“The RoseBouquet”

Then you’ll be thrilled to know there are various organizations who make them for you, and if you buy from them, you are helping out some needy people in a third world country. I recently had someone tell me about this page which is full of links for Christmas cards, gifts you can buy and alternative gifts too.

www.oscar.org.uk/christmas/index.htm

Just for instance, check out Cards from Africa, where orphaned youth in Rwanda make cards out of hand-made paper. If you have some good designs they could duplicate in larger numbers - all by hand of course - they would be happy to see such a design from you. I’ve got to go through some of my older designs and see if there’s some I could share with them!

In 1975, struggling to become a writer, and reading numerous library books on the subject, I learned the importance of journaling. I didn’t feel comfortable talking to myself on paper, but already had a habit of talking to the Lord in all my thoughts, so I took scrap paper and binders destined for the garbage, use the blank sides, and poured out all my thoughts to my dearest Confidante. I seem to have stopped in 1976, or I’ve lost those pages, but I took it up with renewed vigour in 1977 and have never stopped since. Getting a computer in 1991 only made me more prolific!

It is perhaps hard for others to understand how it can be, but pouring out my soul and mind to God every day has saved my sanity! Not just once, but many times. Every so often I stop and I worship God all over again for this one vital facet of my life. It has helped me understand myself and God’s Word, the Bible better, it has honed my writing and thinking skills, developed my personality, and healed me of many spiritual wounds.

Again, this may be no parting of the Red Sea to someone else, but I know I have a very sensitive, delicate spirit, and I am so grateful God knows how to communicate with me and deal with me in terms that are just perfect for me!

I began journaling at my job as receptionist-switchboard operator at Philips Electronics, London, Ontario, where I was warned the first day, that the previous employee had been fired for falling asleep at the desk. It truly was a boring job all by itself, with long stretches between phone calls on the switchboard or walk-in traffic. At first I read like a house-a-fire, then learned that I could get fed up with that. As long as I stopped the moment work came, I could pray, read, or write to my heart’s content. (I even got away with cutting out paper dolls once, when I explained that they were for a huge mural for our church’s missions conference).

This was just after my dream plan fell through, so I had lots to talk over with the Lord. It was the only way I could cope or get comfort. The written prayers helped me to come back to where I’d left off when a salesman or job-seeker came in. As my spirit cheered and I read much devotional and theological non-fiction, and through my church met excellent missionaries, I learned to intercede passionately for individuals and nations around the world. It was my main spiritual work, and I loved it.

February of 1991, back here in Hague, I got my first computer and the first thing I tried was to write out my prayers. In no time my fingers flew! Now I could type just about as fast as I could pray in my mind, something my handwriting had never been able to do, nimble though I thought I’d been!

When Mom died in 1997, and as Dad loved to sleep in, I continued to write prayers on the computer, most days from 6:30 am - 7:30, often until 9 am, but this included Bible study and thinking and planning agendas and projects because I like to do this in the presence of the Lord, and get sense of His approval before I proceed. It also included a number of cycling intercession lists, for I take every promise to pray for someone as a serious vow. There were days I interrupted myself to do what others asked or expected of me, but as soon as I had free time again, I would go back to finish my devotions before I tackled any of my personal projects.

That time was curtailed somewhat when I decided to call myself a business woman and go online to learn how to self-publish my novel in 1999. Nearly 8 years later, I sometimes pine for those longer hours in my prayer journal! Sometimes I just declare a half-day holiday for myself, and go back to that old 288 DOS computer to talk things over thoroughly with the Lord. I always come away enriched and full of new ideas and ways to correct or improve my work agenda.

If at all possible I try to take several such days in the week between Christmas and New Years to evaluate what I’ve been doing, and what needs to be dropped and what I must add to my busy life. I always enter the new year full of enthusiasm and energy and hope for great things. I don’t get everything done, - but I get a lot more done than if I had not begun this way in my Prayer Journal.

(c) 2006 Ruth Marlene Friesen

We can tell people aren’t always sincere in what they say, or they are used to lying to some degree. We know this by the way they feel they have to swear when they really, truly want to be believed. Isn’t that what swearing is all about? Comparing what is said now with something or someone of a higher power?

