May we remember the attacks on America this date and pray that we will be protected from it ever happening again.

Well, my dancing tree was doing a slow dance from the east winds going into the gorge.  A quiet breeze, but steady.

Thought we would have more pears to work up, but our source did not have any; Carla is out and about this afternoon and hopefully she will search out some of them.

She will be grinding away at squash today, making some more relish.  One of the jars she made was not enough to can, so we have enjoyed it on our hot dogs – purchased because it sounded good with her relish.

We have canned over 100 pints of fruit and vegetables this summer, thus far.  We will at least double that output, or at least I hope so.  I haven’t dried any, yet, but I have frozen some of the peppers.

First part of October I will be getting 80 pounds of chicken – as will Deed and Teresa.  We will have a canning and freezing operation up here.  Hopefully we will have them all processed by the end of the first day.  I plan on canning only one load and freezing the rest, not sure about Teresa, but Deed will be freezing all of hers – a much quicker process.

I mark on the lid what it is canned, when canned and what recipe was used.  Most are from the Ball Blue Book so I either circle the word Ball on the lid or if a Kerr lid, write Ball.  I then keep a canning log giving the particulars on each canner.  It helps keep the batches separated as some have different ingredients than others.  

1 Chronicles 16:25-26 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.

²⁶ For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.

and

1 Corinthians 4:1-6 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

² But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

³ But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

⁴ In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

⁵ For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

God is openly proclaimed.  His reality is visible to all who search for Him.  It is in the stars, the mountains, the oceans, the trees, the flowers and all that live and walk this earth, both man and beast.

However, mankind has looked at the creation and worships it rather than the Creator.  Man finds ways to explain the power that made the universe and all that is in it so that they can claim credit for their knowledge and wisdom.

Man has a soul that yearns to have contact with God.  Man wants to feed that soul and looks for ways to do it.  It is easier if he can define the method in which that is done, than to turn to the One True God.

Satan is well aware of man’s desires to feed the soul and he is also well aware that man can be readily deceived.  He blinds us with pleasure and promises that in the end turn out to be lies.  He is the ‘god of this world’ and knows all the tricks that will entrap the unsuspecting, or the unwilling to accept the precepts of God.

But the Lord our God is the Creator.  When we search God’s Word and apply it our lives we find that He indeed is the ‘force’ that is to be reckoned with; in Him and Him only is salvation offered to this world.

The Old Testament is filled with the stories of His Power, and with His Grace.  It is clear when reading the scriptures that He desires to be placed first in our lives, for us to worship and praise Him as the Creator – thus putting into perspective who we are and who He is – and who the gods of this world are not.

Paul pointed out that as he worked for the Lord he was receiving strength from God to continue the work.  Living for God is not easy, it takes determination and perseverance – and it can be very tiring.  But his service was to God, and God, in His mercy, gave him strength.

Paul’s statement here to the Corinthians also tells us that the Word of God doesn’t need embellishment.  We do not need trickery and deceitfulness to proclaim the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Paul made it clear that his preaching of the Gospel was a straight forward truth, unadorned and easily understood.  If people did not understand it, it was because they had their eyes focused on the lies of satan.

Even with satan blinding the eyes of people, there is always hope.  Just because satan blinds them today, does not mean that tomorrow they will not see.  They Light of Christ shines eternally and continually.  God is in the vastness of the universe and in its minutest detail.  He can use any or all of it to prick the heart of a person, and make them seek out His Light.

Paul also made it clear that the emphasis should always be on Christ – not the messenger.  We have many famous Preachers and Evangelists that forget that admonition – and even we can become self-absorbed in how important we think we are. 

We have seen, all too frequently, the downfall of prominent preachers because they forgot that God, not they, is the strength behind their message.  It is just too easy to listen to the praises of man and ascribe it to our own abilities and forget that it is the gift that God has given us to proclaim HIS Gospel.

With a world that lifts up people who have great talents, whether it be the athlete, actor, artist, speaker or preacher and places them on pedestals; holding them in awe and virtually worshiping them, it is difficult not to get caught up in that.

What we do for God is for God, and not for ourselves.  When we see the results of prayers and witnessing we may forget that; so we must always remind ourselves of Who God Is.

God is the Creator.  God sent His Son to be a sacrifice for our sins.  God accepted that sacrifice.  When we too accept that sacrifice than we owe Him everything we are, we are His emissary to the people and must present His Word to them. 

The only difference between Paul and us is time.  We may have a different ministry, it may be performed in a different manner, but the message is the same; Christ.

Later, Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again