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Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Silence? In Heaven?!

“There was silence in heaven for about the space of half an hour.” (Revelation 8:1) Silence in heaven?! What a unique thought. I imagine Heaven brimming with melodious, none intrusive sounds. What would cause all those millions of joyful angels to fold their wings and wait? What were they waiting for? It seems like even the flowers, rippling like multicolored seas of beauty, were still. And what about the people; those that had been redeemed and milling around on those golden streets, normally so happy to share, to fellowship with each other, why were they mute?            `
I think they knew, and they were holding their collective breath.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Take Down the Wall

HOW Can We Take Down The Wall?


Sometimes we encounter relationships that are challenging at the best of times. The world would say walk away from them but that is not God’s way. Those people whom we find difficult may very well think the problem lies with us. We must do our level best to show compassion and try to work through our differences. If we preserve in prayer God can help us take that wall down one brick at a time.



Marilyn Friesen

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Veronica Partridge Exposed



 I don’t know so terribly much about partridges but suspect they have a lot in common with chickens. Anyone who knows me well knows how fond I am of raising free range hens and selling the eggs. But there is something even more enjoyable than that. It is watching Mama Bird possessively brood over a nest of eggs and patiently wait, with barely any food or water, for those little guys to be mature enough to peck their way out of the shells. Her nurturing instinct doesn’t end there, however, and I love to see how she calls her little brood over to share some food she has discovered. I love even more how they nestle under her wings yet peek out, out of curiosity at the friendly world around them. I have an amusing memory of one ‘teenage’ chick

Sunday, January 4, 2015

So Who Hates God?


So Who Hates God?

http://www.authorsden.com/

Have you ever noticed that the people who hate God the most seem to know the least about the Bible, and probably have never, ever had a sweet meaningful relationship with Him? I wonder why that is, but suspect that one of the likely reasons

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

God Knows MY Size

How many years is it since Darwin presented the evolution theory to the world?  It must be well over one hundred by now, am I right? So how many students in that time have been taught that humans evolved from monkeys, or even lesser beings? It would take a more mathematical mind than mine to even make a rough guess. Anyone want to chance it? 

The point I’m getting at, is, if evolution has a solid base of truth and there wasn’t so many gaps in the theory, wouldn’t we all be convinced by now that everything just happened?  Why are there so many, even those that proclaim themselves as atheists, plagued with doubts from time to time?

Back in Russia where teaching about God were mocked and scorned and stomped on possibly more viciously than almost anywhere else in the world there was a young student who also had questions about the existence of God. Sure, her parents and a few others were ‘devout believers’ but she was feeling unsure so started to talk to the ‘God’ her parents seemed so well acquainted with.

She didn’t make it easy for Him to convince her that He was real either. They were living in a two room shelter at the time, and ‘they’ included eleven others in her family. That shouts poverty, right? Well, winter was coming on, and she wanted a new coat and a sweater. Could God provide that for her; her, just one little girl among the millions of other poor children throughout the world?  From a girlish viewpoint there was something else that she wanted almost as much if not more than that comfortable winter clothing. She wanted shoes, feminine shoes. It was no fun at all clomping off to school in her brother’s boots that she had to stuff with newspaper to keep from falling off.

Well, she prayed, and prayed, but no answer seemed to be forthcoming. I guess she must have started finding comfort in her nightly chats with God because she kept on for several weeks.

Then one day Daddy came home from work carrying a big package. You can be sure all those children were excited and curious to know what it was, and their parents couldn’t even guess.

Sit back and picture that girl’s thrill of awe when first one, then two, then three items were pulled out of the box and they were just what she had asked for. There was a beautiful burgundy coat, a gray sweater, and brown shoes with little heels and a design stamped on the tops. Were they new? Yes.  Did they fit her perfectly? Absolutely.

“I hadn't even remembered to tell Him my size,” she whispered with tears in her voice. 

Monday, November 24, 2014

Does God Care About the Little Things?




He sure does, and I have the cutest little doll to remind me. When we went to Africa I left part of my heart there, and had wanted to bring back an African baby doll wrapped on its mother’s back as a symbolic memory of the place.  Would you believe there wasn’t any that really looked authentic?  

I did find a painting done by a native artist of that scene which was beautiful though.

Now this is the truly neat part. The first time, the very first time I strolled into Value Village after our trip I found a super authentic looking African baby doll just sitting there waiting for me to take home.

