The heavens declare the glory of God...

How often do the manifestations of God's love for us go unnoticed? I wonder how many others, in a population of 209,000, took a moment to recognize this token of what the Lord of Glory did for us at calvary...

I, too, would have missed this one had I not looked up when I did. Oh, that I may be more attentive to the declarations of God's glory, whether in nature, the Scriptures, or elsewhere!

A Day at the Vet

Knowing that I was interested in equine veterinary medicine, my riding instructor offered for me to go along with her when she took two of her horses to the vet in Kalispell. 

She picked me up near Trego, but we ended up having to go back to Eureka to switch out trailers (hers apparently has a bent axel or something, which she realized after stopping to get me). Above is the trailer she borrowed just before loading the horses up again.

Cadet getting an x-ray. He kicked the wall in his stall back in June and broke his coffin bone.

In Dr. Genovese's office comparing the new x-ray to previous ones.

 

Floating Hannah's teeth.

Over all it was a very enjoyable day, and quite the experience for me who is not used to talking for about three hours with someone I don't know really well!

Great Things

         Solomon’s youth was illustrious, because he was connected with Heaven, and made God his dependence and his strength. God has called him Jedidiah, which, interpreted, means The Beloved of God. He had been the pride and hope of his father, and well beloved in the sight of his mother. He had been surrounded by every worldly advantage that could improve his education and increase his wisdom. But, on the other hand, the corruption of court life was calculated to lead him to love amusement and the gratification of his appetite. He never felt the want of means by which to gratify his desires, and never had need to exercise self-denial.
          Notwithstanding all these objectionable surroundings, the character of Solomon was preserved in purity during his youth. God’s angel could talk with him in the night season; and the divine promise to give him understanding and judgment, and to fully qualify him for his responsible work, was faithfully kept. In the history of Solomon we have the assurance that God will do great things for those who love him, who are obedient to his commandments, and trust in him as their surety and strength. – {HR April 1, 1878}


What encouragement for us in our day! Our character can be preserved in our youth, though we have objectionable surroundings.... This doesn't happen by default simply because we desire it. We have to do our part to guard ourselves from the influences of a world that is drowning in sin. Then, God will facilitate the preservation.

More Than a Match

I read this passage this morning and found it to be written for me. I'm afraid I've been in the camp of those seeking the convenient road; but, by God's grace, I want to be wholly in His ranks...

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:13-17.

Soldiers engaged in battle have to meet difficulties and hardships. Coarse food is given them, and that often in limited quantities. They have long marches, day by day, over rough roads and under burning suns, camping out at night, sleeping on the bare ground, with only the canopy of heaven for a covering, exposed to drenching rains and chilling frosts, hungry, faint, exhausted, now standing as a target for the foe, now in deadly encounter. Thus they learn what hardship means. Those who enlist in Christ’s army are also expected to do difficult work, and to bear painful trials patiently for Christ’s sake. But those who suffer with Him shall also reign with Him.

Then who of us have entered the service to expect the conveniences of life, to be off duty when we please, laying aside the soldier’s armor and putting on the civilian’s dress, sleeping at the post of duty, and so exposing the cause of God to reproach? The ease-loving ones will not practice self-denial and patient endurance; and when men are wanted to make mighty strokes for God, these are not ready to answer, “Here am I; send me.” Hard and trying work has to be done, but blessed are those who are ready to do it when their names are called. God will not reward men and women in the next world for seeking to be comfortable in this.

We are now on the battlefield. There is no time for resting, no time for ease, no time for selfish indulgence. After gaining one advantage, you must do battle again; you must go on conquering and to conquer, gathering fresh strength for fresh struggles. Every victory gained gives an increase of courage, faith, and determination. Through divine strength you will prove more than a match for your enemies.— The Signs of the Times, September 7, 1891.

Lord, do whatever it takes to make me thine, a true soldier of the cross...

Worth More Than Gold or Silver

The only safe-guard for children and youth, is the love and fear of God. Let them choose for their companions those who give evidence that they will encourage good purposes, orderly habits, and uprightness of character. Let them choose for companions those who practise the Bible truth, and walk according to the light that shines upon their pathway.  {SD 162.5} 

So thankful for our ten-year friendship with Cami and Cayce...We have so much in common (Cami/Ash & Cayce/Me). We don't actually remember the time we met; possibly our first time attending WAFCM. What I love about our friendship is that we can go a year without seeing each other and pick up right where we left off when reunited. We enjoy so much just simply being together. I thank the Lord for bringing us together; it's so special.

Then..

A strong, helpful grasp of the hand of a true friend is worth more than gold and silver. SD

And now...

 The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.  ~Elisabeth Foley

Who Wants to be Miss-able?

I heard a sermon a few years ago by a man who's family was leaving our church as a result of moving to another state. He gave the sermon on their last Sabbath at our church, and it was about miss-able people. Here is the list he gave of the characteristics of these people.

Miss-able People are:

1. Unselfish
2. Helpful
3. Positive/Cheerful
4. Encouraging
5. Generous
6. Agreeable
7. Dependable
8. Patient
9. Tactful
10. Godly

Several areas come to mind in which there could be improvement in my life. I'd like to be miss-able; wouldn't you?

