The King Is In the Field!

The King Is In the Field!

Sorry, I didn't get this posted last night.

The Month Of Elul, Day 2

Most of the year, for the Jews, the days of the year are divided into two categories, the Mundane ~ those days in which we work and the Holy ~ the days when there is no work and time is dedicated to learning about and worshiping God. 

 

The Holy Days include the Sabbath and the Feast Days.

For centuries, the majority of the people worked in the fields, today many of our work “fields” have changed. We are no longer made up of primarily farmers, striving to feed our families. Our fields are many ~ teachers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, bankers, clerks, etc. Still, we are in the “field” going about our work ~ the Mundane.

Elul is the month when the King (of Kings) leaves HIS throne and walks in the fields greeting HIS people. For the people it is a month when the Mundane and the Holy become intertwined. While it is a time of self examination, it is also a time of joy!

 

For we that are Christian, the month of Elul most represents our daily walk with Yeshua – Jesus. 

It is a beautiful picture of 

 

GRACE and FORGIVENESS!

Just as God came down to meet with HIS people on Mount Sinai, 

HE is in the field anxious to meet with HIS people during the month of Elul! 

Just as HE forgave the people for their transgressions while waiting for Moses, He stands ready to forgive each of us!

 

Do you see the beautiful picture that is being painted here?

 

The following is a portion of what Pam wrote last year:

This is the time when all of Israel has the opportunity to walk with the King in the field of life. The next 40 days are significant in many ways, but the most significant is that  

HE is IN THE FIELD. This is the time when it is considered to be a wonderful opportunity to simply meet Him where you are! He has left His throne and is walking in the field (of life) and is now approachable to all who seek Him out.

For those of us in the 21st century, this may be a difficult thing to comprehend - as most of us don't even live near a field, much less can imagine ourselves enjoying a stroll through the prairie grass or enjoying any wildflowers. But just sit back, imagine yourself without the cumbersome trappings of household chores or stressful work days, and imagine yourself walking peacefully through a beautiful grassy field dotted here and there with intricate, colorful wildflowers bending in the evening breeze...and all of the sudden, you look up - and there HE is .... examining the tiny violets that are poking their heads up through the cracked earth, picking a little wild dog rose to smell it's faint aroma and slowly but purposely walking through His creation. You are in the field...with the KING.

What would you do? What would you say? How would you act? Meditate on that for a few moments and allow yourself to raise your eyes and gaze into the face of the KING. Grant yourself the privilege of an audience with the One you pray to each and every day from afar.

As you reflect on this image, write down the thoughts that come to your mind as you imagine yourself walking and talking with the King of Kings. Keep a daily diary for the next 40 days and you will begin to draw a picture of not only how you view your life, but as Messiah views your life as well. Areas in your life that need an overhaul or just a tweaking will suddenly come into focus and you will wonder how you could cling to some of those unnecessary habits.

Let us join together ... and prepare for the coming of the Messiah!


Thought for the Day

Today is the beginning of the rest of your life. Open your diary or notebook, and write down My Journey - DAY 1. Remember, this is the month of accounting and preparation. In Aramaic the word Elul means 'searching' - so we are searching during this special time period to prepare ourselves to meet the King at Rosh HaShannah - the Day of Blowing - the Awakening! It is during this time that we will make an accounting of our life, our walk, our ways, our thoughts, our past and our future in order to ready our lives, in order to make our wedding clothes spotless.  

He may return soon! Are you ready?


In your journal, underneath the title, write down these questions:



1. Am I serious about wanting to draw closer to the God of my Ancestors....the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?



2. Am I willing to look honestly and openly into my life and examine the little 'habits' that cling to me causing me to miss the mark?



Write down your thoughts on these two questions and meditate on this scripture.


”Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.”

~ Psalms 103:1 - 6

 

Heavenly Father, I am excited that YOU truly are in the field...always, not just during the month of Elul.  I am thankful, that YOU are ever mindful of each of Your children...even though we are far from perfect.  Still, we are loved and cherished by YOU!

Father,  I pray for each person who comes by and reads this blog...for each follower, for each family member, and for the stranger out there, that YOU will bring my way...May each one be blessed of YOU.  May they seek YOUR face and Your will for their lives.  Please be with us, as we continue our journey through the month of Elul.  Amen & amen!

To contact Pam Staley, visit her website In Ancient Footsteps.

To read The Month of Elul, Day # 1 go here.

May each of you be blessed!

Cheryl

A New Month ~ A New Journey

New followers, WELCOME....hope I don't scare you off! LOL....I figure if you are following me, you don't scare too easily!  Hope you will join in this journey for the next 40 days.