 And here's the bonus. Never once have I seen one that looks anywhere nearly as authentic before or since.  Not even on line! Does Jesus care bout the little things? You bet.




Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Let's Make a Man!!



 Man 1, Man 2 and Man 3 sat in their shared office on the top floor of a business building located in the most scientifically advanced city in the world. Moments earlier, at a given signal, they had all pushed their chairs back and gone into their private lounge for Man 1 had said he had a tremendous proposition to make.
            His business associates waited for him to begin.
            “Let us make Man in our own image.”
            “But G—I mean that has been already done.” Man 2, more commonly known as Kidzhero, objected.
            “How could you nearly use THAT word,” Nerd scoffed. We have spent a lifetime trying to brainwash the masses into to not believing in,” he grimaced, and nearly spat out the word; “God.” He turned to Man 1. “Come on, Boss, what is your brilliant idea?”
            Boss’ face fell, and he would have tapped his pen on his desk if it would have been in front of him. “Problem is…You Know Who got wind of my idea and He nearly thundered: “Thou shalt not use any of my DNA nor any of the components of any living creature that I have breathed life into.”
            “Hmmm, that does make it difficult,” Nerd admitted, “but not impossible. Have you gotten any suggestions?”

     “Well, first let’s make a diagram.” Kidzhero got up and brought a piece of cardboard from the storage room .
  “Why cardboard?”
            Hero shrugged his shoulders. “It makes it seem, well, fleshier. We’ll get the feeling for it better.”
            He cut out three equal sized pieces from the flattened box and handed them out.
            The Man’s scooted back to their desks, and were soon hard at work.
``Sure hope nobody comes in right now,” Boss muttered and went to lock the door. He strolled past his business companions desks and openly scoffed.
            “You couldn’t draw to save your life,” he told Kidzhero. “Why with those spindly arms he couldn't lift a pen, let alone a stack of law books.”
            “I’m working on it,” Hero gritted, “Just give me time.”
            Boss went over to check on Nerd’s progress. It was much more complicated. Mathematical equations were strewn all over his piece of cardboard and he had begun to diagram a ‘Man’ on his computer screen using various formulas.
            “He looks pretty empty headed to me,” Boss remarked, “And robot like; stiff and immobile.”
            Nerd strove mightily to keep his voice calm and even, “And how are you getting on, Boss?”
            “I will work on mine at home. That is where the necessary resources are.``

            An hour flew swiftly by, and they knew they would have to get back to their regular work, but each afternoon was devoted to their new project which they swore would thrill the world once it was developed.
            The three Man`s were so engrossed with their project that they scarcely noticed the seasons turning and the years flying by. By combining their ideas they eventually came up with a very mobile, life-like creature that with the aid of a computer hidden inside could speak, sing and do other actions seemingly effortlessly, but they were not ready to broadcast their efforts.
            ``If only we could figure how to make Aden,” for that`s what they called him, `Do things on his own, `` Nerd complained.
            ``If only we could have fooled around with DNA` Kidzhero muttered for the umpteenth time.
            Boss, who was gray haired by then, looked weary beyond his sixty years. `Well, fellows, I might as well admit it. HE never said we couldn't use what HE had created: I just came up with that idea myself.``
            Kidzhero looked annoyed, but Nerd nodded sagely. ``I figured out as much years ago, but secretly agreed with you. If we can`t make Man in our image without using some of HIS stuff we`ll never convince EVERYONE that HE never existed. There will always be a few doubters.”
            Boss agreed, but Kidzhero sulked.
The years wore on, and the three of them eventually had to retire after handing all their blueprints to their children. The time came for their sons also to retire, and I don`t know how many generations will go by while they are still working on that project. No matter where I am by then, let me know if they succeed.
            




Monday, September 22, 2014

"Frozen" to Death




There are many tragic ways of dying, but this must be one of the most unfortunate of them all. Somehow a man got locked into a refrigerated boxcar. It had to have been a terrifying experience to be trapped in a place like that with no means of escape. This poor, chilled gentleman had little enough to occupy his time so he took out a notebook and started to write down his changing symptoms as he slowly froze to death.

I’ve been like that just lately. I’ve heard these stories about persecution all over the world and how it has even reached our local public school, and panic set in. Someone else I know feels symptoms in his body and mournfully sees signs of old age or maybe even death creeping on.

