Lillies

Orchid Fancy

Lilies

Burgandy & Gold

Lillies

Peace

Sunday School

Sweet Diminutive

You may recall that we have taken the summer off from our transitional transparency meetings. In that spirit we have decided to visit other churches in our area and we are really enjoying the experience. Every other Sunday or so we continue to attend our own church. When we do, we make it a point to visit a different Sunday school class.

For the past several years we had not been attending Sunday school. We were dissatisfied with the way these classes were functioning. Mostly they were a time of fellowship and discussion, with not much in the way of learning taking place. In other words, it was a time of everyone giving their own opinion and not much in the way of really studying God's word. So we thought it might be the time to go around and visit each of the adult classes that our church has to offer to see if anything has changed.

First we visited, what for the lack of a better term, is considered to be our Senior Citizen class. The Sunday we visited a substitute teacher was in charge. The material being used was from a uniform lesson. We were warmly welcomed to the class and we were asked to come back. The discussion centered on the lesson somewhat. The title of the lesson was "Trustworthy leadership." Much affirmation was given to our current leaders, although one person asked the question about why so many are leaving our congregation. There was no discussion about that question. Usually the same people spoke and we felt we didn't learn much in this class.

Our next visit took us to a small class consisting of older couples, some about our age and some were leaders within our congregation. The title for our lesson was "Teaching that transforms" and it also was from the same uniform lesson series. This class was taught on a rotating basis and for that Sunday a women was in charge. She did a good job of walking us through the lesson and leading our discussion. Again, we were warmly welcomed. We noted that due to the size of the room this class had a limit to the number able to attend. And again, mostly the same people shared during the discussion. This class reminded us as to why we stopped attending Sunday school in the first place. Much discussion, not much learning.

Now this past Sunday was a unique experience and an "eye-opener" of sorts. Our post-high class has been asking for volunteers to share with there class. So we had decided that we would be willing to do that. We also requested an opportunity to ask our own questions of the group. All this was arranged by one of their own, the person in charge of this class. For us to prepare, this person sent a list of questions that we could answer, either one, any or all. When we arrived at the class there was only one other person present. Even though we waited no one else showed up. Not even the person who had made the arrangement. We went ahead as best we could and had a nice time of getting to know the lone young person there. We shared our experience as requested and the person seemed grateful for our being there.

This experience has shed some light on what is going wrong with our congregation. We currently have a program of financial aid for college students who attend our affiliated institutions. According to the records we have distributed funds to 11 qualified candidates. Besides this number, there would be others of this age group who are not attending school or not attending qualified institutions. Where are all these people? Are they just not attending Sunday school? And, if not, why? Over the next few weeks we will investigate this matter and report to you. This is a real mystery for us and we want to get to the bottom of it.

Lillies

Large Sunny yellow

Lilies

Happy Double Orange

Lilies

Elegant Orange

Lilies

Oro'gold

The Celebration Hymnal

The Celebration Hymnal

Songs and Hymns for Worship

This is simply the best hymnal. It has a wonderful mix of the old and contemporary, hymns and gospel songs. We came across it when we visited our local community church. What a treasure!

We purchased the looseleaf addition and had it spiral bound at Staples. The actual hymnal can be obtained from Amazon in a myriad of colors.

What we like the most about the hymnal is that each hymn has a Bible verse right under the title. All the suggested readings are from Scripture. Our edition uses the KJV but they also offer another edition that uses three more contemporary translations, NASB, NIV and NKJV.

It was published by Word/Integrity in 1997. If your church is thinking about new hymnals be sure to check out this one!

Whisper of Love by Jewel Miller

Whisper of Love by Jewel Miller

Jewel was inspired to write this book by her grandmother, an avid and skilled storyteller. It is set at the beginning of the 20th century on the plains of Kansas and the arid land of New Mexico. The heroine, Mattie, finds life full of work and love as she grows up and moves away from her loving Amish family. Eventually her dreams of a home of her own are realized.

This book is reminiscent of the Little House series, only it is set among the Amish. Jewel is a gifted writer. This book may be hard for you to find, but the search will be well worth the effort. It was published by Herald Press in 1991.

Diathus

Diathus

Stonecrop ground cover

Stonecrop ground cover

Spirea

Spirea

Visit to local community church

Scottish Bluebells

Last Sunday we visited a local community church that is known for it's traditional worship style. We were not disappointed. All the songs selections were familiar to us and very inspirational.

The preaching was not the best we have heard, but also not the worst. It was biblically based and the style was easy listening. But we must say that the pastor had some nervous habits that were distracting at times. He often rubbed his hands together and waved them around and gestured almost to the distraction of what he was trying to say.

The song leader and the pastor made comments of a personal nature (sort of inside jokes) that made us feel like outsiders at times.

The facilities were wonderful and very comfortable. Though we did have trouble locating the main entrance and ended up coming in the door at the front of the sanctuary. Fortunately we weren't the only ones entering that way.