Many of you know, I love studying the rich Hebrew roots that has given us Yeshua (Jesus), the Word of God (the Bible), and many of our laws and customs.  Today (August 30th) is the beginning of the month of Elul on the Hebrew calendar.  For the next 40 days, I am going to attempt to blog my way through a Bible study on the month of Elul.  It is a special time!

Last year, I followed Pam Staley's study.  I haven't heard from Pam as to whether she plans on doing a study this year or not, so I decided to "wing it".  I learned so very much last year (thank you, Pam!) and I am hoping to add to that knowledge this year.  Would love for you to join me!  You will be blessed!

"And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights." ~ 

Exodus 24:17 & 18

The Month of Elul
August 30th to September 28th (2011)

Day 1

Elul is a very special month, a time of experiencing God’s grace and His mercy. We can trace its beginnings back to the time of Moses around 1313 BCE, a few months after the Israelites left Egypt.

The people of Yahweh received the Words of Torah seven weeks after they left the Pharaoh's rule and entered into an eternal covenant with their God. Unfortunately, only 40 days later, while the great man of God (Moses) was still up on the mountain, they sinned by worshiping the golden calf.

As Moses descended the Mountain of God and his eyes fell upon the idolatry of this newly born nation, he was so incensed that he smashed the two stone tablets in which the finger of YHVH had inscribed the Ten Commandments. However, his love for the people caused him to ascend the mountain for another 40 days to plead with his God to spare them.

Early on the morning of the 1st of Elul, Moses once again ascended Mount Sinai, taking with him the stone tablets he had hewn, by divine command, for God to re-inscribe the Ten Commandments. On the mountain, God allowed Moses to "see My back, but not My face" (which Maimonides interprets as a perception of God's reality but not His essence) -- the closest any human being ever came to knowing God -- and taught him the secret of His "Thirteen Attributes of Mercy" (Exodus 33:18-34:8).

For the third time, Moses remained on the mountain for 40 days, from the 1st of Elul until the 10th of Tishrei (Yom Kippur), during which time He obtained God's whole-hearted forgiveness and reconciliation with the people of Israel. Ever since, the month of Elul serves as the "month of Divine mercy and forgiveness."

May we enter into this 40 day period with great expectancy, as we prepare our hearts for (Yamim Nora’im)the Days of Awe, by getting our spiritual houses in order.


Father, we are blessed to be able to come boldly into Your Presence because of the sacrifice of Your precious SON, Yeshua (Jesus). Even so, it is good for us to remember the times and the seasons that You established since the beginning, the Ancient Ways, for Your Word says, "For I am the LORD, I change not."
(Mal 3:6 ) By seeking the old, we draw closer to the TRUTH and become more aware of all Yeshua did on our behalf that we might obtain mercy, forgiveness, healing and so much more. Open our eyes that we might see clearly. Make us more aware of that which is True and pleasing to YOU as we begin our journey. May our faith grow stronger with each step and may we draw closer to YOU. Let us not take anything for granted, but accept YOUR blessings with humility and grace. In the Name of Yeshua, Amen!

"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16 (a)

Blessings,

Cheryl 

Ruby Jean's Giveaway!

Many of you are also followers of Linda at Prairie Flower Farm and know that her son and daughter-in-love are in the process of adopting a young man from the Ukraine.

This is a process that has had its share of ups and downs!

But it is coming down to the wire!!!

And God has been faithful!!!

Ruby Jean is hosting a giveaway to help!!!

Tressa and Linda Stubbs

Josh and Tonya will be leaving this coming Saturday for the Ukraine and will be there for a couple of weeks.  Two weeks later, Tonya along with Tressa, will return to the Ukraine to bring "V" home!!!  The giveaway on Ruby Jean's blog will help Tressa raise the money needed for travel expenses!

Just click on the link and go by and look at what the winners will receive!!!  YES, winners!!!  

There will be 4 winners! 

This is such a good cause and will enable a little boy to have a family and home here in America.  Please go by and read Ruby Jean's post and look at the wonderful things Tressa has made.

This is your chance to be a part of something big....you can be a big blessing in someone else's LIFE!

Blessings,

Cheryl

Fearless Friday, August 19th

It is Friday and I am praying for YOU and your families!

Many others are also committed to praying for you today.

There is more information in my side bar to the right.

I am still feeling a bit overwhelmed and I don't have the energy to write out all the prayer requests ~ but,

GOD already knows!