Jesus said we should not make oaths (swear) that bind the veracity of our words to heaven, or God’s throne, or the earth, or Jerusalem. Nowadays it seems people use hell, dam(nation), God, Jesus Christ, or a stack of Bibles. The intent remains the same.

The alternative? Jesus says just mean what we say. When we say yes to something, we should mean yes. When we say no, we mean no. If we always mean exactly what we say - no fibs, mis-leading statements, I-was-just-joking lies - then people will learn that they can trust us to always tell the truth and to stand behind whatever we have promised or pledged.

It occurs to me that if we could learn this principle well, we might easily pick up another one Jesus taught in some other passages, where He said we could move mountains, transplant mulberry trees, and bind in Heaven as well as earth, the things we say shall be so. No fancy references needed. We mean it. We believe it. We said it. Then, just like God’s word, it comes to pass.

You may argue that if you don’t use that strong language people aren’t going to believe you, or you’ll have nothing to say. Think. If you say only what you really mean and believe, you may talk much less, yes, - but you’ll grow more confident, you’ll speak with a ring of authority and power in your voice. What will happen next is that other people will believe you and show you respect.

Try simply asking Jesus to help and believing that He is a man of His word; He will help you as He promised.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to dump all that bravado talk, and to sincerely say yes or no, and mean it. I want to speak worthy and reliable words all the time.

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. You’ve heard of power naps at work, right? You rise refreshed, bright and alert. Take a break to refresh your spirit with a good inspirational story.

I suspect there are two basic attitudes to divorce; those who take it as a matter of course, and those who find it icky as poop. It all depends on whether you are the one divorcing someone, or if you’ve been hurt by that rending apart of families.

How does God feel about it? Jesus says that anyone who divorces his wife must give her a legal certificate of divorce. Seems some men were not doing this according to the laws God had given Moses for the people. Lest you think this implies that God favours divorce let me point out that this just means, do a clean job of it. Some spouses divorce each other emotionally and physically, but never really set the other person free. Jesus is just saying, if it has to be done, do it right. Do it thoroughly.

In His next breath Jesus warns that if anyone divorces except for martial unfaithfulness, is causing her to commit adultery. Even to marry someone divorced for other causes than unfaithfulness is marrying someone still married to the former partner in God’s eyes.

Sounds to me as if God and Jesus find adultery gross enough a sin to allow a divorce, but any other cause is just setting up an innocent party to commit adultery too. In God’s eyes, what He has joined together no one should tear apart!

There are other passages in the Old Testament, such as in Isaiah and Jeremiah, where God scolds His own people for being like a wayward wife who has committed adultery. From all those verses it is easy to see that God thinks of adultery and divorce as filthy sins that call for severe punishment. The seventh commandment says, “Do not commit adultery” (Ex. 20:14), and Moses was instructed to have someone caught in this sin to be stoned to death by the people. - Sure sounds to me as if God hates this sin!

PRAYER: Oh God, our generation takes divorce so lightly! As if trading in our car for a newer model. I must be learning to think like You, for I’ve seen the pain that twists the lives of divorcees and their children. So I’m with You, God, I think divorce is awful icky poop! I wish it could be wiped out forever!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. You don’t really have time to read on the couch, but if you’re like me, you do read snatches on the run, and somehow make time to read a GOOD book completely.

So how can you be sure this Ruthe in the book is not some kook? Read the six sample chapters.

Ruthless! We are suppose to be absolutely ruthless in getting rid of whatever causes us to sin. If it’s our right eye that can’t resist porn, or seeks out the “adult” (meaning high sex content) movies and web sites - then gouge it out! If your favoured hand can’t resist doing sinful things, chop it off and throw it far away!

The point Jesus is making, is that we have some self-discipline responsibilities in this matter of staying far from sin. No matter what the personal cost, He says to get rid of the cause of temptation. Completely!

