In Thee I Rest

A dear friend of mine has often quoted these simple words, and how very true they are:

Bear not a single care thyself;

One is too much for thee.

The work is Mine, and Mine alone;

Thy work, to rest in Me.

{ Hudson Taylor }

Psalms 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

Isaiah 30:15a For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

In the photo: A daisy floating in a birdbath during a sunrise in my grandma's garden in Iowa.

The Billy Sunday Story

Biographical book written by Lee Thomas

I feel humbled and amazed upon my finished reading of this great man of God. From the day the Lord called Billy Sunday into the ministry of evangelism to the time the Lord beckoned him to "come on Home," this saint "ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" with holy zeal. His unabashed, uncompromised preaching of the old-time Gospel and his fiery condemnation of sin brought millions to the foot of Calvary where their sins were washed in that precious blood that will never lose its power.

The story of Bro. Billy Sunday begins in the days of his boyhood. His mother, the widow of a Union soldier, was penniless and unable to provide for her two young boys. With tears coursing down her cheeks, she sent them away by train to a faraway orphanage. Young Billy learned early the value of good, honest hard work. In his later years, he became the well-known baseball player. It was during his career that he turned to Christ for salvation and became a changed many by the Spirit of God. Bro. Sunday related, "If the same floor is in that old building, I can show you the knothole in the board upon which I knelt that dark and stormy night forty years ago. I have followed Jesus from that day to this very second, like a hound on the trail of the fox, and will continue until He leads me through the pearly gate into the presence of God and until it closes on its jeweled hinges."

He continued his baseball career for several years and married a sweet young lady named Helen. Just as he was about to enter full-time ministry, he was offered a very significant baseball contract. For days he wrestled with the decision. He made up his mind to accept the contract, but his heart was still in a turmoil. His dear wife in her wisdom encouraged her husband, "You made God a promise. Stick to it!" He realized that to "gain the whole world" was not worth the price. It was said of him, "He was a premier base-stealing threat on the champion team, but God called him from stealing bases to 'stealing' hearts, from winning championships to winning souls."

This crucial point in Billy Sunday's life was pivotal to God's mighty plans for him. Millions of souls hung precariously upon the choice he would make in this test of surrender. Who can know what God can do with a man fully yielded to Him!

Invisible Blessings

Devotional by Elisabeth Elliot

II Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Being very much of the earth--earthy--we always want tangible, visible things--proofs, demonstrations, something to latch onto. If we always had them, of course, faith would be "struck blind." When Jesus hung on a cross, the challenge was flung at Him: Come down! He stayed nailed, not so that spectators would be satisfied (that miracle, His coming down, would have been a great crowd-pleaser), but that the world might be saved.

Many of our prayers are directed toward the quick and easy solution. Long-suffering is sometimes the only means by which the greater glory of God will be served, and this is, for the moment, invisible. We must persist in faith. God has a splendid purpose. Believe in order to see it.

Don't Let the Fire Go Out

Devotional by Evangelist Tim Green

Leviticus 6:13 The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar: it shall never go out.

In the 1930s the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) began buying up property in order to flood vast areas of land by damming up rivers, thus creating hydroelectric power to energize the South. The story is told of one elderly man who would not sell his family property. Agent after agent came to the gentleman, who obstinately refused to relinquish his holdings.

Finally, the assistant to the president of the TVA came. "Why won't you sell? Is the price too low?" the man queried. The elderly gent, with the spirit of Naboth, responded, "No, the price you are offering is four times its worth." He continued, "This old log cabin we live in, my granddad built. That fireplace there provides heat in winter and a cookstove year round. My father on his deathbed charged me with the words, 'Son, don't ever let this fire go out.' And I never have and I never will."

The wise agent quickly responded, "What if we build you a cabin on higher ground? We'll take the fire from this fireplace and move it up the mountain with you and the family." The elderly man agreed, and the deed was done.

Child of God, never let the fire of the fullness of the Holy Spirit go out in your life, home or ministry. Let it "ever be burning"; for we are going higher up the mountain, and that, very soon. Hallelujah!

Snug Fingers and Toasty Toes

 

I've finished two more pairs of mittens recently. This pair is for my little sister. When she saw the rainbow of yarn colors I have to chose from, she asked if I would make her a different-colored pair. So, the rose-colored pair are set aside for a little girl in Moldova.

