of God's grace. Here are just a few of my thoughts:

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."
2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV

Free unmerited favour of God

Grace is the free, unmerited and undeserved favour of God. We certainly do not deserve God's favour nor can we do anything to merit it. In comparison with mercy, God's grace is where He gives us what we do not deserve; God's mercy is where He does not give us what we do deserve.

I could not help but think as I went about Christmas of all the blessings that God has showered upon us in His grace....food, clothes, presents, warm home, carol singing, family, and so much more. As we sat around the Christmas tree with the lights on and exchanged our gifts and then as we sat at the table filled with delicious food prepared by Isaac and Jemima, I could not help but think that God graciously provided this all for us. Not only that, we have technology, internet and social media to share our Christmas thoughts with others. Thank you Lord for giving us all these things. 

God's Amazing Grace

However, my thoughts go to God's amazing grace in sending Jesus to save us from our sins. I cannot fathom the depths of the riches of His grace and no matter how hard I try, I just cannot understand what it meant for the Lord Jesus to lay aside His glory and leave the splendors of heaven to come down to this old sin-cursed world. He was unimaginably rich and yet He was born in a dirty stinking old stable and laid in a manger that the animals fed from. The Son of God and King of kings was born in such poverty for our sakes. He was poor while He lived on earth. 

He grew up and although He lived a perfect life, wicked men took Him and mocked Him and whipped Him until His back was like a bleeding ploughed field. Then, they nailed Him to the cross where He endured all the wrath of God for our sins. He rose from the dead and went back to the glories of heaven. His sacrifice means that we can be spiritually rich if we repent and accept Him as our Only Saviour from sin, and then we will enjoy heaven with Him.

Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. By Him came grace and truth (John 1v14+17). By the grace of God He tasted death for every person and now He is crowned with glory and honour (Hebrews 2v9).

Riches of His grace

As believers we can enjoy the riches of His grace in this life too! Redemption through His blood and forgiveness of sins. There are just so many blessings in the riches of His grace for believers, in this life as well as the next life.

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."Ephesians 1v7

Sing with grace

Sing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. God's grace should be so abounding in our hearts that we just cannot contain the joy and we just have to burst out into praise for all He has done for us.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."Colossians 3v16

Pray boldly for grace

Pray with boldness, and yet reverently. On the basis of what Christ has accomplished on Calvary we have the right to come boldly into the presence of God and claim mercy and grace to help in time of need.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."Hebrews 4v16

In conclusion, I would ask you to reflect upon the grace of God. What does Christmas really mean to you? How have you experienced the grace of God in your life? What do you intend to do in appreciation of God's amazing grace?

My Autumn Thoughts

To everything there is a season. Autumn is the season of dying leaves producing the fabulous range of beautiful autumnal colours. To those of you who know me you will probably be aware that autumn is not one of my favourite seasons. (I much prefer spring and summer). However, the beauty of the colours really struck me as I walked through Windmill wood in Dungannon a few weeks ago. I could not help but take a few photos with my phone. They are not very good quality but here they are along with a few thoughts.

Windmill Wood, Dungannon

It had been a while since I walked through the woods on my way to town. The pathway had been swept but my eyes admired the carpet of rusty dead leaves under the trees. Then, my thoughts just went off in this direction:

I sometimes think of life as 4 seasons. Spring is childhood. Summer is youth. Autumn is middle age. Winter is old age. Each season of life has purpose and we can know contentment in fulfilling that purpose. God gives the grace and strength to face each season of life, whatever the challenges. Remember too, that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6v6).

There is a straight path down from the windmill but the rest of the paths wind their way throughout the woods. I know the paths now and can enjoy a walk there. Life twists and turns irrespective of the season. Every pathway in life is not straight. We never know who or what is around the next bend for us to face.

The paths are swept to help prevent us from slipping on the wet leaves and falling. In life there is many a time we can slip and fall. Falling down does not make us a failure but staying down will. So, don't stay down. Get right back up again. Do not let the devil keep you in defeat. A just man may fall seven times but he rises up again (Psalm 37v24; Proverbs 24v16).