If YOU have a specific request you have not told us about, feel free to write it in the comment section or you may email me.  You can also contact Angela by pressing on the Fearless Friday button in the sidebar.

I do feel the LORD gave me this particular scripture for today.  If it speaks to your heart,

claim it as your very own message from HIM!

"For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you."

~ Deuteronomy 20:4 ~

 

"If God be for us, who can be against us?"

~ Romans 8:31 ~

 

Know the LORD is on your side!  And know the victory is HIS!

I am working very hard, trying to get to this point:

 

"Be still, and know that I am God:" 

(Psalm 46:10)

It is difficult to "be still", it is even more difficult to keep my mouth shut.  Lessons I am trying to learn.

 

Please pray for me, also.

I have another unspoken request, God knows about.

Know you are loved!  God loves you so much and I cherish your friendship!  If you need me, just leave a comment and/or email me.

I will be checking back throughout the day!

 

(Sherri's photo)

Also, be sure and have a blessed weekend, allowing HIS joy to be your strength!

Blessings,

Cheryl

Hi! How are you this fine Thursday?

Just wanted to "chat" with you for a few minutes!  

Hasn't this summer ~ with all the relentless heat and lack of rain ~ gone by fast?!  But there again, maybe it is an age thing....nah!  Time is going FAST!

 Have you started thinking about the holidays, yet?  I know they seem along way off, but they will be here before we know it!  Every time I make jelly,  I think about who will receive jelly and a loaf of homemade bread over the holidays.  It is a favorite present for the neighbors and some of the cousins....favorite on "both ends"!  

I love making it and they enjoy receiving it!   

(I know, not good grammar.)

I want to get started on some personal cookbooks, too.  Soon.

Yesterday, Parsley (Seasons Of My Mind) posted a very special You-Tube video.  You will be blessed if you go and watch!!!  I promise!!!

Later today, I will be joining Beth to play

But for now, we need to do some more schoolwork and see what we are having for lunch.

Besides, Beth's choice of what to list on the Top Ten this week is hard.  I will have to really dig deep.  And it is much too early for that.  We had company until very late last night, after a really long day.  I think they were lonesome.  It was nearly
3:00 a.m. when they left.

I did fix honey-hunk his meatloaf last night, with sour cream mashed potatoes, fried squash, and cucumbers and onions from the garden.  

He was happy!  

Google Image

Maybe today I will get around to that Lemon Meringue Pie!

So far, it has been a busy week!

Oh, the boys and I did sneak over and checkout the work on the pond.  It is going to be awesome!  I think I am as excited as they are!

What's going on at your place this week?

Remember, tomorrow is FRIDAY.....Fearless Friday!  We will be praying!

I'll be back this afternoon.  Come by and join me.  I'll fix you a nice glass of the house wine....

Sweet Tea!!!  

with

Lots of Ice

Maybe I'll have the pie done also.  You can have the first slice!

Blessings,

Cheryl

Building Our Homes Together ~ August 17th

Building Our Homes Together.....with JESUS!

For more about Building Our Homes Together ....with Jesus, be sure and visit Prairie Flower Farm. 

You will be blessed!

Good morning, everyone!  Praying you are having a wonderful week in HIM!

The word COMPROMISE keeps coming to mind this morning.  Life is made up of a situations giving us the opportunity to learn to compromise, isn't it?  And that is never more true than in a marriage or in the home!

My friend, Angela, often refers to the following verse when speaking of herself and her husband:

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

(Proverbs 27:17)

In iron there is great strength.   Some of our wills are like that....we can be very strong willed, which can be an asset or it can be a stumbling block.  

It is an asset when it provides the foundation on which we can rest our beliefs.  It gives us that "step up" so to speak, to be able to express to others, what we believe is  

TRUTH.

However, when we display our strong wills by not being willing to compromise within our marriage or in our homes, it can be a very real "stumbling block"!

You and your "help meet" are one, your thoughts and actions can sharpen one another....not to use those sharpened weapons against one another (because you are ONE), but to be used against the enemy.

It is apart of that "armour" Paul tells us to put on, to be able to stand against the devil.  It is a part of the shield of faith, we are to use to quench the fiery darts of the enemy!

We need to learn to be quick to compromise within our families.  

With children, mom always said, "Pick your battles."  Meaning don't fight over everything.  Rather weigh the importance of the situation first.  Often, when children do not do something exactly the way you would like it done, they are not being rebellious, but developing their own ability to make decisions, to stand on their own two feet.  It is just a part of growing up.

This morning I had to compromise with my honey.  

I didn't want to, at least not at first.