The congregation was neither overly friendly nor cold. We thought perhaps they were accustomed to visitors so we weren't an oddity. All in all it was a pleasant experience and we may visit again soon.

We are encouraged by the depths of worship we are encountering in our area. Makes our hearts soar to know that our Lord is praised in many ways around here. We recommend that you also take the time to visit around where you live and see what God is doing in your midst.

The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness by John MacArthur

The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness by John MacArthur

One of the most profound statements made in this book is that forgiving is one of the most God like things we can do. We are commanded to forgive. Why? Mostly for our own sakes. Where there is forgiveness, there is a heart that God has touched--and a life that God can bless.

John is the pastor teacher at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. He is a prolific writer and thoroughly grounded in the Scriptures. His writing style is very readable. His ability to communicate is very powerful.

Pair of Daylilies

This lovely pair reminds me of the Peace Rose. The light pink outer petals gradually turn to a bright yellow inside. Daylilies are one of our favorite flowers. They are very easy to grow and come in numerous shapes, colors and sizes. We will feature some that we have growing in our gardens for the next few days.

Yucca

The yucca flowers don't last very long, only about two weeks if the weather cooperates. They always remind me of a bride adorned for a wedding. The plant itself looks like cacti and is not pleasant to work around. Sometimes weeds get a foot hold but it doesn't seem to mind being disturbed when you work out the weeds. It multiplies readily, so be sure to put it where it has plenty of room. Ours is migrating down a steep ditch and filling in very nicely. Our variety has the shorter stalks and stays upright in the wind. If you plant the taller type you may need to do some staking.

Ground cover Sedum

Kamschatka Stonecrop

This prolific plant makes a lovely overflowing fountain on our block wall at the end of our drive. There is a structural problem at that place so this plant is a beautiful camouflage. The bright yellow flowers are cheery in the spring and the foliage is an interesting contrast during the rest of the growing season.

Firefly Fireworks

Thrift and Coralbells

We seldom venture out after dark. Last week we were coming home late, about at dusk. All around the roadway, and even above the pavement, we saw little specks of light dancing through the air.

Fireflies. A sure sign of summer. Nature's fireworks.

These little showmen appear each sultry evening to delight the eye. The grandchildren run around trying to capture as many as they can. We remember as youngsters doing the same thing.

Sometime ago we read that these little bugs were being used in experiments. The scientist were studying them as a use for something, can't remember what. Haven't heard whether they discovered anything or not.

Frankly, we already know their use. Watching the grandchildren as they collect these wonders gives us old folks the fountain of youth.

Weigela

We have two types of Weigela and they are both very easy to grow. Both have verigated leaves, one with light pink flowers and the other with dark pink. Each of these shrubs have their own flowering time. We haven't attempted to propagate either yet, but we are thinking about it. As soon as we can find some space we will make an attempt.

Bouquet of Peonies

Bouquet of Peonies

Bolly Weddle by Lewis B. Miller

(Front and back covers)

You just might have some trouble finding a copy of this book. It was published by Pequea Publishers in 2003. We both enjoyed reading this adventure story. And we both had trouble with the vernacular written throughout the story. But once we got the knack for that it became a book that could not be put down.

Lost Sons by Judy Clemens

This story follows the fictional life of Stan Windemere, a retired police detective. For two long months he and his wife, Rose, have been waiting to hear word about their son, a naval officer recently MIA while serving in Russia. Their marriage is strained as this couple tries to cope with the tragedy.

The stress also makes Stan unable to continue with his detective job on the force, so to keep busy, he takes a job as a security guard with the Mennonite Central Committee office in Goshen, Indiana. While there he learns about the real life disappearance of MCC worker Clayton Kratz in the fall of 1920 in that same area of Russia where his son is currently MIA. Stan becomes obsessed with trying to discover what has happened to Kratz. This creates tension with his wife because of her dislike of Mennonites. Rose sees the Mennonites as the enemy. Their son had been involved with a Mennonite girl before his disappearance. This girl turned down his proposal due to her belief that war is wrong. A war protest by Goshen College students also fuels Rose's feelings of betrayal.

In Clemens novel Rose sends a letter to the editor of the local newspaper in response to her outrage about the war protesters. The professor of peace studies at Goshen College arranges a meeting with her and the result is this joint letter: “We decided to work together to share our passions. To see how together we can make peace in the world. For if we can't make peace here at home, how can we expect our children—here or abroad—to do it. (We) understand more deeply now that we want the same things: peace in the world, a safe place for our children, and a sense of security.”

The author intertwines this fictional story of Stan's son with the true account of the disappearance of Clayton Kratz. Someone unfamiliar with the work of MCC would be able to learn much from this book. As a Goshen College graduate, Clemens uses her familiarity with the area to create a very believable story.

The dramatic ending to this mystery will surprise you.

Star Flower

These late spring bulb flowers we inherited from the previous owners of our property. The bulbs appear similar to crocus and they are easily spread by digging up and separating after the foliage dies. Just remember where you plant them because they don't last long.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis