the faithless blogger ...

I can't believe it's been over a week since I wrote anything ... sorry all!

Let's see ... what's new to tell you ...

I've got a children's Bible club meeting at my condo in the evenings this week. I'm NOT a children's worker, but they just needed someone to provide a snack, and a shady spot, and THAT, I can do. :) Monday, there were four kids there, but last night, none came. The club is being run by a teenage girl from church, and her brother is helping her. I felt so bad for them. They really put a LOT of work into it. When nobody came last night, they went into the neighborhood to invite kids for today. I DO hope they get some attendance!

I told her the story of George Muller - how he had a burden to have a home for orphans, and prayed for God to provide all that was needed. The story of how the money came for land, buildings, furniture, etc., is just glorious. But then ... when everything was set up ... there were no children. He realized he had forgotten to pray for the children to come. God did bring in kids, more and more, until the orphanage grew to several buildings, and a large campus overlooking Bristol. (I have pictures of it - it's a beautiful place ... now used as some kind of college.)

So I told her I would be praying for God to bring her the children for today's club. :)

I took a friend to Shipshewana for her birthday Saturday. I'd forgotten how she loves to shop! She spent 3 hours in one antique store. Fortunately, they had a shady porch, and I had a book, so all was well! L. could shop, and I could read!

I've been getting to the gym, and walking some, but the heat has kept me inside more than usual. I go to the condo pool to swim, but I don't seem to have the endurance for that like I do with walking - I wear out after about 20 minutes or so. Oh well ... I suppose every bit helps!

I got a call that I'd won a membership to a gym downtown in a drawing. (I enter every drawing I see, so I suppose it's likely). However I know gyms are notorious for sneaky advertising gimmicks and bad contracts, so I'm highly dubious. Going Friday to have a look, and see what that's all about.

As far as study goes ... well ... nothing to report. I've been reading in John in preparation for the ladies' Bible study that will start in September (note to self ... get the books ordered for that). But the Ruth study hasn't gone very far.

a little mindless entertainment

Last night was the offroad derby at the Hudsonville Fairgrounds. A friend and I go to these together any time we can, and it was such fun. Not only do I like watching the race, but watching the people who come to the race is even better. :)

There was a group of wanna-be-gangster guys with big diamond earrings and cocked-to-the-side hats. They might have been intimidating if it weren't that they brought a tiny little puppy with them. It had to have been just barely old enough to leave its mother. Watching these big guys tenderly looking after that little puppy was adorable! They were giving it water out of their hands, loving the daylights out of it. It was VERY sweet.

A conspicuous feature of the women in the crowd was the lack of fabric they were wearing. The square footage of skin showing was most striking! (I'm FEMALE and I felt the need to look away because I was embarrassed.)

Which made the group of teenagers in this picture really stand out. They just oozed wholesomeness. They were clean cut, fresh-faced kids, and just seemed to love the daylights out of each other. There was no romance going on that was obvious ... just a group of friends who seemed to love each other's company. Near the end of the derby, when the stands were thinning out, they spread out, and were sitting like this with their arms woven around each other. It was so nice to see. I wish I'd had a real camera along with me, instead of just my cell phone, so the picture would be better!

Got in a walk yesterday before the heat got too bad, but no studying got done. Hoping for some of that after church today.

in answer to Carol's question

Suzie Norris was one of the first two residents of Rest Haven Homes. This lady, Bertha Webb, was the other.

It was 1946, and these were Christian ladies who couldn't live alone anymore, and had no family to care for them. A Christian couple took them in, but it got to be too much for them.

At about that time, Grace Pell had recently visited Abigail Townsend Luffe at El Nathan, the nursing home she ran in Buffalo (Abigail had grown up in Bristol, England, and was grealty influenced by George Muller's work there.)

Abigail met Grace, and took her all through the nursing home in Buffalo. (El Nathan, has since moved to Marble Hill, Missouri). She took her even into the rooms of the very sick people, and those whose minds had slipped. Then, at the end of their time together, Abigail asked Grace, "so dear, have you ever thought of working with old people?" Grace told her "no" ... that she already had a substantial work with children, and couldn't imagine incorporating a new ministry.