Look closely at the picture above and you will see a grey squirrel in the middle of it. They are busy scurrying around the woods at the moment collecting nuts and food for the winter but it is impossible to get close enough to them to take a photo with a phone camera. These amazing little creatures know to prepare for the winter ahead. We too need to prepare for our future and by that I am referring to our eternal destiny. Prepare to meet thy God (Amos 4v12)

In the middle of the woods a big tree has been cut down. I do not know the exact why, when or who particulars but soon it will be forgotten by a lot of passers by for there is nothing left now but a tree stump. This cut down tree reminds me that we can be cut down in any season of our life. So, we all need to make sure that we are ready to die. We all have an appointment with death that we must keep and we do not know how soon or suddenly that will be (Hebrews 9v27; Proverbs 27v1).

Cut down tree in Peatlands Park

I will conclude with a tag-along thought. One of my favourite places for walking locally is Peatlands Park. Adrian and I have also had some lovely Sunday afternoon walks there recently. It is a pleasure to get away out into the bog walks with the dogs. The two and a half mile walk is about my limit but I love it. Autumn stares us in the face there too but I can still enjoy it. I may be walking through the autumn season of life but I still find that the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Lake in Peatlands

What about you? How do you feel about autumn? Maybe you are not able to enjoy as you would like to or maybe you are not a walker. Nonetheless I hope you reflect upon your season of life and how it affects you spiritually.
Rhonda

Discover more about these two lovely places to walk:
Windmill Wood, Dungannon
Peatlands Park

Missing Teeth

What is it with people and no teeth? Recently I have met several different people with missing front teeth and to my amazement they did not seem to be self-conscious or worried about it at all. One particular man surprised me because of his status and work in life. Another had a big smile with just one top tooth. Now I am not meaning to be nasty but I cannot imagine going without top front teeth and doing nothing about it long-term. Nonetheless, all of this got me thinking about what the Bible says about teeth. Here are just a few thoughts:

Teeth help us bite and chew our food. Just imagine trying to bite off a piece of apple or chew some tough meat without teeth. It might be difficult and embarrassing for you if others are watching on. Chewing with a squashed up face isn't attractive. Also, you need teeth to enjoy more than baby food. But you know we need spiritual teeth to bite off portions of God's Word and chew their teachings. Not all scripture is easily understood but the blessings of studying it help us grow in the Lord. Get off the spiritual baby milk and get unto the strong meat of God's Word.

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5v12-14)

Teeth help us speak clearly. Ever listen to an old person with no teeth, talk in the morning before they get their false teeth in? Their speech is not as good with missing teeth. Well, you know, our speech is important....how we gracefully speak to others and how we answer them with wisdom. Digesting the strong meat of God's Word will help us speak appropriately. Our speech will be clean without profanity. A little word of caution: we shouldn't use our teeth to bite and devour and gnash upon others.

"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4v6)

"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." (Galatians 5v15) 

"There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men." (Proverbs 30v14) 

Dental aesthetics is important, too. So, we should look after our teeth and keep them clean. Missing front top teeth are most obvious and the gaps ruin our smile. If for some reason they are missing either as the result of decay, gum disease or accident, do yourself a favour and get some dentures to improve your appearance so that you can smile with dignity. This reminds me that our spiritual appearance is important. If you are a Christian, make sure that you have a good testimony before other people. Keep clean by the cleansing power of the blood of Christ and the Word of God.

Now please don't take me up as being nasty or offensive to anyone when I write about missing front top teeth. I have missing teeth and I hate wearing a denture. I know that missing back and side teeth are less noticeable but I would never feel comfortable going out without front teeth. It would ruin my smile! Lol

Thanks for reading this blog and hope you took it as I intended....lighthearted with a little serious spiritual twist. And don't forget to smile with teeth! 😁😁
Rhonda