My Dad tells the story of a young woman in the area where he grew up, who put her foot on a chopping stump and axed off her little toe. When people had exclaimed, her mother quoted this verse. Apparently the girl couldn’t get her foot into a shoe, and she figured her little toe was expendable to make that possible.

There are individuals strong enough to dismember themselves for a cause they believe strongly in. But I think that focus on the gruesome self-mutilation is not what Jesus meant.

Don’t passively whine that you can’t help yourself; Find the true cause and do what you must to get rid of it.

I’ve been working on such a problem myself. I’m taking more drastic measures to see that I WILL get up on time, and be awake and alert when I start my devotional time, and I will control my imagination and harness it for prayer. It means sacrificing some things the night before, and implanting a clear concept of what an important appointment I have with the Lord each morning.

It also meant making an appointment for a retreat with the Lord just to clarify my reasons and motives. Once I’d made a clear resolve, the rest of me gave in and agreed to cooperate.

PRAYER: Oh Lord God, I too, take obedience too lightly. Let’s chop off the hindrances! Give me courage to discontinue things that keep me from You.

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. Wish you could have a heart-to-heart talk with God?

Ruthe does. All the time, where ever she goes, she’s having a running conversation with the one she calls Lord, or my Best Friend. You’ve got to meet Ruthe! AND her Secret Roses.

Jesus told His followers, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

I don’t know why others have trouble understanding this passage; it seems plain enough to me. However, not being a man, it’s easy to dismiss this as not having any application to me.

Just a minute! Let’s examine it for a principle, for we know that a principle applies across the line to other situations. Here it is shown in context with sexual desire and the breaking of a commandment. What if it applies in all our secret intentions?

Jesus is reminding His hearers that we’re used to seeing judgment on those who do the sinful deed. He adds another dimension. He says those who just look with their eyes and desire in their hearts to do the adultery have as good as committed it.

He judges us by our intentions. All our intentions? Even our motives for doing good can be bad? Whoa!

Well, I can relax actually, because most of my intentions are quite good and noble. - Okay, there’s a couple of little things I have trouble with… Are you thinking along these lines with me?

In the next two verses Jesus draws the lines even sharper, more pronounced; we’re to deal with the root cause of our sins.

I don’t know about you, but there are times when I’m so fed up and sick and tired of my sinful habits, that I would like some drastic measures to be rid of them. Let’s agree with Jesus that there is a problem in our motives, and be open to His direct answer, although it may sound gruesome.

PRAYER: My friend and I confess that we’ve got a serious problem with intentions and motives - they lead us to do even good things the wrong way. In fact, You are right, my sin starts there, not just when the deed is done. I’m sorry!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. You will love Ruthe’s Secret Roses if you like;
* walking and talking intimately with God
* stories of compassion and dramatic conversion
* have a bleeding, caring heart of your own
* are a caregiving older sister
* love designing clothes and make-overs
* love giving gifts and surprises
* are a mentor or counseling kind of friend.

I’m trying to recall if I’ve ever seen an offering in church interrupted. I’ve been to at least one, two or three services a week since I was one week old, but my mind goes blank on this one.

Yet Jesus is saying here in this passage that You should interrupt your gift-giving to Him if you suddenly recall that someone has a peeve against you. You should stop right there, even if you’re up to the altar with your gift. Like, ready to sacrifice it to Him. Just put it down right there and go be reconciled to the person with whom you have a conflict. Then you come back to your offering to God.

This says loud and clear that God wants us to be in right fellowship, not at odds with anyone we know, before we worship Him with sacrificial gifts. That we have all differences cleared up is top priority with Him.

Let’s be honest. Let’s stop and think; who is there that could say truthfully before God that we have offended them? Is a little list forming in your mind? What of ones who have not said as much, but who behave as if they have a grudge against you?

Now, don’t jump to conclusions over teeny-weeny-tiny things. That’s often a bluff we do to avoid thinking about the biggies.

I’ve got a little list; one I’m not quite sure of. But now we both know what God wants us to do. We are to contact them in person and humbly seek to resolve the matter that has upset them.