It was soon thereafter that the Lord brought the situation with Suzie Norris and Bertha Webb into Grace's life, and she was led to take over their care, which eventually led to the formation of Rest Haven Homes. They still hold to many of the principles that George Muller's orphanages practiced ... not making their needs known or asking for money, etc.

Grace Pell ended up dying in Rest Haven as a resident soon after I met the family. I know her younger sisters, who are now both currently living at the home - one in the nursing home, and another in an apartment there. They were from a family of 10, and had a huge impact on the Christian work here in Grand Rapids, starting a local church, Gospel Folio Press (since moved to Canada), Uplook Ministries, as well as Rest Haven. None of the 6 girls ever married, and are a great example of how to use one's single state to serve the Lord. They were even in Ripley's Believe it or Not as the "6 Miss-Pells (miss-spell ... get it?) who worked at the publishing house."

If you've never had a chance to read the story of George Muller's orphanages, or Sister Abigail's work in Buffalo, their biographies are both a real treat!

Got to the gym tonight, and read some in John this morning.

Such a fun project

I've been helping a friend prepare a history presentation for Rest Haven Homes 60th anniversary this September.

My part has been to scan in all these wonderful old pictures. I'm just loving it - looking at all these faces, and thinking about what their lives must have been.

The home has a very interesting history - tracing back through the influences of Abigail Townsend Luffe and before her, George Muller.

This picture is one of the first two residents, Suzie Norris.

I got in a walk already this morning, and have tucked in to scan pictures until I go to work at a funeral around 10:30. Need to get some studying done today, partuclarly because I'm to give a devotional at a ladies meeting tomorrow, and still have not the foggiest idea what I'm going to say. Yikes.

a few projects crossed off my list

Hope you all had a good 4th!

In the course of one of my projects, standing on top of a 6 foot ladder, right at the edge of my balcony, I so appreciated and having one of my neighbors holler “be careful up there”.

Being startled does wonders for one’s balance when standing in a precarious place.

I did eventually get back up the ladder and finish hanging the blind … once I stoped shaking. :)

thinking about God's provision

Happy 4th everyone!

In thinking about the blessings of living in this country, as well as considering Ruth chapter 2, I can't help but dwell on the provisions of God.

He has given so many opportunities, and I so often take them for granted.

Just as Ruth had no claim on the harvest from Boaz's field (in Ruth 2) ... yet he provided for her nonetheless ... so I have no claim on God's favor. Yet He is so good to me nonethless!

I was looking through some pictures this morning, and making CDs of the ones I thought others might want. In the process, I ran across the one I have posted here.

It's a picture of God's provision for one year of my life. A family from church had just bought this house, and his company promptly sent them to Japan for a year. This was at the same time I was looking for a condo to buy near the church. (I work there as secretary.)

It worked out so well for both of us ... they had someone to look after their house, and I had a place to stay for a year (3 miles from work!).

And such a place! It was brand new, and the rest of the subdivision had yet to spring up, so I had very few neighbors, and lovely views from the back windows.

I think I'll hang on to this picture. It's a good reminder that God can provide in any number of ways. :)

Got to the gym last night - I have one more week, and I'll be paying for my third year membership. What a funny thought.

Trinka

If people would just ...

put things AWAY when they're done with them, and pick up after themselves, then I wouldn't spend my Saturdays trying to keep this place in order.

Grumble grumble grumble ...

Oh.

Wait.

I live alone.

Never mind.

Not killed them yet ...

I went to a baby shower a couple weeks ago, and they (mercifully) didn't have any silly games ... but rather had each lady tell a story about childbirth or adoption when her gift was opened.

When my turn came, the hostess got this awkward look on her face. Relax Patti ... all is well! :) I told my proud adoption story ... that I had adopted an African violet when I moved into my apartment in G.R. in 1997 (I think? the day that Princess Di was killed was the day I moved in ... I'd Google it and find out if I weren't so lazy). And the amazing thing was ... I had yet to kill it! (now my other plants, of course, are not so fortunate.)

All that is to say ... the flowers on the porch are looking quite lovely, but have reached the point in the summer where the lack of drainage in the window boxes, and my own plant cluelessness, will begin to do them in. So I wanted to post a couple pictures before the great decline begins. :)

Got in a walk last night, and then went to Zeeland for a picnic with L.V.A. We had a nice time reading John together and watching the fish in the pond snap up bread crumbs from our sandwiches.

Today ... it's time to tackle the mess in the condo again. Going away last weekend means that there is much to be accomplished this weekend!

I'm hoping to get done in time to go in and have a late lunch with T., and get some help rigging up a brace so I can put my a/c in the window. My old one had the thermostat die several summers ago. A friend bypassed the thermostat for me, so I've been using it, but I had to plug & unplug it all night, so it wouldn't freeze up from running too long.

I bought this new-to-me one at a garage sale, and it's REALLY heavy. I think if I were to put it in the window without a brace under it, it just MIGHT cause the whole building to fall over. :)

there are times for moderation ...

and there are times for NOT being moderate.

I'm so weary of hearing that Israel should be patient, not respond, etc. ... And this morning I read criticisms that they might be harming civilians, as they try to get their captured soldier home.

Hmmm ... I suppose all those suicide bombers are NOT harming civilians? Why is there never any public outcry against the jihidists? They deliberately harm Israeli citizens ALL THE TIME, and there's not the slightest response from the U.N., the press ... anyone. But, by golly, if Israel tries to protect herself ... forget it ... they're the agressors. It drives me nuts!

Thank you for listening.

Got to the gym last night - first time in a week, as I was pushing to get things done to go out of town last weekend.

Last Friday-Monday, I had a great visit with some friends from Lake Road Chapel in Missouri. One lady there is an Access whiz, and she spent Saturday afternoon and some of Sunday helping my friend T. (with whom I traveled there) and I getting our databases running smoother, and cleaner. It's such a treat to be able to enjoy fellowship over something like that, and her help is a tremendous blessing to both T. and I at our jobs. I can do rudimentary Access stuff ... but when it comes to the macro/module/code type things (or even writing complicated formulas ... which was what needed to happen this past weekend) ... it's VERY nice to have someone looking over my shoulder!

This morning I was reading in John, and thinking about the Lord driving the money-changers out of the temple. This passage is often used to point out that we shouldn't be selling stuff in churches (which is definately a valid argument). But I was wondering this morning if it doesn't go a little deeper than that.

Later in Scripture, we're told that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. I think it's more than the church building, and worship services, that need to be cleansed of materialism! I think it's ME. It's so easy to start thinking "stuff" is important. But it's all so temporary.

T., with whom I traveled this past weekend, deals with death a lot because of the ministry in which she's involved. So naturally we end up talking about it as we travel. Life is SO short. It really is. I want to be a good steward of my stuff here on earth, but I want my investments to be in something that will carry on after I die.

Only two things that are here on earth will last forever ... people, and the Scriptures. So ... then ... Trinka ... who can you bless today?

How about you, gentle-reader?

Am I the only one that reacts this way?

So North Korea has a bomb that will reach the west coast of the U.S.

Does that mean ... Hollywood? Really?

Hmmmm ... trying to decide if this is a bad thing. :)

"BAD Trinka. Back to work!!!!"

"OK. OK. But let me say quickly that ... I'm still exercising, still studying (Ruth)."

happy 60th Mom

Oh ... my ... LOOK at all the pictures of you on the internet! Who knew it could happen? :)

(disclaimer, her birthday was YESTERDAY, but my scanner was cranky). I'm not a bad daughter, I just have bad computer equipment!)

This is our VBS week, and God has done some great things! We have the kids from 9:00-2:00, and there were 251 today! Two more days ... so we'll see what will happen.

This, however, has meant I've been going in to work about 5:30-5:45 every morning - just to get stuff done before the building is bustling with people. I am so thankful that I have a job that usually allows me to work in solitude. I don't do bustle well. :)

Not too much detail to share other than that I've been walking, swimming, and riding my bike, and enjoying a study of Ruth.

Yes, I do still have a blog ...

But the sun is shining, and it's light later, and it's just so GOOD to be outside. Carol asked this week, "are you having trouble getting on to blogger?). Uh ... no ... unless by "trouble" you mean ... "too distracted to get it done". :)

The flowers are growing , and I've even got some volunteer moss-roses starting to peek out from last year's seeds.