We homeschool our 14 and 15 y/o, along with our soon to be 13 y/o grandson.  Dh is very conscious of keeping to schedules, keeping the boys busy with school during normal school hours, etc.  (He has a teaching degree....so while it gives structure to our schooling, it can drive me a little crazy.  I tell him it tends to cloud his reasoning, by not allowing him to think "outside the box classroom".

Dh and his brother are rebuilding an old pond and dressing the surrounding area.  I reasoned the boys would learn more by going with him today...heavy equipment (they are just beginning to learn a little about how to handle the bulldozers, etc), how about contouring the land, that type of thing.  

My thinking, ~ this type of opportunity to learn firsthand does not happen all that often.  Let's take advantage of it!!!

Dh's thinking, ~ he can get up and get an early start, leaving the boys to do their chores (along with a couple of his chores), they will be able to accomplish some class work (staying inside) and be here to help me.

But what I hear is....no, they need to be at home "in" school.  (Inside the box thinking.)

What he hears....she (me) doesn't want to do classroom work today (which has some truth, as I believe children are continually learning in a number of ways and the more ways, the better educated they actually become.  Obviously, my thinking has not been clouded by receiving my teaching certification.).

Anyway, our joint conclusion was for the boys to stay home doing chores, classroom work and going with me to buy feed, etc. today and tomorrow.  Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, they will go with him to work on constructing the pond.

The boys will benefit from both and hopefully, they will also learn a little bit about compromising, rather than holding out to get their own way.....after all, they can be pretty strong willed, too!

But ~ we are building our home, one day at a time.

BTW, I put up okra and squash yesterday.  Pickings from the garden are a little slim due to the excessive heat and lack of rain, but God is still blessing and we are taking advantage of everything He sends our way.

Praying for each of you to have a very blessed week in HIM!

Hugs,

Cheryl

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Tuesday, August 16th

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

Outside my window...  dark, cloudy and lightning.  Praying for rain.

I am thinking...  ~ about some old friends I recently heard from.  It blessed my heart.

I am thankful for...  ~ the rain we have received!

I am wearing...  ~ old, comfortable clothes….barefoot

always, barefoot (some things just don’t change, people)

I am remembering… ~ crazy things!

I am praying … ~ for a friend and for our troops around the globe.  This is a difficult time for them, I’m sure.

I am going...  ~ to try and get a little more organized and try to follow doctor’s orders.

I am currently reading...  ~ I just finished Mine Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs.  It is a sequel to Here Burns My Candle and it is the best book I have ever read!  Loved it.

 (It is loosely based on the story of Ruth.)

 

I am hoping...  ~ for an early and long autumn.

On my mind...  ~ Ann Voskamp’s blog, A Holy Experience, she had a beautiful post yesterday about her son.  It is certainly worth your time to check it out.

Noticing that...   ~ the days (or daylight hours) are already getting noticeably shorter.

From the kitchen...  ~ going to be putting okra and squash in the freezer today.

Around the house...  ~ laundry, always laundry!

From the learning room ~ getting ready for the new school year.  For now, the boys are learning how to operate some new equipment and how to build and maintain a pond.  (I love it when honey-hunk does the teaching and I get to sit back and learn too!)

One of my favorite things…  Lemon Meringue Pie.  I’m going to make honey-hunk one this week, along with his favorite meal ~ meatloaf with lots of homegrown veggies and cornbread.

A picture to share… ~

Beavers Bend State Park

(I'm dreaming of fall.)

Quote of the Week… ~ 

 “Whatever You may do, I will thank You.

I am ready for all; I accept all.

Let only Your will be done in me…

And I’ll ask for nothing else, my Lord.”

~Charles de Foucauld

(from, A Holy Experience)

Be sure and visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.

 May God be gracious to you and bless you; may He make His countenance shine upon you forever; that Your way be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.

Blessings,

Cheryl

Thank You(s) and Hugs!

And I mean  that!

I went for my two week checkup on Friday.  According to the doctor's scales, I had lost a total of 8 pounds of water (I liked mine better ~ 11, maybe I shouldn't have drank that Dr. Pepper!).  Nevertheless, he was happy with my progress.  I am to keep doing the same as I have been and I don't have to go back for a month!!!

As for my sinus infection, it is beginning to break up.....I think what I need most for it, is a change in the weather!

We did receive nearly an inch of rain last Friday night....it was WONDERFUL!!!  I am always shocked by how much difference a rain can make.  The pasture had such a yellowish-brown color before, now it has a yellowish-green cast to it.  You can almost see the chlorophyll returning to the blades of grass!  Praying for more rain, soon.

