Tuesday, September 11, 2007


This little beauty I found at the Good Will for about $3.00. It was made by Johnson Bros of England...and pictures...Old Britain Castles. I looked it up on ebay and found there are many....some in the loveliest pink. Quite common, but I'd never seen this pattern before, have you? As I posted this picture, I made a mental note to say, this is not an 'electric' dish...grin. Notice the electric cord to the left of it...thats my mouse 'tail' or should I spell that...mouse tale...for it enables me to enter the World Wide Web and talk to you. =)..oh happy day.
In thinking about terrible things that can happen to us...I had this thought. In their own way ...they can and do work together for good in us. I know for I have experienced this. In times of heartache or loss of health....we do not care about the fads and pleasures of this temporary life. We turn to God. We need him as never before. As I have sorrowed in different times of bereavement or heartache....the psalms have come alive in my hands and heart. God has been with me and reassured me, He is in control of everything. There are times we must suffer (we are under the curse of sin you know...Eve chose to disobey God....as we all have at times...sad to say)(all have sinned and come short of the glory of God) but He loves us and is the God of all comfort. He longs to help us at every turn of the road. This life/health is uncertain and fleeting, Every single one of us....will die physically. How or when, we don't know, but we know it is Bible fact and we see it all around us our whole lifetime.The good news? Jesus Christ died for sinners such as I....taking my punishment...so that I can be presented faultless before God at the judgement seat. My sins forgiven. Suffering IS horrible....chemo is horrible, but my daughter who is an RN....told me long ago...it is given to prevent MORE suffering from what cancer can do to us. Perhaps one could go into remission....a wonderful hope, and/or...be lifted by death to a higher plane of living...immortal...joyous! IF we have repented and trusted Christ as personal Saviour. By the way, I recently read in a column by Dr. Peter Gott...this from a lady who wrote in....if a popsicle is sucked during the chemo treatment....it will prevent a person from getting mouth ulcers from the chemo. Thats worth the try!
God will not be there for us as an 'emergency exit' only though. We must turn to him daily....making sure we are trusting him for all, in the everyday life he gives us. Attend a good Bible teaching church. Pray and read his word the Bible, let him speak to you through it. I would start by reading thru the book of St.John and the Psalms. King David suffered great heartaches, but had a rich and loving relationship with his God...our God. Make sure you are saved....
'For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. (from hell!)
He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:16-18

9 comments:

sparrow's song said...

I love finding little treasures too. This one is so pretty.

you shared,
In times of heartache or loss of health....we do not care about the fads and pleasures of this temporary life. We turn to God. We need him as never before.

Interesting how only the precious things of life come to the surface during trials. All else fades. But that is an excellent understanding for all of us to bear in mind.

Since I don't know all the facts about someone's life, I couldn't even begin to say why someone might walking in more than their fair share of sorrows. I can however relate to rejection and the thoughtlessness of others who were suppose to be in the body of Christ. Those wounds hurt the most.

None of us is sinless. None of us has done a greater good over someone else to say we merit never having any pain in life. If we all got what we deserved, God would have wipe us all out ages ago. If we believe God is sovereign, then we must consider against our own reasoning that His ways are higher with a greater purpose. I pray hurting hearts will be tenderly walked to this point along their path so they can somehow surrender their will to His. He is not a God who selfishly brings pain without purpose. May they have peace even without a full understanding.

My father is having another go-around on his skin cancer. I fear someday it will claim him as it claimed my aunt and my friend. The sad news is, for the flesh, we are all dying in some fashion or another, whether it's an obvious illness and various complications, or just old age. The curse is present as our spirits cry out to be released from this bondage of flesh, to be perfected in Christ.

When my friend Cathy died of a rare cancer I wondered where God was in all that. Why didn't He rescued her? We had prayed so hard, believed so fervently for her healing. Then the Spirit reminded me in the midst of my doubt that He had rescued Cathy, but just not the way I had reasoned. She was with Him and alive forever more. There is no true death for those in Christ Jesus.

Thank you, Maggie Ann, for allowing me to share my heart. Praying for your anonymous friend.

Ann said...

Thank you Maggie Ann. You are a blessing to know.

Amy said...

I love the dish Maggie - great find! And yes it's funny strange how people turn to God whenever something goes wrong but they forget Him when it comes right again. The times I've learned the most from God have been the hard times though...

Mrs. Mac said...

Maggie Ann, you are such an encourager! Only by the grace of God do I keep my eyes focused upon Him. My plate at times has had much sorry and grief ... but His blessed assurance is what has kept me with Him.

dragon knitter said...

i read your comment over at woven flames about the make 1. try this. lift the bar with the yarn crossing right to left. now knit in the back side of the loop. yes it twists the stich slightly, but the hole is much less noticeable. hope that helps!

~~Deby said...

I love the treasure..and yes I have seen this pattern..I lived in England for 2 years.....
Thanks for all the other things too....God is Able and God is in control....
First time at your blog I think.
Deby

Saija said...

my dishes are all different types of old english scenery ... i love your bowl .. it is lovely!!!! :o)

you are always consistent in lifting up the name of our Lord ...

blessings on ya!

Mindy said...

What great little treasure you happened upon! I enjoyed reading your post...such encouragment and truth.
May God continue to richly bless you Maggie Ann!

Unknown said...

Hi Maggie,

What a charming blog you have. I love the English plate you found. I have a few English plates too and keep them on display. They are so pretty. I love the way you express yourself. I believe in God and have faith in him with all the things that I do in my life. So it's rereshing to know that you feel the same and that the other ladies here do too. Thank you for your kind comments on my blog. I look forward to visiting your blog again soon.

Janet Bernasconi
Janet's Creative Pillows