I've been exercising, and studying ... even got the bike tires pumped up, and am riding to church whenever my schedule & attire will permit. Last night, after weariness from being nagged, I picked up a bike helmet. I feel REALLY dorky wearing it ... I haven't fallen off my bike since I was 12 ... however, I can live with feeling dorky if people will stop hounding me. :)

I had such a delightful little blessing yesterday. I wear a small diamond on a chain that my mom bought me when I was 16. She had always promised us kids that she would buy us a class ring when we got to our senior year. Money was really tight growing up, but she really wanted us to have those rings. However, when I got to that age, the rings didn't really look pretty to me, and I asked if we could use the money for this little pendant instead. She was agreeable, and I've worn it ever since - and it's been a nice memory of high school, and of her kindness in saving up so I could have that treat.

Well ... I have long hair, and that's always been a problem with the chains I've used for the diamond. It tends to wrap around the chain, and eventually, after I've pulled it free enough times, the chain will break.

Yesterday, I got home from running errands with T., and looked in the mirror ... and ... no diamond.

I was just sick! I've always felt it break before, and been able to salvage the situation. She and I had been ALL OVER Grand Rapids, so I thought there was no hope.

I walked back into the bedroom where I'd just changed, and there was the diamond, sparkling in the middle of the floor! Then this morning, I found the chain, just inside the front door.

God has such a sense of humor ... it's not like He would have HAD to save it for me ... it's just a "thing" and not really all that important in the grand scheme of things. It could have just as easily dropped off in Office Depot! I am spoiled sometimes. I definately am.

I've been working on editing a sermon on the biblical view of war and the role of government. (an old college friend is now the pastor of Christ Community Church in New Hampshire, and he publishes some sermons in booklet form. He asked if I'd edit this one for him. It's been very interesting. Most of it is concepts I've considered before, but I'm appreciating the way he's stringing them together. If you're interested in reading it, let me know, and I'll e-mail a copy when I get it done.

Today is a birthday party for my mom & niece (their birthdays are both Monday). Mom does't know that she's getting a party out of the deal, so she'll be surprised. She's turning 60 this year. I've got the snazziest picture of her to post on Monday for her birthday.

It's been a productive morning so far - I "slept in" until 6:00, and have gotten the laundry done, the house picked up, and kitchen cleaned. Now I'm off to get the bathroom cleaned so I can get to the gym when it opens at 10:00!

quote on prayer

This was given on Sunday, and was a blessing to me:

“Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads one’s heart, its pleasures and its pains, to a dear friend. Tell Him your troubles, that He may comfort you; tell Him your joys, that He may sober them; tell Him your longings, that He may purify them; tell Him your dislikes, that He may help you conquer them; talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them; show Him the wounds of yoru heart, that He may heal them; lay bare your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, your instability. Tell Him how self-love makes you unjust to others, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself and to others.

If you thus pour out all your weaknesses, needs, and troubles, there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from one another never want for subjects of conversation. They do not weight their words, for there is nothing to be held back; neither do they seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of the heart, without consideration they say just what they think. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God.”

Francois Fenelon (1651-1715)

Got in a couple walks this weekend, and also got my bike tires pumped up and rode it to church Sunday night. I'd like to ride it back to work in the afternoons after lunch any days when I won't be needing my car ... a little extra exercise, and a little less gas-money spent! :)

in lieu of an actual post ...

These are my adorable-nieces, who are on vacation with their parents this week.

the most beautiful place I've ever been

It's even lovelier when you look at it right-side up. :)

This is the stream out behind what used to be Mary Jones' house. If you haven't read the story of Mary Jones & her Bible, you are missing out!

The link speaks of this as a "legend" ... but it's definately not. I was in Bala, and visited different places mentioned in the book; I saw Mary's parents' graves, visited this beautiful spot where their home stood, and drove over the pass she walked to get her Bible. If you can get your hands on a copy of the book (probably long out of print), it's worth having!

I was scanning old negatives tonight, and came to these from our time in Wales, and thought ... now THAT was a beautiful spot. Thought I'd share it.

Now ... if I could just figure out why they're suddenty scanning in upside down ... :)

Trinka

something so simple ...