Our temperatures have began to move back away from the 100+ degree mark.  (THANK YOU, Father!)  Last night it dropped down to 73 and the daytime high has remained in the mid 90's the last couple of days.  It makes me so happy ~ especially for the animals (and the electric bill)!

I wanted to take time to say THANK YOU for all your prayers and well wishes.....they do make so much difference!!!  Each day, I get a little stronger and while I had rather wake up with a ton of energy, baby steps are okay, too!  Besides, I think it makes it easier for GOD to get my attention when I am not up and cumbered about by the everyday chores!  

(That's my story and I'm sticking with it!)

It has also giving me time to start planning out the homeschool year...at least until my brain gets tired of making notes.

Dh and two of the boys have been working on helping dh's twin build a pond.  Actually, they are reworking an older pond, making it larger and cleaning around it.  The 14 y/o got to drive the smaller bulldozer!  He has been super excited and I am looking at it as an awesome learning experience for both of them!!!

(I love hands on learning!)

I hope to be able to take a few pictures before they finish all the work.

I am working toward being able to post each day....Really!  But I mostly wanted to say Thank YOU and to let you know how much I appreciate each of YOU!

Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining ~

Sometimes, it is up to us to look for it.

Happy Sonday, everyone!

Decided I need to post an update….

There was a time in my life, when things happened at a much slower rate.  Sure, we had a crisis now and then, but things would return to “normal” and time would move forward for a month or two before some other earth shaking event happened.  I miss those days!

I went to the doctor as scheduled Friday, a week ago.  Having realized for a few months that something wasn’t right, I thought (even though I’d rather not) going to the doctor was necessary.  In the back of my (naturopathic-like) mind, I was thinking I would get a diagnosis and rather than take the prescribed meds, search out whatever herbs I needed to cure the problem.  It didn’t workout quite that way.

I explained about my back pain, trouble walking, unable to loose any significant weight the last few months…etc.  He took one look at my feet and legs and told me, he was more concerned with me being on the verge of congestive heart failure. 

What a wake up call!

He did say, once we pull the water off, my joint pain should decrease dramatically, giving me more freedom of movement.

In the last 8 days, I’ve lost 11 pounds.  Yes, I’m taking the meds…..for now (as long as I don’t have one of those weird reactions I am prone to have).  I have ankles again!!! 

My next appointment is this coming Friday.    He was a bit amazed that at my age, I was not taking any prescription medicines!  That made me Smile!

Chasey’s (our 10 y/o granddaughter) shingles are beginning to look much better.  Thank you for praying for her.  Right now, she is suffering from sore throat, ear ache and such.  Everybody in this area has been having this “stuff”……the weather is so hot and so dry!  It is hard on humans and hard on our animals.

Silver Lining ~

The pasture at our oldest daughter’s (and family’s) place was struck by lightning last Wednesday……thankfully, three of their children were here with us!!!  The fire came within 25 feet of the house, taking out an electrical pole…..thus “killing” two computers, two televisions, the Wii and other appliances.

God is so good!  When Jenny had a wreck earlier this summer, three of the kids were (again) here safely with us!  So twice, God had arranged for protection for the grands prior to the incident.  AWESOME!

Silver Lining ~

We have some friends who are going to be gone for about six weeks.  Our youngest son is taking care of their animals and their plants, etc.  This means every other day, I have to take son to do his chores at their place and I usually help, by watering and checking on things.  With the temperature above 100 (and not feeling great), this hasn’t been my cup of tea….especially last week when the thermometer read 117 when we were leaving the house.

Some of you know, we have been looking for hay for the animals…..us and everybody else from Kansas to Texas and east to Georgia!  I called to check on some hay out of Minnesota last week…..the price (hold your heart) $105 a bale!

I’ve been thinking, we will be blessed if we can feed our animals and still buy groceries this winter….not even thinking about the utilities!

Our friends called to see how things were going and if everything was alright at their place.  They told me, there was a man coming to cut and bale their pastures (so I would know he had talked to them) and told us to take….TWENTY round bales for looking after their place!!!

So, again….God arranged a major blessing …(I just had to be welling to get out and do a little)!!

I haven’t been posting as much because with the heat, the kids are staying in out of the

sun more (therefore using the computer, the video game systems and the television) and while I used to write and post a lot after everyone else was asleep….taking these meds has me going to sleep before the rest of the family!

You are in my prayers though!  And I hope you are looking for the silver lining in the clouds that come your way!!!

Prayerfully, I will be back posting more regularly soon!  I miss you!

Blessings,

Cheryl