After a few hours of anxiety, I knew that worrying about an unknown future had to stop so before going to sleep the other night I prayed that God would take it away. And do you know what, it vanished! This man who was having a rather dim outlook on aging was told that maybe he was ‘meant’ to live into his nineties and his attitude would lessen the possibility, and he liked that outlook!

Just one more thing; THAT BOXCAR WAS NOT REFRIGERATED! That man was a sad victim of his thoughts.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

The Mourning Elephants


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The Elephants Knew

And some will say there is no God,
try and tell that to the elephants. . . .

THE ELEPHANT'S JOURNEY TO PAY RESPECT, BUT HOW DID THEY KNOW?

Lawrence Anthony ,
a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the
bestseller, The Elephant Whisperer.
He bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the
globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of
Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003.

On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died. He is remembered and missed by
his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons, and numerous elephants.

Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home
led by two large matriarchs. Separate wild herds arrived in droves to
say goodbye to their beloved 'man-friend'.

A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 112 miles to get to
his South African House.


Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only
because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these
elephants sensed about Lawrence's passing, but also because of the
profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an
organized way: Walking slowly, for days, making their way in a
solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house. Lawrence's
wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants
had not been to his house prior to that day for well over 3 years.
But yet they knew where they were going. The elephants obviously
wanted to pay their deep respects, honoring their friend who'd saved
their lives - so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights
without eating anything. Then one morning, they left, making their
long journey back home.

SOMETHING IN THE UNIVERSE IS GREATER
AND DEEPER THAN HUMAN INTELLIGENCE

Monday, July 28, 2014

Nightmare World



We live in a nightmare world. I’m sure there are people right at this moment who are surfing the net while trying to block out terrible memories. Maybe they are hiding behind the shame of having been brutally beaten. Maybe they have been verbally abused so many times they half believe the lies that are told them. I know a little girl who is constantly being bullied. I try to help but what will be the long range results of such cruelty? I also know a woman who was physically abused as a child and it carried over into her first marriage. She managed to escape when he threatened to shoot her and the children, but the second marriage was just as bad in different ways. Are you caught in the same sort of trap and no one seems to care and understand?
What are you being called? Do you believe the lies? How have you been treated today, this last week or month? Are you the victim of an alcoholic or someone who is mentally ill? Are you too fearful or ashamed to admit it? Do you have anyone to go to that you feel safe with?
I’m not sitting in an ivory tower somewhere and tossing down bits of advice to you. I’ve been in the gutter also. I have felt the anger, the hatred and depression that comes from being molested. But I have also learned how to forgive and the healing that eventually comes with it. It wasn’t easy. I suffered emotionally for many years because of what happened, but now I am free. Now I want to reach out a helping hand to you and let you know there is a way of escape. There is hope and a light at the end of the tunnel.
To start with I’d like you to repeat these words at least ten times a day.
I am precious in the eyes of the Lord. I do not deserve to be abused. God does not want me to be abused. I am a worthwhile person.
We can’t see the future so from one day to the next it might not seem like anything is changing, but if you trust God to lead you, someday you will be able to look back and see that things have gotten better. And remember I am praying for you.
marilynfriesen.blogspot.com


Monday, June 9, 2014

A Peek into my Private Diary

http://www.authorsden.com/marilynffriesen

Today I am going to let you have a peek into my own private journal. The thing is, something so special, so thrilling, happened that I want to share it with the world.

Maybe you have heard by now that we are planning on taking a big trip. BIG: as in a trip of a lifetime for poor folks like us.

Okay; blessing number one: someone offered to pay for half of the trip. Can you imagine that?! We are traveling clear to the other side of the globe to see our son who is doing volinteer work in Mozambique, and these folks really wanted to go, themselves, but they thought we should go rather!!
That decision happened a long time ago, but since then, something else incredible, or at least very special, happened.

Our son had informed us that, sure, the workers would do our laundry, but we should bring four or five extra sets along, anyway. Well, this ole Canadian girl doesn't have a closetful of lightweight cotton dresses for galavating across the world. I had purchased some material earlier to sew up, but had decided to wander into Value Village, a good second hand store, to see if I could find some suitable dresses. Generally it is highly unlikely that I would find something that is modest and becoming according to our conservative Mennonite standards, so I rarely even look.

This is significant enough to consider as a new paragraph. I started browsing, just casually browsing, and lo and behold I found a very cheerful garment that would match my complexion and aurburn hair just perfectly. (Oh, yes, and it was a great fit.) I continued searching and another home-sewn Mennonite style dress showed up, and then another! (All in my colors and size!) I took them all because they were all so lovely and looked like new, but quit looking. If there were any more, let someone else have the joy of finding them.