I put some flowers in my window boxes yesterday, and I'm sitting here this morning just enjoying them like crazy. :) They look pretty spindley now, but I have high hopes for them. The little one in the bucket is a tomato plant. He and the hanging basket arrived last weekend.

well ... not ALL plastics

I spray-painted this old suitcase pink. The spray paint said "for most plastics." Apparently not THIS one, because it's been three days, and it's still sticky. :) A friend who does a lot of painting suggested I put it in my car, and let it bake in the sun. So that's currently in process, but I don't see a lot of de-sticky-fying going on!

I was reading some cross references in Philemon while working on a friend's project, and found something that interested me.

Philemon is a personal letter from the Apostle Paul to his friend Philemon concerning the fate of Onesimus, who was Philemon's run-away servant.

Some time after running away, Onesimus came in contact with Paul, and became a Christian. Paul is writing to ask Philemon to accept Onesimus back, and be merciful to him. (He may have stolen or cheated Philemon as he was leaving).

In the course of writing to Philemon, Paul uses the following phrase in verse 11: He says that Onesimus "... in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me."

It was interesting that what Paul was asking Philemon to do was similar to something Paul had done himself.

Earlier, Paul and Barnabus were traveling together, and Barnabus' cousin, Mark, was traveling with them. There was some situation where Mark left the group, and Paul was disappointed with him. (Acts 13-15). However, later the situation was mended, and Paul commends Mark as being "profitable" (2 Tim. 4:11).

I thought it was neat that Paul uses the same word to commend Onesimus to Philemon that he had used about Mark with himself. There was a time when Onesimus (and Mark) were unprofitable ... but God had done a work, and they were now profitable (or useful in other translations.)

God does that! Takes areas of our life that were waste, and grows gardens there ... brings usefulness out of places that were void.

Been walking a lot this week, and hope to get to the gym tomorrow morning (if it's open for Memorial Day ... better check that).

The perfect travel-related quotation

I just started reading Around the World in 80 Travel Tales (while sitting in the sunshine on my newly-cleaned, newly-house-plant-populated balcony).

In the introduction was a quote from Lao Tzu (don't know who he is ... but will Google his name eventually and find out):

A traveler should neither have fixed plans nor be intent on arriving at his destination.

I think that sums it up perfectly! The ladies I travel with have mastered this, and it's what makes it such a joy.

Flat tire after midnight? An adventure.
Near misses with disaster? An opportunity to praise God for His protection.

I think of so many serendipitous instances that never would have come to be, if not for that attitude ... ending up at the Grand Canyon on a snowy Easter morning as a boys' choir's singing echoed off the canyon walls, discovering unpopulated beaches and meeting hospitable strangers with open homes ... God is just so good to me!

AND my windows are washed. :) (Well ... I can't reach out far enough to wash ALL of the big front one, and I'm too high up for a ladder ... so the left and right sides are washed. The middle is a bit iffy. )

Trinka

general maintenance - a good thing ...

I defragged the hard drive, used registry cleaner (thank you Kim Komando), etc., on this little computer yesterday, and it's just FLYING today. These things need to happen more often! :)

Went to the gym yesterday and batted a racquetball around for a while. I'm starting to get a bit more consistent with it, and maybe I'll play with an actual person one day soon. :) Also lifted weights afterwards.

I was reading last night in Joshua 22. Israel had taken control of the land (more or less) and each tribe was going back to their parcel of territory. The two and a half tribes who had land on the east side of the Jordan had gone home, and built an altar on the other side of the river. God had commanded that He wanted to be worshipped in Jerusalem ... so to build a place of worship there was a "very bad thing." (It almost seems to me that they didn't build it for worship, but rather as some kind of memorial ... but I don't remember reading that last night ... either I missed it this time, or misunderstood something last time ... gotta read again and figure that out.)

The other tribes saw this happening and confronted them. Sin within the group had already had disasterous results in the past, and they wanted to protect against it this time.

In our postmodern culture, it is VERY hard to tell someone they're wrong. We've been fed the fallacy that there are many truths, and what is true for one person may not be true for another. I am a big fan of openness and inclusiveness in some areas ... but there are a few where we need to not be so open!

