Tag Archives: Charles Spurgeon

I’m Experimenting

1 Aug

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I am frustrated that weeks go by without writing a blog post. It’s not that I don’t have ideas, they fly through my mind. But then they fly right out when I am ready to open up the computer and write.

Hence, the experiment. I am going to approach writing my blog as daily journaling. The entries may not have any connections to each other. So here I go.

Sunday

A good day overall. We had a singing group at church, Debra Perry and Jaidyn’s Call. They were excellent. The only downside was I couldn’t seem to turn my hearing aids low enough to totally enjoy their songs. I downloaded two of their songs that especially touched me, “God Sees Your Storm.” and “At the End of Every Prayer.”

If you enjoy Gospel music, you should check them out. Debra Perry and Jaidyns Call

Monday

Summer’s heat seems to be abating, granted slowly. I have ventured out onto the porch this morning for my quiet time. I’ve missed porch time.

I am reading a short book written by Charles Spurgeon about eccentric preachers. Edward Brooke lived from 1779 to 1871. “A large man, he spent the final 10 years of his life in a confused state.” I am moved and encouraged by the final note in his diary

Monday evening: Thankful for the morning’s quiet time. The rest of the day contained annoyances. Although, the homemade keto peach ice cream was a nice after dinner treat.

I ended the evening thinking about crayon envy. You would think that being a septuagenarian I would have gotten over it. And it is a weird thing to be thinking about as I never excelled at coloring. But there was this classmate and she had a brand new 64 count box of Crayola crayons every year. I had a 16 count. For the most part, I didn’t care since coloring wasn’t my thing. But I did envy that her 64 count box had a burnt sienna crayon. Even now I have no idea why I wanted that color so badly. . She was a nice child and would happily lend it to me. I still remember her name, Gail.

Tuesday

Today wasn’t a blog worthy day. The only thing worth mentioning is that technology and Facebook are stressing me out.

I create scripture graphics for church and use the Canva program.

It usually is a champ but yesterday Canva and Facebook decided to bicker. No matter how many changes I made in Canva, Facebook would reject the format. Sunday night Facebook was happy with the format, but I guess it didn’t like Monday…or Tuesday.

Canva support is puzzled but they are working with me to resolve the issue.

Thursday

Well, the experiment has been interesting to me. This week I have seen that most of the thoughts swirling through my mind either aren’t developed enough to share or aren’t appropriate for the blog. A lot of introspection going on.

Part of my experiment is adjusting to writing on an iPad. I want to be able to do this but find the different commands challenging.

I think I will experiment for a few more weeks and see how it goes.

SURPRISE! This morning Facebook allowed me to post this graphic. Feeling hopeful.

Do any of my fellow bloggers use Canva and have you had any issues?

I'm a winner

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I’m a general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  

My 2024 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.

Hope in Choice

12 Jul

Guest Post

Rebekah Lyn

I recently started a new devotional by Oswald Chambers, in the YouVersion Bible app. Chambers, A.W. Tozer, and Charles Spurgeon lived in different times than we do now, yet in their writings, it is evident the same challenges plagued people then as they do now. It’s comforting to see people have survived the same pitfalls, but also sad that as a society we don’t seem to learn from our ancestors.

It’s Sunday afternoon as I write this, and the devotional I read this morning sparked the idea for today’s post. Chambers used an analogy of two ships in a storm to show the differences in how we face all the circumstances we have no control over. One ship is dashed on the rocks and the captain says that is the way the wind was blowing and he couldn’t help it. Meanwhile, another captain trimmed his sails so that the same wind carried the ship safely into harbor.

God made us with free will. We have the choice to follow Him or not. The choice to grow our roots in faith, spend time with Him, understand His word, and become equipped to face the storms. We also have the choice to follow Him, but remain shallow in our faith, constantly struggling to see Him at work, questioning why things are the way they are.

The two captains in Chambers’ story show the difference between these two kinds of faith. The captain who allowed his ship to be blown onto the rocks, doesn’t appear to have true knowledge of how to handle his craft. Nor did he have the clearness of mind to attempt saving the ship. He threw up his hands and gave up.

The captain who made it to safety showed calm under pressure, a deep knowledge of sailing, and an understanding of how to harness the wind. That type of character is built through study and experience. He chose to invest the time needed to understand the physics of sailing, the importance of a clear head, and focus in times of trouble.

Choosing to grow deeper in God means reading the Bible and taking time to digest the words, allowing them to work their way into the very fibers of your body so that you may recall them in times of need. It’s not easy, but it pays off in unspeakable ways when a storm arises and just the right word rises in your heart to give you strength.
After wandering in the desert for 40 years, then conquering the numerous armies that came against them, the Israelites stood before Joshua in the promised land. Joshua recapped all the Lord had done for them then gave the people a choice: “If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day who you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15.

This is the same choice we have today. The living God is the only one who brings atonement, restoration, and hope to the people. Everything else will perish. I appreciate having a choice. I also know that choosing to walk outside God’s will is a dark and lonely place. I choose to follow the Lord and look with steadfast hope ahead to the day I will meet Him face to face.

Do you need some encouragement to face a trial or learn how to pray? Visit my resources page for some of the music and books I’ve found encouraging.