PATTERN DETAILS 

Title: Toasty Knitted Mittens
Yarn: Lion Brand "Cupcake" and "Baby Soft," and Red Heart "Soft Baby"
Colors: Sugarplum, Blue and White Pompadour (two strands together), and Powder Pink

These mittens are for my little brother, who, in fact, is much bigger than me. (chuckle) I had to increase the pattern quite a bit so they would fit his large hands. I was wondering what colors I could mix and match to create more masculine-looking mittens--it seemed all the coordinating yarn colors I had were frilly--so I'm glad these turned out well. =) 

PATTERN DETAILS 

Title: Toasty Knitted Mittens
Yarn: Lion Brand "Wool-Ease" and Baby Soft"
Colors: Oxford Gray, Navy, and Cream

 

Below are my dad's socks which I completed nearly a month ago. They required quite an amount of knitting as they reach the knee. I had never before made gussets nor had shaped a heel, so the first sock was a challenge. Once I got all the details figured out, though, I had so much fun making them! The second sock took only three days to complete. I highly recommend the book I followed (see details below). The precise photos and in-depth instructions were very helpful to me. 

PATTERN DETAILS

Source: Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd
Yarn: Lion Brand "Wool-Ease"
Colors: Oxford Gray and Forest Heather

Mittens for Me (Yay!)

 

I finished my second pair of mittens, begun Thursday, yesterday evening. This pair is for me, specifically designed according to my passion for purple; I just love them!!! These are done in a wide Fibonacci stripe sequence (4, 5, 7, and 9 rows). I'm going to begin another pair this evening... still deciding on the colors.

 

As you can see, my dear little ktty sneaked into the photo. (chuckle) Duchess loves soft, cushioned things and the blanket I was using for a background was no exception. Isn't she a beautiful kitty? (below)

PATTERN DETAILS 

Title: Toasty Knitted Mittens
Yarn: Lion Brand "Cupcake," "Wool-Ease," and "Babysoft"
Colors: Sugarplum, Violet, Pink and White Pompadour (two strands together)

The Devil's Compliment

Devotional by Evangelist Tim Green

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.

Satan does not have a sympathetic or considerate bone in his body. He doesn't back off or give one a break in times of stress or serious problems. His "sifter" is set in motion to destroy or defame the children of God.

By the way, I doubt you are grist for his mill if you are an unfaithful, careless saved person. The non-tither, the no-time-for-the-Bible-and-prayer kind of Christian is not the kind of wheat he is looking for.

If you ever find yourself, like Peter, in the Devil's sifter, take it as a compliment. He is concerned enough about you and your life to go after you with a vengeance. Remember, the more seriously you take God and His work, the more seriously the Devil will take you.

No true Christian is fool enough to desire a few shakes in Satan's sifter. But if you find yourself there, please recall what Jesus Christ said to Peter in verse 32: "But I have prayed for thee." Grateful am I that "he ever liveth to make intercession" (Heb. 7:25). Though troubles and trials come from the hand of our archenemy, take hope, dear friend, that Christ Jesus is there to deliver and sustain amidst the fiery trials.

Thanks for the compliment!

Warm Rosey Mittens

 

Two days ago, I finished these mittens which I began knitting last Friday. They're my first pair and I'm very pleased with them! These are for my younger sister who rather enjoys their coziness. I did these in a Fibonacci stripe sequence of 2, 3, 5, and 8 rows rotated among my three colors.

My current project is another pair of mittens for myself (purple and pink, my favorite colors! =).Once I finished these, I'll be knitting as many pairs as I'm able -- as I find time -- for orphans in Moldova. The McCurdy's, missionaries in Moldova, have a ministry with a local orphanage. They give presents to the children every Christmas; just recently, I was approached about knitting different things for this purpose. I'm ever so glad to put my needles to such a good use! 

As soon as I'm able to take pictures I'll post photos of a pair of hunter green socks I made for my dad. I'm pretty excited about those! =) I can't wait to make more. 

PATTERN DETAILS 

Title: Toasty Knitted Mittens 

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease 

Colors: Rose Heather, Seaspray, and Mushroom