He is not here!

 1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week,a Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

2Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.

5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.b 7Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.”

8So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. 9Suddenlyc Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. 10“Do not be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.”

The Book of Common Prayer

 We have a big week here and by the end of the week, Lord willing, we will be unpacking and fully residing in our new home, in our new town.

As I was thinking about what I could share this week, I kept thinking of the book of common prayer.  This is not something I was exposed to as a child because I was not raised in the Episcopal church, but I have heard a few excerpts from this book from a dear friend from graduate prayer whose father is an Episcopalian Priest, but also from the Mitford books by Jan Karon, in which, the main character, Father Tim will frequently reference The Book of Common Prayer.

I love the reverent language, and I love that there are so many prayers for so many unique situations.

All that said, I did not find a prayer in the Online Book Of Common Prayer over those who are moving, or to bless a new home... but I was drawn to one prayer over Towns and Rural Areas.

Please join me in prayer:

Lord Christ, when you came among us, you proclaimed the
kingdom of God in villages, towns, and lonely places: Grant
that your presence and power may be known throughout this
land. Have mercy upon all of us who live and work in rural
areas [especially Rangely, Colorado]; and grant that all the people
of our nation may give thanks to you for food and drink and
all other bodily necessities of life, respect those who labor to
produce them, and honor the land and the water from which
these good things come. All this we ask in your holy Name.
Amen.

Word in Season

 

Genesis 1:27

 God's words to Noah...

This Is the Day

 

Happy Easter!

 He Is Risen!

New Every Morning

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.  His mercies never come to an end.  They are new every morning, new every morning.  Great is they faithfulness, O Lord.  Great is thy faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

This picture was taken by Hubby one morning from our front yard.

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Gusty Winds

When we get gusty winds in our area, which often happens -- usually in the afternoons and sometimes into the evening and night, I can feel the wind even from inside our sturdy house.

I sense the push on the windows, hear the howling at the doors, and practically feel the walls standing firm against the tremendous gusts of wind.  In these winds, I do not doubt the strength of our home.  In face, when I see the tress blowing outside or our recycling flying down the street -- yes, that happens, I am overcome with gratitude for our strong house and sturdy home.

I will frequently say to the children, "We are so fortunate to have this strong house to protect us from these winds."

Yet, when strong winds blow in my life -- uncertainty, job loss, unsure of what to do in parenting, I do not look to God in the same way I have gratitude for my strong house amidst gusts of wind.  So often, I timidly ask God for his Will to be done, but then cower in fear of what His Will might be, because it might be a disaster.  Or, I pray to God to fix a situation, then I still am wrought with stress as I try to solve the problem myself.  I would say I rarely, if ever, feel the winds of life blowing around me and simply say, "I am so fortunate to be in God's Will to protect me from these winds and guide me through these winds."

Do I have more faith in my home than I have in God who blessed me with this home?

I surely hope not!!!

He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, [my safe home when gusty winds blow], in whom I trust.

Psalm 91:2

God's Plan

The Mountain Millers have quite a bit up in the air when it comes to this fall.

Well, let me back up... I feel safe in saying that nearly every single family in the country with school-aged children has quite a bit up in the air when it comes to this fall.  Specifically, what schooling will look like in every district around the country for the 2020-21 school year.

Well, the Mountain Millers are no exception to wondering what schools will look like this fall, and wondering if we will want to send our children to school or if we will have other options.

In addition, other factors are unknown to us at this time that I have not shared on this blog, and will not be sharing at this time.

All that to say, I have been praying like crazy since early May regarding all of the unknowns of which I am aware, but I've pretty much been figuring out some plans in my own head and asking God to follow through with those plans I've created.

Well... so far, He has not been listening.

My plans do not seem to be His plans.

So, as we enter July, I have changed the way I am praying about this fall... I am trying to pray for His plan.  I am trying to accept that He has a plan that I CANNOT see.  He has a plan that is already in the works, and I cannot even begin to imagine what it is... but He does have the plan, and His plan will be revealed in His time.

Now, I will admit, this is not the way I like to pray because local schools are supposed to start on August 18, and Hubby and I are supposed to sign contracts and report for work duties WEEKS before then... so I REALLY REALLY pray that God's timing coincides with the school district calendars... but I am trying to increase my faith and trust that He has a plan, He is guiding our steps, and He will open doors that I do not even know are there.

I'd appreciate your keeping us in your prayers during this time of prayer and waiting on God and I'll certainly keep you posted when there is news to share.

Happy Resurrection Day!

Today, the churches are empty... but the tomb was empty too because of the resurrection!  The Christian faith and the promise of eternal life is because of an empty tomb.  An empty church does not mean we are not celebrating!

Good Friday

Good Friday... here's some sincerity and a chuckle for you (although the chuckle is from Maundy Thursday)

Shrek the Sheep

This is Shrek the sheep.  

He became famous several years ago when he was found after hiding out in caves for six years.  Of course, during this time his fleece grew without anyone there to shorn (shave) it.  When he was finally found and shaved, his fleece weighed an amazing sixty pounds.  Most sheep have a fleece weighing just under ten pounds, with the exception usually reaching fifteen pounds, maximum.  For six years, Shrek carried six times the regular weight of his fleece.  Simply because he was away from his shepherd.

This reminds me of John 10 when Jesus compares Himself to a shepherd, and His followers are His sheep. Maybe it’s a stretch, but I think Shrek is much like a person who knows Jesus Christ but has wandered.  If we avoid Christ’s constant refining of our character, we’re going to accumulate extra weight in this world—a weight we don’t have to bear.

 

When Shrek was found, a professional sheep shearer took care of Shrek’s fleece in twenty-eight minutes. Shrek’s sixty pound fleece was finally removed - enough wool to make suits for 20 men!  All it took was coming home to his shepherd.

I believe Christ can lift the burdens we carry, if only we stop hiding. He can shave off our ‘fleece’—that is, our self-imposed burdens brought about by wandering from our Good Shepherd.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. 

But of course we know that the real gift this Christmas is the arrival of a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

 

Bedtime Story Time

The following took place during bedtime story time:

Mama:  So God made Adam fall deeply asleep, and then He took a rib from Adam's side.  From the rib, God made a woman.  She was called Eve, and she became Adam's helper and friend.

Caroline:  Mama?  Daddy said, um, um um um... Daddy said, he's going to make ribs someday for Howard and me.

Howard:  They're going to be really yummy.

Tracey:  Me too!

Caroline:  You have to ask Daddy.  He said he was going to make ribs for me and Howard.

 

Good Friday

So often we are happy it is Friday and we tell each other to "Have a good Friday."

But the truth is, there has only been one GOOD Friday.

1000 Words

1000 Words

 

Why?

Why do you seek the living among the dead?

He is not here, He has Risen!

Luke 24:3-6

 And this is no April Fool's Joke!

Luke 2

Luke 2 -- Tracey Translation

Merry Christmas!