There are, naturally sometimes, problem of distance, and of persons not easy to find, or who may not want to talk with us. I heard some good advice for this once — prepare yourself before God to be willing to confess wrong or ask forgiveness if and when that person can be reached or found. Then ask God to bring it to pass. God has been known to coordinate astonishing meetings.

PRAYER: Dear God, I want to restore harmony with these people too. You know which ones take courage and which ones will take miraculous meetings. Please help….!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. Ruthe is afraid to tell her family back home for reasons of her own, and this leads her to live a double life. The pressures build. Sooner or later she has to take some of the advice she gives others, for she’s getting into serious trouble! Ruthe’s Secret Roses.

Just in case you’re wondering, the school secretary, Pat Wagner, who came in at the top last Wednesday, is now our new mayor.

Last night was Halloween, and it may be the weather, for it was quite cold and windy, but I saw only about five younger tots. Of the 14 we had, I’d say half of them were tall, full-grown junior teens. It seems the attitude in our town is shifting. We used to be rather afraid for that night, as small buildings like outhouses could be tipped over in our backyards, and living room windows were sometimes beaned with eggs, and one year some bales of hay were set on fire on the main street in front of the stores.

I would be happy to see Halloween disappear altogether, but I suppose no politicians have the nerve to ban it in their community. If they tried there would be extra mischief wrought in revenge. So maybe its best if Christians just stop celebrating it, and it slowly fades away.

The radio personalities made such a big fuss over it yesterday, but I noticed there was NO mention of Christ as there is at Christmas and Easter. It is truly a pagan day.

The tract mission I volunteer for, (WesternTractMission.org) has some children’s tracts and some of them are even about Halloween. (I wrote one of them myself a few years ago). So along with some individually wrapped chocolates that an older couple gave me a few weeks ago, I handed out leaflets with stories for the kids. My idea is, if I were to go shout at their doors and try to give them the tracts I might be rejected, but when they come to our door, begging for treats - hey, that’s the time to give out these tracts as part of my treats for them!

The spam from one of my sites seems to have stopped cold now. Hallelujah! Yesterday I made some major changes at the business site, and it has cut back dramatically on the spam, but some is still coming through.

I found a new script yesterday for my forms, but since Dad has a doctor appointment this afternoon, I probably won’t get to trying it out until tomorrow. I realize that all these various methods to fight this plague are not permanent, but I feel better for finding some actions that provide relief. I won’t describe them here because the information might fall into the wrong hands on my public blog.

If you are having similar problems, write me and I can share some suggestions. There are ways to batten down the hatches, button-down your site and your emails, and set up filters to keep out at least the common, repeated garbage. Others are fighting this war too, and have some experience and wisdom we can learn from.

Aside from this, what’s new is that I’m now having ministry opportunities thrust at me.
1. Last week I volunteered to host a site for a pro-lifer who makes baby blankets for women who will carry their babies to term, and sells her floral/baby art to cover her costs.
2. I got an email from a man in Africa ‘appointing me’ to coordinate the fundraising for a container he needs to get out of customs. (I declined).
3. This week a retired missionary ‘chose me’ to manage a project to publish children’s books for India and Asia.

I tell you, life is rather interesting here in my chair! Somtimes when I get a dull moment, my head hangs, and I fall asleep!

Oddly enough, it was on Halloween night, while checking out someone’s links, that I discovered a sweet treat. It’s amazingly simple and affordable, and can multiply into a steady income for you, depending on how well you share it.

I’ve just done some research to see whether there is any hint of a scam about this deal, and no, I find nothing but ads. It seems to be fairly new on the web as most of the ads are dated for October 2006. However, I figured even a poor church mouse like me, could spare $2 to try it out. Even though I rarely indulge in chocolate (well, I did eat a couple of the leftovers last night, I admit) - I know that many others love chocolate so much, that they’ll be willing to try it out too.

Whether I ever see that delicious looking bar or not, it’s the smallness of the risk that tipped the balance. The way they lay it out, a $2 bar can earn you $400 worth of chocolates, OR you can take the cash. And that’s just an example!

So why not have a quick look-see? Zooloot Chocolate Factory