I was so overwhelmed and thankful, and could hardly get over it! Boy, does God ever like to spring neat surprises on his children!

P.S. I also found a nice pair of walking shoes as an economical price.
P.P.S. I'm almost reluctant to add this because you'll think it's too good to be true. This all happened on Tuesday which is 30% off day for Seniours. (No, I could hardly believe it, either!)

Friday, February 28, 2014

The Folks Next Door Part Two

     
“Goedemorgen, Claudine!” Verena hurried over to the young mother who was strolling down a wooded path near their town home. “May I take a peek at your baby? Hallo Jans, did I wake you up? What a sweet little boy you are!” She sighed happily and looked around. “What a perfectly lovely day to be out for a walk. Aren't spring days beautiful?”
Claudine nodded. “ Pieter and Nicholaes do not play too far from the path. We need to go home after awhile to make supper for your father.”
“Where is Margriete?” Verena asked while she was making silly facial expressions to get the rosy cheeked lad to giggle.
“Over yonder,” Claudine pointed. “She is gathering an armful of flowers to fill our rooms with.”
“Meenen is such a pretty little town.”
Claudine fell silent. At least it doesn't have a dungeon like Ypres does. She suddenly felt cold and it had nothing to do with the stirring of a summer-like breese. How I would hate to be confined to a dark prison cell when the air is so fresh and there are all kinds of interesting things to do. She felt her grip tighten around the baby's small form. Verena didn't notice Claudine's change of mood. She was already rushing back to chat with Margriete.
“Mama!” Pieter called. “May I hold Jans please?”
Claudine handed the baby to his brother who promptly sat down in the grass and entertained him by tickling his face with a daisy.
What happy, sweet children I have, and such a good husband. Why then am I feeling cast-down in my soul, all of a sudden? Claudine started singing and the rich, pure tones filled the air with a rare beauty.
Claudine had a good soup cooking by the time Piersom entered the door. Claudine quirked her eyebrows. He didn't bound in with his usual boisterous good humor.
Piersom motioned for her to step outside.
“Margariete, you can start feeding Jans. He's so hungry after all that fresh air this afternoon. Yes, Piersom?”
Her husband closed the door behind Claudine before speaking. Then he laid his hands on her shoulders and looked deep into her warm, brown eyes. “ Hendric matched my step as I was returning home from work.”
Claudine nodded. Why such a sober look?
“Titelmannus is out and about.”
“Who is he?” Why did I whisper?
“The Dean of Ronse.”
When his wife still wore a blank expression, Piersom continued, “The Inquisitor. A pious councillor warned me to flee. I will hide in yonder woods.”
“Could you not pause to sup with us? You must be tired after such a long day.”
“Nay, I must hasten. He may have rounded up the bailiffs already to come and fetch me.” He turned to go, then paused. “You come, to, Claudine. They may be after you as well.”
Claudine knew the danger they were in. “I will fetch the baby, but you go! Go! Don't wait for me! I'll be but a moment later.”

“Where's Papa?”
“Why doesn't Papa come in for supper? I am hungry!”
“Papa and I are going for a little walk. Go ahead and eat. Pieter, you can lead in prayer. Hallo Janzie! My what a sopping wet baby! Did he eat much?”
Margariete nodded. “Everything that I mashed up for him.”
Claudine quickly and deftly changed the baby's sodden garments then hurried out the door.
She saw a ragtag, but determined looking bunch of men heading down the street so ducked into the woods and quickened her pace.

Page 737
Claudine de Vettre

MARTYRS MIRROR  

Thursday, August 29, 2013

I Don’t Understand God


You know, I really don’t understand God all that well. He reacts in a sometimes unpredictable way, and almost, if not always in a more loving way than I had expected.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Don't Forget to Look

There was a streak of vivid orange behind the trees early this morning. What a tremendous contrast to our narrow, dark strip of woodland. I went out to say goodbye to Stephen and our youngest daughter before they motored off to their jobs in the city.
                Hadn’t seen much of daughter o’ mine the day before with her tight schedule, and everything, so went over to her window; “Haven’t see much of you lately. “
“No, I’ve been terribly busy: and tired.” She kept fiddling with her cell phone. (Sound familiar?)
“Just look at the gorgeous sky.” Her eyes flickered upwards.
“Yeah, it is pretty.”
Soon they were gone.