Secret Lessons of the Tundra

This land looks barren and devoid of God's creative touch. There is not a single tree within hundreds of miles. It seems to be as lifeless as it is flat. But oh, His beauty is here! With my camera in hand, crouching as close to the ground as I could, I searched intently for the wonders which I knew were hidden from the casual glance. What treasures indeed I discovered! They opened before my eyes in such splendor. I want you to see where I found the Lord's beauty. Let me show you that the tundra is a land of wonders.

These lovely purple flowers were so very small that I nearly missed them. I wish I knew their name. Notice the fuzzy underwear God gave them! (giggle) Fluffy insulation is something I frequently observe in Arctic flowers. This lonely little group was all that I found growing in the area. They remind me of the rarity which virtuous young ladies are today. So many Christian girls are barely getting by -- they conform to dress standards but because they have not made modesty a matter of the heart, they step as close to the edge as they dare. They may consistently do their part in church but the power and the sweetness of the Holy Spirit does not flow through them. Like these flowers, girls with a real hope to lift up Jesus through their lives are few.

The First Snow

We are settling in for our long winter's nap. The darkness of winter is slowly creeping into our bright days. We saw the moon for the first time yesterday evening. It was a full moon and the clouds all about it were glowing and shimmering. My God is wonderful!

O give thanks unto the LORD; 

for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that made great lights...
The sun to rule by day...

The moon 

and stars to rule by night: 

for his mercy endureth for ever.

{ Psalm 136:1, 4-5, 7-9 }

Last week, as I was studying the calendar, I thought aloud, "You know, I just reckon that we'll get our first snow on the day autumn begins." Our summer dragged on long past the usual date for freeze-up. When that happens, you can't help feeling a bit anxious. Your body is ready for the cold weather to hit (like a locomotive! =D), but it doesn't come.

Well, today is September 23, the first official day of autumn.

We got our first snow last night... a beautiful little dusting. (sigh)  The air is so brisk, clean, and refreshing. The dark, colorless dirt is covered by a blanket of soft white. I am glad it is here.

For he saith to the snow,

Be thou on the earth;

{ Job 37:6 }

Ha! I was right! What are the odds of that happening?

So, which is it? The first day of autumn... or the first day of winter? =D It is surely our first day of winter--the first day of MANY days of winter. I welcome it today but I am certain I will be just as happy (if not more so) to bid it farewell come May. =)

Yes, We're Open!

I have long been planning to open an Etsy shop on which to sell my sewn and knitted items. Time has at last permitted me to do so! My stock is rather low at the present but plans are in the working stages for many other products.

So, please do drop on over to The Shop of The Merry Maid every now and then. I would so welcome your business. =)

The Pearl of Great Price

Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, 

went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

{ Matthew 13:46 }

Christ told a parable of a merchant man who was searching for pearls to buy.  He sought in all the most popular stalls of the marketplace. When he found finally one pearl which was especially rare, the price he was required to pay for it meant little to him.  He was willing to lose all the other things which were valuable to him in order to obtain it.  The purpose of this parable was to express the inequable value of the Gospel, but more specifically the object of it, the Lord Jesus Christ, and our personal relationship to Him.

When salvation is weighed against every other thing which man could value, he finds that everything but Christ is empty and vain.  Possessions, worldly esteem, wisdom, religion--nothing earthly could ever secure the soul’s eternity in Heaven.  Nothing can compare to a personal relationship with Christ through salvation.  When a lost soul completely realizes his need for the Pearl of great price--when he sees that righteous self as well as sinful self is completely worthless, he is willing to part with everything he possesses to receive Him.  He is willing to give everything he holds dear to know Christ, but he at last finds that this Pearl is bought “without money and without price” (Isa. 55:1).  The price that must be paid for this Pearl is no less than trusting in Christ’s finished work, and that alone.

Two Great Sermons

I recently listened to two different sermons which were just what I needed! The Lord has been dealing strongly with me about some things and He used these sermons to more deeply impress them into my heart. I needed them! They both challenged and encouraged me.

The sermons were preached at Bible Baptist Church of Fairbanks, Alaska, a church with a passion for souls and a heart for missionaries. This church has helped my family's ministry in tremendous ways and we are so grateful to God for them! They always go out of their way to make us feel welcomed and loved whenever we attend services there. I felt the Lord leading me to share the links to these sermons. The Lord knows who else needs to hear them. I pray you will take the time to listen to them and get a real blessing for your soul. Each is about 30 minutes long.

Seconds Are Free

Pastor Doug Duffett

This is a sermon that will make your soul sing because God is just so good and gracious to us. That God gives His marvelous salvation to worthless sinners is more than we could ever hope for... yet He gives us so very much more! The riches of His grace are set as a feast before us.

This Is the Best Day of My Life

Bro. Luke Bishop

We would do well to realize every morning, before we begin our day, and remember often throughout it, that "This is the day which the LORD hath made." The LORD has already made each day, preparing it to exactly suit our needs. We can choose to go our own way or we can submit to His will. When we have faith that He knows how our day should go better than we do, "we will rejoice and be glad in it." Knowing that every situation that may come up is foreseen and planned by our loving Lord will give us a quiet, settled peace and a joy that can't be shaken.