The Plan of Salvation in the Days of Creation

First Day: Light appears. The light is divided from the darkness.
We are introduced to the Savior. The darkness (sin) is already there in our lives. God comes into our lives and brings light.

Second Day: "Divide the waters from the waters."
In the Bible, water often represents people. At this point we are set apart through baptism.

Third Day: God commands the earth to "bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit..."
Likewise, when we have been called out of darkness and begin to follow the Lord, fruit is brought forth in our lives.

Fourth Day: "And God made two great lights; the greater to rule the day, and the lesser to rule the night."
The greater light, which is the Bible; and the lesser light, which is the Spirit of Prophecy, are both essential.

Fifth Day: "And God said, let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life..." and commands them to be fruitful and multiply. 
Once we have received light, and been baptized, we are called to be fishers of men.

Sixth Day: Man is created in God's image and given dominion over the beasts of the earth.
As we follow Christ and become more like Him, we are given dominion over the beasts of self and sin.

Seventh Day: God rests from His work and blesses and sanctifies the seventh day.
Our induction into heaven brings the end of our work here on earth and, consequently, brings our rest.

I'd love to hear other's insights regarding this. So, feel free to leave your comments below!

Glacier Park

Here are a few pictures from our camping trip to Glacier Park this past weekend. The Lord blessed us with beautiful sunshine!

My Prayer

 Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul.  {COL 159.3}  


This is one of my favorite quotes because it embodies what I want the Lord to do in my life. May it be your prayer, as well.

Les Fleurs

Have you ever considered the beautiful flowers that bloom where no one will ever see and appreciate them? They go unnoticed by the world, but still show the handiwork of the  Creator. 

Our greatest victories are those which no one knows about; the struggles and temptations overcome in our daily lives. They are the blossoms that grow in the out-of-the-way places that only a select few are privileged to witness.

At first there may only be a few flowers growing in our secret gardens. By God's grace, they may multiply until our gardens are so prolific that they are can no longer be hidden and those around us will see the evidence of the Master Gardner's work.

Let's strive every day to cultivate more of these blossoms in our lives. By overcoming in the little things, our lives will grow more beautiful and we will more clearly reflect the image of the Creator.

Whatever It Takes - Video

Finally, here's the video from WAFCM!

Whatever It Takes from Emily Brown on Vimeo.

Lessons From a Four-leaf Clover

While on a walk this past Sabbath, a couple people in our group found four-leaf clovers. This made me wonder what lesson I could draw from this supposedly rare finding.

This is what one site had to say about four-leaf clovers: “Four-leaf clovers are very rare. It is estimated that for every one "lucky" four-leaf clover, there are 10,000 regular clovers. In order to find one, you have to be very patient or very lucky.” Funny, those in our group found them after just a couple minutes and weren’t even looking for four-leaf clovers…

^“According to legend, each leaf represents something: the first is for faith, the second is for hope, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck.”

 Faith

The faith in Christ which saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by many. "Believe, believe," is their cry; "only believe in Christ, and you will be saved. It is all you have to do." While true faith trusts wholly in Christ for salvation, it will lead to perfect conformity to the law of God. Faith is manifested by works. And the apostle John declares, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar" (RH Oct. 5, 1886).  {6BC 1073.2} 

 Hope

Christ is our only hope. We may look to Him, for He is our Saviour. We may take Him at His word, and make Him our dependence. He knows just the help we need, and we can safely put our trust in Him. If we depend on merely human wisdom to guide us, we shall find ourselves on the losing side. But we may come direct to the Lord Jesus, for He has said: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." {TM 486.3} 

 Love

"God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." What an incomparable love is this! A theme for the most profound meditation! The amazing love of God for a world that did not love Him! The thought has a subduing power upon the soul and brings the mind into captivity to the will of God. Men who are crazy for gain, and are disappointed and unhappy in their pursuit of the world, need the knowledge of this truth to quiet the restless hungering and thirsting of their souls.  {4T 80.2} 

 Luck

Definition: good or bad fortune in life caused by accident or chance

As Christians, we don’t believe in luck. With God, everything happens for a reason. Every good fortune we choose to count as a blessing. Every trial is for our character development.

“No action can touch us except with the Father’s knowledge and by His permission… by the time it reaches us it has become God’s will for us, and must be accepted as directly from His hands.”

So… perhaps the three-leaf variety of clover that God originally created should be the more sought after form rather than the four-leaf genetically modified version. I would just as soon leave off the fourth leaf and focus on the faith, hope, and love we find in Christ.

Three Words

I left this last Washington Family Campmeeting with the strong desire to do “whatever it takes” to be ready when Jesus comes - hence the name of my blog. I plan to post some of the lessons I learn on my journey and perhaps some of life’s miscellaneous occurrences, as well. I pray you will be blessed by what you find here.

I will try to post the song my friends and I sang at WAFCM entitled "Whatever It Takes" as soon as I figure out how...