It's not loving for me to see a brother or sister in sin, and ignore it. And it's not loving for someone to see me in sin and ignore it. We're supposed to have each other's best interests (and the best interests of God's kingdom and glory) in mind ... and that means there are times when we need each other's help to forsake the old and put on the new.

22:19 says, "‘If, however, the land of your possession is unclean, then cross into the land of the possession of the LORD, where the LORD’S tabernacle stands, and take possession among us. Only do not rebel against the LORD, or rebel against us by building an altar for yourselves, besides the altar of the LORD our God."

They were so concerned that their brothers seek after God, that they offered to give up part of their own inheritance, to make a place where they could live closer to the temple. Am I so passionate about the Lord, and His people, that I joyfully sacrifice my own interests for their good?

Trinka

How quickly our perspective changes

This morning, I actually had the thought:

"I've only got 30 gig left. I've got to do some house-cleaning on this hard drive!"

Hmmmm ... how fast things change!

Only 10 years ago, it was:

"I've only got 30 mg left. I've got to delete the temp files!" :)

Actually, I'm working with a little film scanner to scan in all my old negatives, so the pictures are quickly consuming great chunks of hard drive. Hence the desire to keep as much free as possible. The scanner is a snazzy little critter - about the size and shape of a shoebox. It does a great job, and is fairly fast - I got about 40 pictures done last night while I was watching the (videotaped) finale of the Amazing Race.

That show is one of my guilty pleasures. I love to travel, and it interests me to see how people interact with each other in the stressful situations that travel presents. This year one of my favorite teams won. It was a couple of easy-going guys. They were nice to each other, and to the people they met along the way, and just flat-out seemed to be enjoying the travel, whether they won or not.

No exercise happened last night (reference the above videotape/scanning negatives time indulgence!). But I did get some great time in the Ruth study.

Ruth is the story of a widowed mother, living outside her homeland, who marries her sons off to two native girls. The sons die, and one girl chooses to stay in her home country, while the other, Ruth, travels with her mother-in-law back to Israel.

In Israel, Ruth works in the fields to provide for the two of them, and eventually meets the owner of the field, Boaz, - a family member of her mother-in-law.

There is an Old Testament practice where a dead man's closest male relative will take the widow as his wife, and the first son resulting will inherit the dead man's estate, and provide for the widow. The new husband is called the "kinsman redeemer".

Through her mother-in-law's prompting, Ruth asks Boaz to take on this role. Boaz tells her that there is a closer relative who has the right to do this, but if that man doesn't agree, then Boaz wanted to marry her.

Anyhow ... the reason I relate all this is to say, One of the things I'm doing is tracking all the references to time and location - down to the very minute, in the book.

And there are a LOT of them. It's written almost like a play ... you know where everyone is, and when they're there ... right up until chapter 4.

Chapter 4 (the last chapter) is where Boaz sits down with the closer relative to discuss who would marry Ruth.

Ruth is an Old Testament book that, while portraying actual history (she was the great-grandmother of King David), also carries a picture of the Christian's salvation.

Ruth was a Gentile. She had absolutely no rights among God's people. But she was brought in by Boaz, and made a child of God. We, too, have no rights before God. We are born in sin, and there's nothing we can do to change it. But Christ DID what we couldn't, took our penalty, and has made us a child of God.

There was a closer family member who had the first right to Ruth. So the Old Testament law had the first rights to US. If we don't accept Christ's provision to save us, there is ONE other way available. If we keep the Old Testament law perfectly, to the letter, we can be saved that way. However, in the history of the world, only the Lord Jesus has done so ... so that route is not promising!

Anyhow, what I really wanted to share this morning was the change that happened at the beginning of chapter 4. The narrative went from a meticulous focus on time and location, to having nearly none. And from the moment the transaction was sealed ... and Ruth was Boaz's wife, nothing at all.

It's like time and location ceased to be significant.

When our place with God is sealed ... time and space become less significant for us, too. I've got a few more decades here ... but forever with Him. People I love may be far away, but He is with me, and with them.

Not as polished a presentation as I'd like of what I'm thinking about ... but if I wait for polish, it just doesn't get done most days. :)