Longaberger Dumpster Dive...

This is just the best! I won't forget this day for a long time. It started out as sort of a mission of mercy. A friend of mine cleans houses with her friend, and her friend was under the weather. I offered to help her clean today. I was looking forward to spending time together and being able to bless her.

On the way to clean the house this morning I had the most wonderful drive. I would never have imagined that driving across 116th St. between Carmel and Fishers at 7:30 am on a Friday morning could be so beautiful and enjoyable! The flowers on the Carmel side are just amazing. I even saw a yellow finch perched in the tall heather-like purple flowers! As I crossed the river it was foggy and the sun was coming through the fog in rays. It was beautiful! What a gift!

I arrived a few minutes before my friend. People were moving out of the house we were cleaning and there was a dumpster in the driveway. So, of course, I had to peek in to see if there was anything of interest. JACKPOT! There was some Longaberger baskets in there! I have not been a fan of the baskets for decorating...but I love them for their utility. I have received some as gifts....but I don't think I ever purchased one.

We did check to make sure that this really was a throw-away dumpster and we dived to get these three baskets and two pyrex lidded casseroles. As a pyrex collector I was so excited...also they are in two of my favorite colors! I couldn't get my friend to take any of the baskets. I think she just wanted me to be blessed with them. Enjoying God's creation, working with and enjoying a dear friend, and getting a super treat!

It was a God-Smile to me.

The Royal Law....

Found in scripture...."Love your neighbor as yourself." (James 2:8)

"but love your neighbor as yourself." (Lev. 19:18)

"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31)

"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Gal. 5:14)

"and Love your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27b)

The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Luke 10:29

Jesus then tells the religious leaders the parable of the Good Samaritan.......



Then Jesus said, "...now go and do the same." (Luke 10:37b)

Count Your Blessings....

Pictures of the Rupp girl cousins singing "Count Your Blessings". June 20, 2009. A repeat performance from Grandma and Grandpa Rupp's 50th wedding anniversary circa 1960. Several of us "Outlaws" have been warmly welcomed to this amazing group of girl cousins.

Cousin Brenda is keeping an eye on cousin Linda...who is counting her blessings that she made it through the weddings of both of her daughters last year. One in July and one in December.
Cousin Delight is counting her blessings that her granddaugher is in the Miss Ohio contest this very night. Cousin Donna is counting her blessings that she is now retired from Nursing and finding more time to help others and do the things for the Lord that she loves to do.

We finally dragged Carma into the front row. She is the tiny one and was hiding.....note this next picture....

I still can't see cousin Marleen, she is behind someone in every picture! It is such a blessing to see the cousins! They are all so wonderful! And if I remember correctly this is just a little over half of them.

ABC's of the WORD..... "R"

"God reigns above the nations, sitting on His holy throne. The rulers of the world have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham. For all the kings of the earth belong to God.

He is highly honored everywhere.

Psalm 47:8-9

(A great comfort in these times.)

It's Art to Me....

Just back it in so everyone can enjoy the view! That's what I'm talkin' about! Saw this today at the Post Office. Amazing Bronco! Andy, it was a real knock-out! (This is why I try to carry my camera every where I go.) The owner said that the man who did the make-over spent 45K w/o labor. Every thing on it is pristine. Lots of chrome...gas cap, etc, etc. Wish I had close up of the rivets over the wheel area......Kinda makes me homesick!

A Tale of Three Kings

I just finished reading a great book "A Tale of Three Kings" written by Gene Edwards. After a short conversation with our teaching pastor Stan this morning, he gave me a copy. The book is a comparison of the lives of Saul, David and Absalom. I just read 1 Samuel 14 in my daily devotions this morning I just can't stop thinking about Saul. This book is very thought provoking. It would be especially helpful to those who feel hurt by the church, or someone who has gone through a church split. The author calls it a study in brokeness.

"Are you so certain your king is a Saul and not a David that you are willing to take the position of God and go to war against your Saul? If so, then thank God you did not live in the days of crucifixtion. What, then, can you do? Very little. Perhaps nothing. However, the passing of time (and the behavior of your leader while that time passes) reveals a great deal about your leader. And the passing of time, and the way you react to that leader--be he David or Saul--reveals a great deal about you." Ch. 16

It seemed like a good idea....

1 Samuel 13. I just started reading in Samuel for my quiet time. Our teaching pastor Stan asked us to read in Samuel for the next few weeks. All day I have been thinking about Saul. He didn't obey God. He got anxious waiting for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices, so he took matters into his own hands and did it himself. His pride took over. This angered God and ruined Saul's life.



I have been thinking alot about how I often take things into my own hands instead of waiting for God. I wonder what I have missed by proudly going ahead on my own.



Doing what God says is more important than the battle itself. Saul was so concerned about the battle and his soldiers, that he forgot who he was fighting for.



http://www.nvcl.org/Carmel/Main.aspx?Page=This%20Week Link to our weekend service....will be posted 6/3/09.